Product Description

Liza Barclay, aged 10, shot her mother while trying to protect her from her violent stepfather, ex-FBI agent Charley Foster. Despite her stepfather's claim that it was a deliberate act, the Juvenile Court ruled the death an accident. Many people, however, agreed with Foster and tabloids compared Liza to the infamous murderess, Lizzie Borden, pointing even to the similarity in name. Growing up with adoptive parents who tried to erase every trace of her past, her name is changed to Celia. Always, though, the fear hung over her and the family - that someday, her vengeful stepfather would reappear to harm her. Aged 25, a successful interior designer, she marries a childless sixty-year old widower and they have a son. Before their marriage, she had confided her earlier life to her husband. Two years on, on his deathbed, he tells her that he would want her to re-marry, but makes her swear never to reveal her past to anyone, so that their son would not carry the burden of this family tragedy - a promise that plunges her into a new cycle of violence. Three years later, happily re-married, Celia is shocked when her second husband presents her with a gift -- the house where she killed her mother. When the real estate agent who has made the sale recognises her and, soon after, is murdrered, Celia is accused of the crime. Once again, she is home -- the place where she is stamped as a murderess.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #404292 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-05
• Released on: 2005-04-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Clark's clever use of a bit of New Jersey real estate code fits perfectly into her usual formula for minting bestsellers in a novel about past deadly secrets coming to haunt the present. At One Old Mill Lane, in Mendham, N.J., 10-year-old Liza Barton wakes to find her stepfather, Ted Cartwright, attacking her mother, Audrey. Liza grabs a gun in defense, but in the ensuing melee Audrey is killed and Ted is wounded. Dubbed "Little Lizzie Borden," Liza is taken away and almost convicted of murdering her mother and attempting to kill the lying, scheming Ted. Twenty-four years later, Liza, now known as Celia Foster Nolan, has just been presented with a surprise birthday present from her new husband, Alex: the house at One Old Mill Lane. Alex doesn't know Celia is really Liza, and he doesn't know the house's grim past—but thanks to a real estate code obligating agents to notify prospective buyers if a house could be considered "stigmatized property," he's about to find out about the latter at least. As Celia fights to keep her dark secret hidden, their real estate agent turns up dead. More folks are killed and Celia comes under suspicion. But in typical Clark style, most of the characters look a little guilty. Some readers will get annoyed by Celia's tendency to do things that reinforce the cops' suspicions, but Clark's steadfast fans will suspend all necessary disbelief and play along. Agent, Sam Pinkus. One million first printing; main selection of the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, Doubleday Large Print, Mystery Guild and BOMC. (Apr.)

Review
"Clark's clever use of a bit of New Jersey real estate code fits perfectly into her usual formula for minting bestsellers in a novel about past deadly secrets coming to haunt the present."
-- Publishers Weekly (Publisher's Weekly )

About the Author
Mary Higgins Clark is the author of twenty-two worldwide bestselling works of fiction and a memoir. She lives in Saddle River, New Jersey, with her husband.

Customer Reviews

An excellent mystery with many twists and turns
Alex Nolan saw the house in Mendham, New Jersey and bought it as a surprise for his wife Celia as a birthday present. Celia is shocked and speechless because it is the same home where she grew up in until she was 10 years old. Her mother, Audrey Barton was accidentally shot by Celia, known back then as Liza Barton, and her stepfather, Ted Cartwright was seriously wounded. There was a trial, but Liza was acquitted. She was adopted by distant relatives and relocated to California. Liza returned years later as "Celia Kellog" to New York to attend the Fashion Institute and fell in love with her first husband Larry Foster. When he died, Larry left his estate to his wife and son, holding her to the promise that she would never reveal her true identity. She met Alex Nolan and a romance very quickly blossomed. Living in Mendham was a chance for them to start fresh. Alex was a successful attorney and was going to head his firm's New Jersey office. Alex seemingly did not pay attention when his realtor Georgette Grove tried to disclose the story of Liza Barton to him. Their house over the years had become known as Little Liza's place and had been recently vandalized. As police try to follow up on the vandalism, two murders take place. Celia is suspected in both, especially as her former identity is disclosed. As she is haunted by her own memories, Celia becomes more determined to reveal the truth of what happened 24 years ago. Well-done, nicely tied together, with great twist at the end.

Nothing to rave about, but an enjoyable read!
I love Mary Higgins Clark books. I have read every single one. With that said, I can't say this is her best, or even in her top 15. But I did read it all the way through, and it was entertaining, though somewhat unbelievable.

Positive points: admirable protagonist, beautiful and smart (typical, of course!) Many characters to draw suspects from, several twists and turns that keep you reading. Also, family-friendly writing; you can always lend MHC books to your teenager and your grandma without worrying about the content.

Not so great points: The "coincidences" that were pretty hard to believe. Also, the circumstances that the storyline takes place within are also questionable. You may question the main character's judgment at times and wonder what she was/is thinking. As long as you don't think about it too hard, you'll be able to look past these things.

Bottom line- if you like a quick mystery/thriller and aren't bothered by glitches in the storytelling or circumstances, then you'll enjoy this book.

A solid story...
Mary Higgins Clark is an excellent mystery writer. Her use of flashback writing always brings the reader a strong connection to the main character. This novel is no exception. Here the main character Celia lives in fear that her true identity will be found out. She struggles to remember what happened the night that she accidentally killed her mother and injured her stepfather. This struggle allows the reader to sympathize with Celia, and immediately draws the reader into the mystery of what really happened. Although the character keeps most people at arms length, her obvious devotion to her family comes through in this story.