The Sleeping Beauty Killer

My Thoughts

The Sleeping Beauty Killer is classic Mary Higgins Clark—a competent, entertaining mystery that delivers exactly what fans expect but doesn't push any boundaries or offer much in the way of surprises. It's the literary equivalent of comfort food: familiar, satisfying in the moment, but ultimately forgettable.

The premise of the Under Suspicion series—a television producer investigating cold cases—remains intriguing, and the format allows for an interesting blend of mystery solving and television production drama. In this installment, Laurie Moran tackles the case of a doctor murdered fifteen years ago, with her fiancé having always been the prime suspect despite maintaining his innocence.

The mystery itself is serviceable. There are enough suspects and red herrings to keep the pages turning, and Clark's smooth, accessible prose makes for quick reading. However, the solution feels somewhat predictable, and experienced mystery readers will likely figure out the main twist well before the reveal.

What holds the book back is a certain superficiality in the characterization and a tendency toward telling rather than showing. Characters often feel like types rather than fully realized people, and motivations can seem thin. The romance subplot between Laurie and Alex feels obligatory rather than organic, taking up space that could have been used to deepen the mystery.

Clark's strengths—her ability to create suspense and keep readers engaged—are on display here, and the book certainly succeeds as a quick, undemanding read. The pacing is good, the writing is clear, and there are moments of genuine tension. But there's also a sense of going through the motions, of hitting familiar beats without adding anything new or surprising.

Why You Might Like It

• Easy Reading: Smooth prose and good pacing make it a quick read
• Cold Case Format: Television production angle adds interest
• Classic MHC: Delivers what fans of Mary Higgins Clark expect
• Multiple Suspects: Enough possibilities to maintain interest
• Series Continuity: Works well within the Under Suspicion series
• Suspenseful Moments: Clark knows how to build tension

Perfect For

Longtime fans of Mary Higgins Clark who enjoy her reliable style, readers looking for an undemanding mystery to pass the time, and those who enjoy cold case investigations with a television production backdrop. Good for beach reading or when you want something easy that doesn't require deep concentration.

Final Verdict

The Sleeping Beauty Killer is a perfectly adequate mystery that will satisfy Mary Higgins Clark fans but won't win any new converts. It's competent, readable, and entertaining in a superficial way, but lacks the depth and originality to be truly memorable. Fine for what it is—light mystery entertainment—but nothing more than that.