mary higgins clark
(image: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Things We Saw Today: RIP ‘Queen of Suspense’ Mary Higgins Clark

The celebrated mystery author passed away at 92.
This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information
(image: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Mary Higgins Clark, the beloved author best known as the “queen of suspense”, has passed away at the age of 92. Higgins Clark wrote 56 books, all of which became bestsellers, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. For many mystery fans, her work was a gateway that led to a lifelong love of the genre.

Recommended Videos

Higgins Clark became a widow at 37, left to raise her 5 children alone. She found work as a radio series scriptwriter and sold short stories while struggling to support her family. In 1975, at the age of 48, her first suspense novel Where Are the Children? was published and became a hit. From then on, she continued writing at a brisk pace and earned a legion of fans.

Michael Korda, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Simon & Schuster, said of Higgins Clark, “She was unique. Nobody ever bonded more completely with her readers than Mary did; she understood them as if they were members of her own family. She was always absolutely sure of what they wanted to read—and, perhaps more important, what they didn’t want to read—and yet she managed to surprise them with every book.”

Many fellow authors and fans took to social media pay tribute to Mary Higgins Clark.

(via CNN)

  • These facts about the Ampersand will send you down a typography wormhole. (via Twitter)
  • The sources behind baby Yoda’s voice are exactly as adorable as you would expect. (via The Hollywood Reporter)
  • The first reviews of Netflix’s Locke & Key are in. (via Collider)
  • Behold baby Snowda!
  • Flashpoint has saved over 36,000 Flash games, in case you didn’t have anything to do this weekend. (via Kotaku)
  • Mission: Impossible is bringing back an old familiar face for MI7 and MI8. (via CBR)
  • Is Soundcloud trolling Elon Musk? Or is Elon Musk trolling the world?

Are you boldly going into the weekend or getting scared of your own shadow, Mary Suevians?

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.