Before I Say Good-Bye

Amazon.com

Mary Higgins Clark's 22nd romantic thriller is destined for bestsellerdom on the strength of her reputation alone. Which is not to say that Before I Say Good-Bye doesn't have a bit of all the ingredients of the Clark genre: a little mystery, a likable heroine, and even a nice guy who turns up midway through the novel and promises her romance and a second chance at happiness. But while the set-up is promising and the bare essentials of a compelling read are all here, only readers who are already Higgins fans will be kept completely spellbound.

Nell MacDermott is the politically ambitious granddaughter of a canny politician in Manhattan's silk stocking district, and her grandfather wants her to run for his old congressional seat. But there are rumors that Adam Cauliff, Nell's husband, has been involved in a real estate and construction scam, and until Nell gets to the bottom of this her political future will be clouded. When Adam and his assistant are killed in an explosion aboard his boat, Nell is determined to clear his name. Nudged into action by her nascent psychic powers and a medium who may be her only link to Adam, Nell learns more about her husband's mysterious past than she bargained for and--naturally--stumbles onto a conspiracy that puts her own life in danger. The narrative seems more like an outline for a novel than a novel itself; the characters are sketched rather than fully explored--particularly Nell, whose back story doesn't provide enough information to make her actions understandable. But the pacing is expert, and Clark's dedicated fans will doubtless forgive her for not making this her strongest outing. --Jane Adams

Book Description

A young woman probing into the mysterious circumstances of her husband's death receives a message from a medium claiming to be his channel in Mary Higgins Clark's #1 bestselling thriller,

BEFORE I SAY GOOD-BYE.

When Nell MacDermott learns that her husband, architect Adam Cauliff, and three of his business associates have died in an explosion of his new cabin cruiser, she is not only devastated but wracked with guilt. The last time she saw Adam, they had a bitter quarrel over her plan to run for the congressional seat long held by her grandfather; she had told him not to come home.

As the investigation into the boat's explosion proceeds, Nell learns that it was not an accident but a bomb. Despite her skepticism, Nell is swayed by her great-aunt Gert, a believer in psychic powers, to see a medium claiming to be Adam's channel.

While trying to unravel the threads of Adam's past and his violent end, Nell consults the medium, who transmits messages to her with instructions from Adam. The story reaches a powerful climax in Nell's final encounter with the medium, in which she learns the truth about the explosion -- truth she can't be allowed to live and tell.

Download Description

In her latest novel of intrigue and suspense, Mary Higgins Clark spins a nerve-tingling tale of a young woman aspiring to a political career who falls into the clutches of a fraudulent psychic.

Customer Reviews:

lackluster.......2007-09-23

I am a huge Mary Higgins Clark fan. I love to read her books in between some of the more intellectual books that I read b/c they are riveting page-turners with a complex plot...usually. I picked this book up at the supermarket and was excited to hear that there may be a supernatural twist. Not only is this incredibly downplayed throughout the book, but there is a sense of repetition that was slammed home by the following exchange. On page 223 of the paperback Nell is speaking to detectives about a safe deposit box to which a key has been found. She says, "Can't you take it to the bank and find out there?" They explain the difficulties of finding a box without knowledge of the bank where it is located. The repetition occurs on page 291 where the detectives visit Nell's home and speak to her about the box as if it is the first time (i.e. a new discovery). She says again, "Can't you just take it to the bank that issued it and find out what is in the lock box?" Prior to this, I felt time and again that the feelings of the characters and the facts of the story were being unnecessarily repeated. I always liked Ms. Clark for her wit and quickness and I don't enjoy being written to as if I were a small child. It makes me question whether this book had ever been edited. She claims her long-time editor is Michael Korda, and I wonder if he somehow dropped the ball on this one. Ms. Clark is truly the Queen of Suspense, but this book should be erased from her C.V. The supernatural suggestions are misleading and should have taken the place of the constant reiteration of the facts and feelings surrounding the main characters. All in all, a dud.

Kept me interested .......2007-06-29

I still don't know if I like the grandfather. He is controlling and a little stuck up. The storyline and plot went well and I stayed interested throughout this book. So, I gave it a modest ranking. I really wish that I could have learned some more about how the boat was blown up exactly. It is amazing that someone that you know for such a long time can turn out to be your enemy.

Unsteady, but a good suspense thriller.......2007-02-23

Nell MacDermott, granddaughter of Congressman Cornelius MacDermott, has had psychic premonitions for as long as she could remember. One day her husband Adam Cauliff, with whom she had argued that morning, held an architectural discussion aboard his boat with a few associates. While he, Winifred Johnson, Jimmy Ryan, and Sam Krause were on board, the boat suddenly exploded. All four were reported dead, but only Krause and Ryan's deaths could be proved. Meanwhile, Nell was struggling to cope with the loss of her husband, and her grandmother suggested that she see the famous Bonnie Wilson, a renowned psychic. She hoped that it would help give her closure on the matter. After her visit, Nell was completely convinced that Bonnie was a true psychic, and that she had really spoken to Adam through Bonnie. But the two detectives on the case, Brennan and Sclafani, found new evidence to suggest that the explosion had been set by someone on the boat who had somehow escaped. The suspects were quickly narrowed down to the unconfirmed dead, Winifred and Adam. Nell was having an even more difficult time coping after this news, and she resorted to clearing their apartment of anything reminding her of Adam, except the blue blazer that he was supposed to have worn the day of the explosion. A safety deposit box key found in his coat pocket further connected him to Winifred, and the detectives soon deduced that he was the person seen escaping from the burning boat, and that it was a real possibility that he was still alive. But the detectives unearthed some background on Adam Cauliff that unnerved Nell to the point where she felt she had to go to Bonnie to contact Adam in the spirit world for answers. While she was there, Adam came up behind her, shot her, then bound her and lit the room on fire in hopes that she'd burn alive. But she was too smart for that. Nell crawled over to the window, broke it, and cut her bonds on the broken glass. She was then able to try to escape out the window and let the police on the ground know that she was up there. Adam and Bonnie's combined weight on the old fire escape was too much, and it collapsed with them on it, killing the both of them on impact with the ground. Nell escaped, burned and cut, but alive, and she succeeded in winning the election to Congress and followed in her grandfather's footsteps.
Before I Say Good-Bye was a good suspense thriller, though it lacked a solid plot.

The characters in this novel were well-developed and quite life-like, though their actions were somewhat predictable. Mary Higgins Clark has a certain indescribable way that she unfolds her characters, and this technique comes through in all of her books. But the only problem I have found is that she often reveals a little too much about one person, and this person is usually the culprit in the story. This excess information leads me to know that this person is the real guilty party in the story. Conversely, this characteristic could help her to write the best thriller she's ever written. She could get her readers used to the way she unfolds the story, then *Boom* she could throw a monkey wrench into the pattern. Her readers would be astounded! It would be a perfect idea for the "Queen of Suspense" to use in a brand-new thriller.

In the other books of hers I have read, the plot was fairly stable and easy to follow. But in this novel, the plot was very unstable and shifted around a lot. That's not to say that it wasn't a good book, it was just a more difficult read than most of hers that I've read. The plot jumped around a lot, and switched points-of-view so often that I was left saying, "What?! When did that happen to her? Oh, wait, that's someone else."

In conclusion, Before I Say Good-Bye was an interesting thriller by the Queen of Suspense, but it wasn't thoroughly complete, in that it was slightly tough to follow. I would definitely recommend this book for any fans of Mary Higgins Clark, but not for someone new to her works.

-C. Edwards

Just terrible writing.......2006-02-20

Quite honestly, I just can't understand how people can actually enjoy this drival. Not worth your time unless you are a devoted Mary Higgins Clark fan.

Couldn't finish.......2006-02-17

I love MHC normally, but couldn't finish this. BORING! If you want a good book, go back and read one of her early ones...Remember Me, All Around Town, there are lots - just skip this one.

El Ultimo Adios/ Before I Say Good-bye (Best Seller)

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El Ultimo Adios/ Before I Say Good-bye (Best Seller)
Mary Higgins Clark
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Police Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Métodos de la Policía | Misterio | Libros en español | Formats | Books
ASIN: 8497593626

6 Book Set By Mary Higgins Clark; While My Pretty One Sleeps; Nighttime Is My Time; Daddy's Little Girl; Two Little Girls in Blue; Before I Say Good-bye; No Place Like Home

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6 Book Set By Mary Higgins Clark; While My Pretty One Sleeps; Nighttime Is My Time; Daddy's Little Girl; Two Little Girls in Blue; Before I Say Good-bye; No Place Like Home
Mary Higgins Clark
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WKC024

Product Description

6 Book Set By Mary Higgins Clark; While My Pretty One Sleeps; Nighttime Is My Time; Daddy's Little Girl; Two Little Girls in Blue; Before I Say Good-bye; No Place Like Home.

6 Titles By Mary Higgins Clark : You Belong to Me We'll Meet Again Before I Say Good-Bye On the Street Where You Live Daddy's Little Girl The Second Time Around

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6 Titles By Mary Higgins Clark : You Belong to Me We'll Meet Again Before I Say Good-Bye On the Street Where You Live Daddy's Little Girl The Second Time Around
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QMWXRK

Product Description

multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.

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BEFORE I SAY GOOD-BYE
Mary Higgins Clak
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K2I4QK

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Before I Say Good-bye
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0743499794

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Before I Say Good-Bye
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NPTUQ2

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Before I Say Good-Bye (BCE)
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P90Q8C

Product Description

book club edition hardcover

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Before I Say Good-bye large Print
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Simon Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W98CTK

Before I Say Good-Bye/Julie and Romeo Get Lucky/Demolition Angel/Winter Solstice (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 6: 2000)

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Before I Say Good-Bye/Julie and Romeo Get Lucky/Demolition Angel/Winter Solstice (Reader's Digest Select Editions, Volume 6: 2000)
Mary Higgins Clark , Jeanne Ray , Robert Crais , and Rosamunde Pilcher
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ETP14W

Book Description

This graphic novel features a collection of terrifying horror stories by comic book master of the macabre Pat Boyette. Here are the hair-raising tales of Aaron Parigee and the dark narrative of The Vow, space explorer General Aaden who attends to the messy cleanup of the Carrion of the Gods, the story of Skaakland-the land known as despair's dominion-and their human cattle who know The Demon is Dying, and more pulse-pounding tales of Black Death, ancient Egypt, witches, warriors, and more!

Customer Reviews:

REMEMBERING PAT BOYETTE.......2005-08-05

The name Pat Boyette may not be extremely well known among today's comic book fans which makes this collection of his work from Vanguard Productions all the more special. Boyette worked in TV and film before moving into comics in the 1960's and directed, wrote, edited, even provided the narration for one of the great 1960's "b" horror movies "Dungeons of Harrow". In fact calling it a "B" movie is perhaps being too kind. Dungeons of Harrow would make most Monogram or PRC films look like "A" features. That's not to say it's bad. It's Plan B, so bad it's good. It also has one of the more chilling and unsettling scenes of 60's horror films when the Count DeSade's wife is prowling the dungeons and gets up close and personal with the captives. It's really a scream if you ever get a chance to see it. But I'm digressing, we're talking about Boyette's work in comics and specifically this Nightstand Chillers trade which collects several of Boyettes horror tales for the first time.

Pat worked for DC, Marvel, Jim Warren, but the bulk of his comic work was done on those great Charlton comics of the 60's and 70's like Ghost Manor and Ghostly Tales and The many Ghosts of Doctor Graves. This stuff is so good and vastly under appreciated. Any fans of horror comics would be in Heaven by haunting their local comic shops or conventions and buying up these great old Charlton comics which you can get for next to nothing. This volume is filled with great stories and art by Boyette, most of which I know I never read since I didn't read many Charlton comics myself back then. Some of the great stories included are:

"The Vow" in which a man living in a plague-inflicted city is offered the opportunity (and safety) of running the crematorium, which has no shortage of business. But he'll later find he perhaps made a mistake in moving into the building with his young daughter when she grows up to have an unnatural affection for the dead.

"Carrion of the Gods" is an interesting re-thinking about how the Pyramids and Great Sphinx were created, long before Stargate came along.

In "The Geek" a lonely widower befriends a curious little creature that eats live chickens. Although the creature doesn't speak he is empathetic to the loneliness of the widower and tries to find a way to soothe his grief.

The Wake of the Monster" has a demon relating his own life story and how he's influenced men over the years.

Boyette's art is typical for the period and well suited to the black & white format that's showcased in this book. In addition to these tales, J. David Spurlock of Vanguard productions conducts a lengthy and informative interview with Boyette and Marty Baumann of the Bmonster.com website has an article on the films of Pat Boyette. Sadly, Pat passed away in 2000 but he's left behind a wealth of work for his fans to cherish for many years to come and hopefully Vanguard will issue further volumes showcasing Pat's talent.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Book Description

"Don’t waste time contemplating whether or not this program could work for you. Trust me – it will work! Take this from someone who has struggled for the last 10 years and finally lost the weight. If I knew I could lose weight so easily and quickly I would have tried NutriSystem sooner!"
–Zora Andrich, reality TV star
lost 20 lbs. in two months (results not typical)

The highly anticipated companion book to NutriSystem ^® Nourish ^TM, the breakthrough weight-loss program

Do you want to lose weight and not feel hungry? Would you like to find a way to drop unwanted pounds that actually fits into your lifestyle? Welcome to NutriSystem Nourish, the integrated program that lets you put the past behind you and gives you the tools you need to start losing weight right now! The NutriSystem Nourish program is designed to work–offering real solutions for busy lifestyles and making your metabolism function at its highest level to yield breakthrough weight-loss results. Based on the latest dieting and nutritional research, NutriSystem Nourish is the Good Carb Answer ^TM.

Can help you lose weight because it’s the Good Carb Answer ^TM that’s rich in good carbs, yet still low in fat
Features 28 days of simple and practical meal plans, 4 weeks of exercise plans, and 75 delicious recipes
Incorporates easy movement and exercise tips, fast relaxation tools, positive thinking, and inspiration, as well as optional prepared meals
Packed with weight-loss tips and techniques, sidebars, and mental exercises designed to increase your weight-loss success!

Download Description

In December 2003, NutriSystem launched an important new product line through an unprecedented television, radio, and print campaign. The NutriSystem Nourish program offers real solutions for busy lifestyles. It takes the work and worry out of weight loss, and makes a dieter's metabolism function at its highest level, yielding breakthrough weight-loss results. Emphasizing low-glycemic carbs, the right amount of protein and healthy fats, and an integrated mind-body approach to weight loss and healthy eating, NutriSystem Nourish is based on the latest dieting and nutritional research-and represents a significant change from NutriSystem's previous Food Pyramid-based products.

NutriSystem Nourish, a major new weight-loss book, explains the science behind the program and gives dieters the inspiration and practical advice they need to stay motivated and achieve their weight-loss goals. Because Nourish is an integrated program that feeds both body and mind, this book-the first in more than a decade from this major brand name in weight loss-will be essential for anyone who wants to receive the full benefits. It is sure to be a runaway success.

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Program.......2007-07-17

I tried the Nutrisystem program originally to debunk it. Several diet plans failed me. Once you leave the program, you revert back to the weight you were. In my case, Nutrisystem helped me to make lifestyle changes that everyone can apply whether you leave the program or not. I chose to stay, because I like the food and it's a convenient way to shop. NS stresses portion control. Some have discipline and some don't. If you do and don't want to buy the food, read this book. If you need a push in the right direction, read this book and order the month's worth of food.

It worked for me. With the diet and exercise, I lost 120 lbs over 18 months.

Hard to follow........2007-07-17

Solid principals (Glycemic Index), but it's unclear and difficult to follow, and frankly uninteresting/uninspiring. They know what they are doing, but either don't know how or choose not to communicate it clearly.

Great information.......2007-03-16

I have found this book to very informative and helpful in following the Nutrisystem plan. You can use it by itself, or in conjuction with the NS foods.

The Revolutionary New Weight-Loss Program.......2007-01-04

I found this book to be very useful in getting a better understanding of the Nutrisystem Program. I was using their food products and now I am able to continue to loss weight on my own following the books guidelines.

Great to have even if you are currently on NS.......2006-03-29

Even if you are currently buying your food from NS, this is a great book to have as a resource. Eventually you will reach your goal and be on your own, and the book will become your guide on maintaining your success. You can't beat the price for keeping your health.

Nutrisystem Nourish - Revolutionary New Weight-loss Program

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Nutrisystem Nourish - Revolutionary New Weight-loss Program
Dr. James Nutrisystem; Rouse
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IYE54U

Average customer rating:

favorite cookies

not impressed

Highly Recommend It!

Highly recommend it!

Cookies cookies

Big, Soft, Chewy Cookies
Jill Van Cleave
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Cookies | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Desserts | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Book Description

Newly revised, this bestseller now boasts even more to chew on with 25 additional recipes for colossal cookie creations. While it's clear--from malls to vending machines to grocery stores--that big, old-fashioned cookies are incredibly popular, many cookbook recipes still produce bite-size, crunchy results. EnterBig, Soft, Chewy Cookies to right this wrong with more than75 recipes for enormous, gooey cookies to sink your teeth into.

Readers will find traditional and new favorites like:

Coconut Bars
Chocolate Chips
Apricot Pillows
Oatmeal White Chocolates... and more

Big, Soft Chewy Cookies has a cookie for every palette. Easy to-follow recipes for bar, drop, and holiday treats make this tasty tome a staple for every kitchen.

Download Description

"Newly revised, this bestseller now boasts even more to chew on with 25 additional recipes for colossal cookie creations. While it's clear--from malls to vending machines to grocery stores--that big, old-fashioned cookies are incredibly popular, many cookbook recipes still produce bite-size, crunchy results. EnterBig, Soft, Chewy Cookies to right this wrong with more than75 recipes for enormous, gooey cookies to sink your teeth into. Readers will find traditional and new favorites like: Coconut Bars Chocolate Chips Apricot Pillows Oatmeal White Chocolates... and more Big, Soft Chewy Cookies has a cookie for every palette. Easy to-follow recipes for bar, drop, and holiday treats make this tasty tome a staple for every kitchen."

Customer Reviews:

favorite cookies.......2005-03-31

I absolutely love the recipes in this book (I have the original edition). To get the truly chewy effect on some of them, you really have to follow the recipe on the size. It seems odd to use so much dough for one cookie, but they really turn out better that way (instead of 3/4 or 1 inch balls, the recipes generally use 1.5 inches). I highly recommend the snickerdoodles recipe. I've tried many of the other recipes as well over the years and enjoyed them all. I'm looking forward to trying the recipes in the new edition.

not impressed.......2004-01-21

I tried 2 recipes from this book and was sufficiently disappointed that I will probably not use this book again. The "Four-Spice Fantasies" were completely bland and puffy/cakey in texture rather than chewy, while the "Oatmeal Cinnamon" cookies, though better than the former, were nothing to write home about. People should let me know if any of her other ones are worth trying. Otherwise I now only go to allrecipes.com for user-rated recipes.

Highly Recommend It!.......2001-10-02

This book does not contain tantalizing photos or fancy illustrations, however it has recipes you will love to make over and over again and get excited to try next! I am a culinary arts student and I can appreciate recipes that will turn out "as promised" products without having to tweak them. This book is perfect for those who love to try combination of unique flavors as well as traditional ones. Instructions are very clear and very SIMPLE to follow! As indicated, cookies are SOFT and CHEWY! It's a "must have" on your bookshelf for fail proof cookies in no time! Have fun!

Highly recommend it!.......2001-10-02

This book has no pictures or fancy illustrations, however it contains recipes that you will love to make over and over again and recipes you will be excited to try next! I am a culinary arts student and I can really appreciate recipes that turn out excellent products without having to tweak them! This book is perfect for those who love to try interesting combinations of flavors as well as traditional ones. Directions are very clear and SIMPLE to follow! As the title indicates, cookies are CHEWY and SOFT... This is a "fun" book to have on hand for fail proof cookies in no time!

Cookies cookies.......2000-06-23

An awesome title for an awesome book!

Average customer rating:

Big, Soft, Chewy Cookies
Jill Van Cleave
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFTIZO

Van Cleave/Magee Mommy's Little Helper Family-Fun Cookbooks Two-Book Bundle (Big Soft Chewy Cookies, Someone's in the Kitchen with Mommy)

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Van Cleave/Magee Mommy's Little Helper Family-Fun Cookbooks Two-Book Bundle (Big Soft Chewy Cookies, Someone's in the Kitchen with Mommy)
Jill Van Cleave , and Elaine Magee
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

Mommy's Little Helper Having fun in the kitchen with children is easier than ever with these two cookbooks with tasty recipes the whole family can love. From delicious cookies of every flavor to a wider variety of snacks, main dishes, and desserts, this bundle makes it fun to cook with children while at the same time instilling safe habits in the kitchen. This limited-time offer includes the titles Big Soft Chewy Cookies and Someone's in the Kitchen with Mommy.

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