Search - Daddy's Little Girl

This is a tightly woven, emotionally potent tale of suspense and revenge. Clark's new heroine is Atlanta investigative journalist Ellie Cavanaugh, who was seven when her sister, Andrea, 15, was beaten to death by 20-year-old Rob Westerfield, scion of the wealthiest family in a small Westchester town. Now Westerfield is up for parole, so Ellie, now 30, returns home to speak out against him. When Westerfield is released, Ellie begins to write a book aimed at re-proving his guilt. Digging for evidence, she uncovers clues that Westerfield may have committed another murder as a youth, but that digging also enrages the Westerfields and other town members who think the man was railroaded. Before long, Ellie's life is in danger, as someone breaks into the house she's staying in, then later sets fire to it, nearly killing her, and as Westerfield himself begins to shadow her moves. What makes this novel work isn't only the considerable tension Clark teases from Ellie's precarious position, but the thoughtful backgrounding to the action. Ellie is cast as a lonely woman, without a lover and estranged from her father and half-brother: will she accept one or the other into her guarded life?; and she carries a heavy load of guilt for her sister's death, wondering at times if she is blinded by her thirst for vengeance.

This is not Ms. Clark's best work. No suspense. No twist...Read it for the journey and not the destination.

"Ellie was 7 years old when her sister was murdered near their Westchester County home. It was Ellie's testimony that put Rob Westerfiled, the 19 year old scion of a prominent family, in jail despite the existence of 2 other viable suspects. Twenty-two years later, Westerfield, who maintains his innocence, is parolded. Determined to thwart his attempts to pin the crime on another, Ellie, an investgative reporter for an Atlanta newspaper, returns home and starts writing a book that will conclusively prove Westerfield's guilt. As she delves deeper into her research, she uncovers horrifying facts that shed new light on her sister's murder. With each discovery she comes closer to a confrontation with a desperate killer." This was a good book to read, fast paced and a suspenseful story.

Ellie was 7 years old when her older sister was murdered near their home in NY. It was her testimony that put Rob Westerfield, a 19-year old, in jail despite there being 2 other suspects. Twenty-two years later, Rob is paroled and still maintains his innocence. Ellie is now an investigative reporter who returns home and starts writing a book that will prove Rob's guilt. As she goes deeper into her research, she uncovers facts that shed light on her sister's murder. With each discovery, she comes closer to a desperate killer.

Very enjoyable read... it was the only MHC book I have read where I was truely unable to guess the ending and the killer. Has more dimensions that just the mystery, and is really a touching story. Highly recomended!

When a girl,s sister is murdered and justice is served, years later, when his parole is about to be granted, she will attempt to keep him behind bars. Is he innnocent? That is one the the great twists so typical of all of M.H. Clark,s books. Love her and all of her books.

From Mary Higins Clark, America's bestselling "Queen of Suspense," comes a chilling story of murder that reaches the heights of suspense while exploring the depths of the criminal mind.

Ellie Cavanaugh was seven years old when her older sister was murdered near their home in New York's Westchester County. It was young Ellie's tearful testimony that put Rob Westerfield, the nineteen-year-old scion of a prominent family, in jail despite the existence of two other viable suspects. Twenty-two years later, Westerfield, who maintains his innocence, is paroled. Determined to thwart his attempts to pin the crime on another, Ellie, an investigative reporter for an Atlanta newspaper, returns home and starts writing a book that will conclusively prove Westerfield's guilt. As she delves deeper into her research, however, she uncovers horrifying facts that shed new light on her sister's murder. With each discovery she comes closer to fa confrontation with a desperate killer.

"After {more than 20} bestselling suspense novels, you might think Clark could not improve. You'd be wrong...A superb suspense story." - Tulsa World

"Clark doesn't let the reader off the hook until the very last word." - Boston Globe

Very good book

Writing in the first person a rarity for this veteran author has inspired and energized Clark. Her 21st novel of intrigue is her best in years, a tightly woven, emotionally potent tale of suspense and revenge. Clark's new heroine is Atlanta investigative journalist Ellie Cavanaugh, who was seven when her sister, Andrea, 15, was beaten to death by 20-year-old Rob Westerfield, scion of the wealthiest family in a small Westchester town. Now Westerfield is up for parole, so Ellie, now 30, returns home to speak out against him. When Westerfield is released, Ellie begins to write a book aimed at re-proving his guilt. Digging for evidence, she uncovers clues that Westerfield may have committed another murder as a youth, but that digging also enrages the Westerfields and other town members who think the man was railroaded. Before long, Ellie's life is in danger, as someone breaks into the house she's staying in, then later sets fire to it, nearly killing her, and as Westerfield himself begins to shadow her moves. What makes this novel work isn't only the considerable tension Clark teases from Ellie's precarious position, but the thoughtful backgrounding to the action. Ellie is cast as a lonely woman, without a lover and estranged from her father and half-brother: will she accept one or the other into her guarded life?; and she carries a heavy load of guilt for her sister's death, wondering at times if she is blinded by her thirst for vengeance. With its textured plot, well-sketched secondary characters, strong pacing and appealing heroine, this is Clark at her most winning.

As always, from Mary Higging Clark, another suspense story that touches our hearts while raising the hairs on the back of our necks.

This is the 2nd book by this author I have read. I don't normally read books by Clark. This book is very good. I will continue to read books by her.

Very good book. You feel so sorry for Ellie in the beginning, but by the end you're rooting for her!

Another great read by Mary Higgins Clark. I love her books and this one was no disappointment. I could hardly put it down once I started!

good book

Great book.

Great!!! You want be able to put it down!

#1 NY Times Bestseller

I almost kept this book just because it is so well done!

Good read

I liked M.H> Clark early books the best, but this is still a good read.

At seven years old Ellie's older sister was murdered and with her testimony, the murderer is convicted. But now it is 22 years later and he is up for parole. Can she convince the parole board to keep him in jail?