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Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories
A one-of-a-kind mystery collection that showcases the immense storytelling talent #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark has honed over her tremendous career—including a bone-chilling, previously unpublished short story forty years in the making.
In 1974, master storyteller Mary Higgins Clark began writing a novella inspired by the dark side of the New York City fashion world. She then put the unfinished manuscript aside to write Where Are the Children?, the novel that would launch her career. Forty years later, Clark returned to that novella and wrote its ending. Now—for the first time ever—Death Wears a Beauty Mask is available for readers along with a stunning array of short fiction that spans her remarkable career.
From Clark’s first-ever published story (1956’s “Stowaway”), to classic tales featuring some of her most memorable characters, Death Wears A Beauty Mask And Other Stories is a jewel of a collection brimming over with the chills and heart-pounding drama we’ve come to expect from the Queen of Suspense. Death Wears A Beauty Mask And Other Stories is a spine-tingling read and a special glimpse into the evolution of a world-class writing career.
In 1974, master storyteller Mary Higgins Clark began writing a novella inspired by the dark side of the New York City fashion world. She then put the unfinished manuscript aside to write Where Are the Children?, the novel that would launch her career. Forty years later, Clark returned to that novella and wrote its ending. Now—for the first time ever—Death Wears a Beauty Mask is available for readers along with a stunning array of short fiction that spans her remarkable career.
From Clark’s first-ever published story (1956’s “Stowaway”), to classic tales featuring some of her most memorable characters, Death Wears A Beauty Mask And Other Stories is a jewel of a collection brimming over with the chills and heart-pounding drama we’ve come to expect from the Queen of Suspense. Death Wears A Beauty Mask And Other Stories is a spine-tingling read and a special glimpse into the evolution of a world-class writing career.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
847 people are currently reading
2742 people want to read
About the author
Mary Higgins Clark
630 books13.5k followersThe #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark has written thirty-eight suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauthored five more suspense novels. Her sister-in-law is the also author Mary Jane Clark.
Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and made her an international bestseller many times over.
Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and made her an international bestseller many times over.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
May 10, 2015
Interesting
I have been reading books by her since I was a child. The very first book I read was Where Are The Children. I am now 54 and still enjoy reading her books. I would recommend reading anything she writes.
I have been reading books by her since I was a child. The very first book I read was Where Are The Children. I am now 54 and still enjoy reading her books. I would recommend reading anything she writes.
June 26, 2015
Well if you like Mary Higgins Clark you will enjoy this book of short stories - I found it easy to read and since the stories were short it was easy to put down and walk away after reading one and then coming back and reading another.
The stories are old and some felt dated - but I love Victorian romance and that is dated- right? Well they were all good - some better than others - the first story was a bit longer then I think was needed - but it had suspense.
One story was sad and yet uplifting at the end - I read that one first off - I decided to skip around as I read this book and the airplane story is a good one and I hope I would be willing to risk everything to save a life if needed.
I enjoy reading mystery authors and this one is good - I also really enjoy her series with Alafair Burke- Short stories from an author you know and love -
I received this item for an honest review.
The stories are old and some felt dated - but I love Victorian romance and that is dated- right? Well they were all good - some better than others - the first story was a bit longer then I think was needed - but it had suspense.
One story was sad and yet uplifting at the end - I read that one first off - I decided to skip around as I read this book and the airplane story is a good one and I hope I would be willing to risk everything to save a life if needed.
I enjoy reading mystery authors and this one is good - I also really enjoy her series with Alafair Burke- Short stories from an author you know and love -
I received this item for an honest review.
September 2, 2018
http://www.writingis.fun/%D1%81%D0%BC...
Реших вчера да си позволя, тъй като беше събота да остана до по-късно от обикновено, за да си довърша книжката. Честно да си призная мислех, че книжката е роман, но всъщност се оказа сборник от разкази. Тя е в криминалния жанр и идеално се върза с това, че скоро приключих и „На живот и смърт“ на Майкъл Роуботъм. Даже мисля, че съм попадала по-често на мъже писатели в криминалния жанр от колкото на жени. Но да си призная това не е от особено значение, защото Мери Хигинс Кларк определено си заслужава прозвището като „кралица на съспенса“.
Реших вчера да си позволя, тъй като беше събота да остана до по-късно от обикновено, за да си довърша книжката. Честно да си призная мислех, че книжката е роман, но всъщност се оказа сборник от разкази. Тя е в криминалния жанр и идеално се върза с това, че скоро приключих и „На живот и смърт“ на Майкъл Роуботъм. Даже мисля, че съм попадала по-често на мъже писатели в криминалния жанр от колкото на жени. Но да си призная това не е от особено значение, защото Мери Хигинс Кларк определено си заслужава прозвището като „кралица на съспенса“.
May 17, 2015
It would seem that you have to be something of a fan of this author to get the most of out these stories. The majority of the stories had leggy, beautiful women being rescued by manly men. The best of the lot was Alvirah and Willy, the lottery winners, with some personalties beyond squabbling, semi-broken-up couples and helpless dames.
I would give it a 2.5 as the writing was fine but that isn't an option.
I would give it a 2.5 as the writing was fine but that isn't an option.
June 24, 2015
I have read every Mary Higgins Clark book that was written. I am not a huge fan of short stories and this collection is at it's best just okay. Most of the stories have been told before and are definitely from the seventies which were a different era. The best story is the Alivirah story which I love no matter long or short. It was a great first day of summer vacation read as I didn't have to think too hard or remember characters and plots. Still love her simple story lines but love her full length novels more. Short stories are not best writing style.
September 24, 2020
This is a book of short stories with Mystery/Thriller. My favorite was the first story in the book which is Death wear a Beauty Mask. I liked a few of the others, but I also did not like some of them. (*)
April 9, 2021
Nice collection of short stories. You can tell that some were written a long time ago (before my time??) with the outdated information. I was still able to enjoy them though. Some stories I liked more than others, but they average a pretty high rating.
January 28, 2017
Gosto imenso desta autora, mas há muito que um livro não me desiludia tanto.
O livro é composto por vários contos, sendo que o primeiro é o mais longo e mais completo. A partir daí, dá a sensação que são vários pequenos "pensamentos de ideias" que autora teve e resolveu pôr por escrito.
Levou 2*, porque o primeiro conto se safou
O livro é composto por vários contos, sendo que o primeiro é o mais longo e mais completo. A partir daí, dá a sensação que são vários pequenos "pensamentos de ideias" que autora teve e resolveu pôr por escrito.
Levou 2*, porque o primeiro conto se safou
June 14, 2017
Good. Darker and more straightforward than Agatha Christie, but not gory or creepy. Definitely formulatic. By the last couple stories I knew exactly what was going to happen. Stories are short and fast paced. In fact, sometimes I was startled when the winding up part started to happen so soon. Nice for mindless entertainment. In a year, I won't remember reading it.
August 12, 2025
One star because Mary doesn't know the difference between a Victor Victrola and an Edison phonograph.
January 13, 2019
This is a very hit and miss collection of short stories...more miss than hit, I'm sorry to say. Not the best book I have read.
February 8, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
This was the first book that I have read by Mary Higgins Clark. To be quite honest, if I saw it in the store I wouldn't buy it. The only reason I have it, and felt compelled to read it, was because it was a gift from a friend.
These short stories were either a hit or a miss - either really gripping or really boring, there wasn't really any in between.
To rate these stories in order of my favorite to least favorite:
1. The Man Next Door
2. Haven't We Met Before?
3. Death Wears a Beauty Mask
4. The Funniest Thing has Been Happening Lately
5. Definitely, a Crime of Passion
6. Voices in the Coalbin
7. The Tell-Tale Purr
8. The Cape Cod Masquerade
9. Stowaway
10. When the Bough Breaks
One thing that definitely disappointed me about these stories, was Clark's need to paint the female characters as inferior to the males. There was constantly the stereotypical, often times sexist, image that women need men to rescue them. Constantly, the female characters found themselves in some kind of predicament and required a male character to help them to get out of it and remain safe.
Women are capable of caring for themselves, they do not always need a man to come to their aid.
While this was my first experience reading Clark's work, I am uncertain about whether I will read more of her novels in the future. I have read that some of her fans believed this collection to be inferior compared to her full-length novels, but I am not yet convinced. I will not be buying any of her other works in a hurry.
This was the first book that I have read by Mary Higgins Clark. To be quite honest, if I saw it in the store I wouldn't buy it. The only reason I have it, and felt compelled to read it, was because it was a gift from a friend.
These short stories were either a hit or a miss - either really gripping or really boring, there wasn't really any in between.
To rate these stories in order of my favorite to least favorite:
1. The Man Next Door
2. Haven't We Met Before?
3. Death Wears a Beauty Mask
4. The Funniest Thing has Been Happening Lately
5. Definitely, a Crime of Passion
6. Voices in the Coalbin
7. The Tell-Tale Purr
8. The Cape Cod Masquerade
9. Stowaway
10. When the Bough Breaks
One thing that definitely disappointed me about these stories, was Clark's need to paint the female characters as inferior to the males. There was constantly the stereotypical, often times sexist, image that women need men to rescue them. Constantly, the female characters found themselves in some kind of predicament and required a male character to help them to get out of it and remain safe.
Women are capable of caring for themselves, they do not always need a man to come to their aid.
While this was my first experience reading Clark's work, I am uncertain about whether I will read more of her novels in the future. I have read that some of her fans believed this collection to be inferior compared to her full-length novels, but I am not yet convinced. I will not be buying any of her other works in a hurry.
November 9, 2015
Цялото ревю - http://ekaterinaes.blogspot.bg/2015/1...
Последните няколко седмици се бях оставила изцяло да бъда погълната от криминалния жанр, трилъри и хоръри, които ме изправят на нокти и ме карат да чета още и още, и още. Но все мъже писатели. Мери Хигинс Кларк е една от онези жени-автори, които ме карат да вярвам, че дори и жена, може да е истински майстор на криминалето (точно, както и Агата Кристи).
За първи път чета нещо от тази авторка и съм силно впечатлена от сила й, от начина, по който завръзва сюжета и изгражда героите си, а престъпленията или мистериите й са нещо, което наистина държи под напрежение до самия край. Съвършен Съспенс.
"Смъртта носи маска за красота" (Издателска къща БАРД, 2015) е сборник с разкази, поднесен по повод юбилея на Мери Хигинс Кларк - четиридесет годишната й писателска кариера. Десет новели с невероятни сюжетни линии, пленителни случаи и престъпни издеяния, мистерии и тайни, и загадъчна, лека романтика.
Направи ми голямо впечатление, че Мери Хигинс Кларк обръща специално внимание на семейните отношения, а всичките й главни герои са обикновени хора, които имат добри отношения с полицаи, следователи и детективи. Всичките й герои са интелигентни и находчиви, а всеки един от престъпниците й е хитър като лисица, но съдбата изиграва лоша шега точно в последния момент. И именно това е впечатляващото, цялото напрежение, което нараства постепенно до момента на кулминацията, от който всичко за престъплението се разкрива изведнъж.
Едно наистина напрегващо и изненадващо четиво.
Последните няколко седмици се бях оставила изцяло да бъда погълната от криминалния жанр, трилъри и хоръри, които ме изправят на нокти и ме карат да чета още и още, и още. Но все мъже писатели. Мери Хигинс Кларк е една от онези жени-автори, които ме карат да вярвам, че дори и жена, може да е истински майстор на криминалето (точно, както и Агата Кристи).
За първи път чета нещо от тази авторка и съм силно впечатлена от сила й, от начина, по който завръзва сюжета и изгражда героите си, а престъпленията или мистериите й са нещо, което наистина държи под напрежение до самия край. Съвършен Съспенс.
"Смъртта носи маска за красота" (Издателска къща БАРД, 2015) е сборник с разкази, поднесен по повод юбилея на Мери Хигинс Кларк - четиридесет годишната й писателска кариера. Десет новели с невероятни сюжетни линии, пленителни случаи и престъпни издеяния, мистерии и тайни, и загадъчна, лека романтика.
Направи ми голямо впечатление, че Мери Хигинс Кларк обръща специално внимание на семейните отношения, а всичките й главни герои са обикновени хора, които имат добри отношения с полицаи, следователи и детективи. Всичките й герои са интелигентни и находчиви, а всеки един от престъпниците й е хитър като лисица, но съдбата изиграва лоша шега точно в последния момент. И именно това е впечатляващото, цялото напрежение, което нараства постепенно до момента на кулминацията, от който всичко за престъплението се разкрива изведнъж.
Едно наистина напрегващо и изненадващо четиво.
April 15, 2016
I much prefer MHC's longer novels rather than her short stories. Still, I've read many of her books and decided to try this one.
I preferred some of these stories over others. I think the best ones were the title story; Voices in the Coalbin (creepy and chilling!); and Definitely a Crime of Passion (<--which, if you've read My Gal Sunday, you've read before). I enjoy MHC's stories about Sunday and Henry, and wish there were more of them.
If you want scary and terrifying, check out Voices in the Coalbin and The Man Next Door. If you love MHC's husband & wife team of the lottery winners/sleuths Alvirah and Willy, read The Cape Cod Masquerade. If you'd like to read Clark's take on Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell Tale Heart, read her story The Tell Tale Purr.
I like short stories because you can pick one up, read it, and come back to the collection later and read them at any time. This book won't take you long to read, and will probably best be appreciated by Clark's long-time devoted fans.
I preferred some of these stories over others. I think the best ones were the title story; Voices in the Coalbin (creepy and chilling!); and Definitely a Crime of Passion (<--which, if you've read My Gal Sunday, you've read before). I enjoy MHC's stories about Sunday and Henry, and wish there were more of them.
If you want scary and terrifying, check out Voices in the Coalbin and The Man Next Door. If you love MHC's husband & wife team of the lottery winners/sleuths Alvirah and Willy, read The Cape Cod Masquerade. If you'd like to read Clark's take on Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell Tale Heart, read her story The Tell Tale Purr.
I like short stories because you can pick one up, read it, and come back to the collection later and read them at any time. This book won't take you long to read, and will probably best be appreciated by Clark's long-time devoted fans.
June 13, 2015
Do you have a ‘trigger’ that alerts you NOT to choose a book to read? I do! I won’t read novels about missing children. As a result I haven’t read anything by Mary Higgins Clark in years, given that A Stranger is Watching, Hitched, Two Little Girls in Blue and one of her Christmas sets feature missing children. With over 34 suspense novels written, Higgins Clark knows how to craft page turners which are perfect for summer reading. My summer started by dipping into latest, Death Wears a Beauty Mask. Death Wears.. is a collection of short stories spanning Higgins Clark’s entire career and that’s what interested me. I love carefully crafted short stories and think this genre is perfect for busy people. These stories were written between 1956 and 2009 and as such, they really reflect the social mores of the times. There’s quite a variety of settings in these 10 tales, ranging from the airline and fashion industry to rural Cape Cod and a prison. Aficionados of Clark’s other works are sure to find the seeds and themes of her novels herein.
May 28, 2015
I had been a big fan of Mary Higgins Clark back in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, but tapered off her writing in the 2000s, although I always seemed to notice when she had a new book out. I've read a few of her latest books, without much enjoyment, I must say. I find her characters all pretty much the same and the stories formulmatic. I wasn't very impressed with Death Wears a Beauty Mask and had originally planned on one star, but bumped it up to two because of the appearance of Alvirah and Willy Meehan. Sadly, my disappointment in her latest effort my be enough to turn me off MHC for good.
June 9, 2019
7 stories, some very short. My fav being story #3 Definitely a Crime of Passion where
former Secretary of State Tommy Shipman 65, is accused of killing his young girlfriend Arabella. His friend, former U.S president Henry Parker Britland and his new wife investigate.
This is the Mary Higgins Clark style we all know - easy flow, a little action, a little drama and a very small side of romance.
Thanks to Marwan, who added it to the currently reading chat in the Mystery Crime and Thriller group. I am so influenced by this group and as I haven't read MHC in DECADES, I was glad I picked this up from the library.
former Secretary of State Tommy Shipman 65, is accused of killing his young girlfriend Arabella. His friend, former U.S president Henry Parker Britland and his new wife investigate.
This is the Mary Higgins Clark style we all know - easy flow, a little action, a little drama and a very small side of romance.
Thanks to Marwan, who added it to the currently reading chat in the Mystery Crime and Thriller group. I am so influenced by this group and as I haven't read MHC in DECADES, I was glad I picked this up from the library.
August 28, 2015
3.5 stars...
A surprisingly good collection of short mystery stories. I found that they kept my interest and were long enough (most of them) to get a proper development. I listened to the audio version and thought the reader did a great job.
A surprisingly good collection of short mystery stories. I found that they kept my interest and were long enough (most of them) to get a proper development. I listened to the audio version and thought the reader did a great job.
August 4, 2017
I haven't read a Mary Higgins Clark book for years. We went camping last weekend and I started this by the campfire. It was the perfect book to take on vacation. Fun, suspenseful, and it made me want to keep reading.
May 16, 2015
Nice collection of short stories from the author who started me on my love of mysteries many moons ago. Thank you MHC!
December 30, 2019
My first and last by this author. Seemed dated, too sensitive.
January 16, 2020
Um livro de Mary Higgins Clark que nada mais é do que uma compilação de contos da sua autoria.
Leitura fácil, sempre com elevado nível de suspense, os contos são curtos e de fácil leitura.
Não é uma das melhores obras da autora, mas é um bom livro para ir lendo aos poucos...
Leitura fácil, sempre com elevado nível de suspense, os contos são curtos e de fácil leitura.
Não é uma das melhores obras da autora, mas é um bom livro para ir lendo aos poucos...
March 17, 2020
Great set of short stories from Mary Higgins Clark. Death Wears a Beauty Mask was her first writing prior to being published. She finished it many years later and like all her stories, it was great !!
March 3, 2023
After nabbing this book from a cruise ship lending library, I was disappointed to find it was stories instead of a novel. The stories were excellent and compelling. Still prefer the prolonged joy of reading her full-length novels. Mary Higgins Clarke is the queen of suspense
January 15, 2025
A collection of short stories with unique twists. Mary Higgins Clark wrote such good stories where the “killer” is right there all along. Each short story was unique. A couple were in other short story collections that I had read before. Still good.
September 16, 2025
I didn’t realize I was getting a collection of short stories when I got this at the library, and although I liked the first story “Death Wears a Beauty Mask”, and “When the Bough Breaks”, I grew bored with the other stories. I would much rather read a novel from beginning to end than a series of short stories. I wanted to know what a real novel of hers was like and I feel like I missed out.
Read
November 3, 2022DNF-I only picked this up for a buddy read with my nana since she likes this author. We got more than half way through but neither of got around to finishing it. Not really my cup of tea.
August 7, 2025
A few surprising stories, but overall this was classic Mary.
March 22, 2017
This is a great collection of stories!
I don't usually like reading short stories! But Mary has changed my mind again. This group of stories gripped me from the first one right up to the last one. Very well written and good subject matter. Interesting and good human interest material. Happy, sad and up to date incidents that everyone can relate to!
I would recommend the book to all my friends!
I don't usually like reading short stories! But Mary has changed my mind again. This group of stories gripped me from the first one right up to the last one. Very well written and good subject matter. Interesting and good human interest material. Happy, sad and up to date incidents that everyone can relate to!
I would recommend the book to all my friends!
January 27, 2023
3.5⭐️
○ Death Wears a Beauty Mask 3.5⭐️ 🫤
○ Stowaway 2⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
○ When the Bough Breaks 4⭐️ 😊
○ Voices in the Coalbin 3.5⭐️ 😬
○ The Cape Cod Masquerade 4⭐️ 😊 (Alvirah & Willy)
○ Definitely, a Crime of Passion 3.5⭐️ 🫤
○ The Man Next Door 3⭐️ 😬😬
○ Haven’t We Met Before 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️😬
○ The Funniest Thing Has Been Happening Lately 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
○ The Tell-Tale Purr 4⭐️😆
○ Death Wears a Beauty Mask 3.5⭐️ 🫤
○ Stowaway 2⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
○ When the Bough Breaks 4⭐️ 😊
○ Voices in the Coalbin 3.5⭐️ 😬
○ The Cape Cod Masquerade 4⭐️ 😊 (Alvirah & Willy)
○ Definitely, a Crime of Passion 3.5⭐️ 🫤
○ The Man Next Door 3⭐️ 😬😬
○ Haven’t We Met Before 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️😬
○ The Funniest Thing Has Been Happening Lately 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
○ The Tell-Tale Purr 4⭐️😆
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews