Dying for Mercy

KEY News #12

by Mary Jane Clark

“[Clark] deftly combines the clue-searching and puzzle-solving fun of mysteries with the action-packed, emotion-driven narrative thrust of thrillers.” — Pittsburgh Tribune Review   “One of Clark’s—and the genre’s—best.” — Associated Press   A very suspicious death and a sprawling mansion with secrets and puzzles built into the very architecture are among the elements that make Dying for Mercy an unputdownable mystery. The third riveting thriller from New York Times bestselling Mary Jane Clark to feature Eliza Blake and her KEY News television colleagues, Dying for Mercy combines the gripping suspense of Faye Kellerman with the kind of brilliant twists, turns, and surprises that would make Agatha Christie proud. Mary Jane Clark is a member of the same writing family as fellow suspense superstars Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, and this superior puzzler puts her at the very top of the family tree.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Thriller Suspense, Crime

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 28, 2000

About the author

Mary Jane Elizabeth Behrends Clark (1954-) is the author of thirteen novels, including 12 in the KEY News media thriller series, and one in her new Wedding Cake mystery series. A veteran writer and producer for CBS News, Clark worked for almost three decades at the network’s New York City headquarters. Her books are published in twenty-three languages. She lives in New Jersey and Florida.

Clark's former mother-in-law and sister-in-law are the authors Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark, respectively.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are looking for a religious mystery that echoes 'The DaVinci Code' keep looking. This book isn't it. It's silly and mediocre at its best moments. The author constantly refers to the "intricate and ingenious" puzzle created by the character who commited... get this... suicide by stigmata. The repetitious description of the "intricate and ingenious" puzzle is a blatant attempt to pander to readers in the hopes they will admire her ability to write such a puzzle. The puzzle isn't intricate or ingenious. The puzzle is contrived and superficial.

Spoiler alert: (if are actually considering finishing this book don't read on) When I read that the talking parrot wasn't actually saying,
"Sun! Air! Grapes", but was parroting the clue "Son, heir rapes!" I laughed and laughed. I don't think that was the authors intention. It was just that the book worked better for me as a comedy than as a thriller.

[RJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

The biggest mystery held within the pages of this book is why someone would kill themselves in a dramatic fashion, set up an elaborate (and rather bewildering) "puzzle" about the reasons behind their suicide when a simple letter or taped confession will suffice. Especially since the "clues" were intended for a morning newscaster (which the author seems to assume is the same thing as an investigative journalist). Obviously, keeping the whole thing under wraps was not the intent of the guy who offed himself. So why bother with all the cloak and dagger business in the first place?
What further bewildered me was the whole "cover up" of Marty's accidental death at Valentina's hands. They crashed Marty's car but don't leave any blood or hair in it, burnt down an entire mansion to destroy the body, sink a boat and tell everyone he skipped town.
I did not understand Russell's motivation for murdering the architect and his assistant either. Sure, they had pictures of his parent's house, but the house (and the contents of the photos) continued to exist. So what was the point? Wouldn't their killings point to him even more?

[Dollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read and is one of the KEY News series books. Eliza Blake, co-anchor for a popular morning show, is invited to a party in the private community where she lives with her young daughter. During the party, the host commits suicide. Because he was a friend of Eliza’s and had told her before committing suicide that she would figure it all out, she starts investigating and finds that he left several clues built into his beautiful home. During the investigation, several murders of people associated with the owner take place. As Eliza investigates, she finds that the mystery actually started with a death that took place twenty years ago. It was a good story that kept me reading, but I suspected who the killer was early. That was okay. It was still an interesting story.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!)
Review:
This was my 2nd time reading a book by this author and i enjoyed this one alot more then i did the last one.

The Characters were interesting and comical at times to read about.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actual in the Mansion in NYC while reading.

Overall a phenomenal mystery about a Greenhouse Murder which i wasnt all that surprised who the author is related to since her Mother and Grandmother are/were the QUEEN's of Suspense!!

Can't wait to read more by Mary Jane in the future!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Enjoyed the writing and the characters.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable easy read. A murder mystery that was all wrapped up nicely at the end.
It is number 12 in the series but I was able to read it as a stand alone book.

[Jae Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with a Mary Jane Clark novel. In fact, while preparing this review, I noticed for the first time it's book 12 in a series. I will be reading more of the KEY News series, for sure.

Clark offers a variety of characters in this novel about the well-to-do's, their ritzy gated quarters, and a mysterious suicide that escalates into a rampage of religious-themed murders. The background and scenery is so well defined that you can (metaphorically speaking) see and feel it just as much as the characters can.

As for Clark's characters, they offer an entanglement of secrets and hidden agendas that will keep readers hooked from page to page until the very end. And then, when it's over, you await your next venture into the highly entertaining literary universe of Mary Jane Clark.

[Marcos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not too familiar with murder mystery books but felt a little off to me? I thought the setting and some of the ideas were really cool but almost half the book the killer kills anyone that knows and the evidence gets destroyed. I feel killer reveal lame because you already are thinking “what the heck is wrong with Russel” and think maybe the trio are the ones doing the killing. Of course subverting of expectations is cool and all but the whole “Actually I’m trying to help you” at the end was lame. Also why was William not killed when Father Gherty was??? They are both people with key information that may or may not say something. I found it alright overall but definitely has strong and interesting elements.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When death shatters the serenity of the exclusive moneyed enclave of Tuxedo park , New york, Eliza Blake co host of Key to America the countrys premier morning television show is on the scene. The host of the lavish gala is found dead- a groteque suicide, that is the first act in a macabre and intricately concieved plan to expose the sins of the past involving some of the town,s most revered citizens. The mansion Pentimento holds the key it is actually one giant puzzle . But just when Eliza unearths one final surprise, she comes face to face with the murderer who believes that some puzzles should never be solved. Very intense chapter's are short and easy to follow.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

mystery, interesting characters, nice story line.

[Kristen Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, I liked it. But there were a lot of unrealistic details.

[MaryAlice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mary Jane Clark's novel, Dying for Mercy, ends abruptly.

There is an epilogue that jumps forward from October 13th where the story ends, to October 30th.

Throughout the novel news reporter, Eliza, reports on a crime that happened the previous day. Yet it took all those days to report on the last crime? The man who was in the hospital fighting for his life, we learn in the epilogue, made a speedy recovery.

It would have been better to continue the story before closing it. Details! Bad cop turns good cop, all is forgiven? Did they go back to the house after the owner's son was shot dead? Much was written about Eliza's daughter, but no further mention at the end. Did Eliza go home after her harrowing experience and give her a hug? Did Eliza keep her promise to her daughter to take her to the Aviary?

Susannah was in the house when the son was killed; what was her reaction? What became of the house with the Aviary?

Dying for Mercy was a quick read with interesting premise, if a bit contrived; the abrupt ending left me wanting to know more.

***
Quote: "...the most common reason for suicide is intolerable psychological> pain. Shame, guilt,anger, fear, sadness, in excruciating degrees, very often serves as the foundation for self-destructive behavior. suicide is the most self-destructive you can get."

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should probably mark this as a 1 star, which for me means I didn't finish, but since I jumped to the last 10 chapters or so and read the ending, which was pretty good, I'm giving it 2 stars.

The reason I jumped is after the first 50 or so chapters I just couldn't force myself to care enough to continue reading. Since I wanted to know what actually occurred and why the puzzle was set up I figured I'd find out. Honestly I'm glad I did because I feel like the most exciting part was the ending, and personally I really don't like slow builds, especially if each new chapter introduces a new character. (There are, of course, exceptions to this...but this was not one of them).

You may enjoy this book more than me though so if you're intrigued, grab it and read 😉

[Hannah Ciolac · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and kind of had a glass onion movie type of vibe to it. I was hooked from the beginning and all the way through and there was never a boring part. However, i did feel like the end was a little disappointing. I mean i thought there would be more to the story that innis hid from the public. I also thought there were going to be more clues in the house and that the house would move like a puzzle but maybe my expectations were too high. I really liked most of the characters however i do feel like Eliza’s boyfriend’s character fell flat and didn’t have much of a personality which was kind of annoying. That being said, I really enjoyed this book though and if you are looking for a quick read this is definitely a good choice.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another in the Eliza Blake's series. Her friend, Innes Wheelock, kills himself by stigmata, using knife/spear in the way Jesus was crucified. Before he committed suicide, he talked with Eliza, hinting that she needed to solve this puzzle. But she is stumped, until other murders happened with the staging of the ways Jesus was injured. There are lots of suspects as Eliza and her team move through the clues that Innes has left.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosemary, Central patron, July 2018, 5 stars:

As always, Clark comes through with stories that are hard to put down. A story about an exclusive living park and the secrets that are contained within it that are to be discovered through a puzzle left behind by a man who commits suicide by stigmata.

[Elaine Hoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The main character, Eliza, was a news reporter. She went to a dinner party for someone close friends of hers in the estates “Tuxedo Park. It was a birthday party that turned into a suicide of great magnitude. This story has a lot of twists and turns which I enjoy and it got me hooked right away. I would recommend it if you like a good mystery!

[sseungmino · Rating 2 out of 5]

the trama was goodish, worth three stars for sure, but the problem is that the book is so disgustingly written. no suspence, no details, legitimately sounded like a soulless narrator reporting facts. could be the translation but even the dialogues were bad. couldnt even find the motivation to finish it it was just so stale

[Terri Jeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the series! I really enjoyed this one because it was set in Tuxedo Park, where I grew up minutes from in Mahwah! Plus, mixed with the mystery was a puzzel!! And oh, how i love a good puzzle!! Thank you, Mary Jane Clark, for these stories! I wish there were more!
On to catch up on my list of other Clark women's works!!

[Courtney Mauzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely different mystery - all murders signed with symbols from crucifixion of Christ. Short chapters with surprising guilty party being former governor with cover up from her husband and pollical operatives. Good one day SB patio read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Key News Thrillers are My Favorite Series

These stories have great character development and keep me hooked from page one. I have yet to be disappointed! Take a chance...you won't regret it.

[Candace Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again another good book from her. As I've said previously these center around news shows and have the same characters in the series but you can pick up any book in the series and understand it. Also her actually working in the news industry she writes well about it. Would recommend it.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. I do not plan on reading anything else by this author. The story was so disconnected that I struggled to read the book. After the first fifty pages, I was hopeful that the writing was changing, but no. This was not the book for me.

[Carole O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have rated it 3.5 if that option had been available. Good who-done-it, quick read, particularly nice to not have gore when you like to read before bed. I would recommend to anyone looking for entertainment who likes the mystery genre.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romp with the KEY News team! These books are more about the journey than the ending as the mystery is fun but then the conclusion is not that satisfying. This one is about several murders in Tuxedo Park, NY.

[Carolynn Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5? I love a great puzzle, and I enjoyed following the puzzle clues. That being said, I had guessed the perpetrator from the get-go and the character development in this story was non-existent. For a quick mystery read, it was ok, but I'm not compelled to read more by this author.

[Barbara Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had read all the KEY news series, until I found this one. I generally don't read novels about journalists, because I think they are intrusive and opinionated people. However, the mysteries in this series are enough to keep me interested.

[Rachella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was not an easy read for me. At first it was confusing due to number of characters and sudden change of setting/perspective. There was just nothing about this book that really intrigued me to keep going.
I did like the aspect of puzzles, secrets and the religious aspects presented.

[¿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of twists and turns

A book that can be read more than once, as I have done. Well written keeping you guessing until the end

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and the setting in Tuxedo Park. It was an interesting mystery that kept me guessing. There were a lot of different pieces that came together and it was very entertaining.