Nice book. Review on Moonlight Becomes You - Mary Higgins Clark

In the book Moonlight Becomes You by Mary Higgins Clark, the main character Maggie Holloway encounters many traumatic experiences in a short period of time. From these traumas, Maggie is transformed into a more caring, loving person.

Maggie Holloway, a successful photographer, is always respected and highly liked by nearly everyone she meets. One night, at a lavish party, she is reunited with her stepmother whom she had treasured as a little girl. Maggie arranges to join her stepmother, Nuala, in Newport on her two-week vacation. She is looking forward to it because she has not seen Nuala since she was young. The self-sufficient Maggie has no problems leaving her apartment in Manhattan. She arrives at her stepmother’s house and realizes that she had been murdered! Maggie’s joy quickly morphs into deep sorrow and depression. Nuala’s friends comfort her after seeing that she really is the sweet girl that Nuala had told them about. Maggie’s great strength helps her overcome this obstacle. She had dealt with this before, both when her father and husband had died.

One of the themes of the novel that affected Maggie’s development is love. Ever since her husband died, it has been hard for Maggie to admit when she likes another man. This is because she feel that she is betraying her husband by admitting her true feelings. Many men are infatuated with her because she is very attractive and smart. Maggie is sort of involved with two men who completely adore her. Maggie cares for both of them but can not allow her feelings to show. By the end of the novel, Maggie admits to one of the men that she is in love with him. She realizes this when she is in a very dangerous situation. She prays that he will come and help her. Her new determination and realization of love helps her get through the situation. After Nuala’s death, Maggie also makes friends with some of her stepmother’s dearest companions. Maggie admires these older women and sympathizes with their pain as they deal with the deaths of several close friends. These women also reassure Maggie that Nuala has missed for the past couple of years. This helps Maggie deal with the pain of the loss. She also becomes a stronger person from dealing with all the traumas surrounding the murders in Newport. She helps others deal with their losses during the mourning time. Her personality changes to more caring and helpful. Maggie expresses her grief through artwork. She molds her feelings through sculpting.The ways that Maggie chooses to deal with the traumatic occurrences in her life mold her into a more caring and romantic person. Her life is forever changed because now she will probably marry the man she loves. She will also visit her stepmother’s friends and make sure they are well taken care of.