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Extrasensory
perception: "the supposed faculty of perceiving things by means
other than the known senses, e.g., by telepathy or clairvoyance."
ESP is an intriguing topic that has expanded the realm of fictional
creativity for the last several decades and forms the central theme
of Mary Higgins Clark's newest novel, BEFORE I SAY GOOD-BYE. As
the title suggests, her characters deal with the confounding question
of whether a departing spirit can communicate with the living. This
isn't the first time that Clark has explored such phenomena in her
mysteries, but in this instance she dives into multiple aspects
of extrasensory perception, including premonitions of future events
and channeling through mediums.
Nell McDermott is the young, wealthy, happily married heroine with
a tragic past who finds herself torn between conflicting emotions.
On the one hand, she has an unshakable conviction that as a child
she felt the presence of her parents at the precise moment they
died. Yet, despite a lifetime of exposure to her great aunt's paranormal
persuasions, Nell is still skeptical about her own powers of precognition.
Her reluctance to acknowledge what appear to be visions of impending
death burdens her with disturbing questions of culpability for the
tragedies that unfold.
While Nell's psychic quandary is an essential element of the story
line, Clark doesn't wander far from the riveting suspense that her
readers have come to expect. Nell's grandfather, a formidable influence
in her life, has persuaded her to run for Congress. But her husband's
sudden hostility toward her ambitions comes as a shock and precipitates
a quarrel on, what turns out to be, their final evening together.
The tragic explosion of Adam's boat that night leaves Nell a widow
and claims the lives of his secretary, a disreputable builder, and
his construction foreman. Or does it? The recurring nightmare of
a little boy, an eyewitness to the event, alerts readers to the
possibility that someone on that boat was the target of a cleverly
staged "accident."
An ensuing murder investigation reveals congressional hearings probing
into a construction scandal that could have destroyed Adam's architectural
business and may taint Nell's future political career. Another dimension
is added to her growing confusion, as she uncovers incongruities
that unravel the image of the man she thought she knew. Grief-stricken
and vulnerable, Nell is approached by a woman who claims to be channeling
with the deceased Adam; and her feelings of guilt, compounded by
curiosity, draw her into an inevitable web of deceit.
If you're anticipating the sheer entertainment of a trademark Clark
thriller, BEFORE I SAY GOOD-BYE is another in the unwavering line
of quality fiction by this remarkable woman. If you're looking for
affirmation of the truth in parapsychology --- explore your own
perceptions. There are no conclusive explanations for the unexplainable
here. In fact, Clark handles the subject with expert objectivity,
blending both an open-minded purview with a touch of cautionary
wisdom. Striking just the right balance between challenging beliefs
and tweaking the possibilities, BEFORE I SAY GOOD-BYE suggests that
the demarcation between what we accept and what we question may
just be a very blurred line.
--- Reviewed by Ann L. Bruns (BkPageWC@aol.com)
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