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United States Mary Higgins Clark transitioned from a radio scriptwriter to a best-selling novelist, earning the title 'Queen of Suspense' through her prolific career.
Long-term publisher for Mary Higgins Clark. In 2000, she reportedly received an advance of $64 million for five books, making her the highest-paid female author at the time. They also publish her collaborations and children's books and fund the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
Collaborated on the 'Under Suspicion' series and a new novel, revisiting characters and plot lines from Clark's works.
Partnered with Element 8 Entertainment and La Sabotière in October 2019 to develop Mary Higgins Clark crime novel anthology series for television, with the first season based on 'I’ll Be Seeing You'.
Partnered with Reel One Entertainment and La Sabotière in October 2019 to develop Mary Higgins Clark crime novel anthology series for television.
Paris-based company that has been producing television films of her crime novels since 2010. Also partnered with Reel One Entertainment and Element 8 Entertainment in October 2019 to develop Mary Higgins Clark crime novel anthology series for television.
Co-authored five suspense novels, including Christmas-themed mystery novels, and collaborated on 'Voices in the Coal Bin' (audio only).
Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins was born in New York City on December 24, 1927. Her early life included challenges such as the loss of her father in 1939, which led to financial difficulties for her family. At a young age, she displayed an interest in writing, composing poems and short plays. She began her career working as a secretary at Remington Rand, where she also wrote catalog copy and modeled. Her adventurous spirit led her to become a flight attendant for Pan American Airlines in 1949, traveling extensively before marrying Warren Clark in December 1949 and starting a family.
After her husband’s death in 1964, Mary Higgins Clark supported her five children by writing four-minute radio scripts for ‘Portrait of a Patriot.’ This experience honed her writing to be concise and engaging. In the late 1960s, with the decline of the short story market, her agent encouraged her to write a novel. Her first novel, “Aspire to the Heavens,” a historical fiction about George Washington, did not achieve significant commercial success. However, her true turning point came when she decided to focus on the suspense genre she loved, leading to her first major success.
In 1974, her suspense novel, “Where Are the Children?,” was published by Simon & Schuster and quickly became a bestseller. This marked the beginning of her widespread recognition and financial stability, selling the paperback rights for a substantial sum. Throughout her career, Mary Higgins Clark published over 50 books, each becoming a bestseller in the United States and Europe. She was known for her compelling psychological thrillers, often featuring female protagonists in perilous situations. Her dedication to writing was remarkable, frequently rising at 5 AM to write, even while raising her family and working full-time.
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