Nowhere to Run

I love Mary Jane Clark and her first 3 books were awesome but the last 2 while quick reads, I found a bit disappointing because the endings were too abrupt. This time, however, she did not miss. The story of course focuses on KEY News and its Medical Correspondent/Producer Anabelle Murphy. The story deals with the issue of anthrax which while is a very serious issue was dealt with in a way that did not make for a disturbing read. The plot starts of with a KEY employee who while delivering information on anthrax, surprises the world and the KEY employees by showing a tube of anthrax on live TV. Now the FBI is involved in trying to get John Lee, MD to reveal who gave him the anthrax. Meanwhile, KEY employees and others are starting to die due to the anthrax poisoning. As the FBI continue to delve into the source of the anthrax, a lab report comes back stating that the tube that Dr. John Lee used on the show was actually a tube of powdered sugar. This leads to the interesting question of who has the tube of anthrax and why are people being killed. The killer actually has targeted Anabelle who not only has to find out who killed her ex-boyfriend, KEY employee Jerome Henning but who also has to deal with a husband who is dealing with 9/11 post traumatic disorder. I gave this book a 5 because Mary Jane Clark did a fine job of dealing with difficult issues and when the killer is finally revealed, you will be surprised at to who it is and at least you will have a reason as to why the killer was motivated to kill. As always with MJC, you get a quick read with multiple suspects to play around with and guess who is the real villain.

A co-worker was the first to introduced me to Mary Jane Clark. Then I heard she's the granddaughter of Mary Higgins Clark, which convinced me to read all of MJC's books. I have to say, I wasn't disappointed with Nowhere to Run. It's fast reading with short chapters. The plot twists and turns and you won't believe who the killer is.

KEY News Executive Producer Linus Nazareth orders his staff to "make bioterrorism sexy" to Americans so that they will care and follow the newscasts. Annabelle Murphy who is trying to earn a reputation outside the mentoring shadow of her friend, star reporter Constance, produces the track. However, Annabelle almost collapses in shock when the station's medical correspondent Dr. John Lee displays a vial he insists contains deadly weapons-grade anthrax on morning TV.The Feds investigate while everyone panics, but Dr. Lee's alleged anthrax turns out to be sugar, as he wanted to make a firecracker point that got out of hand. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief especially Annabelle who expected to join the growing unemployed. Lee crossed the line of good taste. Soon the exhaling changes when another member of the news team, a wannabe author of an expose, soon dies from Anthrax poisoning. Two more die. Annabelle investigates what is going on unaware that she is a carrier as a murderer hides behind bioterrorism to commit homicides.Though the newsroom is populated by stereotypes, this clever tale turns these office villains into potential suspects due to their archetypal behavior. The crew is often mean and one is clearly flawed in a noticeable way and has few, if any, decent traits. That on top of a fast-paced story line and a delightful heroine makes Mary Jane Clark's novel a winner for the amateur sleuth and the low grade (no cities destroyed) bioterror crowd. Readers will appreciate this strong who-done-it and wonder if the FBI should hire Annabelle to solve the `01 mailings that killed people with no arrests.Harriet Klausner

Mary Jane Clark is a television producer and writer, and she uses her insider's knowledge to good effect in "Nowhere to Run." The main character in Clark's new novel is Annabelle Murphy, a television producer for the fictional broadcast "Key to America." Annabelle's colleagues are a motley crew, from the egomaniacal executive producer, Linus, to the lecherous and unethical business correspondent, Gavin. Suddenly, anthrax is discovered in the studio where "Key to America" is produced, and one of the station's employees comes down with inhalation anthrax. Who planted this deadly substance and why? Clark exploits the nation's heightened interest in terrorism to make her plot more timely and compelling."Nowhere to Run" is a lively page-turner with very brief chapters, a brisk style, and no literary pretensions. Clark skillfully sets up a host of decoy suspects to throw the reader off the scent of the elusive murderer. This novel adheres to the standard thriller formula and breaks no new ground, but Clark effectively builds up suspense and holds the reader's interest. "Nowhere to Run" is good escapist entertainment.

What a fast, rip-roaring, knock-out of a thriller. I read this in one day (and night). COULD NOT BELIEVE THE END. No one could guess it, though it makes perfect sense.Fascinating and entertaining at once. Mary Jane Clark is amazing.