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Mary Higgins Clark, known as the “Queen of Suspense,” penned page-turning thrillers beloved by millions of readers worldwide. When she passed earlier this week at 92, she was still writing. She launched her writing career in her late 40s, publishing her first novel after her husband died and she was left to support five children. She would get up at 5 A.M. to write, then head off to a full-time job. Many of those in publishing praised her joyful spirit, work ethic, and devotion to her readers”

Carolyn Reidy, Simon & Schuster President and CEO

“Beginning in 1975 with the publication of Where Are The Children?, each of her 56 books has been a bestseller…. “There are more than 100 million copies of her books in print in the United States… “Those of us who are fortunate to have worked with Mary–and at Simon & Schuster, that is multitudes–know her as a person of tremendous loyalty and dedication: In this day and age it is exceedingly rare for an author, especially one as prized as Mary, to remain with a single publisher for an entire 45-year career.

“She was similarly devoted to her readers, until very recently going out of her way to meet them while on tour for every one of her books, and drawing tremendous energy and satisfaction from her interactions with them…”

Michael Korda, her longtime editor:

“Nobody ever bonded more completely with her readers than Mary did; she understood them as if they were members of her own family. She was always absolutely sure of what they wanted to read–and, perhaps more important, what they didn’t want to read—and yet she managed to surprise them with every book. She was the Queen of Suspense, it wasn’t just a phrase; she always set out to end each chapter on a note of suspense, so you just had to keep reading. It was at once a gift, but also the result of hard work, because nobody worked harder than Mary did on her books to deliver for her readers. She was also, unfailingly, cheerful under pressure, generous, good humored and warm-hearted, the least ‘temperamental’ of bestselling authors, and the most fun to be around.”

Author Harlan Coben tweeted:

“Mary loved being a writer — and she loved her readers. She was kind to all…Mary was widowed in her thirties and left to raise five young children on her own while working a full-time job to support them. She wrote from 5am to 7am at her kitchen table and then woke her kids for school. Don’t whine you don’t have time to write.”

What wonderful tributes to a beloved author! May we find inspiration as we all write on!