The Christmas Thief: A Novel

I just thought this was great reading! I've read every Mary Higgins Clark book - sadly none of Carol's yet but I'll get to them. Have also read each of their teamwork books - thought this was just as good as any of them! It's lighter reading than Mary's "serious" mysteries - but that's the idea - just a fun Christmas-themed book. Such a fast read and it's still a mystery but not SCARY - just fun to follow along. This was set in Stowe, Vermont, primarily, at or near the Trapp Family Lodge (think von Trapp family from Sound of Music) and since I'm a fan of that film it was extra fun. If you want blood and gore from a mystery, this isn't it. If you want a quick read that has some heart-pounding moments - go for it!

This was a cute easy to read story. Not fussy or suspenseful. A good cozy “mystery” if you are looking for something quick and enjoyable to read. Reminds me a bit of Nancy Drew in style.

This is a nice book if you’re looking for a light read with a happy ending. Very easy reading and swearing, explicit sex, etc. free. Not the book if you’re looking to be intellectually challenged.

The Christmas Thief, Mary & Carol Higgins Clark's annual Christmas fluff, is, as usual, as fast and easy read. It is, however, quite forgettable once you've done reading. Alvirah Meehan, the former cleaning lady whose life was changed when she won the lottery, and her husband Willy are heading to Stowe, Vermont, for a long weekend with their friends Nora Reagan Reilly, the detective novelist, her funeral director husband, their detective daughter Reagan Reilly, and her fiancee Jack (no relation) Reilly. Alvirah invites her friend Opal, a lottery winner who gave her money to a con man and lost it all. Besides skiing, they are looking forward to watching the cutting down of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Packy, the con man who has been in jail for the last twelve years, and his two henchmen Benny and JoJo are also heading there to retrieve a flask of diamonds, his ill-gotten gains from his scam, from the giant blue spruce where he hid it before he was apprehended and sent to prison. Naturally their paths cross and, of course, Alvirah, Reagan, and their families save the day. This is a short book, which isn't bad for an evening if there are no good programs on television or a brief car trip. I was not happy that we didn't see much of the Meehans or the Reillys. Opal is a sympathetic character, as is Milo, the "poet" who helped Packy and his gang but didn't know he was doing anything illegal. Packy is rather nasty, so it's good to see him get his comeuppance. And the tree's owners are too obsessive about the tree and its fate. That just doesn't ring true. I'm not sorry I bought the book, and the Amazon price was right, but it's nothing that will stick with me over the long run.

Once again the Higgins Clarks are able to tell a Christmas story with a twist. Totally enjoyed it. A real page turner

Yet again, had a lot of fun with this one. It reads a bit like a overly written outline, but it is a lot of fun and very readable

Very good book as usual from Mary Higgins Clark. Her books never disappoint. Her plots always keeps you interested. Love the characters she creates! I recommend all her books to my friends

What a fun read! If you are looking for something lighthearted to pass the time, this is a book you will enjoy! It is escapism at its finest!

Mary Higgins Clark is a great writer of murder mystery books

Easy enjoy able read

I liked it. It was amusing and unusual but I felt it was not as good as some of the Mary Higgins Clark books so was a little bit disappointed.

Loved it

I love both Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, but somehow this novel just lacked that secret ingredient that they usually both have which was a shame because it was a good story