Iced

July 3, 1995
Clark's tone is as chipper as ever in her third Regan Reilly book (after Decked and Snagged), in which L.A. PI Regan joins her parents for a winter getaway in Aspen, Colo., and stumbles across a series of art thefts. After paintings are stolen from an Aspen vacation home, suspicion rests on the missing caretaker, ex-con and former jewel thief Eben Bean. Regan, who helped Eben get the job, believes he's innocent. Readers know that Eben has been abducted by a prison acquaintance who has come to town to steal a masterpiece that is about to be exhibited. Also on the scene is another art thief nicknamed the Coyote. Regan tries unsuccessfully to enjoy her vacation, but she can't quell her impulses to find the real thief and clear Eben. Clark, daughter of mystery doyenne Mary Higgins Clark, writes with a breezy style that, along with her brisk skiing milieu, will quickly refresh readers of this quintessential beach book. Mystery Guild main selection; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternate; author tour.

March 1, 1994
Clark's two previous mysteries, Decked ( LJ 7/92) and Snagged (Warner, 1993), sold well in spite of lukewarm reviews. In Iced, intrepid sleuth Regan Reilly encounters murder most foul while vacationing at a swank ski lodge.

January 1, 1996
YA-Regan Reilly, private investigator, finds mystery on her Christmas vacation in Aspen, Colorado. She wonders who is stealing the paintings from wealthy owners as she doesn't believe that it's the person the police have accused. Readers know part of the answer, but they don't learn until the climax the surprising identity of the "Coyote," who has been glimpsed throughout as he makes plans to steal from the thieves. This fun, fast-paced novel is a good choice for teens, who will enjoy the wit, the characters, and the modern setting. The text is mainly easy-to-read dialogue and there is plenty of action. Although there are many supporting characters and the chapters shift frequently between them, the plot is simple to follow as the mystery develops.-Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

May 15, 1995
Given the huge popularity of Clark's first two Regan Reilly mysteries, plus the astonishing amount of hype her publisher is prepared to provide for her, plus the instant name recognition (Mom is superstar suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark), Clark can hardly fail with her third effort. Thirtysomething private investigator Reilly is headed for the ski slopes of Aspen for the Christmas holidays, parents in tow. Mom and Dad are to be houseguests of television actress Kendra Wood while Regan visits with an old friend who's opening a new restaurant. But the Reillys walk into more than just a cheery holiday ski party--Kendra Wood's valuable art collection has been stolen, and her trusted housekeeper, Eben Bean, is missing. That's all Regan needs to know to send her off in pursuit of Eben and the sneaky thieves. After assorted hijinks, adventures, false alarms, and--yes--plain old silliness, the plot finally gets all tied up in a nice, neat, mostly happy ending that will no doubt charm even the most Scrooge-like reader. Solidly entertaining, mostly clever, occasionally funny, and always fun, this one is sure to please the author's growing audience. ((Reviewed May 15, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)