Contrivances All novels are contrivances of the writer. The trick is to write in such a way that the contrivances flow and seem real. Ms. Clark apparently cannot do that. Her plots are just plain bad. Her characters are the beautiful people, people who would never eat at McDonald's or buy even a pair of socks at WalMart. They know good food, good wine, fine apparel. The plots take place in wealthy milieus. The conversations are brittle. Add it all up and one has to wonder what reader Ms. Clark has in mind. Certainly not I. But she does have her audience and it must be a sizeable one since she sells a great many books. Henceforth I'll avoid anything with her name on it and leave it to those who appreciate her work.
Better then the other Regan books, but... "jinxed" seemed to be better than the other Regan books in the series, but I have found with the Regan Reilly series, as well as her mother's books, a frustration at times with the number of characters that are introduced. I do not enjoy getting out a notepad when I am reading a book, so that I can write down the characters names and a description of each one! I felt that "Jinxed" left me hanging. I thought for sure that the motorcycle gang with all the tattoos that stayed at Altered States, would be the same gang that Jack Reilly was looking for! The author went to all the trouble to mention the tattoos, and then did nothing with the information! There are so many characters in these books, that sometimes the murderer is someone that we don't even recognize! I have found the Regan Reilly series somewhat enjoyable, because I am an extremely slow reader, and I am reading all of them. I will continue to read the series, as I can see improvement with each installment. For a light-hearted detective series, this one is not bad!Great Mystery at a Bargain Price! I haven't read a good mystery in several years, but when I came across this book, and noticed the bargain price, I decided to give it a try - and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised!
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I really enjoyed Jinxed! Carol Higgins Clark did an excellent job of building up the characters, and the story line was quite easy to follow - not like some of the other mystery books out there, where the story becomes so convoluted that you don't know who's who anymore.
Jinxed is about an old silent movie actress, her multi-millions, her young, unscrupulous fiance'&her ex-husband's family who feel they were cheated out of an inheritance (that was all given to the old actress)- and who currently live&run a winery that had been abandoned after prohibition led to its fall.
Although you know early on that the fiance is no good, and is only marrying the actress for her money, the mystery surrounds whether or not he will be found out before the wedding day. There are also several other "mini-mysteries" within the story, but it's still quite easy to follow.
I used to read Carol's mother's books many years ago (Mary Higgins Clark), and although Carol's style is considerably different from that of her mother's, she has proven herself to be an excellent mystery writer as well.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, and who is looking for a relatively easy read. This is great recreation reading! I give it a 2 thumbs up.
