The Shadow of Your Smile

By: Mary Higgins Clark

Narrated by: Jan Maxwell

Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark brings us another New York Times bestselling novel that she “prepares so carefully and executes with such relish” (The New York Times Book Review) about the search for identity by the daughter of a man adopted at birth, who may be the inheritor of his large fortune.

At age eighty-two and in failing health, Olivia Morrow knows she has little time left. The last of her line, she faces a momentous choice: expose a long-held family secret, or take it with her to her grave.

Olivia has in her possession letters from her deceased cousin Catherine, a nun, now being considered for beatification by the Catholic Church—the final step before sainthood. In her lifetime, Sister Catherine had founded seven hospitals for disabled children. Now the cure of a four-year-old boy dying of brain cancer is being attributed to her. After his case was pronounced medically hopeless, the boy’s desperate mother had organized a prayer crusade to Sister Catherine, leading to his miraculous recovery.

The letters Olivia holds are the evidence that Catherine gave birth at age seventeen to a child, a son, and gave him up for adoption. Olivia knows the identity of the young man who fathered Catherine’s child: Alex Gannon, who went on to become a world-famous doctor, scientist, and inventor holding medical patents.

Now, two generations later, thirty-one-year-old pediatrician Dr. Monica Farrell, Catherine’s granddaughter, stands as the rightful heir to what remains of the family fortune. But in telling Monica who she really is, Olivia would have to betray Catherine’s wishes and reveal the story behind Monica’s ancestry.

The only people aware of Olivia’s impending choice are those exploiting the Gannon inheritance. To silence Olivia and prevent Monica from learning the secret, some of them will stop at nothing—even murder.

Clark’s riveting novel explores the juxtaposition of medical science and religious faith, and the search for identity by the daughter of a man adopted at birth.

Wonderful book

Keeps you on your toes the whole time, you wonder what’s gonna happen next! Such a great read!

Enjoyable - for the most part

What made the experience of listening to The Shadow of Your Smile the most enjoyable?

The medical aspect and the child involved

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Shadow of Your Smile?

Knowing that good would trump evil

Which scene was your favorite?

When Monica found the letters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Parts of it seem to drag on more than necessary however it was enjoyable and I purchased another book by the same author that I just began to listen to.

Excellent Read!!

Excellent book read aloud very well. I love how descriptive she makes the characters. most of all I love how she doesn't give away who did it until the end.

Great

Loved this story. I really enjoyed listening to this story. It was so interesting. I liked the characters.

Love her

She is one of my fave writers! I've read just about all her book. this one was very good