All By Myself, Alone: A Novel,New

Product DescriptionFrom the Queen of Suspense and #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a thrilling mystery aboard a luxurious but deadly cruise.Fleeing the disastrous and humiliating lastminute arrest of her fianc on the eve of their wedding, Celia, an expert on gems and jewelry, is hoping to escape from reality on a glamorous cruise ship.But it is not to be. On board in the most luxurious suite is the elderly and worldfamous Lady Emily Harworth. Immensely wealthy, Lady Em is the owner of a priceless emerald necklace that she intends to leave to the Smithsonian on her death.Three days later Lady Em is found deadand the necklace is missing. Is it the work of her apparently devoted secretary, or her lawyerexecutor, both of whom she had invited on board for the cruise?Celia, with the help of her new friends Willy and Alvirah Meehanwho are splurging on their wedding anniversarysets out to find who the killer is, not realizing that she may have put a target on her back.About the AuthorThe #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark wrote forty suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two childrens books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series including The Cinderella Murder, All Dressed in White, The Sleeping Beauty Killer, Every Breath You Take, and You Dont Own Me. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she coauthored five more suspense novels. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Chapter 11The magnificent cruise liner Queen Charlotte was about to leave on her maiden voyage from her berth on the Hudson River. Promised to be the epitome of luxury, she was compared to both the first Queen Mary and even the Titanic, which had been the height of luxury one hundred years earlier.One by one the passengers filed aboard, checked in and were invited to the Grand Lounge, where they were met by whitegloved waiters offering champagne. When the last guest had come aboard, Captain Fairfax gave a speech of welcome.We promise you the most elegant voyage you have ever or will ever encounter, he said, his British accent adding even more luster to his words. You will find your suites furnished in the grand tradition of those of the most magnificent ocean liners of yesteryear. Queen Charlotte was constructed to accommodate precisely one hundred guests. Our eightyfive crew members are committed to serving you in every possible way. The entertainment will be worthy of Broadway, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera. There will be a wide range of lectures to choose from. Our presenters include celebrity authors, former diplomats, and experts on Shakespeare and gemology. The finest chefs from around the globe will conduct farmtotable cooking presentations. And we know that cruising is thirsty business. To remedy this hardship, there will be a series of wine tastings hosted by renowned connoisseurs. In keeping with the spirit of this cruise, one day there will be a lecture from the book of Emily Post, the legendary social arbiter of a century ago, illuminating the delightful manners of the past. These are only a few of the many activities you may choose from.In closing, the menus have been chosen from the recipes of the finest chefs the world over. Now, once again, welcome to your new home for the next six days.And now I would like to introduce Gregory Morrison, the owner of the Queen Charlotte. It was his vision that this ship would be perfect in every detail, and that is why you will enjoy the most luxurious cruise you will ever experience.Gregory Morrison, a stout, ruddyfaced, silverhaired man, stepped forward.I want to welcome all of you aboard. Today is the realization of a young boys wish that began over fifty years ago. I stood next to my fathe