Supernatural Elements!!! . Review on Anastasia Syndrome, The - Mary Higgins Clark

Apparently, Mary Higgins Clark is one of the most popular writers in US. In my attempt to find a new addictive author, I chanced upon this book of hers, and its the first time I am reading her. This book is a collection of some 5 short stories. All of them, has some amount of supernatural elements in it, in varying degrees. Though my rational mind kept telling me that some of the stories are bit hard to digest, I found myself enjoying all the stories immensely.

Anastasia Syndrome

The protagonist, Judith Chase, is a successful American historic writer who was a war orphan in UK and adopted by an affluent family at a very young age. At 40plus, she is hoping to tie the knot with her lover Sir Stephen Hallet who is soon destined to become the Prime Minister of UK. She is on the process of her latest book that talks about the time of UK during the Charles 1 & 2 and eventually necessitates deep research into the same.

Around the same time, her urge to trace her long lost family resurfaces and she meets the controversial Doctor Patel, who is the patron of the Anastasia Syndrome. He believes that certain strong souls who had died reluctantly can resurface in similar minded individuals. He hypnotizes Judith and in his efforts, he regresses her back to the 17th century. Judith could very well relate to Lady Margaret, the woman who was beheaded by Charles 2. From then on, strange things start happening in London and quite a few spots were bombed by a lady in a green cape. The rest of the story deals with the inquest into the bombings and the plight of Judith after that.

Terror Stalks the Class Reunion

Here, the protagonist is the victim of obsessive love and the story tells us how she was kidnapped and what happens to her after that.

Double Vision

The first time she escaped the attempt at her life, but lost her identical twin. Now, he has come for her. The dead twin, Lisa who was always the strongest of the two, makes psychic contact with her sister at this doomed hour and helps her.

Lucky Day

Premonition of danger is the supernatural element in this story. The story details how what would have been a lucky day for 3 of the main characters turn out to be otherwise.

The Lost Angel

This story was so touching and stands apart with great narrative style. In Spite of not having much twists and turns, the author succeeds to keep the reader on the edge while taking him through the story.

All the stories, has something not natural thrown into normal days of normal people. One moment, the character is as ordinary as your next door neighbour, and at the next moment, the most unusual things happen to them and you feel it all so natural. The suspense of the Anastasia Syndrome and Lucky Day was incredible and the peak point in those stories.

Don't miss it if you have a chance!!