Motifs

A motif is a recurring theme, subject, or idea. I think the motif in the book Weep No More My Lady would be suspicion. Everyone gets suspicious in life, for example your best friend is acting strange around your brother, and you become suspicious because you know she is up to something.

Suspicion comes naturally to the characters in this book. Mary Higgins Clark planted suspicion in their blood. Of course, everyone gets to be suspicious in a murder case. Suspicion can lead to terrible things, like suspecting someone is doing something they aren't, and they can become so offended it ends your relationship with them. The characters in Weep No More My Lady know all about suspicion.

"Don't you think Ted killed her?" "It couldn't have been him, I bet it was the agent!" I would have to say the motif in Mary Higgins Clark's book is suspicion.

For example, Elvis Presley's song Suspicious Minds. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/elvis+presley/suspicious+minds_20049671.html

Symbols

Symbols in Weep No More My Lady would have to be danger, love, and fear.
This book shows Danger as a symbol, because you never know who is going to get hurt or if that guy is dangerous or not. Danger can be around any corner, so be careful!
Love. Even if it isn't obvious, I believe that love is shown throughout the whole book. Elizabeth showed love for sister as she tried to win the case. The characters in this book care about one another, even if it isn't clear as day.

Fear. Fear of losing someone else is what Elizabeth LaSalle is faced with. She already has lost her sister and Ted, but will she have to lose more as the story progresses? Also, fear of what's going to happen next.

After All, It Is a Mystery!

A conflict is defined as 'to come into collision or disagreement' (see full definition on
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/conflict )

Human vs. Human The first conflict seen in Weep No More Lady is between Elizabeth Lange and Ted Winters. Elizabeth believes that Ted is the one who killed her sister, whereas Ted says he didn't push her sister off the balcony. While Ted and Leila were dating, Elizabeth became very close with Ted, even thought of him as a brother. Leila's death obviously ended their relationship and caused a major conflict between the two of them.

Man vs. Self The second conflict is between Elizabeth and herself. Elizabeth beats herself up all the time thinking that her sister's death could be partly her fault. Also, she begins to feel compassion for Ted but then she remembers what he 'did' and stops.

There are a lot of conflicts in Weep No More, My Lady. Of course, it is a mystery!

Characters

Elizabeth Lange (LaSalle) is the main character in the story, whose sister was murdered. Elizabeth is an actress and loved her sister, currently getting ready to witness in the trial.

Ted Winters is being accused of murdering Leila (Elizabeth's sister). Leila's former fiance wants to prove that he's not guilty, but his attorney thinks otherwise.

Min and Helmut von Schreiber are the owners of the spa where Ted and Elizabeth stay a few weeks before the trial. Min and Helmut are friends with both Ted and Elizabeth but have decided to support Ted in the case.

Craig is Ted's best friend and also a friend of Elizabeth and former friend of Leila. He seems to be very supportive of Elizabeth when he sees her, and also he tries to never let down Ted.

Alvirah Meehan just won the lottery and had always dreamed of going to a spa. Becoming friends with everyone, she becomes a major part of the storyline. Being a busybody, she learns things about each one of them, some of what nobody else knew.

Weep No More Setting

Weep No More My Lady takes place mostly in San Francisco in a castle-like spa.

Elizabeth is invited to a spa by her close friends (her sister's old agent) to enjoy some time before the trial of her sister's murder begins. Imagine a humongous castle, serene, filled tons of people who are enjoying the relaxing spa in the 1980's. It turns out Min (the old agent) invited everyone, including Ted(Leila's fiancee, who is charged with murder), and all of Leila's old friends.

The spa has bungalows where each guest stays when they are staying at the spa. Also, the dining room is a popular hangout for all of the guests, as well as the walking trails provided outside.

Theme of Weep No More My Lady

The Theme of Weep No More My Lady is MURDER! Murder, murder, murder, murder and more murder.
Everything and everyone is getting murdered! Leila LaSalle begins the theme of this book as she is thrown off her balcony at her New York City penthouse. As you keep reading, it seems as if after you meet some characters, boom! They're gone. A murder! No one knows who did it either, until the very end.
Frank Sinatra's song Weep No More My Lady should be the 'Theme' Song of this book! (lyrics) :) http://sinatrasonglyrics.com/getsong.php?songid=1206

The Plot of Weep No More Lady

Leila LaSalle has been murdered? By her fiance, Ted Winters?

Mary Higgins Clark tells the story of an unfortunate woman, Elizabeth LaSalle whose sister is killed by none other than Leila's fiance! Elizabeth is meeting with a prosecution attorney, to become a witness against Ted Winters in the upcoming trial. Stressed out and dealing with all of her emotions, Elizabeth LaSalle gets invited to a spa, owned by close friends. Elizabeth takes up this offer and without knowing, she throws her own life into play.
Unfortunately, it seems as if Ted Winters is at the spa at the same time as Elizabeth (isn't that just a coincidence!) weeks before the trial. Elizabeth learns that while Leila lived, she had a stalker. Becoming a 'Nancy Drew detective' Elizabeth tries all she can do to figure out who this stalker is and if they maybe killed her sister.

Maybe it was that Cheryl Manning, the actress who was up for the role her sister got, or is it maybe Min or Helmut von Schreiber, close friends and the spa owners?

Who knows? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Queen of Suspense's Weep No More, My Lady

Mary Higgins Clark wrote the book "Weep No More, My Lady", which was published in 1987. As I started reading this book, I imagined how it would feel if one of my sister's were pushed off of their balcony by their fiance, who I was also close to. I would feel betrayed, horrified and I would feel worthless. The first chapter was very intriguing and I didn't want to stop reading it because I really wanted to know what was going to happen.

Overall, Weep No More My Lady is a great mystery, because it can lead you down the wrong path sometimes of who murdered Leila LaSalle, and it will surprise you at the end.

To learn more about Mary Higgins Clark visit : http://www.maryhigginsclark.com/