Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Predictable drivel

I was given this book as a gift from my mother so felt obliged to read it. I'm sorry I wasted my time. The plot was unbelievably thin with nary a twist. I could tolerate that if the book contained compelling characters but alas MHC clearly went to the character store and ordered "one worried mother, one hard-boiled cop with a heart of gold and one - no make that two - brave little boys". Add to that writing so ordinary that had this book been submitted by Mary Smith instead of Mary Higgins Clark, it would have been sent back with a note to try adding a metaphor or two. In fact, the manuscript would have been sent back with a form letter.I can't account for the 5 star reviews here but if your reading level is above Dick and Jane, skip this and turn to Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" for a truly delightful holiday tale.