Dickens & Rumi

book

As Time Goes By

Mary Higgins Clark · 2016

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for As Time Goes By by Mary Higgins Clark. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

Book 6 · Alvirah & WillySource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · Violence 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Good role models 3/5
Series positionBook 6 · Alvirah & Willy
Recommendation2.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 2.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth17 scored categories17 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 7 · All by Myself, AloneStrongest cautions: Death of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Weep No More, My Lady
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · The Lottery Winner
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 3 · All Through the Night
    Frightening scenes3/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  4. Book 4 · I'll Walk Alone
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  5. Book 5 · The Lost Years
    Death of a character4/5Religious themes4/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 6 · As Time Goes By
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  7. Book 7 · All by Myself, Alone
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Murder and deaths are central to the investigation, with grief and the effects of loss treated seriously.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Violence is described in a narrative style rather than being gratuitous or overly graphic.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Contains very mild language suitable for general audiences.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religious characters or mentions may occur, but are not central to the narrative.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Subtle romantic elements exist but are not the central focus of the plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Contains typical suspense elements and the threat of an unknown stalker or killer.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

The story does not contain sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional social drinking is depicted as part of adult life.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes descriptions of past murders and threats to the main character.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Products & advertising · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist shows courage by pursuing dangerous truths despite threats.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The puzzle-solving nature of the book engages curiosity.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Character cast is conventional for the genre.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into journalism and the process of criminal investigation.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Care, loyalty, and concern for vulnerable people appear, though they compete with secrecy, suspicion, and betrayal.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes truth-seeking, accountability, loyalty, family responsibility, and the consequences of deception.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Investigators and family members show persistence and concern for others, though several adults make questionable or harmful choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in As Time Goes By would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in As Time Goes By, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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