Cover Image: Where Are the Children Now?

Where Are the Children Now?

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Member Reviews

"The legacy of the “Queen of Suspense” continues with the highly anticipated follow-up to Mary Higgins Clark’s iconic novel Where Are the Children?, featuring the children of Nancy Harmon, facing peril once again as adults."

I loved the first book when I first read it years ago and this book was no different! The story built from page to page I was intrigued the entire time. The pacing was great and as each clue appeared I was kept guessing.

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Mary Higgins Clark is one of my favorite authors so I couldn't wait to read this sequel to the story I read earlier. And this book did not disappoint. It was definitely a page turner and each new revelation kept you guessing what would happen next.

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LOVED!!
I'm such a Mary Higgins Clark OG fangirl lol
I hate that she's no longer with us - but Alafair Burke has done a phenomenal job carrying on her work - so seamlessly too!!! I listened to this with my 17 year old daughter - after we listened to Where Are the Children (because she wasn't even born when it originally came out - I was barely a baby myself and I needed a refresher lol). This was the perfect continuation of Missy and Mike's story. I did NOT see the end coming at me - which I always appreciate!! Would so love another update in a few years!!! I was gifted this novel by Netgalley; all opinions are completely my own.

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While the premise of the book seemed promising, I was disappointed that it lacked the "Mary Higgins Clark" writing appeal.

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I cut my thriller reading teeth on Marry Higgins Clark. Seriously, my mother and I probably read all of her books when I was growing up. I reread , Where are the Children before reading this ARC and I have to say I'm glad I did. Not because Now didn't provide enough back information to understand the current story, but because things did not go down in the first book like I remembered. But that's neither here nor there.
I've read many of Alafair Burke's stand alone books as well and was pleased to read her contribution to continuing MHC's writing. This novel stayed true to the MHC vibe and I always like seeing where people are now. Sometimes I felt like she reminded us of what happened in the original a little bit too much, but then again, I just read it last week. I also think that this book could easily be read on it's own without the source material.
I definitely recommend this book, and look forward to seeing further Burke/Clark combinations.

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In the novel "Where Are the Children Now?" by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, the authors delve into a gripping tale of mystery and suspense that captivates readers from the very first page. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the story follows the protagonist's quest to uncover the truth behind a series of unsettling events that have haunted the community. Through skillful storytelling and vivid character development, the novel offers a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

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Decades after the events that transpired in Where Are the Children, Where Are the Children Now? picks up with Mike, Melissa, and Nancy. Melissa has recently gotten married to a widower, who has a sweet young daughter named Riley. When Riley goes missing, has the past come back to haunt them all?

Honestly, I remember being mesmerized and spooked by Where Are the Children when I read it many years ago. Unfortunately, Where Are the Children Now? does not elicit the same response. Melissa is a podcaster who was once a lawyer, yet she brings someone into her life without even researching him or his past. The plot is pretty thin, with several misdirections that are a little too obvious.

Overall, this book would have had a bigger impact had it been with a different set off characters. There was no reason to tie it to a novel that was many decades in the past. Where Are the Children Now? just did not deliver the suspense in the same way as the previous novel. For this reason, I would not recommend it to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

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A great continuation off of the first book! While things felt a little far fetched at times, the excitement and mystery of a Mary Higgins Clark book was there and greatly appreciated.

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"Now, more than four decades since readers first met Nancy and her children, comes the thrilling sequel to the groundbreaking book that set the stage for future generations of psychological suspense novels. A lawyer turned successful podcaster, Melissa has recently married a man whose first wife died tragically, leaving him and their young daughter, Riley, behind. While Melissa and her brother, Mike, help their mom, Nancy, relocate from Cape Cod to the equally idyllic Hamptons, Melissa’s new stepdaughter goes missing. Drawing on the experience of their own abduction, Melissa and Mike race to find Riley to save her from the trauma they still struggle with—or worse."
Took awhile to get into. Best to read the 1st book before this. I give this book 3 stars.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, netgalley, and the author for a chance to give an honest review.
Published Apr 18th, 2023

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This at-long-last sequel to Mary Higgins Clark's most popular book, Where are the Children? revisits Nancy Harmon and her family years after her second family was rescued. Now, her children are grown themselves and her daughter Melissa is about to become a step-mother. Melissa is thrilled and excited about becoming 3 year old Riley's stepmother.

Tragedy once again visits the family when Riley goes missing. Melissa and her brother Mike, remembering their own experiences at being abducted, worked tirelessly to find the child. Nancy calmly provides support for her children in their search.

Read by veteran narrator January LaVoy, you won't want to put this down. Recommended for fans of Clark and other mystery lovers.

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Oh my goodness! Where Are the Children was one of the first Mary Higgins Clark books I read. It was fantastic and I was immediately a huge fan of the author. When I saw the sequel, Where Are the Children Now? was being released, I knew it would be at the top of my to-be-read list. The authors (cowritten with Alafair Burke) have done a wonderful job of reminding you of the storyline from the first book. Though, this book is good enough that you could possibly read it without having read the first one. (But why would you?! You need to read Where Are the Children as well!) Anyway, I digress. The characters are well developed, the story line is set up with precision, and you are in for a shocking roller coaster ride. There are twists and turns, hints and misdirections, and shocking revelations. I literally gasped when the real culprit(s) is/are revealed. Don’t cheat and peek at the end. You will want to experience every intense suspenseful moment of this story ... from the first word until you have read the last word, closed the book, and will sit there absorbing the conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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I’ve always love Mary Higgins Clark and this one didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read her next book!

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I grew up reading my mom's Mary Higgins Clark novels. I never picked up Where Are the Children?, but this one interested me anyway. While these stories aren't really groundbreaking in any way, the mystery is always of interest. Melissa was a little too naïve for my taste, but what can you do? By the time we got to the twist, it felt a little farfetched, but as I enjoyed myself, I let it slide.

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Wowzers!! This was such an awesome story by an iconic storyteller!! You will want to read this one!! Will keep you in suspense!

Of the fifty-six bestsellers the “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark published in her lifetime, Where Are the Children? was her biggest, selling millions of copies and forever transforming the genre of suspense fiction. In that story, a young California mother named Nancy Harmon was convicted of murdering her two children. Though released on a technicality, she was abandoned by her husband and became such a pariah in the media that she was forced to move across the country to Cape Cod, change her identity and appearance, and start a new life. Years later her two children from a second marriage, Mike and Melissa, would go missing, and Nancy yet again became the prime suspect—but this time, Nancy was able to confront the secrets buried in her past and rescue her kids from a dangerous predator.

Now, more than four decades since readers first met Nancy and her children, comes the thrilling sequel to the groundbreaking book that set the stage for future generations of psychological suspense novels. A lawyer turned successful podcaster, Melissa has recently married a man whose first wife died tragically, leaving him and their young daughter, Riley, behind. While Melissa and her brother, Mike, help their mom, Nancy, relocate from Cape Cod to the equally idyllic Hamptons, Melissa’s new stepdaughter goes missing. Drawing on the experience of their own abduction, Melissa and Mike race to find Riley to save her from the trauma they still struggle with—or worse.

Just like the original, Where Are the Children Now? keeps readers guessing and holding their breath until the very last page.

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Melissa, a lawyer turned successful podcaster, has recently married a man whose first wife tragically passed away, leaving him and their young daughter, Riley, behind. As Melissa and her brother, Mike, assist their mother, Nancy, in relocating from Cape Cod to the equally idyllic Hamptons, an unsettling turn of events unfolds. Melissa’s new stepdaughter, Riley, goes missing. Drawing on their own painful experiences of abduction, Melissa and Mike race against time to find Riley and protect her from the same trauma they still grapple with, or potentially even worse.

Having adored Mary Higgins Clark’s “Where Are The Children,” I couldn’t resist reading the sequel.

Melissa and Mike, now adults, continue to carry the scars of their past abduction experiences, and now, Melissa’s stepdaughter has also been abducted. It’s been nearly forty years since the events of the first book. While some parts of the story may be somewhat predictable, it doesn’t diminish my enjoyment of a well-crafted narrative.

This book, co-authored by Alafair Burke, is a superb collaboration that exceeded my expectations.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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"Where are the Children" was the first domestic suspense novel I ever read, at age 9. Even then, I figured out that who the villain was, and that he wasn't dead. I read the sequel mainly for the sake of sentimentality. I was astounded by how much better it was than the original. Kudos to Alafair Burke for bringing this classic into the 21st Century!

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I have read all the books by Mary Higgins Clark. I have not read one that I did not like. I will keep reading. MHC never disappoints! Highly recommend!

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Where Are the Children Now? is written by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. My grandmother introduced me to Mary Higgins Clark when I was a teenager and I remember reading her books after she did. I was excited to read this story. This book is packed full of suspense and action. It's also filled with twists and turns. The first story: Where are the Children was released in 1975 - so this one covers more then 4 decades later. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my gifted ARC.

I read Where Are The Children before reading this one, but the author did a great job recapping in this book you really don't have to read the first book unless you want to. I loved this one, I actually liked this one better than the first one. This book kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat the whole time. I definitely recommend this one!

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This was such a good book, definitely could be read as a standalone. The author did such a good job of introducing the original book, but building off of it. I found it was a thrilling story with an even better twist.

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