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.

Tho I loved the original in this series I think I liked this one better. Maybe tho just because it’s a more current story. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this copy for read and review

This was the long awaited sequel many of us held our breaths for! I loved that it could also be read as a stand alone as it presents the original story leaving readers with great understanding.

This was fine. Where Are The Children was my first MHC book that got me hooked. Not sure this quite lives up to it but it was ok!

Mary Higgins is a go to author for me. Even in the books I don't absolutely love, I have never hated. She writes such wonderful complex stories that pull you in and induce so much emotions...I loved the first book though it's been years since I read it. Reading this I discovered I still recalled the main points so I was not left lost at all

I didnt realize this was a sequel but I think it can be treated as a stand alone. They did a good job of introducing the original story but building off of it. I wasn't familiar with Mary Higgins prior to but now shes one of my authors to watch .

This was a fantastic sequel and I relished every page of this tense drama. Well done!
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having just read Where Are the Children? shortly before picking this one up, I do have to say Where Are the Children Now? definitely exceeded my expectations and was as good as the first book. Alafair Burke definitely has Mary Higgins Clark's writing style down and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the books they wrote together. This book will definitely appeal to new and old MHC fans alike as well as fans of crime novels with a true crime element.

One of the authors that made me fall in love with reading. I have read everything Mary ever wrote and grieved when I found out I may never get to read another one of her books. This one doesn’t disappoint. I did end up rereading the first one as a refresher. Her ability to tell stories is unmatched.

Good update to a classic book from a classic author! I’ve always enjoyed Marry Higgins Clark books! Good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc

What an amazing read! I hadn't even finished reading the book when I recommended it to one of my coworkers. It was great! It was many years ago when I read Where are the Children, and I was concerned that I might need to reread it before starting this one; however, Now brings you up to speed and refreshed my recollection. Honestly, the twist at the end caught me off guard, and I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much. Melissa was surprised to find out that her new husband was not all who she thought he was. I sympathized with her on so many levels, but was so happy with the ending.

Melissa and Mike are successful adults now and shortly after Melissa marries, her stepdaughter goes missing. While the plot was easy to figure out (similar to the first book), I was still surprised by a couple things at the conclusion. The book is told by multiple POVs but is easy to keep up with. I did like Melissa and felt she was a strong lead character. I feel like this is a nod to the first book where her mother, Nancy, was the strong lead character.

I believe this sequel works as a stand alone book as the important plot points from the first book are seamlessly written into this story to keep the reader in the loop.

This book is a collaboration with author Alafair Burke. I recently reread 'Where Are The Children', which I remember loving in the late-90s when I read it the first time, yet I found it to be very poorly written when I read it the second time. So I went into the sequel with very low expectations. Well Alafair Burke's contribution knocked it out of the park! I''ll be checking into her books now as I liked her writing style.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mary always knocks it out of the park! Another amazing book that I couldn’t put down. I read this in less than 24 hours on vacation. Top notch story with an even better twist!

The addictive follow up to Where Are the Children. This novel follows Nancy Harmon's daughter, Melissa. As children she and her brother were abducted by their mother's first husband and were luckily rescued at the last minute. Now as adults they somehow become enmeshed in yet another case of a missing child. Melissa has recently married a widower named Charlie and has fallen in love with his young daughter, Riley. In a case of history repeating itself, Riley goes missing one afternoon while Melissa was watching her. No one knows what to believe, and Melissa may end up being the prime suspect, just as her mother was years before. The clock is ticking, as Melissa attempts to find the truth and locate Riley before it's too late.

This was an absolute thrill ride. I only recently read Where Are the Children, so the story was fresh in my mind, and this sequel novel was fantastic. It feels just like the previous book, but written for today. It's horrifying to think of being the main suspect in your own child's disappearance, as Nancy and now Melissa have been. One element that I really loved in this one was how Nancy stood up for Melissa and really helped her to retain her strength despite being judged and suspected of harming Riley. A glimpse of a lovely mother daughter relationship. This mystery kept taking unexpected turns, and I definitely did not guess the truth. I was completely engrossed and had to stay up all night to finish the story. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved "Where are the Children". I just recently listened to the audiobook within the last year. So was very excited about this book!

This is truly a worthy successor. It pulled me in, it captured my imagination and was just as captivating as the original. Was surprised with the twist!

Can't go wrong with this one!

Another mastermind of a tale by the Queen herself. A very formula written tale of what someone appears to be, does not turn out to be the case.
While it was light reading, I have been more interested in some of her characters in the past. This time, she utilized podcasts in the background. How naive could one person be

I was super excited when I heard of the existence of Where Are the Children Now? Described as a sequel to Mary Higgins Clark's 1975 novel, Where are the Children? As a MHC devotee, this novel seemed right up my alley. That being said, this additional story co-written by Alafair Burke is enjoyable but not quite the caliber of the original. The police in the story are meant to fumble the case, but grow rather irritating to the reader and the twist ending can be seen miles away, especially to those readers who are familiar with Clark's previous works. Burke does a good job of carrying the story forward, bringing these characters into modern day; but the plot ultimately falls short in my opinion.

Melissa and Mike were kidnapped as children in Cape Cod by an enemy of their mother, however they were successfully rescued and have both gone on to live full lives as adults. While dealing with the trauma that came from those life altering events, Melissa, Mike and their mother, Nancy, all were able to put the past behind them. Now Melissa is set to marry Charlie, a widower, with a young daughter. Though the romance has been fast paced, Melissa is ready to take on the role of stepmother and truly loves her life now. When Riley is kidnapped in a similar fashion to Melissa's own childhood the nightmare continues for the entire Eldredge family.

It is a suspenseful race against the clock, in order to find Riley before harm comes to her and Melissa wonders if history is repeating itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this novel.

I rarely rate books with 5 stars, 4 is my usual rating, enjoyable but not terrific. This book is terrific. The interesting of characters, family, history and happenstance forces you to read the next pag, and the next. These authors are a dynamic duo.

Thank you @simonandschuster @simonbooks for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

I read Mary Higgins Clark’s first novel 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣? years ago, and unlike many other books I have read over the years, I have never forgotten that dramatic and terrifying story! Since then I have read every MHC novel, and though I enjoyed them all, WATC remains my favorite!

So I was delighted when Alifair Burke (who has co-written many books with MHC) came out with this sequel, and it is every bit as suspenseful and intricate as WATC!

Mike and his sister Missy, (who is now known as Melissa), are all grown up! Melissa is married to a widower, with a young child, Riley. Melissa adores Riley like she is her own daughter. When Nancy decides to move to the Hamptons, Melissa and Mike help their mother with the move. One day, while Melissa is alone at the house with Riley, Melissa suddenly becomes sleepy. She puts Riley down for a nap and Melissa falls into a deep sleep. When she wakes up, Riley is gone!

Just like the situation with her mother years ago, suspicions fall on Melissa.

The story unfolds at a great pace. I really sympathized with Melissa and wanted things to work out for her. When I read WATC, I remember feeling fear for the children. I didn’t feel that so much in this novel, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment. I was surprised at the ending, and liked the way it worked out.

Where Are the Children Now?
by Mary Higgins Clark; Alafair Burke
Pub Date 18 Apr 2023
Simon & Schuster
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers



Simon & Schuster and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Where Are the Children Now for review:



The "Queen of Suspense" continues to leave her mark with the highly anticipated sequel to Where Are the Children?, which features Nancy Harmon's children as adults facing peril once again.


Among Mary Higgins Clark's fifty-six bestsellers, Where Are the Children was among the most successful, Where Are the Children was one of Mary Higgins Clark's fifty-six bestsellers, forever transforming the genre of suspense fiction. There was a story in which a young California mother named Nancy Harmon was convicted of murdering hNancy's two children from a second marriage, Mike and Melissa, went missing several years later. Nancy once again became the prime suspect—but this time she was able to confront the secrets buried in her past and rescue her children.
Despite becoming the prime suspect, Nancy was able to confront the secrets buried in her past and save her children.



More than four decades after readers first met Nancy and her children, comes the sequel to the landmark book that set the stage for future generations of psychological suspense novels. Melissa, a lawyer turned successful podcaster, recently married a man whose first wife passed away tragically, leaving him and their young daughter, Riley, behind. Melissa's new stepdaughter goes missing while she and her brother, Mike, assist Nancy in moving from Cape Cod to the equally idyllic Hamptons. In light of the trauma they still experience from their own abduction, Melissa and Mike race to locate Riley in order to prevent her from being subjected to the trauma they are still struggling with.

In the same manner as the original, Where Are the Children Now? This book keeps readers guessing until the very last page and keeps them on the edge of their seats.


I give Where Are the Children Now five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!