The first Mary Higgins Clark I ever read was Where Are The Children? Now, many many years later, we catch up with them and get embroiled in a new mystery in this novel. Lots of twists and turns, various layers, this is a complex and intense mystery. It kept me turning pages on the edge of my seat. Great entertainment and fabulous story!

Although nothing could really compare to the original Where Are the Children? in terms of suspense and excitement, this long after sequel does a good job keeping the reader turning the pages. The hallmark Mary Higgins Clark twists and turns are there and the book is a satisfying read. You needn't have read the original to enjoy this one, but I imagine those who loved the first book will be the prime audience for this one.

Thank you Netgalley, Simon& Schuster, Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke for allowing me the chance to read an advanced readers copy of “Where are the children Now in exchange for my honest review. Set to be published April 18th 2023.

Did you happen to ask yourself, “ Do I need to read Where Are The Children?” First before this one. Well personally I did not and I made it through ok and I’ve never read Mary Higgins before but I may look into reading some of her other older works.

I’m case you haven’t read the first book like I haven’t let me start off with a summary of it.

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 from a 2nd marriage her two children Mike and Melissa go missing and guess who’s the prime suspect! But this time Nancy was able to confront her past secrets and rescue her children.
Now 40 years late we get to meet Nancy again she is about to move to the Southamptons from Cape Cod. She had a wonderful life with her 2nd husband who passed away. While her 2 children try to do the best they can following what happened in their past. Mike is able to put the past behind him but Melissa isn’t able to forgive and forget her past. Melissa is happy in her little family with Charlie and his daughter Riley. But someone isn’t happy that Melissa is happy she starts to receive threats online then next thing you know Riley disappears.

Why does someone hate Melissa so much to take Riley? Will they be able to get her back safe and sound? You’ll have to read to find out ! This was an overall fantastic quick read but I should’ve read the 1st book first so I wasn’t so confused with the characters and the story line. So at some point I’ll have to go back and read the first book then reread this one to get a better understanding.
But I will definitely recommend this book it’s a must read! Just remember to read the first one first !

Thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "Where are the Children?" The thing I love about Mary Higgins Clark books (and those written after her death using Alafair Burke) is that they are just a fun mystery. There is no woke culture or social agenda. Even though they are a mystery, they are light, breezy, and quick reads. They are fun mystery books and you can read them at all ages. This book was a walk down memory lane, having read Where are the Children in high school. I thought Burke did a great job retaining Clark's voice and I enjoyed the mystery and the update on Melissa and Mike from the original story. A must read for previous fans of Where are the Children and a great nod to the traditional MHC format and mystery.

Another collaboration between the late Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke to savor! This time, they revisit a previous book by the queen Ms. Clark and show that generational trauma is real! I am not sure if this is her last publication, but if so how fitting that we get an update on previous characters.

Melissa and her brother Mike have chosen different ways to deal with the events of the past, but both bear the scars of the madman that kidnapped them as children.

When the family comes together to celebrate Melissa’s new marriage, history seems to be repeating itself when her step daughter is taken.
As suspicion hangs over someone close to little Riley, both Mike and Melissa (along with Nancy) are forced to confront the past to solve the puzzle of what is going on in the present.
Nothing, and possibly no one , are what they seem! Old friendships are tested while Melissa races to unravel the mystery of why Riley was taken, and how (and if) it is connected to her. Will Riley be returned home, and will Melissa find out that everything that she thinks she knows may not be true?

I really enjoyed this book, although I confess I saw the plot twists coming. It was interesting how they tied it to the other series by the two authors, while leaving room for this to possibly become a series of its own. I thought the ending was a little unrealistic, but unmasking the culprit was satisfying! I would have liked her brother to be more involved in the outcome, but it was clear at the beginning that this was more of a Melissa story.

I was graciously provided an advanced copy of this book by the publisher and Net Galley in return for an honest review.

I LOVE all books that have Mary Higgins Clark and with her already passed this makes it extra special to still be able to ready a book by her! You can never go wrong with her! Alafair is just as amazing!

This is a terrific sequel to the first book. I had read the first book around the first year it was published which was in 2000. So it stands to reason I have very little memory of the original storyline. This book while being a sequel works as a standalone book too. I had no difficulty in following the storyline and was kept in suspense til the end. As always I try to figure out the mystery and villains prior to the reveal, I was only half right. But that makes me love the book even more.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the book by Simon & Schuster and NetGalley in exchange for my review..

Not to give anything away... no spoilers but so juicy I want to discuss it right now!

This was a great addition to the Where Are the Children however, it can stand alone. It had been years since I read the story of the abduction of this brother and sister duo. This was another page turner from Mary Higgins Clark and Alfair Burke. It was my honor to be chosen to read one of my favorite authors books before the release date. You will not see the ending coming. Just when you think you have it figured, NOPE. All I want to say it don't have nothing else to do... you will not put this one down!

Omg this book was so amazing. I was literally on the edge of my seat reading it the entire time. I found the first book exciting and was a little apprehensive about the second book being just as good. However, I must say this book by far exceeded my expectations. It pulls the reader in to a point where you really don’t want to put it down. It had me transfixed as if I was there in the book experiencing every moment in real time, if a book can do that, then you know the writer is extremely talented and gifted. I will definitely look for more books written by this author, I highly recommend this book to everyone. I am thankful I was able to get an advanced copy.

this book is a fast easy read, a twisty tale of a woman, abducted as a child whose step daughter gets taken. She finds herself as a suspect with too many coincidences start appearing. Lots of secrets get revealed, at times it felt like a few too many characters to keep track of and their stories. It was fine to read without having read the first book as they filled us in with what we needed to know

Oh boy! I loved Where Are the Children Now. I read Where Are the Children first for background. The main characters in Where Are the Children Now we're attorney and podcaster Melissa, her husband, Charlie, his sister Rachel, Melissa's mother, Nancy, and Melissa's best friend, Katie. There was also Patrick, Melissa's ex-fiancé. Oh yes, and let's not forget Charlie's daughter, Riley, whose favorite cartoon character was Peppa Pig.

Melissa had defended a woman, Jennifer, after she'd been convicted of killing her husband. She had killed him but it had been in self defense; the conviction was overturned. If the conviction had held, her husband's children would have inherited his fortune. As it turned out, Jennifer inherited it.

Charlie told Melissa that he has to go to Antigua for work. While he was gone, Nancy had sold her home and purchased a cottage on Long Island, and Melissa and Mike moved her things to the cottage while Nancy stayed back to tie up loose ends. Riley was left with Melissa rather than with Charlie's sister, Rachel. On their second day there Melissa took Riley to the park. Melissa watched Riley play while sipping an iced coffee. Melissa saw a woman talking to Riley and went to rescue her. The woman went off on Melissa. She had no idea why the woman would say such things. No matter, she went and retrieved her coffee and went back to the cottage. She fell into a deep sleep during which time Riley was kidnapped. Melissa believed she had been drugged.

Mike phoned the police while Melissa went out searching. The police came and took her account of what happened. Charlie came home and Melissa had to tell him what happened. The police had a video of someone who looked like Melissa in her vehicle taking Riley over a bridge and returning without her. They accused Melissa of taking the girl and possibly killing her.

Jayden Kennedy had a home that he had posted online for short rentals. A woman named Helen took him up on his offer. The agreement was for complete anonymity. In his house description he said that there was a child's swing in the back and Helen said it was perfect.

Charlie needed an attorney and Melissa asked her friend Mac to take the case. Charlie had gone to the police station and they showed him the video. He said he didn't know what to believe. Melissa tried repeatedly to phone him but her calls went to voicemail. Finally, Mac phoned her and told her that he had instructed Charlie not to talk to her, but that he could have one conversation with her, at which point he gave the phone to Charlie. He told her about the video. She said it wasn't her but felt he didn't believe her. He basically deserted her.

Melissa had a few theories. One was that the woman in the park had an accomplice who drugged her. Also, Charlie had told her that he and his wife, Linda, had gone to Norway, and that she had fallen off a cliff to her death. Melissa thought that maybe she didn't die and had come back and kidnapped her daughter. She later learned from Mac that Charlie had seen Linda's body and had had her cremated.

Jayden got an alert on his phone that there was flooding in the basement. He sent a message to his tenant that he was coming over to deal with it. He got no response, so he and his girlfriend, Julie, headed over. They entered from the back and alleviated the problem. They were curious about Helen so they looked in the windows. They didn't see her, but they saw the television tuned to Peppa Pig cartoons. Meanwhile, the tenant had sent a message in all caps that he was to absolutely not show up. They remembered what they read about Riley loving Peppa Pig. So Julie went to a pay phone and phoned the police. She gave them Jayden's number and they phones him and he confirmed the story. So they decided to do a wellness check, as Jayden had provided them with a house key. When they got there they saw a sippee cup and a child's plate, and the pajama bottoms that she had been wearing. In the meantime, the pajama top had washed up on the shore.

Charlie had phoned Melissa and told her that he wanted to meet her in his motel room. She knew that there was a diner across the street and, for her safety, wanted to meet him there. Because the police had taken her vehicle, she drove the U-Haul truck. She'd told her friend, Katie, where she was going and told her that if she didn't hear from her in 20 minutes to call the police. When she arrived Charlie climbed into the truck and pulled a gun on her.

So as not to spoil the ending I'll stop here. But suffice it to say, this was a nail biter. Mary Higgins Clark did a fine job with character development. Near the end I was on the edge of my seat. The suspense was chilling. I simply couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend it for book club. I gave it five stars.

Mary Higgins Clark (RIP) has always been one of my favorites. I read Where Are The Children a very long time ago. This is a good story and a good sequel, and can easily be read as a stand-alone. Recommended!

Amazing job! I was very skeptical going into this book that it would do justice to the original. Well, no worries there! Everything from the writing style to the details were very reminiscent of Where Are The Children? The book flowed just like a Mary Higgins Clark novel and the betrayal at the end just crushed me for Melissa! Alafair Burke and Mary Higgin Clark have always written well together and this book was no exception! Perfect sequel!

This book was very twisty and turny! I enjoyed the multiple points of view. Alafair Burke's name is what originally caught my eye. I have not read the original MHC Where Are the Children, but I felt like there was enough information in this sequel for me to follow along quite well. There were definitely some dark and disturbing themes, especially involving children so this might not be for everyone.

Thanks to Netgalley for the book to review.

Love love and loved this book! Can't wait to read more from this author!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Holy Cow....what a ride. So many twists and surprises. MHC and Alafair Burke are a powerful force! I will read anything these two write. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. Will be recommending this one!! Bravo!

This pair always delivers and this is no exception! Delighted to see them revisit this classic MHC story with a fresh twist. Definitely did not see how this twisty turvy tale would end. Sadly Mary Huggins Clark has died but hope Alafair will keep this great series going (some common characters with the under Suspicion series).

I liked this so much! It made me miss Mary Higgins Clark so much, rest her soul. The characters were so well done in this, and the long time continuation from the first book was well thought out. I loved the setting for this, and it had me stopping to look at maps while reading. I also love when podcasts are brought in to books, so that added to it. I am so glad to get a sequel for one of my childhood favorites!

I remember reading the prequel to this book back many years ago. From there, I read almost all of MHCs books and learned of Alafair Burke from her coauthoring. This book picks up many years after this original novel and focuses on the daughter, Melissa the original child abducted with her brother. Melissa is not a character that I connected with; actually the characters fell flat for me. On the other hand, I did not choose the villain correctly, so- give it a shot! It’s a solid ‘good’ book.

This was a great book, although I didn’t like it quite as much as its predecessor. I figured out the ending partway through, which I’m not usually able to do. It was still an enjoyable read, highly recommended for fans of Mary Higgins Clark.