I KNOW I read the first novel but it was, well, back in the 1970s and therefore this was a standalone for me- as I suspect it will be for many readers. This is all about generational trauma and kidnapping. Melissa and Mike have moved their mother Nancy to the Hamptons, where Melissa, a podcaster, is raising her stepdaughter Riley with her husband Charlie. All seems well and then Riley disappears. Standard thriller stuff except for Nancy's backstory and the fact that Melissa and Mike were also taken and found. Now the two of them must find Riley. Know that it might be a bit of a challenge to keep everyone straight at first but also that the short chapters, which always end with a bit of a zing, will keep you turning the pages. The funny thing is that MHC's plot from the original has become a trope but Alafair Burke has updated it and worked a little magic to make it fresher. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. No spoilers from me.

Great mystery and follow up from Mary Higgans Clark original Where are the Children. It's not necessary to have read the original, This fills you in well with the back story. Once the book gets going its a great mystery and watching Melissa and family figure out what's happening with the kidnap of her new stepdaughter. Fast moving rapidly changing situations. An enjoyable read from NetGalley and the publishers.

Where are the Children? was my first suspense novel, and my first novel from Mary Higgins Clark, back when I was in my teens in the mid-80s, so I was a little concerned that Where are the Children Now? could tarnish that memory... Thankfully that hasn't happened! Indeed, the "sequel" has again reinstated my love for all things Mary Higgins Clark. I was also concerned about the addition of Alafair Burke, which again was an unfounded concern. The story grabbed me and held me captive from the start, just like the original, and kept me guessing until the end. A true mystery from start to finish, and a true tribute to MHC and her legacy. All I've left to say is Thank You.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC

I ate this book right up. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. I loved how reminiscent it was of the original and how the main characters were still working through the happenings of that book in their own ways.

I didn’t necessarily see all of the twists either which I really enjoyed. MHC was my Grandmothers favorite author and Alafair Burke co-writing this just made my heart so happy.

All in all, I Loved it.

I read the original book many years ago. I was skeptical at the beginning if i would be able to follow the book since its been a while but was able to pick up and it was an amazing sequel to the original book with all its twists and turns of mystery in the book. To the amazing end of the book thank you to Net galley for giving me an advanced copy I really enjoyed reading this book!!!

This was a wonderful follow up to Mary Higgins Clark classic Where Are The Children? The story picked up well enough after forty years and it was great that she showed that the kids didn’t have a perfect life. So many times you get left with a happy ever after feeling but this shows us that the children grew up and that they struggled with their kidnapping and then it is compounded when Missy’s stepdaughter is taken after she’s been drugged. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Mary Higgins Clark. Even if you have never read the first book this one fills you in enough to make it quite enjoyable.

I loved this book! I finished it in about 4 days while on vacation. As in several books, I figured out part of the twist about 3/4 in but it was definitely suspenseful. I thought the writing was great and I enjoyed the characters depicted. Now I want to go back and read the original Where Are the Children again since I last read it in my 20s.
This was my first Alafair Burke book and I really liked her writing style. Ironically I had recently checked out an audiobook from the library by her which I also listened to on my trip. I’m adding her to my list of favorite authors !

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley, Mary Higgins Clark, and Alafair Burke for this advanced copy of the book!

I read the first book, Where Are The Children, and found it to be really good, so I was excited to see this sequel getting ready to be released. The previous book's storyline picks up with Mike, Melissa, and their mom. This time, there is a roller coaster of a missing child, a race against the clock to save her, and the ultimate betrayal. The pacing of the book helped to build up the suspense, and once I realized what was happening and who was responsible, I could not help but think, “how clever.” I love a cleaver who dun it. The level of betrayal that Melissa experienced made me empathize with her. But she was so strong and determined! There was a part where the plan was unhatched, and I had trouble understanding why one particular character did what they did because it seemed so disjointed, but betrayal is betrayal, no matter who it is. Good read!

This is such a fun book. It fast paced and has everything you could ever want from a Mary Higgins Clark book. I had never read Where Are the Children, but honestly you don’t have to to enjoy this book. However, if you are intending to read Where Are the Children, I would say make sure to read it first so as not to get any spoilers as to what happens. But this book has its own twists and turns that are just so lovely. I was able to figure out most of the mystery but not till right towards the end of the book, which is exactly what you want when reading a mystery thriller. I just can’t say enough good things about this story. I can’t wait to recommend it.
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I loved Where Are The Children? by Mary Higgins Clark and was a little nervous when I saw that there was a sequel. I have read all the books by Alafair Burke and MHC and knew they wrote well together. This book did not disappoint! The author stayed true to the first book and MHC storyline. A great read!

What an amazing novel which I truly enjoyed!

Where Are The Children Now is a thrilling and satisfying sequel to her iconic novel, Where Are The Children?. This time around, readers follow the life of Melissa, Nancy Harmon's daughter, who was kidnapped by her mother's former husband as a child along with her older brother Mike.

The book opens with Melissa, now a successful lawyer and podcaster, helping her mother, Nancy, move from Cape Cod to the Hamptons. Melissa is a newlywed to a man she met at a grief therapy group. Not only Melissa fell hard and fast for Charlie, but she also became stepmother to his 2 year-old little girl Riley. Melissa's new family situation is complicated by the mysterious death of her stepdaughter's mother, and when the child goes missing, Melissa and Charlie must race against time to find her. The story takes readers on a suspenseful journey filled with twists and turns, and the stakes are high as the characters confront their deepest fears and secrets.

One of the strengths of Where Are The Children Now is its focus on character development. Higgins Clark skillfully portrays the complex relationships between the characters, particularly the tension between Melissa and her brother, Mike. They both have approached the trauma of their kidnapping in different ways, and neither of them agrees how the other has handled it. The author's ability to create multidimensional characters who are flawed yet relatable adds depth to the story, making the reader invested in the outcome.

In addition to the well-drawn characters, the world-building in this novel is top-notch. The Hamptons setting is vividly described, and the author's attention to detail makes it easy for readers to imagine themselves there. The sense of place adds to the atmosphere of the story, and the use of different locations and settings throughout the book keeps the plot interesting.

Of course, the plot itself is the backbone of the novel, and Higgins Clark delivers on this front as well. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The author masterfully weaves together different threads of the story, building tension and suspense as the characters race to uncover the truth. I also enjoyed the call-backs to the original story which draw the parallels to the current one. While I read Where Are The Kids a few years ago, there were so many things I had forgotten so I truly appreciated the reminders to understand Melissa's action as the plot developed.

Overall, Where Are The Children Now is a gripping and satisfying read that fans of the original novel will love. Higgins Clark's legacy as the "Queen of Suspense" continues with this highly anticipated sequel, which showcases her talent for creating unforgettable characters, building immersive worlds, and crafting suspenseful plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.

If you're a fan of thrilling mystery novels, then you're in for a treat with "Where Are the Children Now?" by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. This book is a sequel to the original classic, "Where Are the Children?" and it picks up the story forty years later, bringing back some beloved characters and introducing new twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The story begins by reintroducing us to the characters we fell in love with in the first book, including Nancy, Mike, and Missy. But this time around, they're navigating a whole new set of mysteries and challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As the plotlines, suspects, and red herrings start to pile up, you'll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster, desperate to know what happens next.

What I loved most about this book is how it seamlessly incorporates backstory for new readers while still satisfying longtime fans. Even if you haven't read the first book, you can easily follow along with the story and understand the characters' histories. And for those of us who read the first book years ago, it's a fantastic way to revisit the world of Nancy, Mike, and Missy and see how their lives have changed.

The writing is superb, with a perfect balance of detail and pacing. The authors know exactly how to build tension and keep the reader invested in the story. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and you'll find yourself rooting for them as they work to uncover the truth.

Overall, "Where Are the Children Now?" is a fantastic follow-up to the first book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery. Whether you're new to the series or a longtime fan, this book is sure to keep you hooked until the very end. So settle in with a cup of tea and get ready for a wild ride!

I really enjoyed the Under Suspicion Series that Alafair co-wrote with Mary Higgins Clark. I thought it very fitting that she got to write a follow-up novel to MHC’s most popular book. This can be read without reading the original, Where Are the Children. It is almost forty years after the events in the first book. Melissa and Michael who were kidnapped in the first book come together for a happier occasion. Melissa is getting married to and becoming a step-mom to two year old Riley. Melissa is a successful attorney and also hosts an unsolved mystery podcast. Weeks after the wedding the siblings are helping their mom settle into a new cottage closer to the city. When Melissa takes a nap, Riley goes missing. The husband has an alibi for day so the police look hard at Melissa as the prime suspect. Much as happened to her mother years before.

This is excellent writing with a quick storyline that kept me turning the pages. The main mystery takes place over just a few days. As Melissa works to solve the mystery her knowledge of police work and unsolved mysteries is turned against her. I guessed a few things but couldn’t guess all the twists. This is a very good mystery and I enjoyed the tie in to the original book. I like that Burke is someone who actually wrote with MGC and this isn’t an attempt to pass off a ghost writer using a deceased person name. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review.

I read this thriller as an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley. I have mixed feelings about this book. It was similar to eating a bowl of Doritos, enjoyable while you are eating it, but afterwards you're not sure why you bothered. It wasn't a bad book, just not especially memorable. From the publisher: "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." It just required too much suspension of reality for me. I will say it is a fun read, and perhaps come with a surprise or two. I just can't say it is a necessary read.

Initially, I was a little skeptical about where they could take the plot from Where Are the Children? However, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it dug its hooks into me and never let go. Mary Higgins Clark wrote over 50 novels in her lifetime. Where Are The Children Now? is the sequel to Where Are The Children? which was Mary Higgins Clark's debut novel originally released in 1975. Almost 50 years later, Mary Higgins Clark with the assistance of Alafair Burke, revisits these beloved characters and sends them on a new adventure.

When Missy and Mike were children, they were abducted and subjected to abuse at the hands of Nancy's ex-husband. Nancy was able to rescue her children then. However, their past has a way of influencing their present. Missy is determined to leave the past in the past, while Mike is concerned about what she is repressing. Missy is a well-respected lawyer turned podcaster whose primary focus is on injustice in the criminal justice system. After she successfully helps a client overturn their conviction, Missy is skyrocketed into fame. Fame comes with its own problems, especially in the form of internet trolls.

Missy is set to get married to Charlie, whom she met in grief counseling after her father passed away. They haven't known each other long and Charlie has a young daughter named Riley. Everyone is concerned about Missy but she seems to be happy. After the wedding, Missy and Mike help Nancy pack up and move to Long Island to be closer to Missy. The move goes smoothly, but one day Missy takes Riley, her new stepdaughter, to the park. At the park, she is verbally attacked by a stranger. Missy and Riley head back to Nancy's new cottage and take a nap. However, it will be a decision Missy comes to regret as she is forcefully shaken awake by her brother Mike asking where Riley is. Missy is soon prime suspect number one, and Charlie has cut off communication with her.

As Missy struggles to prove her innocence she quickly starts to realize something isn't right. Not everyone is who they say they are. Could she have accidentally hurt her stepdaughter due to her struggles with insomnia? Or is someone else trying to frame her? If so, who, and more importantly why? Missy refuses to back down and puts herself in danger to find the truth. In the end, her main priority is her stepdaughter, and preventing her from suffering the same abuse she faced as a child.

What I loved:
+Revisiting old characters in new stages of their lives.
+Fast-paced, on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller.
+True crime podcast angle

What I didn't love:
-Not enough fleshing out of the criminal character's change in identity
-Missy's blind trust in a stranger seems to be in direct contradiction with her personality and past trauma

Part of the reason I was skeptical about reading this sequel, is that Mary Higgins Clark passed in 2020 and isn't around to help write these books anymore. However, I do believe the introduction mentions that she helped flesh out the idea for the story prior to her passing. Where Are The Children Now? very much reads like a classic Mary Higgins Clark novel. There are so many threads to follow, breadcrumb trails, and red herrings to avoid. Just when I thought I might have figured it out, there would be another twist to keep me on my toes.

Bottom line: I absolutely loved Where Are The Children Now? Mary Higgins Clark is a comfort author to me. I know what to expect when I sit down with one of her novels. This one did not disappoint. Be sure to read Where Are The Children? before you read Where Are The Children Now? to truly understand the trauma Nancy, Missy, and Mike are battling with.


Details:
Publication date: 4/18/23
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page count: 284

Thank you to NetGalley for the free advanced reader's copy of Where Are The Children Now?

Melissa (Missy) and her brother Michael (Mike) were taken by Don Harmon as children. After growing up Missy became a prosecutor and Mike a captain of a boat. Missy took time off from the prosecutor’s office and was investigating cold case files online. The tragedy of being taken as children was used against Missy by people that were affected by one of her previous court cases. The story kept you guessing as to who was involved in taking her stepdaughter Riley after she was married to Charles Miller. As new things came to light the intrigue kept you going to see how it was going to end.

Thank you Net Galley for my arc. This story checks in with the Eldridge Family forty years after the kidnapping of Missy and Mike by their mothers’ first husband. Missy has recently been married to a man whose wife died in a tragic accident leaving him and their three year old daughter behind. When Missy’s stepdaughter goes missing and there are too many similarities to her kidnapping for it to be a coincidence. Missy and Mike must use their own experience to help find her before she suffers the same trauma or worse.

I had not read the original 1st book in the series but didn’t find it necessary in order to follow this book. This was a fast read with a storyline that draws you in!

Excellent job on the sequel to one of my favorite Mary Higgins Clark books Where are the Children? I went into this book with low anticipation than I would had MHC wrote it, but I was wrong to think it because Alafair Burke did an outstanding job! It kept me on the edge of my seat and enjoyed the rehash of the first book! This poor family has suffered enough when Nancy was accused of killing her two children. When that case was dismissed, she remarried and had two more children. Mellissa and Mike were kidnapped and just moments from being killed. Several decades later Nancy watches her daughter Melissa experience the same heartbreak when her stepdaughter Riley is taken without a trace.
The scenes have a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter MHC style, which I love! Excellent writing and I was not disappointed in this thriller!
Thank you NetGslley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I have not read the authors previous book Where Are the Children? This novel begins with the children who are now adults that have struggled to put their kidnapping in the past behind them,. Melissa has married again and has found happiness with her husband, Charlie, and his 3 year old daughter, Riley. Melissa’s world is turned upside down when Riley disappears and she is considered a prime suspect.
This novel is a page turner and with excellent twists.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

REVIEW TO FOLLOW.