Mary Higgins Clark was always my favorite mystery writer.. The very first one I read was Where are the Children? She has now written a sequel titled Where are the Children Now? with Alafair Burke. The original novel suspense of the disappearing of Melissa and Mike. Now as adults, Melissa who has never accepted the terrors faced with being as a child. Mike who is older and has dealt with his childhood demons. Melissa who wants to focus her life on happiness and recently married and has a stepchild, Riley. Does Melissa have to relive all the trauma again with the disappearance of Riley? You won't be able to stop reading until the truth is discovered.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this sequel.

Wow! I LOVED this one! I listened to the audiobook from start to finish without a break. I did predict the ending but it was still enjoyable to listen to. The narrator was also great. I always hate when they make fake children voices but I guess it’s unavoidable when there’s a child character. But still a little creepy

I really enjoyed the first book so I was torn about reading a sequel set so many years later. Why mess with a good thing? My concerns were immediately removed as I was sucked in from the first page. My mind raced to figure out the clues before the end. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ride.

I really enjoyed this book. The original book I have never read, so that was not my reasoning for reading this one, although I love the authors involved. The book follows a family that keeps having the same problem; the kids keep getting hurt or end up going missing. The twists and turns were fantastic and kept me guessing all the way until the end. If you like a quick read with a tricky story this is a good choice for you.

Mary Higgins Clark has been a staple of my reading for years! I can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years since I read “Where Are The Children?” after grabbing a thrifted copy from turtle sanctuary’s book donation pile.

In the sequel, Melissa — now grown & married — is helping her mom relocate to the Hamptons when her stepdaughter Riley goes missing. Both Melissa and her brother Mike are reminded of their abduction from years earlier in the first novel, while everyone races to find Riley.

I was a huge fan of the original novel & this did not disappoint! It took me back to my middle school & high school age days of reading suspense novels on the beach during summer break 🥹

Another fantastic Mary Higgins Clark, which reminds me I have SO many more still sitting on my physical TBR that I need to make time for at some point 😅

4⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Good thriller however I just don't think Burke is quite as good as Clark at keeping me on the edge of my seat. It was interesting to see what happened next in this sequel to a classic page turner.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it! Thanks to Alafair Burke for continuing to bring the late great Mary Higgins Clark books to us.

"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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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

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.

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!

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

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.