In the latest thrilling collaboration from #1 New York Times bestselling author and “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, television producer Laurie Moran must solve the kidnapping of her fiancée’s nephew—just days before her wedding. Television producer Laurie Moran and her fiancée, Alex Buckley, the former host of her investigative television show, are just days away from … are just days away from their mid-summer wedding, when things take a dark turn. Alex’s seven-year-old nephew, Johnny, vanishes from the beach. A search party begins and witnesses recall Johnny playing in the water and collecting shells behind the beach shack, but no one remembers seeing him after the morning. As the sun sets, Johnny’s skim board washes up to shore, and everyone realizes that he could be anywhere, even under water.
A ticking clock, a sinister stalker, and fresh romance combine in this exhilarating follow up to the bestselling You Don’t Own Me—another riveting page-turner from the “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark and her dazzling partner-in-crime Alafair Burke.
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Piece of My Heart is by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke and their sixth collaboration. Laurie Moran’s husband had been killed and she and her son, Timmy lived in fear for years, but all that was past now. Alex Buckley, a former defense attorney and now a judge, had stolen her heart and they were about to be married. His brother and family were coming, and her dad, Leo, to celebrate Alex’s 40th birthday and then the wedding. All was well. The two couples were golfing; Leo and Timmy were out shopping for a gift for Alex; Kara, Laurie’s long-time babysitter had the twins; and Kara’s friend, Ashley had Johnny at the ice cream stand. All of a sudden, Johnny was gone. The nightmare had begun.
Laurie, being the produce of a true crime series for television had resources. Leo, her dad, was a semi-retired cop who was the brunt of an investigation regarding malfeasance in a twenty-year-old case. Were they connected? Laurie could use the show to find out. See if she could help find Johnny. Days went by. Clues came together. Everyone knew the longer it took to find Johnny, the chance of him being found alive, or at all, lessened.
This was a gripping story of lives gone bad, innocently. Kidnapping a child was a gruesome crime, but it was not the only crime that happened to these people. It is the story of the search for a missing child, of the heartbreak involved. It is masterfully told. It is also the story of naïveté, of desperation, of love. Stories like this happen in this country every day. Many are never resolved at all. Many are never resolved happily. These were powerful people. That didn’t help. They were still at the mercy of a kidnapper. Day by day. Step by step. Never certain they would find Johnny. And poor Johnny, in the hands of a crazy person. He did not understand what was happening to him but her clung to the things he knew. This book is an amazing piece of work. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Piece of My Heart by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #pieceofmyheart
Kidnapped
Suitable for mature teen – adults
No sex
No foul language
Action violence, but nothing stomach turning
Tense situations
Fast paced writing style
Plot no spoilers:
Two families are vacationing together when someone kidnaps one of the children. Following logic, they eventually determine who must be behind it and why.
Racing against time, troubled by the lack of a ransom note, and hoping to find the child safe, a twisted set of events past and present send them where they couldn’t have anticipated they’d need to go.
Well written.
Recommended
This was a fun read!
It’s Mary Higgins Clark…Been reading her books forever and although they can feel somewhat stilted, it’s Mary Higgins Clark.
cant get any better than books by Mary Higgins Clark, have read every one each more than once. all brilliant
What a thrilling, hard to put down read this was! It tugs at the heart strings for so many reasons. It has a great message to all parents!
A must read for Mary Higgins Clark fans. It’s her last one.
I love all of her books
My Review
A Absolutely wonderful Book.
Loved this Story.
Television producer Laurie Moran Is fixing to marry Alex Buckley
Happiness has been down the road for her. her husband was murdered but things are changing. For her and her son Timmy. A mid summer
Wedding..
Alexis 7 year old nephew Johnny disappears from the beach where the wedding is planned.
While being watched by the babysitter. No one saw anything.
Things Are put on hold while the search is on for Johnny.
This story has a few twist. Definitely Kept me guessing when I thought I knew who it was it turned out to be somebody completely different.
Definitely a good story definitely a wonderful ending to Mary Higgins Clarks stories may she rest in peace what a wonderful author who will be missed.
I will definitely be looking for books by the other author in this story..
Alafair Burke.
Piece of my Heart is an interesting mystery book. I really enjoyed it. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing. The book is engaging and suspenseful. I wonderful book.
This was a quick read by the Queen of Suspense and I think one of her best. The storyline kept you guessing and would lead you down on path only to change right in the middle. I will miss her entertaining stories!
This is another great book in the Under Suspicion series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. I love the characters in this series and the stories are always so intricately plotted and keep the reader guessing. I thought that I had the mystery all figured out and was in for quite a surprise. There was mystery, suspense, and drama right up to the end of the book. I have loved Mary Higgins Clark books for many years and have enjoyed this collaboration with Alafair Burke. I will miss MHC, but hope that this will not be the end of the series. I am looking forward to more mysteries with Laurie, her dad Leo, and Alex.
This is the 7th book in the Under Suspicion series. It’s a collaboration by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. These ladies are two of the finest mystery and suspense writers. Each book was very well written, including this newest one. It had so many twists and turns as the plot unfolded. Laurie Moran and Alex Buckley are finally getting married, along with celebrating Alex’s birthday in the Hamptons. But everything comes to a screeching halt when Alex’s seven year old nephew disappears while on the beach. Time is not on their side as they try to find him. In addition, an old case of her Dad’s is being reopened and it could damage Leo’s credibility. Could there be a link between the two? Well done ladies. Usually upon completion of the book, I would eagerly look forward to the next one. Unfortunately finishing that last page was a bittersweet moment. Mary Higgins Clark will be missed by so many. Alafair, keep up the great work with your own novels.
Love all of Marry Higgins Clark books
I loved this entire series!
Reading this book was bittersweet for me since MH Clark passed away. I enjoy the stories of Laurie Moran and her fiancé Alex as they seek the truth for the TV show, “Under Suspicion.” The case this time hits really close to home as Alex’s young nephew is kidnapped just before the wedding. The plot is tight and well-written, with the regular characters plus a few more on Alex’s side of the family. The female protagonist is strong and intuitive, making the book very enjoyable. I loved the book from beginning to end and was sad to see it end. Fans of suspense and this series will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I checked out a copy of this book from the local library using the Overdrive App. I was not required to write a positive review.
Very good edge of your seat mystery.
As always Mary Higgins Clark uses characters she continues to develop. They are like friends. I love the way the mystery develops and how it is resolved.