Mystery
![Mary Higgins Clark - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B000AQ6XBY.jpg)
![Alafair Burke - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001JRV0A2.jpg)
Piece of My Heart (Under Suspicion)
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 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.
Television producer Laurie Moran and her fiancée, Alex Buckley, the former host of her investigative television show, 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.
Editorial Reviews
"A fitting sendoff that modulates as smooth as butter from celebration to shock to detection to ticking-clock suspense." – Kirkus Reviews
"A fast-paced read that will surely be snapped up by fans of both authors." – Booklist
"With a dazzling plot filled with misdirection and surprise, a cast of familiar and first-time characters, Clark's talent for romantic suspense and Burke's for edginess, Piece of My Heart jangles the nerves as it touches the spirit.The death of a prolific and talented author, no matter the genre, leaves fans bereft. But as we mourn Mary, let us also hail Mary for six decades of achievement, hundreds of late nights and thousands of pleasurable hours." – Fredericksburg Freelance Star
"A fast-paced read that will surely be snapped up by fans of both authors." – Booklist
"With a dazzling plot filled with misdirection and surprise, a cast of familiar and first-time characters, Clark's talent for romantic suspense and Burke's for edginess, Piece of My Heart jangles the nerves as it touches the spirit.The death of a prolific and talented author, no matter the genre, leaves fans bereft. But as we mourn Mary, let us also hail Mary for six decades of achievement, hundreds of late nights and thousands of pleasurable hours." – Fredericksburg Freelance Star
Readers Top Reviews
GaryGPWACeeDeeKindle
This was Mary Higggins Clark last book and I really enjoyed it. My #1 husband, Gary G, bought it for me. He is short, bald, fat, and semi-good looking, and I love him any way :) We have been seeing each other since 1980. That's 40 years, folks. We were married exactly 31 days after September 11th, 2001. We honeymooned in San Fran, CA, then in Maui, Hawaii. I love Mary Higgins Clark, but I love my #1 husband, Gary G, even more. Thank you for reading my review on this book. Take care and God bless. Sincerely, - Carol Ann Garadetsky (#1 Wife of #1 Husband) Carol-Ann@Mindspring.com
Lois Fisher
I liked this mystery. The authors work well together, and the main character is terrific. The plot, however, seemed to go in all directions (although they end at the same place -- mostly!). But the secondary characters failed to capture this reader. A simpler view through the main character would have worked better. But it's a fast and easy read. Recommended with a bit of a reservation.
TiffanyAnthony
Let me start by saying I’ve always loved MHC books and will miss her talent. And I’ve really enjoyed this writing duo previously. I’ve read all of the novels in this series and have really loved them. Unfortunately, this last one lacked pizzazz for me. It took me a really long time to get through it (over a month). The book did pick up in the last quarter (around 220 pages in), but by then I was kind of confused as to who was who regarding the side characters because I had forgotten some of the details since it took me so long to get through it. The problem for me is that the the majority of this book series focused on Laurie’s show and the way in which Laurie et al dived into a cold case (which was awesome). In You Don’t Own Me and in this one, the show didn’t feel as present because there was more focus on Laurie. I didn’t love YDOM as much as the others in the series, but I still really liked it and felt invested because there was some sense of urgency present. In Piece Of My Heart, I didn’t get any feeling of urgency because there were two contradictory things happening — there’s Johnny’s disappearance and there’s the case involving Laurie’s dad, Leo. There’s a slim possibility that the two could be related, so both instances are explored at the same time. This caused the whole story to feel disjointed for me and resulted in me not really caring too much one way or the other about either plot line. I became more invested towards the end of the story, but be prepared that the ending has a bit of a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am sort of feel to it. I’m sad to say that I was disappointed.
Denise A. Edwards
So happy to receive this book as MHC is one of my favorite authors. Have read many of her past novels as well as all her UNDER SUSPICION novels. Just LUV 'em!!! Have began reading this one despite receiving it only today. Will be sorry to finish this one as there will be no more books from her. Was sorry to read of her passing and will miss her.
Book Club Member
Oh, please, don't let this be the last "Under Suspicion" story. The writing duo of Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke has hit another home run with "Piece of My Heart." Regrettably, the great MHC passed away earlier this year. I hope Alafair Burke has secured any legal arrangements necessary with Simon and Schuster and the Clark family to continue this series. I can't get enough of it. In this installment, television hostess and young widow Laurie is set to marry former co-host and recently-appointed federal judge Alex until his nephew disappears during a family vacation. Laurie's father Leo, a retired NYPD detective and main caretaker of her young son Timmy, immediately suspects a kidnapping has been ordered by a prisoner who is trying to get his case dismissed on the grounds that Leo fabricated the criminal's confession 18 years ago. The incarcerated villain angles to get his story told on Laurie's show about old murder cases, perhaps as leverage to reveal the whereabouts of the missing boy. The story takes many twists and turns, with plot devices that could only be drummed up by Clark and Burke. A whole lot of skeletons come tumbling out of closets. For MHC fans, you won't want to miss this farewell novel. I couldn't put it down.
