Piece of My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark; Alafair Burke. The story didn't hold my interest as the previous books in this series. The back stories seemed to take over a good portion of the book and became repetitive. The mystery was secondary.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of the book.

Piece of my Heart by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is the 7th in the series by this suspense duo. Dark events happen days before the wedding of the lead characters, as a child disappears and long buried secrets become revealed. That is really it. A subplot involving adoption is used in a vague way that is both distasteful and unnecessary. If you enjoy these kinds of books, this is the kind of book that you will enjoy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Reads great even as a standalone. Lots of characters, many twists to the plot, many murders. Keeps you guessing and reading. Great characters.

I have reviewed this title for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted on their site the evening prior to the publication date.


"Piece of my Heart" by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke
Simon and Schuster
November 17, 2020
978-1982132545
336 pages
Suspense


Laurie Moran is on the Long Island Expressway with her friend Charlotte Pierce heading to the South Shore Resort and Spa at the east end of the Hampton's for a long weekend. There she will meet her fiancée, Alex Buckley, she is due to marry in four days. Laurie produces the news-based reality television show called Under Suspicion where they investigate cold cases and it is here where she met Alex, a well-regarded defense attorney and now a federal judge who presented three episodes of the program.

Joining the festivities are Laurie's the-year-old son, Timmy, her dad, Leo Farley, Alex's sibling, Andrew, with his wife Marcy, their three children, and also Timmy's babysitter Kara Sumner and Ramon, Alex's butler who is regarded as a surrogate uncle.

Andrew and Marcy's seven-year-old Johnny bears such a striking resemblance to Timmy to be considered his brother. The boys instantly bond and even Johnny's four-year-old twin sisters, Chloe, and Emily accept Timmy unconditionally. Laurie is elated to be marrying into a wonderfully close-knit clan.

The children head to the beach under the supervision of Kara and Ashley Carter, a friend who happens to be vacationing there with her family. Meanwhile, the adults decide to play golf, and everything appears to be perfect . . . until Johnny goes missing.

They try not to panic, but Laurie remembers only too well when her first husband, Greg, and been shot in cold blood when Timmy was only three. He threatened to kill Greg's family and it was three years ago when he abducted Timmy and tried to shoot Laurie but was killed by the police. So, she wonders if someone close to Greg's murderer took Johnny.

It is only natural she'd consider Johnny's abduction is meant for Timmy seeing they are so alike in appearance. To add to her conviction this may be a case of mistaken identity, Laurie learns their weekend plans had been posted on social media. Could Greg's killer have used someone to grab Timmy unknowing they got Johnny instead?

A search commences, the FBI is contacted and Leo, a former first deputy commissioner of the New York Police Department, uses his talents to delve into the case. He surmises Johnny's capture had been contrived by a twenty-one-year-old Vassar student named Darren Gunther who was convicted of murder, claiming Leo fabricated his confession to the killing, as shown:

"According to Leo, it was nearly certain that Gunther would have read a recent magazine profile about Leo, which had highlighted Leo's close relationship with his grandson. It was Leo's belief that Gunther planned on using the child as leverage to force Leo to admit--falsely--to fabricating the confession that he landed Gunther in prison for life.

"As Leo spilled out all the facts, Andrew interrupted regularly with follow-up questions.

"'How could he take our son if he's behind bars?'

"'Gunther had become a bit of a celebrity,' Leo explained. 'It's not uncommon for prisoners to attract supports—in some instances, even what you might call groupies. And Gunther is extremely charismatic. I could imagine him persuading someone with a vulnerable mind to help him from the outside.'"

Meanwhile, a man named Daniel Turner who snatched Johnny takes him to a home in a secluded destination.

"Johnny Buckley felt like something was pressing down on him. No, more like someone. He imagined giant arms wrapped around him, but it wasn't the way his mother or father would hold him It wasn't gentle or loving. This felt mean and scary. In his mind, Johnny imagined that the arms didn't even belong to a person. They belonged to a monster.

"The monster was holding him so tight that Johnny could feel the monster's tummy rumble.

"Johnny tried to sit up but couldn't move. He was certain his eyes were open, but he couldn't see anything. He opened his mouth and tried to scream but couldn't hear his own voice.

"But he could hear . . . something. A growl. The sound of the monster filled his head. He imagined the monster squeezing him even tighter, and Johnny wondered if he might simply disappear, never to be seen again.

"I want Mommy and Daddy."

Speculation abounds about who took Johnny. Adopted as a newborn, they try to find out if possibly Johnny's biological mother is responsible yet trying to gather the records from the closed adoption seems impossible. Luckily, they gain this information only to learn Johnny's birth mother is deceased. Unfortunately, Johnny is unaware of being adopted for this was something his parents planned to discuss with him when he got older. So, who took this precious boy and why? With no ransom call or note forthcoming, this becomes more perplexing.

"Piece of my Heart" is a chilling, hair-raising tale sure to leave the reader gasping and puzzling over the unexpected scenarios and suspects while hoping there will be a happily-ever-after ending.

Piece of My Heart was probably Mary Higgins Clark's last collaboration before passing away and it follows her mystery style (or formula) perfectly. The multiple characters weave in and out of the plot seamlessly and the reader can work alongside the main protagonist, Laurie Moran, to solve the mystery of her kidnapped nephew.

While this novel is the 7th book in the "Under Suspicion" series, readers can read them out of order and catch up on the main backstories very quickly. Burke and Clark have done a fabulous job of keeping the suspense going and keeping the reader guessing until the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of Piece of My Heart.

MHC still reigns!!! I was so saddened by the passing of MHC. I have been a fan for years and her books never failed to capture my attention from the first page until the last. Laurie. Alex. Timmy, and Leo are all happy for the pending wedding of Laurie and Alex when tragedy strikes. Alex’s nephew is kidnapped and the race is on to find him and bring him home but along the way old secrets are revealed and prices must be paid to solve this mystery. Grab a cup of cocoa and a blanket cause once you start reading you will be there for a while. I would hate to lose this series since MHC is gone but if so this was the perfect last gift of a story.

An entertaining and puzzling collaboration by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke! The pacing and character development in this story had me hooked from the beginning.

Death hasn’t slowed the thrill of reading a Mary Higgins Clark! Another unmatched entry into the suspense realm that MHC has ruled since I started reading her in the 80’s! Never will be another like her!

Piece Of My Heart is the continuing story of Laurie Morgan and her fiancée Alex Buckley.

This one took a bit of time to grab me. Not until chapter 22, with all the puzzle pieces in place, did it become an enjoyable read. There are multiple story lines woven, various scenarios and rabbit holes to follow and keep you guessing. The ending was a rich experience. Leaving me happy that I stuck it out. Yes, I would recommend this book to others. I would tell them to stay the course. It will be worthwhile.

I've been a MHC fan since I was in high school when I read "Loves Music, Loves to Dance." Since then I've read every book she has ever written. This, being her final book, captivated me and saddened me at the same time knowing it was her last book. In true MHC fashion, the reader is pulled in immediately with the plot. This is the 7th Under Suspicion book of the series and it does not fail to meet true MHC standards. We are once again brought into the lives of Laurie, a producer of a NY show called Under Suspicion, her son, Timmy, Fiance Alex, and her father, Leo, a former Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). While this story is not scary, it is a page turner. Laurie and Alex are in the Hamptons for their wedding along with their immediate family when Laurie's future nephew, Johnny, is kidnapped. Leo and Laurie have ideas of who the kidnapper might be or at least the motives behind it and lots of twists and turns. Will they find Johnny in time? Will the wedding be postponed indefinitely? Is this kidnapping personal or random?

I want to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. As a longtime MHC fan I was ecstatic to receive this copy.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50892230-piece-of-my-heart" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Piece of My Heart" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603634944l/50892230._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50892230-piece-of-my-heart">Piece of My Heart</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/99044.Mary_Higgins_Clark">Mary Higgins Clark</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3622070587">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I've been a MHC fan since I was in high school when I read "Loves Music, Loves to Dance." Since then I've read every book she has ever written. This, being her final book, captivated me and saddened me at the same time knowing it was her last book. In true MHC fashion, the reader is pulled in immediately with the plot. This is the 7th Under Suspicion book of the series and it does not fail to meet true MHC standards. We are once again brought into the lives of Laurie, a producer of a NY show called Under Suspicion, her son, Timmy, Fiance Alex, and her father, Leo, a former Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). While this story is not scary, it is a page turner. Laurie and Alex are in the Hamptons for their wedding along with their immediate family when Laurie's future nephew, Johnny, is kidnapped. Leo and Laurie have ideas of who the kidnapper might be or at least the motives behind it and lots of twists and turns. Will they find Johnny in time? Will the wedding be postponed indefinitely? Is this kidnapping personal or random? <br /><br />I want to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. As a longtime MHC fan I was ecstatic to receive this copy.
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/9231771-valerie-moody">View all my reviews</a>

Laurie & Alex finally get married but not without a major stumbling block before the nuptials. So sad to know that this is probably the last book in this series not that the Queen of Suspense has passed away - however we can rest assured that Laurie's & Alex's wedding song is "At Last" - how fitting!!!

I am a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark and was thrilled to be given an ARC of the latest book! This book was a fast-paced, exciting and thrilling page turner. I love books that involve this main character and this one did not disappoint. I’m so glad I got to read this!

The latest in the "Under Suspicion" series that MHC writes with Alafair Burke. I have read all the previous book in this series and it is my 40th MHC novel overall. It helps to have read the previous books in the series. The romance arc through the previous novels reaches a crescendo with the wedding of the lead character. The mystery can stand alone.

Laurie Moran, tv producer of a show that investigates cold cases is finally getting married to Federal Judge Alex Buxley. While gathering with family for the wedding Alex's nephew disappears. Laurie thinks a kidnapper might have mistaken the nephew for her son and believes it involves a case involving her father. The defendant after serving 18 years, claims her dad falsified the confession boosted his career. If Johnny was the intended target, who has something against the family?

The mystery was straight forward with typical twists and turns. I guessed one outcome but not the secondary plot. The main characters continue to be likable. The timeframe was shortened, with a missing child compared to Laurie's other investigations for her tv show. A small misstep to me was having the main characters go on a date in the aftermath of Johnny disappearing. It is a sweet scene but didn't seem like something real people would do in the middle of a family drama. MHC books are clean for language and sex. This one includes minimal violence and the missing child is handled sensitively.

With the passing of the Queen of Suspense I will be curious if Burke will continue the series alone. Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and the authors for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Another good whodunnit from Mary Higgins Clark. I enjoy reading about Laurie and Alex, particularly her closeness with her son and father. However this story had two many storylines going at one time and people to keep track of that it got laborious in places.

Another Laurie Moran book but this one strikes close to home. Tension, twists, and turns abound. Hard to put down because I had to know where it was heading. Great.

Another good book by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. Their books are always entertaining and will always have you hooked from the first page! This one didn't keep me guessing as others, but I did enjoy the storyline and enjoyed figuring out the ending.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have heard great things about Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke and their books since they are very popular among our community and they always ask for when the latest will be released. I love murder mysteries and the suspense they create leading up to the truth and what really happened. This one was a summer setting and the perfect book to read on a rainy day transporting into the summer weather. Then you have all of this side drama that immediately pulls you in and start thinking how will it end? I know a lot of community members will be reserving this book for sure and I know they will have a lot to say about it.

We will consider adding this title to our Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This is the next chapter in the Laurie Moran and Alex Buckley love story. Remember they met when Alex was the host of Laurie's show Under Suspicion. Now they are planning for Alex's 40th birthday and their wedding day with family in the Hamptons. But all those plans get pushed back when Alex's nephew is kidnapped. Does the kidnapping have to do with one of Laurie's shows, one of her father's old cases or something else. Join the tale as it twist and turns. Will Johnny be found? But who took him? And will the wedding take place so Laurie can have her happily ever after? Mary Higgins Clark isn't called the "Queen of Suspense" for nothing. She has done it again with a home run.

I really enjoyed this novel from two of my favorites! I imagine this had to have been one of MHC's last writings before her death. Piece of My Heart follows the story of little Johnny's disappearance during a family vacation. There are two interwoven story lines here which made the story pass with a quick pace. I thought I had it all figured out but of course I was wrong--that's what makes these novels so engaging. Around 80% of the way through the book, you know what happened so the last of the book was a little boring/predictable as it wrapped up but I still recommend the read.

This book is written by Clark and Burke. I read it for review for Netgalley. I love Clark’s books and have read every one. This one is either not finished or was not written by her...there is something not quite right about it. It is too light and predictable. Perhaps I am mistaken and will look forward to other reviews.