I was so excited but actually a little nervous to read Where Are The Children Now? but I was pleasantly surprised that this book delivers all the suspense! I don’t think I have ever read the original, which is why I was debating whether or not I should read it, but it wasn’t super confusing and you could definitely read this sequel as a stand-alone book. Melissa and Mike, the children from the first book, are now all grown up and Melissa has a stepdaughter who is kidnapped. It brings back all sorts of feelings and flashbacks, but besides her own trauma, she is terrified for her little girl. It kept me on edge and I did not predict the ending! A fast paced read and great writing, I was really impressed and would definitely recommend.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

Melissa has finally found the love of her life, Charlie, with a bonus of a beautiful 3 year old little girl. She has a very satisfying career as a high profile lawyer. Perfect ,until one day little Riley is suddenly missing from the playground. How can this all be happening again!
Melissa is the most likely suspect and she is trying her hardest to put all of the people and times together before time runs out for Riley. She is trying to find the woman who talked to her right before Riley disappeared but no one will believe her.
Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke are true story tellers. The suspense is gripping.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the sequel to Where Are the Children? by the wonderful Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke - 5 nostalgic stars!

Melissa, a successful lawyer and now true crime podcaster, is newly married to Charlie and stepmom to 3-year-old Riley. Melissa and her brother, Mike, were kidnapped when they were small children but thankfully found. Their mother, Nancy, was accused of murdering her first two children as well as Melissa and Mike, but was eventually cleared. Now it seems like history is repeating itself - while Melissa, suffering from insomnia due to her unresolved past trauma, naps, Riley disappears. Soon Melissa is the prime suspect.

While you certainly don't need to have read the book that started Mary Higgins Clark's illustrious writing career, it's the perfect re-read before starting this sequel. There is a lot going on in this book but the short chapters and crisp writing keep you glued to the pages. Didn't expect that ending but all the twists are neatly resolved. So fun to revisit these characters!

Can history repeat itself? How many coincidences are too many? That is the question the police are trying to figure out. Melissa is the daughter of Nancy Harmon who was featured in Mary Higgins Clark's original "Where Are the Children". In this standalone sequel co-authored by Alafair Burke, Melissa gains a stepdaughter through marriage...only to awake to find her missing. Just like her mother before her, Melissa is suspected of having a role in the kidnapping.

While her posts on social media are drawing out a troll, Melissa's publicist thinks it's good for business. But Melissa has her suspicions about who the lurker is. As a true crime podcaster, Melissa uses her research skills and the memory of her own kidnapping as she comes to the conclusion that not everyone around her is telling the truth.

The characters are so well developed you'll feel like you know the whole family - Nancy, Mike (Melissa's brother who was kidnapped along with her), Kate, Charlie and even Patrick, Melissa's ex. The pacing is just tense enough to keep you reading and guessing along with Melissa. And the ending is just short of heartbreaking.

Kudos to Alafair for keeping MHC alive in our minds and hearts.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this fascinating read.

This story is the sequel to "Where Are the Children" by Mary Higgins Clark. The story continues with the character Nancy from the first book. A little background to that character, Nancy was convicted of killing her two children and was later released because of a mishap. She moves away from her home and starts anew. She remarries and has two more kids. Those two children turn up missing and she has to do whatever she could to get them back.
The new story continues with Nancy's journey and her now grown children. Melissa is her daughter, and she is married to man that has a daughter. Soon, Riley her stepdaughter goes missing. This event floods Melissa's mind with all the memories of her own abduction. She needs to come to terms with this so she can save her stepdaughter. Brilliant storytelling and a clever continuance of already established characters. Alafair Burke did an amazing job following this storyline and it's a thrilling ride.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So here is the deal. There are authors that write several books but seem to drift away in the wind. Then there are those that stand the test of time. Have you ever read the list of previous novels by an author and were amazed that you had read and remember parts of the plot. That is a talent indicator. Mary Higgins Clark fits the latter description. Of course I had read the original Where Are The Children. So I eagerly grabbed a copy of her latest titled WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW. Any fan of this hugely talented and popular author would do the same. Reading the front portion of this book there is that list. As I read down that list my smile just kept getting bigger and bigger. So many wonderful books. So many wondrous memories.
Which one would you think of first. I immediately thought of bells on coffins, gravesites – bells that did not have a clapper. Moonlight Becomes You, of course. Gruesome picture provoking. Mary Higgins Clark at work.
Now onto her newest novel. Supposition is that there is still someone out there making children disappear. And the supporting cast are survivors of the first book. Alive but scathed.
Melissa Eldridge is an attorney who specializes in getting justice for her clients. Chosen because the system did not manage their case fairly, in Melissas opinion. She had most recently had a judgement reversed for her client charged with the murder of the husband. Strangely enough there is still a cloud over her client’s innocence.
Now Melissa has a podcast where she discusses these cases. In her own history there is still a case with a dubious outcome. The kidnapping of Melissa and her brother Mike when they were young children. They survived but face lingering issues. Melissa now experiencing disturbing dreams. Mike wants to get passed that time. Both adults with successful careers and Mike cannot understand why Melissa cannot move on. Until he realizes she is now having these dreams.
Problem is those dreams include folks from the present. Does that mean they are now in peril. Is there still someone out there who is capable of preying on young children like them. Are Melissa and Mike still in the sights. Between her work, her new family and nightmares Melissa is a victim of heckling from an online troll of her social media. Unsettling to be sure but is there also something sinister about.
We meet several new characters that have a decidedly odd connection to the siblings. As the paths somehow converge or cross, we are brought into a new drama. The stage is cleverly, carefully, and dramatically set by the master of drama and crime Mary Higgins Clark and her co-writer Alafair Burke.
Enter Jayden Kennedy and his girlfriend Julie. Jayden has just taken advantage of an opportunity to rent his home for a month through a group. Jayden needs the infusion of cash. He puts his faith into the company that organizes these rentals and is off to spend the next month at Julie’s. So very innocent. But those that know Mary Higgins Clark know that nothing is innocent or irrelevant. Everything and everyone have a role albeit fringe or central to the plot of WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW.
By chapter eight you are fully vested. Armchair detectives will flex their muscles. Moments where you need to yell oh no do not do that. I admit to being quite vocal reading crime novels especially when well-crafted as WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW.

The story travels seamlessly back and forth from the siblings past to the present. If you have not read the first book Alafair Burke does a wonderful job filling in much needed details. But I would be remiss in not suggesting reading it. Fans of Mary Higgins Clark thought the story of Where Are The Children had come to a startling beautifully written conclusion. WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW does a fabulous job of reminding us that children victims of crimes suffer from the trauma for long perhaps forever.

melissa and mike were abducted when there were children. Now, forty years later melissa is married to a widower who has a little girl named riley. as melissa and mike are moving there mother to the cape, riley get abducted with eerie similarities to melissa and mikes case. is melissa losing it? she looks like the most likey suspect.

melissa never wanted to remember what happen to her and mike, but her memory is forcing its way to the front of her thinking. thanks netgalley for a wonderful read. sorry for the delay in reviewing the book.

Where are the Children Now, by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is a complex mystery with multiple characters and an ideal follow-up to Mary Higgins Clark’s original story, Where are the Children? Burke does an amazing job of continuing the story in the same vein as MHC, but also adding her own stylist touches.

This story starts with Melissa, a character from the previous book, who has suddenly remarried and has a young step-daughter who is kidnapped on her watch. Theories fly, speculations arise, and Melissa’s horrific past re-emerges. This story admittedly has some fantastical elements that potentially make it just beyond believable, but it’s a fun ride anyway.

Alafair Burke is unafraid to give graphic details that create a stressful atmosphere and a captivating thriller. She has a way of making you feel for the characters, while still also being fully invested in the heart of the mystery. Where Are the Children Now is a tension-packed, quick reading, enthralling story that leaves the reader flipping pages to see how things will play out and I had a great time reading it. I look forward to seeing what comes next with these releases.

Nancy's children Mike and Melissa are now grown.
Melissa is now married to a widow who has a 5 year old girl named Riley. However..Riley goes missing and things go for twists and turns...surprises that weren't expected.

This was a very good read.
4 star read.

I want to thank Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Where are the Children Now is the tepid follow-up to Mary Higgins Clark's 1976 classic, Where Are the Children by the late Clark and bestselling author Alafair Burke.

It's been 40 year since Melissa and her brother ,Mike, were kidnapped then rescued by their mother, Nancy. Melissa is now a lawyer and a successful host of her own true crime podcast. She is also engaged to her fiancé and excited over being stepmother to Charlie's daughter, Riley.
After Melissa marries Charlie, she finds her in the same situation as her mother when Riley goes missing. Melissa also like her mother is accused of being behind Riley's disappearance. Melissa along with her family the police try to track down Riley. Melissa is now on the side of the fence which makes her even more determined to bring Riley home.

Everything is here that is expected in Mary Higgins Clark novel such as a strong heroine with a big heart, men with questions motives, and the finale where the culprit is revealed.

The problem is that there is no sense of danger or suspense. The original source is one of the most terrifying books that I ever read.. Here the story moves at comfortable pace, which makes more of a leisurely read then a gripping thriller.

There may been a lot of reasons why Clark decided to follow-up to her breakout title. She could've had a broader scope for both her characters and story.

Where Are The Children Now is yet another example of follow-up that does nothing more then makes you want to go back and read the original source material.

Where Are the Children Now? Is an intense follow-up to her book Where Are the Children? It follows the story of Melissa who had a horrible thing happen to her when she was abducted and abused as a toddler and she is going through something similar to her mom when her step-daughter, Riley, goes missing and she is one of the top suspects.

This story had lots of twists and turns. You spend the entirety of the book trying to figure out who did it. Where is Riley? Is she ok? One of the intriguing things about these books is you are given the answers throughout the book if you can catch them. She leaves you in suspense until the very end. You must guess the answers, but did you guess every part of it or did something evade you. Although, this writing style can be confusing for some since it does jump around between characters, I find I like reading from everyone’s point of view. It all ties together nicely in the end.

I gave this a 4/5 stars and will definitely read more by her as I have in the past. I would recommend for anyone who likes suspense and likes to try and figure out who did it.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
#books #bookreview #netgalley #arcbooks #arcreader #honestbookreview #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks

I loved the first book in this series, that I read years ago. I had to reread it to refresh my memory! I was excited to read this book when I found out about it! I did really enjoy it! Did not disappoint! I would definitely recommend this book!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC! The author did a fabulous job revisting the characters from the first story. This is definitely an edge of your seat, do not stop reading mystery/thrill ride. The author did a great job honoring the original author of the first book.
Will recommend!

When Mary Higgins Clark passed away, I was so sad thinking I would just have to rely on her extensive body of work for my mystery enjoyment. Luckily, this gem was in the works! Where Are the Children Now exemplifies why Mary Higgins Clark was the “queen of suspense.” Her coauthor-ship with Alafair Burke only serves to make her stories even better. As a sequel to her first and best selling book Where Are the Children, this book takes the reader on just as many twists and turns. I admit I devoured it in a day because it was so hard to put down.

The mystery is laid out in Mary Higgins Clark’s signature fashion introducing all the characters including the mysterious would-be killer’s point of view. In the first book, Melissa and Mike were children and the victims of a cruel kidnapper. Now all grown up, Melissa is a successful attorney with her own podcast and getting ready to marry. Devastated after her father’s death, she agrees to go to counseling to not only deal with her grief but also the unresolved issues of her kidnapping. This is where she meets her future husband whose wife died in a tragic accident in Norway and is survived by two year old daughter Riley.

Despite her brother’s misgivings, Melissa marries Charlie and takes on the role of stepmother. When Riley goes missing in circumstances eerily similar to Melissa’s own kidnapping, she’s viewed as the number one suspect. In a race against time, Melissa tries to use every means necessary to find her stepdaughter and prove her innocence before it’s too late.

I have to say this mystery pulled me in and kept me guessing the whole time. The authors do a fantastic job casting suspicion on everyone, even Melissa herself. The suspense builds and builds until the dramatic, shocking conclusion that I honestly didn’t predict. It’s a fantastic sequel to the original and a must read for Mary Higgins Clark fans.

Don’t worry if you haven’t read the original Where Are the Children, this can definitely be read as a standalone. The authors do a fantastic job providing enough detail from the previous novel that readers can easily be brought up to speed. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily given.

Content warning: mentions of child abuse, mild infrequent swearing, mild violence.

I have always loved Mary Higgins Clark. Her books were amongst the first I started to really get into as a teen. This book is the sequel to "Where are the Children". It kept me guessing until the end with some shocking surprises. There is a lot going on in this book and the past is influencing the present situation. There are lots of secrets and lies

What a blast from the past! Where Are The Children is the first book I read by Mary Higgins Clark. Where are the Children now takes place forty years later and Mike and Missy (Melissa) are once again in peril. Melissa is a well know lawyer turned successful true crime podcaster and has just married the man of her dreams, Charlie. Charlie lost his first wife in a tragic accident and is a single father to three year old Riley. When Riley is kidnapped it’s not too long before Melissa is the prime suspect. With her vast knowledge is it possible she’s guilty. In true Higgins fashion, Burke takes us back to the first novel through memories and writes a compelling sequel. This one brings back warm fuzzies. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Thrilled to see this sequel to one of my favorite Mary Higgins Clark books, Where are the Children Now? did not disappoint.​
When the Queen of Suspense died in 2020, Where are the Children? (first published in 1975) was in its 75th edition in paperback and since 2005 has sold more than 1.5 million copies in all formats.​
Clark’s longtime collaborator and co-author of her Under Suspicion series, Alafair Burke, a New York Times bestselling author herself, perfectly honored the original story that launched Clark’s career.

Burke brings us the first book's protagonist, Nancy Harmon, in the midst of a move after the death of her husband and her children, Mike and Melissa, all grown up and in the center of a life or death mystery of their own that echoes the family’s traumatic past. ​
In true Higgins Clark-fashion, Burke keeps the readers guessing with surprise plot twists until the very end. Long live the Queen of Suspense thanks to Alafair Burke.

I highly recommend Where are the Children Now? for all Mary Higgins Clark fans and anyone one who enjoys thrilling suspense.

I received this advance reader copy from Simon & Schuster, courtesy of NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "Where Are the Children." Having read the first book many, many years ago, it was helpful to have some of the story "recapped" in "Where Are the Children Now." It's certainly not necessary to have read the prequel to understand what is going on in this story. I found it to be fast paced and suspenseful and loved that there were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Alafair Burke did an excellent job bringing in some "modernity" to the original story but keeping it true to Mary Higgins Clark. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Forty years ago, Nancy Eldredge suffered some of the worst imaginable torments a mother could possibly endure. After being convicted for the murder of her two children, Peter and Lisa, she was released on a technicality. In an effort to make a fresh start for herself, she moved across the country, changing her name and appearance and eventually finding love again in Cape Cod.

Happily married once more, the last thing Nancy expected was for her new offspring, Mike and Melissa, to go missing while playing in their own yard. When the police and press found out about her past, she became the prime suspect in their disappearance, too. Her ultimately successful struggle to get her kids back forged a strong family bond, even if every member of her family continues to deal with the aftermath in their own way.

Mike, her eldest child, is a firm proponent of dealing with everything head-on. A college drop-out who went on to captain ships in the Caribbean, he’s both disciplined and laid back. His younger sister Melissa was spurred by what happened to pursue a career in criminal justice, even as she prefers to think as little about her trauma as possible, opting to “choose happiness” instead:

QUOTE
To Mike, that wasn’t happiness. Happiness, he believed, required honesty. Happiness could be messy, and even painful. If you never feel pain, how do you appreciate its absence? If you’re never afraid, how do you know comfort? But Melissa wanted to live in her perfectly controlled Melissa bubble, brushing off any unwanted emotions as “drama.” Was that why she was marrying a man she’d only known for ten months–to convince herself that she was still happy?
END QUOTE

After the death of their dad, Melissa finally starts going to therapy. In group counseling, she meets handsome widower and single dad Charlie Miller. The two hit it off so well that they decide to marry less than a year after meeting. It helps that Charlie’s three year-old daughter Riley is a ray of sunshine, captivating practically everyone who meets her.

So when Riley goes missing one day, it’s all of the Eldredges’ worst traumas come roaring back to life. At first, it looks like Riley might have just wandered off while she was supposed to be napping. When it becomes more and more clear that someone took her, suspicion quickly falls on Melissa and her family.

As the cops probe harder at her and Charlie’s pasts, separately and together, Melissa gets some tough love from a friend who was also once a high-powered attorney:

QUOTE
When Melissa was finished, Katie did not mince words. “He needs a lawyer. Now. Two hours ago, in fact.”

“I am a lawyer,” Melissa said.

“Sorry, but a lawyer who’s objective. Not his wife.”

“You’re acting like you think Charlie did something wrong. And the police will think we’re guilty if we start calling defense lawyers. I think he should just call [Riley’s estranged] grandparents himself. They should know she’s missing. And then the police can dig into us as much as they need to. There’s nothing to find.”

“Are you listening to yourself? You know better than that. That’s how innocent people end up arrested.”
END QUOTE

As Melissa tries to navigate her way out of this nightmare, she’ll uncover shocking truths about some of the people she loves the most. Will she be able to rescue her beloved stepdaughter from the clutches of a killer, despite her own breaking heart?

Wow, I did not expect this to be as twisty as it was! I wasn’t very familiar with Mary Higgins Clark’s oeuvre before reading this book – I hadn’t even read her seminal Where Are The Children? which not only chronicled Nancy’s original ordeal but also arguably founded the psychological suspense genre – but found this sequel to be incredibly satisfying as a stand-alone novel. It does have a ton of spoilers for the original book, so definitely read that first if you’re already planning to.

Even if you’re not, this is a terrific page-turner all on its own. Alafair Burke does such a great job with Ms Clarke’s material, updating it for the 21st century. I’ll admit that I did think it a bit odd that Nancy kept calling her fully grown daughter “beautiful”, in a way that suggested that it was the accomplished Melissa’s most important attribute. That aside, the narrative was immersive and the twists and betrayals truly surprising, leaving me guessing until the last few pages. Overall, this is an elegantly crafted, highly entertaining thriller that absolutely deserves to be on the shelf with the rest of the Queen Of Suspense’s best-selling novels.

I read the original WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN many years ago. I've read it a couple of times since then too. So when this title came on my TBR list, the "5 star" bar was set very high. But since it's Mary Higgins Clark, of course, the bar was met and exceeded. We meet the same cast of characters, the children are now adults with lives and families of their own. When when a child is suddenly missing, the pace and the tension ramp up quickly. Clues are woven into the story but they can lead to some surprising twists along the way. Overall, it almost seems a crime to only have 5 stars to give this book.