It Had to Be You by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is the latest gripping entry in the Under Suspicion series, blending suspense, mystery, and intrigue with a story of family secrets and chilling revelations. Television producer Laurie Moran and her team are tasked with investigating the unsolved murder of a beloved couple who were killed on the night their twin sons were celebrating their college graduations.

The two sons, identical in appearance, were once the epitome of success—intelligent, popular, and well-liked. But everything changes after a shocking night when one brother is accused of murdering their parents while the other brother has a solid alibi. With the case still unsolved, it raises the question: which brother was where, and did they plan the perfect crime together?

Years later, the twins, now estranged, remain convinced that the other is responsible for the crime. With families of their own, both men are ready to face the truth and ask Laurie and her team to uncover the mystery that has haunted them for so long. But as they dig deeper, the team begins to realize that the danger from that summer night might not have stayed in the past—and it could be closer to home than they ever imagined.

This novel is filled with twists and tension, as the Under Suspicion team races against time to unravel the mystery and discover the real killer. Fans of Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke will find this thriller unputdownable, with suspense that builds to a shocking conclusion.

Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke’s 'It Had to Be You' is a gripping addition to the Under Suspicion series, blending suspense, family drama, and a murder mystery. The story follows Laurie Moran as she investigates the Harrington family murders, where twin brothers each suspect the other of their parents’ deaths. The authors weave a web of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged until the end. With well-paced storytelling and compelling character development, this novel is a testament to the duo’s mastery of suspense.

Fans of the series will appreciate the intricate plot and the emotional depth given to the central characters, particularly the tension between the twin brothers and their sister, Frankie. The novel maintains a fast pace, revealing new clues and red herrings that heighten the mystery. Other readers have already praised its clever twists, engaging writing, and the seamless continuation of the Under Suspicion series. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, It Had to Be You delivers an enthralling and satisfying read, proving once again why Clark and Burke are masters of the suspense genre.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Book 8 in the “Under Suspicion” series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. This was actually my first book I’ve read in the series but I was easily able to read it without having read the others. I’m sure it would add to the overall story with some of the minor characters mentioned and maybe the dynamics of Laurie and the show, but overall it was very easy to follow.

This book follows the story of a graduation party turned double murder. 10 years ago, Sarah and Richard Harrington were throwing a college graduation party for their twin sons when they ended up murdered. One witness saw one of the twins come back from the house where his parents were murdered and most guests couldn’t recall seeing both twins together at the party which lead the police to suspect one or both of the twins murdered their parents. Without enough evidence the twins were never arrested. 10 years later the twins younger sister, Frankie, decides to follow up with Laurie Moran, a producer for “Under Suspicion”, to determine once and for all if her brothers had anything to do with their parents’ murder. The story follows Laurie on her investigation into the Harrington murders.

It was a bit predictable, I knew pretty early on who the killer was, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. Mary Higgins Clark is who sparked my love for suspense/thriller/mystery novels and reading this gave me those nostalgic vibes for a classic MHC novel. Alafair Burke does such a great job staying true to MHC style of writing.

I definitely recommend this book, and I’ll recommend the series as a whole because I’m sure it’s just as good, to mystery/suspense lovers. If you love Mary Higgins Clark or Alafair Burke it is a must!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the copy of this eARC.
This book is available now!

I thoroughly enjoyed “It Had Ro Be You” by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. I did not realize until I was quite far into the book that it was actually part of a series called Under Suspicion. Thankfully, the book read fine as a standalone, but I am definitely interested in going back and starting book one after reading this. The story revolves around a podcast for unsolved murderers, and the plot moves quickly throughout. There are likable characters with enough conflict to keep you interested from beginning to end. I never felt like I truly had it figured out and enjoyed the suspense. I would recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher, for the digital arc of “It Had to be You.”

It Had to Be You by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is a gripping addition to the Under Suspicion series, filled with thrilling suspense, intricate twists, and an exploration of family secrets. Laurie Moran, the television producer who specializes in solving cold cases, takes on a particularly chilling case—reinvestigating the unsolved murder of a beloved couple. The couple was murdered on the night of their twins' college graduations, but the mystery deepens as one brother is convicted, and the other maintains a solid alibi.

Years later, the twins are estranged, each convinced that the other was responsible for the deaths of their parents. With their own families now involved, they turn to Laurie and her team for help in uncovering the truth. As Laurie digs deeper into the case, the line between the past and present blurs, and danger resurfaces.

Clark and Burke’s collaboration shines in this suspenseful novel, keeping readers on edge with a web of deceit, unresolved trauma, and an escalating sense of dread. The complex dynamics between the brothers add an emotional layer to the investigation, while Laurie’s tenacity and determination drive the story forward.

With a shocking, unexpected twist that will leave readers reeling, It Had to Be You is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries. It's a thrilling, page-turning mystery that expertly blends family drama with high-stakes suspense.

Alafair Burke gets better with every book she writes, and her ability to channel Mary Higgins Clark's voice and plotting is astounding. This is a fast-paced, engrossing book that suspense fans will love, and you don't need to be familiar with the characters to follow along. A wild, fun ride!

Thank you @SimonBooks #SimonBooksBuddy and @alafair.burke for the free book!

“You can be happy for another person without feeling bad about yourself.”

This was the exact type of fast paced murder mystery that I needed right now. I devoured it! This is Under Suspicion book 8 but can absolutely be read as a stand alone seeing as that’s what I did.

I am such a sucker for books about twins, especially identical. So when two parents are killed and everyone is convinced one or the other of the twins committed the crime…it makes for one wild ride. The twists were great and I didn’t see them coming! Overall a great family drama/cold case murder mystery if you need a little break from the holiday reads.

I loved reading all of Mary Higgins Clark. I was thrilled that part of her stories and writing was being carried on. Good book, kept me interested from beginning to end!

Wow, I really enjoyed this book! I listened to it on audio through the Libby app and January LaVoy may be my new favorite narrator.

This book follows two identical brothers who's parents are murdered on the evening of their graduation party. Everyone thinks that the twins killer their parents together for money, but both twins deny it and blame each other for the murders. Years later, their younger sister Frankie decides to seek the help from Laurie Moran who has a true crime TV show to figure out who actually killed her parents, so that her family can finally move on and be made whole again.

This book is the 8th book in the Under Suspicion series, but can totally be read as a stand alone. I ate this book up. This story was well paced and kept me fully engaged the entire time. Each character was well distinguished and I was never lost at who's POV I was currently listening to.

I was totally sucked into Laurie's mission to crack the case and I definitely did not see the twist at the end coming. I thought I had figured out the killer and then BAM, I was totally wrong! I cannot wait to go back and read the other Under Suspicion books.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the #gifted copy!

I’m a huge fan of this series and love reading about Laurie and Ryan and why crime they are going to solve this time. Frankie was 10 when her parents were murdered and her older twin brothers are the prime suspects. Each bother believed the other did it and have been estranged. Frankie wants to find out what happened and calls Laurie to go on her show. Reading this book I knew exactly what I was getting. The plot line is the same but how and who committed the crime is the surprise. A highly satisfying read!

This is the 8th book in the Under Suspicion series. Let's address the elephant in the room for some of us. You might be questioning the fact that you thought MHC passed away years back and you'd be right. I had to look it up myself. She passed away in 2020., so. It seems that Alafair Burke is continuing the series for both.
In a true twisty turny, Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke fashion, this book will keep you in the edge of your seat like the prior books in the series. It had to be you flows flawlessly, and will bring you the backstory of he past books, so I believe that you could easily read this book without reading the prior books.
Two twin boys seem to have it all when one boy kills their parents and the other has an alibi, but which boy is telling the truth and who is who. Ultimately, this fractures their relationship and each boy is pointing the finger at each other. Both married with kids, the way to move on and try to put the past behind them aa best as they can so they turn to Laurie Morgan and her team with the TV show "Under Suspicion " who take in cold cases to help get to try and solve the murders and what actually happened the night their parents were murdered. This book had me hooked and the ending had me wowed. This book made me want to go back and reread more MHC books and read Alafair Burke's stand alone novels.

These books are always a favorite of mine. I love it and I love this series. I'm happy we got another book in the series. Definitely a must read if you have read any of Mary Higgins Clark's books in the past-- it's so good!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. My first by this duo. A solid who done it by one of the masters. Recommend

My love of thrillers began with Mary Higgins Clark. I remember going to the library and checking out as many of her books that I could carry, devouring them and then going back for more! When I saw this available I knew I had to read it ASAP! While part of a series, this can absolutely be read as a standalone (as I did) but now I need to read them all! Fast paced, keeps the reader needing to know what’s going to happen next and all around perfect thriller read!

I used to read Mary Higgins Clark back in the day but this is the first book I’ve read of hers in years. And it did not disappoint!! Loved it! So much suspense!!!

When I picked this book up I didn’t realize that it’s part of a series. I think it was just fine to read as a stand alone. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

Overall I thought the book was well written and entertaining. It was fast paced and it seemed like everyone had secrets. While I did enjoy this book i do wish there was more depth to the characters.

I love a murder mystery and I've been wanting to read a book by Mary Higgins Clark, so I was so excited to read this ARC. This is the latest book in the Under Suspicion series, however it can work as a stand alone novel. The main character, Laurie, is the producer of a television show that aims to solve cold cases. She is approached by a woman whose parents were murdered, but the case remains unsolved. Her twin brothers were suspects in the case, yet never charged. The twins accept having their case brought forward to the show, and twists and turns begin in solving the long-unsolved murder.

Ultimately, this story just wasn't for me. While I enjoyed elements, the pacing was just too slow for me to enjoy and I found many of the twists to be be predictable. I do think it would be a great read for someone seeking out a simple cold case mystery, but there wasn't anything special that stuck out for me in this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest collaboration between Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Laurie Moran works on a podcast that investigates cold cases where someone has been living under suspicion. This chapter involves a 10-year-old murder where identical twins were suspected, but never charged, with their parents' murder. The twins have been estranged ever since, each blaming the other, and their younger sister is desperate to clear their names.

I am a long-time fan of Mary Higgins Clark and it's wonderful that Alafair Burke has continued her legacy of writing such good mysteries. This one was no exception - the idea that one or both of identical twins could have committed murder is intriguing. But the family, ripped apart by the murders, was destroyed even more by the suspicions. There were plenty of suspects here and I was surprised as always by the ending. Bravo!

A captivating addition to the series, with a suspenseful atmosphere and plenty of twists and turns. A few plot points feel a bit predictable but it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.