Another engaging read from Mary Higgins Clark/Alafair Burke. What could be more challenging to solve - a cold case involving identical twins charged with killing their parents, each one suspecting the other. I have to admit that I did have this one solved early on but it was still a very entertaining read. Love the premise of Under Suspicion, very appropriate given today’s focus on true crime, podcasts and cold cases. In my mind Frankie stole the book as I kept seeing the storyline through her eyes.
So glad that Alafair Burke is so effectively writing stories that have the true essence of my favorite author growing up - Mary Higgins Clark.
Many many thanks to Alafair Burke, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this four star read. Please keep writing Alafair Burke.

In It Had To Be You by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, we are again treated to another episode of Under Suspension. The twin brothers, Simon and Ethan, are thought by many people to have murdered their parents. Each brother thinks the other is the murderer. Laurie Moran, producer of Under Suspension, decides to take up this ten-year-old unsolved crime as her next show. Thus begins a mixture of interesting characters, unexplained circumstances and many unanswered questions. All of this contributes to making this novel another great read by this pair.

This was a quick read and I enjoyed it greatly. I love the characters: Laurie, her dad, Alex, Ryan etc. The premise for this one was good, two brothers pitted against each other with trust issues. I had a feeling the killer was Dennis or Annabeth's dad, so it had me questioning them from early on. I can't wait for the next one in the series.

What would you do if you were at a family party only to have the cops show up to let you know that your parents were found murdered in their home? What would you say if a witness said it was one of your brothers who they saw at the scene; were your identical twin brothers playing everyone the night of the party and pretending to be each other while the other went to commit this horrible crime? You were 12 at the time of this horrible event and moved in with your parents best friends. Now 10 years later, your brothers are estranged because they each believe the other did it but all you want is your family back and to find out the truth.
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This is what happened to Frankie; her brothers Simon and Ethan are labeled as the "Deadly Duo" and have been under suspicion since the night their parents died. Frankie is not sure what to believe but she wants to finally have some peace and get her only family back together. Despite the warning of her parent's best friends who continued to raise her, she contacts TV producer Laurie Moran whose show, Under Suspicion” is known for finding new leads in cold cases and either clearing or convicting people long suspected of a crime. She believes the case will finally be solved once and for all but is she ready for the truth? Is she ready for all that this is going to open up?

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for this ARC!

Thanks to Simon Books for the gifted copy of It Had To Be You.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Summary:
This is the 8th book in the Under Suspicion series by Alafair Burke and Mary Higgins Clark, but it was the first I read. It’s a solid installment and I expect readers who’ve read the first seven will really enjoy it. If you haven’t read them, you can still follow the book, but the emotional connection with the story might be lacking.

The basic premise is this: Laurie produces a TV program, Under Suspicion, that reviews cold cases to find new suspects, hand over evidence to the police, and bring the perpetrators to justice. It’s clear that the crew of the show have become like family and I loved watching their dynamic. The author does a good job of giving enough character background so new readers aren’t out of the loop, but not so much that long-time readers will be bored. It’s a tough line to walk and she did a great job.

In this particular installment, a seemingly perfect family is ripped apart by tragedy. Ten years ago, a beloved couple was murdered on the night of their sons’ college graduation party. One twin was seen leaving the scene, but no one knows which twin it was, and both of them claim they didn’t do it. Fast forward, the twins are estranged, both convinced of the other’s guilt. They turn to the Under Suspicion team to finally uncover the truth.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect but wish the book focused on it a bit more. The author gives a lot of air time to the crew of Under Suspicion and the background work they do on the case. I wouldn’t have cut this at all, but I wish the book had been longer to go deeper into the mystery, especially with investigating the other possible suspects.

Still, I loved the characters and am thrilled I’ve got 7 backlist books to get better acquainted with them - will definitely pick up book 1 next and start the series from there!

CAWPILE rankings:

Characters (3/5)
-It's the 8th in the series, so the cast of Under Suspicion are already well established in the series’ universe. Nevertheless, the author does a good job giving enough backstory so new readers don’t feel out of the loop, but not so much that long-time readers will be bored.

Atmosphere/Setting (3/5)
-Set on Cape Cod but it could have been anywhere really, miss opportunity for sure

Writing (3/5)
-Writing is okay. Some lines were cheesy, bordering on cringy. It's not winning any writing awards, but it's not awful.

Plot (4/5)
-The mystery aspect was solid for an 8th book in the series. It's a compelling case and the reader is given solid clues. It's nothing groundbreaking but it's good.
-The balance of story focused on the mystery vs the Under Suspicion crew felt off - I'd rather have had the book be a little longer and go more in depth into the mystery. I thought the amount of focus on the cast was right.

Intrigue (4/5)
It was fairly short and I really liked the characters and wanted to know what happened. Read it in 2 days.

Logic (3.5/5)
It's weird that this show can keep cracking cases that police can't, but okay, it makes for a good series.

Emotion (4/5)
Enjoyable to read! I particularly liked the cast of Under Suspicion and am delighted that there are 7 other books in this universe so I can continue getting to know them.

I love Mary Higgins Clark, I love Alafair Burke and perhaps I love them best together. There is nostalgia in this for me as my late grandmother introduced me to MHC. Just really enjoyed this one. Loved the twists, loved the family relationships and dynamics.

I have been a fan of Mary Higgins Clark’s novels for as long as I can remember. I haven’t read one in quite a bit so was excited to get the chance to read it. As usual I flew through it on the edge of my seat.

I loved reading from all the different perspectives in the story and how they intertwine. I liked that it was hard to trust any of the characters, because they all secrets.

It says this is part of a series and I looked to see I haven’t read any others, but I don’t think it took away from the story. I’m sure I was missing a bit of background on some characters but I found it went well as a standalone.

I am a long time fan of Mary Higgins Clark. I would sneak to read her books even when my mother said I was too young to read them. Her stories all feature a mystery that seems unsolvable yet will lead readers to the solve through many twists and turns that have you changing your mind with each chapter. Alafair Burke has done an excellent job of continuing Clark's legacy while enriching the library of titles she left behind. I've read many of Burke's library of titles and enjoyed every one.

How can you solve a mystery when the killer has an identical twin and the clues points to one or both of them? When a true crime reality show famous for solving cold crimes chooses the murder of their parents to investigate, the wounds are opened and the fingers are pointing, but what if it was neither of them? Choices will be revealed that never came to light that could save this family and solve the murder.

I’m a longtime fan of this series and was pleased to find this book felt like a return to form. The last few novels in this series felt formulaic and less engaging, but ‘It Had to Be You’ had very clever twists and turns. This is a page turner with an unexpected ending and I highly recommend it.

I can’t tell you how amazing it is that Alafair has continued the Queen of Suspenses legacy. Always a guaranteed GOOD read!

In this episode of Under Suspicion we have twin brothers accused of murdering their parents years ago with their sister wondering if her brothers are guilty. Why would the twins murder their parents on the night of their college graduation? Years later, as their estranged from one another their wives and sister still curious “whodunnit”?

This story flew by, it read easily and kept my attention from the first to the last page. The characters were very well detailed and the story/plot marvelously written. It was a cliffhanger and one that I didn’t even see coming. Four stars!

Thank you @simonandschuster for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

I have been a fan of the late Mary Higgins Clark’s work for years, so I am delighted that Alafair Burke is expertly continuing the 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘯 series. IT HAD TO BE YOU is book 8, but each book can be read as a stand alone.

LAURIE MORAN is a producer of a successful true crime show, Under Suspicion. She decides to investigate a ten year old murder mystery that has never been solved.

Ten years ago, the wealthy parents of identical twins Simon and Ethan were murdered while the twins were enjoying a lavish college graduation party. The police theorized that one twin committed the murders while the other one stayed at the party and provided an alibi for both. But which twin committed the murders? Ten years later, the twins are estranged and each twin believes the 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 committed the murder!

As the Under Suspicion crew delves into the murders, they stir up old suspicions and jealousies. Can they solve the murders before another one is committed?

MY THOUGHTS: This intricate mystery has fully-developed characters and an intriguing storyline. The main character, Laurie, is surrounded by supporting coworkers and family. Each of the twins has married, and built a fulfilling life with a lovely wife. They agree to talk to Laurie at the request of their younger sister, Frankie. As Laurie talks to the family members and the former best friend of the twin’s mother, the strong ties of family and friendship are revealed and tested. I actually liked each of the characters and was routing for them. The twist at the end was perfect! This cozy mystery has just the right blend of intrigue and secrets that will keep you turning the pages!

Mary Higgins Clark is always a solid read for me, and I am stunned by how seamlessly Alafair Burke blends her style with MHC.

It Had to Be You is the 8th book in the “Under Suspicion” series, named after the true crime TV show produced by our main character, Laurie Moran.

Laurie is off to solve another cold case, this time the “Deadly Duo”- twin brothers accused of murdering their parents 10 years ago.

As always, danger lurks around every corner and what was hidden will come to light.

Perfectly paced, It Had to Be You is a compelling mystery in an enduring and established style that makes me feel like I’m home.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital ARC in exchange for these honest thoughts.

This is another addition to the Under Suspicion Series. Truly a page turner, this will keep you guessing with the twists and turns.

We get to read the latest installment of this series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. We get back to Laurie Moran and her team when they introduce the newest case they have been tasked to solve. This ten year old murder mystery made headlines when two brothers are accused of killing their parents and resulting in a rift between the brothers. As a result, their little sister is taken in by a family friend but is estranged from her brothers. Ten years later, family members are wanting answers. Will Laurie be able to find the answers the police could not find all those years ago?

As Laurie and her team start investigating and interviewing various members of the family, they start to see that the small town police department focused on the two brothers after a witness stated that they had seen one of them near the house. Will they be able to piece together the clues that went unnoticed all those years ago, or will they be too late as they get closer to the truth.

The continuation of this series allows us to catch up with all the familiar characters and see what they have been up to since the last time we left them. We get to see how life has fared for them and go along with them as they follow the clues. You keep turning the page to see what happens next and then realize that you are almost at the end which indicates that you should slow down. Once you get to the end, it all makes sense and you wish there was more and now am eagerly waiting for the next case. I really enjoyed this story and it keeps you guessing and trying to figure it out with them. I look forward to reading more from this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this privilege.

This story is a chilling suspense, with great beloved characters, and a jaw-dropping twist that you won’t want to miss
If you enjoy mysteries, thrillers, and suspenseful twists, It Had to Be You is definitely worth adding to your reading list! And of course it a Mary Higgins Clark book

It had to be you

By: Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

Publish date: 16 April 2024

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

General Fiction (Adult), mystery and thriller

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read and review this book.

BOOK REVIEW:

I gave this book 5 stars. Mary Higgins Clark is one of my favorite authors and I was afraid that after her death the books would stop. I know that this book was probably written mostly by Alafair Burke but that is ok.

This is the eighth book in the series. This time the show is trying to see who the real killer or killer are in a ten-year-old murder. Laurie always gets a family member to agree first on them doing a special about the crime before they go into their investigations. This time the baby sister who will be turning 22 soon wants to figure out who killed her parents ten-years-ago. Was it one of her twin brothers or both or neither. She is finally ready to find out. Her brothers on the other really don’t want to find out because they each blame each other, and this has broken up the family. The family who took in the sister also don’t know who actually did the deed. There is a lot of family tension but also family unity. The authors had you guessing all along the way. There are many clues or red herrings in the book, but they are actually very good, and you could see why they are put there.

You will have to read the book to find out who did it and if the family can recover their relationships. Also just to let you know you don’t have to read the books in order but if you want to learn more about Laurie and her family you should start from book one.

My mother introduced me to Mary Higgins Clark years ago. Her books never cease to take me on a roller coaster of thrills, confusion, and so many twists and turns. This book constantly had me on the edge of my seat from the first page.

The story was good and the twist was unexpected. BUT it lacked that special something. Books that have come out after Mary's death have been a little off.

First time reading a book by Mary Higgins Clark. I wish I knew about her way before I started reading books in general. Everything about this book is the definition of suspend and Mystery. I love a book with a plot twist and this book definitely have it.

Ten years ago Richard and Sarah Harrington were murdered in their Cape Cod summer home. It was the night their twin sons, Simon and Ethan, were celebrating their college graduations. By all appearances it was the perfect family. The police quickly decided that the brothers conspired to kill their parents. An eye witness claimed to see one of them away from the party around the time the killings were happening. Both brothers insist that they never left the party all night. The Murder case went cold, but the brothers became estranged. They each insist that they weren't involved so it must have been the other one.

Now, the youngest child, daughter Frankie, wants to finally know what happened that night. She was only 12 when the tragedy tore her family apart. The brother's wives also want to know. They each have young families of their own and soon their children will be old enough to learn that their fathers are suspected murderers, at least in public opinion. The Deadly Duo.

Laurie Moran, investigative journalist and producer of a true crime show is under pressure to find an interesting case to feature or her show's format will have to be changed, in order to keep up with the more sensationalized competitors. Under Suspension always takes on cold cases where new I formation can be dug up and the unconvinced suspect can either be exonerated once and for all or finally brought to justice.

I really loved the characters and though I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, I was able to fully connect with the story. It does read well as a stand alone, though I will be going back to read the rest of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to enjoy this e-ARC.