All the books in this series have been entertaining, and this one - the eighth - is no exception. Laurie Moran, producer of the "Under Suspicion" true crime TV show, is trying to work her magic despite ongoing squabbles with boss Brett Young and the show host, attorney Ryan Nichols.

Laurie gets an opportunity to revisit the unsolved case of a wealthy couple who, while celebrating the college graduation of twin sons Ethan and Simon, were brutally murdered in their home a decade ago. Thanks in part to an eyewitness, the police - and just about everyone else - are convinced that one of the twins did the dirty deed, but there's insufficient evidence to bring charges (and besides, the twins are identical, so who's to say which one it was)? The twins themselves, once very close, have become estranged - mostly because each thinks the other one is guilty.

An intriguing case for sure; but convincing everyone involved back then to revisit unhappy memories isn't an easy task. But it's one Laurie has taken on many times in the past, and she manages to corral most of the still-living people to be interviewed for the show in the hopes that new evidence will turn up to make the cold case (and her TV show) hot.

As the investigation continues, with help from Laurie's former-cop father Leo Farley, secrets from the past are revealed - some dead ends, others not. The end is a bit of a mess, actually - and a little hard for me to swallow. The characters, though, seemed to have little problem with the outcome, so I guess that's what counts most. Laurie's family gets a boost or two as well, but that's a secret other readers will have to learn for themselves. So until next time, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Twin brothers have a seemlessly perfect life until one night their parents are killed and they are both blamed for the murder. But one has an alibi and the other is being secretive. Years later the brothers are brought back together to find out what truly happened to their parents and prove their innocence. As time goes on secrets are found, people are hurt, and the truth fully comes out.

This was a fantastic book and one I would read again. In the beginning you really think you have it all figured out but then things go haywire halfway through. The character development between each character really shows how life can change someone and how family really does need to stick together. This was a fantastic book with lots of twist and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The Under Suspicion series is one of my auto buy favorites. Every book in the series is great. It Had To Be You was no exception. The cozy mystery, whodunnit feel of the series carries through to this book. Laurie Moran, newly married to her former co-worker now turned Judge, is looking for a new cold case to cover for her show. With the pressure on to produce a blockbuster hit, Laurie is worried that none of their leads are big enough. When her assistant, Grace, mentions a phone call regarding an unsolved murder that made national news years before, Laurie knows this is her chance to save her show.

Frankie Harrington’s parents were murdered in their Harbor Bay home ten years ago. Her twin brothers, dubbed the Deadly Duo, were thought to be guilty of the crime, but due to lack of evidence they were never arrested. Frankie wants Laurie and the team at Under Suspicion to find out once and for all what happened to her parents that night. Both Simon and Ethan believe that the other brother is responsible for the crime, but Frankie can’t believe that either of her brothers could do such a heinous thing. As new information comes to light, including some shoddy police work, it appears that Frankie was right. But someone close to the family did this. The question is, who?

Alafair Burke does such an amazing job of keeping the MHC vibes in the series. The investigative part of the story meshes right into the personal lives of the characters so that reading a new book in the series is like visiting old friends. Looking forward to see what comes next!

This was one of my favorite books. I loved it so much. The authors were magnificent as they always will be in my heart! Its hard to believe that Mary is gone but she left her love of books to another great story teller!

Thank you Mary I miss you so much but Amateur is doing a magnificent job !

I think the type of novels written by Ms Clark and Ms Burke are geared towards a certain type of audience, and they are very well written in that regard. I am just not that audience.

The publisher's blurb says this a 'thrilling' installment in the Under Suspicion series. I wasn't thrilled in the least. The characters were likeable, but very milquetoast. The storyline started out interesting and then devolved into constant soliloquies and pontifications of the characters thoughts and past events in their own histories. The plotline ground to a slow crawl at about a quarter of the way in and didn't pick up again until the last quarter. I found myself yawning and easily put the book down to walk away. The finale was a huge let down. Without giving away any spoilers, no one goes to jail for first degree murder.

However, this is probably a very much-loved style of writing for some; there are no romantic tensions between any characters and very little affection between even the married couples. Not sure I remember anyone kissing. It's very light on crime scene description, and what little there is, contains no gruesome details of the condition of the bodies or the amount of blood. No one is ever in any danger, there is no suspense except for a few brief pages toward the end. And I use the term 'suspense' loosely. It was more of an "Oh my! Oh, well, that turned out all right then." There are red-herrings galore, but (and this is a pet peeve of mine) the culprit ends up being someone who gets very little page-time in the book, so there was no way to even begin to guess their identity. This was very much a whodunit 'lite'. with thick frosting and a ton of sprinkles on top.

Again, not a badly written book at all, but not my cup of tea, as I like a lot of suspense, a little romance, a crime that makes you gasp in horror, and a storyline that keeps you turning pages way past your bedtime. This had none of that.

Wow, Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke have done it again!. “It Had to Be You” is a complex, riveting continuation of Laurie Moran and her “Under Suspicion” series. The saga of identical twins who are both accused of murdering their parents twists and turns through the chapters of this book and keeps the reader enthralled to the very end. Great job by Alafair Burke in continuing the masterful mystery-writing style of Mary Higgins Clark and making characters empathetic and realistic!

3.5 rounded up. This was the first book in the Under Suspicion series that I have read. I didn't realize this was a series and this book can definitely be read as a standalone. The author does a good job at providing some back story so you don't feel lost. There is some back story about the characters I would like to know so I may read the earlier books in this series.

Ten years ago twin brothers were accused of killing their parents but were never charged. Did one of them do it? Have they not spoken in ten years because one believes the other did it? When their sister contacts a true crime producer to look into the cold case their entire lives are under the microscope. I did enjoy the true crime aspect of the story and thought that it was like solving a crime yourself as they looked into all the details from their view versus the view of the police.

I felt there were some pacing issues with the book. I was sucked in right away but it slowed down in the middle. I found a lot of it to be repetitive. The ending was also very fast. I felt like there were some red herrings thrown in that were never even explained. I found myself at the end thinking well what happened with this person or what was this little bit about.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of It Had to be You by Mary Higgins Clark: Alafair Burke for an honest review.

It Had To Be You is book #8 in the Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke series Under Suspicion. I had read previous books by these 2 authors so I knew that I would really enjoy this one. Now that I’ve finished, I hope that I can get the chance to read the other books in this series. This story grabbed my attention right from the start and it kept me turning the pages. Everything about the storyline seemed believable and I really liked all the characters. It’s about Laurie Moran, a television producer that investigates cold cases and attempts to dig up new evidence to solve the crimes. She then broadcasts them on television in a true crime series or documentary. In this book a wealthy lawyer and his wife are found murdered in their beach home and the suspicion falls on their identical twin sons who have just graduated from college. This was a really great story and I surprised myself because I actually figured out who the murderer was but would have never figured out the motive behind the killing. Laurie and her crew are very smart! I really enjoyed reading this, it was easy to follow and it’s a book I would recommend to all readers who enjoy suspenseful mysteries. I’d like to thank Danielle Prielipp, Marketing Director at Simon & Schuster for the widget and invite to read and NetGalley for the arc. I’m giving this a 5 star rating and would love to read more by these authors in the future!

The queen of suspense/mystery, Mary Higgins Clark joins forces with Alafair Burke for a chilling thriller. This is the latest installment of the Under Suspicion series & probably my favorite. We have twin brothers, murder, & an unbelievable cast of well written characters. Read the book - definitely read the series.

Thank you NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the ARC copy of this book.

I gave this book 4 stars. I knew going in based on the authors that it would be a good read. The story centers on a wedding planner business but do not be fooled it is not an ordinary story. You will be hooked from the beginning!

Interesting

First of all, I have no idea where the title came from. When a wealthy couple is found murdered in their home, their twin sons are suspected of acting together or separately. A decade later, their relationship is in shambles as each thinks the other must have done the shooting. Their younger sister talks them into participating in a reality show that aims to find out the truth behind the killing.

The plot was good. Some characters were well-written. Others not so much. The writing was normally good, but there were parts, especially toward the end, that were a bit flat.

I did enjoy this. It wasn't the best book I have read by these authors, but it was good.

Mary Higgins Clark is renowned as the original Queen of Suspense, and her novels consistently deliver quick, enjoyable, and accessible reads. "It Had to Be You" is part of one of her captivating series, yet it stands strongly on its own, requiring no prior familiarity with the rest of the books.

The story revolves around Laurie Moran, a television producer heading a show that delves into unsolved murders. This time, the spotlight falls on the Harrington family, where twin brothers, Ethan and Simon, have long been shadowed by suspicion for their parents' murder. Each points the finger at the other, intensifying the intrigue. Now, their sister, Frankie, reaches out to Laurie, urging her to uncover the truth behind the chilling case.

I really enjoyed this book. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Mary Higgins Clark books, and this was my first one. It did not disappoint. Some good twists and turns. Very well written. Definitely recommend!!

This reader is happy that Alafair Burke is continuing the Under Suspicion series share began with the late great Mary Higgins Clark. The premise, the crisp writing, the twists and turns, will keep me waiting for future installments.

The two identical brothers seemed perfect in every way—handsome, intelligent, popular—until a shocking summer night when one brother killed his parents in cold blood while the other brother had an iron-clad alibi. But which twin was where during the murders? And is it possible the two of them planned the perfect crime together?

Years later, the twins are long estranged, each of them claiming to be convinced that the other is responsible for the death of their parents. Married now with children of their own, they may finally be ready to clear one name at the expense of the other and turn to Laurie Moran and her team to reinvestigate their parents’ murder. But as the Under Suspicion crew gets closer to the truth, the danger that was assumed to be left in the past finds its way into the present.

Highly recommended. #ItHadToBeYou #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

Really great installment in the series. The way the plot flowed and the characters continued to develop immaculately was amazing. Absolutely love this series and this author.

Mary Higgins Clark was the Queen of Suspense and all her books could be counted on to have a murder, to be clean, and have suspense to keep you up all night reading. I wasn’t sure It Had to Be You would be as good as her other books, but it was written in her fashion and may be my favorite in the Under Suspicion series.
Twin brothers were accused of killing their parents ten years prior at their beach house, but no one could be tried for the crime as they are identical. Laurie Moran and her crew of the crime TV show she produces are asked by the twins’ sister to help solve the crime so they can move on as a family.
I had suspicions on who the killer was, but there was a side story that surprised me. The story will satisfy all Mary Higgins Clark fans who were hoping for more of her mysteries. I hope there are a few more still waiting for her fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Simon & Schuster and Net Galley, but all opinions are my own.

Mary Higgins Clark never disappoints and now with Alafair Burke's expertise, the two have put together a story that kept me intrigued from page 1. So informative to learn how a true crime show unfolds through the pages of this book. And what a plot...twin brothers accused of murdering their parents. The characters were likeable and the plot, for the most part, was believable. I can't wait to go back and read the other books in this series!

Together, novelists Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke create "It Had to Be You," an engrossing mystery that will have readers gripped from beginning to end. Together, Clark and Burke have created a story that masterfully blends tension, intrigue, and genuine emotion. The end product is a novel that is both rewarding and thrilling.

The mysterious Emily Kilgore, a powerful and affluent philanthropist whose unexpected death shocks the highest classes of New York society, is at the center of the narrative. As suspicion spreads among her closest acquaintances, including her It's up to you and your loyal aide Laurie Moran to figure out what really happened to kill Emily.

"It Had to Be You" is distinguished by its vibrant and diverse ensemble of people, each with individual goals and secrets to conceal. Every character in the story, from Laurie Moran, who is driven to solve the mystery and clear her reputation, to the diverse group of suspects, has been painstakingly created and given nuance and complexity. Readers will be left guessing until the very end as the plot's layers of deceit and treachery are revealed, revealing shocking facts and surprising turns.

The rhythm and tension in their work is masterfully done by Clark and Burke, who create suspense with every turn of the page. The story moves quickly as Laurie rushes against the clock to solve the mystery before it's too late. Even so, there are poignant and human moments mixed in with the high-stakes drama as Laurie faces her own personal issues and makes surprising friendships along the way.

In addition, the writers' exquisite attention to detail vividly captures the glitzy world of New York City, with its glistening skyline and its dark underside. "It Had to Be You" draws readers into a world of privilege and power where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks around every corner with its descriptive narrative and intriguing backdrop.corner.

To sum up, "It Had to Be You" is a brilliantly written mystery that will enthrall readers who enjoy Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke works equally. This partnership, with its sophisticated narrative, suspenseful characters, and heart-pounding intensity, is a monument to the lasting legacy of two literary titans. "It Had to Be You" is a must-listen to regardless of your level of fandom.

Wow, I loved this book. I liked the True Crime feel to it. The characters were easy to remember and I just wanted to keep reading.
Great fast paced mystery!

I love Mary Higgins Clark, while not as heart pounding as some of her other books, this is still a well written "who dun it ", yes I figured out who the person was that made everyone suspect the twins of cold bloodedly killing their parents, but the what and why was an interesting discovery. If you like Midsomer Murders then you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
I highly recommend it. Thank you #Netgalley #Simon&Shuster
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