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
carolintallahassee

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. It has two identical brothers, one who killed their parents, and one who had a solid alibi. They both claim the other twin did the murder. Years later they are estranged but still want to clear their names.

enjoyed this mystery thriller! It had me questioning whodunnit the whole time! The suspicion on the twins built tension throughout the book. I liked the characters of the show and how they added an element of detective work to the book. I didn’t see the ending coming which is always a good thing in a mystery/thriller! However, I still feel like it was just missing a little something for me to give it 5⭐️.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Shuster for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 (rounded up to 4)/5

My first ARC review! Thank you so much @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!

Mary Higgins Clark will always have a special place in my heart. I read Daddy’s Little Girl when I was in middle school and have been hooked on thrillers ever since! As the Queen of Suspense, she did not disappoint with It Had to Be You.

Synopsis: 10 years earlier, the parents of identical twins Simon and Ethan leave their sons’ graduation party only to be found gunned down in their home later the same night. No one understands how such a horrible crime could have happened to a seemingly perfect family. Police and the public believe the twins killed their parents. Even the twins believe the other one did it, yet the crime remains unsolved. A decade later Laurie Moran, producer of Under Suspicion, gets involved to finally crack the case. Family secrets are revealed. Was everyone right about what happened? Or will the brothers finally be able to clear their names?

This was a quick and fun read! I did not realize when I picked it up that it is part of the Under Suspicion series, but thankfully it is set up so that each book can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed that this was a crime novel but from the perspective of producing a TV show rather than from the police. This book was filled with suspense, twists and turns. Every other chapter left me with a different theory. I enjoyed the fast pace and trying to guess who was behind the murders!

I have loved reading Mary Higgins Clark’s novels over the years. It Had to Be You, the newest collaboration with Alafair Burke since her death, does not disappoint. I was intrigued because I didn’t expect to ever have the opportunity to read any more books by her. Also, I was unaware of the Under Suspicion series. All of that made me appreciate more the opportunity to read it.
I am sure the format of a podcaster reexamining a past unsolved mystery will attract readers. The fact that the suspects are identical twins makes it interesting, since their younger sister was the one who went to Laurie Moran to try to get her help . Another interesting element is that each twin believes the other one was the murderer. That obviously makes their involvement in the murder questionable.
Overall I liked the story. It isn’t groundbreaking, but rather a “comfortable “ read that fulfills the longing for one more story from a beloved writer. That alone makes it worth reading.

Another great book in the Under Suspicion series. I truly enjoy Laurie as a character and how she investigates and eventually clears any suspicions. The twins are accused of murdering their parents and have been estranged since the crime has occurred. Frankie believes that the police did not investigate very well so she contacts Laurie. Once Laurie agrees and persuades the twins as well as others to appear on the show everything changes. The twins can finally live a happy life and be reunited after so many years. The true murderer is caught thanks to Frankie helping Laurie. A fantastic book!

I had so many suspects in mind and was completely wrong when the culprit was revealed.
It Had to Be You is about a double murder that took place 10 years ago and was never solved. Everyone believes the twin sons killed their parents the night of their graduation, but there was never enough evidence. Now Laurie Moran is revisiting the case with her show Under Suspicion to help the family get answers.
This was my first book by Mary Higgins Clark and the 8th book in this series. However, I felt like I didn't miss out on that much by not reading the others.
I really enjoyed the story. I felt fully immersed in the characters and couldn't wait to get all the details of what happened so long ago. So many people looked suspicious and I did not see the ending coming.
I also noticed that this was a nice, “clean” thriller. The language was clean. It wasn't spicy. Frankly, the murder wasn't even gory.

This was a great page turner that had you questioning everything till the very end. Definitely a mystery. Big twists & easy to read. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you netgalley & Simon Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Another fantastic book from one of my favorite series. It Had To Be You by is the eighth book in the Under Suspicion series and it did not disappoint! Available 4/16/24.

A family torn apart by the murder of their parents. The identical twin brothers (sons of the murdered couple) are still the main suspects nearly ten years later but have never been charged. Each accuses the other. Is it all a ruse to avoid prosecution?

Enter the true crime/unsolved mystery gurus from the Under Suspicion TV series. To mark the ten year anniversary of the murders, Laurie Moran and her team begin asking questions in hopes of having the investigation reopened. But not everyone wants to see this case revisited…

Family secrets, money, shoddy police work, and questionable characters are front and center with this one. A super quick read filled with suspense. If you are like me, you’ll be flying through the pages to find out all the answers and won’t be able to put it down!

I loved this! If you are a fan of mystery/suspense without the gore be sure to pick this one up. These can be read as standalones but I do encourage you to read in order to better understand the characters.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review! I am crossing my fingers that new books will continue to be released for this wonderful series.

5/5⭐️

This was a wonderfully written mystery, crime, and fiction book with characters I enjoyed (despite some of them doing despicable things). The plot was intriguing, the pacing of the storyline was perfect, and it was a mystery worth reading to the end to find out what happened. Kudos to the authors for having a strong woman investigator who was intelligent and compassionate. The way she approached cracking the case, being sensitive to the needs of those she investigated, and applying pressure to those she needed to apply pressure was terrific to read. I highly recommend this book!

4 stars!

I’m a huge fan of this series with Laurie and under suspicion plot line. This time they have to clear the name of two twin brothers. Their parents were killed, but which one did it?