Set after the events of Piece Of My Heart (2020), Laurie Moran, the respected and dedicated producer of a popular true crime television show that investigates the toughest cold cases imaginable, is approached by a woman who wants help unmasking the killer behind the long-unsolved murder of her parents. The crime first went down years back when her parents, a beloved couple who never had any real trouble in their lives, were celebrating the recent college graduation of her brothers. It had been a happy time. Then, one quiet summer night, her parents were both killed in cold blood.
That might sound pretty black and white, but not everything is as straightforward as it seems.
The brilliant twist here is not just that both brothers are suspected of being the murderer. No, where the story gets really wild is when it’s explained that the brothers are identical twins, and only one of them has an alibi. In the aftermath of the killings, both brothers point the finger at the other as being behind the double homicide of their mother and father, and—with no way to prove which one is which—neither was found guilty of the heinous crime. Both brothers are now married with families of their own, and neither one cares to revisit whatever happened.
Agreeing to dig into the murders, it doesn’t take long for Moran and her team to find themselves facing not only the ghosts of that infamous summer night but also present-day dangers that threaten to derail their investigation right from the start. And as things unfold, two things become clear . . . if they cooperate, one brother can clear his name at the expense of the other. And the danger that left two dead in the past might not have stayed there.
As old wounds are ripped open and buried truths finally begin to surface, a series of unexpected twists and turns will rock readers and keep even the most well-read fans of mysteries guessing until the very end.
Alafair Burke once again puts on a show with her expertly crafted plot, brilliantly mixing intricate character dynamics that help produce a near-uncomfortable level of suspense and tension, all while keeping readers off balance and helplessly engaged. Laurie Moran is the star—and longtime fans of Mary Higgins Clark’s series will no double enjoy seeing her back in action—but Burke has always excelled at creating a cast of characters who are both relatable and driven by their own motives, all of whom have secrets to hide, and that is certainly the case here. From Laurie’s determined pursuit of justice to the complex relationships between the twin brothers and their families, every twist and turn is meticulously plotted and perfectly executed. You might think you have things figured out along the way, but trust me, you don’t.
Gripping, atmospheric, and filled with unforgettable characters, Alafair Burke has once again delivered a masterclass in suspense fiction with her latest entry in the Under Suspicion series. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or new to Laurie Moran’s investigations, It Had to Be You will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Book Details
Author: Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke
Series: Under Suspicion #8
Pages: 272 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1982132574
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: April 16th, 2024
