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"In a first-time collaboration, "Queen of Suspense" Mary Higgins Clark partners with bestselling author Alafair Burke to deliver a brand new suspense series about a television program featuring cold case murders. Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under Suspicion, is a success. Even more, the program--a cold case series that revisits unsolved crimes by recreating them with those affected--is off to a fantastic start when it helps solve an infamous murder in the very first episode. Now Laurie has the ideal case to feature in the next episode of Under Suspicion: the Cinderella Murder. When Susan Dempsey, a beautiful and multi-talented UCLA student, was found dead, her murder raised numerous questions. Why was her car parked miles from her body? Had she ever shown up for the acting audition she was due to attend at the home of an up-and-coming director? Why does Susan's boyfriend want to avoid questions about their relationship? Was her disappearance connected to a controversial church that was active on campus? Was she close to her computer science professor because of her technological brilliance, or something more? And why was Susan missing one of her shoes when her body was discovered? With the help of lawyer and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley, Laurie knows the case will attract great ratings, especially when the former suspects include Hollywood's elite and tech billionaires. The suspense and drama are perfect for the silver screen--but is Cinderella's murderer ready for a close-up? Together Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke deliver an exciting publishing event: the start of a thrilling new series guaranteed to keep you guessing until the last suspenseful page"--… (more)
User reviews
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark/Alafair Burke had a strong second half that I really enjoyed. For fans of
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Jan Maxwell / Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
Jan Maxwell is one of those narrators that I can count on to deliver a solid performance and keep me entertained for a whole story. She does a good job at making each character unique.
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! reviews
A solid start for a new series, the quick pacing and the story’s ever-building suspense make this a page-turner that readers will find hard to put down.
I have been super excited about finally getting to read this book because I am such a big fan of both authors- Alafair Burke and Mary Higgins Clark. With these two at the helm, I knew this would be a great mystery and so it was.
Television producer, Laurie Moran, desperately needs a hit. With her career on the line, she pitches “The Cinderella Murder” to showcase on her new reality TV show “ Under Suspicion”. Once she begins looking up all the 'usual suspects', she soon discovers someone wants to shut down the renewed interest in the case and Laurie herself could be the next victim.
Years ago, a talented young UCLA student was murdered on her way to an audition. The case was never solved, but a cloud of suspicion still hangs over the director she was on her way to meet. But, it seems many others have been harboring secrets in regards to this case and now the truth is beginning to seep out little by little, casting doubts over all those involved. Was it a jealous roommate? Someone involved in a cult like church on campus? Susan's boyfriend? The director?
This is a classic whodunit, cleverly plotted, with precision timing and pacing. I love cold case stories that blend the past with the present, as long buried and dark secrets come bubbling to the surface and of course after all this time has passed, the murderer is finally brought to justice.
Because I read so much, and am usually called upon to scrutinize a book with a critical eye, I have become jaded over the years. However, I chose this book as a pleasure read, and only had a few very minor complaints, which I can't expound on without hinting at the outcome, but, I must say I found this mystery very entertaining. It kept me guessing, had likeable and realistic characters in the lead, and just a tiny bit of romance to cap it all off.
There is very little detailed violence, the language is mild and while there are adult situations, there is no explicit sex. This is just an all around solid mystery that everyone can enjoy.
The plot itself was kind of crazy. I didn't suspect Hathaway, but nor did it surprise me. The whole Steve Roman/Lydia piece though seemed completely unnecessary. In reading these out of order I have more context on Alex/Laurie and while I don't like that much, I'm happy that at least it doesn't distract completely from the main cases.
I'll probably give the next book in the series a try, just to see if things improve.
Mystery lovers - this is a book for you. I cannot wait for the chance to read the next in the "Under Suspicion" series.
Laurie Moran and her team are preparing a reality show. It's about an unsolved old case where a young student was found dead in a park years ago. During the investigation, one witness after the other was murdered. Laurie
It was an exciting listening and kept me captivated until the end. I will read the rest of the books too.
Another good tight story-line set around a tv show researching a coldcase that brings together all the players with violent results; ultimately solving the case.