If You Were Here

Description

When McKenna Jordan, a magazine journalist investigating the story of the heroic and unidentified woman, finds the video footage, she thinks she recognizes her as Susan Hauptmann. But Susan disappeared without a trace ten years earlier, having just introduced McKenna to her future husband, Patrick. McKenna's complex search for her missing friend forces her to unearth secrets that lie deep in all their pasts. A sublimely plotted mystery and a devastating thriller about marriage, private security and journalistic scandal, If You Were Here further underlines Dennis Lehane's assertion that 'Alafair Burke is one of the finest young crime writers working today'.

Alafair Burke's books include her Samantha Kincaid series, the standalone thriller Long Gone, and her highly acclaimed series starring NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher, the most recent of which, Never Tell, was a Kindle bestseller. A former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. If You Were Here marks her debut on the Faber list, and will be followed by a new Ellie Hatcher novel in 2015.

I absolutely love Alafair Burke - she's one of my favorite authors. I know it's summer when I have one of her books in my hands. IF YOU WERE HERE is her best yet. Highly recommended. Karin Slaughter After finishing If You Were Here, I don't feel I can trust anyone ever again, except Alafair Burke to provide a cracking good read. Linwood Barclay, author of No Time For Goodbye If You Were Here is a winner: a suspenseful, tightly plotted story of friendship, lies, and betrayal. Alafair Burke writes deftly about secrets buried close to home. An accomplished novel by an assured author. Meg Gardiner, author of The Shadow Tracer Outstanding...Burke's accuracy in legal and judicial technicalities is impressive although most readers will find simpler pleasures in her sharp writing, well-constructed plot, and dimensional characters. Publishers Weekly Exciting...Lawyer turned-journalist McKenna finds her life turned upside down when she recognizes a friend from her college years who disappeared without a trace a decade before on a video of a near-tragedy on the subway...Will engage [Burke's] growing audience. Booklist Burke's first class adventure has murder and mayhem wrapped up in an intricate, innovative plot. Gripping from the first page...Will keep readers guessing until the end. RT Book Reviews Delivers a cleverly nuanced plot that will keep the pages turning. [Burke's] smart writing is fast-paced and engaging, and this book should appeal to most mystery readers, especially those looking for compelling, intelligent story lines... a delight. Library Journal