I kept expecting the grand reveal in All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. They had certainly gathered the suspects together as in any Agatha Christie mystery. It just shows how clever the book is that they even managed to switch up the traditional ending.
Laurie Moran, producer of Under Suspicion, a true crime-based news special focusing on cold cases, is about to make her latest pitch to her boss when Sandra Pierce insists on seeing her. Five years earlier, when Laurie was dealing with the greatest tragedy of her own life, Sandra’s daughter disappeared. Because of Moran’s own problems, she never knew the story of “the Runaway Bride”. On the eve of her wedding at the Grand Victoria Hotel in Palm Beach, Amanda Pierce vanished. While Sandra’s ex-husband, Walter, clung to the belief their daughter was out there somewhere, Sandra was convinced someone took her. Now, she wants Laurie’s team to investigate the unsolved case for Under Suspicion.
It may not be easy to gather the entire wedding party together, but Laurie’s secret weapon is the host of the show, trial commentator and lawyer Alex Buckley. Together with her team, they’re able to bring everyone back to the Grand Victoria to re-enact the set-up. With a little pressure, someone “Under Suspicion” might reveal the truth.
The second mystery in the Under Suspicion series continues to examine cold cases. It’s a clever premise. The authors use multiple viewpoints to tell the story, which works perfectly for the scenario of a television show re-enacting unsolved crimes. And, despite the large casts, the characters are still unique enough to stand apart so the reader can keep the suspects in mind. Laurie Moran’s supporting team from her professional and personal lives are deftly woven into the storyline. And, these storylines do read as if they were scenarios for a reality show.
If you’re a fan of cold cases, as I am, All Dressed in White, and the earlier book, The Cinderella Murder, are fast-paced, compelling stories.
Mary Higgins Clark’s website is www.maryhigginsclark.com
Alafair Burke’s website is www.alafairburke.com
All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke. Simon & Schuster. 2015. ISBN 9781501108556 (hardcover), 271p.
*****
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