Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jun 2013
384 pages
Genre: Thrillers
Publication Information
If You Were Here is a thrilling novel of suspense from Alafair Burke, the author Dennis Lehane calls "one of the finest young crime writers working today."
Manhattan journalist McKenna Jordan is chasing the story of an unidentified woman who heroically pulled a teenaged boy from the subway tracks. When she locates a video that captures part of the incident, she thinks she has an edge on the competition scrambling to identify the mystery heroine, but is shocked to discover that the woman in the video bears a strong resemblance to Susan Hauptmann, a close friend who disappeared without a trace a decade earlier.
What would have been a short-lived metro story sends McKenna on a dangerous search for the missing woman - a search that will force her to unearth long-buried truths much closer to home.
"Starred Review. 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
"A frustrating read with too many West Point facts and an ending that just won't end." - Kirkus
"Not Burke's best, but still a solid thriller that will engage her growing audience." - Booklist
" A break from Burke's Ellie Hatcher series (Never Tell; Angel's Tip), her new stand-alone delivers a cleverly nuanced plot that will keep the pages turning. Her smart writing is fast-paced and engaging, and this book should appeal to most mystery readers, especially those looking for compelling, intelligent story lines. Despite a somewhat drawn-out, complicated ending, the overall reading experience is a delight." - Library Journal
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
alafairburke.com
Alafair S. Burke is an American crime novelist, professor of law, and legal commentator. She is the author of two series of crime novels-one featuring NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher; the other, Portland, Oregon, prosecutor Samantha Kincaid.
A former deputy district attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair Burke now teaches criminal law at Hofstra Law School. The daughter of acclaimed crime writer James Lee Burke, she is a graduate of Stanford Law School and currently serves as a legal and trial commentator for radio and television programs, including for Court TV.
She has served on the Board of Directors of the Mystery Writers of America and as President of its New York chapter.
Her notable works include: Judgment Calls (2003), Missing Justice (2004), Dead Connection (2007), Long Gone (2011), ...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Alafair Burke's Website
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