Where Are the Children?

I read this book when it came out in 1975. I instantly became a Mary Higgins Clark fan, and to my knowledge, I have read every mystery she wrote since then. Recently, I read the just-released sequel to this book, coauthored by Alafair Burke, called "Where are the Children Now?" The sequel was so great that it made me want to go back to the original story, which was indeed captivating. The 1975 story deals with Nancy Eldredge, a woman who has suffered the unimaginable loss of having her children murdered, being convicted of the crime, released on a technicality, and then going into hiding on the opposite side of the country. She dyed her hair, kept a low profile, avoided being photographed at all costs, remarried, and changed her name. A nefarious force is s stalking her and setting her up to take another great fall. On an anniversary of her first children's kidnapping, her two young children with her second husband disappear. The evil plan seems impossible to stop. Many people assume that Nancy did it herself, as she is simultaneously outed as the infamous mother who "got away with murder." It is so frustrating when several of the town's citizens have witnessed things that seem off, but they have all dismissed what they have seen as inconsequential, when actually, what they witnessed were huge clues to the real perpetrator's identity. I love the characters in the book (except for the villain and one opportunist). Very important secrets about the first murders and Nancy's perpetually confused state of mind during the original trial are revealed. I highly recommend this book.

I downloaded “Where Are the Children Now?” and started reading it. There were references to this story and after a couple chapters I decided not to continue until I had read this book first. I could not put this book down. Even knowing who the kidnapper was from references in the new book this one kept my attention and made me eager to find the little clues that lead to the final confrontation.

Read this almost 50 years ago when it first came out. Special books were "popcorn" ones. I'd gobble down the pages along with popcorn on a quiet weekend night. Read it wonderful 1st novel in one sitting. Lived in NYC at the time, and semi-followed the Alice Crimmins' trial, and really wanted to read Ms. Clark's "what if" take on the harrowing story. A great book. Read a lot of recent reviews, and it seems like a bunch of readers wanted to immerse themselves in the old great before the sequel arrives. Can't wait! Thanks for giving me another popcorn experience!

Mary Higgins Clark is a solid if not very good author. When I want something relatively straightforward and relatively easy to read, I go to her or John Patterson or the like. Enjoyable books that are thoughtful yet not extremely challenging and don't twist your brain into pieces. Characters are well developed.

This was her first novel but she seems like she was well on her way too hitting her stride. Enjoyed this one.

This was a riveting read. Hard to put down. So many layers that didn’t come together until the end. Not giving away any spoilers, but this book is a good lesson in “If you see something, say something.”

Despite the introduction, though, this book wasn’t clean. There was foul language and perverted imaginations. As good as this book was, I would not read another novel by this author as I prefer clean novels.

It was promising , but with the British dialogue and the random characters weaving in and out, the story was often difficult to follow. I didn't like that we had to guess who was talking because she didn't break the dialogue up to distinguish between the characters. The story was far fetched, but it's fiction. Was it bad? No! Was it good? No! Would I recommend it? No! I'm so close to a reading slump because of this book.