Two lists about Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

(this post contains some spoilers, both of this book and the rest of the series)

There is so much to like about this book:

1. That cover is stunning.

2. The premise, a tv documentary working to solve cold cases by interviewing everyone involved, including the suspects, is great. I would definitely watch "Under Suspicion" if it were real. Reading the books is like watching the show, but we also get the behind-the-scenes action.

3. Laurie's dad is really great.

4. This novel is set at the Met Costume Ball. That's fun. And it inspired a really funny conversation with my friend Leslie, where we guessed what the conversation was like between Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. It went something like this: "Who is the most glamorous celebrity you can think of who would attend the Costume Ball?" MHC: "Barbra Streisand!" AB: "Definitely Beyonce."

5. It's a fun, entertaining read. but...

There is so much not to like about this book.

1. This is a series about making a tv show. 68% into this book, there's this line: "I think we're actually ready to start cameras rolling." Seriously, the show was barely in the book. Why spend 68% deciding what the show will be about and then make the show you've been thinking about making for two-thirds of the book?

2. Related: the mystery wasn't very compelling.

3. Laurie is pretty annoying when she's not working. I get it: her husband was murdered. It's hard, but can she have an original thought or feeling about that that she hasn't had for the last three books? Every time she mentioned or thought about Alex, I rolled my eyes and sometimes even groaned out loud. [spoiler--highlight to read] Thank goodness she and Alex got back together at the end, or I might not have been able to keep going. [end spoiler]

The verdict: This series really isn't that good. It may have peaked with All Dressed in White. The last two were not nearly as good as the first two. But I also like this series enough to keep reading, even if they don't improve. There is time in my reading life for an entertaining page-turner with a mediocre mystery.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Length: 305 pages
Publication date: November 7, 2017
Source: publisher
Want to read for yourself? Buy Every Breath You Take from Amazon (Kindle edition.)

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