If You Were Here - by Alafair Burke (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

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...

From the Back Cover

Chasing a hot story, magazine journalist McKenna Jordan uncovers unexpected information that sends her back to the past, to the disappearance of a close friend--a classmate of her husband's at West Point--who vanished without a trace a decade ago.

McKenna always believed the truth went deeper than the police investigation ever reached. To find answers, the former prosecutor-turned-reporter embarks on a twisting search that leads across New York City--and into dark secrets buried dangerously close to home. . . .

Review Quotes

"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, this story uses her knowledge of the judicial system to give an account that is detailed, yet fast-moving. Character development is stellar and the guilty party will keep readers guessing until the end." - RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 starred review

"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, 4 1/2 stars

"If You Were Here veers from one realistic twist to another with aplomb. Years of betrayal, lies and distrust rise to the surface as the suspenseful plot never falters.... Outstanding." - Sacramento Bee

"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 Trust Your Eyes

"The plot complexity of this richly populated book keeps the action pumping, but it is the delicate shifts in perception that intrigue...keeps readers edgily engaged." - Houston Chronicle

"One of the more-talented crime writers working today." - Pittsburgh Tribune

"Fast-paced nail-biter." - National Examiner

"Nicely crafted, plenty of suspense to go around, a couple of unanticipated twists - what's not to like?" - BookPage

"You know you are in good hands with her, and can relax without wondering if things are going to fall apart midway through. ...Burke's female characters are always very involving, with big, strong voices." - Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, in O, the Oprah Magazine

"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 (starred review)

"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

"Captivating.... Burke excels in writing compelling character-driven stories mixed with baffling mysteries." - Associated Press

"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