When I reviewed the first in this new series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke I commented that I once very much enjoyed the former’s books and had (in more recent years) become a huge fan of the latter. As for the two combined…. what’s that saying about money you can take to the bank? #orsomething

I enjoyed their first joint venture, The Cinderella Murder, but think this latest, All Dressed in White, is actually better.

The blurb

Five years ago Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart in a lavish ceremony at The Breakers in Palm Beach. Then, with their guests and families on site, Amanda disappeared.

In present-day New York City, Laurie Moran realizes a missing bride is the perfect cold case for her investigative television series, Under Suspicion. She and her team set out to recreate the night of the disappearance at the Florida resort with Amanda’s friends and family in attendance, hoping to shed new light on the mystery as the series has done in past episodes. With a jealous sister, playboy groomsmen, Amanda’s former fiancé now married to a bridesmaid, and rumours about the “beloved” bride herself, Laurie and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley quickly realise everyone has a theory about why Amanda vanished into thin air.

My thoughts

I read this book in one fairly short sitting. It’s an easy read and one that’s hard to put down. There’s probably a bit less romance than in the first book in the series and I wonder if we’re about to see a shift on that front as the Laurie / Alex thing seems to be going nowhere. (No doubt we’ll have to wait until book 3 to find out.) If Mary and Alastair want my opinion…. (and why wouldn’t they?!) they’d split the pair into separate series cos while they’re great characters individually…. they just don’t seem to be working as a couple and are just kinda boring together.

Anyhoo… as a result this romantic suspense novel is very much weighted into the latter category. Again, it’s a cold case so we only get to meet the victim through the eyes of her family and friends and—interestingly—they all have very different things to say about Amanda.

It’s unsurprising therefore, they have different ideas as to her fate. Some assume she met a grisly end, while others assume she disappeared of her own accord, eager to escape the life she was living. Interviews (for the show) with all of the players gives us a chance to unpick their stories and allow us to attempt a guess at what fate might have befallen the ‘runaway bride’ (as she was named at the time).

Naturally there are lots of red herrings to keep readers on our toes, although I wasn’t particularly surprised by the big reveal near the end.

All Dressed in White is a solid suspense novel. It’s well paced and (like I said), a quick and easy read—perfect for upcoming holidays by the pool or fireplace.

All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is published in Australia by Simon & Schuster and available from 17 November 2015.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.