If You Were Here

by Alafair Burke

Overview

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…

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062208361
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/13/2014
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	188,962
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Alafair Burke is the bestselling author of ten novels, including the thriller Long Gone and the Ellie Hatcher series: 212, Angel's Tip, Dead Connection, Never Tell, and All Day and a Night. A former prosecutor, she now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.

Editorial Reviews

One of the more-talented crime writers working today.

Pittsburgh Tribune

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

Captivating…. Burke excels in writing compelling character-driven stories mixed with baffling mysteries.

Associated Press

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

Fast-paced nail-biter.

National Examiner

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

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

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

BookPage

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

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

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

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

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

Captivating…. Burke excels in writing compelling character-driven stories mixed with baffling mysteries.

Associated Press Staff

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)

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)

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“One of the more-talented crime writers working today.” — Pittsburgh Tribune

“Fast-paced nail-biter.” — National Examiner

“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

“Nicely crafted, plenty of suspense to go around, a couple of unanticipated twists - what’s not to like?” — BookPage

“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

From the Publisher