It is time to celebrate our First Book of the Year tradition, hosted by Sheila, at Book Journey.
I have participated since 2014, and have a page here dedicated to all of my First Books.
My pick for 2019 continues the series I started featuring in 2015, the Under Suspicion Novels, by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke: You Don’t Own Me.
Here I am, holding my Kindle copy:
Synopsis: When we last saw Laurie Moran, she had recently become engaged to her show’s former host, Alex Buckley. Since then, the two have been happily planning a summer wedding and honeymoon, preparing for Alex’s confirmation to a federal judicial appointment, and searching for the perfect New York City home for their new life together.
But then Laurie is approached by Robert and Cynthia Bell, parents of Dr. Martin Bell, a famously charming and talented physician who was shot dead as he pulled into the driveway of his Greenwich Village carriage house five years ago. The Bells are sure that Martin’s disgraced and erratic wife, Kendra, carried out the murder. Determined to prove Kendra’s guilt and win custody over their grandchildren, they plead with Laurie to feature their son’s case on “Under Suspicion,” ensuring her that Kendra is willing to cooperate.
Kendra has lived under a blanket of suspicion since Martin’s death, with the tabloid media depicting her as a secretive, mentally unstable gold-digger. Laurie’s show is a chance for her to clear her name. But unbeknownst to the Bells, Kendra has already refused once before to go forward with a re-investigation of her husband’s murder, and her statements to the contrary only add to the appearance of guilt.
But once Laurie dives into the case, she learns that Martin wasn’t the picture-perfect husband, father, and doctor he appeared to be and was carrying secrets of his own. And what does the web of lies ensnaring the Bell family have to do with a dangerous stranger, who gazes at Laurie from afar and thinks, She is actually quite a lovely girl, I’m sure she’s going to be missed…?
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I’ll be reading this book within the next two days, and will be back here to post my review. I’d love to hear more about your first books.
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A great choice, Laurel.
And…what a marvelous, beautiful photo!!
Happy New Year…thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Elizabeth, I have loved picking each new one from this series for my First Books. And, of course, I had to get my purple streak for the photo op…LOL.
Enjoy your First Book…and your New Year!
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Great choice! I always love this author. Happy New Year!
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Thanks, Yvonne, when I discovered that MHC & her co-author brought out a new book each year in this series, just in time for the First Book event, the decision was easy. Her books are always fast-paced, too.
Happy New Year to you, too!
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Nice to pick a series you love and it sounds like a really good crime/mystery to entertain you. Happy New Year.
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Thanks, Kathryn, I love a familiar series for First Book, and this one is fun and a quick read.
Happy New Year! I just watched the ball drop!
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Oh, how nice you look in the pics! And if I remember correctly, you pick a MH Clark book to read as your first book each year. What a nice tradition! I’ve read most of her books, all her early ones, but didn’t read the last few. She always pleases with her stories!
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Thanks, Rita, from 2015 on I’ve picked a new book from MHC’s Under Suspicion series. It does feel like a lovely tradition. Enjoy your pick!
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This one sounds like the perfect read for you. I love your new hairdo with the purple highlights!
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Thanks, Laura, I started reading it just after midnight…and I anticipate finishing it today. I do love my purple streak, too. LOL.
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I haven’t read this series but this book sounds like a good one.
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Thanks for stopping by, Vicki; I read the first one in the series in 2015 and have enjoyed picking up each subsequent book for these annual events. Enjoy your pick.
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Love it that you have had a theme for your First Books! I recently reconnected with MHC’s books and look forward to reading more. Love the purple in your hair. Happy New Year.
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Thanks, Nise, I am loving this latest book already. Enjoy yours!
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Happy New Year! I hope you love your first book!
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Thanks, Pat, I am already immersed in it. Enjoy yours! Happy New Year!
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Choosing the next installment of a favorite series is such a good way to start the year. Enjoy!!
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I agree, JoAnn, it feels like revisiting old friends.
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I have never read anything by Mary Higgins Clark. I keep saying that will change, but it hasn’t yet. This book sounds so fascinating. Maybe it’s time.
Happy new year! Here’s to a ton of great reading. Thanks for visiting my blog.
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Thanks for visiting, Cheryl, I like revisiting familiar characters, and the books are fast paced, perfect for starting a New Year.
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I really like your idea of picking the same author more than once. Enjoy your selection, and happy new year!
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Thanks for visiting, Catherine, I have loved following this series each year. Enjoy your First Book.
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MHC is reliable mystery reading. I like how you have stuck with the theme. Happy Reading!
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Thanks, Martha, I like turning to reliable authors for my first books. I already finished it! Check out my review here.
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I didn’t realize MHC co wrote it with AB. Happy New Year, Laurel!
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Thanks, Mary; they are a great writing duo.
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I haven’t read a Mary Higgins Clark in ages. I love a good mystery, my favorite genre.
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Thanks for visiting, Tina, I hadn’t read a lot of her recent books until I stumbled upon this Under Suspicion series that captivated me. And it worked out well for my First Book events.
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First Book of the Year is always fun. You seem to have made an enticing choice. For whatever reason, my first book was James Baldwin’s short novel If Beale Street Could Talk which I thought was powerful. I hope to see the movie of it sometime soon. Cheers & Happy 2019!
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Thanks for stopping by, Susan, and I have loved featuring new books in a mystery series by these authors. The books are fast-paced and quick reading, which works great for me on a New Year’s Day. Enjoy 2019!
Your pick looks tempting, and I’ve been seeing previews of the movie.
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