How to Read the Under Suspicion Series
The Under Suspicion series follows Laurie Moran, a talented television producer whose own life was shattered by the murder of her husband, Greg. In an effort to find justice and save her career, Laurie develops a true-crime television show called Under Suspicion, which recreates unsolved mysteries and cold cases, hoping to draw out new evidence or the killers themselves. Because the characters' personal lives, relationships, and the television show's production history evolve significantly from one book to the next, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order, which also serves as the chronological storyline.
Under Suspicion Books in Chronological and Publication Order
Each novel in the series tackles a specific, high-profile cold case while advancing the ongoing story of Laurie, her family, and her colleagues. Below is the complete listing of the books in the order they should be read:
I've Got You Under My Skin (2014)
This is the book that introduces readers to Laurie Moran. Years after witnessing her husband's tragic murder, Laurie is still haunted by the blue-eyed killer who threatened her young son, Timmy. As a television producer, she launches the pilot episode of Under Suspicion, focusing on the unsolved murder of a wealthy socialite. This first entry was written solely by Mary Higgins Clark and establishes the foundation for the entire series.
The Cinderella Murder (2014)
Marking the official beginning of the co-authored partnership between Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, this installment takes the show to Hollywood. Laurie's team investigates the death of Susan Dempsey, a talented UCLA student who was found murdered in a glamorous estate with only one shoe. The investigation digs into the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry and puts the show on the map.
All Dressed in White (2015)
In this chilling mystery, Laurie Moran sets her sights on the five-year-old cold case of Amanda Pierce, a beautiful bride who vanished from a luxury hotel just days before her wedding. As the show films on location at the Palm Beach resort where Amanda disappeared, Laurie and her crew uncover the secrets of the wedding party, revealing that the bride's perfect life was anything but.
The Sleeping Beauty Killer (2016)
Casey Carter was convicted of murdering her wealthy fiancé, a crime she has always denied. After serving her time in prison, Casey is released into a world that still believes she is guilty. She turns to Laurie Moran and the Under Suspicion team to clear her name. Laurie must decide if Casey is a victim of a miscarriage of justice or a cold-blooded killer looking for one final cover-up.
Every Breath You Take (2017)
This installment tackles the tragic death of Virginia Wakeling, a wealthy donor who was pushed from the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the glitzy Met Gala. The primary suspect has always been her much younger boyfriend, but the case went cold. As Laurie and host Alex Buckley dig deeper into the high-society circles of New York, they discover that everyone in Virginia's orbit had a motive to silence her.
You Don't Own Me (2018)
Laurie is preparing to marry her longtime love and former co-host, Alex Buckley, when she is drawn into a new investigation. Dr. Martin Bell was a popular physician who was mysteriously shot in his own driveway. The primary suspect is his wife, but the case is complicated by hidden clinical trials and pharmaceutical corporate greed. Laurie must balance her wedding preparations with a dangerous investigation that hits close to home.
Piece of My Heart (2020)
This novel served as the final direct collaboration completed before Mary Higgins Clark's passing. Laurie Moran is finally enjoying her honeymoon with Alex Buckley when she receives an urgent call about a new cold case. Decades earlier, a young girl named Charlotte went missing from a playground, and her mother was convicted of the crime. Laurie returns to investigate the family dynamics and uncover the truth behind a tragedy that has lingered for years.
It Had to Be You (2024)
Published posthumously and written by Alafair Burke, this eighth installment continues Laurie Moran's journey. Laurie investigates the double murder of a wealthy couple on the night of their twin sons' college graduation. The twins, now estranged, blame each other for the tragedy. As the Under Suspicion team works to reconstruct the night of the crime, they find themselves targets of a killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.
The Collaborative Authorship of Clark and Burke
The Under Suspicion series is celebrated for its unique creative origin. Mary Higgins Clark, the widely acknowledged 'Queen of Suspense,' wrote the first book, I've Got You Under My Skin, on her own. Looking to expand the concept into a recurring series, Clark teamed up with Alafair Burke, a bestselling crime novelist and former deputy district attorney. Burke brought a modern, character-driven sensibility and legal realism that paired perfectly with Clark's classic, fast-paced plotting style.
Following Mary Higgins Clark's death in January 2020, fans wondered if the series would continue. Alafair Burke, who shared a deep creative shorthand with Clark, chose to continue shepherding Laurie Moran's stories. While Piece of My Heart (2020) was the last book they mapped out together, the 2024 novel It Had to Be You represents Burke's solo continuation of their joint legacy, keeping the beloved characters alive for readers worldwide.
Standalone Mysteries vs. Series Continuity
Each book in the Under Suspicion series features a self-contained, satisfying resolution to a specific cold-case mystery. Readers can technically pick up any book in the series and enjoy the central puzzle. However, the overarching personal lives of the characters make chronological reading highly recommended. Laurie Moran's relationship with her father Leo, her son Timmy's growth, and her slow-burn romance with television host Alex Buckley are key pillars of the series. Reading the books out of order will spoil these long-term emotional arcs and the changes within the Under Suspicion production crew.