The Cinderella Murder

I usually really enjoy this author and I've read a few other books in this series that I've liked. I had a hard time putting this one down and was very interested to see how things were going to play out. I really like how these books are written with multiple points of view and short chapters.
The reason I gave this one a low rating though is that there was a very disturbing scene that I didn't think was necessary. I thought the author had already given enough of a hint as to what was going on that they didn't need to say that she walked in on the man in bed with a young girl This really did ruin the book for me and even though it was nothing more graphic than that I thought there was other ways the author could have conveyed it.
I show more don't recall there being any language in the book. show less

This was a very exciting introduction to a series that was new to me.
Laurie Moran and her team are preparing a reality show. It's about an unsolved old case where a young student was found dead in a park years ago. During the investigation, one witness after the other was murdered. Laurie discovered that everyone involved was in danger. She also found that it was all about money, power, envy and child pornography.
It was an exciting listening and kept me captivated until the end. I will read the rest of the books too.

The Cinderella Murders is a 2014 Simon and Schuster publication.

I have been super excited about finally getting to read this book because I am such a big fan of both authors- Alafair Burke and Mary Higgins Clark. With these two at the helm, I knew this would be a great mystery and so it was.

Television producer, Laurie Moran, desperately needs a hit. With her career on the line, she pitches “The Cinderella Murder” to showcase on her new reality TV show “ Under Suspicion”. Once she begins looking up all the 'usual suspects', she soon discovers someone wants to shut down the renewed interest in the case and Laurie herself could be the next victim.

Years ago, a talented young UCLA student was murdered on her way to an audition. The show more case was never solved, but a cloud of suspicion still hangs over the director she was on her way to meet. But, it seems many others have been harboring secrets in regards to this case and now the truth is beginning to seep out little by little, casting doubts over all those involved. Was it a jealous roommate? Someone involved in a cult like church on campus? Susan's boyfriend? The director?

This is a classic whodunit, cleverly plotted, with precision timing and pacing. I love cold case stories that blend the past with the present, as long buried and dark secrets come bubbling to the surface and of course after all this time has passed, the murderer is finally brought to justice.

Because I read so much, and am usually called upon to scrutinize a book with a critical eye, I have become jaded over the years. However, I chose this book as a pleasure read, and only had a few very minor complaints, which I can't expound on without hinting at the outcome, but, I must say I found this mystery very entertaining. It kept me guessing, had likeable and realistic characters in the lead, and just a tiny bit of romance to cap it all off.

There is very little detailed violence, the language is mild and while there are adult situations, there is no explicit sex. This is just an all around solid mystery that everyone can enjoy. show less

Brain candy. Exactly what I needed. I hate reading series out of order, but in this case it ended up OK since these function as standalones in some respect. As a reader of Alafair Burke's series, I loved seeing JJ Rogan pop up and found myself looking for Harry Bosch since they were in LA. I love inclusion of Leo & Timmy, although I think Timmy is written much younger than his 9 years. Daily naps?


The plot itself was kind of crazy. I didn't suspect Hathaway, but nor did it surprise me. The whole Steve Roman/Lydia piece though seemed completely unnecessary. In reading these out of order I have more context on Alex/Laurie and while I don't like that much, I'm happy that at least it doesn't distract completely from the main cases.

Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under suspicion, is a success. Now Laurie has the ideal case to feature in the next episode of Under suspicion: a cold case about the Cinderella murder. When Susan Dempsey, a beautiful and multi-talented UCLA student, was found dead, her murder raised many questions.

There were a lot of characters that were suspicious but the story kept them clear so it wasn’t hard to follow. There wasn’t a lot of suspense but the story kept my interest and the main characters were likable. This was a light and easy read.

A quick, enjoyable read. I didn't figure out who "who done it" until the last 1/3 or so. As usual, there were some holes - like why didn't they figure some of that out 20 years ago? But then there wouldn't be a story, would there?

The Cinderella Murder was much improved from the first Under Suspicion novel. Mary Higgins Clark hit the nail on the head with this one. I found the characters very endearing and challenging at the same time. This book kept me guessing until the end, and the suspense was fulfilling. I will definitely read the next book in the series.