Find Me: A Novel

Written by Alafair Burke

Narrated by Kathleen Early

“Alafair Burke's latest propulsive thrill-ride is a suspenseful, twisty mystery about memory, friendship and secrets. A page-turner of the highest order.” -Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me

The disappearance of a young woman leaves her best friend reeling and an NYPD homicide detective digging into her own past in this twisty mystery about the power of female friendships. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Better Sister and The Wife.

Some pasts won’t stay forgotten . . .

She calls herself Hope Miller, but she has no idea who she actually is. Fifteen years ago, she was found in a small New Jersey town thrown from an overturned vehicle, with no clue to her identity. Doctors assumed her amnesia was a temporary side effect of her injuries, but she never regained her memory. Hope eventually started a new life with a new name in a new town that welcomed her, yet always wondered what she may have left behind—or been running from. Now, she’s leaving New Jersey to start over once again.

Manhattan defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly, Hope’s best friend and the one who found her after the accident, understands why Hope wants a new beginning. But she worries how her friend will fare in her new East Hampton home, far away from everything familiar. Lindsay’s worst fears are confirmed when she discovers Hope has vanished without a trace—the only lead a drop of blood found where she was last seen. Even more ominously, the blood matches a DNA sample with a connection to a notorious Kansas murderer.

With nowhere else to turn, Lindsay calls NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher, the daughter of the cop who dedicated his life to hunting the Kansas killer. Ellie has always believed there was more to the story of her father’s death twenty years earlier—and she now fears that Hope’s recent disappearance could be related.

In pursuit of answers, the women search for the truth beneath long-buried secrets. And when their searches converge, what they find will upend everything they’ve ever known. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jan 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9780062985019

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent novels include The Wife and The Ex, which was nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel. She also co-authors the bestselling Under Suspicion series with Mary Higgins Clark. A former prosecutor, she now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan and East Hampton.

Reviews for Find Me

[Karen Bergt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great book in the Ellie Hatcher series!! I’m really like reading Alafair Burke books

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Solid 3-3.5 stars

Crime junkie fans…this book is for you!

A highly plot driven twisted crime thriller that you will need to become the detective to solve the crime.

The main character has had amnesia for 15 years…or has she been faking the memory loss this entire time? Given that alone, you know this one is full of unsuspecting twists and turns.

The book did have a crew of characters involved and In my opinion, it didn’t leave much time to richly develop each character.

[Gita Gass · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

DNF I couldn't for the life of me connect with the story. My mind kept wandering off. I've managed to listen to about one third of the book, then gave up. Too many characters - it's impossible to keep track.

[Kathryn Mathias · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best book in the Ellie Hatcher series so far (I haven't read/listen to the next one yet but have read all the ones before and including this one). WARNING: this is NOT a stand-alone like the others. There's an important development that would spoil the earlier ones. This story had many strands interwoven and went back to earlier times which impacted the current mysteries. I'm not sure I like the new main characters in this book, but they are believable and perhaps this is partly due to the fact Alafair Burke includes their flawed personalities. There isn't anything detailed I can write here without becoming spoilers so I'll end with highly recommending reading/listening to this series but make sure to read the previous ones before this one.

[Marty Humphreys · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another page turner from Alafair. Engaging characters with a final surprise twist in the end.

[Jill · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book never really “hooked” me. It was OK and I wanted to finish it, but was glad when it was over so I could move on.

[Charlotte Bellis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book, kept my attention all the way to the end. Would love to see this made into a movie! Definitely recommend reading this.

[nick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was wondering but wasnt sure. So many twist and connections. Fantastic ending.

[Kim Marsh · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm going to finish it because I'm too far into it to quit. I just keep thinking it will get better. I liked her other books, but I swear someone else must have written this one. The writing is just not the same. There are so many characters, it's hard to keep them straight. I wouldn't recommend it. If it gets better, I'll change my review.

[atticusfinch1048 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Girl She Was – A brilliant standalone thrillerThe Girl She Was is a brilliant standalone thriller that gives you a ride of emotions and questions. This story also has an appearance by Ellie Hatcher, who also is aiming to discover all she can about the death of her father from suicide years before.Fourteen years before a young woman is found in an overturned car and has no idea who she really is and has lived as Hope Miller since. She has shared her life with her best friend Lindsay Kelly, who has taken care of her and protected her from a dangerous world. After fifteen years Hope finally wants to break out on her own and moves to East Hampton to become a realtor.When Hope goes missing, Kelly calls in the local police who tend not to have too much interest in a missing person case. But to satisfy Kelly the detective does some forensic work. A blood DNA match to an old case in Wichita, Kansas sounds some alarm bells. Things do not help Hope when a dead body appears and seems to be connected with Hope.Kelly contacts Ellie Hatcher as her father was involved in the cast in Wichita and wants to talk it through. Kelly is trying to be protective of her friend, but the circumstantial evidence does not look good. Kelly is determined to do everything she can to protect Hope. Kelly uncovers a past of trauma, abuse, and murder. Will it mean Hope finally finds out who she is?Alafair Burke has written a brilliant standalone thriller which draws the reader in with excellent characterisation. Burke certainly knows how to draw her reader in and keep them reading.

[edgoldberg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has been 15 years since Hopewell, New Jersey attorney Lindsay Kelly found Hope Miller lying in the road next to an overturned vehicle with an Indiana license plate that had been reported stolen three days earlier. Hope had no ID and no memory of how she got there. As a matter of fact, she remembered nothing about her past, including her name. Doctors said Hope’s amnesia would most likely be caused by the accident and also would mostly likely return. However, in the intervening 15 years, Hope’s memory didn’t return.She adopted the name Hope Miller, stayed in Hopewell where the residents adopted her and looked out for her and became best friends with Lindsay. But, after 15 years, Hope felt it was time to strike out on her own. So she and Lindsay made a trip to East Hampton, NY to check it out and Hope fell in love with it. She rented a small cottage and decided to make it her home. She got a job staging houses for a local realtor, paid under the table since she has no birth certificate, drivers license or social security card. Lindsay stayed in New Jersey and hoped that Hope would have no problems being on her own in a strange place.Lindsay’s peace was short-lived, however. When she and Hope hadn’t spoken in several days and Hope didn’t answer her phone, Lindsay got worried. She made another trip to the Hamptons to check on Hope. Hope was not in her cottage, which looked normal, everything in its place, at least from the outside. She contacted the local police, Carter Decker, who didn’t buy the story of a missing amnesiac. The only clue to Hope’s disappearance was blood on the floor of the last house she was staging. Blood analysis tied it to a blood sample found in a house in Wichita, KS where the serial killer known as the College Hill Strangler murdered a young woman 15 years earlier. How could a blood sample in New York be tied to Kansas? When the body of the owner of that blood sample, Alex Lopez, turns up face down in the local marina, Hope becomes a murder suspect.Decker is beginning to think Hope had something to do with the Strangler and possibly the murder of a prominent Kansas businessman, Richard Mullaney, and thinks Hope isn’t in danger, it’s that she on the run.Lindsay, trying to both find her friend and protect her, enlists the aid of NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher, whose father was on the Wichita police force, investigated the College Hill Strangler and died under unusual circumstances. Although ruled a suicide, Ellie never believed her father would take his own life. The question is whether Lindsay and Ellie can absolve Hope of any criminal activities. Burke expertly weaves three distinct stories into one readable novel. There is, of course, Hope’s amnesia, her past and her disappearance. Then there is the recent murder of Alex Lopez, and the unsolved murder of Richard Mullaney. Although Ellie Hatcher plays a role in Find Me, it is not a big one and readers need not have read earlier books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this book. Burke’s characters are real and likeable. The action is not far-fetched. The police procedural aspect is more attorney procedural as Lindsay Kelly does most of the leg work. There is little to no violence. As I said earlier, James Lee Burke is from the hardboiled mystery genre and Alafair Burke, if this is indicative of her work, is almost a cozy mystery…almost but not quite. If you’re looking for a fast read to get you through the weekend or something lighter for your commute, I’d suggest Find Me. Alafair Burke would be good for fans of Lisa Gardner (one of my favorites, as you probably know), Karin Slaughter and Lisa Scottoline.

[nyiper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lots of characters to keep straight. The story was good but I did wind up with some questions at the end....but they would be spoilers. Yes, definitely readable and of course in good mystery fashion you need to find out what happened...especially with a title like that.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm always happy to get Alafair Burke's books! Read it straight through and enjoyed every word!

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I simultaneously listened and read this book so that I could fully immerse myself into the writing of Alafair Burke. I always enjoy her books, and this was no exception. Hope and Lindsay are best friends, beginning with the time that Lindsay found Hope on the side of the road, thrown from her vehicle. that was 15 years ago, and Hope has never regained her memory of her life before the accident. Hope tells Lindsay that she needs to have some space, so she moves to the Hamptons for the summer, and goes missing. Lindsay is frantic, and pushes the local authorities to search for Hope. However, when the cops begin looking into Hope's disappearance, things don't seem to add up. When someone turns up dead, they start looking for Hope as a suspect. NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher also has a connection to this case, and it is surprising. The story is very well woven together, and the last chapter will reveal a major secret.I can't wait for the next Alifair Burke novel! I received a copy from #HarperCollins #GoodreadsGiveaways, all opinions are my own and freely given.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Lindsey comes upon a single car accident and calls medics to the scene, she has no idea that the girl who has amnesia will become her best friend. Choosing the name Hope Miller, the girl finally decides to become independent and move from the small town where she and Lindsey grew up. Choosing to live in south Long Island, Hope uncovers far more about her history and why she fled Wichita Kansas. The sordid past also involves a NYPD detective and her brother. The cop and Lindsey work together to pull the missing pieces together and prove who really killed the man Hope is accused of murdering. Once started, this book will be hard to put down until you have solved the mystery along with Hope, Lindsey, and Ellie.

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm always excited to see that Alafair Burke has a new book coming out. But, I try not to read the synopsis beforehand. I know I'm going to enjoy whatever she's written - and I like a surprise. Well, that latest - Find Me - releases today. And it was as good as I knew it would be!I've read all of Burke's novels and was thrilled to see that Ellie Hatcher was in Find Me. I've always hoped Burke would continue her story. But you don't have to have read the Hatcher books, as this latest can absolutely be read as a standalone. Fifteen years ago, Lindsay Kelly rescued a woman from a car crash. She survived, but has no memories of her life before she was found. She goes by the name of Hope. Lindsay is her best friend and is now a lawyer. Hope decides it's time to move out of the small town she's called home for the last fifteen years. Lindsay supports her, but is more than a little worried when she doesn't hear from Hope. And rightly so.....Where does Ellie fit in you ask? Ahh.....those who will have read the Hatcher books will know about the case that led to her father's death. (And it won't detract from this book if you haven't!) How in the world could these two incidents be connected? Hampered by a cop who can't be bothered to do his job right, Lindsay and Ellie start to work the case themselves. Burke weaves seemingly unrelated incidents, occurrences and overlooked clues on the way to resolution. I couldn't predict what that resolution might be and happily joined the search for answers. The reader only knows what the two women do, so we can only hypothesize as the links to then and now start to start to coalesce. And I loved that kick at the end!Burke has given us some strong lead characters in Ellie (my fave) and Lindsay. Hope is a wild card and I had my reservations about her past....and her memory. There are a number of supporting players and at times I had to stop and think who was who.Burke is a former Deputy District Attorney and is now a Professor of Law teaching criminal law and procedure. The plots of Burke's books are enhanced by the author's background and legal knowledge.Another great read for me.