Cover Image: What Have We Done

What Have We Done

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This fast paced guess it & figure was right what I needed. Perfect for some bedtime reading or book to take on vacay.

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I'm a huge fan of Night Shift by Alex Finlay so maybe it is my fault that I expected more of the same from this author. What Have We Done is much more of an action/adventure novel and I'm looking for more quiet mystery/thriller. I'm not into guns/espionage so this one turned my off a bit. Either way, I’m still interested to see what he writes next but this wasn't for me.

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What I love about Alex Finaly books : They are Fast paced with short chapters. The 3 POVS also made this one interesting and that the all share a dark past, but they as individuals are vastly different.

Enjoyed the premise, but felt like it lacked the punch I normally enjoy from this authors books. It felt too movie like and that it was over the top, but not enough depth for me. Also felt like I was missing Special Agent Sarah Keller from the other authors last 2 books. This one just missed the mark for me sadly.

Thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alex Finlay did it again! I loved this twisty, fast-paced, action-packed mystery/thriller.

Twenty-five years ago, a group of foster kids including Jenna, Donnie, Nico, and others, were very close. They leaned on each other for support while living at Savior House, where they were neglected and even abused. They would've done anything for each other, and they did in fact do something unspeakable, shortly before they were split-up. Over the years, they've kept the secret of what they'd done while going on to live separate lives, each with their own baggage. At the beginning of this novel, it seems that their past is coming back to haunt them when they realize someone is out to kill them. The former friends reunite in order to figure out who is after them and try to survive.

I thought there was a lot to love about What Have We Done. I loved the multiple POVs. I felt like Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were distinct characters and despite being very flawed, it was easy to root for them. The alternating POVs also created a lot of suspense, with short chapters that ended on cliff-hangers which had me flying through the book. I also thought the unraveling of the mystery was expertly paced. We were constantly uncovering small pieces of what was happening and there were so many twists.

Overall, I had so much fun reading this book. If you like multiple POVs, short chapters, lots of twists, and action, I highly recommend that you pick this one up!

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Thank you so much @Minotaur_Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 07 March 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Twenty-five years ago five teens attended Savior House (a state home for teenagers) and forged a necessary friendship to help them survive the abuse & bullying that regularly occurred there, however the secret they've been keeping has been exposed and somebody is after them.

WHAT I LIKED:
- Jenna's POV (I do love a good domestic assassin trope)

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- this felt more like a Hollywood action movie than a mystery
- whilst there was fast-paced action I still found myself frequently bored. I think this was a case of too much action and not enough plot or character development.
- the alternating timelines & POVs felt clumsy and often pulled me out of the story
- I didn't find myself invested in any of the main characters

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This book i was very excited for and it did not disappoint! definitely gave Stephen King's It vibes. I really liked the plot and characters, but I thought the character development could have been a little better. This story was well paced and kept me hooked the whole time, and didn't feel like it was slow. Overall good story and had a good ending, I would highly recommend.

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Nicco, Jenna Ben, and Donnie meet as youngsters at a group home. They have a secret they’ve been hiding for years. Now as adults they are suddenly all being targeted. Who is out to get them and why?

The story was interesting but a little convoluted and I found it hard to keep track of all the characters in this one. It was entertaining enough and I look forward to trying more books by Finlay.

Check trigger warnings on this one if you are so inclined.

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After reading The Night Shift back in 2022, I knew I wanted to read another Alex Finlay book eventually! This one was definitely different than TNS, but I still enjoyed reading it!

For me, the beginning was a bit hard to keep up with because there were so many POV’s and so many vastly different story lines with tons of information. Once I got further into the story though, it all started coming together.

Parts of the end were a tad bit predictable, but still entertaining.

3/5⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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This book was interesting. I was invested and wanted to find out what happened, but there was a lot of jumping around. Between the three (four) different narrators and the jumping from the past to the present and each narrator's separate story, there was a lot to keep track of. It was easy to follow, but by the end, I still don't think I quite understood the whole motivation of everything.

You also have to read this with a large suspension of disbelief. There is a ton in this book that seems very out there. It makes for a fast-paced story, but also one that makes you truly doubt reality. Overall, it was good in that I wanted to keep reading, but jumbled and rushed at the end.

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Have enjoyed other works by this author, but this one didn’t really work for me. An interesting story but not gripping.

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Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Alex Finlay for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"What Have We Done" is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that delves into the lives of three childhood friends who are brought back together by a series of chilling events. Jenna, Donnie, and Nico share a dark past marked by abuse and neglect at Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. When the home is shut down and the three friends are separated, they try to move on with their lives, but the trauma of their past continues to haunt them.

Alex Finlay masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological depth. The characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with their own demons and struggles as they navigate the dangerous territory of their shared past.

"What Have We Done" is not just a pulse-pounding thriller; it is also a poignant coming-of-age story that explores themes of trauma, friendship, and redemption. Finlay's writing is both evocative and gripping, drawing readers into a world where the past and present collide with devastating consequences.

Overall, "What Have We Done" is a riveting read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Alex Finlay proves to be a formidable voice in the thriller genre, delivering a story that is as heart-wrenching as it is suspenseful. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrilling and immersive storytelling.

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W hile I did not dislike Alex Finlay's What Have We Done, I wasn’t quite bowled over by it. But I am eager to read more from Alex Finlay in the future. I really hope he gives us another book featuring FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller (from The Night Shift and Every Last Fear).

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I SO wanted to love this one! Every Last Fear is one of my favorite thrillers EVER but this one was very much a miss for me. I loved the premise but it lacked the punch I needed for it be an edge of my seat, omg wow read.
It had too much action and not enough suspense!

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This is another great read by Alex Finlay. In What Have I Done, three friends who grew up in a home for parentless teens. The home ends up being a house of horrors for those living there and eventually closes down. Years later, an assassin is trying to kill the girls so back to Servant House they go. At times the story seemed a bit far fetched, but overall I enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing until the end. Although this is not a favorite book of mine from this author, it is worth reading if you enjoy his books.The characters were likable and the plot kept me guessing!

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I had a hard time with this book. It's my own fault of course, because I just requested the book without even reading the synopsis. Had I read that I wouldn't have requested it. This isn't really my type of book, I like murder-y books but I don't enjoy reading action.

This one didn't work for me, but I thought it would have been a great movie.

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WHAT HAVE WE DONE is a bingeable read. This play on the past coming into the future is done in a way that is entertaining as well as well-crafted. Finaly continues to deliver thrillers with all the right twists, turns, and reveals.

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THIS. WAS. WILD. Right out of the gate we have a sniper and a chase and wow, this one was a roller coaster I could not put down! Highly recommend this one!

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I like this author, so I enjoyed this one. But it was not as good as Every Last Fear. I found the characters to be interesting enough to stay engaged but I am sometimes angered by the fact that there’s something obvious being withheld from the reader. Either way, I liked this one and I’m not upset I read it. I’d definitely continue reading more from this author.

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A stay-at-home mom with a past.
A has-been rock star with a habit.
A reality TV producer with a debt.
Three disparate lives.
One deadly secret.

The premise is interesting, but you'll have to suspend disbelief to enjoy this one from Finlay. I really enjoyed The Night Shift but this one fell short for me. Little character development and multiple POVs with too many characters to keep straight. Crazy assassins, unbelievable events & OTT violence and action.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

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The past Finlay books have centered around families in crisis. This did as well, although a different type of family. It was dark and twisty, but I found myself only liking the stories of certain characters. Not all were likable or believable. That being said, Alex Finlay knows how to write an engaging story!

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