Fast paced, several good twists that I didn't see coming. The first half of the book is better, and I really did not like one part of the ending/epilogue, but overall a great read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

How have readers still not discovered Alex Finlay?? Every one of his books has me singing his praises even more! If Something Happens to Me is my favorite of his yet!!! The characters, the setting & the pace should help cement this novel's place on everyone's Summer Reads list this year!! Can't wait to meet Finlay on his book tour for this to learn more about his craft! Excellent selection for 99% of your readers this summer!

Description
For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.

With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.

Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…

Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.

As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.

In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told by several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The novel cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

It’s been five years since Ryan’s girlfriend was abducted and everyone has thought that he murdered her. But when a vehicle is found in a lake near their hometown, questions arise about what actually happened that night. Poppy is ex-military and has recently started working for the law department in town. She soon finds herself being drawn into the mystery of that night as well, and with every new answer, more questions arise.

This book is fast paced with short chapters and multiple POVs, making it difficult to put down. The characters were also well written and easy to root for, even as some of their secrets were being revealed. I really liked Poppy as a protagonist and appreciated her portrayal. I did want a bit more development from her and all the characters though – they were decent overall, but a bit more depth would have really elevated this for me.

I really wasn’t expecting this book to take the direction it did. I didn’t necessarily prefer the direction it took and it felt a little cheesy, like in a blockbuster <spoiler>mafia</spoiler> film sort of way. However, if you enjoy that genre, you’ll probably love this one. I still did quite like this read, I just didn’t love it.

If you enjoy slow burn thrillers with multiple POVs that slowly come together in a fascinating way, then you’ll probably love this one. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My goodness. First time reading this Author and will not be the last. Run....don't walk....to get this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital copy in exchange for a review.

This book had me on a ride. I loved how a few different stories converged throughout the book. At first I was confused how these vastly different story lines would connect, but it all came together in the end. I was a little disappointed with, what felt like, an abrupt ending. There was a lot of build up for it to be over so fast. Over all I did enjoy the story and will read more from this author

Alex Finlay did it again!! This was my second Alex Finlay book and I was so invested in Ali and Ryan’s story. The way Alex builds a plot and develops characters really captivates me. It’s almost difficult for to describe what it’s like reading his books.

The multiple POVs added to the fast paced story and built up to every twist you come across.

I was able to read along the eARC while listening to the audiobook and both were easy to follow and switch back and forth from. The multiple narrators did a fantastic job making the story come to life.

Thanks so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur books for the eARC!

Five years after his girlfriend disappeared, Ryan gets a phone call about a discovery on the case. Then, after spotting the distinct-looking man he remembers from the night of the crime, Ryan sets off to try and find out what really happened that night.

While I admit this author has been a bit hit and miss for me, I really liked this one. It reminded me of the style of his first book with the spy-ish type action, which I don't normally love, but the plot and storyline were so good that I didn't care. The action was non-stop and I was surprised several times when I realized what was going on. The characters were all likeable and I enjoyed the multiple perspectives. The Night Shift is still my favorite by him, but this one is a close second!

I was hooked in the first part of the book but I just didn’t enjoy the 2nd part as much. I did like how it all came together at the end.

My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. Mobsters, a missing girl, a tarnished once beloved basketball star, a newbie Sheriff Deputy, and a monstrous man with missing pinky fingers. How are they all connected and what exactly happened to Allison Lane?

Told in multiple POV's and spanning approximately 5 years with multiple locations across the US and Europe, you might think it'd be hard to keep track of all that was going on. However, the author does a great job of weaving an intricate story, giving each character a voice, and making you wonder how it all connects until the pieces slowly start to slot together. Great pacing along with cliffhanger style chapters kept me turning the pages and seeking answers. While I enjoyed the crew of characters I kind of wished a few characters would have had a bit more of the limelight, especially Sheriff Deputy Poppy McGee. Overall, it was a good read with red herrings, action, and suspense! Enjoyed and will certainly read more by this author.

Half hometown crime story half international adventure, this book follows a small-town deputy as she jumps into a cold case file as new evidence comes to light as well as the story of the former suspect in the case as he studies abroad thousands of miles away from his past.

I absolutely loved this one! Right from the beginning I couldn't put it down. The multiple locations kept the book moving quickly, the characters were interesting, the backstory was good, I just really loved it. There was one twist in particular that I absolutely did not see coming and actually went back to make sure I understood it correctly. The different pieces and settings just came together so perfectly. I'm a big fan of this author and I loved Night Shift, but this one is my new favorite from him!

Ryan is on a summer trip abroad in Italy with his law school class when he sees the man who has haunted him the past five years. The man who took his then girlfriend, Ali, who has not been found since, putting Ryan in the hot seat. This encounter puts Ryan on an international hunt to find out what really happened the night Ali was taken.

Alex Finlay just knows how to write amazing thrillers. While his debut novel will always be my favorite this is a super close second. The different storylines had me guessing so hard as to how they related then, BAM! Such an exciting, can’t put down read.

This was the binge I needed after being in a slump! I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I had to know what would happen next!

There are many characters in this book but it follows closely to characters Ryan and Ali. It goes back and between characters as well as a past timeline. It was fun to try and connect the dots as you read. Ali gets kidnapped but people are to believe she is dead and it looks like her boyfriend Ryan is the killer. With not enough evidence to convict him and evidence leading Alis “ murder”to a known serial killer, Ryan moves on with his life and changes his name and location. 5 years later when the case is being looked at again secrets unravel about that night she disappeared and the ride begins!!!


It’s so good I highly recommend!

QUICK TAKE: I liked a lot about IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, but not gonna lie, I’m really struggling to remember what actually happened. The vibes were good!! It’s not quite as good as Finlay’s NIGHT SHIFT (an excellent serial killer thriller), but it’s waaaaaay better than last year’s WHAT HAVE WE DONE. Dude can’t title a book to save his life, but we’ll save that complaint for another day. If you’re looking for a quick slumpbuster, this is probably a good go-to: the book is told from the POV of 3 characters, primarily centered around a young man who escapes to Italy in the wake of being implicated in the disappearance of his girlfriend, only to be discovered and tracked by the men who tried to frame him. There are a couple VERY solid twists, and the ending comes together in a satisfying way. But yeah, this one is not super memorable.

I have enjoyed Alex Finlay’s books in the past so I was excited to read If Something Happens to Me. Wow, it did not disappoint, so many twists and turns I didn’t expect. I think that’s the best part of a good suspense/thriller is all the unexpected twists. I really enjoy when I’m reading a book and think I’ve got the story figured out and bam….plot twist. If you’re looking for a good suspense story look no further!
Ryan had a plan for his life but one painful night changed everything for himself and his girlfriend. Ryan is accused of harming his girlfriend and without a body everyone is left wondering. Years later when investigators pull Ali’s car out of the lake little clues will lead them on a chase for the truth. Ali isn’t in the car but two men are, and a message from Ali is found, and all it says is….If Something Happens to Me…Nothing would ever be the same, so many questions left unanswered, and an unsolved crime solved after years.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for the ARC!
If Something Happens to Me is a really solid and fun thriller with multiple layers, POV’s, and plot twists. The 3.5 (rounding up to 4) rating is a me-thing. I am not into police procedural / mobster stories and this one leaned pretty heavy into both of those themes making me lose some interest. I am also attempting to come out of a reading slump which probably didn’t help my rating 😅 It’s still a very fast-paced and wild ride that I think most readers will enjoy! Also, the short chapters were everything 🙌🏻

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I found Alex Finlay ‘s Every Last Fear to have too many contrivances and was ultimately disappointed in it. However this book although reliant on many conveniences and coincidences was much better and was a propulsive read and had some real suspense. There are three strands of the story, two of which have an obvious connection. As to the third strand,the reader waits until the middle of the book to find out the connection. The characters’ gullibility did bring down the ending somewhat. Overall an enjoyable read and I would read this author again

💥 Pub Date: 5/28/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

• part thriller, part police procedural
• fun twists & turns
• quick chapters

I love how the reader gets transported to different parts of the world - truly feels like escaping. Definitely a bingeable read. This is my first audio from the Macmillan Audio program and the narration was very captivating!

🗣 Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this book via both gifted eARC and audiobook! All opinions are honest and my own.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of If Something Happens to Me.

4 stars

Five years ago Ryan's girlfriend Ali went missing. Suspected of foul play and cleared, Ryan has started a new life but things take a turn on a trip to Italy the past comes back.

Home from the military, Kit is now working at the Sheriff's department. Her first week on the job she is thrust back into the disappearance of Ali when her car is found in a local lake by true crime podcasters.

This is a fast paced read that will keep you on your toes.

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for this copy of "If Something Happens to Me."

This was a thrilling page-turning book and I had to keep reading "just one more chapter" to find out what happened next.

Ryan and Alison were in her father's car right before graduation from high school when he was attacked, thrown from the car, and Alison and the car vanished.

But 5 years later, the car is found in a lake with 2 bodies in the front seats. And a note from Alison is found in the car, so is there any chance that she might still be alive somewhere?

It’s been five years since Ryan Richardson’s girlfriend, Alison, disappeared after he was knocked out while they were both sitting in her car. His only vague memory is that of the face of a man who he thinks abducted Ali. Ryan has gotten his life back together and is a law student on holiday in Italy when he encounters the very man he saw that terrible evening. Around the same time, Alison’s car is found at the bottom of a lake with two dead men in it, and her purse containing a note that simply says “If something happens to me”.

This is the background to Alex Findlay’s propulsive new thriller, If Something Happens To Me. It’s told from three different points of view, a device that I normally hate but one which the author pulled off with great skill. The novel is a slow burn and it takes a while for all the pieces to fit together, but Finlay managed to keep my interest while reading. The book is well plotted and there are surprises along the way, none of which I was really expecting.

All in all, quite the addicting read. One of the better thrillers I’ve read in a long while.

My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the novel.