🍨 It’s New Year’s Eve 1999, the world is in a state of uncertainty at the brink of Y2K, and a Blockbuster in New Jersey is the scene of a mass murder. Fifteen year later, a similar incident happens at the local ice cream shop, and again only one target makes it out alive. Both surviving victims report the killer saying “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

🍿 In the story that follows, three lives intersect: the survivor of the 1999 Blockbuster murder, forced to relive her experience; the brother of the original suspect, who is convinced the police had the wrong guy; and an FBI agent who is committed to solving both cases.

📖 This book was everything I ever wanted in a thriller:

🎥 90s nostalgia

👀 Face paced thriller with multiple POV

🌀 So many twists and turns leaving me questioning what happened

☘️ I’m only halfway through March and I can already say this may be my favorite read this month. The short chapters and quick pace kept it moving and I breezed through it in a day. Thank you to @alexfinlayauthor @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the early digital copy of The Night Shift. I absolutely loved it and had to get a physical copy to keep on my shelf.

Okay, so I know that I am one of the few people who feels this way but—I was pretty disappointed with this book!

I had high hopes for this book, and the premise sounded so promising. The beginning first quarter really had my attention, but it was all downhill after that and I felt it was pretty boring! It took me a lot longer to read then normal, and it just dragged on. I just felt that the characters were boring and lacked any sort of connection to any of them.

Also, it seemed to lack any sort of shock and whoa factor for me. I needed more twists and turns, and a lot more character development from this one. It lacked the nostalgic, creepy, slasher effect.

It was not a horrible read, but I just struggled getting into it and connecting with the characters, so it was just OKAY, but I did not love it and was hoping for so much more.

Although it did not work for me, I know so many of you loved this one! I think most people who enjoy thrillers/suspense books will enjoy this one, I just was not one of them.

Thanks to @NetyGalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read anything from this author before, but I absolutely loved their writing style. This was a great first read for the month, and the cover looks sooo good.

Loved this book!!! So many unexpected twists and turns, this book had me guessing til the very end.

The night crew of a local Blockbuster is murdered with just one survivor - then 15 years later in similar fashion, a local ice cream store crew is murdered leaving only one remaining survivor. You'll find yourself suspecting every last character, as people act differently to the deaths, the revelations, and the investigation. Everyone has something to hide...

This story is told from multiple perspectives, shifting from Ella the original Blockbuster survivor, to Sarah, the FBI agent assigned to the case, to Chris, a lawyer assigned to the ice cream case. I loved that the perspective was constantly changing to give you insights the other characters may not have known, or perspectives to understand the same story from all possible sides. I did find it difficult to keep track of who was who for quite a while, as the two murder stories had many similarities and characters.

This novel is suspenseful and exciting to uncover. I finished this novel quickly and I am looking forward to picking up another of Alex Finlay's novels. Fast paced, short chapters, you'll be turning the pages quickly!

Murder mystery and investigations. I really enjoyed the multiple point of views. I think the author did a really good job on showing each characters emotions. The ending was tied up with an eventful brawl with what I believe is justice. As the book progresses, it built suspense especially through the FBI agents narration. I knew almost from the beginning who the murderer was and why he killed the victims. It was an easy and fast read.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. It was a good one!

I was especially excited to get an ARC of this book, as I really enjoyed Finlay's Every Last Fear. The Night Shift features two small-town murders years apart, where teenagers are murdered at local businesses after hours. The survivors from both crimes find themselves linked together, as well as an FBI agent, and the brother of the original suspect. The original suspect has never been seen again since he made bail, and fear is gripping the town once again.

This is a great book full of complex characters, secrets from the past, and lots of twists and turns. I could not put it down, and finished it quickly. The ending was a complete shocker to me that worked so well.

New Years Eve 1999 at a Blockbuster video store, four teenagers working at the store are attacked, only one survives. Fast forward fifteen years later, and four teenages are working at an ice cream shop and again, only one makes it out alive.

In the aftermath of the ice cream shop attack, the lone survivors of both attacks and the brother of the original suspect intertwine. The brother is convinced his brother is innocent of the crimes.

I’m definitely an Alex Finlay fan after this book! I enjoyed the Y2K theme, the dual timelines, and the pace of this book! I didn’t feel like the book slowed down at all.

I really enjoyed this thriller! It had a lot of moving parts, one that didn’t really work for me (YouTube character) but most that were surprising and interesting! I guessed some plot points but was excited to find that there were many twists that I didn’t see coming as well. I would like to read more of the authors backlog now!

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars. A very quick-paced read for thriller lovers.

The book follows two different murder cases, one past and one present - but are they connected? There are multiple points of view and the author expertly connects all the characters in a web that keeps you on your toes.

My only negative feedback is that I guessed the guilty person pretty early on. But there were so many other twists, it doesn’t spoil the book.

First, thank you to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and the author for this review copy! Second, THANK you to Alex Finlay for writing such an AWESOME story! Holy cannoli, this is the second book I’ve read of his and it kept me on the edge of my seat!

I graduated high school in 2000 so, I feel like I had a well rounded childhood and adolescence experience. What I mean by that is things like growing up with all the cool 1980-1990’s music, toys, accessories and finally, Blockbuster video. What a time we had, right? These 2000 and above kiddos just don’t have a clue how badass of a experience we grew up with. And if you are from 2000’s then it’s ok..we still love ya! 😉😉

This story centers around two sets of murders, one in 1999 at a Blockbuster and the second 15 years later at an ice cream shop. Same set of circumstances surrounding the murders. Is it a copycat, is it the same person or what? The suspense was incredible, perfectly rounded when needed and just easy to keep up with.

I loved this read and highly recommend it! Five stars all the way!

I have just read The Night Shift by Alex Finlay.

This is a Thriller Crime story by the Author.

Four teenage girls are attacked at a Blockbuster Video store on New Year’s Eve 1999, and only one survives.

In the same town 15 years later, a similar crime takes place in an ice cream store, with the same ending – only one survivor.

The lone survivor from the first crime night - Ella is now a therapist, and steps in to assist the second survivor.

There are lots of connections with the characters, and some surprises as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Alex Finlay, and St. Martin's Press, for my advanced copy to read and review.

#TheNightShift #NetGalley

A fast-paced, twisty thriller following two crimes that occurred years apart but eerily similar. I liked that there were multiple POVs representing the many sides of those involved in the crime and solving it. The reveal of the killer was surprisingly gruesome and just seemed slightly over the top. Overall, an entertaining mystery thriller.

3.5 stars – I liked the story. Highly recommend to fans of fast-paced thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur, and Alex Finlay for the electronic ARC.
#NetGalley #TheNightShift

The Night Shift has multiple POVs but is not confusing to follow along. Ella is one and she’s the survivor. Then you have Keller the FBI agent. And Chris is the prosecutor assistant. Jesse is one of the main characters that is a survivor of the ice cream shop murders.
This book was great. Although I figured it out early on, or I suspected, This is a fast paced suspense and I loved it. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book.

Whoa, this was a trip! So many twists and surprises. I read the author’s “Every Last Fear” book and was so impressed. He’s definitely made a fan out of me after this one. There were a ton of characters here. So, if you are you able to, listen to it, because they do have 4 different narrators and it’s easier to determine which character’s POV it is. There were so many bombshells dropped by the characters in here. I was shocked and had to go back and make sure I heard that right. I feel like the end came out of nowhere. The length was maybe a little longer than I prefer and I wouldn’t say there’s a ton of suspense. But, there is a mystery with the investigation trying to determine what the connections were between the crimes. I enjoyed all the characters. They were all developed incredibly well. Overall, this was a complex and addictive mystery. I would definitely recommend it. Can’t wait to see what he writes next!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This was a super fun and great thriller - I had such an amazing time with it. I loved following three different POVs and the back and forth with time. I was not expecting it to go the way it went but I had a really good experience with this book.

I was a big fan of Every Last Fear so of course I was thrilled to hear about Finlay’s latest book. I wondered if I’d enjoy it as much and I’m happy to say I did.

The Night Shift is a propulsive read combining a new murder case with multiple victims at an ice cream shop and a cold case with multiple victims at a Blockbuster video more than 20 years ago.

One thing I loved about Every Last Fear was Agent Keller and her husband Bob! I was excited when I realized Keller was back to take on the latest case despite her being 8 months pregnant with twins. I did struggle a bit with her being so pregnant and battling it out with suspected killers but I was also happy to get just a little more of Agent Badass and Bob’s wonderful dynamic.

The nostalgia I felt around the video store was yet another reason I loved this book. Trace and I love movies and spent lots of time at my local Blockbuster grabbing movies for date nights. On one of our early dates I actually stepped off the curb wrong and face planted right in the parking lot. I was mortified and since it was 8 pm on a Friday-half the town saw it 🤣

The Night Shift is available now and really if you enjoy thrillers it’s a must read!!

Thank you @minotaur_books and @netgalley for my digital copy of the book to review.

A thank you to Netgalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alex Finlay's debut, Every Last Fear, blew a lot of people out of the water. I, however, remained dismally dry. The idea was there, and while I can't recall why I didn't like it, I didn't, which can be verified by my 2 star review. That said, I realized the potential - and even if I hadn't, the author had me at Blockbuster. While there's a certain expectation of the readers willingness to suspend disbelief (although one could argue that this is true of all suspense novels) the story is fun, fast, dark, and yet delightfully nostalgic. The multiple POV's are well done and tie together nicely too, the whole package being quite the engaging escape.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e e ARC of this book.
Brutal slayings, 15 years apart but are they related. Interesting characters, creepy plot, keeps you guessing. I don't usually like books with brutal killings but this one got my attention.

A fun thriller. It wasn't always as exciting as id been expecting. But there were some fun nostalgic moments with the late 90/early 2000s. I liked the flip between characters and times most of the time as there were a lot of characters and sometimes the writing was choppy, I guess would be the best word. It was easy to guess the killer and all that but that's not necessarily a bad thing for me. Over all it was fast paced thanks to the short chapters which I usually prefer but sometimes it made it hard with this writing style and these characters to connect to them and get to know them. I wish so many questions and things didn't go unanswered at the end

This is my first Alex Finlay novel but will not be my last. I loved every moment of this twisty thriller. I was engaged from start to finish and never saw the end coming. The plot is well written and the characters are deeply developed. All of the characters are likable and relatable despite their flaws. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Netgalley.