Member Reviews

25 years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico become best friends in the abusive group home they were all living in. After the group home was shut down they hadn't seen each other in years. Despite not seeing each other in so long, a crime they were all a part of and swore to keep secret comes back to haunt them.

Each character in this book has a giant, almost comic book personality, with careers ranging from rock star to assassin. The narrative shifts between each character and the premise is an interesting idea, even if overused.

Unfortunately, I didn't love this as much as I had hoped and as much as I had loved previous Alex Finlay novels. For me, one of the most important parts of a book is the characters. I found these characters to be not necessarily likable and also not as realistic and lifelike as the characters in Finlay's previous novels. I didn't love the story or the writing as much as before either, it didn't feel the same as when I read his work before and this time I actually had to push myself more to finish this book whereas before I couldn't put his books down.

Don't get me wrong, I think Alex Finlay is a talented author (I even have a signed copy of his debut novel) and this book will have its audience, but it just wasn't for me. This book is more so for those who enjoy cheesy action movies, in my opinion, which isn't a bad thing.

I will still be eagerly awaiting Alex Finlay's next thriller!

Thank you to Alex Finlay, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for this ARC.

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Okay, this one was awesome! Something bad happened a long time ago and it’s finally coming back to haunt the kids from Savior House. I really liked the individual perspectives from each character, although I liked the fmc the best. I love that we got to see a lot of variety in how the characters coped with growing up in foster care. There were many levels to this mystery that kept getting unraveled at perfect times. It was very fast paced and entertaining. A tad unbelievable in parts, but I don’t think that made me enjoy the book any less. It was a quick read and I loved the cat-and-mouse game.

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Alex Finlay is pretty great at writing a taut, twisty thriller and this is another excellent example of that skill. I was very invested in the characters and their connection both then and now and was blown away by the outcome because I really didn't see it coming. I can't say much more because there's a lot going on in this story and it all weaves together, but spoilers definitely take you out of it.

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This author always takes me on a roller coaster ride through his books. This book was no different, it was action packed from the very beginning.

I loved how there was a whole cast of characters. The way story of them came full circle was perfection. I couldn’t wait to learn the back story of each of the characters.

Overall I enjoyed every minute of this book. I had the hardest time putting it down because the ending of this chapter had me wanting more. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book right from the first chapter. The action was well-paced and engaging throughout, and I didn’t feel like there was anything unnecessary or irrelevant. While I did anticipate the twist to some extent, it still managed to surprise me. I was eager to uncover the events that led to the characters' reaping. Even the final chapter was incredibly gripping. I highly recommend this book!

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Thank you to Alex Finlay, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of What Have We Done!

Rating: 3 stars

What Have We Done is a fast-paced mystery following three adults who lived at a foster house called "Savior House" as children. Someone has put hits out on all of them and they need to figure out who it is before their numbers continue to dwindle.

At first, I found this book a little hard to follow. There are three main perspectives, but we also occasionally get the viewpoint of the hit-women as well. Once I figured out which character was which, the story began moving quickly and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a few theories about who put out the hit, but the theory that panned out was the one I was hoping was wrong.

I do think we needed more of the backstory of the foster kids. I don't think we had enough information to comprehend how traumatizing the experience was for the kids. We just hear that they were bullied and some kids went missing - traumatizing in itself, but there weren't many details about either of the experiences.

Overall I did enjoy the book and would like to read more from the author.

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What Have We Done is my first Alex Finley novel and a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of past actions. The novel follows a group of friends whose lives are irrevocably altered by a tragic incident from their youth, and it explores how this event haunts and shapes their present lives. Finlay’s writing is taut and suspenseful, skillfully weaving multiple perspectives and timelines to build a compelling and twist-filled narrative. While the intricate plot and character development are engaging, some readers may find certain elements predictable. Overall, a thought-provoking thriller that offers a tense and emotionally charged reading experience.

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I am always such a fan of the past coming back to haunt characters - it one of my favorite thriller tropes. The journey you take when you're learning about the characters in the present, while flashing back to their past and how those moments brought them to their current situation is such an enjoyable experience. Absolutely loved this read! I was given a copy of this story to read; but thoughts and opinions are all my own. Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing for the chance to read!

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Thank you to Net Galley, Minotaur books, and the author Alex Finlay for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was fast paced.

It is told from three povs.
Jenna, the stepmom, who was recruited and trained by a secretive corporation as an assassin
Nico, a reality show producer with a gambling problem
Donnie, a famous rockstar with an addiction problem

The three of them along with two others, Ben and Art grew up in a children’s home known as Savior house. The five of them did something bad as kids and twenty-five years later, they must face it,

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This is my second book by Alex Finlay, and my favourite so far! I loved the multiple POVs of the 3 main characters and the "hit woman". It was super fast paced and held my attention. I started it as an audio listen while driving and found that I couldn't wait to get back into my car so I finished it very quickly on my Kindle.

It was a bit predictable (I did see the twist coming) but I really enjoyed the different characters. Alex Finlay is now and auto-buy author for me.

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Alex Finlay's "What Have We Done" is a riveting thriller that unfolds with relentless tension and a deep exploration of the consequences of past actions. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the novel intricately weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The small-town setting becomes a character itself, enhancing the story's atmosphere and adding to its overall suspense.

This one has intricate plot that builds suspense effectively. It balances the dual timelines, revealing secrets and connections that keep readers guessing. The characters are compelling and well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets (but there are a lot of them). The author explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the impact of choices made in the past, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative.

Read if you like:
🫣 gripping thrillers
🚶 multiple characters
🤔 good underlying theme
🏡 small town vibes

Thank you to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Alex Finaly is a great thriller writer! While this isn't my favorite of his, it's a solid addition to his backlist.

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King of the fast-paced page-turners! This one has some old school, I Know What You Did Last Summer vibes. Finlay knows how to build the suspense and heart-pounding anticipation from the first page; and brings it to a fun conclusion. Another hit!

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Three people, raised for a time in a group home, are being targeted by someone determined to kill them. When it becomes obvious the reason is a secret they all share, the three team up and try to get to the bottom of what’s going on and why.

Another great story by Alex Finlay. Fast paced and action packed.

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

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LOVED! Alex Finlay never goes wrong. Want a book that will keep you reading? This is the one! Highly recommend to anyone

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I enjoyed this book. I finished it in 2 or 3 days. I wasn't sure in the beginning how the characters were connected. It took a bit for all the pieces to come together. Once I knew that they were all in the same foster care home then I was trying to figure out who was behind all of it. I never figured it out. I was surprised by the ending. It ended on a cliff-hanger. There could be a sequel, but  I think it is a good ending just the way it is.

I really liked Jenna. She was my favorite character in the whole book. She was a freakin' bad ass. She gave me Reacher vibes, and I enjoyed the books and show.  Actually, if I remember correctly, she was inspired by Reacher among a few other awesome characters.

This book would be a great movie or mini series. Thank you @alexfinlayauthor , @minotaur_books & @netgalley. The book is out now and has been forever. I'm the worst bookstagrammer 😆 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

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I am a big Alex Finlay fan, but I feel like some of this was a bit confusing on the character plots too much back-and-forth, but it still was a good read for it to five

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I read one book by this author that I liked and have subsequently read others like this one and I’m not much of a fan. This just was not for me which I k ew halfway through it was a bit much. Maybe for some just not me.

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A gripping mystery thriller that explores the dark secrets and intertwined fates of five former residents of Savior House, a troubled group home. The novel weaves multiple perspectives and backstories, offering a suspenseful and fast-paced plot filled with twists and emotional depth, leading to a shocking and satisfying conclusion​.

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