Alex Finlay has always been my must-read thriller author. I enjoyed reading If Something Happens to Me but I found it a bit less intense/believable than his previous books. It’s still a crazy story though and not at all what I thought it’d turn out to be. I’ll still recommend this anyone looking for a good thriller.

I received this as a digital ARC. I tried to read it and was super bored by it. I listened to the audio and it was easier that way. However, I guessed the twist, as it was very similar to another book I read recently. Overall, average at best.

Rating: ★★★½

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay is a fast-paced, engaging thriller that keeps you hooked from the very first chapter. The story follows a tense and twisty investigation filled with secrets, & betrayals.

The characters are compelling, especially the central figures whose motivations and backstories are carefully layered. However, a few side characters felt a little underdeveloped.
Still, Finlay’s knack for building suspense is undeniable, and there are enough surprises to keep thriller fans satisfied.

Overall, If Something Happens to Me is a solid, entertaining read — maybe not groundbreaking, but definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for a quick, suspenseful escape.

Fast paced and action packed! This book is a page turner and a wild ride. Pay attention to the details!

Holy moly. I could not get enough of this book. Usually I don't care for mob related books, but this one really sucked me in.

Ryan Richardson, now Smith has spent the last 5 years mourning the loss of his girlfriend, Ali. One fateful night turned his life upside down. Ali is kidnapped right from the car they are both sitting in and vanishes without a trace. Ryan is the main suspect. He is taunted by his classmates, his basketball dreams and trashed and the love of his life is gone. He travels to Italy with some of his fellow law student peers, and is contacted by the man he suspects took Ali. This leads him on a multi country chase to find the truth.

Meanwhile, back in Leavenworth, KS, Ryan's hometown, Poppy McGee is the new girl in the sherrif's office. Her first day on the job, Ali's car is located in a lake. A lake that was suposedly already searched. Poppy is put in charge of taking all the tip calls, but Poppy starts to notice that things aren't adding up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I look forward to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Minotaur Books for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.


This was super fast paced because of all the short chapters! There were lots of different POVs and I was a little confused at first. I knew those were there for a reason and it would all make sense. When it all clicked together I couldn’t believe it!

I loved the twists and every chapter left you hanging and you wouldn’t necessarily find out what happens in the next chapter making you wanting to keep reading!

If Something Happens to Me has that classic Alex Finlay vibe - it's action-packed and reads like a movie. I totally pictured Glen Powell as Ryan. There are a lot of characters and subplots, and at times, keeping track of everyone and their relationships took me out of the story. It took me a bit of time to get into and the mob plotline but I was immediately hooked by Ryan and Ali's story. Ultimately, the plot is solid and brings everything together.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the gifted copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read a few of Alex Finlay's books in the past but I think this one might be my favorite so far. I could really feel the tension our main character was feeling and the stakes felt very high throughout. I love a good psychological thriller and this one kept me on my toes until the end. Highly recommend!

If Something Happens to Me was a fast paced read where you will be turning pages until the end. Five years ago Ryan ends up unconscious only to wake up and find that his girlfriend and his car are gone. What happened five years ago? To find out make sure to read this one. The author did a good job writing this one and all of the characters in it were interesting. Overall, this was a entertaining read that I enjoyed and would recommend to any reader who likes thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay.

This was pretty crazy twisty turny thriller, i enjoyed it thoroughly, but i also found it to be pretty far-fetched. I did however think it was a unique and creative storyline that didnt feel like the same old thriller.

I didn’t love this one as much as I loved The Night Shift. I don’t love organized crime in fiction, and I felt myself getting confused at times as there were kind of a lot of characters to follow. I do always enjoy a small town Sheriff trope, so I was happy about that. Overall would read from this author again, just wasn’t thrilled by this one.

This was pretty good! It was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to know what was going to happen next! There was a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I had a fun time reading this. It was a crazy ride. I need to read more of his books! I definitely recommend if you want a fast paced, shocking, thriller!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, author Alex Finlay, and NetGalley for providing me the eARC. This review reflects my honest review and rating--not swayed whatsoever by the provision the eARC.

3 STARS

If Something Happens to Me starts with high school couple Ally and Ryan who are happy and in love until presumed foul play causes Ally to disappear. The book then rotates POV through a number of characters who are not connected in any evident way... until they are. Many people suspect that the infamous Missouri River Killer got a hold of Ally. Some of the characters, including Special Agent Fincher, aim to find out.

I am a big fan of Alex Finlay. The Night Shift and Every Last Fear are mystery/thriller entries that I highly recommend. This one fell short for me.

If Something Happens to Me remains a complex, engaging read. Its storytelling weaves across a broad swath of character types and places. The narrative is a fun puzzle, although its not particularly clever in the way of an Agatha Christie straight-up mystery. The narrative is fragmented and takes liberties, so my investment in the characters emotionally was hindered.

The amount of POVs felt like a novelty. It keeps you guessing. However, I would've preferred a more cohesive, propulsive plot as told by a couple POVs. This particular point of critique is the reason for my feeling that end reveals were both over the top and underwhelming.

I usually listen to audiobooks and this book was for me much better audio which I picked up after release date. There are a lot of timelines shifts, setting jumps and character aliases that are different to keep up with. The central characters of a vengeful family grief stricken after a child’s suicide and those deemed to have wronged their son make for a years long violent quest for “justice”. Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy , eventually.

I really loved this thriller! I think one of the best things about this story was the way it was written, and how the pieces all came together deliciously! 😍

Alison and her boyfriend, Ryan, are high school seniors and saying goodbyes at lover’s lane when all of a sudden they are interrupted by a strange man who abducts Alison. Gone without a trace, Ryan believes he made up the strange man and his missing fingers… until one day that same man finds him on a trip with friends and has a haunting message for him.

I couldn’t put this down once I had time to finally read it! Pacing was so good, and chapters were short, but effective! I enjoyed all the different perspectives and character development! Also a very satisfying ending. Overall a well thought out and executed thriller!

My absolute favorite thing about this book was the moment you put together that one plot line is in the past, while the others are present day. That blew me away!

Thank you to the author, Minotaur books, and NetGalley for this digital copy of the book in exchange for a honest review!

Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that keeps readers on their toes from start to finish. With short chapters, multiple perspectives, and a race against time, the novel expertly builds suspense while unraveling a complex mystery. Finlay’s skillful plotting and sharp writing make this a page-turner. I could wait to see how all the storylines were going to connect and wasn't disappointed.

A compelling and intense read, If Something Happens to Me is perfect for thriller fans who enjoy high-stakes suspense with unexpected turns. I can't wait to read more from Alex Finlay (since I've read all of his newest work since 2021).

I was happily surprised last year when I read this mind twisting story that I thought I knew what was going on while reading but I had no idea. Filled with quick pacing and a variety of locations, I was shocked consistently when things happened that I absolutely did not expect, much like my first Finlay book The Night Shift, this provided some bonkers moments and lots of pieces to a puzzle I wanted to figure out. I loved it all from the characters who might have appeared simple and one dimensional at first but wound up being so much more, along with the truth of the story. Heartbreaking at times this had a bit of a bittersweet ending but I felt it was fitting and definitely made me excited to read more of his stories. Perfect for summer reading!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to the eARC.

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
Holy hell. The way this story was told was brilliant. It was both messy and perfectly choreographed.
Alex Finlay knows how to tell a story and does not hold back. This book is fast-paced and engaging, and each page and chapter draws you deeper into the story.
The characters are well-developed, and all the small details bring them to life. The way they were all developed was brilliant.
The first big twist in this novel left me speechless, and I could not read faster to get more. As the puzzle pieces fell together, all I could do was read.
This was a deliciously twisted tale from the first page. I recommend this book!

Publication date: May 28, 2024
Publisher: Minotaur Books

This was such a fun and twisty book that kept me on the edge of my seat right up to the very end. Finlay has once again proven that he is a master of his craft. Pairt one has three alternating narratives and they converge together as the story progresses through Parts two and three. I really loved this aspect of the story and how we were able to experience it from different sides. I was thoroughly entertained and highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to stay up late into the night reading!

medium-paced and I absolutely devoured this thriller. With multiple POV, this would definitely be a great audiobook read! 3.5 stars!