This one was okay. I think I’m just not that into plots that feature an organized crime storyline. The story is definitely fast-paced, but there were so many characters and subplots that I found myself getting mixed up quite a bit. If you’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, then you’d probably enjoy this one because it has similar vibes.

This book was just “meh” for me. I felt like I was reading it because I had to finish it instead of reading it because I wanted to finish it. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me is a solid thriller with an intriguing premise and plenty of twists to keep readers engaged. The pacing is brisk, and Finlay does a good job creating suspense that builds as the story unfolds.

That said, the novel occasionally struggles to maintain momentum, with some plot points feeling predictable or overly convenient. While the characters are interesting, a few lacked the depth needed to make their motivations truly compelling.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read for fans of the genre, and a decent choice for a weekend thriller.

If Something Happens to Me delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect from Alex Finlay: a fast-paced, suspenseful story full of twists. The premise hooked me right away, and I was genuinely curious to unravel the mystery at the heart of it all. The pacing was tight, making it an easy page-turner.

However, while the story kept me guessing, some of the twists felt a bit over-the-top or rushed. The characters were engaging enough, but I didn’t feel as connected to them as I wanted to, and some of their decisions didn’t always feel realistic. That said, the tension and sense of urgency made it a gripping read overall.

This is a great choice if you’re looking for a quick, twisty thriller that doesn’t require too much emotional investment. While it wasn’t as strong as some of Finlay’s previous works, it’s still an enjoyable ride for fans of domestic suspense.

I was entertained and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I think I'll have to add Alex Finlay to my auto-buy author list.

Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me is a gripping, multi-layered thriller that takes readers on a fast-paced journey across continents, unraveling mysteries and secrets that have festered for five long years. With his signature style of weaving multiple perspectives, Finlay delivers a story packed with twists, suspense, and emotional undertones, though it occasionally falters under the weight of its ambition.

The story centers on Ryan Richardson, a man haunted by a traumatic night when his girlfriend, Ali, was violently taken from him. Though he escaped suspicion thanks to a lack of evidence and a strong defense, Ryan can’t escape public scrutiny—or his guilt. When Ali’s car is discovered submerged in a lake, the revelation ignites a chain reaction of events that forces Ryan to confront his past while chasing answers across Europe.

What works well here is Finlay’s ability to craft compelling, distinct characters whose paths intertwine in surprising ways. The sheriff’s deputy in Kansas and a grieving mobster in Philadelphia bring unexpected depth and unique stakes to the narrative. Finlay’s depiction of international settings, from Tuscany’s rolling hills to Paris’s glittering streets, adds a cinematic quality that keeps the story visually and emotionally engaging.

However, the novel’s fast pace sometimes feels like a double-edged sword. The constant twists and turns can feel overwhelming, leaving little room to fully connect with the characters’ emotional journeys. Some plot points, while thrilling, stretch plausibility and detract from the grounded tension that makes the best thrillers unforgettable. Additionally, while the multiple perspectives are intriguing, they occasionally disrupt the narrative’s flow, making it harder to stay immersed.

Overall, If Something Happens to Me is an entertaining, globe-trotting thriller with plenty of surprises to keep readers turning pages. It’s a solid choice for fans of Alex Finlay’s work and readers who love complex mysteries with interconnected storylines. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Finlay’s best work, it’s still a compelling ride that lingers after the final page.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This was my first Alex Finlay book and while I did enjoy it, I expected more from it.

As I was reading and I was enjoying it- these separate storylines that I could tell would tie together- there came a point where it seemed the author got to thinking “What if this crazy shit happened?” And then let’s add this and this and so on and so forth. So while I do like my thriller type books to be action packed, this was almost pushing my limit on what I could feasibly swallow in fiction scenarios.

What I liked:

I thought the cover was great. A little intriguing!

I loved when Poppy met the young podcaster and he was like listen to episode 18.

I thought the ending was a nice way to tie up (or mostly tie up) things.



Bottom line: I would read another book by Alex Finlay. I wish this one would have had more of an angle from podcasters/internet sleuths because I feel we could have been entertained by that POV.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

This is objectively a well done book and I think it will be fantastic for the general commercial reader. It was a little predictable and strangely paced for me.

Beginning this book I was extremely confused because there were like 4 separate character POVs but it wasn’t hard to follow like some multiple POV books are. I felt the writing in this story was very well done and the short chapters made it easy to devour in a short period of time.

The first twist in this book had my jaw on the floor. I knew something along those lines was coming but for the life of me i could not figure it out until it was revealed. The second twist was extremely predictable and a bit of a bummer but i don’t think that was avoidable.

After hitting the 50% mark, i finished the rest of the book in a single sitting, i had to know what happens. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller that grips you and has you needing answers.

This was decent. A like not a love for me. The twisty turns were pretty good. Some things were obvious but I enjoyed the unfolding of the shock & awe’s enough to keep reading, quickly.

Ooh this was a fun and quick thriller! This was the first I've read of this author, but it did not disappoint! It was very engaging throughout, and while I didn't completely love the ending, it was still a very solid read.

This was my first Alex Finlay book and I enjoyed it. I liked how the plot unfolds and the story develops. I actually guessed the twists pretty early on but the story telling kept me hooked throughout. It's fast paced. My one complaint is that at some point you feel like there are too many things happening at once. Other than that, it was a pretty good read.

Thank you Minotaur and Netgalley for my copy!

Ryan Richardson has spent five years reliving the worst moment of his life - the night just before the start of college when his girlfriend Ali disappeared after being forcibly taken by an unknown man. With a cloud of suspicion over his head, as the blow to his head left him not able to give the police any usable information, Ryan's whole life changes in an instant. While on a summer abroad trip to Italy, Ryan sees the man of his nightmares. As Ali's case gets thrust back into the limelight at home, will Ryan be able to figure out what actually happened?

I would give this novel 3 1/2 stars if the rating system allowed. I liked the overall flow of the book, with a fast paced plot and good characters. As a big mystery thriller reader, there were certain aspects of If Something Happens to Me that just missed the mark. With years of suspicion hanging over his head, the fact that Ryan made certain decisions just did not ring true. There was also a problem with the conclusion that I could not ignore. Overall, the novel was good and was one I would recommend to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

This was my first Alex Finlay experience and it did not disappoint. The book is a fast-paced thriller about a missing girl that’s presumed dead and a new sheriff that’s trying to make a name for himself. With all the elements of the perfect thriller, this one was full of twists that hade me reading along to find out how it all came together. I want to share more, but I feel like this one is best to go in blind for the full impact of the story. It can feel a little over the top at times, but the short chapters and stellar pacing made up for that.

Thank you to Alex Finlay, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book for an honest review.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Definitely a case of waiting way too long to write a proper review so this will likely be short and sweet. Alex Finlay books are always a hit for me, while they may not totally blow me away they're thoroughly enjoyable and exciting to read. This book felt a little over the top, but it was just enough that it was still entertaining and kept me on my toes.

3.5 stars. This one was a pretty fun ride! I liked the way it was written where you didn’t know one of the stories was a flashback until the reveal (at least I didn’t). I liked the different characters’ stories all being woven into one. I always like being able to know different perspectives of the same story.

There were just enough clues that I figured out the twists before they happened, but not so early that it made the book less fun to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read it early. I’ll definitely recommend it to my thriller lovers.

This was good. I, however, did not expect it to be so heavily about the mob/mafia so that threw me off a bit. I'm not really into that stuff in my books but I dealt with it because I enjoy this author.

Interesting, but predictable...

From the first few chapters, it's clear to see the direction this suspense is going to take. It doesn't take long to figure out this is a mob story, and I don't think it was the author's intent to hide it, either. However, it takes away from any real kind of mystery this story could have provided. Finlay builds suspense throughout and the story itself was interesting enough to hold my attention, but there's not a lot of whodunnit or why here. If you're looking for a less dramatic suspense (hey, some people don't like rollercoasters!), Finlay's If Something Happens to Me can promise you a smooth ride.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**

Second book by Finlay is in the books (ha). No but seriously he’s a great writer & I really got sucked into this book. I’ve read some of the negative reviews & I feel like many gave of the ones that gave it poor reviews were due to the mob storyline. I don’t think that’s fair. I don’t read supernatural because it’s not for me so I’d likely rate low…if it’s about mobs & mobs aren’t your thing then do not read this book…

I got hooked immediately from the start! Alison goes missing & then it’s all of the things. There are a lot of characters points of view as well as taking place in different parts of the world but so long as you pay attention it’s fine. I thought the way that everything came together full circle was pretty clever & I didn’t expect most of what happened or how it all played out. There are a couple things with the ending that I’m so conflicted on, but in a good way 😏

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher St. Martin’s Press, always grateful for the advanced copies!