“If Something Happens to Me” by Alex Finlay
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Release Date: 5/28/24

Thank you Netgalley for the arc! Finlay has quickly become one of my favorite mystery/thriller author. I like that his books have a solid story and a breadcrumbs are left a long the way to figure out what’s happening.
Five years ago Ryan Richardson life flipped upside down when his girlfriend Ali was abducted in front of him and the town made him the #1 suspect. Now the car they were driving was discovered in the towns lake, but it wasn’t Ali inside. It was two men. What happened 5 years ago? Where is Ali?

I'm a little at odds with myself over Alex Finlay's newest novel, If Something Happens to Me. There were plenty of things that I really enjoyed about the book, such as it being a fast-paced ride with short, punchy chapters that make the book *so* hard to put down. Short chapters and multiple POVs are my kryptonite in this particular genre, so that earned some brownie points, for sure. The characters are also well-developed and likeable, and it was easy to care about what happened to them over the course of the plot. The same cannot be said for me with many other suspense thrillers, which is why it was so disappointing that I didn't love ISHTM as much as I wanted to.

Don't get me wrong; its a good book, and I enjoyed it. But while I found the book engaging and appreciated the pacing and plot, something didn't quite sit right. I think my primary issue was with the mafia aspect of the plot. If I'm being honest, I just didn't buy into it, and it felt a bit cheesy at times. Given that the mafia storyline is a significant part of the overall plot, my skepticism about it really dampened the initial enthusiasm I had for the plot and characters. Even though I was curious about how things would resolve, I wasn't particularly excited whenever I picked up the book.

It's important to note that this is a matter of personal preference. I tend to gravitate more towards psychological thrillers rather than action-packed stories. For readers who enjoy high-octane action and a strong mafia angle, this book is likely to be a real hit (pun intended). It delivers plenty of suspense and excitement, with enough plot twists to keep you guessing.

So, while it wasn't a perfect match for my tastes, I can see the appeal for a slightly different kind of reader. If you’re a fan of action thrillers with a mafia twist, this one is sure to satisfy that craving.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for providing me with an electronic copy of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by any third parties.

Ryan Richardson, accused of murdering his girlfriend while in high school, has taken on a new life studying to be a lawyer. Through a series of connected events, Ryan begins uncovering the truth of Allison’s disappearance.

Wow. So I’ll admit I had a hard time at first keeping all the different characters straight and trying to figure out all the connections. Once I realized how they were all connected (in a way I didn’t expect), I couldn’t stop reading.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Fast paced, and a quick read, this has way more twists than I expected.

Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

The issue with giving books a 3.5 star rating is that people automatically assume that means you hated it or that it was a bad book. That’s usually the case. For If Something Happens to Me, it simply means it was an alright thriller that I didn’t mind reading, will likely appeal to the average thriller reader not looking for something deeper or with more substance, but isn’t a title I’d go around recommending or putting on my own bookshelf.

ISHTM starts with a killer (ah, come on, let me have my fun) opening scene straight out of a slasher flick or scary story that ends with one of this novel’s main characters blacking out. It’s well-written, creepy, and immediately engages you. It’s a very nice piece of bait to lure you into a boiler-plate plot that’s been dressed up with a hodgepodge of other story elements: A boyfriend who was wrongly accused of his girlfriend’s death who ultimately had to leave town and change his name, a shadowy eight-fingered man, a young and plucky new female officer in town just as new evidence comes to light regarding this cold case, a good ol’ boy police force that may be keeping secrets, a mysterious FBI agent, and an organized crime syndicate with a bone to pick. It’s a puzzle, so, how does it all fit together?

Of course, there are the predictably-timed turns. There are some attempts at red herrings and misdirection, but I don’t think this book was plotted very well because they didn’t hit like I assume they were supposed to. The pacing was actually done very well, without much lagging or rushing. There were some attempts at social commentary that I felt were clumsy in nature and ultimately came across as trying too hard and that made the ending of this book feel more than a little cheesy.

At the end of the day this book was an okay read and I don’t regret spending my afternoon on it, but I can’t say I’d recommend you rush out and buy it. It’s not the worst time either.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Crime Thriller/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Thriller

This psychological thriller is told from multiple viewpoints, in seemingly disconnected storylines, that will take you on a journey across the world.

It begins in Leavenworth, KS. Ali and Ryan two high school seniors ‘parking’ when suddenly Ryan is bashed in the head and both Ali and her car disappear.

Fast forward five years, Ryan has changed his last name and fled from his old life under a cloud of suspicion. He still thinks about Ali, has tried to remember more about what happened that night, but can only remember a man, a monster, without pinkies, who took her. He’s in Italy with his law school classmates, when he receives a suspicious note demanding they meet and ‘I know who you are.’ At the same time back in Leavenworth, rookie cop and former soldier, Poppy McGee is assigned to Ali’s case after her car is found at the bottom of the lake with two dead men inside.

The perfect for fans of cold cases, mob stories, whodunnits, and the dark & twisty. I found it to be an interesting read told from multiple viewpoints. It kept me wondering what was happening and how the stories were connected.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review!

This book was captivating from the start. Ryan's life was turned upside down after his girlfriend Ali's abduction five years ago. Now, new evidence keeps coming up, dragging all those painful memories back to the surface.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, keeping the suspense high and making each chapter more intriguing than the last. Great world-building blending mystery and suspense perfectly. It's a captivating read that keeps you guessing all the way through.

This is just a firecracker of a book. Takes off with a bang on page one and goes full throttle until the end. It follows three story lines and weaves them together in ways that I never saw coming. This is just such a fun book! Buckle up and get started. Highly recommended.

This story was a quick fast paced thriller. It had a lot going on in the beginning but eventually did a good job of connecting it all together.

The characters fell a little flat for me. It felt like connections were made quick and I had to fill in the gaps in order to keep up.

This was a solid 3/5 stars. It was a quick read and fun story. The ending was pretty good and worth the read if you want a story that wraps up nicely.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advance copy.
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This was a fast paced, addictive and twisty thriller told from three separate POVs that come together as the story unfolds. My rating is a little lower only because I’m probably not the best audience for this one - I don’t love reading action scenes, but I still found this story page turning and full of surprises. A fun summer binge read if you like lots of pulse pounding action in your novels!

The story pulled me in immediately and I didn't want to stop turning the pages. I love this type of mystery and by telling the story from the different points of view, the full picture is uncovered piece by piece. There were a lot of characters giving a lot of different views. Once uncovered I really liked how the author had woven the characters together. I am a fan of this author and this was one of my favorites. I really liked Poppy as one of the main characters. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

If Something Happens to Me is a fast-paced, multi-POV thriller about a girl who went missing 5 years from small town Leavenworth, KS. I really enjoyed this one, and did not see the big twist coming. The multiple POVs worked really well for this. With three such different main characters, it had the potential to fall a little flat, but I was interested in each one.

I loved the short chapters of this novel. It made it easy to get through quickly and hard to put down. Each chapter starts with the location, but I wish it had also included a year. It might have made the story lines make more sense together through Part 1 of the novel.

Alex Finlay's "If Something Happens to Me" is an electrifying thriller that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. The novel follows Ryan, a man haunted by a mysterious incident from his past, who finds himself facing the repercussions when a missing car is discovered with two corpses inside.

The intricate plot seamlessly unfolds as Ryan embarks on an investigation that takes him down unexpected paths. As he uncovers the truth, the novel dives deeper into the darkness that lies beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives, making for an intense and immersive reading experience.

Ryan is an especially compelling protagonist. His determination to uncover the truth and the emotional turmoil he experiences along the way create a strong connection between the reader and the character. With its riveting storyline and unforgettable characters, "If Something Happens to Me" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. The novel is captivating and thrilling from start to finish, earning it a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. This is a gripping story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

"If Something Happens to Me" was the first works of author Alex Finlay that I have read. It was a good suspense/mystery that honestly kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the fast pace of the plot and the characters were well developed. The book was enjoyable, but it would have been even better if the author had refrained from the use of 'GD'. It added nothing to the story or character development to what otherwise could have been a very top-notch book for the summer of 2024.

Thanks Net Galley for the preview!

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME review

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

✉️This was a quick read with several twists! I was invested in this story from the beginning and kept trying to guess how it would end but I didn’t see any of the twists coming. 🤯

✉️Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Ryan’s world changed when he saw his girlfriend’s abduction over five years ago. His only memory of the abduction is a man with missing pinky fingers snatching her from the car. Now as a law student, Ryan is studying abroad when he spots a man with missing pinky fingers. Ryan is sure this is the same man responsible for the abduction. But why is he in Italy and why did he go out of his way to make sure Ryan spotted him?

✉️This was my second book by Alex Finlay and I’ve enjoyed both! This book is such a quick read and I found myself itching to pick it up whenever I put it down. Buuuuut I was overwhelmed by the amount of characters in this one. There were so many to keep track of and they all seemed to have multiple nicknames used throughout the book. I don’t know if I’d recommend the audiobook for that reason. More than once I had to backtrack while reading just to figure out which character was being discussed. However I still enjoyed this one overall and would recommend it if you want a quick, bingeable thriller!

✉️Thanks to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my advanced copy! IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME publishes today!!

This is my favorite Alex Finlay novel he's written. The book opens with two teens on a date gone wrong when one wakes up the next morning to find his date has completely disappeared with her car. All Ryan can remember is getting hit on the head and some men grabbing Ali. He has spent the 5 years since trying to recover and rebuild his life, although he has never been fully able to forget Ali or dodge suspicion from the public.

Finlay takes us on an adventure of a tale. There is real suspense in this book. I found it difficult to put down because I wanted to find out what happened to Ali. Her car is found while Ryan is on a college trip and the momentum takes off. Ryan soon realizes everything is not as it seems. Meanwhile, a young deputy picks up Ali's case and ties to the mob seem to be present. She's ordered not to speak to a former FBI agent and yet can't help but be intrigued by some of what the woman is telling her. All of it leaves the reader guessing and wondering how it will all end up.

I really enjoyed this book. I was pulled into the story. The short chapters led to a book that felt action-packed and had my heart racing. The ending is great and feels real to the story. The characters are likable and I loved being able to travel to Kansas, Philadelphia, Italy, and England all in one story. I have enjoyed all of Finlay's novels but this one solidifies him as a must-read author.

Alex Finlay is back giving all of his readers another pulse-pounding, unputdownable, thrill ride with his latest release If Something Happens To Me. I devoured this intensely electrifying book. A huge thank to St. Martin’s Press, the author and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of the book.

Five years ago Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend Ali were together parked in the lovers lane section of town. Ryan gets knocked out cold, when he wakes Ali and her car have both disappeared. Every night since Ryan has relived the horrific incident over and over again. And with no trace of Ali a fog of skepticism has hung over Ryan for years. But when he receives a phone call that Ali’s car has been found - right after he spots the man that has plagued his nightmares. Will Ryan finally find out the truth about what happened to Ali, or is he doomed to keep living the misery of that fateful day?

If Something Happens To Me is a brilliantly written, compulsive mystery that’s told from multiple narratives with varying POVs. The storyline kept me guessing, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. A fast-paced, immersive, bingeable thriller that’s not to be missed. Perfect for summer vacation/beach read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced thriller - especially that it was told from multiple characters' perspectives. It's hard to go into too much detail and not give away key parts of the story. I loved how the story progressed, the mix of characters, and that the story has multiple locations. Were there some parts that were a little far-fetched? Possibly. But there are plenty of time that I've thought that real life happenings were stranger than fiction. This is the book for you if you're looking for an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Okaaayyyy, Alex. I am loving where these last two books have gone. I am loving the thriller POV of law enforcement, involved characters, and mobsters/criminals. I can definitely appreciate a masculinity spin on thrillers.

I read through this pretty fast and didn't want to put it down. I was consumed with the plot once I started. The chapters were short and to the point (only way to do for thrillers) and they all ended on a cliffhanger!!!! Which definitely allowed me to read this in one sitting. It also has a nice amount of shocking twists and reveals. There are quite a few characters in this book, but it was easy to keep track of all of them.

Once again Alex Finlay delivers an "WOW" factor read that keeps you fully engaged. I’ve enjoyed all his previous books and look forward to more in the future! He’s definitely become an auto-buy author for me.

I flew through this book and didn’t want it to end. The characters were great and so was the narrator. I absolutely loved this book and the way the multiple story lines tied together!

Alex Finlay does it again!!!!

My lord this book had me on the edge of my seat. I figured out how to turn kindle books into audiobooks because I had to keep reading the story one way or the other. I couldn't stop once I started and read this book in 2 days. The characters are so vivid and they jump off the page. The multiple POV storytelling in this is brilliant. The moment you realize how all of them connect is just to die for. At the heart of the story are a bunch of really good people trying to protect each other in criminal ways. The settings were beautiful and the action riveting. I am convinced Finlay could write a restaurant menu to be the most interesting thing in the world. Just all the stars!!!