Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This book was a delight to read! The first major twist at the end of part 1 had my jaw on the floor and I ate up the rest of the book. I am a sucker for a good procedural thriller so this was right up my alley. I am STILL thinking about this book and have suggested it to all my mystery/thriller fans.

4 out of 5 Stars.

Haven’t read a lot from Alex Finlay, but this is definitely one to catch a readers attention, especially those who love a good suspenseful mystery story.

Mysterious and interesting - great, engaging characters and the reveal was well-done. I thought it got off to a bit of a slow start (after the initial opening surprise), but picked up speed about halfway through. I was definitely invested in finding out what happened the whole time.

Every Alex Finlay book I've read up to this point has been a banger, and this one was no exception.

If Something Happens to Me is a twisty thriller that kept me questioning everything (in true Finlay style). Ryan Richardson’s life was turned upside down five years ago when his girlfriend, Ali, was abducted, leaving only a bloody, overturned car behind. Despite being the prime suspect, Ryan has never been charged, but the weight of suspicion—and the endless rumors—have followed him. Years later, he’s trying to move on, hiding from his past under a new identity and a new life, until a call from his father throws him back into the darkness. Ali’s car has been found, and inside it are two dead men and a cryptic note with Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me… What follows is an international manhunt that takes Ryan from Italy to the UK, then Paris, in search of the truth—only to realize that the answers he’s looking for may be even more dangerous than he ever imagined.

Finlay’s ability to juggle multiple perspectives without detracting from the plot or getting needlessly confusing is truly astounding. There's so much going on that seems completely unconnected, and in the hands of a less skilled writer that often leads to confusion and frustration, but that's not the case here. From Ryan’s race against time to uncover Ali’s fate, to the unexpected involvement of a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas and a mobster with his own tragic past, the narrative unfolds like a series of expertly placed puzzle pieces. The tension ramps up with each page, and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, Finlay hits you with another twist.

The pacing is relentless, and Finlay’s sharp writing pulls you into the characters’ lives in a way that makes you care deeply about their fates. If you’re a fan of fast-paced, twist-laden thrillers, this book will absolutely deliver. It’s a wild, adrenaline-fueled ride that proves why Alex Finlay is quickly becoming one of the best names in the genre.

Wow this book was good! It definitely kept my attention. I love the short chapters too. There were definitely some twists in it and some I did not expect! I recommend this book and want to read more books by this author.

I requested this book based on the author--I've seen books by him around before but never have read one. Loved the twists, turns and characters in this book! The pacing kept me engaged and let me read this so fast. Thanks so much for the copy--i can't wait to read more from this author!

Wow Alex Finlay does it again! This was amazing. I really enjoyed the way we stepped back into the mystery of what happened. The character points of view were great and I really enjoyed the detective who was handling the case. It was a binge read for sure.

Definitely recommend giving this one a read! Loved the twists and turns and the characters in this book! I loved the pacing in this book helping me zoom right through the story and keeping hold of my attention from start to end!

This was a DNF for me and I was shocked because I LOVE Alex Finlay. For whatever reason, I just couldn't get into this one.

Why did I wait so long to read this? OMG!! Everyone has been raving about this and IT DID NOT disappoint. He’s on my auto read list. Thank you NetGalley for the arc! 4.5 rounded up!!

What a great book for a quick escape! Alex Finlay's books never disappoint, and this one was no different. The book was fast paced, and interesting, following the sherriff and a missing girl Ali. Great characters and all around a great book. I really enjoyed this read.

I know who you are.

If something happens to me.

Ryan’s girlfriend, Ali, mysteriously vanished during their high school years. One fateful night, they were driving when the car came to a halt, and Ryan was abruptly pulled out. Five long years have passed since her disappearance, yet Ryan remains haunted by the memory. He has since changed his identity and is now in his first year of law school.

However, fate has a shocking twist in store for Ryan. He is certain that he has encountered the man who appeared during Ali’s disappearance, and to his dismay, he finds a threatening note. This unexpected encounter occurs while he is in Tuscany, on a trip with other law school students, making it all the more perplexing.

Alex Finlay’s fast-paced narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, building a gripping and suspenseful story. The case of Ali’s disappearance is unexpectedly reopened when Ryan’s past comes back to haunt him. Poppy McGee, a young and determined deputy sheriff, is thrust right into things. She is now the point person on Allison Laney’s case. And It’s only her first week on the job, but Poppy is undeterred. Her suspicions of Ryan’s innocence grow stronger as she delves deeper into the investigation.

Finlay’s writing style is captivating, reminiscent of a merry-go-round where each brief stop reveals a new angle. As the story progresses, Ryan and the police are confronted with revelations that challenge their wildest imaginations. This book is a masterpiece, and I eagerly anticipate reading more works by this brilliant author. It’s the second Finlay book I’ve read, and I can confidently say that I’ll be exploring his other works in the future.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

The twist in this book is completely unexpected. The author wrote a very exciting book that I read in one afternoon. As secrets were revealed I became more invested in the book and the characters. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a lot of twists in books.

Thank you so much @Minotaur_Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 28 May 2024)

SYNOPSIS | Ryan has never forgotten the fateful night where he was rendered unconscious whilst his girlfriend was dragged from his car and has never been seen since. With no trace of Ali or the car, suspicion hung over Ryan, but he has never been charged. Trying to put the past behind him, Ryan changes his last name and starts law school however one day 5 years later he hears news that Ali's car has been discovered submerged in a lake not far from where the kidnapping occurred. There are two dead bodies in the car alongside Ali's backpack with a still legible note that reads "if something happens to me...".

WHAT I LIKED:
- I found myself consistently saying "just one more chapter"
- multiple POVs and short chapters kept this a fast paced read
- the prologue was super promising

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- a lot of characters to keep track of and a lot of different cities made the story hard to follow
- a lot of action scenes (I could visualise this more as a movie than as a book)
- I started to lose interest around the mid-way point...
- the ending was kinda underwhelming

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy review.
Initially, I was drawn in by the short snippy chapters and the "godfather" character and his family. I was so interested in how the author crafted him—very complex with multiple layers and angles. And then I reached that moment when the book turned upside down, and the twist landed hard. I truly was shocked, and it was the best kind of experience when reading a thriller.
Overall, I had a fantastic time with this read.

Alex Finlay's If Something Happens to Me is a gripping and suspenseful thriller. I enjoy all of Finlay's works, and this one is no exception. Finlay masterfully builds suspense, weaving together multiple storylines and introducing a cast of intriguing characters. The twists and turns are unexpected and shocking, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Wowww such a thriller! I flew through the pages. I bet this one ends up popular! Highly recommend for someone looking for a quick, intriguing read.

This was such a surprising read, I was totally blown away by this! At a time when thrillers are a dime a dozen, this one blows most of them out of the water with its refreshing uniqueness. If you're sick of your run of the mill domestic thrillers, pick this up because it was a wild ride! This hooked me from the very first page and didn't let up until the last page! The pacing was perfect, the writing skilled & intelligent, and the characters realistic and relatable, and the most important part--the reveal--was nearly perfect! Believable without being predictable, shocking without being outlandish! This was a 5 star read for me! Highly recommended.

I loved this book, I practically binge-read it! The short chapters and frequent plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat! I’ve already recommended this book to some friends. If you love twisty suspenseful mysteries with interesting main characters, you’ll love this book. I’d love to read more adventures with the female police officer, she was fabulous! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.