4⭐️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Alex Finlay’s newest: If Something Happens to Me! This one was an easy 4 star read. It had everything a popcorn thriller should: fast pacing, an unexpected twist, and a solid resolution. This one only took me a couple days to get through, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You do have to stretch reality a small bit for it to be 100% believable, but it was so small it didn’t bother me. Definitely check this one out when it publishes on 5/28!

This book is pretty short with short chapters and is really fast paced. So if you want to down a mystery/thriller in a day, this is your book! I thought the plot was a bit overly complicated, and I had a bit of shock/twist fatigue by the end. Definitely a good popcorn thriller!

3.5 stars: Five years ago, Ryan’s girlfriend Alison was taken from their car, never to be seen again. People suspected Ryan had killed her, until her hair was found at a campsite for a serial killer. He denied killing Alison, despite admitting to his other kills. Five years later, Alison’s car is found with two dead men and her purse, with a note that reads: If something happens to me.. Ryan, now living in Europe sees the man he believes he saw that night five years ago, following him.

This story was a wild ride! It’s multiple POV, short chapters with cliffhangers, really fast paced. I was able to predict the twists, but I didn’t mind. It’s fun being right 😉 My biggest issues were the epilogue chapters - which I’m happy to discuss if you DM me, since this is spoiler-free! But I have a very different ending I would’ve liked to see. This was my first Alex Finlay read, and I’d be open to another.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"If Something Happens To Me" is the 3rd book that I have read by Alex Finlay. I found it to be an addictive, intriguing & well written story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page.
I enjoyed how the author told the story by using 3 different locations & 2 different timelines until everything finally connected.
I can't wait to read what Mr. Finlay decides to write next.

So, at first, I really got into this thriller, it gripped right at the beginning but started falling apart for me towards the last quarter. It just became confusing, keeping up with all the characters and the identity of Allison/Taylor/Sophia.... just too much going on for me, I guess.

Very disappointed because I was really enjoying this! It just lost me. Told in multiple POVs, which I am fine with, just could not hold my attention after a while.

A page turner that kept me interested until the very end.

Ali and her boyfriend Ryan are excited to spend time together. They were supposed to have a nice date but it was interrupted by a thunderstorm. Once inside the car, something terrible happened in seconds. Then in the morning, Ryan is outside on the wet grass. The car is gone. So is Ali.

After five years of Ali’s disappearance, the car she was last driving in is found in a lake with two dead men and Ali’s purse. Inside the purse, there is a note written in code. And that's how it all started again.

Book packed with actions and turns. Short chapters of suspense, character-driven and gripping from the very first page. Very mysterious to the point that it sounded unrealistic but I didn’t mind as I was completely invested in this story.

This was a very good and interesting book and I look forward to reading more of Finlay's books in the future. Definitely a must-read for thriller fans.

A fast-paced, cleverly crafted & well plotted thriller. Compelling characters are flawlessly woven into the story & the storyline is filled with intrigue & suspense. Short chapters making this a binge-worthy read.

I highly recommend this twisty & engrossing novel.

This was my Alex Finlay novel & certainly won’t be my last!

Favorite Line: “Fatheads is part pool hall, part dive bar. And obviously named before the world got enlightened, or too sensitive, depending on your world view.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books & Alex Finlay for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled to figure out how the two groups tied together but man was I shocked when I figured it out. Great story line

If something Happens to me grabbed me instantly i lost 2 nights of sleep staying up reading this suspenseful story (TOTALLY WORTH IT) High-school sweethearts go to lovers lane, one is taken and one is a murder suspect. Told from different character perspective and across an ocean. A must read for fans of Alex Finlay and suspense!!!

Absolutely incredible book! This was my first book by this author and I was completely hooked from the first chapter. I would highly recommend reading this book over listening to if if you struggle with a book having a lot of characters.
The first plot twist blew my mind!! It felt like there was a constant cat and mouse chasing going on so I was always on the edge of my seat, in a good way.
I loved that this felt like half YA/half new adult - will definitely be reading more from this author.

I didn’t love this one as much as I was hoping to! But I’ve seen lots of great reviews for it elsewhere, so maybe it was a wrong place wrong time book for me! Thanks to the publisher!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of If Something Happens to me by Alex Finlay. This was a great story. I didn't think I was going to like it much when I first started reading it, but then wow!! There is an awful lot going on and many storylines. I thought I would get confused, but I did not. It was a fun read and interesting how all the storylines fell into place and the connections between all the characters. Well worth the read. I highly recommend it. Put it on your TBR list. A 5 star rating from me.

This was an exciting ride! Fast-paced and bingeable! So hard to put down!! From the very first page I was hooked and I'm glad I went in blind. I highly recommend you go into this blind, too! You may have to suspend disbelief a little, but I promise you'll still have an enjoyable ride. Twists and turns were jaw dropping and gasp worthy. If you're looking for a gripping, action-packed, and engaging read, give this story a try!

Thanks yo NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was up until way too late at night finishing this book because I just couldn’t stop! Finlay did an amazing job of giving the background of each character, but not too much at once, and then bringing everything together in a way that drops your jaw. Just when I thought the reveals were over, there were more. I’ve already committed my life to reading every book written by this author, and this was exactly what I’ve come to expect and love

Immersing myself in this book was like stepping into the script of a thrilling HBO series. The meticulously crafted chapters drove the narrative at a relentless pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat. If you're a fan of books that instantly captivate and leave you yearning for more, this is a must-read. The desire for a sequel that this book left me with is a testament to its gripping nature.

Despite my slight disappointment in the end, I still recommend this book. My disappointment was based on the fact that I was able to predict the end, and Poppy, a deputy sheriff, failed to notice a mistake with significant repercussions, adding an intriguing layer to the story.

My favorite character in the book was Chaz. For some reason, he reminded me of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad (perhaps because of his connection to his grandkid, his ability to separate business and passion, and his business-like approach).

I read this book on my Kindle, and it was structured in three parts. In the first part, you have three stories developing, and you, as the reader, are left trying to figure out the connection. We are introduced to Alison and Ryan. There is an abduction that takes place, and Ryan does not remember anything; Alison is missing. Fast forward five years later, and Ryan is now an L1 student. He is visiting Italy on a student trip and is trying to move forward from the horrible night while also continuously being tormented. On this trip, we also met some of his friends and Nora, who is his current partner or at least someone he is getting close to on an emotional level. The second story is about Poppy, a deputy officer who joins the Kansa police department (the exact location where the abduction took place). The third story is about Shane O'Leary, a mobster who loses his child to suicide, and between his and his wife's grief, he is seeking revenge. By the second part, you have a huge woah moment! that allows you to understand how everything is tied, but the magic of the writing always keeps you engaged. The third part focuses on solving and putting all the puzzle pieces together.

The only reason I can't give five stars to this book is Poppy's failure to notice that the person who was informing was the person that Ken had told her not to talk to. This mistake caused the death of Michael, and while someone probably needed to go, it just seemed way too big a mistake, and at no point is there a recognition of this in the book. The end could have been flushed better.

For instance, I would have liked to:

- Have a chapter on how Sophia took the news of losing her father; after all, they have been hiding all their life together.
- I would have liked to know more about Poppy's father, who was released from the hospital, and his reaction to everything he missed while he was ill.
- How Shane discovered his brother died
- In the end, there is mention of a Poppy having a relationship that I had to read about four times because it seemed forced. Up to that point, it was never mentioned, and I did not see that coming. Explore a little bit of Poppy's life outside work.

This book is excellent, and I don't regret reading it! I wonder how many people figured out the end or if it was just me. I would give this book four stars.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free eARC for review! This one is out May 28.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Ryan’s girlfriend Ali was kidnapped before his eyes five years ago—but when the vehicle she was abducted in is finally found alongside a coded message, buried secrets might finally come to light.

Let’s start with the good: this one is pretty fast-paced, with a lot of action and drama, and a straightforward writing style that makes you want to keep reading more. I liked most of the characters (including the ones I was probably least supposed to, honestly) and was generally entertained throughout.

That said, while I am positive there is an audience for this book, I don’t think I’m really part of it. I guessed the twists early and, more importantly, didn’t like them—the plot felt predictable and a bit silly, and I didn’t like the way things wrapped up for anyone. For most of the book, I was probably rooting for the villains, which I don’t think was the intention.

Overall, this was a fast read and if it sounds good to you, I’d still recommend it! But sadly not a favorite of my year (or even month) so far.

CW: Torture/murder/death; suicide; bullying; mentions of child abuse/domestic violence

I loved this book! My first 5 ⭐️ of the year! “If Something Happens to Me” had all the things I enjoy in a novel: scenery/setting, unique characters and MANY plot twists. “If Something Happens to Me,” was a very unexpected mystery that added a sprinkle of wit and a touch of romance. Plus it gave a slight Ozark (Netflix) nod with ‘the accountant’ character. I can’t say enough about this title/work. Thank you St.Martin’s Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC. I enjoyed reading and reviewing.

3.5⭐️

Big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio for the ARC & ALC copies of this new thriller, out 5/28!!!

This was actually my first book of Finlay's, though I do have a couple of his others on my TBR list!
I really enjoyed how this one started with a suspenseful opening and really kept us guessing on what was going on. I thought that it did get a little slower towards the middle, and I started to piece together what was going on, but the story still worked out well.

I definitely think a different ending would have suited this better, but it definitely did not take away from my enjoyment of the book overall.

My downside with this one is that there were quite a few characters, and at times I felt myself a little confused on who was where and doing what. However, I will say that MacMillan Audio did a great job distinguishing between the characters, and that really helped alot!

I will definitely pick up another of Finlay's books, as I thought this was an enjoyable thriller.

In a market flooded with “thrillers”, Alex Finlay’s latest is the cream that has risen to the top. This book was absolutely unputdownable (yep, its a word). Short chapters, compelling characters and a couple of really smart twists definitely made this book one of my favourite thrillers of 2024.

If you have enjoyed this author’s previous works, this one won’t only be for you, it may just be your new favourite of his. The writing is just as propulsive as his earlier books, and brings along a ominous vibe. Each of our main characters have multiple layers to their pasts, which are fleshed out as the story is told from different points of view. When they eventually come together, it’s just *chef’s kiss* - the perfect reveal.

With this book, Alex Finlay has become an auto-buy author for me. I’ll read anything he puts out.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martins Publishing for the ARC of 'If Something Happens To Me" in exchange for an honest review.
As a thriller fan, there's nothing I love more than a multi-faceted story that unfolds using seemingly multiple disparate places and people. The kind of book that grips you immediately as you wonder out loud, "wait a sec......what do this these people and this place have anything to do with the other characters and locations?"
The fun, of course, comes from the author drawing you deeper into the mysteries and surprising you with the skill of gradually putting all the puzzle pieces together......not to mention knocking your socks off with some huge twists.
Alex Finlay does a truly masterful job of that here. In Leavenworth, Kansas, a feisty new deputy Sheriff tries to make sense of a once cold case turned hot - the disappearance of a young girl and her boyfriend's suspicious claim that they were pulled out of their car by an unseen abductor with some missing fingers. Ryan, the disbelieved and reviled boyfriend, is now a law student vacationing in Italy when he's contacted by.......possibly the abductor himself.
Somehow, all of these threads lead back to Philadelphia, home of the much feared O'Leary family, an organized crime dynasty infamous for their murderous retribution against whoever they think wronged them. And this scary bunch is feeling seriously wronged.
This book more than delivered everything I hope for when I start a new thriller........a book that makes you put everything you're doing on hold so you can zip through the pages to see what happens, figure how everything fits together, and then makes you raise your eyebrows in surprise as the twists and reveals start to pile up
"If Something Happens To Me" checked all those boxes for me, which explains the 5 stars I'm giving it. Move this one up to the top of any TBR thriller list.