A story that starts off with young love and unexpected heart break in extreme circumstances calls to readers looking for a great book to start off their summer! This page turner introduces us to Ryan and Ali having a heart to heart in their car, under the night skies, when all of a sudden, Ryan is taken by surprise and Ali is taken by strangers. Ali is presumed dead after the years go by, her story not forgotten, but Ryan always living in the shadows of the community believing he was responsible. Years later Ryan has continued in life with no one knowing his back story, until the car that disappeared that night is found at the bottom of the local lake. Inside the car are two dead men and a mysterious note in Ali's handwriting. A crash course in finding out the truth starts here with twists and turns and surprises, readers will never expect around each corner! This fast paced thriller has characters readers will be invested in and a storyline that will keep your jaw dropping until the end.

A fast-paced, quick, solidly entertaining book. If you're a fan of Alex Finlay's work, this one will hit the mark. Thanks to Netgally and St Martin's Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 years ago Ali went missing, yanked from her father's car where she was parked on Lovers Lane with her boyfriend, Ryan. Ryan can't remember the specifics of that night because he was hit in the head. All he can remember is a man with 8 fingers. Of course, Ryan is blamed by the community for her disappearance and his lack of memory doesn't help. After years of harassment, he changed his name, skipped town, and started at a new law school.

5 years later, Ali's car is found submerged in a lake, but Ali is not who they find inside. A new deputy sheriff is determined to break the case and find out what really happened that night. And where is Ali? And who did they find in the car if it wasn't her?

There are a lot of people and components to this story, Alex does a great job of tying it all together and making it easy to follow and understand. This is my first Alex Finlay read but I definitely like his writing style and after reading this I'm definitely going to check out more of his work. If Something Happens To Me is a slow burn thriller, with a lot of dynamics and a lot of different stories and backgrounds connecting everything together but it's easy to follow and a really enjoyable read to get lost in!

Thank you to @netgalley @alexfinlayauthor and @stmartinspress for this advanced eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What?

And again what?

First of all. Justice for Ryan. This poor kid. His life was shattered. Ruined. By the public and his own guilt. I can’t accept this life for him. He deserves so much more.

How could she live with herself on the other side of the globe all happy and moving on while he suffered? I guess the kind of girl who was also someone who wouldn’t stand up to her friends horrific bullying. Gross.

I mean I also feel for Anthony’s parents and I wished the had tried a bit harder to get through to him (they may have it just didn’t go into much detail on this part) they knew he wasn’t okay.

Poppy was just the best.

LOVED a the three POVS. Loved it.

Ryan and Alison are a high school couple parked out on Lover's Lane. Alison is pulled from the car by a man with missing fingers, Ryan is knocked out, and Alison is just gone.

Ryan is, obviously, at first a suspect. But there's no proof to arrest him and life goes on. Five years later, Ryan is in law school. He's on a trip with law school friends when he gets a call that Alison's car has been found in a lake in their hometown and two men are dead inside. There's a letter in the car that reads “If something happens to me”. And then we are all caught up in solving this mystery!

This book had a lot of POV which are sometimes hard to keep up with, but this was well done, especially in the audio. It was a fast paced mob story that kept me invested!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for an eARC and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for my free copy for review.

Alex Finlay's masterful storytelling kept me engrossed in three intricately woven stories that intersect at the most unexpected moments, delivering a riveting and unforeseen twist to the narrative. The unfolding suspense is palpable, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the characters, Poppy and Ryan, find themselves inexorably drawn into a past that they can’t resist unraveling.

This tantalizing thriller delves deep into the profound and lasting impact of bullying, skillfully exploring the emotional and psychological toll it takes. As the characters embark on a relentless chase, the narrative becomes a deliciously intense mystery, filled with intricate details and nuanced character development that kept me gripped until the very end.

For fans of thrilling mysteries, this is a must-read.

You think your towns messed up? Wait until you pick up this book. PHEWIEE!

Thank you MacMillan Audio, St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the gifted copies of this book. "If Something Happens to Me" publishes on May 21, 2024.

📚 I am always a person who gravitates towards Alex Finlay's thrillers. I read them every year. I am always entertained when I pick up his books. Heck, I get excited when I see that they are coming out with something new.

"If Something Happens to Me" was a classic Finlay novel. Filled with brain melting twists, tons of unreliable characters, multiple points of views to keep you at the edge of your seat, pacing that's so fast you'll find yourself binging the entire book in less than forty-eight hours. (Yes, that is me. I did that)

This was a good thriller...I enjoyed reading this! My problem that I have found when it comes to Finlay's stories is that there's too many characters but I will say for "If Something Happens to Me" it works.

I did mostly audio and when there are a lot of people to keep track of its hard to full enjoy the mystery. I got to 75% of the story and the book just got blah. The big twist that broke my brain came too early in the story and left me grasping in the air for something more deliciously mind melting by the end. Don't get me wrong the twists were good. They keep the book entertaining. The back half of the book just didn't keep me engaged. *shrugs*

What really kept me going was with each character's point of view we continued to see how deeply messed up this town collectively is. I was shocked. I was addicted. I was not ready for the reveals Alex Finlay slapped in my face.

- Multiple POV
- Sketchy Towns with Just as Sketchy People
- Puzzles
-Fast Paced
- Unsolved Mysteries

If Something Happens To Me is a fantastic thriller. With seemingly unconnected stories, they came together in the most perfect shocking way, like 🤯. Brilliant!

It's action packed and intense,and I couldn't put it down.

I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has been haunted by a single, horrific night. He relives the moment again and again: the car door wrenching open, the crushing blow to his head, the hands pulling him out of the vehicle, and Ali's piercing scream as she's taken. With no trace of Ali or the car, suspicion has hung over Ryan like a dark cloud. Though he's never been charged, thanks to a lack of evidence and a good lawyer, the whispers of internet trolls and relentless podcasters have followed him.

Ryan has tried to rebuild his life. He changed his last name, enrolled in law school, and has done his best to leave the past behind. But just as he begins to feel a sense of normalcy, a summer trip to Italy with his classmates is interrupted by a chilling call from his father: Ali's car has been found, submerged in a lake back home. Inside, two dead men and a cryptic note in Ali's handwriting that reads, "If something happens to me..."

Halfway around the world, Ryan sees the man who's haunted his nightmares for years. This discovery propels him on a frantic journey from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a quiet village in the UK, and the glittering streets of Paris. Ryan races to uncover the truth, unaware that his salvation might come from an unlikely alliance: a young sheriff's deputy in Kansas working her first case and a mobster in Philadelphia with his own tragic past.

This book is pure entertainment. It's a quick, high-speed read, packed with action and unexpected twists. I was constantly guessing and appreciated that the surprises kept me on my toes. The story is divided into three parts with short, fast-paced chapters, making it easy to breeze through. Finlay has crafted another thrilling novel, cementing his place as a must-read author for me. This book is one you don’t want to miss!

While I loved almost every moment, a few scenarios toward the end felt a bit far-fetched, which slightly diminished the story for me. That small gripe aside, this is a solid four-star read.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries or action-packed thrillers. It’s a wild ride that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Maybe thrillers just aren't my bag anymore, but I wasn't a fan of this. I usually like Alex Finlay's intricate storytelling, small town drama, and the way his multiple POVs intersect with one another in unexpected ways. Somehow, this book felt overly complex, yet the twists were quite predictable. I might take a little break from thrillers for a bit - I find it's hard to find ones that really blow my mind these days!

Five years ago, Ryan Richardson's girlfriend Alison Lane disappeared, along with her dad's car, leaving Ryan suspect #1 until DNA evidence implicated a serial killer. Now, Ryan is a law student, in Italy with some of his classmates, when he hears the car has been found submerged in a local lake. But neither of the two bodies discovered in the car is Alison, so what happened to her? The car is found on Poppy McGee's first day of work as a deputy sheriff, and after she is assigned to the tip line, she uncovers evidence pointing to a cover-up related to Alison's disappearance. What happened 5 years ago? Told from multiple perspectives, some of which you won't understand until later in the book, the story is fast-paced and well-plotted, with lots of twists and action as well as (mostly) likeable characters. My attention was engaged from page one through to the end.

This book was hard to follow at first. Once you get all the key characters set in your mind it becomes easier to follow.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t a favorite of mine.

I will try with this author again and hop fully I can then add him to my favorite list.

If Something Happens to Me is Alex Finlay's latest thriller.
Five years ago, Ryan and his girlfriend Ali were attacked. Ali has been missing since, and Ryan has no memory of the event. He started a new life after he was the main suspect in Ali's disappearance. Now, a car has been found with the bodies of two men and Ali's purse so the investigation heats up again. The story is told from the perspectives of Ryan, the sheriff's deputy working the case in Kansas, and a gangster in Philadelphia.
Like Finlay's other books this was a really fun, fast-paced thriller with a nice twist. There is a lot of action and the characters are well-developed. I would definitely recommend going in blind.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This story grabbed me from the start. Each point of view different, revealing twist after twist. What happened to Ali and why is expertly doled out throughout the other surprising connections.

This author knows how to take you down a road and then hit you with some twists and turns. This story had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. I can’t wait for the next book.

Love the twists and turns from this author! I always enjoy his books and was excited to receive an early copy of this one.

Quote: "Something's not right. The puzzle pieces are warped, disfigured."

In Philadelphia, Anthony O'Leary, teenage son of mobster Scott O'Leary is being bullied at an elite school. What happens as a result of this leaves a town a few less in number.

Five years ago, in Kansas, Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend, Alison Lane were on a date when Ryan gets hit over the head so hard that he blacks out. Upon waking up, Alison and her car are gone. Ryan is automatically a suspect. With a good lawyer and lack of evidence, Ryan gets let off the hook and allowed to carry on with his life. He travels to Italy on a school trip and that's where the story of Alison begins to unfold.

Meanwhile, in Kansas, there's a new deputy by the name of Poppy McGee. Her first day on the job finds her at Suncatcher Lake while a car with two bodies are being lifted out. Once the car is processed, a handbag is found. Inside the handbag is an envelope containing some sort of number code with the title "If Something Happens to Me" written on it.

What does this code mean?
Where's Alison Lane?
Who do the bodies in the car belong to?

Poppy will stop at nothing to find the answers to those questions.

In If Something Happens to Me, Alex Finlay introduces us to a lot of characters. It may seem a bit overwhelming at first but trust me they are all connected. In the end, you will not be left wondering where any of them fit within the storyline.

If you enjoy different locations, different points of view, and several interconnected characters, then, I would definitely recommend If Something Happens to Me. Alex Finlay does a great job with pacing. I wanted to keep reading way past my bedtime. There is a bit of language, so just be aware of that if that bothers you.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review If Something Happens to Me.

This kept me flipping pages. The first half I enjoyed so much! The second half fell a little flat and the ending was just random and fell so flat. I think the true positive out of the whole book was that it was a true testament to what lengths a parent will go to to avenge and/or protect their child. Otherwise, it was your average mystery/thriller.

★ 5 Stars ★
After reading "Every Last Fear," I knew I would be keeping my eye on Alex Finlay. His unique writing style is all-consuming and addictive.

"If Something Happens to Me" begins with the innocent relationship of two high school lovebirds, Ryan and Ally. From here, the author spins an intricately layered tale of revenge that turns into a brutal ride with no boundaries.

I love reading along while listening to the audiobook. The distinct voices in this audiobook were fantastic and made it come to life! I finished this one as quickly as possible and didn't appreciate interruptions! I highly recommend the book and author!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for providing these early reading copies. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

Summary/Thanks:
Ryan’s life hasn’t been the same since the night five years ago, when his high school girlfriend Alison disappeared while they were together, and he was ripped out of his car and hit over the head before he could help her. He was the center of suspicion, even though there was no proof that he was responsible for Alison’s disappearance. Ryan changed his name and left his hometown, desperate to leave behind the whispered rumors of his past. But, halfway around the world, on a school trip with his law school friends, Ryan sees the man who has haunted him since that night, the one he believes is responsible for Alison’s abduction. Racing around Europe to try to solve the twisted puzzle that started years before he met Alison, Ryan is desperate to find the only one who can clear his name. On the other side of the world, proving Ryan’s innocence may lie in the hands of a green sheriff’s deputy and a mobster in Philadelphia who is still reeling from a tragedy of his own. Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Finlay, and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of If Something Happens to Me!

My Thoughts:
This book had mobsters, characters racing through Europe to solve a mystery, and well-developed characters, so what’s not to love?? If Something Happens to Me is my first read by Alex Finlay, and it definitely did not disappoint! This book was so twisty, and the mystery kept me guessing. There were a few parts where I was able to guess the twist that was coming, but it did not make the book any less enjoyable for me.

I love that this book was written in multiple POVs. I thoroughly enjoy being able to read the book from the perspective of both the protagonists and antagonists. It really gives you both sides of the story. I found myself sympathizing with Ryan, for the time that he lost because of the cloud of suspicion hanging over his head, but I also found myself sympathizing with the members of the O’Leary crime ring, for the tragedies that they suffered. You know a book is good when it makes you root for the good guys and the bad guys!

This book was a really quick and easy read. The chapters were short and exciting, and I never felt like the story was dragging out or like I was starting to get bored while reading it. I read the entire book in one sitting, and was kept entertained the whole time! I highly recommend this book if you like fast-paced easy read mysteries!

My Favorite Quotes:
-“Summer in Kansas would give hell a run for its money.” (Chapter 2)
-“She understands that good people sometimes say stupid shit, unintentionally offend because they don’t know any better or act or text or post in the heat of the moment.” (Chapter 7)
-“Few things in this world can make you feel better than a dog.” (Chapter 28)
-“So, he responds the way everyone from his generation responds to a question they don’t want to answer: He ignores the text.” (Chapter 30)