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.

I was nervous to start this one. I haven’t vibed with too many thrillers this year, and Finlay’s first two books set the bar incredibly high for me. But “If Something Happens to Me” was everything I love about his work: female LEOs who are well written and a couple storylines that somehow, wildly, come together by the end of the book. The twists start dropping early in this one and they don’t stop until the last page. I had literal goosebumps at the 89% mark.

All of that said, I’d advise you to go in blind. That’s my advice for all of Finlay’s novels. The synopsis feels overwhelming, but the story isn’t in the least. I had a blast reading this one and it’s joining “Every Last Fear” and “The Night Shift” on my list of slump busters!

Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, seamlessly blending heart-pounding action with deeply emotional undertones. From the very first chapter, Finlay pulls you into a web of secrets, lies, and high-stakes decisions that will keep you hooked until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. They are complex, flawed, and incredibly human, allowing readers to connect with their struggles on a personal level. Finlay delves into themes of grief, loyalty, and the lengths we go to protect the people we love, adding depth and authenticity to the thriller’s fast-paced narrative.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alex Finlay delivers another gripping, high-octane thriller with If Something Happens to Me. As a fan of Finlay's work, I was thrilled to dive into this novel—and it did not disappoint. This book is a masterclass in suspense, weaving multiple perspectives into a story that is as relentless as it is emotionally charged.

The story begins with Ryan Richardson, a man haunted by the night his girlfriend, Ali, disappeared. With her car and a cryptic note discovered five years later, Ryan is thrust back into the chaos of his past. From the lush hills of Tuscany to the shadowy streets of Paris, Ryan’s quest for answers propels the plot forward with breathtaking momentum.

Finlay excels at creating distinct, compelling voices. Each character—whether it’s Ryan, a sheriff's deputy in Kansas, or a mobster in Philadelphia—brings a unique lens to the unfolding mystery. The international locales elevate the stakes and add a cinematic quality to the narrative. Finlay captures each setting vividly, making the reader feel fully immersed in the chase. True to form, Finlay peppers the story with surprises that kept me guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another layer was revealed.

While the pacing is undeniably gripping, there were moments where the sheer number of twists felt a bit overwhelming. Additionally, a few plot threads could have been tied up more neatly, though they didn’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.

If Something Happens to Me is a pulse-pounding thriller that will leave you breathless. With its layered characters, intricate plotting, and explosive twists, it’s a testament to why Alex Finlay is one of the best voices in the genre today. A solid 4-star read that will delight fans and newcomers alike!

If you're into thrillers that blend emotional depth with nonstop action, this one is not to be missed.

I usually love this author but this one was a miss for me. The mystery was a bit too muddy and the characters were all over the place. The writing itself was well-crafted and easy to read, and the cover is definitely eye-catching.

I’m an Alex Finlay follower, and love reading any new titles that come out. This one felt more action-packed and criminal to me than the usual. I give it 3.5 stars. Enjoyed the twists, but slightly predictable.

I’ve enjoyed Alex Finlay’s twisty popcorn reads but this one was just too contrived and forgettable for me to engage with. A solid meh.

Five years ago, Ryan and his girlfriend, Ali, drove to a secluded spot for a romantic time. And if the horror movies taught us anything— we know that’s where trouble begins. In this case, the bad guy attacks, knocking Ryan on the head and kidnapping Ali.

Just as Ryan thinks he’s put the past behind him, Ali’s car turns up submerged in a lake with two dead men inside.

And on a summer trip to Italy, Ryan catches a glimpse of the man who’s plagued his nightmares since that terrible night. That sighting kicks off a race around the world to clear his name and find out what really happened that night. I love everything Alex Finley writes, and this was no exception!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC!

I read this thrilling page-turner in less than a day—it was just that unputdownable. Loved that it had short chapters yet was so intricately plotted. My only quibble was the fact that for someone who was supposedly super smart, Poppy’s actions/decisions towards the end of the book just did not make sense. Overall a very enjoyable read.

Just when Ryan thinks he put the past behind him, he gets phone call from his dad saying they found his girlfriend’s car with two dead men inside and a note. What happened to Ali? So many twists! I had a hard time putting the book down. This is the first book I read by Alex. Looking forward to reading more! Thank you NetGalley, Alex and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Alex Finlay is an author I recommend to my friends who like thrillers. This was another can’t put it down novel.

If Something Happens to Me is the perfect book for someone who loves crimes tv shows. I could definitely picture this on the screen.

This is decently paced book that keeps things moving and keeps you guessing. Though, some things were a bot predictable for me I still found the overall story engaging. I'll pick up more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay!

👀 Hi, excuse me. Why would you do something to THIS man’s child👀?

ALSO can someone please explain, why I KNOW PEOPLE ARE AFTER ME, for YEARS, AND I DECIDE 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 TO PROTECT OR DEFEND MYSELF in ANY way?! WTF?!

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: If Something Happens to Me
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Reasons To Teach Your Kids Not To Be Idiots 🙌 000678
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Alex Finlay
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: @minotaur_books
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿:
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Slow
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: E-book Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Suspense Mystery
3/𝟱

🌱𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁

US kids, are being US kids to the point where the bullying leads to tragedy. (🤔 I take this moment to acknowledge that this also happens in Canada, Japan, South Korea and some European countries? 💁 Doesn’t happen in my slice of the world, so I guess 3rd world-ism pays off sometimes?) ANYWAY, turns out this kid is the child of pretty terrible stains of humanity 👀 and they are very much into revenge. No matter the distance. No matter the years. These stains are dedicated. Parents will step in to ‘protect’ their children from the consequences of their actions, when they could have just taught them not to be unmentionables.

The story is a slow rising hill with few bumps & few reveals. It comes across as a passive listen instead of an active “trying to solve and understand”. Okay if you’re just looking to get a semi-suspenseful read.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗵
~ the terrible children that needed proper talking to
~ author trying to share an obsessive Parisian addiction ~ no thank you sir

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)