Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced audio copy of “If Something Happens to Me” by Alex Finlay for a review.

Alex Finlay is one of those hit or miss authors for me. I loved The Night Shift, but found Every Last Fear just okay, and stayed away from What Have We Done based on the reviews.

I enjoyed If Something Happens to Me! I didn’t see the main twist coming, and I really liked how the characters became connected as the story progressed. I think this will be a big thriller for the summer. I blew through it in less than 2 days, and while I’d recommend it to fellow readers/listeners, I’m not sure if it’ll stay with me long term.

If Something Happens to Me Review

A Big Thank You to Macmillan Audio for sending me “If Something Happens to Me” Audiobook to review!

To preface, I have never read a book by Alex Finlay so I was definitely excited to listen to his newest book, “If Something Happens to Me.”

And I am excited to announce that I was hooked on this book from the start! With its short chapters, it felt like I was flying through it!

In this book, we follow multiple POVs who are all connected to the story’s central mystery…a high school senior goes missing during a date with her boyfriend.

The twists just had me on the edge of my seat, especially with the introduction of a particular character (ie one of the Philly characters).

As a travel lover, I love that this book takes place in a number of locations (Domestically and Internationally): a small town in Kansas, Philadelphia, Italy, England, France.

By giving some of the characters accents, specific to the certain locations, it gave the characters more depth and added a new dimension to them.

As much as I loved this book, the only thing I felt lukewarm about was the ending…it just felt a little lackluster for me after all the exciting twists throughout (guess I was expecting one final twist).

However, since I enjoyed this book so much, I had to give it a four star rating!

I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Alex Finlay (New Book Mission: look into his backlist books)!

“If Something Happens to Me” by Alex Finlay goes onsale tomorrow (05/28/24)!

For the past 5 years Ryan has lived with the horror of the night his girlfriend Allison was taken and he was helpless but could hear her screams. Now in law school and on a summer trip to Rome, his father calls to let him know that her car has been found but her body is not in it, oddly two dead men and a note written in code are all that are found. Then to his horror, in Italy, Ryan sees the man who grabbed Allison and has haunted his dreams. Ryan races to follow him all the way to the UK needing to find out what happened to Ali. Back at home a young deputy sheriff is also trying to solve the case and also determine how her family may be connected to it all - and she may be the only person that Ryan can trust to help solve him.

This was immersive from the first chapter and I loved every twist and turn of this one. I switched between audio and reading which can sometimes be confusing (especially with so many characters, timelines and storylines) but in the case both mediums worked really well together. I loved the multiple POVs and the intertwining storylines that at the outset I couldn’t figure out how they would ever meet, but the author wove a great story and tied everything up at the end seamlessly. This is one of those books that is picked up in the morning and done the same day because you can’t go to sleep without knowing the end! I will definitely need to look at the @alexfinalyauthor’s backlist!

4.25

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC to review

This was not my favorite Finlay book, but I enjoyed it enough to keep reading and find out what happened in the end. The storylines were kind of hard to follow as well.

I was disappointed by this audiobook. It had an intriguing premise. I expected to love it. However, I just got lost. There were too many characters to keep track of. The two male narrators sounded so similar that I wouldn’t constantly get them mixed up. I got the jist of what happened thought the ending was lame, sorry. I have done a Bookstagram review post that I have linked down below.

Alex Finlay has done it again! An absolutely amazing read for thriller lovers. I finished this book with in 24 hours. The main characters are well written and likable. The story is twisty, angsty, and took a sharp turn at the end that I did not see coming. If you like addictive and pacey thrillers that are a puzzle to piece together this is perfect!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copy!

This is my third Alex book (still need to read his debut) and as much as I loved this last book, this one may have dethrone the prior. I was hooked from the start and with the fast paced short chapters, it really helped move the story along.

"Whoever said if you're seeking revenge dig two graves - one for your enemy and one for yourself.- had it almost right."

Similar to his last book, Finlay broke the book down into 3 point of views (Poppy, Ryan and Shane) which all eventually converge. As I was reading, I was trying to figure out how all were connected (of course I was wrong). I am not sure which storyline I enjoyed following the most as at different points I was tapping on my screen to hurry to get to the next chapter as often times they were left. There were a lot of side characters that were thrown at you and that sometimes made it hard to remember who was who and what role they played.

I paired my reading with the audiobook. I was very happy that they had 3 different narrators for each of the point of views. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh all did an excellent job with their character. What doesn't always happen with narrators is that they sounded like their age. There was a character that was clearly older than the other two and they had a older sounded voice which made it feel believable. Their voices mixed with Finlay's writing made the listening experience enjoyable!

This book is such a suspenseful ride from start to the end. I think this book will be great for summer & readers will eat it up!

PS - I am always happy when Philadelphia is a setting in a book!

4.5

I will always pick up a book by Alex Finley, ever since I first received an advance copy of Every Last Fear, I have been hooked. I know when I pick up a Finley book I am usually in for a great thriller that will keep me reading and on my toes.

If Something Happens to Me, was good, not as good as previous books in my opinion, but it did keep me reading. It was face paced and twisty and I always appreciate that, and I believe Finley can tell a story that is well written, in-depth, and entertaining.

The audio book, which I listened to had three point of views and all three narrators, Paul Dateh, Helen Laser, and John Piralla, did a great job with their parts.

I went into this one blind, which I really enjoy doing on thrillers, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into. There were at times I felt like the plot was a little over the top, but as always Finley has written a heart pounding mafia type thriller that will keep all thriller fans reading until they reach the end.

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for an ALC of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay!

What a bingeable book! This one sucks you right in from the very first chapter - 5 years ago, Ryan & his love Ali were enjoying each other's company in her father's car when she was taken - Never to be seen again and presumed dead. A cloud of suspicion has always hung over Ryan, even though he was never charged. He's changed his name, and in another country is trying to enjoy his "new" life.

That is, until he gets a call that Ali's car has been found in a nearby lake in his hometown. Two dead mean are inside along with a note she left: If something happens to me...Then, Ryan sees "pinky man" from that night and he will stop at nothing to figure out what happened to Ali.

Finlay is a master of multiple POVs that are seemingly completely separate, but weave together in the most intricate and satisfying way. This book is so easy to binge not only because it's delicious, but the chapters are so short, about 5 pages each.

I really enjoyed this one - I alternated between ebook and audiobook, great narration - and would love to see more of the police force that worked on this case in upcoming novels!

I admit. I was 47% into the book and realized this book is way too complex for me. Too many characters that are weakly developed, too many locales- Philly, UK, Italy, Kansas I find myself not really on top of where I am in the story, where it's going and need to keep notes to know who's who.
The beginning started off great and sounded like l'd be intrigued and invested in what happened to Allison. But, no. It became a bit of a huge convoluted mess and it just lost my interest. Being in the minority among all of the other rave reviews for this book maybe it's just me and not the book. The narrators performances were good. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this book.

Twisty and fast paced and a great way to kick off my summer reading. The short chapters and multiple narrators make it an easily bingeable book. Some of the twists were kind of predictable but didn’t make it any less entertaining. This is probably my favorite Alex Finlay book and I would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Five years ago college sweethearts Ali and Ryan were having some alone time while parked in Ali's vehicle when all of a sudden someone pulled Ali from the car and took off with her. For 5 years Ali was never located and Ryan was accused by everyone of doing something horrible to her. He is now attending law school and trying to carry on with his life but that night keeps haunting him everyday. Then one day Ali's car is found and inside that car is a letter addressed to Ryan titled, "If Something Happens To Me". The local authorities contact Ryan to see if he knows what the letter means as it is all written in some kind of code. What really happened that night will take the reader on an unexpected course and will keep you wanting to read to see how this one ends.....Enjoy!!!!

New summer thriller from Alex Finlay - If Something Happens to Me.

"A teenage girl disappears from Lover's Lane. Her boyfriend claims he was knocked out and doesn't remember what happened, except for the man with no pinkies. Now the car they were in has been found in a lake - except there are two men inside and no sign of the girl. And a note in an envelope addressed with - If something happens to me."

There are three storylines. As a reader, you are unsure of how the timelines fit together or what the connection between them is. But Finlay pulls back a piece at a time and you realize that's it's crime fiction disguised as a thriller. There are some reveals and surprises but you will recognize this plot. Finlay does add a couple of extra layers to a familiar plot. And the ending has a big wild expolsive moment and then another part that was a bit of a letdown. Finlay does make you care about a couple of the characters. It would nice to see them in future stories.
The full-cast narrators -Helen Laser, John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh - do a fabulous job.

Fans of Alex Finlay and crime fiction should enjoy this

I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller by Alex Finlay!

The novel starts with the MC Ryan, who lived through the trauma of his high school girlfriend Ali being kidnapped out of their vehicle five years ago. No body was found, but of course Ryan is the primary suspect. Ryan cannot recall most of the details surrounding the event, but he has retained an an image of the man who attacked them. Although Ryan was never charged due to lack of evidence, he changes his name and moves on with his life to help escape his past.

Fast forward five years and Ryan has graduated college and enrolled in law school. He is traveling Europe with several classmates when he receives a call that Ali's missing car has been found, though her body is not inside. Later during his trip, he also believes that he sees the man who attacked them. Even more shocking, the police find an envelope in Ali's submerged vehicle labeled “If something happens to me," spurring the unraveling of this mystery.

I loved seeing how all the players in this thriller come together at the end. I particularly appreciated the audiobook, which has multiple great narrators. Overall, this is a great mystery if you prefer:

*Dual timelines
*European setting
*Multiple POVs
*Mafia/organized crime

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the e-book and audiobook versions to review!

I really enjoyed this book. I was a little skeptical in the beginning. Ryan’s part of the story early on seemed a little far fetched, but once the story began to unfold, it locked me in.

The book is a fast paced and keeps you roped in. I enjoyed all the different storylines. This was my first book by Alex Finlay. I enjoyed it so much I instantly borrowed another from my public library.

I’d recommend this book to a friend. It has all the elements of a mystery, thriller, with a little romance thrown in there.

"If Something Happens to Me" by Alex Finlay is a highly captivating thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its unique plot and engaging narration, this audiobook is a must-listen for fans of the genre.

The plot of "If Something Happens to Me" is both original and fascinating. The use of multiple narrators adds depth to the storytelling, immersing listeners in different perspectives and enhancing their understanding of the events unfolding throughout the book. From the very beginning, the story hooks readers with its gripping opening scene, setting an intense tone that persists until the final page.

One aspect that sets this novel apart is its relatable and well-developed characters. Each character feels authentic, allowing readers to form emotional connections with them as they navigate through complex situations. Whether it's Ryan Richardson seeking answers about his girlfriend's disappearance or other individuals whose paths intersect unexpectedly, their journeys are compelling and keep the reader invested.

Despite having numerous moving pieces within its storyline, "If Something Happens to Me" remains remarkably easy to follow. The author skillfully weaves together various tropes such as multiple points-of-view narratives, hidden identities, homecoming themes, and organized crime elements into a cohesive whole. This seamless integration enhances both suspenseful moments and surprising twists throughout the book.

Speaking of twists, prepare yourself for some jaw-dropping surprises! Even if you're someone who prides themselves on predicting plot twists accurately (like me), this book will leave you genuinely shocked at several unexpected turns of events.

“If Something Happens To Me" delivers an enthralling reading experience filled with suspenseful moments and unpredictable twists that will leave you wanting more.The combination of a unique plotline,narration,and well-developed characters make it stand out among other thrillers.This novel solidifies Alex Finlay as one of today's leading thriller writers.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Alex Finlay, wonderfully narrated by the cast of Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In high school, Ryan and his girlfriend Ali were parked at the local lover's lane when the car door was ripped open and Ryan got a blow to the head. He was yanked from the car, hearing Ali's screams as she was taken. No trace of Ali or the car was found, and while Ryan was considered a suspect, he was never charged. But Ryan can't forget that night and has dreams of the man who took Ali. Five years later, Ryan has changed his name and is in law school, trying to put his past behind him. But then in Italy with classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father that Ali's car was found with two dead men inside and a note from Ali inside. When Ryan sees the man that has haunted his dreams, he begins a race to find him.

Another thriller that will keep you on your toes from Finlay! Told from multiple POVs - Ryan; Poppy, the detective on the case; and Shane O'Leary, a Philadelphia mobster. It was atmospheric, as Ryan chased his man, and I enjoyed Poppy's character immensely. You may have to suspend reality along the way, but isn't that why we read? This book was tense and gripping and had me glued to the pages to see how all these characters would intersect and the mystery would end. Bravo!

Add this to your summer reading list if you’re a thriller fan!

This book has it all: multiple narrators with interweaving storylines, twists galore, pulse-pounding pace that keeps the pages turning!

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Looking for some much desired alone time, Ryan and Ali, a high school couple, find a quiet place to park in their hometown by Suncatcher Lake. The next thing Ryan knows, it's hours later, he's laying on the ground having been bludgeoned in the head and Ali is gone. He remembers being yanked out of the car at some point, and briefly seeing a strange man, but that's it.

In the aftermath of Ali's disappearance, everyone suspected Ryan. The ole' logic of, 'it's always the husband, or boyfriend', in full effect. The fact that there's no evidence against him, doesn't stop the world from speculating. Haunted by that night and the blow to his reputation, Ryan changed his last name and moved away for law school. Nevertheless, he hasn't truly been able to move on. Ali was the love of his life and it tortures him imagining what may have happened to her.

Five years later, in Italy on a trip with some law school classmates, Ryan gets an unexpected call from his father. Ali's car has just been found submerged in Suncatcher Lake. Once the car is recovered from the water, a grisly discovery is revealed. There are two dead men in the trunk, along with a cryptic note contained in an envelope that has five words written on it in Ali's handwriting:

'If something happens to me...'

Obviously, this reopens everything for Ryan. With that night fresh in his mind, the unthinkable happens. Ryan actually spots the man he remembers seeing that night. What is that man doing in Italy? Who the heck is he? Ryan is no longer a scared teen. He pursues the man. He needs answers and he's not stopping until he gets them.

If Something Happens to Me is a whirlwind ride. The drama takes place in multiple countries and follows a few different perspectives. Initially, it's jarring, but as the pieces start falling into place, the various connections are revealed. Even though this isn't my favorite Finlay novel, that distinction goes to [book:The Night Shift|57693427], there's no denying he knows how to deliver the action and page-turning intrigue.

This is a very action-oriented Thriller, most in line with Finlay's earlier work, Every Last Fear. The various perspectives each help to build out a different aspect of the underlying mystery and it always impresses me how much detail Finlay goes into. For me, Ryan's perspective was the most memorable, but I also enjoyed Poppy McGee, a young deputy from Ryan's hometown, brought onto the case after the car is found. As a side note, there were certain elements of this that reminded me of the series, Your Honor, featuring Bryan Cranston, but with an international twist.

Overall, this is fast-paced and twisty. I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration. It felt compelling and I needed to keep reading until it was complete. Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Alex Finlay is a force to be reckoned with in the Thriller space, and I'll continue picking up his work!

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller that will hook you from the first page, look no further than this amazing book. From the moment I opened this book, I couldn’t put it down. It takes you on a crazy ride with three main POVs that provide a layer of intrigue on how, especially Shane, they are all connected to the murder victim story.

The three narrators were the perfect choices to bring each POV to life. Their voices not only matched who the characters were in my mind, but they had the perfect pitch and delivery for each thrilling scene. If you do want to get the best out of this book, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Honestly it’s best to go in blind with this book because this author created the perfect puzzle for the reader to unravel and the less you know going in the better. It’s the kind of book that will get your heart thumping and adrenaline going with each page you read. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC