this book was a quick read for me. i listened to the audiobook in a matter of a few hours. the short chapters and quick pace kept me engaged in the story!

i didn't really connect with any of the characters and felt that although i had a good grasp on who was who, i would have liked some deeper characterization. however, the POVs were distinct and i was able to distinguish the characters and their general motivations. as for the audiobook, there were different narrators for different characters. i liked the female narrator for Poppy and thought the other male narrators were okay. i didn't particularly like their voices for the female characters.

as for plot, this book was more of an action-packed thriller than i was anticipating. i personally prefer psychological thrillers over action packed ones, so although i was interested in the story, it wasn't my favorite type of story. the twists/reveals weren't too surprising to me since they were pretty heavily hinted at.

a decent thriller overall, although i liked the premise more than the outcome. i would recommend this if you like:
- multiple POVs
- action-packed thrillers
- fast-paced books to breeze through in a few hours

If Something Happens to Me publishes on May 28, 2024. thank you to Macmillan Audio 2024 Influencer program for a copy of the audiobook, as well as Minotaur Books/St. Martins Press & Netgalley for an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2024

Here I am once again, on the outskirts of popular opinion.

The positive: Pacing is quick, with short chapters that constantly build tension. That’s really it for me.

The rest was, well, kind of a mess.

We have LOTS of POVs and different timelines, with vastly different stories. I struggled to keep it all straight in my head. Sometimes I wasn’t sure where I was on the timeline. Eventually it linked together, but it’s a lot of distraction and random pieces that kept me from being engaged with or committed to the characters and their personal stories.

The plot is over the top. I couldn’t take it seriously, which lessened the urgency and interest for me.

Some of the language, both in exposition and dialogue, had me making that scrunched up, what the heck face.

I had the ebook and audiobook, which I’d planned to alternate. But I wound up blowing through the audio quickly. The production and narration are well done.

Yes, yes and yes! I loved how everything and everyone tied together. So well written, kept me engaged and loved the ending!

Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Chat with Alex where we go behind the scenes of the book and this talented author (pub day, May 28th)!

Powerhouse author Alex Finlay returns following What Have We Done, with IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME —An explosive, globetrotting, heart-pounding multi-layered suspense thriller that will blow your mind as you scramble to solve the clues of this clever mystery.

STELLAR! Alex Finlay is at his finest. Top Books of 2024!

Masterfully told in three parts alternating with different voices and settings:

Leavenworth, Kansas —Ryan and Alison
As the novel opens, Ryan and Alison, high school sweethearts, are off to different colleges and their last night at home. They drive in Alison's BMW to Lovers' Lane by the river. They were going to head to their favorite spot under the giant oak tree, but it started to rain, and back to the car. The next thing they know, the door is yanked open, Alison is screaming, Ryan gets knocked out with a blow to the head, and in the morning wakes up outside on the grass. Alison and the car both are gone.

Montepulciano, Italy— Ryan
It has been five years since Alison went missing. Now Ryan is a law student at Georgetown, traveling abroad with classmates to Italy during the break. He even had to change his last name, change colleges, and give up sports, as everyone thought he was guilty; however, there was no proof. Ryan even went to a hypnotist and recovered a vision of a man's face and hands, with one missing a pinky finger dragging him out of the car. He calls him a monster. The man or Alison—not found.

Leavenworth, Kansas —Poppy
Five years later, in Kansas, Poppy McGee is the new Deputy Sheriff after spending time in the Army (Military discharge). She has moved back home to take care of her sick father after her mom died unexpectedly. Her older brother Dash was an NBA star but now he sells cars in their hometown.

Poppy gets her first case when some YouTubers found a vehicle submerged in Suncatcher Lake. It is Alison's car. She is not in the car but two dead men. Later, a cryptic note is found in a waterproof bag in Alison's handwriting titled, "IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME." Is this note meant for Ryan, or is it about him?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —Shane
Here, we are introduced to Shane O'Leary, a crime boss. He is married with a son, Anthony, who is bullied at the new private elite school. Shane and his wife, Gina, are distraught. He goes to his accountant (fixer) to try and see what is going on with his son since his daughter Taylor, attends the same school.

Kansas City —Poppy
This could be Poppy's chance with a big case to solve. She knows all too well about harassment and bullying. Where is Alison, and who are the dead men in her car? Did Alison know them? At the time back then, they finally said Alison must have been kidnapped or killed by the Missouri River Killer. Alison had been in the same class as Dash, two years ahead of Poppy, at the high school on different sides of the track. Also, how did they miss the car when the Cold Case Company found it in less than two hours?

PODCASTER: We also meet the host of the Treehouse in Kansas City, a true crime podcast that is pretty sharp and has his theories. (very funny with Poppy).

Alternating from Pennsylvania with Leary, Kansas with Poppy, and back to Italy with Ryan. None of his friends, except Nora, knows about Ryan's past; however, when he receives the phone call from his dad that the car was found and the note, he is concerned. Also, he receives notes that someone knows who he is and wants to meet with him.

From Florence, Italy; Lackford, England; Bury Saint Edmonds, England; M11 Mororway, England; A20 Motorway, France; Cordes-sur-Ciel, France; to Paris, France we follow Ryan and The Pinky Man (The Monster). Ryan is being followed and tries to figure out the clues to the mystery. What was Alison trying to tell him? What was she involved in?

So, how are the THREE complex storylines connected?

From all the fast-paced globetrotting and back and forth, we reach the Epilogue, where the author brilliantly wraps up the story one year later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Leavenworth, Kansas, and Georgetown, Washington, DC.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is explosive! Action-packed, high stakes, and riveting suspense with codes, clues, and more twists than you can imagine. A winner!

The author marks each chapter so you are always aware of the location and the characters. You will be frantically turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning to see how all the storylines are connected.

The author seamlessly juggles multiple characters, storylines, timelines, and settings like a rock star for a top-notch first-class crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the last page is turned!

I hope we see more of Poppy in future books! I highly recommend all of Finlay's books (all 5 stars); however, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is highly creative and one of my favorites.

This is for fans of David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Robert Dugoni, and Michael Connelly and readers who enjoy intelligent, creative, twisty action thrillers with well-crafted characters.

*AUDIOBOOK: I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh, delivered outstanding performances for all voices, keeping you glued to your AirPods. I loved it. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced digital reading and paperback copy and advanced listening copy. #MacAudio2024 #SMPInfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
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I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller with multiple POVs, and lots of twists and mysteries. It took me a bit to get everyone clear in my head because there are quite a few POV characters which can be confusing on audio. I liked that they had a full cast though, and used multiple narrators.

Trying to work out how everyone related to each other, and what had happened to Amy was fun, and the book's a quick read so any frustrations I had were quickly solved.

This was my first Alex Finlay book but I doubt it'll be my last.

Ryan’s girlfriend Alison was abducted when they were alone in her car. Although he was never charged, the suspicion followed him around. He changed his name and moved away from the past.

Five years later, while he was in Italy with a law school trip, the man who pulled him out of Alison’s car contacted him. According to the man, Alison was still alive. Ryan followed him to a village in UK.

Meanwhile, in the town in Kansas where Ryan left behind, a young sheriff’s deputy Poppy was working on her first case. Alison’s car was found in the bottom of the lake, but there were 2 male bodies inside of the car instead of Alison’s.

Another major POV is Shane, a mobster in Philadelphia, who experienced tragic loss.
This fast-paced thriller moves back and forth between multiple POVs in addition to 3 major characters. The experienced readers would figure out the mystery behind the abduction quickly, but other mysteries keep readers interested.

I’ve read most of Alex Finlay’s novels since his breakout novel EVERY LAST FEAR, and my favorite was THE NIGHT SHIFT (2022) until this one. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is Finlay’s most polished work so far.

I'd like to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the Advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this fast paced thriller. The chapters were short and often ended on cliffhangers, which kept my attention and left me intrigued for more. Once I figured out the timeline, I did guess correctly a few of the twists, but not all. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I might have done a better job with a physical copy rather than the audiobook, but the multi-voice cast was a big help. Very well done on the narration - all in all a great mystery and thrilling read from a very talented author.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for alc to listen to and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

One night, Ali vanishes into thin air, leaving Ryan haunted by her screams for five long years.
But get this—Ryan's life takes a wild turn. Accused of Ali's murder, he faces a storm of harassment, from rivals on the basketball court to internet trolls and true crime fanatics. It's like living in a nightmare.

So, Ryan decides to hit reset. He changes his name, skips basketball, and dives into law school. But just when he thinks he's left the past behind, fate throws him a curveball.

Now, enter the three amigos of narration: Ryan, Poppy, a war vet turned deputy sheriff, and Shane, the big boss of a Philly crime syndicate. And that's just the beginning—there's a whole cast of characters adding spice to the mix.

Hold onto your hats because this thriller doesn't mess around! From the get-go, it's a heart-pounding, page-flipping ride packed with twists and turns that'll make your head spin faster than a rollercoaster.

And talk about a mastermind at work! Finlay weaves together a web of intrigue that'll keep you guessing until the very last page. Trust me, when everything comes together in the end, you'll be left in awe.

So, buckle up and prepare for a wild ride! Big shoutout to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me tag along on this thrilling adventure. If you're into pulse-pounding suspense and jaw-dropping reveals, this audiobook is a must-listen!

Ryan’s life is changed one night when he’s knocked out and his girlfriend Alison is kidnapped, and assumed to be murdered. He’s never charged with the crime but has always been suspected. Five years later Ryan has tried to move on with his life when Alison’s car is found with two dead men inside and a coded note that says “if something happens to me”

We follow multiple POVs, Ryan, a new sheriff, a mob accountant and a few others. Their stories intertwine and come together in a super interesting and fun thriller. At first it took me a while to figure out all the characters but once I got into it I devoured this book. I listened to the audiobook and the cast of narrators did a great job with each of their characters. I was so invested in the story and entertained the whole time. There’s were a few twists, some I guessed and a few I didn’t but I really had fun listening the entire time. The ending seemed a little rushed to me but maybe that’s because I didn’t want it to end. Overall this is an addicting and fast paced read. I would definitely give it a reread to see if there were any little clues I missed.

If Something Happens to Me comes out on May 28th. Thanks to NetGalley, Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for this ALC.

Even though there is a lot of characters I would recommend this one as audio. It is a short & easy listen + the full cast makes it easier to follow. Not my fav by the author but I’ll still look toward to new releases. Thank you for the Arc!

I just finished this one today and it was so good! What a good twisty thriller with so many layers. I thought the narration was great and I was on the edge of my seat un until the end!

"In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told from several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The story cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today."

This was a fun, fast paced thriller if you like multiple POVs and crime. There are a few fun reveals and twists that will keep you interested.

My rating guide:
1- Hated it, don't read this
2- Not for me, you might like it
3- Very good! Add to your long list
4- Loved it, you need to read
5- NEW FAVORITE!!! READ IT NOW!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was was a great read! Lots complexity but it wasn't hard to follow. Now I want to read other books by this author.

For five years, Ryan Richardson has relieved the terrible night he was violently pulled from a car and hit on the head. All he can remember are his girlfriend, Ali’s, screams and a very vague recollection of the man who hit him. A good lawyer and no evidence resulted in a not guilty verdict, but he hasn’t escaped suspicion. Five years later, he has changed his name and gone off to law school when Ali’s missing car is found at the bottom of the lake and cold case is now an active investigation.

This suspense thriller is told through multiple points of view, quite a few characters, and multiple timelines. These changes did not come across on audio as well as they might have in written form, so the first couple of chapters I was a little confused about the jumping around and who the characters were and how they were connected. Once I had it straightened out, this kept me on the edge of my seat with a complicated well developed plot. While I was invested in the characters, I would have liked to have seen more development all around to answer some of the why questions I still have at the end. Fans of complicated suspense thrillers and mafia mysteries will enjoy this.

This was my first Alex Finlay book and I really enjoyed it! It has so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. The multiple POV with dual narration was very engaging. I went in blind and was happily surprised with all of the connections. Definitely fast paced if you’re looking for a quick read/listen!

Seriously, one of the best mystery thrillers I have read. This novel had my attention from the beginning. There was the perfect compliment of suspense, tension, and anticipation with a sprinkle of carnage.

Five years ago, Ryan and his girlfriend Ali were attacked. He was knocked out and when he came to, Ali was gone. No trace of Ali has ever been found and Ryan faced suspicion he did something to her. This was not the case but the accusations followed him so he moved, changed his name and went to law school.

On a European trip with friends, Ryan sees someone who resembles the person from the fateful night when Ali vanished. Was it just a coincidence? Meanwhile, back in the USA, a car is discovered. In it, two male bodies and Ali’s purse, containing a cryptic note.

Suddenly, the hunt for Ali is back on. Could she be alive? Who did this and why?

While there are quite a few characters and POV's in this book, I found them easy to follow and learn their character and role in the book.

I did a hybrid of the book - listening to it in my car on the way to work and then reading at night. The narration was very easy to listen to and I enjoyed the narrators voice. The plot developments kept me engaged and I couldn't put it down until it was done! Without a doubt, five stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced readers copy to review. Much appreciated!

Thank you NetGalley and Alex Finlay for the opportunity to listen to this ARC! This was my first read from Alex but won't be my last!

If Something Happens to Me follows the story of a missing girl in small town Kansas. Several years later can the young new Sherif Poppy put all the pieces together and find out what happend to Allie?

If Something Happens to Me was such a fun and wild ride! This book was very twisty and interesting! Kept me on my toes and wanting more! I finished it in one sitting!

I really enjoyed the different points of view narration. It helped gather a clear picture on the mystery and what was happening. The mystery of who was found deceased, and trying to solve a cold case kept me entertained and kept me guessing. I read/listened this book in one sitting (stayed up way too late to finish it), I needed to know what happened. My favorite kind of book. The narrator was engaging and very easy to listen to, I had no trouble picking out the different characters from the voice of the narrator.

Due out May 28th!

This was a wild and thoroughly engaging read!

In Kentucky: Unable to remember anything more than the face and hands of the attacker who abducted his girlfriend, Alison, Ryan's life is permanently overshadowed by suspicion he was involved. Skipping forward a handful of years, Ryan has changed his name and finished his first year of law school. On a trip with classmates, he sees the man he remembers from the attack.

Poppy McGee is new to the police force. After assaulting her CO, she's discharged from the military. Thankfully, her dad is still close friends with the town's sheriff, who's willing to bring Poppy on. When Alison's car is found by amateur sleuthers at the bottom of the lake, Poppy's put on the case.

In Philadelphia: Shane is a mobster. He's the guy everyone goes to when they want a problem solved with cement shoes. But at home, he's been unable to fix that his son is being bullied.

All of these characters have a role in each others' lives. This was compulsively readable, but thankfully I was gifted both the audio and text versions, because at times there were a LOT of characters!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC and Audiobook of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
Release Date: 5/28/24
Format: ebook/audiobook hybrid
Rating: Definitely recommend!

Before I even talk about this book can I just say I googled Alex Finlay to see if they were male or female out of curiosity (male) and found out he is a well known DC lawyer who has argued 40+ cases in front of the US Supreme Court? How do you find the time to write books my dude? Not sure why but that is just wild to me!!

Anyway, I thought this book was great! I love when a book throws me a Philly setting. I also love a thriller that leaves you guessing. I especially love a book with short chapters and strong family themes. If Something Happens To Me definitely has all of that and more! There is a lot of backstory and rich history that is built up and revealed in a way that lended itself to great character development.

I did listen to this book more than I eyeball read it and I will say the sheer amount of characters was a bit confusing in audio format to me. There is a lot to keep track of in this book. Because of this, I do think I’d recommend reading it in digital or print format vs. audio!

Another fab book by Alex Finlay, and honestly maybe my favorite by him yet!