Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

While this was a quick read with decent writing, I found the plot convoluted and boring.

On their way to a dinner during Parents Weekend at their California university, five students go missing. Told thru multiple viewpoints – investigator, parents, victims, perpetrator – author Alex Finlay should be commended in keeping so many plates aloft simultaneously, but I felt there was an underlying thinness to the mystery. It was clear fairly early on who was responsible for the disappearances, so the act three reveals just did not land for me in a satisfying way. It was an enjoyable read, but I wished for a bigger surprise turn that just didn't come.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of Parents Weekend. Five students at an affluent private college go missing while they are supposed to meet their parents for a welcome dinner on Parents Weekend. This event provides the framework to explore the lives (and secrets) of five families in addition to recurring character FBI Agent Sarah Keller. The plot is fairly predictable and the pacing uneven. It's overall a fine book, but nothing stands out as particularly memorable or interesting.

Five families will arrive at their child's elite, small college for the opening night of "Parent's Weekend" to celebrate the successful closing of the first college year. The kids chose the restaurant and everyone was to arrive by 7:00 pm and unbelievably all five kids from Campisi Hall never show up for the planned dinner. At first the families thought they were just being reckless college kids but after a few hours one mother contacted the police knowing her son would never do anything like this to her since he knows how she worries about him. All the families start getting concerned when none of their children answer their phones with calls or texts when they were contacted so the police do take the matter seriously when just a week ago another student was reported missing and it didn't turn out very well. Why are 5 students suddenly missing when they come from completely different backgrounds? Does it have to do with past secrets of their parents or are the missing kids involved in dangerous or criminal activities that could cause harm to themselves and others?

I enjoyed this novel very much just as I have with the other 'Alex Finlay' books that I have read. I have become huge fan of this author and I can't wait to read more of his works. All the suspense and tension was well-written into the story and all the chapters were written from the different character's storyline and point of view. The characters were well fleshed out and I felt as if I knew the families and their kids. Did I mention I love 'Alex Filay's writing and storytelling? I was entertained and also trying to solve the mystery throughout the entire story and I don't have anything negative to say about this novel. It was a fast page turner and I highly recommend this exciting and intriguing book to everyone!


I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given a rating of 4 1/2 EXCITING AND ENTICING 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🌠STARS!!

#NETGALLEYARC

3.5 🌟

Although I didn't guess the ending until right before, I didn't think it was a strong thriller.

🏫 🚐🔥💊

Alex Finlay returns following If Something Happens to Me with his latest sizzling suspense academia thriller, PARENTS WEEKEND, a title that holds a deeper meaning as it sets the stage for a series of events that unfold during a college's parents' weekend.

Five families gather for Parents' Weekend to visit their freshman children at college, which quickly turns into a gripping mystery when five students go missing. This high-stakes suspense thriller, blended with family dynamics, will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth.

About...

It's the first year of college at a private school in Northern California. It is a night of opening festivities for Parents Weekend. The parents are there, but the five residents of Campisi Hall never show up for dinner.

Is this a joke, or did they ditch them for a party? But as time moves on and no texts or phone calls, panic begins to set in.

The FIVE: Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella. Soon, rumors began to circulate, and podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths all shared their suspicions and theories. All the students are from different backgrounds.

The campus cops are called, and everyone has their theory. Is it due to the parents' enemies? The sins of the fathers and mothers? A group targeting students, hazing, etc. Why take all five?

An ongoing mystery. Who and why DUNIT?

My thoughts...

PARENTS WEEKEND is an enthralling psychological page-turner thriller. Finlay is on a roll. Atmospheric, intense, chilling!

Finlay keeps you in suspense with plenty of twists, red herrings, and a unique storytelling technique that cleverly unfolds the plot through multiple points of view, from past to present. This technique will keep you engaged and eager to see how the different perspectives contribute to the story.

From well-developed characters, family dysfunction, and dark secrets, the author keeps the surprises coming. As a parent (now a grandparent), I recall the worries I had when my sons left for college. (Now my granddaughter starts this fall.) The fears for their safety, the drama, and the relationships they form, which can change the trajectory of their lives, are all too real.

As a massive fan of the author (have read all his books), this is another addition to his fine, must-read collection of thrillers.

Audiobook...

I highly recommend the audiobook performed by my favorite narrator, Brittany Pressley, and features an author's note and acknowledgments read by the author. The performance was award-winning and engaging, keeping you glued to your iPhone with distinct voices for all the characters, bringing the story to life.

Recs...

PARENTS WEEKEND is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Harlan Coben, David Ellis, Chris Whitaker, John Hart, Mary Kubica, and Lisa Unger.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing a gifted ARC and ALC (#MacAudio2025) in exchange for an honest review. Your support is invaluable in bringing these thrilling stories to readers.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
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Solid story with the fast paced, quick chapters you come to expect from Finlay. The plot itself was slightly predictable and not my favorite of his but still a solid story!

To celebrate their children's first year at an exclusive private college in California five very different families gather for a festive Parents Weekend. They are disappointed when the five students, all residents of Campisi Hall fail to show Disappointed but thinking their offspring just blew them off for a beach blowout of their own the parents party on. Things turn darker when another day goes by without even a text or phone call. Panicking they contact campus security who call in the FBI after their continued absence. Libby, Blaine, Mark, Felix and Stella are good students and well liked and the story attracts huge press attention. Agent Sarah Keller has recently transfered from New York and is new to the area and her colleagues creating tension. The dark engaging novel is told from multiple points of view and crossing timelines The plot and character development unfolds slowly building in intensity as we learn more about the students and the people in their lives. The unexpected plot twist and revelations are well drawn and compel the reader to keep turning pages. I have not read this author before although I have seen where others have recommended his earlier works. Although Agent Sarah Keller is featured in earlier works this worked very well as a stand alone for this reader and I found her to be a well drawn engaging protagonist. A solid FBI crime thriller for those who enjoy the genre.

I loved The NightShift by Alex Finlay and was excited to read another book by him. Five families arrive to Parents Weekend at their children's colleg. After none of the kids show for a dinner, some start to worry. The book took a little while to get into due to having to create the back story for all of the children and their families. After learning the back stories its easy to form theories about what happened but it does keep you guessing until the end. The resolution seemed rushed after a long introduction to all the characters but over all enjoyed the book. 3.5 stars. Thank you netgalley for the ARC

This is a suspenseful read that dives into the disappearance of five college students during a university’s parents weekend. The story told through multiple POVs and past& present timelines. It features dysfunctional family, strong friendship and bonds and misbehaving teens. It has great domestic suspense. Overall it was 3.5 stars for me.

Several affluent and important families descend on San Francisco for Parents’ Weekend at a small private college. But when one student ends up dead and the rest miss the opening dinner and no one can get in touch with them, FBI agent Keller is called in to figure out what’s going on. This was a very quick read, but nothing super spectacular. I wasn’t wowed by the twists, but if you’re looking for a quick little thriller, this fits the bill.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for my copy! ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me. When I usually love a lot of characters in a book this time for me it was too much. I was ready to dnf it at the 50% mark which is why it took me over a month to get through it. Its just wasn't great.

Five students go missing on their way to a dinner during Parents Weekend at their university. The parents are gathered and anxiously awaiting their arrival. Each student comes from a different background which provides multiple possible motives. I enjoyed the multiple view points in this novel. Although I enjoyed it, I found it predictable and was not surprised by the ending.

The premise was promising but the book wasn’t great. It fell completely flat. I’ve enjoyed Finlay’s previous books and was so disappointed with Parents Weekend. There were too many characters to keep count and I got a little confused. Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC.

Alex Finlay writes another 5 star thriller that you better be prepared to lose sleep over. This is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time. The plot was great with many twists and turns. Trust me you won’t be disappointed. Now onto the most pressing question, when is the next Alex Finlay book coming out?

I enjoyed this enough to finish it. Honestly, the audio is what saved it for me. You’re following so many families/POVs and introduced to so many characters - it was a little overwhelming.

I thought it was well written and for having so many characters I thought they were pretty fleshed out. The ending was a bit predictable and the reveal around the student that drowned felt like a complete after thought.

I did like the author’s writing style so I will be checking out some of their back list in the future.

This is a suspenseful read that dives into the disappearance of five college students during a university’s parents weekend. Set at a Northern California school, the story follows multiple perspectives—including returning FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller—as family secrets and societal pressures unfold against a backdrop of danger. While the novel’s twists keep the tension high, the rushed conclusion leave some plot points underdeveloped. I'd recommend this to someone who likes popcorn thrillers and wants a fast paced read!

Parents Weekend is the first book I have read by Alex Finlay; it will not be my last. It was Parents Weekend at a private and prestigious college when five students went missing. The weekend kicked off with dinner at local restaurants and pubs for the parents and students to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere. Imagine the parents concern when their student failed to appear as planned; especially when they realized each student belonged to the same freshman group. The students, administration and parents were already upset by the recent drowning of a popular student, Natasha Belov. Initially I thought that this was going to be another book about rich dysfunctional families, and although most of the families were rich, the book was about so much more. This well crafted novel was about secrets, the impact of a terminal illness on families, family dynamics, the futility of revenge, love...so many intriguing subplots. I found it to be a very rewarding read, a page turner full of suspense and surprises. Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of Parents Weekend; this review reflects my candid opinion. 4 stars.

During Parents Weekend at a small Northern California college, five families gather for a celebratory dinner, only to discover their children—residents of Campisi Hall—are missing. Initially dismissed as typical college behavior, concern escalates when the students remain unreachable overnight, prompting a campus-wide search and media frenzy. As investigators, including returning FBI Agent Sarah Keller, dig deeper, secrets from the students' families and tensions within their friend group emerge.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Told through multiple perspectives, the story unfolds gradually, requiring a bit of patience and attention early on—but that only deepens the intrigue. As the layers of the mystery began to peel back, I found myself completely drawn in, eager to see how it would all come together. While the pacing lagged slightly in a few spots, it ultimately served to build tension and enrich the narrative. The twists kept me guessing, and when the resolution finally hit, it was both surprising and satisfying. The writing was sharp and immersive, and the characters felt authentic and compelling. If you're a fan of slow-burn mysteries with emotional depth and a touch of suspense, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Rating: 3.5/5
Spice: 0.5/5

Tropes:
Multiple POV
Past and Present Timelines
Strong Friendships/Bonds
Family Dysfunction
Domestic Suspense
Misbehaving Teens

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Alex Finley for this gifted eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Alex Findlay has written a domestic thriller featuring themes such as dark academia, and family drama. This was a twisty thriller with a satisfying conclusion. My only issue was there were SO many characters which was a bit to keep up with. I highly recommend this to thriller readers that love a fast-paced thriller!