Member Reviews
Matt Pine, a student at NYU, returns to his dorm one night, and finds Special Agent Sarah Keller, waiting there to inform him that his entire family, minus the one member who is in jail, died while on vacation in Mexico from a gas link. The news is made worse by the fact that Matt recently had a falling out with his dad, Evan Pine, about the time and energy he and his sister Maggie were spending to proving Danny is innocent. Matt, however, is sure that his brother is guilty and wants them all to get on with their lives. Getting on with his life will have to be put on hold as the FBI needs him to go to Mexico to sign for his families bodies, and he needs to go immediately, It doesn't take long before weird things start to occur and stories don't seem to add up. In fact, what happened in Mexico might be linked to his brother Danny's murder case. It's time for Matt to make some sense of some things that seem to make no sense, at all.
This twisty psychological thriller moves back and forth between the past and the present, from different family members POV. The members of the Pine family are great and seem very real, as they each work to sort out their lives after Danny Pine is sent to prison for killing his girlfriend Charlotte. This is a whodunit, that you won't be able to figure out. There are twists and turns all over the place, as the mystery is slowly unraveled. This book is hard to put down and very much worth the time.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Every Last Fear was a constant thought of "what on earth could possibly happen next." Imagine losing almost your entire family and wanting to figure out what happened to them, even if it meant dying yourself. What else do you have to live for though? So the hunt begins. Matt and an FBI agent embark on a journey searching for answers, which is exactly what they find, even though the answers don't quite add up at first.
This is probably my second favourite Alex Finlay book. There were so many part to the story and many POVs, The main story that Danny was coerced into confessing that he killed a girl when he was in high school. This story was a wild ride with so many twisty parts. One thing I would have changed was the many POVs that made this story a little confusing in the beginning.
It is a good story that I did not like as much as the author’s other books. Here you have a family that is struck with a tragedy and the oldest brother is in prison because of it. Now new developments have taken place and other members of the family have been murdered while on vacation in Mexico. The brother Matt Pine, a student at NYU, is told of these events and now the author takes you through the past and the present until you reach the conclusion. I was surprised but after reading some author’s other books all in the same day and having already read “NIGHT SHIFT” this was my least favorite yet still a good story with some twists and turns especially when you get to the end.
**Review: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)
Alex Finlay's *Every Last Fear* is a gripping thriller that hooks you from the very first page and doesn't let go until the last. This debut novel masterfully intertwines suspense, mystery, and emotional depth, making it a standout in the genre.
The story centers around Matt Pine, a college student whose life is turned upside down when he learns that his entire family has been found dead while vacationing in Mexico. As Matt delves into the circumstances surrounding their deaths, he uncovers shocking secrets and finds himself embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy that dates back years.
Finlay excels in crafting a complex, multi-layered plot. The narrative shifts between past and present, gradually revealing the Pine family's troubled history and the events leading up to their tragic end. This non-linear storytelling keeps the reader engaged and constantly guessing, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its well-developed characters. Matt is a sympathetic protagonist, grappling with grief and a quest for the truth. The secondary characters, including FBI agent Sarah Keller and Matt's father, Evan, are equally compelling, each adding depth and nuance to the unfolding mystery.
Finlay's writing is both sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that heighten the tension and atmosphere. His attention to detail and ability to weave intricate plot threads together demonstrate a keen storytelling talent. The pacing is brisk, ensuring there's never a dull moment as the mystery unravels.
While the book is packed with twists and turns, some readers might find certain plot points a bit predictable. However, this minor flaw is easily overshadowed by the overall intensity and emotional resonance of the story.
*Every Last Fear* is a thrilling, emotional rollercoaster that showcases Alex Finlay's potential as a formidable voice in crime fiction. It's a compelling read for fans of the genre, offering a perfect blend of suspense, intrigue, and heartfelt moments.
Overall, *Every Last Fear* is an impressive debut that leaves you eagerly anticipating Alex Finlay's next work. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a thrilling, immersive read.
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Every Last Fear was my first introduction to Alex Finlay. I will be reading ALL the others! Highly recommend and will purchase several physical and digital copies for library collections.
Some of my favorite things in any genre is shifting POVs.
This thriller does an amazing job at having cliffhangers within its own story having you shift to someone else and being put into a different location waiting to come back to find out what's going to happen later. Really pushes you to read until the end
This book was fine. The story line was interesting and I didn't have trouble following the theories, plus I always enjoy mixed media in books.
This was a very clever thriller with a nice amount of twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed the ride and even though I figured out the killer mid-way though, I still really enjoyed the story. It’s smart, well written mystery and a lot of flawed, but enjoyable characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is LONG overdue. This is the second Finlay book I’ve read. I have to say, I didn’t like it as much as I liked If Something Happens To Me, but I did like it. The writing style is the same so if you like his style of writing, you should like this. I really liked the characters. Especially Keller’s husband, Bob. He was a breath of fresh air. And I appreciated and laughed out loud at his impasta joke. IFKYK lol. I did guess the twist about half way through which is why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. But overall this was a very fun read! If you like who dunits, you’ll like Alex Finlay.
This was a fun popcorn thriller. It would be a perfect poolside read. I had a lot of fun with it. I'll definitely try more from the author in the future
"Every Last Fear" by Alex Finlay is an intense and gripping thriller full of twists and turns.
Matt Pine, an NYU student, receives devastating news about the tragic death of almost his entire family while on vacation in Mexico. What initially seems like a straightforward accident takes a dark turn as the FBI and State Department get involved, casting doubt on the official explanation. The Pine family's complicated history, especially with Matt's older brother Danny, who is serving a life sentence for a crime he may or may not have committed, adds layers of complexity and intrigue.
The storytelling is solid, weaving together multiple points-of-view and alternates between past and present. This narrative technique heightens the suspense and provides a poignant exploration of people grappling with heartbreak, tragedy, and unwanted fame. Finlay skillfully navigates the hostile hometown, frenzied media, and Matt's personal journey to uncover the truth.
“Every Last Fear” is a compelling and resonant tale ideal for fans who want a blend of emotionally charged and suspenseful storylines.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of Every Last Fear for me to preview.
3.5 stars
This is my second Finlay book, and it was very enjoyable. College student Matt Pine's life is anything but ordinary. First, his brother is in jail for "killing" his girlfriend, and second, his parents and two younger siblings all died together when they were on spring break in Mexico. When Matt investigates the death of his family, he discovers more than he bargained for. Do their deaths have anything to do with his brother's incarceration? The storyline was not only engaging but one that kept me on my toes. I loved all the points of view, especially the excerpts from the documentary that happened in the book. The merging of the different timelines kept the suspense alive until the very end. A clever and quick read!
This was a great book. New author to me. It was full of twists and turns.
Thank you net gallery for giving me a chance to read this book
I had heard so much about this book, and it did not disappoint! I did not see the twist coming! I liked the switching back and forth from past to present and the different POVs.
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a rollercoaster of a thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. With a gripping plot and intriguing characters, this novel delivers a suspenseful and mind-bending experience that will leave you guessing until the very end.
The premise of the book intrigued me and the first half kept my interest but then there were too many characters to keep it all straight. The ending was a surprise and was well done. Although not a big fan of multiple timelines. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
An absolutely fantastic mystery/ thriller/ crime procedural or whatever genre you want to call it, this book will blow your idea of WHAT you think it's about. Alex Finlay gives you a menu of a few different crimes and their suspects, even one who has been convicted but just might be innocent....or again, he might be guility as charged. A young college student wakes up as a member of a family of six. During the routine of his daily life, he suddenly finds four of his family members have died in a horrible accident. He must then share this information with his remaining family member, who was convicted and is serving time for the murder of his girlfriend. And that's just the beginning of the story......
Alex Finlay takes these characters into places and events that you'll hope never to find yourself in and then amps up the tension. Just get comfortable, you are going to be here for awhile......
There were so many great characters in this book. Almost everyone is likable. Likable characters aren't a must for me, but they do make the reading experience so much more pleasant and enjoyable. I found the twists to be fun and the ending satisfying. Because of the taut pacing, I was immersed in the story immediately. This story just sucked me in and kept me riveted until the very end.