Alex Finlay's latest book is one of the best books I've read this year. With Matt's older brother Danny in prison for murdering his high school girlfriend, Matt is keeping a low profile majoring in film at NYU. After a pair of aspiring artists make a documentary about Danny's innocence that makes his hometown seem backwards, his family leaves Nebraska behind while his father transfers to a Chicago firm.

Away from his parents and younger sister and brother, Matt focuses on school although very aware that his family is doing all they can to prove Danny's innocence, something Matt isn't entirely sure of. Things escalate when tragedy strikes and Matt must deal with the aftermath.

The plot is suspenseful and the characters genuine, making it easy for readers to connect with the story whether the action is in Manhattan, Nebraska, Chicago or Mexico. Although I figured out the ending as I neared the book's end, I was satisfied with the conclusion.

I received an advanced kindle edition of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Every Last Fear was one of my most anticipated books of the year! Thank you so much to Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for this ARC. This book follows Matt, who has been through a lot in his life. His brother is in prison for murder, and to make matters worse, a true crime documentary came out about him, proclaiming his innocence. Then Matt’s whole family goes on a spring break trip to Mexico, and are all found dead. The FBI gets involved, and Matt begins to suspect that the two cases are connected.

Thoughts: I loved the premise of this story. I am obsessed with true crime documentaries and I could imagine this happening in real life. I enjoyed the documentary aspect a lot and found the story to be interesting and richly layered. The contrast between the families’ stories before they died and Matt’s perspective after they died made the story hard to put down. I liked all the connections and really did not see some parts of the story coming. I enjoyed the build up and the ending was satisfying, if not too simple.

The only downside I had to this story was that there were some things that were just not believable. For example, someone tries to murder Matt and he doesn’t tell the police or do anything about it. Things were just tied up a little too nicely in the end, and I prefer there to be some things left to the imagination. That being said, I really enjoyed this thriller and gave it 4-stars.

You have two choices when you’re confronted with your every last fear:
“Give up or fight like hell.”

The real deal here! It has everything required to make a thriller from the very first page. This folks, is a debut novel that explodes on the list of TBR! The story moves fast, strong, and reads like a movie. I recommend this to anyone who likes well-written, character driven and a thriller that makes you think. Chapters alternate between Matt and Sarah, with Matt's family sharing their stories up until their fateful end. As each chapter added another piece to the puzzle, it became more and more apparent that the Pine family never stood a chance. Most of the characters are likeable and had me wondering what I would do. The twists, and POVs kept me on edge and once I started getting closer to the end, my heart was hurting and I just felt terrible for everything. Full of mystery and suspense that will leave you guessing throughout the book. Not to be missed! This will definitely be an author I watch out for in the future and a top read in 2020 for me. Highly recommend! Special thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read this and also Alex Finlay!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex FInlay and St. Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I was actually really impressed with this novel, even though the first few chapters had me worried. I enjoyed the pace of this novel and the craziness that the characters get themselves into. It was shocking how many people died to cover up for one crime, but it definitely kept me interested. I really wasn't sure where this novel was going to end up because of how sure the main character was that the guilty party was already in jail, I also really enjoyed the random assortment of friends that the main character has and how much support he gets for the hardest part of his life. It was a really enjoyable novel!

Thank you NetGalley & St Martins Press for this book in exchange for an honest review!
**
Wow ok- so let’s start by saying how much my heart went out to Matt I this book.
You are first thrown into the family mix by knowing his older brother is in jail- for life- for confessing to murdering his HS girlfriend. Only you come to find out- he may be innocent and was coerced into providing a false confession.
We know how these kind of books go- but Alex Finlay wasn’t going to lead Readers down the same path. You see there is something different in store for us. Matt’s parents and two younger siblings went to Mexico as what seemed to be a spring break vacation; but was actually to help clear his older brother, Danny’s, name.
However, none of the Pines made it home alive. And when Math went to claim the bodies of his family he nearly didn’t make it back himself.
Was his families death and accident like the authorities in Mexico said- or is there something deeper at work.
Will Matt be able to grieve his family and help clear Danny’s name; or is Danny really as guilty as the court- and matt his self think.
**
I couldn’t put this book down- I felt like I had to know what truly happened in Tulum & quiet Frankly the house party that started this tale to begin with.

There is nothing like a debut novel knocking your socks off. That is just what this novel did. I was immersed in this book from the very start until the astonishing ending!

I've read a lot of books this year. A handful of winners. A handful of duds. And a handful of in-betweeners. This one is definitely a winner for me. I couldn't put this book down. This book is chalk full of mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and mind bending scenarios. I devoured every last bit of it.

This is one of those books that will stick with you for a while. The characters, the plot, the twists. It's all woven together so well, it will consume you long after you finish it.

I don't really know what else to say about this book. It's one of those books where you just have to read it to find out just how good it really is!

Excellent thriller, building upon our current obsession with true crime. Well developed characters, and the various narrators/time periods make this a quick read.

I have read many “cop” thrillers but this one here is by far my favorite! It is not your typical mystery/thriller.

The author weaves in and out from the past and present and multiple POVs but it all ties together in the end.

I have a feeling this will be a big hit in 2021 (at least it should be!)

Wow this book is unputdownable! One night of partying ended with the murder of Charlotte, an arrest & trial of Danny Pines, and a documentary that tore apart Danny’s family and their community! Told in multiple POVs there is a list of characters, intrigue, and the book takes you to different locales, it’s fast paced and suspenseful! A perfect thriller! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

What the heck did I just read? The mysterious Alex Finlay and his debut family thriller-mystery is going to be the best read of next year, easily the best thriller I have read this year and one I will be coming back to soon. I will not attempt to summarize the plot because honestly, the publisher's description is spot on, you get exactly what is promised and more. I had an inkling of the outcome (less the details and actual WTF moment but an inkling none the less) from an early hunch but I was still caught off guard and surprised as the story evolved. With multiple points-of-view and timelines, the mystery unfolds wildly from the very first page to the twists and turns, then finally to the engulfing reveal that will leave you feeling a multitude of emotions along with Matt. Great writing from the author who calls himself Alex Finlay, an author to watch out for because this was a hit in my opinion and has found it's place on my bookshelf to be replaced with the final print once it becomes available at my local bookshop
[Thank you NetGalley, Alex Finlay, and the publisher for the free eARC]

Every Last Fear won title of favorite read for this month! I always love a fast paced read that isnt heavy on repetition. This book is exactly what they mean when they call something a “=page-turner”. I love the element of the Netflix documentary sprinkled in. There were a lot of similarities to the real life Making A Murderer, which as a big fan, I really enjoyed reading about. Surprisingly, I didn’t guess the ending. Since predictability in suspense books is one of my biggest pet peeves, the fact I was surprised was wonderful. I will definitely be recommending to others!

When I requested this book, I had heard about the buzz surrounding it which made me a little worried that I would not like the book. I was wrong, because it is worth buzzing about! I cannot imagine living the life that Matt has had to live in the book. First, his older brother is convicted of the murder of his high school girl friend, followed by a true crime documentary throwing his whole world upside-down, and then loses the rest of his family while they were vacationing in Mexico, but it is not all it seems. There are so many twists and turns in the book that keeps you guessing until the very end. My favorite part of the story was the addition of the victim points-of-view. I LOVED his little sister so much and I was mad that the final twist in the story was that she was still alive and hiding out at MIT until it all blew over. It was well written and the character development was excellent! This book is totally worth all of the buzz it is getting and I can't wait for everyone to read it!

This is one of those thrillers that hits every nerve. It's not only a thriller, but has you sucked into the psychological/emotional aspect, as well, touching on family dynamics, siblings, parents, etc. Beyond that, I love the gritty, detailed writing and how it brings forward the details that make the reader feel as though they are there in the moment with the character.

With one son in prison and the other now the sole survivor after his family dies in a freak accident (!?) in Mexico, Danny returns to his hometown to take care of family business. But it's not that simple--the town kind of hates him thanks to a Netflix documentary done on his brother who is now in prison. Danny has obstacles to face down pretty much every direction he turns as he tries to figure out what really happened.

Highly recommend!

This is the twisty and enthralling story of the Pine family, who die in Mexico, leaving a college age son and another serving jail time for the murder of his girlfriend while in high school. As the recent subject of a documentary, many have rallied around the older son, while the younger thinks he remembers damning evidence from the night of the murder.

The book has many twists and turns as to how the family was killed in Mexico, and how the college-aged son comes to terms with history.

The book moved quickly and was an interesting read.

Great opening line too!

This isn't a bad a little thriller but my one qualm with this book is too many points of view. I wanted more from just Matt and Keller, and wish the author could have told the backstory in a different way. That said, I enjoyed this one and read it fairly quickly, which is the mark of a good thriller for me. The ends tie up a bit nicely but it's more procedural and less psychological, so...to be expected. Overall, I enjoyed it and would consider it a good entrance into the genre for those who don't read many thrillers. If you read a lot of thrillers you'll feel a bit disappointed, like I was, but overall, not too bad.

I will update with links to my instagram and goodreads once posted!

Free Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest Review.

This book is perfect for fans of True Crime documentaries, couch crime solvers, conspiracy theorists, and psychological fiction lovers.

Matt's brother Danny is in jail for a murder we're pretty sure he didn't commit. There's a Netflix show, plenty of conspiracy theories, and most of his family won't give up trying to prove his innocence. A tip leads the family (except Matt) to Mexico where they are found dead in their vacation rental. It appears to be a gas leak, but as time goes on, more sinister things are at play. Matt is pulled into the chaos when he's asked to ID the bodies. Told in alternating viewpoints from the present and the past, Every Last Fear weaves together multiple story lines. Was Danny really a murderer? How did Matt's family die? What did they discover before their death? Is Matt going to make it out alive?

The book started a little slow for me as I tried to get a grasp on all the characters and which part of the story they were from, but as it all came together, I couldn't read quickly enough. There's a solid suspense build, cliffhanger chapters that push you forward and characters you root for and characters you root against. I think some of the back stories could have been cut down, but overall this was a solid thriller and will be loved by true crime fans.

My Thoughts
This is a phenomenal book… and it is a debut no less!! Here are my pros and cons for Every Last Fear:

Pros

1. This story will absolutely grab you and not let go. The writing was crisp, conversational, and exciting. There is no fluff here. You are given the perfect amount of information to keep the story moving at a pace that will keep you intrigued and wanting more. I love it when stories are succinct and stay on point and this one absolutely does that.
2. The Pine family dynamic was dysfunctional and incredibly sad. I can’t even imagine the horrible situation they found themselves in with a son serving a life sentence for murder. Their entire situation will break your heart.
3. The characterizations are amazing and genuine. All of them! From the main protagonists to characters that show up for a just a scene or two, you will really get a sense that these are real people with real lives.
4. The death of the family, particularly the children, is heartbreaking.
5. I loved Maggie (the sister). She was brave, smart, and determined to figure out a way to prove her brother’s innocence.
6. Matt was a very complex character. He is not convinced his brother is innocent and he has felt isolated from his family due to their fanatical focus on exonerating his brother. Then he finds himself dealing with unwanted “fame” from a documentary about his brother and the very difficult chore of dealing with his family’s sudden death. Throw in some FBI suspicions that the deaths weren’t an accident as reported and you have a young man with a lot on his shoulders. I really sympathized with Matt for a lot of reasons.
7. The chapters are short and alternate between the POV of Matt, his family members, and the FBI agent. Excerpts from the true crime documentary are interspersed throughout the book to provide some context and background information. There were also some transitions between past and present events. All of these transitions were smooth and well executed.
8. This is a complex story, but it is written incredibly well so it is easy to follow.
9. The ending is satisfying.

Cons
None.

Summary
Put this on your reading list now! You will absolutely want to read this riveting debut novel when it is released in March! The plot moves quickly, the story never dulls, and you are rewarded with a very satisfying ending. I raced through it and loved every minute. I can’t wait to see what Alex Finlay writes next!

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a free eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

<i> Every Last Fear</i> Is a devastating murder mystery and psychological thriller about the destruction of a whole family whose little town has turned against them. Matt Pine escaped his family by going to university, but now they are all dead and he must return to claim their bodies. <i>Every Last Fear</i> is an incredible debut thriller by Alex Finlay.

Evan, Liv, Maggie and Tommy Pine all die in what looks like a freak accident in Mexico. The only available family member, Matt Pine, is visited by the FBI and told he must claim their bodies so they can be brought home to be buried. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Matt’s brother Danny is in prison for murdering his girlfriend. The family is famous because of a documentary claiming Danny is innocent but there he is, still in prison. Then, when Matt goes to claim the bodies, he is nearly murdered. Oddly enough the television crew that created the documentary are also in Mexico. Are all these events somehow connected?

This story is complex and fascinating. The flashbacks initially are confusing because they are narrated by the dead family members and there are many disparate chunks of information regarding Danny’s crime. These bits of information call for patience on the part of the reader but it is all well worth it in the end.

We get to know the major characters intimately, which is unsettling since we know they are dead. Finlay does an excellent job of in-depth development of most of the characters by allowing the reader to hear their thoughts rather than by using dialogue. I usually prefer dialogue, but Finlay knows what he is doing.

The story has many “unknowns” all of which become revealed late in the story. The major reveal is almost anticlimactic because there are so many other interesting parts. It certainly keeps the reader engaged.

I recommend this story to anyone that likes a complex and intricate murder mystery with interesting characters. I give it a 5 on 5. I want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. At the end of most chapters it left you with a cliffhanger.


Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book for a honest review.

I felt like I was holding on to the rails of a roller coaster the entire time
This novel had me guessing at every turn. I thought I had the ending figured out three separate times! Wrong each time.
This one will keep you guessing and desperate to turn the next page. Highly recommend!!