Such a gripping book! Once I started reading I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. I loved how the story was told through different viewpoints but it was extremely easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

This book nailed all of the points of a good thriller. I do feel like some of the narrative could have been written better without creating a blanket view over an entire country and their people.

This is going to rub people the wrong way, but I did not like this book and unfortunately for multiple reasons. Let me start by saying that I was VERY excited to receive this from Minotaur in October/November last year. I saw some early reviews when it landed in my mailbox and I couldn't wait to read a really good thriller. I typically wait to read a book closer to the pub date and as March 2021 got closer, I started to see that along with the many positive reviews, I saw some troubling ones about the propagation of racial stereotypes. I thought about skipping the book entirely, but I decided to read it to see if I would have picked up on these racial stereotypes had I not heard about it prior.

The verdict is unclear to me. I would like to say that without the heads up I would have noticed the problematic parts, but I'm not sure I would. There in lies the problem for me, the readers of this book, the author and the publisher. Do I think the author is a racist? No, I don't. Do I think the publisher intentionally allowed this book to go out to the masses with the mindset that it was harmful, but they didn't care? Absolutely not. What I do think is that this is a case of people unintentionally propagating racial stereotypes, and I hope this will serve as a lesson for everyone involved in the book industry to think more critically.

As far as the actual story is concerned, I found a lot of the characters to be caricatures. It almost seemed like there was a pop culture/buzz word list that the author was trying to hit that didn't really further develop the characters as people. There was also a lot of superfluous plot points (I think as a way to try and throw the reader off the scent of who the bad guy was?), but instead of finding it clever I found it to be irritating. (That sounds harsh, but I can't think of another way to describe it. I just felt like the characters were wasting a lot of time going places or doing things that really didn't matter in the end.

I'm willing to give the author another chance and I sincerely hope there are improvements made in his writing as well as thinking about how throwaway comments or observations made about a country and its people can be extremely hurtful whether it was unintentional or not.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and the author for the printed galley in exchange for an honest review.

Review Date: 06/28/2021
Publication Date: 03/02/2021

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a thriller novel. The story in Every Last Fear is one that is told from multiple points of view and also by alternating between timelines with some being told in the past and some being told in the present.

Matt Pine is a college student at NYU when he gets a phone call with horrible news. Matt’s parents and younger brother and sister have all passed away on a trip to Mexico. The Mexican authorities are claiming that it was an accident but no one is certain what happened to them.

Matt’s family were not strangers to being in the headlines with Matt’s older brother currently in prison for murder. The whole family was featured in a documentary about the crime when it happened so news outlets immediately pick up on the news that the Pine family died in Mexico sending Matt back to their small town where his brother is still known as a killer.

Every Last Fear had a lot of story to be told in one book and it was definitely a fast paced read which I enjoy. It was one that was easy to follow even as it switched between the murder in the past and trying to piece together just what had happened to the rest of the Pine family in the present. With plenty of twists and turns this one was hard to put down as I waited to find out how everything would tie together.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Fast paced, action packed and a total thrill ride describe Every Last Fear. The story had me hooked from the first sentence, “They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” This was one twisty tale I couldn’t stop reading. The intricate mystery reads like a true crime documentary that was both compelling and suspenseful. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys an intensely entertaining whodunnit. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for my ARC.

Every last fear by Alex Finley takes on a hot topic, a true-crime podcast. But, instead of riding the wave of a popular subject, it turns the crime into a riveting, original, and heartbreaking story.

This is a harsh and uncompromising book. It retraces the lives of not one but four victims. The Pine family, mother, father, daughter, and youngest son all die on a family holiday in Mexico. But this was not an ordinary outing. And this was no typical family. It is a miracle that the Pines were still a family at all. They could have easily fallen completely apart after their eldest son was accused and arrested for killing his girlfriend. They have been living under scrutiny ever since.
In Serial style, a duo of journalists dedicated a podcast to proving the innocence of Danny Pine.
The middle son, Matt Pine, the only one that is not still consumed by their misfortunes, is trying to carve a life away from them at NYU. He doesn't know that his sister is obsessed with proving Danny's innocence or that their father can't let it go either. But when a special agent stands in front of him to tell him that now his whole family is gone, and he has no one left. It leaves him no choice. So as not to go crazy, he has to find out what happened to them.
The mystery is intricate, exciting, and well-paced, retold through different Pov, flashbacks, and real-time. It dedicates itself entirely to fleshing out every member of this family unit and knowing what will happen; it means that with every tidbit we are offered, the closer we get to them and the truth, the deeper their loss is felt. Seldom a crime story can merge a whodunnit so exquisitely with a dissection of a family in freefall. The Pines are held together by desperation, love, and dedication, and their fate will completely shatter you in the end. The hero of this story is the sister Marge, a talented investigator who could have gone on to serve the FBI and many other books were it not for her tragic ending. It sounds hopeless and depressing, and you may ask yourself what good will it do to follow an investigation that results in the death of those pursuing it. And that is the miracle of this book; against all odds, it manages to be a warm, beautiful, and a incredibly satisfying puzzle.

Alex Finlay did a good job of weaving together a story, that kept me guessing.
This book was full of, do I believe him, did he, and what really happened.
Thanks Netgalley for this copy.

This was an incredible thriller. Honestly everything that I look for, red herrings, intense plot and very well written. I did not want to put it down. Matt is a filmmaker student and his entire family was on a vacation in Mexico. Matt gets the devastating news that his family was killed in a gas leak…but is that really what happened or is there more to it? Matt’s family has already been so much because his older brother is in prison for murdering his girlfriend Charlotte. This story is written from multiple POV’s which absolutely makes this story that more intense. It goes back and forth between different time lines to put together what happened with Matt’s family and on the night Charlotte died. I highly recommend getting your hand on this one!

FIRST FIVE STAR READ OF 2021! Alex Finlay crafted an incredible read that had me entranced from the first chapter. There were multiple narrators and chapters that alternated between past (before) and present. That writing style won't be for everyone but I felt like it created a slow build, you'd get a few more pieces with each before chapter that helped put things together in the present. There were so many dynamics at work with each character that really brought everything together for me. If you're a fan of Making A Murder, true crime or wrongful convictions, you NEED to read this book.

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This wasn't the most original thriller and mystery but I liked how you got to know the victims throughout the story. It gave you a much more personal touch to the characters, knowing their fate, and a greater sympathy to the main character Matt.

I was totally blown away by this book. First time reading the author and not sure what to expect, but this was thrilling. I both read and listened to this one. If you can, definitely listen to it. There are multiple narrators which helps a lot. I will say there are a ton of POV (maybe 8?) in here, so pay close attention to the chapter heading. There are all these intertwining stories that you aren't sure where it's going from here, but it all comes together in the end into one giant bow that resolves everything. I did not want to put this book down at all. I was immersed in this world. The author definitely has a fan after this. Can't wait for what comes next from him!

This book had a nice cover. I enjoyed the story. It was well written. Full of drama, but leaves you unsatisfied at the end.

This book left me hanging. It had so much drama (almost too much) bu then it just ended. Overall I would say it was a dud. I wanted it to be great as a debut book, but it was not.

Matt Pine's older brother, Danny, is serving a life sentence for allegedly killing his high school sweetheart, Charlotte. After his trial, a True Crime Documentary was released claiming Danny was wrongfully convicted. Many viewers seemed to agree; think Making a Murderer.

Matt remembers something about the night of Charlotte's death that no one else knows. Because of this, he thinks Danny may actually have done it, or at least been involved. Their parents, unsurprisingly, fully believe in Danny's innocence. In fact, their father, has never quite given up the search for information that will free his oldest son. The whole situation with Danny had caused quite a bit of strife within the family.

When the Pine family decides a getaway to Mexico is just what they need to reconnect, Matt, currently at school in NYC, is the only one who doesn't get to go. Arriving home after a late night partying, Matt receives the terrible news that his family, Mom, Dad, younger sister and brother, are all dead.

He can't believe the news. Apparently, the authorities in Mexico seem to think their deaths were accidental; due to a gas leak. The individuals Matt speaks to in the FBI don't seem to be so sure however. Matt is sent to Mexico to recover the bodies and it is there that he starts to suspect something much more sinister may be at play.

That feeling doesn't disappear when he returns to his hometown for the family funeral. Matt, along with an intrepid FBI agent, begin an investigation into what actually happened to the Pine family; discovering past crimes may be linked to their deaths.

This was interesting. A fast-paced and solid story. Initially, I was feeling like we were getting too many perspectives, as we followed, Matt, his Dad, Mom, younger sister and the FBI agent, Sarah. But as the story started to weave together, I began to see why all of those perspectives were actually necessary. Each contributed to puzzle and what a puzzle it was!

This was smart, twisted and tense. Some aspects were more predictable than others, but overall, I really enjoyed how it played out. Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm happy that I finally gave this one a shot!

Disclaimer: I received a free digital ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A dreadful story in which a family is found dead during their vacation in Tulum, Mexico.

Review

I was so excited to read this book when I first read the description. It sounded like a great thriller with enough law and crime elements to keep it suspenseful and engaging. Sadly, this thriller did not meet my expectations.

Let me start with the positive. The pace of the book is great. It starts with Matt receiving the news about his family and the background information about Danny’s case and the Netflix documentary about it. We get a lot of details early on which makes the book engaging and easy to read. I finished the book in 3 sittings, so it was a well-paced book with an entertaining plot. The book is told from different points of view so we get a very clear idea about what was happening in Matt’s family life before and after Charlotte’s death.

I loved Sarah Keller’s character. She is a badass and also has a softer side, and we get to see her in many situations not only as an FBI agent but also in her personal life. Her interactions with Matt have a motherly vibe, and it was clear she has great compassion for him and what he goes through after the devastating news he received. She is the most well-rounded character, and I truly liked her.

Matt is clueless but also a believable character. He makes questionable decisions in the story but I chalk it up to him being young and oblivious in general. I was rooting for him to find out the truth but also for him to get some type of therapy to deal with the trauma. The rest of the characters we get to meet more included Evan, Maggie, and Olivia. Overall, well-developed characters.

Now, while there are many positive things about this novel, there are many things I just couldn’t get over.

Maybe because I read so many thrillers and similar books, I was able to figure out one of the main revelations as soon as I read a chapter very early on the book. I was hoping there would a twist that changed it, but I was right so the ending didn’t surprise me.

Next, I was truly bothered by the secondary characters. Usually, in this type of novel, the secondary characters provide us with dialogue or interactions that help build up the story or provide insight into the character’s choices. Matt’s group of friends and their interactions could have been used to deepening his characters or even to release some of the emotional toll caused by the news of his family’s deaths. Instead, we got a group of typecast misfits, in which their races and cultural behaviors were heavily influenced by stereotypes and did not do anything to enhance or advance the story. It felt as if the author used them to check the diversity box in his book, and the characters were an afterthought. The depiction of Tulum and Mexico, in general, wasn’t great either, which was surprising because I read somewhere the author was inspired to write this book after vacationing in the city.

Next, I was shocked that the FBI sent Matt to Mexico to retrieve the bodies. Now, I’m not an expert on law enforcement protocols when it comes to deaths abroad, but it felt as this only happened to put Matt in danger to advance the story. Matt went to Mexico with no money, no ability to speak the language, and no clear law-enforcement protocol to follow, which put his life in danger. That part felt unrealistic but I’m also basing it on similar novels I’ve read.

And finally, I wish we had read more about the documentary. It is implied that it showed Evan in a bad light, but the few scenes’ transcripts we got to read didn’t show enough for us to come up with that conclusion. I wish the author had explored the documentary more. The few parts we got to read felt as heavily influenced by the narratives in Making a Murderer such as the forced confession and the police’s reactions to their portrayal.

Overall, while not a terrible book, it was too predictable and weak in some areas for my liking.

More Book Reviews at https://www.brunchwithnat.com/book-reviews/

Sooo overall I liked it but didn't love it for a thousand petty reasons, but I think there are a few intriguing mysteries set up. This is one of those books where you are riveted by the suspense, but you are also emotionally invested in the characters. By letting the reader become familiar with the victims through the different points of view, you are emotionally invested in finding the killer or killers. Even though my suspicions proved to be correct, it did not take away from the satisfaction of the ending. The story really loves, clues revealed slowly throughout the whole novel. I like the character of the female FBI agent, she could carry a whole book by herself.

This wasn’t quite what I expected but I enjoyed it. Matt’s friends were great but I wish they had more to do than be window dressing. I got the most attached to his family, which was pretty rough considering you know they aren’t going to have a happy ending from the first line of the book. A promising debut, I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Matt Pine receives the devastating news that his parents and younger siblings died while vacationing in Mexico. This isn’t the only tragedy in Matt’s life. His older brother is in prison for murder. The older brother has maintained this innocence, but Matt isn’t so sure. The deaths of Matt’s family members seems suspicious, so he looks for the truth behind the deaths. Along the way, he also looks into his brother’s case.

Told using multiple points of view and alternating timelines. Though a lot happens in this book, it’s easy to follow. The story is compelling and kept my interest. I enjoy a thriller that keeps me guessing and this one delivered.

A page-turning thriller with complex characters and a smart mystery. A fantastic debut novel. I look forward to reading more by Alex Finlay.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The last thing that NYU student Matt Pine expected was a visit from the FBI regarding his mom and dad, as well as his little brother and sister. Found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico, the local authorities will not release the bodies until a member of the family appear in person. As the only person in the family able to travel, with Matt's brother Danny in prison for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte, the young man must go claim his family.

This book suffers because of two major plot lines, competing for space in a book that is less than 400 pages. The suspicious deaths of his family is one, while the brother in prison because of what some feel is a forced confession is the other. Right off the bat, the fact that the FBI allows Matt to dictate the travel to Mexico seems implausible. The FBI is suspicious, yet they are barely a presence when it comes to protecting the young man. The only part of the plot line regarding Danny that I believe is the forced confession, as it is highly likely that something like this might happen.

I am a big fan of mystery thrillers, but this one seemed forced in places. For the reasons listed above, I would be hesitant to recommend Every Last Fear to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Every Last Fear by NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books. The decision to review this book was entirely my own.

To be honest, I really couldn't see any offensive descriptions about Mexicans until a friend physically pointed them out to me. Now that I see it, I agree that it wasn't necessary for the plot- I stand by my Mexican friends.

Focusing on the story-I enjoyed it! The characters were well written (the sister is my favorite) and I enjoyed the political intrigue.