This book had me guessing from the very beginning! All of the characters were well written and throughly described. I felt like I was long side, right in the story with them. FBI Agent Keller had my anxiety up with being eight months pregnant and still working on a case. This is a story that goes to show you, you never really truly know a person. A definite must read for those who love thrillers and solving crimes. Read this book!

Really enjoyed this psychological thriller about two similar murders in the same town, fifteen years apart. It is told from several points of view, and the plot moves quickly. Enjoyed the twists and though I sort of saw the ending coming, I didn't have it all worked out. Solid choice for lovers of the genre!

If you’re old enough to remember Y2K, you'll remember it was all anyone talked about. People were stockpiling water, canned goods, and paper products, fearful the ushering in of the new millennium would bring on an apocalypse. It was also a simpler time, where some folks' biggest concern was returning a video to Blockbuster in time to avoid a late fee.

This story begins at the end of 1999, when four employees of a Blockbuster Video are attacked. Only one survives. Fifteen years later in the same neighborhood, four employees of an ice cream shop are attacked. Again, only one survives.

The police had a suspect in the first murder, but he disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. Has he returned to town, or is there a copycat murderer? Three characters are pivotal in solving the crimes: the Blockbuster survivor, now a psychologist; the brother of the suspected perpetrator, now a criminal defense attorney; and FBI agent Sarah Keller.

Holy wow, this one kept me on the edge of my seat! I would have enjoyed it simply for the nostalgia it invokes, but the characters and story played out in living color in my mind and it was all I could do to hang on for the ride. The chapter-ending cliffies and jump to a different POV only served to keep me reading this one late into the night. Riveting, suspenseful, and rife with mind-blowing twists, it’s one is sure to give any lover of thrillers an exciting, unparalleled reading escape.

When it comes to two murders fifteen years appart, which occurred underneath very, VERY similar circumstances, leaving only one survivor both times... do you believe in coincidences? Yeah, me neither.

This read was suspenseful and (almost) overwhelming ; gripping you from the very beginning.
I loved how the story was told through different POVs and how much more dept to not only the storyline but also to the various characters it allowed us.
Yes, there are quite a few characters in this one, but for some reason, I didn't lose myself between all the connections and diverse stories. I guess that's the magic of Finlay's writing.

Overall, it wasn't an absolute perfect read in my opinion, but somehow very entertaining and refreshing.

A huge thank you to the publishers of NetGalley for the arc.
I definitely recommend this one to any book lover that's looking for their next suspense-filled read.

Just when I thought maybe I needed to take a long break from thrillers I decided to try one more time and picked this one up hoping it would be good. Well, it was better than good for me, it was great and I loved it!!

Synopsis: It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey, four teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one survives. Police quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen again.

Fifteen years later, in the same town, four teenage employees working late at an ice cream store are attacked, and again only one makes it out alive.

Both surviving victims recall the killer speaking only a few final words... “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

In the aftermath, three lives intersect: the survivor of the Blockbuster massacre who’s forced to relive her tragedy; the brother of the original suspect, who’s convinced the police have it wrong; and the FBI agent, who’s determined to solve both cases. On a collision course toward the truth, all three lives will forever be changed, and not everyone will make it out alive.

Besides the synopsis all you really need to know is that it’s fast paced, gripping and told from several interesting viewpoints that really kept the plot moving and kept me glued to the pages. I just had so much fun with this one and found it to be entertaining, clever and tense. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks @minotaur_books for my copy!

WHAT A BOOK!!

I've had this book on my TBR for weeks now and even marked it on my calendar because I was *that* excited. Obviously I had high expectations based on the synopsis so I'm glad to say my expectations were met and even surpassed.

This was my first book by Alex Finlay and after reading it, I'm already looking into his other titles so I can start another one of his. The way "The Night Shift" was written was great and the three POVs were an interesting touch. Something I liked about these POVs were the three sides of the investigations these characters provided: a lawyer's side, an FBI agent's side and a therapist's side. Although two of these characters had a further interest into the investigation, it was exciting to see how everything these three characters investigated came together as the book kept going.

The characters in this book were all greatly written and there were no unnecessary dialogues or scenes that contributed nothing to the plot; everything had a purpose and everything that was said could later become important. The motivations for each character was well written and made sense in the context. The plot twists left me shocked and I never felt like they were just done for the sake of shocking the reader. The twists were perfectly done and they had just the perfect amount of suspense.

The pacing was perfect, starting with a murder and leaving the reader hooked from the prologue. Again, there were no unnecessary scenes that were written just to fill the pages, everything had its significance and it was all pretty straightforward. I couldn't put the book down for even one second, I literally finished it in one sitting and was a bit disappointed when it eventually ended.

But wow, what a book! This is easily my first favorite read of the year and I can't wait for everyone to read this amazing work. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this advanced copy of the book!

This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go! The book follows two local mass murders 15 years apart. This is a very good police procedural with multiple points of view. The characters are complex, interesting, and likable, and I recommend this book and this author!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I could not put this book down I read it so fast, and that truly says a lot about a book to me. The story hooks you right away - there are two murder cases that are eerily similar and the book goes back and forth between all the different characters trying to figure out if they were connected and who was responsible for each one.

I loved how there was the 90s nostalgia of the Blockbuster scene and how it all connected to the current time with cell phones and youtube bloggers.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller with multiple different POVs and crimes to solve then this is definitely the book for you!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller

The story of this mystery thriller takes place on New Year’s Eve 1999. Do you remember all the chaos and talks about the disasters that will happen in Y2K? On that night at a Blockbuster Video in New Jersey, a massacre happens where three teenage girls are murdered out of four. Only one of them survives (Ella). At the time the suspect is identified as being one of the girl’s boyfriends. The problem is that he completely disappears and the case is not solved. Fifteen years later, another incident happens in the same town and again one survives. The work starts with an FBI agent to solve this case connecting the two cases.

This is a fast-paced thriller with multiple POVs. All the perspectives are narrated in the third person style which is helpful and makes confusion of any characters’ mix up at a minimum. Some readers might not be comfortable with the constant jump between the POVs, but I think that was necessary for this book to keep the intrigue and the fast pace.

The characters were interesting, be it the FBI agent, the survivors, or the male characters. I think they served the purpose very well. The story has several surprises here and there that made the plot more interesting. I wouldn’t call them twists, but more like unexpected surprises. As you may notice I am trying not to mention the names of the characters so that everything is kept for you to discover.

My only issue with the story is that I feel the killer’s motive was not strong enough to do what he did. I don’t know, I just felt that his motive was exaggerated. Was he that afraid of his mistake? (Can’t say more) But to me, that motive was not convincing or justifiable to do what he did. Another thing I have to say is that I like when there are references to other books/films in a book but I prefer if such references are kept for the light moments and not for the serious ones. I’m referring here to the “Silence of the Lambs” reference. I was engaged with the character, I was feeling her and her difficult situation but as soon as this reference came up my mind just shifted somewhere else. I was doing fine imagining that scene, as soon as that reference was mentioned my mind snapped out of the scene thinking about Jodi Foster. That was not necessary.

The Night Shift is an entertaining thriller. It is well written for the most part of it and provides you with the right atmosphere that you require from mystery thrillers. I enjoyed it.

Many thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.

No sophomore slump here!

Finley has crafted another fabulously compulsive mystery/thriller! I really enjoyed his debut novel Every Last Fear and was very excited to get my hands on this. This had all the things I enjoy most in a good story; a well thought out plot, well developed characters, and a mystery & twists that kept me on my toes. I really liked Agent Keller and my fingers are crossed that we get to investigate with her again. She’d make a great lead for a series (hint, hint).

I can’t really find any major or minor flaws in this story & in my recent reading that’s pretty rare. I do wish NG had offered it in audio which is how I prefer to read my thrillers for the added depth. I still highly recommend & I’m already looking forward to Finley’s next endeavor. 5 stars.

***ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s New Year’s Eve and five people work the last shift at a Blockbuster in Linden, New Jersey. By closing time, four of the young people are dead and one is severely injured. These murders go unsolved although there is a suspect who was identified but fled.

Fast forward fifteen years and a similar tragedy occurs, only this time in an ice cream shop. Two teens are dead and one is injured. Ella, the survivor from the Blockbuster murders is now a therapist. She is asked by the school principle to help out with the new survivor, Jesse, who is not cooperating with the police. As Ella builds a repour with the angry teen she learns that many of the details about Jesse’s assault are similar to her own.

A task force is formed of local police and FBI personnel. The police will investigate the new murders while the FBI looks for a possible connection to the Blockbuster massacre. As the tension mounts, Special Agent Sarah Keller discovers there are quite a few links to the first crime. In fact, at least five people were somehow involved back then. Old secrets need exposed if they are to find the killer.

I found this book just as exciting and suspenseful as Alex Finlay’s first book, Every Last Fear. The last 50 pages were a blur as I raced to the surprise conclusion. This book is for readers who like psychological fiction by authors such as Lucy Foley or Jean Hanff Korelitz.

Robyn Heil, Buyer for Brodart Co.

This was my first book by this author and boy was this a good start. I thought this book was intriguing and just amazing. I loved the characters and how they were written. I really liked the 90's references as well. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was that sometimes it was hard to follow but other than that I enjoyed this.

It's been awhile since I read a thriller that made me want to stay up reading late into the night with my eyes hurting and protesting for me to stop. Just so you know, I ignored my protesting eyes. I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen. The story gripped me from start to finish.

First, a New Jersey town is rocked by a 1999 New Years Eve, Blockbuster store, massacre. Then again 15 years later by a 'copycat' massacre at a local ice cream shop. Finlay brilliantly weaves the two story lines with past and present characters together to keep you guessing who dunnit until the very end.

I totally loved it. It's fast-paced, keep you on the edge-of-your-seat, perfection.

Woah. The Night Shift is creepy with a capital C. I could hardly read this one at night as I was getting scared! Always well-done, The Night Shift is another excellent Finlay book.

I enjoyed this book and wanted to see what happens next. There may have been a bit too many coinsidences, but I can get over it. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I received this book through "NetGally" and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The story begins with the killing of 4 people at a Blockbusters on New Year's Eve. The next chapter is 15 years later and introduces Ella who is called to talk to an individual in the hospital who survived a killing similar to the one which occurred 15 years earlier. Ella as it turns out is a survivor from the Blockbuster killing.

Sarah Keller, an FBI agent, is called to go the hospital to talk to this survivor. She is assigned to the case to discoverer if there is some sort of tie-in to the earlier killing where Vince the suspect in that case has disappeared and was still wanted. In addition to Ella, Chris is introduced as a public defender who just happens to be Vince's brother and which people that he works with are not aware.

As thime goes by, Sarah is teamed up with Atticus, a member of the D.A.'s office, to follow along and try and find a connection to the 1st killing. Learn how Ella interacts with Jessie and how Jessie winds up as a suspect in the current killing. Follow the evidence and information that Sarah uses to ultimate bring both cases to a conclusion.

The story will blow your mind with what happens at the end. You definitely don't want to miss following this book.

This was insane!
I couldn't put this book down. Every character, every POV was engaging. I honestly had no clue who the killer(s) was/were. This kept me guessing the entire time. All the stars!

On the cusp of the millennium, four teenage girls working the late shift at Blockbuster are brutally attacked and three are murdered. The police identify a suspect, who disappears and is never heard from again. Fifteen years later, in the same town, the crime repeats itself at an ice cream shop - Three girls murdered, one survives. And both girls are left with the same parting words: "Goodnight, pretty girl.” The survivors, the brother of the 1999 suspect, and a determined FBI agent must search for answers in a town, and in cases, that are full of secrets.

The Night Shift is expertly paced - You won't be able to put it down, because you know that the next twist or reveal could be just a page away. I absolutely devoured it in one night and loved the switched perspectives between the Special Agent Keller, Chris, and Ella. As you follow from each of their viewpoints, you know that the answers are just out of your grasp, and in the end, Finlay pieces the puzzle together brilliantly.

While I did predict the reveal of the killer(s), I didn't predict one of the other major twists, and I think that's what makes The Night Shift so engaging. There isn't just one reveal that the plot stands on and hurtles towards - It's the unveiling of a web of secrets, shame, and surprises that are intricately woven to create the story.

My biggest gripe is twofold: 1) making Agent Keller 8.5 months pregnant. Let's be realistic here... You're likely not going much further than the bathroom at that stage of the game while carrying twins, much less hunting down a killer. She's likeable (as is her sidekick Atticus), but only a man would write a book that has a close-to-birth woman running around town like this. 2) I didn't think the Epilogue was necessary, if I'm being honest. It was fine, but not necessary.

Overall, this is one we'll definitely continue to recommend! Consider me a confirmed Alex Finlay fan.

*rounded down from 4.5 stars*

I really enjoyed Every Last Fear, so Alex Finlay's latest, The Night Shift, was highly anticipated.

It was a great follow up.

Fifteen years ago, four people were murdered at a Blockbuster (readers of a certain age will wax nostalgic at the setting, even though it's set mostly in the present), and one survivor was left to pick up the pieces.

Today, at an ice cream shop, more teens are murdered and once again, only one person makes it out alive.

In the aftermath of the carnage, three people will meet in unexpected ways: the lone survivor of the original attack, who is at once leading a destructive lifestyle while at the same time using her career to help damaged people like herself; the brother of the suspect of the original attack, who is convinced of his sibling's innocence; and the FBI agent trying to fit the pieces of both nights together to solve the crime.

Like Every Last Fear before it, I flew through The Night Shift. It's incredibly twisty, and short chapters give the reader a breathless experience.

It's not without its issues, at least subjectively for me. The chapters are short and the pace quick, bit that's due in fact that each chapter is a new POV. There's a bunch of characters to keep track of outside of the main ones, and just as I was getting into someone's story, it cuts off and you're left to pick up a new narrative. But overall it was really satisfying, and I'd recommend this to any thriller/suspense genre fans.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

There’s nothing I love more than sitting down with a thriller that’s so compelling, immersive, and twisty that I lose track of time. I’m happy to report THE NIGHT SHIFT is one of those books.

This novel focuses on two crimes – one that happened in 1999 and a seemingly copycat attack that is committed in 2015. After the 2015 crime the FBI begins their investigation and Ella, one of the survivors of the ‘99 tragedy, is called to help the latest survivor not knowing she will be pulled into a mystery spanning decades.

THE NIGHT SHIFT was very similar to FINAL GIRLS, which is one of my favorite thrillers. They’re both cinematic, have big slasher movie vibes, and feature “unlikeable” main characters, which are some of my favorite tropes of the genre.

This was a super quick read – I finished it in just a couple of hours. Short chapters and multiple points of view made the action fly by. Finlay’s dialogue and prose is incredibly matter-of-fact, which keeps the plot moving. I’m not typically a fan of that but it really worked for this story.

It would have been a five star read for me but I had a couple of nitpicky things that bothered me throughout. I would have liked a little more backstory for some of the characters and the ending was a bit predictable. But those were all small things that didn’t majorly impact my enjoyment of the story.

THE NIGHT SHIFT comes out March 1, but I think this would make for a great beach/pool read when vacation season starts up. Make sure to add this to your TBR for this summer.

The Bottom Line: A fast-paced thriller perfect for fans of Riley Sager! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️