YA'LL GO BUY THIS BOOK! I absolutely LOVED IT. I am for sure grabbing this one for the at home library. 5 stars.

Whew, what a ride!

I had very high expectations going into this after loving Every Last Fear when I read it last year. Thankfully, this did not disappoint! So much so, that I spent the last 2 hours of my time with it completely glued to my kindle, which even for my 5* reads is not something that happens often. I'm already desperate for whatever Finlay writes next!

The Night Shift revolves around two extremely similar crimes, one in 1999 and one in 2017. In 1999, four people are murdered at a Blockbuster in Linden, NJ and there's one lone survivor. In 2017, four people are murdered at an ice cream store in Linden, and again there's one lone survivor. It's not immediately clear whether or not it could be the same killer, or a copycat, so we spend the novel with various characters as they try to piece things together.

Typically I'm not a huge fan of multi-POV books, but I find that it typically works well with thrillers, and this is no exception. Right from the get-go Finlay makes it clear why each POV character is important to the story, typically with some tidbit of information that the POV character has which other characters would benefit from but don't know. Some may find this gimmicky I guess but it really worked well to propel me through the book to see how various bits of information would be revealed. Initially the only POV I didn't really care for was Keller, an FBI agent who gets paired up with a rookie detective, because she's not quite as close to the center of the plot, but I actually ended up really enjoying the relationship between her and her husband, and her and the detective. Her chapters ended up kind of being light-relief while also peppering in plot development.

The plot itself was excellent. Finlay really kept me on my toes and instead of overwhelming with red herrings and plot twists there were just a handful which were used to great effect. There were a few times where I thought I had figured at least part of the puzzle out, just to be proved completely wrong. But all of the twists make perfect sense when you look back at other things, which I feel is important so it doesn't feel like it's all coming out of nowhere.

Here's hoping it won't be a long wait before the next Finlay book!

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
The Night Shift is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing. Lots of tricks and turns and I didn’t guess the killer until almost the end. It has a great opening scene, NYE 1999 and all the chaos that as supposed to ensue. The story is told from various points of view and even though the ending is a little over the top, it’s a fast paced read and real page turner. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

This book was such a great mystery/thriller. I loved the nostalgic beginning, 1999 New Year’s Eve, in blockbuster.. yes please!! It brought back so many memories and created the perfect backdrop for me. I enjoyed seeing the point of views from so many different characters. From victims, to prosecutors, FBI agents, survivors, it gives you such a great overall picture of what is going on in the story and I loved seeing how they all connected and came together! Although, I did guess the ending fairly early, there were other twists that I did not guess and overall definitely enjoyed this one!

The Night Shift Won’t Disappoint!

On New Year’s Eve 1999, four employees of a Blockbuster Video are stabbed with only one surviving. Fifteen years later, four persons are stabbed at an ice cream store with only one surviving who is refusing to talk to anyone about what happened. The high school principal for the ice cream store survivor asks the sole survivor of the Blockbuster murders who now is a therapist hoping that the current survivor will talk to a survivor of a previous murder/stabbings. The proceeds from this here

The main storyline has two major threads. The reopening of the Blockbuster murders led by FBI Special Agent Keller and the Union City Prosecutor’s Office (UCPO) local expert on those murders, Detective Singh. The second major thread is the investigation of the ice cream store murders let by UCPO’s senior detective Arpeggio who does not want to share anything on either investigation. Then there are several sub threads that cross both investigations. There are Monroe and Duvall who were the sole survivors of the Blockbuster and Ice Cream Store murders respectively. Then, there is Ford, currently employed as a lawyer in the Union City Public Defender’s Office who is the brother of the prime suspect in the Blockbuster murders and immediately disappeared not to be seen again. Lastly, there is Steadman, currently the principal of the school that Duvall attends and was a teacher at the same school when Monroe attended. All four of these last characters are connected to both murders. While this seems to be a recipe for a disaster, the author fits these threads together into a compelling story that quickly captured and held my interest to the end.

For most of the cross-thread characters and for SA Keller, there is an extensive background material spread throughout the novel. For me, this made these characters very intriguing and help maintain my interest in the novel.

There is some profanity and one impious reference but on the whole is minimal, and not an issue for me. There are not any intimate scenes. Violence is less edgy as it is described mostly after the fact. For almost all readers, these aspects should not be objectionable.

The only aspect of this novel that stretched my credulity was SA Keller. I do not see what a Special Agent that is an 8½ months pregnant with twins would be doing any type of field work. The ending was a little bittersweet for me; if you read this novel, you will understand. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel. The one downside of the many threads was the end of the chapters sometimes left you hanging. Luckily, the answer is at most a few quick chapters away. As for keeping my interest, many times, I continued reading when I should have been doing other activities. I’ve read only one previous novel by this author, but he definitely has earned being my “Must-Read” author rating. If this book’s teaser interests you or you like this author, this novel is a must read for you. I am looking forward to reading all further books by this author. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

4.5 this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it didn’t disappoint. The nostalgia, the tropes, the characters.. I love it all. I was expecting a little bit more from the ending but I think that was me hyping it up too much. Will be buying a hard copy for my shelf

I enjoyed reading this book but it wasn’t a favorite from the last year. There isn’t anything that really stands out about it when compared to other psychological crime. Including blockbuster was fun for a “vintage” 90s feel but other than that I’m not sure much of the story will stick with me. I did really like the main secretive even though she was supposedly eight and a half months preggers with twins and running around, call me crazy but that’s a little unbelievable, make it seven and I’d take it. It was pretty easy to weave this one together quickly too, no spoilers, but the story didn’t strike me as unique in any way. This is an acceptable read for crime fans but likely won’t blow your socks off.

Digital ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second Alex Finlay novel I've reviewed for NetGalley and I have to say, it did NOT disappoint. On New Year's Eve, 1999 four teenagers are attacked at a Blockbuster. Three of them are brutally murdered while one of them inexplicably survives. Fifteen years later, a hauntingly similar attack is carried out at an ice cream shop and, once again, there is a lone teenaged survivor: Jesse Duvall, and Blockbuster survivor Ella Monroe, who has become a therapist, is called to the hospital to see if she can get Jesse to talk.

The twists and turns in this novel will make you dizzy as the story of two separate crimes unravels with Jesse Duvall at the center. This tightly wound thriller will have you on the edge of your seat, frantically turning pages to see where the next plot point will take you.

Be kind, rewind!

New Year’s Eve 1999, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night shift are brutally attacked at a Blockbuster Video. There is only one survivor.

The suspect is released due to a technicality and never heard from again.

15 years later, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night shift at an ice cream shop are brutally attacked. Again, there is only one survivor.

Both survivors heard their attacker say, “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

Could the original Blockbuster killer be at it again, or is it just a copy cat?

When the Blockbuster survivor meets up with the original suspect’s brother and the ice cream shop survivor, they vow to find the truth.

With Agent Keller’s help from the FBI, they are sure to solve the case!

Make way for agent badass!

Every Last Fear was not a stand out thriller for me last year. However, I did enjoy Finlay’s writing style and Agent Keller’s character, so I decided to read his next book which continues her story. Once again, I very much enjoyed the fast-paced writing and Agent Keller. My own nostalgia for a simpler time during the late ‘90s was peaked in these references.

While I found myself intrigued by the mystery and oftentimes furiously flipping the pages, I was confused by several plot holes and the unethical behavior of the characters. Agent Keller is one bad ass agent, but would a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy with twins really put herself if the line of danger and take extremely dangerous risks? I found this book to be a bit over the top, but fun nonetheless. It is very quick read with several twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Night Shift by Alex Finlay in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this creepy and suspenseful book. Full of interesting details that you weren't sure if the narrator really knew what they were seeing. An incredibly told story where I wasn't sure if what I was reading was really what they meant so I would go back to read the last page again. Thought, yup that's what they want me to believe. Incredible that it spins this tale up and around and you aren't sure what's true what's not and you still find yourself turning the pages quickly and fast to get to the end. I love this author. I love this book. Go read it for yourself. A GREAT read.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

Every Last Fear was one of the best thrillers of 2021, so I had high expectations for The Night Shift. Luckily, Alex Finlay has done it again. The Night Shift is a well-written, taught thriller that has an excellent premise. A massacre at a Blockbuster Video in 1999 leaves one survivor. When another attack in the same town fifteen years later occurs and has one survivor, three people with different motivations must work to solve the crime and find out if it is connected to the murders that changed a town.

I really loved the multiple timelines and viewpoints in this read. Finlay writes characters that I care about and storylines that keep me turning the pages. This opens with a bang and never lets up. It is well-crafted, tense, and thrilling. Definitely an early favorite of 2022. I see this being a big thriller this spring!

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

Full review to be posted closer to release date.

First off, I loved this book! It’s starts back at Y2K when everyone thought the world would come to a complete halt, and when it didn’t we all kept moving forward at a breakneck pace. In The Night Shift, not everyone continues on that pace. In fact, many lives are changed that night. It’s a thrill ride with as many layers as an onion. Put this one on your to read list ASAP. Thanks to NetGalley for the early read.

This book grabbed my attention right away with a 1999 Blockbuster murder scene, and it never let up. After that, we follow three different characters fifteen years later - the lone survivor, an FBI agent, and a lawyer. These three characters are all introduced as they are learning about a similar murder that took place at an ice cream parlor. We rotate through their POVs with short chapters that make the book hard to put down. There are lots of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and questioning everyone.

This is my second Alex Finlay book, and he will definitely be joining my auto buy author list. I highly recommend both of his books.

TL;DR : similar, brutal, multiple murders that occur fifteen years apart

Four teenagers are attacked at a Blockbuster Video store on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Only one girl survives. Fifteen years later, four girls are attacked at an ice cream store. Again, only one survives. Was it the same killer?

•••••
I can’t review this book without first mentioning how much the setup reminded me of the truly horrific “yogurt shop murders.” Amy Ayers, Sarah Harbison, Jennifer Harbison, and Eliza Thomas were assaulted and killed at an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop in Austin, Texas in December of 1991. Jennifer and Eliza were working the closing shift, and Jennifer’s little sister, Sarah, and her friend, Amy, stopped by for a ride home. The girls were murdered and the store was set on fire. Four teenage boys were accused of the crime and two were convicted years later, but were eventually exonerated after serving time in prison. There’s some DNA evidence, but it’s never been matched to anyone.
•••••

I really enjoyed this book. The story is told from multiple perspectives— the brother of the boy accused of the Blockbuster murders, an FBI agent, and the Blockbuster survivor. I wasn’t entirely surprised by the ending, but the story was so suspenseful and engaging that I was excited to see how it would all play out. Alex Finlay is officially an auto-read author for me now.

This was a solid thriller! Alex Finlay is 2 for 2 in my book and is on my auto read/buy list.

I read this the same weekend I watched the newest Scream movie, so I am feeling all the nostalgia. :) LIke his debut novel, Finaly weaves a thriller that has many moving parts, but also makes you turn pages at a rapid speed. As we read through three different point of views, I honestly, could not tell you whose I liked better. Each one was adding something more to the plot, whether it be a twist or another piece of information we needed to piece it all together.

I want to thank St. Martin's Press/Minotaur for a free digital Netgalley of this one and I cannot wait for others to get their hands on this one March 1!

This is my first by Finlay, and I see why people love his books. As the story began, I was transported back to my own memories of NYE 1999 and all the Y2K craziness. But the book took me out of my memories and to a blockbuster in Liden, New Jersey and the scene of a grizzly murder.

This was more character driven than most thrillers I’ve read, with a police procedural aspect mixed in. I really enjoyed the storylines of the characters and the fact that I was surprised on multiple occasions. There was just one particular aspect that bothered me but overall I liked this fast-paced read.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

Link to review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4424890250

got an advanced copy from netgalley.

i was really excited for this book because Every Last Fear from Alex Finlay was a standout in thrillers i’ve read in the last few years. when i read that this book was covers a case that takes place in 1999 and in a blockbuster, i was like “i HAVE to read it.” i had high expectations, and honestly it didn’t let me down. the books takes place 15 years later, when a similar crime happens and 3 more teenagers die and only one survives.

like Every Last Fear, finlay takes the time to slowly craft an incredible mystery. we have numerous characters—Ella, the survivor of the first attack, the brother of the missing suspect in the original case, and a heavily pregnant FBI agent.

the book pulls you in almost right away. though, i do feel like this one felt more like a mystery than a thriller. and it is far, far more legal and procedural than I remember Every Last Fear being. however, the characters are well written and likeable and the book keeps you on your toes until the very end. although, i did find the ending a little abrupt, i still enjoyed the book immensely. though i will say Every Last Fear was probably the one i enjoyed more, i certainly would recommend this too. i’ll continue to read finlay’s work.

My only feedback would be to flesh out the ending a bit more. It felt quite sudden and left me wanting more.

4.5/5 Stars

I'm always weary when starting a second book from an author after enjoying the first since I find that my expectations tend to be disappointed (here's looking at you Alex Michaeledes' The Maidens). So having enjoyed Alex Finlay's debut Every Last Fear, I was worried that The Night Shift wouldn't hit as hard (don't worry, I was wrong.)

Every true crime fan knows about the horrors that can be experienced when working a dreaded "night shift" at a job and the notoriety of those cases that can develop (such as the infamous "Burger Chef Murders"). Finlay once again utilizes such a story to explore the effect that notoriety can have on its survivors and the families of those involved.

The novel shifts between POV from Ella - the survivor turned therapist; Chris - the attorney who's brother was accused of the crime; and Sarah Keller - our favorite FBI agent back to solve another serial killer case. The research that Finlay put into this novel shines through his accurate references of therapeutic techniques, legalese, and FBI procedures which really puts the reader into this sense of a true-crime space where details are laid out for the reader to truly experience what occurred.

That being said, this book was also just one heck of a ride! By the way I love the return of Sarah Keller and how the story picked right back up with Keller pregnant with her twins. It was a great connection to Every Last Fear that while not pertinent to the plot, definitely felt right at home.

I found myself racing through this book, finishing it in one sitting just to find out what exactly happened all those years ago and whether it really was tied to the current incident. With fast paced action and twists you will not see coming, The Night Shift is definitely what you should pick up as your next read!

Thank you to netgalley and Minotaur books for an advanced copy of The Night Shift in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This book manages to combine elements of psychological thrillers and police procedurals and legal dramas, and I really enjoyed it! I was a bit skeptical at the beginning, but it quickly picks up. I was able to predict the main twist but there are plenty of other surprises along the way, so that didn’t bother me at all. If you want a fast-paced book to devour in a few days, add this to your list!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I read The Night Shift in two sittings - I could not stop! With a murder right off the bat, the thrills start and do not let up. I enjoyed all the multiple points of view - learning about the murder investigation from all different sides kept me hooked. I had some guesses about the ending, but I never had the whole thing figured out. Definitely an exciting thriller, highly recommend!