This Author can do no wrong. This book is beyond incredible and totally unputdownable! Just go in blind and you will read for hours. It's that great.

There were lots of twists (and lots going on, in a good way) in this book! Interesting backgrounds for the main characters, and a bit of intrigue with the reminiscent timeline interludes. Overall a super fast page turner. Recommend to any fan of thrillers!

Thanks to Netgalley, Alex Finlay, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fairly standard as far as thrillers go and I guessed the bad guy really early on, but it was still a super enjoyable read and I loved the characters.

The book starts off with a murder at Blockbuster in Lindin New Jersey in 1999, 4 teens working and seemingly murder except for one. Police identify a suspect but let him go and he is never seen again. Now 15 years later, 4 teenage girls are attacked at an ice cream store and again only one survives. The survivor from 1999 is called in to help the most recent victim because she was called to the hospital to talk to the teen. We meet Keller, an FBI agent brought in to find the original suspect but thinks the local police have it wrong and who is determined to find out the truth once and for all.

The book is took in multiple points of view, we have Ella the original victim, FBI agent Sarah Keller and Chris who holds a connection to the suspected attacker. You get to see the investigation from different angles which is cool, the FBI investigation, the lawyer (who is Chris) and then Ella who is a therapist so you get to see the emotional side of everything. It is a fast paced and suspenseful read, I liked the characters and learning new parts of the investigation through their eyes. The chapters are short and for me that makes me read more chapters at once! I always wanted to continue reading and couldn't wait to pick it up again. There are a few twists ands and it's captivating until the very end.

New Year's Eve 1999, everyone thinks the world is going to end. For four unlucky teens working at a Blockbuster, it does. One survives what can only be called a massacre. Fifteen years later, she is called to the aid the lone survivor to a night not unlike the one her life changed. Secrets are unearthed, and no question is left unanswered when the F.B.I become involved in both cases. Who committed the heinous crime in 1999 and did they return 15 years later to do it again?

Night Shift is told through multiple narratives. We get to see how the entire case unravels through the eyes of F.B.I agent Keller, the Blockbuster survivor, and the brother of the suspect of the Blockbuster murders. I think because of the multi narrative, you aren't able to anticipate what is to come. I am a master sleuth (at least I think I am 🤣) and there was only one revelation in the entire book that I knew was coming.

This is exactly what we are all looking for in a really good mystery. Every time a bomb drops you are like "WTF just happened?" and try to think back to any foreshadowing....there isn't much. There are a few aspects of the book that may be triggering for some, but I can't say what they are without spoiling any part of this book. Just know that the crimes described in the book are pretty awful and at some parts they go into some description of them. My only complaint in the whole book is that I had a hard time keeping track of everything that was happening and where everyone was during the action sequences. This may be due to the multi narrative, but it could just be that I was still thinking "how the hell did we get here?"

I would recommend this book to anyone over 17 who enjoys a really good mystery and multiple narrators. There is only one aspect of the plot that wasn't resolved for me, but I don't think that the question I had was intentional and is more just how my brain works.

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay is out March 1st, so pre-order it now or grab it the day of release!

On New Year’s Eve, 1999, four teenagers were brutally attacked at a Blockbuster Video. Only one survived, and the murder suspect has disappeared.

Fifteen years later, another grisly teen murder occurs at an ice cream store in the same town. Again, only one victim inexplicably survives. Is this an unfortunate coincidence, the work of a copycat, or has the killer returned?

The story is told from three alternating points of view: Ella, the survivor from the first attack; Agent Keller, the very pregnant FBI agent; and Chris, one of the attorneys and also the brother of the initial murder suspect.

Wow, I loved this book! Unlike many psychological thrillers, I felt like one of huge strengths of this story was that the characters were extremely well developed and likeable. The multiple POV also provided a very well balanced look at the many different aspects of the crimes and added to its intense, nail biting pace.

Even though I was able to guess the killer fairly early on, it surprisingly didn’t matter. The Night Shift was brilliantly written, with so many different intriguing layers and twists all intricately woven together. It was heartbreaking and tragic, but also realistic and redeeming. A true crime thriller masterpiece!

This is the first book that I have read from Alex Finlay, but I immediately ordered his other book and can’t wait look to see what he comes up with next! The Night Shift releases on March 1, 2022, and I very much recommend it to any crime thriller/murder mystery fans!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur books for sharing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Off the bat, the killings are similar to a true crime case that happened in Austin, Texas, in 1991. The Yogurt Shop Murders, where the closing shift employees were murdered. "The Night Shift" starts off the same way, but from the perspective of the Blockbuster manager, soon the murders happen. From there, the story goes on with Ellie being the sole survivor of the incident and is tied to a "copycat murder."
Each chapter is told from different perspectives, which is nice to see their character development and how they are attached to the plot. Along with that, it does help make the story go by much quicker, creating a fast pace. It helps not get lost with the back and forth of different povs.
It's a relatively simple read that isn't too complicated. Still, you enjoy some of the characters more than others, at least I did. I fell in love with Agent Keller; she reminds me of every agent in crime shows that are my favorite. Prentiss from "Criminal Minds" or Dr. "Bones" Brennan from "Bones." She gets dubbed "Agent Badass" due to a heroic act; I would like another novel based on her on another case.

Finlay wrote a novel that delivers drama between different families and friendships, tension and building suspicion that plays into finding the actual murderer of the crimes. It's easy to get lost with the unfolding of every twist that comes up.

About this book:

-Great plot twist
-Characters that you can connect with.
-Blockbuster nostalgia feelings

Two murders. One in 1999 in a video store and another fifteen years later in an ice cream shop. Both during the night shift.

That’s enough to bring up the same question in thriller books: copycat or same murderer?

This is such a fast-paced and easy read. I enjoyed it wayyy more than Finlay’s last book.

The one thing that was missing for me in this book: more chapters in the video store to bring more of the nostalgia feeling.

4 Stars

This story pulled me in from the beginning. I liked all the characters though I'm not sure I was supposed to. I never guessed at the ending, which is no surprise because I'm not very good at that. This is my 2nd book from this author and I liked this one better than the 1st so that bodes well for the next one!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fast-paced, intriguing thriller! Lots of characters to keep track of and suspects galore. I admit I did not guess the killer. The ending chapters were a bit over the top but kept me turning the pages quickly. Overall, a great read. I own his first book and can't wait to read that. 4.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review e-book.

Really great, solid 4 star suspenseful and thrilling book. I flew threw this one. I really loved the characters a lot and liked the whole story overall. Fantastic. Can't wait to read more from this author.

A tragic attack, killing multiple teens, mimics an attack from years past. This "who done it" thriller had complex twists and turns that caused whip-last at times.

I do not want to give too much about this novel away because it should be on everyone's must read list. The beginning of this novel was a little slow, as it is told from differing view points that need to be kept tracked of. Once it picked up I did not want to put it down. I took a star away because I easily guessed who the killer was, but not the why, the how, or how all the characters were related. Another issue I had was the transcripts of the vlog that were included. These made no sense until the very end of the novel, at that point it was too late to add anything to the plot. The characters were developed amazingly, and were easy to love or hate depending on what the author wanted.

Now I have to go read Ale Finlay's first novel!!

I want to thank Netgalley, Alex Finlay, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A plot-driven, twisty mystery, The Night Shift starts on New Year’s Eve, 1999, when three people are murdered as they’re closing the Blockbuster video where they work. A lone survivor can’t offer any clues because she was knocked unconscious, but through an anonymous tip and a fingerprint, cops think they have their man until he’s allowed to go free from lack of evidence. Vince disappears, and it’s assumed he has been on the road for the last 15 years. When a similar crime occurs at an ice cream store, law enforcement wonders if this is a copycat or if he has returned to town.

FBI agent Sarah Keller is 8 and ½ months pregnant with twins, which in no way stops her from being a likeable badass. With the help of Chris, a public defender with ties to the Blockbuster crimes, and Jesse, the sole survivor of the ice cream store attack, Keller tries to unravel the riddle before anyone else gets hurt.
This is a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MARCH 1, 2022.

A strong 4-star rating for the second Finlay novel I read! I consider myself really lucky to have received an ARC, because it was a terrific thriller.

Three equally interesting POV, a clever plot, some twists and turns and a couple of endearing characters managed to keep me engaged all along. I thought the pacing was great and, even if I guessed the culprit early on, I don't think it was too obvious (and I still had a lot of fun reading). I guess a lot of readers are going to be surprised by this smart twist (and I envy you!).

If you liked Every Last Fear, do not hesitate to read this one!

On Christmas Eve in 1999, there was horrible crime committed at a Blockbuster in Linden, NJ. Three girls and their manager are found stabbed to death, with another girl barely surviving. Fifteen years later, another crime is committed in Linden which is eerily similar. Three girls are found stabbed to death after working a late night shift at an ice cream parlor, with one girl barely surviving. Now, this case will be bring three unlikely people together. Ella Monore is a therapist and the survivor of the Blockbuster murders, looking to heal from her past. Chris Ford a lawyer and the brother of the Blockbuster murder's main suspect, hoping to make peace with him. Sarah Keller is an FBI agent looking for justice. Told in alternating points of view, they look for clues to see if they can close both cases once and for all.

This was a page turning thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved watching the three characters each piece together parts of the mystery, with the reader being able to see the whole picture. I also really liked how all of the characters were fully fleshed out and flawed. Even the victims were not as innocent as they seemed. Not only is this a great mystery but also a great character study. I enjoyed this just as much if not more than Finlay's book Every Last Fear. I cannot wait to see what's next from this author.

This book just wasn't for me. I'm glad "The Night Shift" is receiving glowing reviews, but overall, I found the writing to be grating and immature. I was expecting more of a sophisticated prose. The plot of this book in theory sounds more intriguing than the actual book. Some ideas sound great on paper, but I don't think the author did a decent job pulling off a crafty and engaging plot. I was bored and underwhelmed throughout my reading experience. The characters were annoying, and I thought the dialogue felt stilted and unoriginal. I think if the story was better written, I would've enjoyed this much more.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC.

I really enjoy Alex Finlay's books. I loved his book Every Last Fear. This one haunted me though. The teenagers getting attacked and only one making it out kind of bothered me. Maybe it's because I work in education. I am not sure. I liked the idea of the thriller, it was just a little too graphic for me. I can see how some people would really enjoy it. though.

“Sometimes when life puts us on a path we don’t necessarily want to travel, we discover it was a journey we needed to take in order to secure happiness.”—Lorraine Heath

The year is 1999, New Year’s Eve, and four families in the small town of Linden, NJ are about to have their lives completely altered. While working the night shift at the neighborhood Blockbuster video store, three teens are brutally murdered, and the fourth victim left barely alive.

Fifteen years later, an echo of the infamous Blockbuster video store murders is repeated at the local ice cream parlor. The survivor having the same haunted words whispered in her ear by the killer… “Good night, pretty girl….”

Now everyone is questioning the link between the two crimes and those trying to uncover the truth may end up paying with their lives…

Amazingly twisted, THE NIGHT SHIFT is my fav read of the year thus far! No spoilers from this reviewer! If you are looking for a page turner of a thriller, snag your copy and prepare to fall down the rabbit hole! Loved and wish I could give more than 5 Stars!




**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Thriller

A total knockout! As someone who loves the thriller/mystery genre I knew I needed to read this novel.

Fifteen years after the murder of 4 teens at a Blockbuster video store, a similar crime takes place at the local ice cream store. In both instances, there is one survivor. Could the killer be back? The person accused of the first crime was released on a technicality and then disappeared. His younger brother, now an attorney himself, cannot stop looking for him. The survivor from the first murder scene is now a therapist and she gets called to come and council the newest survivor. The third narrator is a pregnant FBI investigator (think Marge from Fargo).

The triple narratives made the beginning of the story a little clunky, but I was quickly able to switch gears and keep up with the flow of the story. And boy, did it flow. Finlay melds the two mysteries together perfectly. If I have any complaint at all it is that the conclusion has a lot going on and it happens very quickly. It is almost too fast. But that is a very minor complaint. The story is engaging, engrossing and compellingly readable!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.

This book kept on my toes the entire time! I was biting my nails until the last moment! The storyline was powerfully thrilling and the characters were actually relatable. I enjoyed the multiple points of view too.