I loved Alex Finlay’s previous novel, Every Last Fear, and this new book doesn’t disappoint. Finlay has a way of shifting between viewpoints but making the reader care about each character, showing their complex lives without bogging down the mystery with too much backstory. FBI Agent Keller is a wonderfully badass, warm female character, eight months pregnant and my favourite part of the book.

Finlay also manages to create a mystery with lots of twists and turns that are both unpredictable and not too far-fetched. I read The Night Shift in one day, and had a lot of fun with it.

I'm going to preface this by noting that I just recently read Every Last Fear. So right from the beginning I had a good guess on who the ‘bad guy’ was based on past experience. That, or it was my Scooby Doo detective skills.

This was a great read though. The different points of view make you feel like you are right in the middle of the mystery trying to figure it out, too. The supporting investigations add such depth to the story. I will definitely read whatever Alex Finlay releases next!

On New Year's Eve in 1999 four teenagers working late at night at a Blockbuster Video store, were all brutally attacked leaving only one survivor, Ella.
The guy who was accused of committing the crime Vince, jumped bail and was never heard or seen from again.
15 years later four more teenage girls were attacked while they were working late night at a fast-food restaurant, leaving only one survivor, Jesse. Could this new massacre be the work of Vince or was it committed by someone new?

The story is told through 3 points of view, Ella the blockbuster massacre survivor, Chris a public defender, and Keller who is a detective working on the case. The story is told in the present tense with some flashbacks to the past.

This story starts with an intense scene and hooked me in immediately! The first half of the book is slower-paced, It introduces the reader to all of the characters and their backstories. The second half is faster-paced with action scenes and shocking revelations.

I loved reading about how all of the flawed characters' lives intersect and how their stories were connected. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and how it wasn't so cut and dry.

This book would make an excellent movie!
The Night Shift was such a fun and fast read and I can’t wait to read more of Alex Finlay’s work. I would highly recommend this book for fans of detective/crime mysteries with a thriller twist. Many thanks to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

It’s New Year’s Eve, 1999, and the whole World was afraid that computers would be unable to move into a new century, causing planes to fall from the sky, elevators to plunge to the ground and the Stock Market to collapse.

I remember attending a New Year’s Party, and waiting fearfully with friends as we watched the clock strike 12-
Would the World end as we knew it?

But, it seemed like just another night at the Blockbuster video store in Linden, NJ for the 4 teenaged girls and their manager who were working the NIGHT SHIFT. Rewinding the videos returned, selling microwave popcorn, and gossiping in the break room, they were eager to close at 10 PM and celebrate with friends!

None have them could have guessed that they might not survive the night for reasons other than Y2K.
But, then they are all BRUTALLY attacked.

There is just one survivor-Ella.

Fifteen years later, four more teenaged girls are VICIOUSLY attacked in Linden, NJ, just before closing time at the Dairy Creamery Ice cream shop.

Again, there is just one survivor-Jesse.

And now, in the aftermath of this crime, Ella, now a therapist will be called to try to help Jesse make sense of what happened.

Vince Whitaker, the boyfriend of one of the girls from the Blockbuster Video had been swiftly arrested, following that tragic night, but when he was released on bail, he disappeared and has never been seen again. Could he be back? His younger brother, Chris, now a Public Defender, who has always maintained his innocence doesn’t think so. But, local police are able to call in the FBI because of this possibility, and Sarah Keller, (from Every Last Fear) arrives to assist. Each will try to figure out IF these two crimes are linked.

Alex Finlay’s writing HOOKS me instantly!

I was immediately drawn in by the nostalgia and the well developed characters. Although I guessed one piece of this puzzle pretty early, I couldn’t put together how it would all come together in the end. I think his books are written this way-giving you a chance to solve the crime-as in both books the crimes felt plausible to me. That isn’t to say that there won’t be surprises-there definitely are-but there isn’t going to be that crazy twist that comes out of left field.

And, I LOVE stories written like this!

I am already looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next!

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!!

I know this doesn't come out for awhile but it's October and I wanna read some thrillers.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy! My opinion is my own unbiased thoughts.

This had all the 90's nostalgia feels to it. Blockbuster was the sickest place to be on Friday nights!

We are following two murders that happen 15 years apart but have similarities. Is it the same killer?

I overall enjoyed the story. I reduced my star rating because there were some minor plot holes and structural issues I had which I hope will be changed by release date.

The fuckin anxiety this pregnant detective gave me half the time I swear.

I did ultimately guess who the killer was early on and I sorta guessed one of the twists so not too surprising but very entertaining nonetheless.

Alex Finlay, you have my attention.

Imagine having to relive something that you thought was finished and then realizing that what you thought you knew to be true was all a lie. This book did not disappoint when it came to mystery! If you’re a fan of Riley Sager or Lisa Foley, this is a book for you. It keeps you guessing until the very end. It holds your attention and chances are, you won’t want to put it down until you’ve read the very last page.

It's New Year's Eve 1999 in Linden, New Jersey. Four teenage girls are working at the local Blockbuster Video. Late into the shift the girls are attacked and only one survives. A suspect is quickly identified, but when he isn't convicted he flees and is never seen again. Fifteen years later four teenage girls are attacked at a ice cream store and only one survives. Coincidence?

I enjoyed this book a lot. It's told from the perspective of the Blockbuster Video final girl, the brother of the missing suspect and an FBI agent. I liked reading the different points of view and seeing how everything connected. The story took several interesting turns and it wasn't until the very end that I pieced together what happened. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller and is nostalgic for wandering the aisles at Blockbuster.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

The characters are what sell this story. Not necessary them as individuals, but how they are all connected. Or seemingly connected. The way that the information is revealed and you see how the different arcs intersect or intertwine definitely makes the story worth reading.

I also like how the characters have various professions, so the reader is exposed to every angle the case. The FBI agent sheds light on the criminal investigation, the lawyer show the legal side of things, and the therapist allows the reader to delve into the psychological components. I thought it provided a good balance of everything.

I will say that I was disappointed with the epilogue and hope that it goes through some revision before publication because, honestly, it's such an unsatisfying and uninformative status update on the characters. This huge “finale” happens at the end, where multiple characters are involved, and the epilogue just does not provide the necessary closure for some of them. So fingers crossed it gets expanded or changed.

But overall, this is for sure a mystery/thriller to look forward to early next year, especially if you enjoy connected cold and current cases, the ‘final girl’ trope, and great characters.

It's been a while since I've had a book that I need to read at every spare moment. I could not put this one down. I got major Riley Sagar vibes... but I actually enjoyed this even better than Final Girls. I cannot express how quickly you must run to go get this book.

Ella is still getting over the tragedy of a mass murder 15 years ago at Blockbuster. She was the sole survivor. Ella is faced with the impossible task of helping the latest survivor in an eerily similar murder in the same town. Did I mention the Blockbuster murder suspect escaped?

5 thrilling stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blockbuster, Y2K: four teens are murdered. There is one survivor. Dairy Creamery, 15 years later: three teens are murdered. There is one survivor. Are these grisly attacks connected?

This book is told from the POV of three likable and intriguing characters. Each story draws you in and hooks you so that when the POV switches you can’t wait to get back to them… hence how I devoured this book… and the stories blend seamlessly.  

First there is Ella, a therapist and the sole survivor of the Blockbuster murders 15 years ago. Battling her own demons, Ella finds herself treating Jesse, the mysterious teen girl who just survived the ice cream shop tragedy.

Then there is Sarah Keller, a super pregnant agent with the FBI.  Keller teams up with a young and eager detective named Atticus to find a connection between the two murders. Together they uncover key details in the investigation.

Finally there is Chris, a lawyer who just so happens to be the younger brother of the accused Blockbuster killer. Chris is desperate to find his brother Vince, who disappeared after his initial arrest/release and who Chris believes is innocent. Things get complicated for Chris when he finds himself on the legal team of the accused ice cream shop killer.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I had a hunch pretty early on which turned out to be correct, but it didn’t detract from the book at all because there was so much to tell and it was told so well. I do wish two characters had gotten a different ending but I am not the author so… This was my second Alex Finlay book and my second 5 star AF review so I’d say I’m an official fan!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

An awful crime was committed, and there is just one survivor. Meanwhile, therapist/party girl Emma is entertaining a friend when she gets a call summoning her to the hospital to meet with the survivor. Why? It turns out that Emma is a sole survivor too...of a crime almost exactly the same that happened many years prior. Is the original assailant back? Why these girls? And what do these survivors have in common?

The Night Shift was a bit all over the place for me. There are numerous characters, and I got confused at times. There was a big revel halfway through or so, and the character that was revealed I didn't even remember who it was. There were questions that were introduced about something a character said that was never resolved. Some reveals were big shockers, but didn't have any depth to the story (no why, how, when, etc). At the end, there was one character revealed to be on a new path in life, and that required major suspension of disbelief -- because that character almost certainly would've been in prison in reality. Another character also probably would've faced major ramifications for her actions. There was a huge plot line for the first two-thirds of the book that later was quickly forgotten and irrelevant.

I did read it quickly, and I did have interest in finding out what happened to the characters. The final reveal did catch me by surprise, which was fun and rarely happens! Sadly, that couldn't quite make up for what I found to be a disjointed and confusing read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

My thanks to Alex Findlay, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.
This was hardcore. I had no idea that it would end that way, but..there you go!
This story just free me in bit by bit. By the time I knew better, my heart had been broke!
This is a fast moving story. The POV is constantly changing. Still, it's very easy to keep track of. I will admit that it's also one of those where I knew who the "big bad" was. This in no way took anything away from my enjoyment.
I ended this tale thinking that I'd be a fool to not read more from this author!

Another riveting page turner to follow Every Last Fear! Masterful plot surrounded by intriguing characters. This book reads like a TV streaming limited series with a bunch of buzz!

Sleuthing it was entertaining with some writing on the wall but getting all the answers made it top-notch!

Highly recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Complex mystery with red herrings at every turn - definitely will keep you up too late to see what happens next. Fans of mystery and suspense will thrive on this one

I really enjoyed this crime thriller! The story immediately grabs the attention of 90s nostalgia lovers not only because of the Blockbuster tie in but the way it reminds you of your classic 90s slasher films. The layers of mystery make this un-put downable from wondering who is really the Blockbuster murderer to where is Vince Whitaker?! Though the cast of characters is a bit complex and muddy at times the ending is wrapped up so nicely with many twists and surprises.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

It’s New Year’s Eve, 1999. The digital apocalypse of the foreboding Y2K bug has not come to fruition; ultimately, it signaled no disaster. Nevertheless, disaster has struck at the Blockbuster video store in Linden, New Jersey where a brutal attack against four girls leaves three of the teenagers dead. The suspect? The boyfriend of one of the girls. The young man was arrested, but a public defender obtained his release on the grounds of insufficient probable cause . . . and Vince Whittaker promptly disappeared.

Fifteen years have passed. . . and the past comes back to haunt the town as a brutal attack against four girls at the Linden Dairy Creamery leaves three of the teenagers dead.

After fifteen years, has the elusive Vince Whittaker returned to strike again?

Ella Monroe is a therapist with a unique understanding of Jesse Duvall’s particular situation: Ella survived the Blockbuster carnage. And Jesse is the survivor of the Dairy Creamery massacre.

How will reliving the horror of that long-ago tragedy affect Ella?

Why is Jesse being so reticent?

And what is public defender Chris Ford hiding?

Well-defined, nuanced characters, an intriguing [if horrific] premise, and surprising revelations slowly unveiled in the backstory all work together to weave a complex tale that races along at breakneck speed, tossing out plot twists left and right, keeping the pages turning and the reader guessing.

Compelling, compulsive, and riveting, the narrative is suspenseful and intense. Told alternately by Ella, FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller, and Chris, the unfolding story opens with a murder. The short chapters keep the tension building as the story races along at breakneck speed toward a denouement the reader simply won’t see coming.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley
#TheNightShift #NetGalley

This is the story of murders that took place 15 years apart. Are the two murders committed by the same person or is one a copycat?

This book is a thrilling read. There is only one survivor in each murder. You will be guessing who could possibly be the murderer. It will keep you turning pages until the thrilling ending. If you like thrillers you will definitely like this book. Also, if you like books that keep you guessing until the end, this is a book for you.

Thank you to #netgalley, @AlexFinlay, and @MinotaurBooks for a copy of this thrilling read.

I fell in love with Alex Finlay's writing style when I read Every Last Fear. I knew the minute I heard about the Night Shift, I would stop at nothing to get my hands on a copy.

The Night Shift is a fast paced, nail biting, adrenaline rushing thriller.

Two murders, Fifteen years apart and one man linked to both.

Back in 1999 everyone was afraid the world would end when the clock struck midnight. It was the year of Y2K. Of course, nothing happened, or did it? Four teenage girls working at a Blockbuster Movie Shop were attacked in small town, Linden, NJ. 3 are dead, one survived. The police were quick to assume that it was one of the victims boyfriends who committed such a heinous act of violence.

Now, 15 years later, 4 more girls are attacked at an ice cream parlor in the same small town. Again, there is only one survivor.

If this does not grab your attention, I dont know what will. This story was absolutely genius!

Run, dont walk to your nearest bookstore on March 1, 2022 to get yourself a copy!

Two murders happen 15 years apart and the victims are teenagers working the late shift.

Ella is the sole survivor of a mass murder working the late shift at Blockbuster.

Jesse 15 years later is also the sole survivor of a mass murder at an ice cream store late at night.

Chris is the younger brother of the man who is accused of the Blockbuster crime who becomes a public defense lawyer.

Keller is a FBI agent who investigates possible connections between the Blockbuster and ice cream store tragedies.

The story is told from their points of view and and as the story progresses, their characters all become connected. All of them are hiding different secrets.

Man oh man was this a GREAT read! I love a final girl trope and the unique way in which this novel was executed made me devour this book more quickly than my normal. Being a horror fan, a book revolving around two sets of murders decades apart and possibly linked piqued my interest from the get go—I had no idea it would be THIS good! Finlay does a fantastic job of making the chapters short and suspenseful, which kept me on the edge of my seat. While there are multiple twists and turns, they were so intentional and thought out it doesn’t feel like overkill to read, it instead left me floored at the puzzle pieces laid out and perfectly fit together right in front of me. This story unfolds with perfect timing and each piece of the story fits together so smoothly and perfectly! If you’re looking for a good murder novel with lovable (and hatable—😅) characters and an intricate yet *so* satisfying plot, please pick this up! You will not be disappointed! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for loaning me an ARC of this novel for review purposes. If you’d like to purchase this novel, it comes out March 2022.