4 Stars (I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

This by far has been my favourite release from Alex Finlay and had a lot of twists (one I was suspicious of and was correct on). I like how the story starts out with seemingly no connections between the main characters and then slowly we get more backstory. I really don't want to say anything else, since I tend to briefly scan thriller blurbs on the back because I find it more fun to read.
Currently reading the ARC of the next release and its interesting so far but it has a lot to live up to.

The group of characters in this story meet at a place called Savior House, a group home for teens where there is bullying, secrets and missing girls. It fast forwards to these teens as adults who have to confront their past when someone winds up dead. This story is full of twists and turns and is action packed and fast paced. It is somewhat hard to follow at times with so many characters and is a bit out there at times but overall enjoyed this book, preferred on audio which was well done.

This was just okay for me. I think the writing is really good but the characters were kind of one dimensional for me. Even though they weren’t great people all around, I found I was indifferent to their individual plights. Obviously I loved the premise because Finlay is great for thrillers but this one didn’t resonate for me like a typical Finlay novel would.

This is a fast paced, captivating thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. It has an engaging plot with well-developed characters that created an immersive experience. It had twists and turns that made it hard for me to put down. The chapters are short which also engages me more, as you want to continue to find out more. It's a well crafted story that delivers on excitement and suspense. This is the third novel by Finlay that I've read, but I will read whatever he comes up with next

This book was just the book I needed during our Disney vacation. It was fast paced and intriguing. I was invested in the outcomes of the characters. And it drew me in and made me want to spend time reading it when I came back to the room exhausted. Thanks to the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this novel. I look forward to continuing to read Mr Finlay's books in the future.

"What Have We Done" by Alex Finlay had an interesting premise, with a reunion of three childhood friends brought together by their shared traumatic past at Savior House. The storyline switches between the characters' current lives and their harrowing experiences at the group home, creating a mix of thriller and emotional drama.

While the setup was promising, I found the execution to be somewhat lacking. The characters felt a bit cliché, and their motivations didn't always feel authentic or fully developed. The narrative moved at a decent pace, but some plot twists seemed too convenient, and it was difficult to get invested in the characters' struggles. The tension I hoped for in a thriller like this just wasn't consistent throughout.

Overall, it was an okay read—entertaining enough to finish, but not particularly memorable or groundbreaking. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something quick and don’t mind a few predictable turns.

25 years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico become best friends in the abusive group home they were all living in. After the group home was shut down they hadn't seen each other in years. Despite not seeing each other in so long, a crime they were all a part of and swore to keep secret comes back to haunt them.

Each character in this book has a giant, almost comic book personality, with careers ranging from rock star to assassin. The narrative shifts between each character and the premise is an interesting idea, even if overused.

Unfortunately, I didn't love this as much as I had hoped and as much as I had loved previous Alex Finlay novels. For me, one of the most important parts of a book is the characters. I found these characters to be not necessarily likable and also not as realistic and lifelike as the characters in Finlay's previous novels. I didn't love the story or the writing as much as before either, it didn't feel the same as when I read his work before and this time I actually had to push myself more to finish this book whereas before I couldn't put his books down.

Don't get me wrong, I think Alex Finlay is a talented author (I even have a signed copy of his debut novel) and this book will have its audience, but it just wasn't for me. This book is more so for those who enjoy cheesy action movies, in my opinion, which isn't a bad thing.

I will still be eagerly awaiting Alex Finlay's next thriller!

Thank you to Alex Finlay, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for this ARC.

Okay, this one was awesome! Something bad happened a long time ago and it’s finally coming back to haunt the kids from Savior House. I really liked the individual perspectives from each character, although I liked the fmc the best. I love that we got to see a lot of variety in how the characters coped with growing up in foster care. There were many levels to this mystery that kept getting unraveled at perfect times. It was very fast paced and entertaining. A tad unbelievable in parts, but I don’t think that made me enjoy the book any less. It was a quick read and I loved the cat-and-mouse game.

Alex Finlay is pretty great at writing a taut, twisty thriller and this is another excellent example of that skill. I was very invested in the characters and their connection both then and now and was blown away by the outcome because I really didn't see it coming. I can't say much more because there's a lot going on in this story and it all weaves together, but spoilers definitely take you out of it.

This author always takes me on a roller coaster ride through his books. This book was no different, it was action packed from the very beginning.

I loved how there was a whole cast of characters. The way story of them came full circle was perfection. I couldn’t wait to learn the back story of each of the characters.

Overall I enjoyed every minute of this book. I had the hardest time putting it down because the ending of this chapter had me wanting more. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book right from the first chapter. The action was well-paced and engaging throughout, and I didn’t feel like there was anything unnecessary or irrelevant. While I did anticipate the twist to some extent, it still managed to surprise me. I was eager to uncover the events that led to the characters' reaping. Even the final chapter was incredibly gripping. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Alex Finlay, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of What Have We Done!

Rating: 3 stars

What Have We Done is a fast-paced mystery following three adults who lived at a foster house called "Savior House" as children. Someone has put hits out on all of them and they need to figure out who it is before their numbers continue to dwindle.

At first, I found this book a little hard to follow. There are three main perspectives, but we also occasionally get the viewpoint of the hit-women as well. Once I figured out which character was which, the story began moving quickly and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a few theories about who put out the hit, but the theory that panned out was the one I was hoping was wrong.

I do think we needed more of the backstory of the foster kids. I don't think we had enough information to comprehend how traumatizing the experience was for the kids. We just hear that they were bullied and some kids went missing - traumatizing in itself, but there weren't many details about either of the experiences.

Overall I did enjoy the book and would like to read more from the author.

What Have We Done is my first Alex Finley novel and a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of past actions. The novel follows a group of friends whose lives are irrevocably altered by a tragic incident from their youth, and it explores how this event haunts and shapes their present lives. Finlay’s writing is taut and suspenseful, skillfully weaving multiple perspectives and timelines to build a compelling and twist-filled narrative. While the intricate plot and character development are engaging, some readers may find certain elements predictable. Overall, a thought-provoking thriller that offers a tense and emotionally charged reading experience.

I am always such a fan of the past coming back to haunt characters - it one of my favorite thriller tropes. The journey you take when you're learning about the characters in the present, while flashing back to their past and how those moments brought them to their current situation is such an enjoyable experience. Absolutely loved this read! I was given a copy of this story to read; but thoughts and opinions are all my own. Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing for the chance to read!

Thank you to Net Galley, Minotaur books, and the author Alex Finlay for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was fast paced.

It is told from three povs.
Jenna, the stepmom, who was recruited and trained by a secretive corporation as an assassin
Nico, a reality show producer with a gambling problem
Donnie, a famous rockstar with an addiction problem

The three of them along with two others, Ben and Art grew up in a children’s home known as Savior house. The five of them did something bad as kids and twenty-five years later, they must face it,

This is my second book by Alex Finlay, and my favourite so far! I loved the multiple POVs of the 3 main characters and the "hit woman". It was super fast paced and held my attention. I started it as an audio listen while driving and found that I couldn't wait to get back into my car so I finished it very quickly on my Kindle.

It was a bit predictable (I did see the twist coming) but I really enjoyed the different characters. Alex Finlay is now and auto-buy author for me.

Alex Finlay's "What Have We Done" is a riveting thriller that unfolds with relentless tension and a deep exploration of the consequences of past actions. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the novel intricately weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The small-town setting becomes a character itself, enhancing the story's atmosphere and adding to its overall suspense.

This one has intricate plot that builds suspense effectively. It balances the dual timelines, revealing secrets and connections that keep readers guessing. The characters are compelling and well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets (but there are a lot of them). The author explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the impact of choices made in the past, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative.

Read if you like:
🫣 gripping thrillers
🚶 multiple characters
🤔 good underlying theme
🏡 small town vibes

Thank you to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Alex Finaly is a great thriller writer! While this isn't my favorite of his, it's a solid addition to his backlist.

King of the fast-paced page-turners! This one has some old school, I Know What You Did Last Summer vibes. Finlay knows how to build the suspense and heart-pounding anticipation from the first page; and brings it to a fun conclusion. Another hit!

Three people, raised for a time in a group home, are being targeted by someone determined to kill them. When it becomes obvious the reason is a secret they all share, the three team up and try to get to the bottom of what’s going on and why.

Another great story by Alex Finlay. Fast paced and action packed.

Thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.