Alex Finlay is a master at this genre! I felt engaged and couldn't wait to return to this book when I had to stop reading because of other obligations. This is a page turner that will keep you asking for more!

Rating: 4/5 Stars

In "What Have We Done," author Alex Finlay delivers a gripping and intense psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This fast-paced novel delves deep into the complex dynamics of family, loyalty, and secrets, creating a riveting story that will leave readers guessing until the very end.

The plot of "What Have We Done" centers around the McBride family, whose lives are turned upside down when their youngest daughter, Meghan, is found dead in a nearby lake. As the investigation unfolds, secrets and lies are exposed, and the McBrides must confront their past and present demons. The author masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives, providing insight into each family member's thoughts and motivations, which adds depth and complexity to the story.

One of the strengths of this book is its well-drawn characters. The McBride family members are flawed and relatable, and their relationships with one another are portrayed in a realistic and authentic manner. The author skillfully captures the intricacies of family dynamics, exploring the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones and the consequences of their actions. The characters' emotions are palpable, and readers will find themselves fully invested in their stories.

The pacing of "What Have We Done" is another highlight of the book. The story moves at a brisk pace, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. The author effectively builds suspense and tension, creating a sense of unease that lingers throughout the book. The mystery surrounding Meghan's death is intriguing, and the author keeps readers guessing until the very end, with several unexpected surprises along the way.

Furthermore, Finlay's writing style is engaging and descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the settings and characters. The book is well-researched, and the author provides insight into various subjects such as law enforcement procedures and small-town politics, which adds authenticity to the story.

However, one minor criticism is that at times the plot feels slightly contrived, with some coincidences and conveniences that stretch plausibility. Additionally, the resolution of the mystery may not be entirely satisfying to all readers, as it leaves some questions unanswered.

Overall, "What Have We Done" is a compelling psychological thriller that will captivate readers with its intricate family dynamics, suspenseful plot, and well-drawn characters. Despite a few minor flaws, this book is a highly enjoyable and engrossing read that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Fans of mystery and suspense novels will find much to enjoy in Alex Finlay's latest offering.

Many thanks to my partners at @macmillan.audio and minotaur_books for the #gifted copies.

Pop that corn and get ready to be entertained. The past seeks its revenge in Finlay’s newest thriller.

Years ago, friends at an orphanage did the unthinkable Now, all this time later, a contract killer is hunting each one down. But who hired the hitman? And who, if any, will survive?

There’s no doubt Finlay can pen a binge-worthy popcorn thriller. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading until I knew! His writing is faced paced and electrifying.

Out of all the characters, Jenna was my favorite. I loved the juxtaposition between her past and present. I found myself racing through other POVs to get back to hers. I’d have loved an entire story based off of her alone.

As the tension builds, so does the need to suspend belief. And as action packed as the book is, the ending fell a bit flat to me.

Because of that, I didn’t love this one as much as I have Finlay’s previous works. But I’ll still be the first to grab his next release.

🎧 I love a good full cast narration, and this one did not disappoint! Brittany Pressley (a fav), James Patrick Cronin, Jon Lindstrom, and Maggie Thomas made this already explosive storyline even more dynamic. Definitely grab the audio for this one.

This is my second book by Alex Finlay and another solid thriller. I always appreciate something different than a husband/wife mystery, and this unique take on a cat and mouse chase kept me hooked the whole time. What Have We Done also did something most mysteries don't- it was surprisingly deep and emotional. I would definitely recommend!

A fun, entertaining read. 25 years ago, Jenna, Donnie, Nico, Ben, and Art lived at Savior House, a foster home for kids. They did something terrible while they were there and have agreed to keep it a secret. While each has successfully moved on in life, they soon find out one of them has been killed and that they are next. Did their secret get out? Can they still trust one other? The story is told from Jenna, Nico, and Donnie’s point of view with alternating timelines as crazy things start happening to them. I really liked all 3 main characters and enjoyed learning about their backstories. Was it a little over the top and unrealistic in places? For sure, but it was one heck of a fun ride. If you like action packed thrillers this is one for you. A solid 3.75 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book by Alex Finlay. I have read one of his previous novels and was excited to read another of his books. Though I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite of his. I liked the idea of a group of teens that grew up together being brought together many years after a life-changing event. The characters were unique and had interesting back stories. I found myself enjoying the first half more than the second half. At times things seemed a little unrealistic for me. I am also not a huge fan of an important character being introduced at the very end. I would recommend to those who enjoy Finlay's writing.

What a great book by Alex Finlay! I have enjoyed his prior books and was looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint, I finished very quickly.
The main characters all know each other from their time in a group home and during that time together, "things" happened. Those things come to play out years later and the group of friends come to learn the truth about each other in shocking ways.
Full of twists, great quick read.

This thriller opens with five friends bonding over a horrendous act. Unless they are cold-blooded killing teens, they must have a reason for their actions. Fast-forward 25 years, and the friends now have separate lives. Yet, they are also intertwined as they try to discover who's out to get them.
I was sucked into this book from page one. It's a thriller for sure. Each chapter switches between a different person as the story progresses.
But by the second half, the writing was beginning to come undone for me. I wasn't always sure when I was reading past and present. And the big reveals were pretty boring. There were also multiple side stories that never got resolved, which felt unsatisfying.
I appreciate that while there is sexual content, it's not overly graphic. And the profanity is limited to a few characters and not on every page.
I would definitely read more books about Jenna - she was my favorite character and the one I could most relate to.

Alex Finlay's thrillers always have a fresh feel for the genre. In addition to the puzzle and mystery within, there is a human element, people you can connect to and imagine being in their (unfortunate) shoes. What Have We Done isn't my favorite of his books, but has a good pace and kept my interest throughout.

Despite primarily being a fan of literary fiction, I love to get my teeth into a good thriller. This one has all the markings of a page-turner, edge-of-your-seat action, and many twists and turns.

The prologue starts off with five teens firing a gun into a grave, each of them taking a turn to shoot. Who they're killing, or whether the person is already dead, is not revealed. The narrative then begins. Each of the four teens is now an adult and the novel progresses in shifting viewpoints.

All five of the teens were foster children, residing in a terrible facility called Savior House. There is physical and emotional abuse committed by the older children and, unexplainably, girls disappear from the house at regular intervals. No one knows if they're run-aways or if they were taken.

Jenna is now a housewife, enjoying yoga classes and running. She gets a mysterious call from someone connected to her prior life, that of a trained assassin for a 'corporation'. She is told that she needs to kill Art, a tech magnate and a former resident of Saviour House, or her family will be killed. She quickly realizes she's been set up and wants to get to the bottom of things. It looks like someone is after her.

Ben, one of the original five, has become a judge and he has been killed recently. The police have found a suspect but there are still a lot of unknowns.

Donnie is an aging rock star who has an addiction problem. Someone tried to kill him but after the incident he can't remember details because he was in a blackout.

Nico is the producer of a reality show about people who mine in caves. There is an unexplained explosion in one of the caves and he barely escapes with his life. Who wants him dead? Could it be one of the people he owes money to for his gambling debts or is it something more sinister.

All four know that their lives are on the line and Jenna is actively trying to find the reason and stop their pursuer. Or is it more than one person after them? The question is who and why. It must go back to their time at Saviour House but what could be the reason.

This is a first class thriller and I plan to read more books by Alex Finlay. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy.

I absolutely loved the Night Shift so I was very excited to read Alex Finley’s latest work. I think in comparison to that novel - this one fell short. They over all idea gave me It by Stephen King vibes but I did not feel very connected to the characters unfortunately.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #StMartinsMinotaur for the complimentary copy; opinion are my own.

For me, this is an average thriller. The 3 main characters, Nico, Donnie and Jenna (plus 2 others that have much less page time) share an old secret from their days in an abusive foster home. I found Jenna the easiest to like and I feel like I got more of her backstory -she was a more complete character. Donnie and Nico weren't as likeable and hadn't dealt well with the secret or their lives since leaving foster care. The thriller/mystery arrives when, over the course of a week, there is an assassination attempt on all three of them. Jenna has the life skills to figure out what's going on and the strongest motivation to solve it - keeping her family safe.

The story jumps around a bit showing things from the perspective of each of the three main characters which is sort of a lot, but then add in timeframe jumps from their teens and the foster home to the present day - it was a lot to keep straight.

Unfortunately, for some reason, this book didn't grab me - I finished it and felt like the ending was in line with the story. I don't think the storyline or characters are particularly memorable.

"What Have We Done" by Alex Finley is an incredibly gripping and suspenseful book. Finley's writing style keeps readers on the edge of their seat, as they try to unravel the mystery and piece together the various twists and turns of the plot. The author does a fantastic job of building tension throughout the story, and the final reveals are nothing short of shocking. Overall, "What Have We Done" is a must-read for fans of suspense and thriller novels. Alex Finley is an incredible author who knows how to keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

What have we done was an interesting thriller. I really liked the use of the sadistic twin killers especially the one with the cattle gun since that isn't a weapon one comes across very often. The pacing for the story was well done and I was interested for the entire novel. Every character was decently fleshed out and had their own interesting back story that seamlessly entwined itself with the rest of the characters and by only having 5 different people to follow made it easier to keep track of everyone. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an action packed thriller.

Finlay is a must-read author for me and this latest is a highly effective thriller. Told in multiple POVs, Finlay's three MCs are dealing with trauma and secrets from their childhood so be sure to check CWs. I especially liked Jenna's character and storyline. The shifting timelines, while effective in explaining the characters backstory, could a little bit confusing at times if you're not paying close enough attention. Overall this book's fast paced, action-packed with plenty of twists and turns and is totally engaging.


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

One of my most anticipated books of 2023 and I got the pleasure of receiving an audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review!! Yesssss!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Where to begin with this one … let’s start by saying this was again highly anticipated, mesmerizing and heart pounding at times Alex Finlay novel! This was all wrapped up nicely in a bow but dropped a star because it felt a little rushed and I would have loved some more character development.

Alex Finlay is a great storyteller!! The audiobook narration mixed with the storyline fit together perfectly! I highly recommend the audiobook!! It’s definitely a binge worthy book!!

Nothing about this book worked for me. A quick summation as to why:

The characters aren't well developed, and they feel like cliches dropped onto the page.

The plot is over-the-top implausible.

I was irritated with all the flashbacks to the characters' teenage years, and the constant shifts in POV characters gave the story a disjointed feel that I couldn't settle into.

I loved Finlay's first book, liked his second, and clearly didn't like this third one. Might be that I'm ultimately not the right reader for this writer.

Well dang. I just really didn’t enjoy this book at all.

I don’t want to bash it but it just wasn’t an enjoyable storyline to me and there was so many characters to keep track of.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE
By Alex Finlay

Review by Valerie J. Brooks

Years ago, a group of kids from abusive Savior House fled the place after committing an act of violence. Twenty-five years later, one of the group, Benny, a federal judge, is murdered. The remaining members find themselves targeted: Jenna, a former assassin and now happily married wife and mother; Donnie, a former famous musician and alcoholic who has been fired by his band; Nico, a Hollywood producer famous for a reality show about miners; and Artemis, a billionaire tech whiz.

Jenna is set up by what she thinks is her former boss to kill someone and, when she finds out it’s Artemis, she doesn’t pull the trigger, putting them both in peril. Donnie is forced over the side of a cruise ship and is saved by a passing fishing boat. Nico survives a mining explosion.

When they determine they’ve all been the victims of these unusual “accidents,” they realize they are not accidents. The common factor in all of them seems to be a pretty young woman with dark hair and killer blank eyes. Plus, an FBI agent, knowing they were accidents, dogs Donnie’s every move hoping for information and the truth about his fall from the ship.

Now on the run, they each try to figure out who this female assassin is and why she’s after them. They haven't seen each other in years but expect to reunite at Benny’s funeral. Donnie, now famous again and in the media because of surviving the cruise ship overboard, is accompanied by Reese who is writing Donnie’s biography. But is he who he says he is? Donnie, a drunk who lives for his rock star status, doesn’t question this.

Alex Finlay has written a nerve-wracking thriller of interconnected lives of orphans who were bullied and disappeared and then as adults are forced to face their past. Moving smoothly in and out of each character’s voice, What Have We Done easily lays down the puzzle pieces of the characters’ past and current lives. Savior House was no savior house, and the time there has pushed Jenna, Nico, Donnie, and Art out of their carefully constructed adult lives after successfully escaping the torment of the place as teens. The past is not finished with them. Once again, they must band together or suffer the fate of their friend Benny.

What Have We Done is a taut, twisty, complex thriller that deals with how the past will never let go, no matter how successful one becomes. For those who love how specific details in fiction can bring a story to life and show so much about the characters, Finlay brilliantly creates a discussion between Donnie and his biographer about the comic world of Calvin and Hobbes. If you’re not familiar with it, you’ll want to be after reading this page-turner of a thriller because it's impossible to put down until the very last page.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5

This one was okay, I guess. I never really got invested into the story and figured out one of the “twists” long before the reveal. It was almost like the book moved too fast. With the constant switching between the POVs and something constantly happening I felt like I had whiplash trying to keep up. By about the 60% mark I just wanted to be done with it.

The initial premise sounded enticing, reminiscent of the Jason Bourne movies in a way. However, the actual story almost felt too far fetched if that makes sense. In the end I liked the fact that I was able to finish the book quickly (likely due to the short chapters), but I was never invested in the story or characters.

Overall I would skip this one and read The Night Shift by Alex Finlay instead!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like:

💔 tragic pasts
4️⃣ multiple POVs
🏃‍♀️ fast paced thrillers