What Have We Done By Alex Finlay is the story of three friends who share a dark secret from their childhood. Now, 25 years after the event that changed everything, Dennis, Nico and Jenna are forced to look at what they did as their very safety is being threatened and try to figure out who is after them and what it is they want.
What Have We Done is a more of a crime thriller whereas I had been more expecting a mystery thriller but if that's a genre you enjoy, I think you'd .enjoy this one!
Please find attached my spoiler free youtube review

I automatically requested this book when I saw it because I loved Alex Finlay's Every Last Fear and Night Shift. Unfortunately this book is so different from those two that it's hard to believe it is written by the same author. The book was more action than suspense and was confusing at time with the frequent flashbacks out of nowhere. I picked it up several times but ultimately decided to DNF at 38%. I look forward to more books from the author and hope he can get back to books more like the previous two books I mentioned.

When children from a group home full of abuse grow up, they each go on to different lives until their lives are put in danger. They think they know who and why but proving it will be difficult because they have a secret that could land them all in jail. When their good friend, a judge is found murdered they know he's just a start. Each one has something they'd like to hide from the others but in the end they know they must work together to find a killer.
This is an exciting edge of your sit thriller and I enjoy the game of cat and mouse. I stayed up late to finish and was satisfied with the ending. The story has so many elements that come together to make a satisfying read.

I really wanted to like this more, having read both of the author's previous works and enjoyed them immensely. This, unfortunately, was not that.
The plot was kind of bonkers and didn't always make a ton of sense. I didn't connect with or particularly like any of the characters. The ending came seemingly out of nowhere. It almost felt to me like each characters POV was written by a different person and then all smooshed together at the end. Definite miss for me.
I would have a hard time recommending this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay

Twenty-five years ago, Jenna, Donnie, and Nico were the best of friends, having forged a bond through the abuse and neglect they endured as residents of Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. When the home was shut down—after the disappearance of several kids—the three were split up.

Though the trauma of their childhood has never left them, each went on to live accomplished—if troubled—lives. They haven’t seen one another since they were teens but now are reunited for a single haunting reason: someone is trying to kill them.

To survive, the group will have to revisit the nightmares of their childhoods and confront their shared past—a past that holds the secret to why someone wants them dead.

It’s a reunion none of them asked for . . . or wanted. But it may be the only way to save all their lives.

This is told from three different points of view, which I enjoyed. It’s a pretty fast read with a satisfying ending. Well done!

March 7

What Have We Done follows three friends that grew up in a group home together called Savior House. The story moves twenty years later with Jenna as the main focus as she tries to live a normal life after being a popular hitwoman. The story also focuses on Nico, Jenna’s husband, a screenwriter, and Donnie, a former musician. One of Jenna’s friends from Savior House got murdered, and things started to go awry for Jenna, Nico, and Donnie. They all began to think that the instances were connected.

I had access to both the kindle and audiobook versions. I listened to the audiobook version more than reading the kindle version. The plot was intriguing, but I have to admit the story was instantly confusing for me. I had no idea what was happening. I felt the story was cluttered and had too many things going on. There were too many characters and their side stories to follow. It took me a while to figure out how things were connected, and that caused me to lose interest in the storyline. This book was utterly character-driven, so that did not help my confusion. I did like that the book was packed with adventure and action, and it was a quick read.

The audiobook itself was enjoyable to listen to. All the narrators, Brittany Pressley, James Patrick Cronin; Jon Lindstrom; Maggie Thompson, did a great job bringing the characters to life. The only thing I did not like is that there was no distinction between the switch between the past and present. It was all meshed together, and that also made the book confusing.

I hope to pick up Alex Finlay’s other books because I heard that the writing of this book was slightly different than his other books, and I have heard great things about him. This book was just a miss for me.

Thank you to NetGallery, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for giving me a copy of the book and audiobook.

This was a fast paced solid read. I was a bit disappointed with the build up to the ending, but overall I enjoyed the characters and plot. The epilogue was satisfying. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! It is full of action written in multiple POVs by amazing characters and the twists are awesome! I think this would make an excellent movie. Highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one when it comes out next week!

After loving previous books by Alex Finlay, I had high hopes for this title. I picked this book up multiple times over a period of two weeks and it couldn't keep my interest. I felt like the plot was trying so hard to be sensational and exciting that it was actually making me cringe. It was just too over the top. Within certain chapters, the characters thoughts would jump between present and past and I had a very difficult time figuring out which timeline they were talking about. At the 30% mark, I have made the decision to DNF this book.

I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review*

What Have We Done is available March 7th.

To be honest, What Have We Done took me a bit to get into. I read and liked The Night Shift, so I had lofty expectations for What Have We Done.

The story is told from each of the 3 mains characters perspectives. Jenna (a stay at home step-mom) with a few secrets, Donnie is a bit of a has-been rockstar with his own issues, and Nico the reality tv star with debt.  They all have problems… but these characters are all a little exaggerated and a little cliche. And these problems all come to light when a contact killer is hired to kill them.

I didn’t connect with Nico or Donnie, and felt their chapters dragged - and were a bit underdeveloped. The chapters alternating between perspectives gave reading the book a good pace… but that’s about it. I found myself looking forward to Jenna's chapters.

This book wasn’t fully up my alley, and definitely not my favorite Finlay. I would recommend What Have We Done to fans of James Patterson.

I was not familiar with Alex Finlay's books. This is a quick-read thriller coming from different points of view, all where children in an orphanage. There were just enough twists and turns but also some holes in the logic. If you take it for what it is summer read and not expect a thoroughly thought out book, you will enjoy it. Others mentioned some of his other books, maybe I will check them out.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book, due out next week!
It follows a series of characters who were all in a group home together as children and now as adults are being stalked.
It had an interesting premise but fell completely flat. The female character was interesting- and that’s it.
The ending also “cut to black” so we don’t find out what actually happens to some of the characters, we’re left assuming.
Overall, not exciting, not suspenseful, not interesting enough for a thriller.

Part coming of age story, part spine tingling thriller. A group of desperate foster kids do the unthinkable and end up reuniting 20+ years later. Mystery, intrigue, secrets and plenty of action. Told through multiple POV. An entertaining and engaging read.

What Have We Done is a fast paced, full of action read that keeps you wanting to read more.

The story is told from 3 different POV and this works very well.

Five students are reuniting after 25 years and they are all keeping a dark secret of something horrific they did 25 years ago.

Can they keep that secret?

Who is after them?

One by one the group is attacked by two female assassins .

Four of them fight back. One of them is dead.

That is all I can say without giving up the plot. No spoilers here.

Clear your calendar and get ready for a wild read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Press for a thrilling read.

Five teens living in a horrible foster home did a terrible thing. Twenty-five years later, they've gone their separate ways and have seemingly escaped from the dark secret in their past. But now, one of them has been murdered and it is clear that someone wants the rest of them dead as well. Donnie - a former rock star, Nico - a reality TV producer and Artemis - a wealthy tech mogul as well as the lone woman, Jenna who has had a dubious past and is now a happily married stepmom. Not one but two young, beautiful and cunning women (identical twins) have been hired to get rid of them all. But who is behind this plot? The former friends find themselves back at the now shuttered foster home Savior House in Chestertown, Pennsylvania to try and stay alive.

What Have We Done is author Alex Finlay's third novel. (This is actually his pseudonym - he has written other books as Anthony Franze, which are legal thrillers.) Finlay's first two books were everything I look for in a thriller. This latest is a highly effective thriller even though the first two books ranked higher for me. The book’s fast pace was appealing, and I found myself wanting to keep reading to see it all come together. It's more action-packed than the mystery thrillers I normally read, and it was a bit over-the-top, but I'd recommend checking it out for its solid twists and turns. Finlay remains a must-read author.

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. The opinions are my own and freely given.

Cast of Characters:
Jenna - wife, stepmother
Donnie - musician
Nico - executive producer of reality show
Artemis - tech billionaire
Ben - judge

A group of foster kids from a group home all grown up with lives of their own, seem to be targeted one by one. They come together to figure out who is behind it.

Jenna's old life comes back to haunt her, and she is chased by an assassin, with her stepdaughter.
Nico is in a cave, the scene of his reality show, when an explosion causes the cave to collapse.
Donnie in a drunken stupor falls off a cruise ship.
Artemis is dining at a restaurant when there is an attempt on his life.
Ben has already been murdered.


I felt like this took a little bit to set up the characters as the story kept going back to their foster home and they would get lost in their memories; however, but it picked up and was fast paced with lots of action.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Alex Finlay.

My review is up live on librarything, Goodreads, Story Graph, Bookbub and Instagram.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/700559819
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4997998310
https://www.instagram.com/kuhlreads/
https://www.librarything.com/topic/347146#n8080299
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/5136dafc-7614-4f89-b342-b6de82d745d1

A fast paced thriller. While the underlying plot might seem familiar- someone is trying to kill a group of adults who, as teens did something bad- this one takes it up a notch with characters you'll find yourself caring about. What did happen that night when Jenna, Donnie, Nico, Art, and Ben were 15 year olds in a group home? Not telling (and to be honest, this is the most uninteresting part of the story). Jenna, as it turns out was taken from the home as a 16 year old and turned into an assassin by the "Corporation" but she's gone straight and is happily married with two step daughters until someone threatens that. Yep, someone's after her. Ben's already been murdered and now someone has pushed Donnie off the side of a cruise ship and collapsed a mine where Nico was working. Someone in the bodies of a pair of evil sisters. But why? I know this is cartoonish in spots but I also know it made for a great page turner. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. No spoilers from me.

This book is pure escapist reading. It’s written in multiple points of view - Jenna, Donnie, Nico and The Twins. Why are Jenna, Donnie and Nico being targeted? Who wants’s them dead and why? Does their shared past at Savior House play a role in it? Each person’s point of view dropped breadcrumbs leading to the final truth of the events of twenty five years ago. The book is well written, has interesting characters (some more likable than others), and there’s plenty of action that keeps the pages turning.

Alex Finlay returns following The Night Shift (5 Stars) with his latest twisty psychological thriller, WHAT HAVE WE DONE —four friends with a shared troubled past are reunited when a deadly secret resurfaces, and a killer is on their trail.

Twenty-five years ago, from Savior House group home, five young teenagers did something. It has been a secret, but who knows what they did?

Meet the five, now four.
Arty, a wealthy tech mogul
Donnie, a former but recognized rock star
Nico, a reality TV producer
Jenna, a happily married mom to two stepdaughters and a former assassin.
Ben (Benny), a judge—now murdered.

The four have not seen one another in many years; however, things change with Ben's death. When their famous judge friend is murdered and the FBI comes looking, the four must race against the clock to figure out who is targeting them.

Who knows what they did? Who knows their dark secret and why now?

Jeanna, a former assassin—was recruited out of foster care in her early teens by The Corporation. She receives a message forcing her back to her old job. I loved Jeanna! She is a character that shines. It was fun to see her in action while protecting her family.

With the Epilogue, am wondering if we will get a sequel with Jeanna. Hope so.

Told from multiple POVs, past and present. The friends are forced to relive their childhood traumas. They must decide who they can trust.

In this fast-paced action thriller, the friends must fight for their lives and survival. Finlay gives us background on each, with well-developed characters and riveting suspense.

If you enjoy smartly written thrillers, this one is for you. For fans of Harlan Coben and Greg Hurwitz (Orphan x)!

While this one was not like the last book, which was more nostalgic. Difficult to compare, this one was more an action-packed whodunit and a study of friendship. I am looking forward to seeing what is coming next from Finlay.

I was fortunate to read the e-book and listen to the audiobook narrated by a cast of rock stars: Narrated by Brittany Pressley (a fav), James Patrick Cronin, Jon Lindstrom, and Maggie Thompson for an award-winning performance for all voices!

Thanks to #MacmillanAudio #NetGalley #St MartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. #SMPInfluencers #MinotaurInfluencers

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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 7, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
March 2023 Must-Read Books

Alex Finlay is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller writers. She deftly weaves together flashbacks with the present and tests the bonds of found families in creative ways. I think I like What Have We Done even better than Night Shift. While Night Shift was dark from the start, the variety of perspectives in What Have We Done as well as the caricaturish nature of some of the characters kept the pace quick and the read feeling relatively lighter. I would also read a whole book on Jenna and her backstory as I felt she was the heart of the book ultimately, despite the ensemble cast.