The plot was very interesting for me. It was kind of far fetched at times. There was a bit too much changing of POV for me though. It was definitely action packed but I didn’t truly care for any of them.

Haunting Secrets of Childhood Friends

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay is a gripping thriller that revolves around the lives of Jenna, Donnie, and Nico—three individuals who share a dark past from their time in a foster home known as Savior House. The story kicks off as they are hunted by a mysterious killer, forcing them to confront secrets and traumas from their childhood. The narrative unfolds through different points of view, each chapter revealing more about their intertwined histories and the deadly secret that binds them together.

Strengths of What Have We Done include its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and the emotional resonance of its themes. Finlay excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. However, the complexity of the narrative may require readers to pay close attention to keep track of the various plot threads. This minor drawback does not overshadow the novel's overall impact, making it a highly recommended read for fans of psychological thrillers.

In conclusion, Alex Finlay's What Have We Done is a captivating thriller that masterfully explores the darker aspects of human nature and the enduring power of friendship. Whether you're a long-time fan of Finlay or new to his work, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I've loved some of Alex Finlay's books, so can't resist trying others, in the hope it's as good.
I find this author in the same area as Alice Feeney for me- I'm chasing the amazing book I once read of theirs, but the others just don't match up.
Unfortunately, this goes for this book too.
It took me a while to get into, which surprised me. But then it seemed like it went a little OTT. The narrators for the audiobook were the real selling point, and they were what kept me listening. But the plot isn't something I will remember in a few weeks.

This was another Alex Finlay hit! There’s a killer after the main character and it’s non stop action! I was at the edge of my seat, literally!

This book wasn’t really for me I didn’t enjoy it much but the narration was fine it just wasn’t a good read/listen for me.

Past secrets never seem to remain hidden, and the individuals in this book are currently the target of a murderous plot. Twenty-five years later, due to something they did in the past, these friends—who had a difficult upbringing and escaped a group home for teenagers without parents—find themselves in a life-or-death scenario. There is relentless action in this gripping thriller. Even if I didn't always agree with their decisions, I still had empathy for every character. You'll be glued to the book, turning the pages as quickly as you can read this one.

“What Have We Done” by Alex Finlay is a gripping thriller that reunites four former friends, bound by a dark secret from their past. Twenty-five years ago, as teenagers living in a foster home, they did something very bad. Now, as adults, their lives seem successful, but tragedy strikes when one of them is murdered. Jenna, a former assassin, receives a message summoning her back to her old job. As they struggle to understand and survive, secrets unravel, and danger looms. Finlay skillfully blends action, suspense, and friendships in this suspenseful tale.

I really liked this book. You have all these people who shared a friendship when they were in a group home called Savior House together as children. The friendship grew because of the need to survive and find whatever happiness could be found in such an awful place. We get to follow these people as adults but also get to experience dual timelines so that we can read about their childhoods as well. We get to see their successes and failures and how their time at Savior House affected them. Oh, and we also have the added benefit of trying to figure out who wants every one of them dead while they fight to survive yet again.

This book is definitely worth the read if you want a good thriller with dual perspectives and timelines. I will be looking for more from this author.

Thank you, @netgalley and @macmillan.audio, for allowing me to listen to the audiobook version of this book on exchange for an honest review

In this fast-paced thriller by Alex Finlay, three people, once connected when they all lived in the same group home, are now in danger of their very lives. Their lives have taken completely different directions, yet an event from their once shared past just might be the ruination of them all.

Something happened 25 years ago when five teens were all involved. One has been killed and now three of them are being hunted by a pair of twin psychopaths. They are assassins with a very specific motive and now Nico, Jenna and Donnie are all desperately trying to stay alive.

We will begin with Jenna. At the tender age of fifteen, she was recruited to become an assassin of a secret corporation. She eventually retired, married and became a stay-at-home mother of two girls, one a problematic teen stepdaughter. Although retired, she is forced to take another assignment, one which could end up costing her her life, and also the lives of her family.

Nico is successful in his career as a television producer, but finds himself trapped in a mine when they were filming. Nico barely escaped with his life. What is more is that Nico was more than a show producer. In fact, he is highly in debt to an Irish mob. and he wonders if it is them who might be after him.

Lastly, there is Donnie, a famous rock star who is also in jeopardy. His drug addiction might be his downfall, but for now he is being hunted, just like Nico and Jenna are.

The three met as kids at a home called Savior House and the story occasionally goes back to that time, but the present is where most of the story takes place. Very interesting premise and the story moves along nicely and comes to a satisfying conclusion. Factor in the four narrators and a good story is made batter.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

25 years ago Jenna, Donnie and Nico were the best of friends, relying on each other to make it through their time at Savior House, a group home for parentless teens. Things weren’t easy at Savior House, especially where kids started disappearing, including one of their friends. When the home is shut down due to these disappearances and the friends are sent their separate ways the three lose contact, but they have now been brought back together due to one commonality: someone is trying to kill them. If they hope to survive they must not only work together, but they must confront the nightmares of their pasts, as well as a secret that they share.

The thing I liked the most about this novel is that it is told from the perspectives of many narrators, allowing me as a reader to immerse myself in each of their stories. I also liked the nonlinear timeline and the way in which the past and the present were woven together to tell the entire story. It was fast-paced and entertaining, I just wish it was a little less predictable.

I also liked that there were multiple individuals used as narrators in the audiobook, giving each of the main characters their own voice. It gave each of them a level of individuality that I enjoyed. The pace was a little slow for my tastes, which sometimes took away from the suspense, but I still enjoyed the presentation of the story.

This was a dnf for me sorry I just couldn't get into it but thank you for the opportunity to try not everything is for everyone :)

An edge of your seat thriller with a killer on the loose trying to eliminate the main characters. This is my first Alex Finlay book and won’t be my last. Quick read and fast paced. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

I love the trend of a friend group (or former friend group) with a secretive past. And this group's past came together so well! It didn't feel like Alex Finlay's other books, but neither is better or worse.

The characters and their backstories were very well developed. I was drawn right in and certainly intrigued by their pasts. I liked the way the book was written as somewhat of an ensemble in the present, but everyone came together in the scenes that took place in the past.

The plot certainly takes some suspension of belief, but it was a fun and wild ride.

Finlay’s books always have a level of detective-high-speed-whodunit action, but this one was intense. It was a little out of my comfort zone, but I think it worked. I enjoyed all the threads coming together and the way the past weaves in and out through the storylines. This novel flowed in a unique way that made me trust where the author was guiding me. The only thing I didn’t like is that it painted the clearly autistic character as a bad guy, and I think it could feed into stereotypes.

The story follows a group of people and one unfortunate night that stays a secret... Until someone tries to kill them and it might be tied to their past.

An edge-of-your-seat page-turner, that never slows down and has you flipping through the pages. Alex Finlay imagination and action keep you entertained through the book. It does read like an action movie, which is reflected in your suspension of disbelief of events and the amount of action that is actually written in the book.

I enjoyed it, it was entertaining.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The story revolves around three former friends Jenna, Donnie, and Nico who reconnect after twenty-five years. Drawn back together by danger, they must confront their shared past and the traumas they endured at Savior House, a group home for neglected teens. As they delve into their past, they unravel a deadly secret and realize that someone is intent on killing them. The characters are well-developed, each carrying their own baggage from the past. The story is heartpounding and have an emotional depth, also tackles variety of topics like trauma and its lingering effects, friendship and loyalty, and the power a secret can holds. The narration by the talented cast brings depth and authenticity to the story, enhancing the overall listening experience. A must-listen for those seeking an enthralling and thought-provoking thriller.

I’m so late on reviewing this, I read this a couple months ago and loved it! It definitely keeps you guessing the whole time.

The hard part with this novel is that while enjoyable in the moment, I've forgotten everything I read. This book doesn't stick with you like others do, and not quite up to the caliber I have come to expect with Finlay's writing. However, the cast of characters was interesting and while seemingly unbelievable at times, still an enjoyable read.

One of the best Alex Finlay books yet! This book has it all thrill, secrets, and dangerous past lives; it will keep you at the edge of your seat from start to finish!