Member Reviews
The story follows three people: Ryan, the missing girl’s high school sweetheart; Poppy McGee, the new, small town deputy sheriff; and Shane O’Leary, Philly mobster. What do these three have anything to do with each other? I’ll tell you what, I had absolutely no clue for a good part of the book but when they do finally collide, oooo boy was it something.
I liked the twists and the pacing. This was an entertaining enough read for me. The plot was interesting but I never connected or really cared about the characters very much and something, though I can’t decide what, fell flat for me.
Lovers of Finlay’s previous works or lovers of crime novels involving mobsters will enjoy this quick read.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 05/28/2024.
I came across Alex Finlay's books about a year ago and I loveee how twisty and thrilling they all are! If Something Happens to Me follows multiple characters and storylines about a teenage girl that disappears without a trace.
The chapters are short and often end in an exciting cliffhanger, making it SO hard to put down. There was so much action and twists that were sometimes predictable, but still kept me on the edge of my seat.
Loved this newest book from Alex Finlay! In this novel Ryan Richardson has moved and changed his name after being suspected of committing a small town murder. He’s able to keep his past a secret until new evidence surfaces.
True to this author there is a deep and complex plot with lots of tension to pull the story forward. I enjoyed this one and found it easy to read. I recommend this book to anyone looking for their next great thriller!
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an early copy to review.
Alex Finlay does it again. He is an absolute genius at writing an engrossing thriller, with multiple viewpoints, that draw you in immediately and make it nearly impossible to stop reading! If Something Happens to Me is no different. Ryan Richardson has had to escape from his past, five years ago he was ripped out of his girlfriend Ali's car they had parked in Lover's Lane, and she was never seen again. The people in his Kansas town thought he was the killer, so he left and changed his name. Sheriff Poppy McGee is fresh on the force as deputy sheriff in Leavenworth Kansas when a connection to Ali's case is discovered on the first day on the new job. Shane O'Leary, is a mob boss half a country away in Philadelphia, who is dealing with problems with his teenage son. Finlay masterfully weaves these three stories together in a fast paced action packed thriller you will not be able to put down.
I really enjoy this author's propulsive thrillers, and this was no exception. The style of this one seemed a little different - read very much like a Harlan Coben story. Not a bad thing but just kept going through my head as the book loved along.
So dang good! Have loved everything from this author so I was pumped to get this and I flew through it. Loved the characters, the plot, all of it. There were a few twists that got me and I had to go back and reread a few chapters and I just love when a book does that! Highly recommended. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
There is a LOT going on in the story. But stick with it. Everything starts to make sense and then you can’t put it down. If you like murder mysteries with a side of money laundering bad guys, this one is for you!! So well written, and fast paced. Cannot wait to read more by this author.
This book is filled with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. Told from third person perspective, using two plot points and two continents, "If Something Happens To Me" is about family, sacrifice and redemption. It is a fast read, and the satisfying epilogue gave the characters nothing less than they deserved. It's a solid four-star small town mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC! Lots of POVs in this one, but Alex Finlay writes in a way that isn’t confusing. It was definitely a page-turner.
This is my first time reading Alex's work. I enjoyed this book for the most part.
I liked all of the different points of views that were given. It made me wonder how they were all connected.
I read this on one sitting, it was a page turner! I am usually very good with guessing the endings in books as I read so many. I did piece together a few small things but overall was stumped at the very last detail.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a good page turner.
Alex Finlay does not disappoint with his newest thriller! I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I read the synopsis, but this one keeps you on the edge of your seat. Alex does a excellent job of weaving multiple POVs to tie the story together. Just when you think you have it all figured out, trust me you don't. This is definitely one of Alex's best that I have read. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed both of the other books I've read by this author, though his first was in my opinion the strongest of the bunch and the most recent prior to this didnt capture my attention. This felt like a return to form to his debut a few years ago. Fast paced, unexpected and clever page turning thriller.
OMG first I would like to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this amazing ARC.
To say that this book is amazing is an understatement. This is the first book I have read by Alex Finlay and it will not be the last. This book took me on a roller coaster of a ride and had me at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Then when I thought I had it all figured out I was wrong and I was like damn I did not see that coming!
This is a must read when it comes out. If you can pre-order it then do so because you will not be disappointed I promise.
Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my ARC “If Something Happens To Me” by Alex Finlay. Story takes off when Ryan and Ali are ambushed by men one evening at Suncatcher Lake after completing their senior year in high school. Ryan, who was hit over the head, has no recollection of the night or the disappearance of his girlfriend Ali. Five years later, a BMW found at the bottom of the lake has two male bodies inside and some of Ali’s personal belongings. Hair belonging to Ali is found on a serial killer’s sleeping bag miles away. Case solved, the serial killer killed Ali. Why was the car never discovered by police? While in Italy Ryan sees the man with missing fingers from the night Ali went missing in Kansas City. The story over a span of 5 years goes from Philadelphia, Kansas, and all the way to Europe. This was one roller coaster ride. I flipped the pages in anticipation of what would come next. You knew the story told from different characters would come together. Excellent Read.
#Netgalley
One of the best Alex Finlay's I've read in a long time! I had shied away from his books for a while due to them being lackluster, but I really enjoyed this one.
WOW, what a book! Alex Finlay is an expert at crafting intricately woven plotlines that all come together to create a surprising and thrilling full-picture ending. Connecting the dots in his stories is also always a challenge, which I absolutely love. He gives *just* enough information for the reader to realize there are connections to be made, but leaves the door open wide enough to make many different predictions.
Prologues are always hit or miss for me, but this one had me in a complete chokehold. I could NOT wait to see how the case of missing teen Alison Lane played out. (I literally couldn't wait - I binged the entire book in less than 24 hours!) With multiple points of view and parallel storylines running concurrently, there was a lot to absorb in the beginning and it definitely took me a minute to keep track of all the characters, but that's expected. The story progressed quickly and never lacked action, never got boring, and never lost my interest. I also felt so connected to the characters and found myself rooting for Ryan right off the bat. Even the 'bad guys' were able to tug on my heartstrings at times.
This novel offered a deeply poignant look at the power of guilt and shame, the weight of revenge, and the peace that's possible within redemption. I laughed, I most definitely cried, and I gasped so many times I lost count. I've read all of Finlay's books, and this one is my favorite. I'll definitely be recommending this title and I expect it to be one of my top reads this year already. 10/10 from me!
Alex Finley is one of my favourite authors from the last couple of years. If Something Happens to Me was another super engaging story from Finley. I read the first half of the book in one sitting because it flowed so well and I needed to know what was going to happen. We'll let me tell you, so much happens!
A teen goes missing, another is bullied, one is accused of murder. It doesn't stop there...there's a European trip, mob hits, small town sheriff who can see through the lies, oh and several dead bodies.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of If Something Happens to Me! Pick it up you won't be sorry! 4 stars
This multilayered fictional thriller by popular author Alex Finlay successfully hits many of the right notes that will make this a very popular book with mystery lovers. Short chapters and multiple characters thread this story with suspense and uncertainty. I found that a unique aspect of this story that was very well done was the interplay of good and evil, and how many of the characters personalities are revealed to be both. There are numerous moral and philosophical gray areas in the depiction of both protagonists and antagonists alike. Ultimately, the reader is taken on a thrilling roller coaster ride as the excitement builds to a dynamic conclusion.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
If Something Happens To Me is another fast moving story by Alex Finlay set in the middle of nowhere Kansas, the city of Brotherly Love and various places in Europe as new evidence emerges in a cold case of a missing teen. Ryan is a law student traveling with his class in Europe when he sees a man from his past tied to a terrifying night. Poppy McGee is a new deputy sheriff back in her hometown and when the car of a missing girl is pulled from a nearby lake they find two dead bodies and a mysterious note. Shane O’Leary is an influential Philadelphia businessman and will do anything to protect his family. The story unfolds as all of them try to find answers to their questions and eventually their stories intersect in ways they couldn’t imagine.
The pacing was perfect for this story and the fact that it follows several characters made it move even fast. The chapters are short and the POVs are clear for how often they switch. After a few chapters in I knew what was gonna happen in the story but i enjoyed the characters and was so engaged in the story that it didn’t phase me. Out of the four books by the author that I’ve read, this one moves into top spot.
Thank you @minotaurbooks @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
I’m honestly not even sure where to start with how much I liked this book but I will say at times I actually stopped reading for a few minutes because I DID NOT want this book to end.
This is an incredible thriller. I love Alex Finlay‘s books, each one has been fantastic on its own but I dare say I think this might be the best yet.