Alex Findlay’s newest mystery is good but never seems to meet the level of the prior stories he has written but If Something Happens to Me is a well written mystery that loses its footing near the end.

“𝙸𝚏 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎.

𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝙰𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙻𝚊𝚗𝚎?“

This is now the 3rd novel I’ve read by Alex Finlay and I have yet to be disappointed. Finlay’s ability to seamlessly weave together the past and the present is unmatched. Each time, he manages to craft an utterly compelling and completely relatable tale filled with likeable, yet flawed, characters.

“𝚃𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛.“

This binge-worthy story is part mystery, part police procedural. Each character here has a story and each story is heartbreaking.

“𝚆𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚞𝚍𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝.“

Full of action, mystery, and suspense, Finlay’s latest novel is one that will keep you up all night. You won’t want to put it down until the very last word.

“𝚆𝚑𝚘𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞‘𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚐 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚜—𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏—𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝.“

I am a huge fan of Alex Finlay's pacing. His stories always start with a bang that draws the reader in and captures their attention. And for the most part, it keeps their attention throughout the book. While If Something Happens to Me wasn't my favorite novel by the writer, I must admit that it kept me guessing. The story was intriguing, albeit, unbelievable. Not the idea that grief and revenge can make a person do some horrible things, but that everything fit together so neatly. I felt that the characters were underdeveloped, but still likable. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

This was my second Alex Finlay book and I was thoroughly pleased! His other book the night shift fell flat for me and I had a hard time getting into it but this one I was hooked from the start. So much was happening at once. I felt my heart rate rising more than once throughout this book.

Thank you NetGalley and at martins press for my copy!

Anything Alex writes I will read. He can do no wrong. The twists are always SO GOOD. And I am guessing till the last page

This was such a wild ride. Action packed, suspenseful, with short chapters and twisty turns. l've been a Finlay fan since Every Last Fear and was stoked to get approved for this one.
And it did not disappoint. I loved the format with multiple POVs and the guessing game of how all of the stories tied in. The way the story unfolded was brilliant and ended with a bang. It was such a fun thriller. * *

A brilliant and very action-packed thriller that begs to be read in one sitting. I know I did If Something Happens to Me is perfectly plotted, nail-bitingly intense, and incredibly compelling. Finlay proves once again that he is a master of his craft and kept me going from the first to last page.

“If Something Happens to Me shows why Alex Finlay is one of the leading thriller writers today. Pulse-pounding, layered, and impossible to put down. Finlay―the master of twists―has outdone himself.

THIS WAS SUCH A FUN READ!

The different POVs, timelines, and locations were everything! Not to mention how everything comes together in the end, is just perfecto! I love Finlay’s writing style - this is my 3rd book by him and he knows how to write fast paced thrillers with twists! You’re going to want to read this one!

Thank you @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review. Pub date: 5/28/24

Fantastic!!!! Ryan has spent years trying to get past the night he was attacked and his high school girlfriend was kidnapped. Years later, while on a college trip the unthinkable happens and he sees the man who took his girlfriend. As Ryan tries to unravel the mystery he learns that the car they were in during the attack has been pulled from a lake in his hometown. Fast paced mystery that is full of twists, impossible to put down.

WOW!!!
What a twist of turns and excitement in this read!
This book has all the elements of a solid thriller:
I loved the pace of this book and every part of the read.
Page turner for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

Ok..I'm a big fan. I was definitely 4 stars for me. My only complaint was I wish it were longer and I was a little sad about one of the characters. So..even though I read this I will be buying a physical copy. I have loved everything I have read by Alex Finlay so far and he is a definite always read. Amazing beginning..characters you root for and characters that make you not want to put down.Awesome!!!!

AMAZING.

So much so that I am forcing my husband to read it now.

I loved the numerous stories happening at once and seeing how they all came together. Excellent writing!

I have never read anything by this author and wasn't sure if I would like this book. Surprisingly, I was hooked and found myself reading Kate into the night just to see what would happen next.

Alison and Ryan were parked on Lover’s Lane when all of a sudden he was hit in the head and she was taken away from him. Due to the blow, he can’t remember the specifics of the night, only that he saw a man with only 8 fingers. Naturally, he is blamed for her disappearance and his life is turned upside down because of it.

Now it’s five years later, and the new Deputy Sheriff is determined to break the case after Alison’s car is found in the bottom of a nearby lake.

There are lots of people and components to this story, but Alex Finlay is so good and tying everything together in the end. I really enjoyed this story and he will continue to be an autobuy author for me! Definitely give this one a read if you loved his other books!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my advanced copy!

Alex Finlay has done it again!! I swear I have yet to not LOVE a book of his, but I think this one is my favorite!

His writing is so smooth and clever and I could not put this one down! I think it's extremely hard to write an original thriller in such a saturated market, but somehow Finlay comes up with something new and fresh and executes it so well.

Five years ago, Ryan suffered a blow to the head while his girlfriend Ali is pulled from their car and taken with no trace. As time passes and Ali and the car have yet to be located, Ryan is suspected to have been involved, but he is never charged. To getaway from it all, Ryan changes his last name, starts law school, and attempts to put it all behind him. Present time -- Ryan gets a call from his dad telling him Ali's car has been found, submerged in a local lake. But what authorities find in the car is not what they expect...two dead men in the front seat and a note that was inside a compartment of Ali's purse that says "If Something Happens to Me".....

I highly suggest going in blind and enjoying the wild ride! It's certainly a page turner and with the short chapters and addicting plot, you will read it in a day or two!

Read if you're looking for:
-short chapters
-multiple POV
-jaw dropping twists
-multiple settings, US and France
-a heart-pounding THRILLER

I found myself constantly thinking about this one every time I put it down and even days after I finished.

Thank you so much for the early copy! 5/5 stars!!!

Alex Finlay slays thrillers. I don't know what else to say, other than you NEED to read this because everything he writes is outstanding.

There were multiple twists, and one in particular really made me do a double take and reread to make sure I was processing what was happening correctly (I LOVE when this happens!) There was no way for me to predict how this story was going to unfold, and I was very pleased with how everything tied together in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is a quirky, wild ride that encompasses so many themes and crazy ideas that I had to take notes to keep track of it all! It begins with high school sweethearts, Ryan and Ashley who go to their "secret" spot in the woods where Ashley is abducted and later the car she was driving is found at the bottom of a lake with two dead men in it--but not Ashley. And then in another state, there is Poppy, the new deputy sheriff. Finlay deals with so many issues here: bullying, mistaken identity, mobsters, and many, many secrets and lies! I love twisted tales and this one take the proverbial cake as it's a wild ride!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Alex Finlay is a hit or miss author for me – I enjoyed The Night Shift but Every Last Fear was not my cup of tea. I wasn’t sure what to expect with his latest release, If Something Happens to Me, but I’m happy to report that I adored it! This might be my favorite Finlay book to date.

If Something Happens to Me has a lot going on. In high school, Ryan Richardson’s girlfriend, Ali, went missing right in front of him and suspicions about his involvement have always loomed in his small town. When Ali's car is discovered five years after she went missing, the case is re-opened and Ryan begins an investigation of his own. Honestly the less you know going into this book, the better. This is a thriller about a missing girl, organized crime, and the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their family.

What I really liked about this book is that the story is original. Yes, it is a bit bizarre and out there at times, but it was incredibly fast-paced and unique. I read this book in about 24 hours because I just couldn’t put it down. There are multiple POVs and lots of twists and turns that all weave together for a satisfying ending. While some twists were predictable, the author managed to surprise me a few times which isn’t always easy to do. As a seasoned mystery/thriller reader, I often find myself feeling like I’ve read most stories before, but that never happened with If Something Happens to Me which I really appreciate.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery or thriller with lots of twists and isn’t afraid to suspend their disbelief a little bit.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

WOW! This was my first book by Alex Finlay and it sure did not disappoint! I've heard a lot of great things about his writing style so was excited to have the opportunity to read this ARC! Split into different parts, we follow Ryan's journey around the world to find out what really happened to his girlfriend. While a longer read compared to some other thrillers I read, Finlay kept me on the edge of my seat with his quick pacing and engaging writing style - I wanted to rush to the end and figure out what happened while simultaneously wanting everything to slow down so I could enjoy it longer! I'd recommend this to any fellow suspense/lovers, and I'm glad I have a new author to follow. Thanks for the ARC!

If something happens to me
Written By Alex Findlay
Produced by St. Martin’s Press
Release Date May 28, 2024


WOW! Now I may be somewhat biased here because Alex Finlay is one of my top 3 favorite authors. This book keeps Finlay right at the top due to the intense nature and well written storyline. Fi lay continues to impress his readers with his uncanny ability to tell a story that captivates and enthralls his readers to the point that they can’t stop reading. I read this in one sitting and totally was engaged until the very end and I have a sneaky suspicion that you will also enjoy this one.

The story is told by different POV’s and is masterfully told by Finlay and inside we meet our protagonist Ryan Richardson. A man haunted by the events that happened one night where he and his girlfriend were attacked and his girlfriend Allison Lane’s screams were piercing. When he realized what had happened it was too late. Allison was gone and so was her car. The only problem now is Ryan became the number one suspect. No body was ever found and the only thing he can remember about the guy that did this was that he was missing his pinkies and he looked like every other guy out there. As he relives that terrible night in his head he is bound and determined to find Ali. But can he? Five years later……

Life has gone on for Ryan. He has changed his last name to Smith and entered law school hoping to change the trajectory of his life.
Then as Ryan and his law school friends are on a trip abroad to Italy and he is starting to like Nora. She is a classmate of his and one thing to note, they know nothing of his past….yet. One day he is in his room and he gets a note stating that states that the writer knows what happened and wants to talk to him. As soon as things settle down a bit, Ryan gets a call from his father with news he never expected. The police found Ali’s car submerged underwater. And inside there were two men but Ali was nowhere to be found. Only a written letter in her handwriting saying……….If something happens to me.

In Kansas we meet Poppy McGee, a sheriff’s deputy who is newly hired and works in the same town Where Allison disappeared. She is working the day that Allison’s car is found. The two men were shot and dead before the car was submerged but som of Allison’s belongings were still salvageable. That is where the police find the letter. The one that sends them in a frenzy. The one that simply says……..If something happens to me.

There are several plot twists that will blow your mind and this book is in my top ten all time favorites. With murder, mobsters, police procedurals, and a little romance included….. who wouldn’t want to read this amazingly well written novel. The characters are well developed and mesh well together keeping the reader engaged and entertained from the first page to the last. This is another of Finley’s greatest and if you want to read a great book written by a Fantastic author, you need to run to your nearest bookstore on release day and grab you a copy. This one will certainly make you wonder if something should happen to you.

5 stars

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunities to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.