Member Reviews

Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend Alison are out on Lovers Lane one night. He is assaulted and left there while she is taken. 5 years later there is still no sign of Alison but a car is pulled from a nearby lake with bodies inside. New Deputy Sheriff Poppy McGee investigates this case uncovering deadly mob secrets.
This was another excellent read from Alex Finlay that I finished quickly. It was full of interesting characters and kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released May 28, 2024!

Was this review helpful?

This book started out so strong! I was instantly captivated by the mystery of Ali’s disappearance. But I thought it suffered from too many POVs and some of the chapter ended on cliffhangers and by the time you were back on that POV you had moved on. The action was non stop throughout the book and I did enjoy the first big reveal very much.

Was this review helpful?

Alex Finlay has quickly become one of my go-to authors for twisty, suspenseful books. If Something Happens to Me is another classic Finlay book. I really enjoyed the shifting viewpoints, trying to figure out how all of the stories were going to come together. Poppy McGee (because you have to say her full name) is a sheriff's deputy who gets caught up in a cold case of a missing girl; Ryan is the boyfriend of the missing girl who has struggled to get out from the shadow of her disappearance; Shane O'Leary is a Philadelphia mobster and Michael Harper is his crooked accountant. What do their stories have to do with each other? I was able to guess one of the twists but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the novel. A fun ride all the way to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book from Alex Finlay and I really enjoyed his writing style and I liked If Something Happens to Me a lot.

One thing I thought was cool is that he used Leavenworth, KS as a location and it's not too far from where I live. It's rare that Missouri and Kansas are used as locations, so when an author uses them, it always interests me and makes me want to keep reading.

It kept me intrigued the whole way through. I found myself constantly wanting to pick it up to keep reading so I could find out what happened.

This story is told from different POVs and as it goes along, we slowly find out how they all are intertwined together.

I thought the author did a good job at getting each character's story to become one. I was never confused like I can sometimes be when there are a few different POVs/storylines. He did a good job keeping everything going and making sense. I never felt bored or like I might not finish it.

I did predict the twists right before they happened, but it was just a few pages before each was revealed. I have read some thrillers and I figured out the twist way before I 'should have' and that can be disappointing. The fact I did figure out the twists, but not early on in the book was a plus for me.

Overall, I thought this was a really good book. I don't want to say much else, because I don't want to spoil anything, but I really enjoyed it a lot. So much so I'm going to check out his other books.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I thought this was an awesome thriller! There were so many twists and turns, I couldn't predict where he was going to go with the story!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I think I've read all of Alex Finlay's books and enjoyed them, so I requested the ARC automatically. For some reason this book wasn't what I expected it to be, though it still was a quick and engrossing read.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

So good as usual! This starts off with a bang as several families lives intertwine after multiple tragedies hit one town. We follow the aftermath as things are revealed and uncovered through gritty detective work. Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

As with most Finlay titles this was fast paced and winding! But this one wasn’t my favorite… I’m not a huge fan of any “mafia” type book elements and this had way too much of that for my liking.

I predicted one of the major twists and didn’t find the “suspense” to be all that compelling. It was enjoyable enough but not my cup of tea!

Was this review helpful?

In my opinion, Alex Finlay has not disappointed me yet! A thriller that makes you feel. The book was a heart pounding read, that had me racing to the end. Every chapter left me wanting more. There is notes on how any given decision can cause a domino effect on your life. It showcased grief, revenge and redemption. It was a great read overall. Thanks NetGalley for the uncorrected proof ebook copy!

Was this review helpful?

This book grabbed me from the first page! What a story!!! This was a great, quick read and i thought i had it figured out but the twist proved me wrong!

Was this review helpful?

Excellent!!

An incredible twisty disappearance / mystery / suspenseful thriller.
This is un-put-down-able! Your mind will go back and forth with who and what happened only to be on the edge of your seat with wonder and for me amazement!

It’s my first by this author and I’m now a huge fan after reading this fast-paced story.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love Alex Finlay’s books and this one was utterly fantastic! From the start of the book I was hooked by the storyline told via multiple POV’s and was so invested in the characters and wondering how they all were going to come together then that cliff hanger at the end of part one happened and I was shocked! The rest of the book was just as amazing as the start and I could not out this book down. The ending was great and I’m still amazed at home seamlessly the author connected all the characters in the book to create such a compelling story.

Was this review helpful?

Alex Finlay triumphantly returns to the literary scene with a gripping narrative that pulses with heart-throbbing intensity, action-packed sequences, and an addictive plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This unputdownable twisty thriller introduces new characters into the equation, with Poppy, a young deputy sheriff unjustly discharged from the army, emerging as a standout and compelling figure. Finlay's adept storytelling shines, and Poppy's presence adds a layer of freshness that promises exciting possibilities for Finlay's upcoming books.

Despite some disappointment with his previous work, "What Have We Done," this latest offering proves to be a resounding success. From the first page, the action-packed opening, swift character introductions, and attention-grabbing short chapters captivate the reader. It's evident that Finlay has reclaimed his magical thrilling mojo, solidifying this book as another triumph in his literary arsenal.

The narrative skillfully weaves a tapestry of characters and storylines, reminiscent of Finlay's signature twisty style seen in his previous works. Enter Ryan Richardson, burdened by accusations in the murder of his girlfriend Alison Lane five years ago. His journey unfolds during a school trip to Italy, where a mysterious note hints at a compromised identity, raising questions about the tragic night that changed his fate.

Poppy McGee, the freshly discharged deputy sheriff, becomes entangled in the discovery of a submerged vehicle in Suncatcher Lake. Linked to Alison Lane's presumed kidnapping, the vehicle holds two deceased men, and a cryptic note with the unsettling title "If Something Happens to Me" leaves readers speculating on Alison's fate.

Shane O’Leary, leader of Philadelphia’s mob families, introduces another layer of intrigue as his son Anthony navigates challenges in a new academy, unaware of the profound impact it will have on their lives.

The convergence of these characters' storylines promises a perfect puzzle, compelling readers to embark on a wild journey to unravel the mysteries.

This adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding, and smart thriller is a true page-turner that rightfully earns its five-star rating. My sincere gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this addictive thriller in exchange for my honest opinions.

Was this review helpful?

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

Ryan is with his girlfriend Alison in her car, and he's abruptly pulled out and assaulted, hearing Alison's scream as everything fades to black. When he regains consciousness, both Alison and her car are gone. As the case slowly goes cold, Ryan continues to exist under a cloud of suspicion. He changes his last name and enters law school, determined to go on with his life.

Five years later, he receives the call--Alison's car is found, submerged in a lake. But instead of finding her body inside, two men are found instead, both shot in the head. Alison's purse was recovered, and kept safe inside her make-up bag was an envelope in Alison's handwriting: 𝑰𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆...

These were some of the most dynamic characters I've encountered lately, and the author was so adept at bringing two seemingly unrelated story lines together. Ryan's story will take the reader on a whirlwind trip to Italy, a small village in the UK, the iconic streets of Paris, and to the explosive climax in Kansas with an inexperienced deputy working her first case who was given some disturbing advice that she was reluctant to pursue.

A fresh, original thriller that will have you turning pages throughout the night. Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the early copy. This book will publish May 28, 2024.

Was this review helpful?

Alex Finlay’s best. My pulse is still racing after finishing. He has a way of jumping POVs that doesn’t get confusing and is easy to follow and he proves it with this story. I literally couldn’t put it down. I will say this one felt slightly different in the way the twists were exposed to the reader but the story itself kept me entertained and interested. A recommendation I will make without hesitation. I will be an Alex Finlay reader forever after this one (not that I wasn’t already)!

Was this review helpful?

4 stars-This book starts off with a holy bananas moment! Alison and Ryan are at a lovers lane when the car door rips open. Ryan is knocked unconscious and when he wakes, Alison is gone! So of course, I’m 100% in, what happened to her? Is she alive or dead? What follows is a lot of different locations and POV’s. I’ll admit, it was not easy to keep everyone and their roles straight in my mind, but once it comes together, you get why the set up was necessary. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, this is one of those books where you go where it takes you, and if you know too much it would not be as enjoyable. I will say there are some definite vibes of the Showtime show “Your Honor”, which I loved! Overall, a fast paced enjoyable read, but the character of the Deputy Sheriff and all that goes down in her first week on the job was way too far fetched for me.

Was this review helpful?

If Something Happens to Me was a thriller with a twist. Each chapter is told in a different POV. As the story continues, you see how each of those stories are ultimately tied together. Separated into 3 parts, I think my favorite section was part 2. When the connection hits at the end of part 1, it was complete perfection.

While not my favorite Alex Finlay book, it still one that I enjoyed. I look forward to what he has coming out next.

Was this review helpful?

If Something Happens to Me is a fast, action-packed story. There are twists and turns at every point and some left me amazed since I didn’t see them coming. The multiple, alternating stories connect around each other to the startling conclusion. Great book!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Fast paced and every time you think you have it figured out; BOOM another twist. Alex Finlay is an excellent writer and never disappoints! There are so many pieces in this story and there are times when you are not sure how it all goes together, but the author does a fabulous job tying all the pieces together. The characters are relatable and well written throughout the entire book. This book will grab you from the very beginning and you will not put it down until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC! This was my first book by Finley but definitely won’t be my last!

The story starts with Ryan’s girlfriend being abducted!! This book had so many twists and turns. I’m really enjoyed the way it was written where you are really kept guessing until the midway guy punch realization! It was such a great story, action packed!

Was this review helpful?