3.5 stars rounded up to 4.*

This is my first Alex Finlay book, though I've seen them and suspected they might be up my alley. When I saw this as an option on NetGalley I added it to my TBR.

This is an interesting story told in dual timelines of a girl who goes missing the night before she is meant to go away to college - snatched along with her car when she was parked on lovers' lane. Her boyfriend was left injured and with little memory of the event. The boy becomes a college student and eventually a Georgetown Law student who is studying abroad in Italy when he learns that his the car his girlfriend was taken is has been found submerged in a lake near his hometown. But her body is not inside.

It is also the story of a mob boss whose son is bullied by classmates to the point that he commits suicide. The boss takes revenge on the school and the students who were in the viral video of him being hazed by having them all taken out.

Both casts of characters converge in an interesting, if rather cinematic fashion.

I liked this one and I suspect it will become at least a Netflix movie if not a real one.

*with thanks to Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Alex Finlay is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors, and he didn't disappoint with If Something Happens to Me. I really enjoyed the twist, and certainly didn't guess it.
This story follows Ryan five years after the disappearance of his girlfriend Ali. He's trying to move on from the suspicion that he had something to do with her disappearance, and while in Italy, he sees a man from his past, which leads him to looking into the truth about what happened to Ali.
I will continue to read anything Alex Finlay writes. His stories are so fun to read, and I couldn't put this one down.

Such a fun quick twisty book, so far I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Alex Finley and this was another love!

Another winner! Alex Finlay continues to be an auto buy author for me. The first twist caught me off guard, I had to go back and see if I had missed something hinting at the possible outcome at the end of part one. It kept me on the edge of my seat and was hard to put down at the end of my lunch breaks.

I really enjoyed this book by Alex Finlay. This is my first book by this author and I am excited to read more!

I am not quite sure what Alex Finlay puts in their books, but they make me want to consume them at the quickest pace possible, and this one was no exception. While this book takes a teeny bit of suspension of belief, it still was a gripping read worth reading to see how the twists play out.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book immediately grabs you and drags you into the story. Wow. Absolutely loved the beginning of this book. A teenager goes to Lovers Lane with his girlfriend only to wake I alone in the dirt and his girlfriend and her car are gone. This is somewhat a cat and mouse pursuit but a few stories also thrown in along the way. I did feel like the beginning was better than the ending but still I enjoyed this.

If Something Happens to Me is a standalone twisty thriller by Alex Finlay. Released 28th May 2024 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in April 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an interesting multi-PoV thriller. The characterization is quite good; they're three dimensional with (mostly) believable motivations and priorities. The chapters are short and the narrative is often choppy, shifting focus and hopping to the next scene in what feels like an out of control freight train.

Oddly enough, there are places in the middle third of the book which seemed to drag, though the ending, resolution, and denouement were satisfying (and very convoluted). Readers should bring a *hefty* suspension of disbelief to the read, and there are at least a couple places which will likely elicit "are you kidding me??" responses.

All in all it's a good vacation read and will appeal to thriller procedural mystery fans.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Alex Finlay's latest is a fast-paced thriller that will take you to Europe and back. Combining a disappearance from years ago with a current mystery, Finlay takes the reader on an emotional twisted ride. So many plot twists and revelations this one is sure to have you on your seat. I could not put it down.

I was not familiar with the narrators; Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh. They did a fabulous job keeping the listeners attention. It made it easy to follow points of views and keep them straight.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

In true Alex Finlay fashion, this was a hit for me! At no point in this book did I suspect what was about to happen next. I was gripped from the first page to the very last. I am impatiently awaiting Finlay's next read!

If Something Happens to Me is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense with poignant reflections on love and loss. The story follows its protagonist as she grapples with a series of harrowing events that unfold after a tragic accident, forcing her to confront her deepest fears and the fragility of life. The author’s sharp writing and well-paced plot keep readers on the edge of their seats, skillfully building tension while delving into the complexities of relationships and the choices we make.

The characters are richly developed, each bringing their own vulnerabilities and strengths to the narrative. The protagonist’s journey is particularly compelling, as she navigates the aftermath of trauma while seeking to understand the implications of her past decisions. The author’s ability to capture the emotional landscape of grief and resilience adds depth to the story, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a profound level. This emotional investment makes the thrilling twists and turns all the more impactful.

While the pacing occasionally lags in the middle, the overall narrative arc remains engaging and thought-provoking. The resolution offers a satisfying closure, addressing the themes of forgiveness and redemption that permeate the story. Overall, If Something Happens to Me is an evocative and gripping read that expertly balances suspense with emotional depth, making it a standout in the genre and leaving readers contemplating its themes long after the last page.

I’ve loved everything by this author so far and this is no exception. From the start I was hooked and just flew through it, wanting to stay up way too late to read. Will definitely recommend this one to others!

In true Finlay fashion, hang on to your seats. I love everything written by this author. The twist are unexpected and the turns keep you flipping the pages. Another great thrill ride!

3.5/5

As a big Alex Finlay fan I’m sad to say that I liked this less than I thought. It had a lot of his signature moves, international chases, police procedural insights, some big twists, etc. but something didn’t quite clock like it usually does. The book has a slow start and I found myself almost DNFing quite a few times before it picked up about 40% in.

However, even after picking up, I found that ISHTM lacked the thrilling nature of some of Finlay’s previous works. I didn’t find myself wanting to race through the book and found I could walk away and forget about it before forcing myself back in. Most of the main characters (Shane aside) felt one dimensional and in some ways they didn’t matter as much as their roles in the plot did. Eventually the plot became predictable but I still enjoyed the journey.

I don’t want to spoil anything so be warned!

I will say my favorite part of the book was realizing the timing of each story. That was quite brilliant and really brought everything together! But it kind of fell almost once everyone caught up with one another.

I’ll admit, I hold Alex Finlay at a higher standard than your traditional crime thriller so this my review may not match others. I’d still recommend for any thriller fans and for any Finlay fans and I’m still excited to see what he brings next!

An old case gets rekindled when a car is found submerged in a lake with two bodies inside. What then follows is a reveal told in multiple POVs including a detective with the local PD, the boyfriend who witnessed the original crime, and some other questionable cast members. I thought this was well written, fast paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. We don’t find out how some of the POVs connect until about halfway through and I was shocked on that reveal! This book also has super short and bingeable chapters which makes it a quick and easy read! Overall a solid, fun and twisty read, though I was able to catch one of the twists at the end.

This one was a 5 star one for me! It was fast paced and I could not figure out the "twist"

Multiple story line and POV kept this one moving fast!

This was a great book. I loved watching all the pieces come together and how everything worked in the last and present. It is definitely worth the read!

Mobsters, mysteries, and lots of intrigue! I can’t brag enough about this one. I was hooked from the very first page. I think Finlay’s writing is brilliant! The intersecting viewpoints, character development, everything he writes is amazing. 5 stars!

Apparently I forgot to post this review. I really enjoyed If Something Happens To Me. It had some interesting twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and also had some originality

First book by this author. It was a good read but the chapters with Ryan POV was kind of annoying. I can't pinpoint why but i he was kind of annoying. The book overall was fine. The ending was good but there were parts of the book that was boring and just dragged on
There were several POVs and we see how they are all associated by the end. I just think no one really thinks out talks like these characters. The mobsters, The 20 something year olds or even the accountant. It just didn't really fit. The Audiobook wasn't any better. It sounded off the entire time.
The book was just a little over the top. I learned a new term, "popcorn thriller". This is exactly what it was.

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