Blazed through this one. Short, quick chapters kept me really engaged. Loved the timeline, and the characters. READ THIS BOOK!

A good old-fashioned thriller - fast-paced and engrossing, There are multiple POVs and locations, but I didn't have trouble keeping track of the plot and characters. And although there was nothing completely innovative here, the author brings the story together in a satsifying way. I would gladly read further if this becomes a series and would recommend it as a fun, summer read.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress for a free copy of #IfSomethingHappensToMe by Alex Finlay. All opinions are my own.

Fun. Fast paced. Twisty. Fast read. Multiple povs. Ryan and his high school girlfriend are saying their goodbyes before heading off to college when someone flings the car door open and snatches Alison. Five years later, a new detective is on the case and things get -crazy. There are a lot of characters in this story and lots of different povs. Of course, they’re all connected in some way. The story picks up around 100 pages in and buckle up! It’s gonna be a wild ride! Trigger warnings should include violence, bullying, stalking, kidnapping, murder, torture, , self harm and suicide.
Thank you, NetGalley! This was a great read!

If Something Happens To Me by Alex Finley The book has multi POVs all surrounding the missing alley. She went missing the night before leaving for university and the only eyewitness her boyfriend Ryan says a man with no pinkies took her but no one believed it and you guessed it he was accused of the murder. The only issue is her body has never been found and it is five years later and someone has found her car submerged in the local river in Leavenworth, Kansas. They have two dead bodies in the car neither one being Alley. We also meet Poppy McGee her dad used to be the sheriff at the time and now she is a deputy sheriff and it’s her first day and with no real duties they ask her to go through the tips for Alley‘s disappearance we also meet Michael a single father to Taylor who lives in Philadelphia and works for an Irish gangster name Shane O’Leary his son Anthony goes to school with Taylor and due to bullying he wind up committing suicide. Current day Ryan is in Italy with fellow law students who all work on the Harvard newspaper”?” He receives a note telling him he knows who he is and to meet this anonymous person the next day at a local tourist site. Eventually all the POV‘s crossed and one way or another and it makes for an astounding read although I was left with questions. First of all let me get this off my chest so you’re telling me 11 year old Ziggy whose mom refuses to talk ill about his murder dad allowed him to not only read but do a podcast at eight years old about True Crime and his podcast is solved three cold cases… Really? That seemed so far-fetched to me but that is just one small part of the book. I do have questions about a lot of the other parts of the book but I will refrain as to not get anything away just know this book is long but very twisty and be warned they do have eye rolling moments and somethings just just seem too coincidental. Having said that I still recommend this book as it kept me glued to the pages and I didn’t want to put it down except for the few rolling moments and incredulous storylines I still absolutely think any thriller or mystery playing would love the sport.

High school sweethearts Alison and Ryan are out one night when they are attacked- Ryan receives a blow to the head which knocks him out and Alison goes missing. Fast forward 5 years later- Ryan is a law student at Georgetown living under a new name, when a mysterious man from that night resurfaces along with many questions surrounding that horrific night....

This story is fast-paced with short chapters that will leave you at the edge of your seat waiting to see how all of the different parts fit together. This is a clever mystery told in 3 parts and alternating between different settings, characters, and timelines. Definitely a twisty and unpredictable thrill ride!

Thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Alex Finlay, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Goodreads: 5/5/24-https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6468489349
IG: 5/5/24- https://www.instagram.com/the_books_we_love_/

This story was amazing at keeping me on the edge of my seat as I was reading. So many twists made this story different than most of what I have read before. Truly a great read. Highly recommend

I generally enjoy Finlay's thrillers. Always look forward to reading a new one, but this one just didn't measure up. Too many characters, too many story lines. It was a mess. It didn't take long at all to figure out what had happened and then i read all the way to the end to try to justify my selection for choosing this ARC. I did get the feeling it might have been written for series script.
Any way, I was very disappointed in the book.
No stars. Ok, 1 star.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, fun read that you can binge in a day, this might be the book for you.

The story starts with teenagers Ryan and Ali as something terrible happens to them. Then we fast forward five years and follow three different storylines. We have Ryan, who is in Italy as part of his law schooling. Ryan is still coping with what happened five years ago. Back in Kansas we follow Poppy, the deputy sheriff, as new information comes forward about the Ali case. Lastly, we follow mobster, Shane, and his accountant, Michael, in Philadelphia. At first I had no idea how the third perspective was related to the other two, but it becomes apparent about halfway through the book.

The short chapters and shifting perspectives made this a very captivating, quick read.

The lastest thriller from Alex Finlay did not disappoint. Twists, turns, and an ending I really didn't see coming--this was a great ride! Although there were a lot of characters and settings taking place at the same time (?), it works out in the end. Will absolutely read the next from this author! Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

An enjoyable quick read, with lots of action and an engaging storyline. Some things were predictable, some not. Can see this being a hot read for the summer!

This book kept me engaged throughout the story. Typically I don’t care for books that are told from multiple perspectives/storylines, and while this book is written that way, each storyline had enough going on to make you want to keep reading. The second half of the book brought everything together very nicely.

This one was really twisty and I loved the multiple POVs and short chapters. Often a bite sized chapter would end and the next chapter would be from a different POV, leaving me unable to put the book down because I wanted to get back to a different storyline to figure out what the heck was going on. This made the book feel very engaging and addictive; I just had to know how it would all come together. The ending did not disappoint and it definitely carried a punch.

TLDR: a very solid, twisty and addicting thriller! Definitely go in blind.

4.5 stars rounded up.

this book was a quick read for me. i listened to the audiobook in a matter of a few hours. the short chapters and quick pace kept me engaged in the story!

i didn't really connect with any of the characters and felt that although i had a good grasp on who was who, i would have liked some deeper characterization. however, the POVs were distinct and i was able to distinguish the characters and their general motivations. as for the audiobook, there were different narrators for different characters. i liked the female narrator for Poppy and thought the other male narrators were okay. i didn't particularly like their voices for the female characters.

as for plot, this book was more of an action-packed thriller than i was anticipating. i personally prefer psychological thrillers over action packed ones, so although i was interested in the story, it wasn't my favorite type of story. the twists/reveals weren't too surprising to me since they were pretty heavily hinted at.

a decent thriller overall, although i liked the premise more than the outcome. i would recommend this if you like:
- multiple POVs
- action-packed thrillers
- fast-paced books to breeze through in a few hours

If Something Happens to Me publishes on May 28, 2024. thank you to Macmillan Audio 2024 Influencer program for a copy of the audiobook, as well as Minotaur Books/St. Martins Press & Netgalley for an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! #MacAudio2024

3.5
Five years after Ali disappears, her car was discovered submerged in a lake. Two men were found dead inside and Ali is still no where to be found. A note was left behind that started with “If something happens to me…” and the 5 year investigation is back in the forefront of those involved.

This is a multi POV book. Some POVs include the boy who was with her the night she disappeared, the current cop following the case, and others that you’re not really sure how they tie in just yet. From the start, the multiple POVs were a bit hard to follow. I was more interested in some than others, which made it a slower read for me. There was also a mafia storyline going on, which wasn’t really my jam. The book picked up around the 60% mark when all the characters and storyline came together.

Overall, I kept turning the pages to figure out what happens next, but I don’t think this will be a memorable read for me.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Here I am once again, on the outskirts of popular opinion.

The positive: Pacing is quick, with short chapters that constantly build tension. That’s really it for me.

The rest was, well, kind of a mess.

We have LOTS of POVs and different timelines, with vastly different stories. I struggled to keep it all straight in my head. Sometimes I wasn’t sure where I was on the timeline. Eventually it linked together, but it’s a lot of distraction and random pieces that kept me from being engaged with or committed to the characters and their personal stories.

The plot is over the top. I couldn’t take it seriously, which lessened the urgency and interest for me.

Some of the language, both in exposition and dialogue, had me making that scrunched up, what the heck face.

I had the ebook and audiobook, which I’d planned to alternate. But I wound up blowing through the audio quickly. The production and narration are well done.

Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Chat with Alex where we go behind the scenes of the book and this talented author (pub day, May 28th)!

Powerhouse author Alex Finlay returns following What Have We Done with IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME —An explosive, globetrotting, heart-pounding multi-layered suspense thriller that will blow your mind as you scramble to solve the clues of this clever mystery.

STELLAR! Alex Finlay is at his finest. Top Books of 2024!

Masterfully told in three parts alternating with different voices and settings:

Leavenworth, Kansas —Ryan and Alison
As the novel opens, Ryan and Alison, high school sweethearts, are off to different colleges and their last night at home. They drive in Alison's BMW to Lovers' Lane by the river. They were going to head to their favorite spot under the giant oak tree, but it started to rain, and back to the car. The next thing they know, the door is yanked open, Alison is screaming, Ryan gets knocked out with a blow to the head, and in the morning wakes up outside on the grass. Alison and the car are both gone.

Montepulciano, Italy— Ryan
It has been five years since Alison went missing. Now Ryan is a law student at Georgetown, traveling abroad with classmates to Italy during the break. He even had to change his last name, change colleges, and give up sports, as everyone thought he was guilty; however, there was no proof. Ryan even went to a hypnotist and recovered a vision of a man's face and hands, with one missing a pinky finger dragging him out of the car. He calls him a monster. The man or Alison—not found.

Leavenworth, Kansas —Poppy
Five years later, in Kansas, Poppy McGee is the new Deputy Sheriff after spending time in the Army (Military discharge). She has moved back home to take care of her sick father after her mom died unexpectedly. Her older brother Dash was an NBA star but now he sells cars in their hometown.

Poppy gets her first case when some YouTubers found a vehicle submerged in Suncatcher Lake. It is Alison's car. She is not in the car but two dead men. Later, a cryptic note is found in a waterproof bag in Alison's handwriting titled, "IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME." Is this note meant for Ryan, or is it about him?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —Shane
Here, we are introduced to Shane O'Leary, a crime boss. He is married with a son, Anthony, who is bullied at the new private elite school. Shane and his wife, Gina, are distraught. He goes to his accountant (fixer) to try and see what is going on with his son since his daughter Taylor, attends the same school.

Kansas City —Poppy
This could be Poppy's chance with a big case to solve. She knows all too well about harassment and bullying. Where is Alison, and who are the dead men in her car? Did Alison know them? At the time back then, they finally said Alison must have been kidnapped or killed by the Missouri River Killer. Alison had been in the same class as Dash, two years ahead of Poppy, at the high school on different sides of the track. Also, how did they miss the car when the Cold Case Company found it in less than two hours?

PODCASTER: We also meet the host of the Treehouse in Kansas City, a true crime podcast that is pretty sharp and has his theories. (very funny with Poppy).

Alternating from Pennsylvania with Leary, Kansas with Poppy, and back to Italy with Ryan. None of his friends, except Nora, knows about Ryan's past; however, when he receives the phone call from his dad that the car was found and the note, he is concerned. Also, he receives notes that someone knows who he is and wants to meet with him.

From Florence, Italy; Lackford, England; Bury Saint Edmonds, England; M11 Mororway, England; A20 Motorway, France; Cordes-sur-Ciel, France; to Paris, France we follow Ryan and The Pinky Man (The Monster). Ryan is being followed and tries to figure out the clues to the mystery. What was Alison trying to tell him? What was she involved in?

So, how are the THREE complex storylines connected?

After all the fast-paced globetrotting and back-and-forth, we reach the Epilogue, where the author brilliantly wraps up the story one year later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Georgetown, Washington, DC.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is explosive! Action-packed, high stakes, and riveting suspense with codes, clues, and more twists than you can imagine. A winner!

The author marks each chapter so you are always aware of the location and the characters. You will be frantically turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning to see how all the storylines are connected.

The author seamlessly juggles multiple characters, storylines, timelines, and settings like a rock star, creating a top-notch, first-class thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the last page is turned!

I hope we see more of Poppy in future books! I highly recommend all of Finlay's books (all 5 stars); however, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is highly creative and one of my favorites.

This is for fans of David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Robert Dugoni, and Michael Connelly and readers who enjoy intelligent, creative, twisty action thrillers with well-crafted characters.

AUDIOBOOK: I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh, delivered outstanding performances for all voices, keeping you glued to your AirPods. I loved it. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC, ALC, and paperback copy for an honest opinion. #MacAudio2024 #SMPInfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
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This was a really good book. Its got a lot of action and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I highly recommend it.

Perfect for fans of mystery/crime drama. This book had me piecing together the pieces along the way and feeling so smart when I figured something out.

In the opening scene, a pair of teenagers are making out in the car when suddenly the door is ripped open and a man with missing pinkies grabs her. The boy wakes up after a blow to the head and he is the only one there. His girlfriend and her car are missing and he is now the prime suspect. What really happened that night?

When a car is discovered in a lake a few years later, the case is reopened and has everyone talking. Could there be more to the story than what everyone thought?

Equal parts detective mystery and crime drama, If Something Happens to Me is a fast paced read that you won't want to put down.

I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed the dual narration. It was easy to get lost in and the voices were distinct and fit well with the fast paced storyline.

Thank you to netgalley and MacMillan Audio for a copy to review.

Ryan has been trying move on from his life 5 years ago where he was accused on doing something to his then girlfriend, Ali. Her missing car is dragged up in the lake and it opens up the case again.

Poppy is a new sheriff deputy working on this case and is relentless trying to figure out what happened. This story is fast paced with multiple POVs and I really enjoyed how the characters were all connected. There's not really any twists but the story keeps you entertained.

All the narrators did a great job bringing the story to life. Thank you @macmillan.audio @minatour_books @netgalley for a copy of the book.

This was crazy and fast paced since page one!
I’m not sure I really felt the plot was believable… but i guess it’s plausible!

The story is fast, the twists are there, and lots of POVS to enjoy!

A good solid thriller that will be a good book club discussion book for sure.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc I. Exchange for an honest review.