Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of If Something Happens to Me in exchange for an honest review.

Five years ago, Ryan and Ali were about to leave Leavenworth, Kansas for separate colleges. As they were saying goodbye, someone dragged Ryan out of Ali’s car and knocked him unconscious. When he woke up the next morning, Ali and her car were gone. Ryan was a suspect in her disappearance, but he was never charged, and eventually her disappearance was linked to the Missouri River Killer.

Now, Poppy shows up for her first day as a Deputy Sheriff in Leavenworth when Ali’s car is found in Suncatcher Lake. Inside are two dead men and Ali’s purse, which had a sealed letter inside with “If something happens to me” on the outside and a coded message inside. At the same time, Ryan is a law student traveling in Italy when, unbelievably, he not only sees the man who dragged him out of Ali’s car, but is told by the man that Ali may still be alive ….

If Something Happens to Me is a fast, fun thriller. As with Mr. Finlay’s other books, the story shifts between different narrators. I liked Ryan and Poppy’s characters, and there’s a good twist at the midpoint. That said, this book didn’t work for me as well as Mr. Finlay’s first two novels. I’m not sure the plot would hold up on a rereading, and the late twist was very predictable. It’s solid, but still a bit underwhelming. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Publishing for an ARC digital copy of this book. Finley did it again! His writing absorbed me! I truly took my time with this one, I was enjoying it so much and didn’t want it to end! I also appreciated the short chapters. This book had great momentum and I spent the whole time trying to figure it out. It was a bittersweet story for Michael and his family, and I even feel for the O’Leary’s. Just an overall great book!

I loved Finlays The Night Shift, however all the books after that have been a let down for me and this one was no exception. I couldn’t connect to the characters or plot for some reason. I did enjoy the short chapters but I lost interest really quick and to be honest skimmed the second half of the book.

I don't think Alex Finlay can write something I won't like. It seems impossible at this point! If Something Happens to Me is an unputdownable read and you won't have a hard time reading it in one sitting!

Fast paced, short chapters kept the pages flying on this little mystery thriller. Was super easy to get into the story. Nothing too complicated and was a pretty quick read.

Really loved the separation in locations and then how everything came together in the end! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how everyone is intertwined and loved how it ended. Another well written book by Finlay!

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME By Alex Finlay

Mobs, murder, and missing girls. What else could a thriller need?

Seriously, I loved this new release from Alex Finlay! It was thriller mixed with action movie that kept me fully invested until the end.

Ryan and Alison are high school sweethearts, but she is taken one night while they're together and everyone blames him. Years later, he's tried to move on. Poppy is back in her hometown as newly appointed deputy sheriff. Alison's missing car is found in the lake, and the two bodies inside start a new chain of evidence to Alison's disappearance. Michael is involved with a dangerous mobster, tiptoeing around making him angry. This means doing the mobster a favor and involving his daughter, and possibly putting her in danger if there's any slip up's.

So much happens in this novel- each POV has "edge of your seat" action. Even once I figured out the mystery, the action kept me invested and wanting to know what was going to happen. Love a thriller from this author!

If Something Happens To Me is a fun fast paced thriller that I was able to read over the span of two days. The hook is immediate, but I did feel the big reveal (connection) came a bit too early.

Ryan is still living with the guilt and grief from his girlfriend’s disappearance five years ago. She was taken while they were out on a date and he was stuck with all the small-town blame. Even after his name was cleared, he is still looking for the lost threads on what happened that night. He finds it, and possibly the man responsible, while on a college trip to Italy.

The story spans four countries in Alex’s race to put the pieces together and find out if Ali is still alive. What he finds out leads him to Poppy, the Sheriff Deputy, and her search that puts her family directly in the crime’s path. A rogue FBI agent and a host of nefarious characters come together to reveal a path for revenge.

Whew! What a ride! “If Something Happens to Me” follows many different characters but the main, Ryan Richardson is the primary suspect of his girlfriend Ali’s disappearance. What happens after her disappearance is intense and I could not put the book (kindle) down. I really enjoyed the short chapters and the character of the sheriff deputy, Poppy. It helps that she lived in Leavenworth which I am super familiar with being from Kansas! Overall, a good suspense thriller that will have you have the edge of your seat. 4/5 ⭐️.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Finlay, Minotaur and St. Martin's Press for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun suspense novel that had me comparing its style to the Bourne identity. Fast-paced, short chapters that kept me engaged throughout! Definitely recommend picking this one up in May when it’s published!

Hidden agendas, good pacing, and vibrant characters. Another fantastic thrill ride from this author.

A young couple falling for each other travel to a secluded spot on a romantic rainy evening. This novel hooks you early on with the freaky disappearance of the vehicle and Ryan’s beloved girlfriend Ali . . . you are left desperate to know more. Head hurting and heartbroken, Ryan is left on the ground with a limited memory of what took place. In his statement to the police, Ryan recalls being struck and yanked from the car, Ali’s frightened scream still resonating in his ears. With little to go on the case sits unsolved, leaving Ryan under a dark cloud of suspicion. He spends the next five years haunted by that terrible night before new evidence emerges.

I highly recommend finding out what happened to Ali on May 28, 2024.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of If Something Happens to Me for my unbiased evaluation.  5 stars

Past and present merge with separate stories that come together creating a can’t put down, page turning suspense thriller. Great character, plot and conclusion. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

3.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC from Alex Finlay. Second book I read from this author and that I enjoyed from begging to end. I appreciated the short chapters full of suspense, I highly recommend it.

3.5 rounded down

Very good and fast paced, another bingeable book. I felt confused at times which can definitely be and most certainly is a me thing. So overall I would recommend

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Finlay, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy of "If Something Happens to Me".

"If Something Happens to Me" is a riveting thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story follows Ryan Richardson, haunted by a past tragedy involving the disappearance of his girlfriend, Ali. Despite being suspected, Ryan has managed to move on, changing his last name and pursuing a career in law. However, when new evidence emerges, Ryan is thrust back into the nightmare he thought he had left behind.

"If Something Happens to Me" is a gripping and unpredictable thriller that lives up to its anticipation. I strongly recommend adding it to your reading list.

I keep reading Finlay hoping he can recreate the genius that was his first thriller, but this one did not work for me. I found myself very unengaged from the story as the characters didn't draw me in (in fact there were too many of them), and the plot didn't have enough stakes to put me on the edge of my seat. Instead, it pushed me out of my seat and away from the book entirely.

I normally don’t read thrillers but this was a lot of fun and I might have to pick up more! I was invested throughout and was gasping at some of the twists and turns. The characters are all well developed and I thought the ending was very apt.

Words can't express how much I enjoyed this book! 2024 is shaping up to be a stellar year for thrillers, and this book is a tense, heart-pounding addition heading to the top of my favorite's list.


5 years ago, Alison and her boyfriend Ryan were attacked while parked at Lovers' Lane. Ryan was knocked unconscious, and Alison disappeared without a trace.  Now, new evidence has been discovered that points to Allison's disappearance not being what it initially seemed to be.  A brand new deputy is handed the old case to follow up on new leads, but, as always happens with an Alex Finlay thriller, matters are far more complicated than they appear at first glance. 


I flew thru this book! An attention-grabbing prologue immediately captured my interest, and the story never let up and allowed me a place to pause reading. The fast pace, multiple, alternating points-of-view, and short chapters kept me racing thru the pages and completely absorbed in the action-packed, twisty story. This was a total whirlwind of a thriller, and like all of the best rides, I didn't take a deep breath until the entertainment was over.


Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.

I kept Alex Finlay’s upcoming novel, If Something Happens to Me, simmering in my inbox, waiting for the right moment to dive into the suspense I always find in the pages of his books. Finlay brings us a Philadelphia mobster, an honorably discharged MP who returns to her hometown to work for the sheriff’s office, and a law student trying to not look at his past when his community thought he was responsible for his girlfriend’s disappearance. Now, make sure you stick with the different storylines because what a tangled web Finlay weaves that beautifully untangles to reveal the twist like a 2x4 hitting you between the eyes before you get fitted for your own pair of concrete shoes.

Ryan and Alison go to Lover’s Lane one night when a storm is brewing. Just as things get hot, the car door is wretched open, he is hit over the head by a guy missing his pinky finger, and he never sees Alison again. He is eventually cleared when DNA is located at the campsite of a serial killer, but he moves away and changes his last name to escape the past. Five years later and confronted on a trip to Italy with law school friends by a stranger from the past, Ryan finds time has run out in escaping what happened that night. Ryan finds himself ditching his law school friends to find out the truth about that night and to find closure. If Something Happens to Me has enriched characters and a plot that keeps you guessing only to be thwarted in your detective skills. If you have read any of Finlay’s other books, this one will not disappoint. If you are looking to read your first book by Finlay, you will turn into a huge fan. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 27, 2024.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #StMartinsPress #IfSomethingHappenstoMe #AlexFinlay

I absolutely loved this book. I was sucked in from the moment I started reading until the very end. This book is full of twists and turns that I never saw coming. The writing and character development are amazing and it’s so fast paced, there isn’t a moment that drags. Will definitely be recommending!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this advance copy!