Twisty and turney! A fun “who even am I?!” Story with a good final twist. The characters are all compelling—either very likable or extremely hatable.

This story was not what I expected but I enjoyed listening to it all unravel. I did guess the twist fairly early on, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Something Happens To Me kept me company on my solo road trip from Vermont to Ohio this past weekend. What a terrific companion! The prologue immediately grabbed my attention, and Finlay's methodical plotting and clever use of mini cliffhangers at the end of chapters produced an incredibly entertaining story!

The story features a large cast of characters, yet the full cast narration makes the story easy to follow. Overall, I’m pretty impressed with the character development. Typically, I expect fast-paced thrillers to be mainly plot-driven, which was true in this case. However, I could also empathize with the characters' pasts, emotions, and inner struggles, including those of the villains, satisfying my craving for my character-driven elements.

Other highlights: short chapters (bonus for binge-ability), vivid setting descriptions from various places around the world, Finlay’s conscious effort to explain harmful mental health language - bravo!

Bottom Line: If Something Happens To Me is highly entertaining, with a fast-paced plot and well-developed characters. The story includes numerous twists and turns (some I guessed, others I did not) and a satisfying conclusion, making this book an ideal choice for a thrilling summer read!

The story is told through multiple characters. Five years ago Ryan was knocked out and his girlfriend Ali was taken. No body was ever found - and Ryan was the prime suspect. And then he sees a man that he has seen before... And a cryptic clue starts the hunt all over again.

A Philly mobster is the second voice and a new to the force sheriff’s deputy is the third. I really liked Deputy Poppy McGee! (Nudge, nudge maybe she'll turn up up in another book?) There's a number of supporting players as well.

I always like a tale that unfolds told from more than one viewpoint. We're privy to what's going on in all three threads. Well, we do and we don't in this plot that is. By the time you get back to the first voice, things have changed. Finlay is a master at giving the reader many, many twists and turns - also another element I really enjoy.

I really enjoy a book that employs a cast to perform the novel. Paul Dateh, Helen Laser, and John Pirhalla did a wonderful job of presenting Finlay's work. Having a cast it makes it very easy to know who is speaking. I always imagine what the characters look like from hearing their voices. Distinctive voices are also put in place for supporting characters. Everyone spoke clearly, cleanly and were easy on the ears. Each narrator brought their characters to life, capturing the action and suspense of Finlay's book. A great presentation!

An entertaining book for sure!

If Something Happens to Me had me hooked from the start. Ryan’s girlfriend is abducted. Five years later her father’s car is pulled out of the lake. Not only are two men inside the car, but a very cryptic note.

Is Alison still alive? Who is her abductor? Will Poppy, the new addition to the Sheriff’s department be able to solve this case?

The chapters in this book are short and captivating. I listened to the audio book and enjoyed the different readers for the characters. I hated when I had to press pause. I will be reading more of Alex Finlay’s books.

I received this ARC audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

When Ryan’s high school girlfriend comes up missing, he is the prime suspect. As he grows older, he changes his name and even goes to law school. He tries so hard to stay incognito. So, when her car is found in a lake and two unknown male bodies are discovered, Ryan’s world implodes.

Ryan has always been in love with Ali. So, he knows what he must do when a deputy sheriff from Kansas reaches out. And let me tell you…the surprises just keep coming.

This book keeps you on your toes. There are so many ways this story could have unfolded. My brain was going a mile a minute with scenarios. I love when an author keeps the story twisting and turning. This tale definitely does that!

The narrators, Helen Laser; John Pirhalla; Paul Dateh, are the absolute best! I have said this before and I will say this again, I absolutely love a production in an audiobook!

Need a good thriller which will keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

What an incredibly fun ride this book was. I find that Finlay's ability to write a fast paced novel with short chapters that you physically cannot put down to be why I keep coming back to his books! I loved how all the stories are interconnected, but we still spend enough time with each character to know about them and get a full picture of them. It's something that I think Finlay does so well. I thought the story was engrossing, involving mobsters, small town missing persons and the police who solve years long mysteries. It kept me on my toes, and I couldn't wait to figure out how it all tied together. At one point, my jaw literally dropped! The audiobook narrators kept me in the story the entire time and truly brought the book to life. I hesitate to say any more, just know it was very entertaining and I highly recommend. What a book, cannot wait to read more by Alex Finlay.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Alex Finlay is quickly becoming an auto read author for me. Every book of his that I've read has been top notch and I need to read his back log stat.

This book was cleverly written. It took me a little while to realize how it was all going to come together which makes me happy. I love it when I don't instantly connect all the dots. The more mystery the better for me. The way this book was written was quite engaging for sure. It starts with a bang and the story just keeps going from there. I flew through this one in a day. I went back and forth between the ebook and audiobook so that I was continually immersed in this story until I finished it. It was outstanding.

I'm not going to tell much about the story itself because I don't want to give anything away. The summary of the book is good enough to give you an indication of if you will like it. Let me just say that it wasn't one I can imagine not enjoying. I truly envy this author's ability to weave a story.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audiobook is outstanding. I loved the narration and was glued to the story as I listened to it. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

I devoured this book. I have only one issue but I did listen on audio so the experience might've been different. I felt like there were a little too many P.O.V.s, so it was a little confusing and I'm not sure who certain people were by the end since there were so many characters to keep track of. If I had known there were going to be so many, I might've tried to write it down or something. I did enjoy the plot twist, although it took me by surprise and took a moment to process. I also loved how everything came together. I feel like this may be a great reread. This was my first book by this author and I'm so grateful for Netgalley for providing an advanced reader's copy! I will be reading more from Alex Finlay!!

If Something Happens to Me
By: Alex Finlay
Narrated by: Helen Laser; John Pirhalla, Paul Dateh
Macmillan Audio

It is always a pleasure to listen to audiobooks by Macmillan Audio, especially when they feature a talented, multicast of narrators. Finlay's suspenseful thriller, is told from the point of view of several characters, making a perfect story for stellar ensemble narration by Laser, Pirhalla, and Dateh.

The book opens with Ryan's girlfriend going missing one night, and it quickly propels into various locations, even international, with events twisting, turning, and intersecting. This was my first book by this author, and it is easy to see why his writing is so popular with mystery/thriller lovers.

I am grateful to be a member of the 2024 Macmillan Audio Influencer Program.
I received an advance listener's copy from Macmillan Audio through Net Galley. My review is my own.

High school sweethearts, Ryan and Ali, are attacked while parked in “lover’s lane”. Ryan is knocked out and Ali disappears along with her car. For years Ryan has had to deal with everyone’s suspicions. Now five years later Ali’s car is found with two dead men and a preserved note in Ali’s purse saying: “If something happens to me…”. Then Ryan spots the man who took Ali and a mad chase across Europe ensues.

Poppy is back in her hometown after being discharged from the army, taking a job as Deputy Sheriff when Ali’s car is discovered. Poppy went to school with Ali, remembers when it all happened and so the case is personal. Strange facts come to light. Who can she trust?

Shane O’Leary, a mob boss, going through his own tragedy, and Michael Lane, his accountant. I wasn’t sure how they fit into the story, but it all comes together!

If Something Happens to Me was an exciting page-turner I didn’t want to put down! I felt the characters’ urgency at piecing things together with bad guys on the loose. I was rooting for Ryan, Poppy and Michael! There were several twists I didn’t see coming! My favorite Alex Finlay to date!

I alternately read and listened to an audio copy of the story. I enjoyed both versions! Having three narrators gave each of the characters a distinct voice and made the switch in POVs seamless! I listened to my usual 1.5x normal speed and higher at times.

It was a long couple of days but I did spend some of the drive time listening to If Something Happens To Me. It is a psychological thriller about a teenage girl who disappeared and years later when her car is found, the boyfriend and deputy sheriff determined to figure out what happened. This book was so good and so gripping. So many twists and turns, red herrings and shocking moments. And it was so clever in how the story lines and characters all tied together. I did the audio and it was really well done.

This mystery/thriller opens the night a teenage girl goes missing five years ago. Told through multiple POVs, across multiple locations, this one will keep you turning those pages.

Are some of the twists and turns predictable? Sure, but it’s still such a fun summer read.

If you’re a fan of audiobooks, I recommend listening to this one. It features multicast narration. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh make you feel like you’re watching this play out on the big screen.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

the setup…
Five years ago, Ryan Richardson and his girlfriend Alison Lane were high school seniors getting ready for college. One night, they were at a secluded spot known by everyone as Lovers Lane, taking the next step in their relationship when suddenly Ryan was pulled from the car and knocked out. He got a brief look at the man before lights out but when he was rescued, Alison and her car had vanished. Now her car has been discovered at the bottom of the lake with two dead men inside and a cryptic note found preserved in her purse. Where is Alison and what does that note mean?

the heart of the story…
Suspicions surrounded Ryan even after a notorious serial killer was implicated so he not only left town but changed his last name. He’s in Italy with his law school classmates when he hears the news about the car. Stunningly, he spots the man who attacked him five years ago. Meanwhile, newly hired Deputy Sheriff Poppy McGee has returned to Kansas after discharge from the Army and is assigned the lead to the newly resurrected case. She smells something hinky right from the start. The story is delivered from three points of view: Ryan, Poppy and a shady character named Shane O’Leary. You know they’re linked in some way but how?

the narration…
I’m so glad three narrators were used to tell the story, not just for character distinctions but because these three had a different, essential connections. The storytelling was so good!

the bottom line…
I had my aha moment about halfway into the story but was still missing essential pieces. I couldn’t stop listening and wanted to skip ahead pretty bad. This was nothing like I’d anticipated and it kept me in the dark as to who I could trust and who I couldn’t, who are the real bad guys and who were the true heroes. A few red herrings but the key to this story is assembling the puzzle pieces correctly. This was a heck of a thrilling ride.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

Honestly this book was so convoluted. It was hard to follow the plot lines at times, and since it was so random at times it made me not care to follow. I did enjoy that this was a quick read, as I was done fast, but other than that this book doesn’t really live up to the other ones by this author.

If Something Happens To Me by Alex Finlay

This thriller is centered around one traumatic night. It's the aftermath of when our MC was forcefully pulled out of a car, his girlfriends screaming, then he's knocked out. Of course, he's the only witness and suspect, but without enough evidence and a good lawyer, he's never charged. So, he leaves the country....and then her car is found.

I had been in the mood for a thriller, so I was so happy to have received this one. The progression of the story was fast-paced and had multiple pov. It had some good twists, one I didn't see coming. What I didn't like was all the filler. I feel like some things were just over explained.

I enjoyed some of the characters. There's always that level-headed one where you can take a step back and think for a second. That was the sheriff for me.

I listened to this one on audiobook, which I think made me like the book a little more than I would have because of the multicast narration. If I was reading a physical copy, I think I would've been frustrated by all the povs. They did do a great job bringing out the character perspectives.

So, if you're looking for a quick thriller, definitely pick this one up, but I recommend the audiobook.

If Something Happens to Me is a riveting and captivating novel that unfolds in a timely matter. It begins with sweethearts with Ryan and Ali. Ryan’s last memory of Ali is her screams as he’s being pulled from her car before being hit by a blunt object. No one believes him of course, but without her or the car he is never convicted. The truth lies deeper as Ali’s car is pulled out of a lake with two men in suits, but no Ali. Enjoy the ride as the mysterious story unravels!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this ARC audiobook!

4.5⭐ ARC from Macmillan audio, these are my own thoughts and opinions. Thank you for the ARC!

This was a really twisty and fun read! This is my first Alex Finlay book, and it did not disappoint. I did predict a small part of the ending, otherwise it would have been a 5 star read. Other than that, I don't have any complaints or notes! The full cast narration was PHENOMENAL and really made it an immersive experience. I appreciate a book with time hops that are done correctly, and this one delivered on that as well. Add this to your TBR!

Very suspenseful and entertaining. I enjoyed this new one by Finlay! Some great characters,, young and old. Some fun cliches and some new twists on old plot devices.

This was my first book from this author, having heard numerous praises over time. Unfortunately, the book left me feeling underwhelmed. While I typically enjoy narratives with multiple POVs and timelines, they didn't seem to work in this novel. The characters did not come across as relatable, redeemable, or even likable. The plot was quite predictable. I had anticipated a more dramatic development or an unexpected twist. The story did reinforce two things for me: firstly, that people suck, and secondly, that I, too, would go to great lengths to avenge my child if they were harmed.

I've come to the conclusion that this author's style may not suit my taste.