If Something Happens To Me" is a complex and intricate mobster story that delves into the murky world of organized crime. The novel introduces a wide array of characters and intertwining timelines, offering a detailed and multifaceted narrative.

One of the challenges I encountered while listening to the audiobook version, provided through NetGalley, was the large cast of characters. At times, it was difficult to discern who the protagonists and antagonists were, as the moral lines between them seemed quite blurred. This ambiguity, while adding to the complexity of the story, made it a bit challenging to follow and connect with the characters on a deeper level.

The audiobook production presented its own set of challenges. Some characters were voiced similarly, which occasionally led to confusion about who was speaking. Additionally, the use of both a male and female narrator, while adding variety, sometimes disrupted the continuity of character voices that had been established earlier in the story.

Despite these challenges, the book's intricate plot and detailed exploration of the mobster world will likely appeal to readers who enjoy richly woven narratives and morally complex characters. The audiobook format, while presenting some hurdles, offers a different dimension to the storytelling that some listeners may appreciate.

Ultimately, this book wasn't quite suited for my demographic, but it has qualities that will resonate with fans of complex crime stories.

I spent the first half confused as how these different POVs connected. I figured it out a bit before it’s confirmed in the story. It was an entertaining enough story. I’d be curious to check out other books by the author.

Very well done -- this was a delightful read.
________________________________________


Review copy provided by publisher.

This book definitely kept me interested and wanting more. I felt like there was always a turn. It’s a little confusing with each chapter swapping to different characters but towards then end I kind of liked to see both perspectives! Really enjoyed

This was just an ok book for me. The plot was slightly complex but very easy to figure out. The suspense wasn’t very strong. And, I honestly didn’t really care much about the characters. Ryan was ok, but I never felt any kind of deep emotional connection to him. I also never really cared about Allison or finding out what happened to her. If I am being honest, most of the characters felt shallow or one dimensional.

The audio narration was great though, especially since parts of the books were in different countries. It was probably the best part of the book actually.

3⭐
Genre ~ suspense thriller
Setting ~ Kansas, Pennsylvania, Europe
Publication date ~ May 28, 2024
Page Count ~ 322 (p+ 84 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 16 minutes
Narratosr ~ Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, Paul Dateh
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ 3 part story, short chapters, suicide

Ryan was clonked on the noggin 5 years ago and girlfriend, Ali, was missing when he woke up. Now he’s in Europe with his law school friends when he sees someone that brings back memories from that horrible night.

Michael is an accountant who got involved with a very dangerous man. I wasn’t sure how his storyline was going to fit in, but I was quite pleased with how it did. Looking back now I'm like duh.

Poppy is the deputy sheriff looking for answers when Ali’s car is found in the lake with 2 bodies inside. I thought she did a great job for her first case.

The prologue was super promising, but the middle was really slow for me. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good amount of action, and there was a nice twist, but it was just a bit too slow moving for me. Even though there was a lot going on I was never fully engaged. I did like how it was all wrapped up, but I could’ve gone for a little more thrilling pizzazz. Jackpot for short chapters.

Narration notes:
All the narrators did a fine job. Ryan sounded age appropriate, but could have shown a little more emotion during the action packed moments though.

📚Review: If Something Happens To Me ✉️
Here is another book I really wanted to love but just didn’t. I was so disappointed because I just didn’t really connect with this book at all. Not the storyline, not the characters. I really wanted to like this and had such high hopes because I had been seeing great things around Bookstagram about it. So I was really looking forward to this. I requested the ARC on NetGalley for the audiobook and I was so excited when I was approved. I couldn’t wait to get started. And after my last read and not loving that one so much, I really wanted to like this. And I should say it was okay. It was a typical crime investigation story. But there were a lot of characters to keep track of and the settings were all over the world (literally) so that was a little confusing to keep track of at times too. For me, there was a lot going on and I really couldn’t get invested in or connect with any of the characters. They were all spread so thin for me. They had no depth. Anyway, you may love this too because I again, seem to be somewhat of an outlier with this one as well. This was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for me! But, you may like it, so don’t let my review sway you. Everyone needs to form their own opinions on books.
Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for this opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: May 28, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC audiobook of this title. It’s definitely one I think I would’ve been able to follow better as a reader instead of a listener…a few name changes & period of time that can easily get you lost if you’re not paying super close attention. The ending was a surprise but I did feel some parts were left a bit unexplained. It leaves itself open for a sequel.

Alex Finlay plunges readers into a heart-pounding thriller fueled by mystery and suspense, by masterfully weaving a tale of intrigue!

Ryan Richardson is still grappling with the shadows of his past. Five years after his girlfriend, Alison’s, disappearance, Ryan’s world is upended once again when her car resurfaces with an interesting new discovery.

Ryan is not the only one on the hunt for the truth on the missing girl! This most recent development propels the new young deputy sheriff Poppy on a relentless journey of her own.

Finlay’s signature storytelling unfolds through multiple perspectives, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. If Something Happens to Me is a thrilling read you won’t want to miss!

Huge thank you to #netgalley and @minotaur_books for the advanced audiobook!

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
I would like to thank McMillan Audiobooks, NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for allowing me to review this audiobook with an ARC copy.
The.narration was wonderful, it was a full cast narration. This publication will be released on 5/28/2024. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Daleh did a great job as narrators and distinguishing the voice of individual characters. The pacing was excellent and the story flowed well. The narration definitely made the novel experience exciting and alive.
The story was a very well written thriller. I am now a new Alex Finlay fan! The plot was so well executed and it kept you guessing throughout the whole book.
You have Ryan Richardson and a cast of small town heroes develop as they are thrust into a vengeful chase from Philadelphia to Leavenworth, Kansas and all over Europe. As Ryan relives a nightmare daily . Then his nightmare comes true when he sees the monster of his dreams in Italy while on a college trip abroad. Back in the US, there is a small town with a lot of secrets that no one wants exposed. Then a car is found submerged in the lake by podcasters, and nothing can stop the roller coaster that results.
This is a fast paced thriller with lots of detail and well developed characters. You don’t want to miss it!

Thank you Alex Finlay, Macmillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this one! Between the short chapters and multiple viewpoints, this book flew! I definitely recommend the audio for the multicast.

I can honestly say that this book kept me guessing for the first half on how everything was intertwined. I fully did not guess the first major twist.

In most thrillers, there is always a character that annoys me with their stupidity, and for me in this one, that was Ryan. But even he didn’t annoy me too much. Maybe because he was written as a teenager so well that I could actually see a teenager making the dumb choices he made.

The cryptic messages added such an interesting element and I almost wish we got more.

Can I say this was a fun thriller? It wasn’t anything that had me really nervous or too stressed, but it was a fun story to read. I might have to look into more thrillers involving mobsters now.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Was it the most edge-of-your-seat thriller? No. But it was a light and enjoyable thriller to read!

This isn't my usual genre, so perhaps that affected my enjoyment. The writing is solid, and the author has a talent for crafting twisty plots. However, the story felt like it dragged on at times, and I didn't find it particularly captivating. Additionally, the author's opinions on social issues seemed heavily embedded in the characters, which didn't resonate with me. Overall, I'd rate this book 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It had a plot that had me hooked from the beginning. I liked Alison and Ryan's story and all of the backstory that leads to the quick and twisty ending. Alex Finlay is a must read author for me and this is just another book that is well done! There are multiple narrators on the audiobook for the different perspectives and it was so well done! Highly recommend this as an audiobook! Thank you Macmillan Audio for an early copy of this great book!

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4 ½ ⭐️✨
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: thriller
📖 336 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🎙️🏍️🇮🇹🚔🕵🏻‍♀️✉️🇫🇷🆘🔥💊🚙
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 5/28/2024

💙𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💙

Thank you @netgalley @minotaurbooks for the #gifted copy!

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME was captivating from start to finish! I found myself completely engrossed, reading at such a pace that I had to doublecheck the page count 😅 . The story features a wide array of characters & multiple POV, creating a complex web of suspense where trust is a scarce commodity & identifying the guilty party is a thrilling challenge.

The narrative is packed with relentless suspense, nonstop action, & unexpected twists. Each chapter, narrated from a different perspective, kept me equally invested, eager to see how the pieces fit together. The seamless shift between viewpoints added depth & intrigue, making it a compelling read that I highly recommend!

⚠️ bullying, suicide

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ podcasts
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ suspense & twists

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: For 5 years, Ryan Richardson has been haunted by a night of terror, where his girlfriend Ali was abducted. Despite suspicion & online harassment, he's rebuilt his life, studying law under a new identity. A call from his father about Ali's car resurfaces the past, leading Ryan on a journey across continents. As he delves into the mystery, unexpected allies emerge, hinting at salvation from unexpected places. From Italy to the UK to Paris, Ryan's quest for truth uncovers a web of intrigue linking distant locales & unlikely figures.

I’m so disappointed by how disappointed I was by this book. I really had to force myself to power through it. I could not find it in myself to care at all. Too many POVs - most of whom were pretty unlikeable. A pretty predictable storyline. I just never really felt convinced that I should care about what was happening.

I received a free audiobook copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

High schooler Ryan and his girlfriend Ali are victims of a baffling crime: Ryan is beaten to unconsciousness and Ali is abducted from his car and goes missing. Her car is found years later, but her body is not in it: instead, two unidentified male bodies are inside, as well as some preserved clues. Ali is still missing, and Ryan, after changing his name, is pulled back into the case that has haunted him since his teen years. Is Ali still alive? Who are the dead dudes? Lots of red herrings, strange coincidences, and imagination stretching are in this interesting mystery.

This isn't a terrible book, in fact the premise is quite intriguing. Unfortunately, the twist is revealed way too early, and I mentally checked out shortly after. I don't know if the story could have progressed without the early reveal, but maybe that's the problem. Like I said, not a bad book, just a little... disorganized? I guess? Give it a try though, the story itself is pretty cool.

I was so pleasantly surprised at the multiple layers of this thriller, while being very easy to follow. This book sucked me right in and I couldn't put the book down!

I recommend this book for everyone and hope to read more from Alex Finlay in the future.

This is my second book by this author and won’t be my last. This story is action packed, fast paced and full of twists. A must read for fans of this genre. I really enjoyed the narration also. Thank you to the author, publisher NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

4.5 stars
This was my first book by Alex Finlay and it did not disappoint.
New cop Poppy is put on the cold case of a missing high school girl Alison when her car is found in a lake. Her then boyfriend Ryan has been accused of her disappearance since he was with her when she disappeared, sticking to a crazy story that a man missing his pinkie fingers took her. When the car is found, Ryan's dad calls him to tell him while he is on a trip in Italy. He then sees the man with no pinkies and follows him to get some much needed answers. He needs to know what happened to Alison.
This book really took me a minute to get into because there are a few different POVs that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with one another. Along with Poppy and Ryan, we have Michael. Poppy and Ryan's overlap because Poppy is working the case and Ryan was involved, but the Michael POV really threw me. I don't want to give anything away about Michael because it was really a jaw dropping twist (to me anyways) but the way all the POVs ended up weaving together was so clever.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of which is another reason it took me a minute to get into the book. I think a lot of times with multiple POVs, the characters are together so we only get one set of characters to remember, but with this one there were 3 separate character groups to remember. Not all the characters were super likeable, but they weren't supposed to be. So while I didn't like some of the characters, they all did their job in the story really well. I think my favorite character was Poppy. She was a new cop starting her job with this big break in a cold case. She was determined not to sweep anything under the rug no matter who was responsible.
The pacing of the story was great with the different POVs. I was always eagerly awaiting what would happen next with each POV and the entire story was pretty action packed. There was a lot of info that connected with the other POVs, so you need to pay close attention.
There were 3 narrators for the audiobook which brought the story to another level. Even the 2 male POV narrators were different. Each of them did a great job portraying their part of the story and really bringing their parts to life.

I was so excited to read Alex Finlay's latest, and If Something Happens to Me was such an amazing book - I thought about it for days after finishing it! Told from different character perspectives, what seem like several different stories seamlessly come together as one for a gripping finale. I don't usually love crime boss thrillers, but this one was spectacular. Finlay does an amazing job creating each character uniquely, and drafting a realistic and believable plot. I cannot recommend this one enough! The narration was spectacular.