This is only the second book I’ve read by Alex Finlay. I really enjoyed Every Last Fear, so when this one came available, I knew I wanted to check it out. The book summary is pretty worthless and just introduces how the story started. Alex, a law school student, is in Italy on a school break with some friends when he spots the man, he has been seeing in his nightmares for the past five years since his Leavenworth, KS high school girlfriend, Ali, went missing and he was accused of murdering her. All he remembers from that night was seeing a man (not his face) with missing pinkys on both hands.

What the book summary doesn’t mention at all are the other storylines. There is the brand-new Leavenworth Deputy Sheriff, Poppy, who is assigned to man the tipline after the Sheriff’s department finds Ali’s car from the night she went missing. also,e is also the former FBI agent, Jane, who worked Ali’s missing person case five years ago and who tells Poppy that the Sheriff is hiding something. Lastly, there is another storyline of a Philadelphia mobster, Shane, whose son, Anthony, was so bullied at his previous school that they moved him to private school in another school district. It’s not long before Anthony is being bullied in the new school.

The story flips back and forth between the three storylines and between Ryan, Poppy, and Shane with several chapters from Shane’s accountant, Michael. From pretty early, I began to suspect what may have happened to Ali and Ryan as well as Shane’s son, Anthony. But then, I’m thinking, it can’t be this predictable, can it? No, not the same writer who shocked me in Every Last Fear. Yeah, Finlay is just leading the reader astray with red herrings. By the halfway point, my suspicions are all over the place and I’m having a hard time connecting the dots of what I do think.

All I know is that by the end, Finlay will certainly lay out the shocking finale. Deep into the second half, the storylines begin to merge. The title of the book becomes a link in one of the storylines. The finale is explosive (literally) and, of course, that shocking end I was expecting. I flipped back and forth between the ebook and the audiobook, and the narrators, Helen Laser, John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh, were great and really added to the thrills and suspense of the story.

The characterization for most of the MC’s were pretty well developed; I wish a couple of the ensemble characters were more developed, but I guess that would have given away too much of some of the twists. The pacing was great; fast-paced and action-packed. The storyline was confusing in some parts and that was due to some unreliable narration, but the ending was great! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 and will be rounding down to a 4star rating. I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio #IfSomethingHappenstoMe

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.

The narration was great.

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

If Something Happens to Me is a fast-paced thriller about a abducted girl, presumed dead, a notorious crime boos and a new deputy in town. Many years later, clues lead the deputy down a path of new clues and intrigue, taking places on multiple continents.

The story has three main narrators:

Ryan - boyfriend of missing girl, law student who claims a man with a missing finger abducted her.
Poppy - War vet returned home to work as the local deputy in the small town of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Shane - leader of the crime syndicate in Philadelphia.

A GIANT puzzle unfolds, where all players connect for a jaw-dropping conclusion.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio

A young girl is gone and a young guy is left behind to answer the questions of her disappearance. What comes next is the unfolding of mafia type vengeance and intrigue. Five years later the young man is on a trip and uncovers information about the young woman’s disappearance. This author does a great job taking what Sean’s to be unrelated people and tying it all up at the end. Parts of this book were so hard to put down because you just wanted to know the truth. Great story and narrator. Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC

When a young woman is involved in a hazing incident her life is forever changed. If you mess with the mob, you mess with your life. You can run, but you can’t hide. This is a fast paced thrill ride with three intersecting stories told from multiple points of view. Unraveling the mystery of what happened to Ali is worth your time. This book is available May 28. Excellent audio narration. Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ARC

While this was a good thriller, I didn’t exactly feel the “buy in” at the beginning. It jumped into the story so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to start to feel invested in the characters.

However, the narration by Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, Paul Detah was excellent. This was my first experience with each of these narrators and I enjoyed them enough that I will seek out additional narrations by them.

3.75 rounded up.

This is a perfect summer popcorn read. Fast paced, immersive, and some genuine twists, I really enjoyed my first read with Alex Finlay. I will certainly read more from him.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian audio for a ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I was instantly drawn in to all three of the storylines and was excited to see how they were all going to connect. The three narrators do an excellent job portraying their character’s stories.

I really like it when books with multiple points of view are narrated by different readers. This makes it so much easier to keep track of whose part of the story is being told. Helen Laser does and excellent job of portraying Poppy McGee, a young sheriff’s deputy with a military background. And both John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh do a great job with the male points of view. I tried to figure out who read what part, but was unable to. Whoever read for the part of the Irish mob boss does an excellent job with the accent, as well as the Philly ones. All of the readers did an excellent job with conveying the emotions of the characters and with the complex nature of the story.

This story is told in three parts, and at first there doesn’t appear to be any connection between some of them. One part is told by Poppy McGee in Kansas as she tries to unravel the story of what happened to Allison, the girl who went missing. The second part is told by Ryan, who is off in Italy trying to escape his past and move on with his life. The third story is the one that took longer to connect to the other two, it takes place in Philadelphia and switches points of view from Shane O’Leary, the irish mob boss, and some of the people who work for him. All of the stories eventually converge into a single story of grief, revenge, and finding your way back after a tragedy.

The writing is fast paced with many twists to this multi layered story. It takes a while to get into the story, mostly I think because the Philadelphia story doesn’t seem to connect to the other two stories early on. I don’t want to say much more about the plot, though as almost everything I could say would be a spoiler. The chapters are short, but pack a punch as the story unfolds. All of the characters are well rounded with solid backstories, although the story is more plot driven than character. There is growth among some of the characters, mainly Ryan, who learns to accept what happened in the past and move on with his life. I really enjoyed reading about Poppy McGee and really hope to see her in a future novel.

This is my first book by this author, but I don’t think it will be my last. I really enjoyed his writing style and found the story to be totally engaging. I really enjoyed how one event rippled out to affect so many people in this story. If you like well written thrillers with multiple layers and well written characters, then this is one you should give a chance to.

5 years ago, on the eve of adulthood, Ryan Richardson’s girlfriend, Ali, was violently taken. Now, on a trip abroad with his law school classmates, Ryan gets a call that Ali’s car has been found with a cryptic note: if something happens to me..

With a full cast on audio, alternating POVs, blurry timelines, seedy mob bosses, international cat and mouse games, dirty cops, small town crimes, privileged kids with secrets, and twist after twist, this book never stopped GIVING!
I expected an open and close small town murder case but I got so much MORE. How much could a small town sheriff, a law student, and a mob boss have in common???
I enjoyed the characters all of whom are somewhat morally grey. They’re hungry for answers, relatable, and surprisingly funny, even in tense moments.
I found the plot to be exciting. I never expected what came next! There is a lot to keep track of but it just adds to the layers and layers of nuance and creativity Finlay writes.

Was it a bit long and sometimes you gotta suspend a bit of belief? Sure but not enough to take away from this fun ride!
I was obsessed. Make this one into a movie please and thank you!If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller either some oomph, pick this one up

Multiple POVs, multiple timelines and distinct narrators for each POV. I will need to give my final review after re-reading this book in physical book form as I got a little lost from the audiobook. That said, what did work for me was the short chapters that kept me engaged, but I gave up mid-way and decided I will wait for the physical book to come out so I don't keep getting confused.

2.5 stars★

Five years ago, Ryan was was about to have the most amazing night with his girlfriend. But instead, it turned into a nightmare. He got attacked, Ali went missing, and a terrifying creature emerged from the darkness. Ryan was blamed for Ali's disappearance, faced ridicule, and decided to start fresh with a new identity. Now, as a law student on a class trip, he encounters the same monster and learns that Ali's car was found in a lake with two dead men and a mysterious note. Meanwhile, a Kansas sheriff's deputy and a Philadelphia mobster are entangled in their own chaotic situations. Somehow, these events are connected, and Ryan is determined to uncover the truth.

Alright, let's kick things off with the good! The pacing is super fast, and the short chapters kept me kinda engaged. But that's pretty much where the positives end for me.

The rest of it, well, it was a bit of a mess🙃

There are so many different points of view and timelines, each with their own separate stories. It was a struggle for me to keep track of everything. I found myself getting confused about where I was in the timeline at times. Eventually, it all came together, but the constant distractions and scattered pieces made it hard for me to connect with the characters and their personal journeys.

I feel a bit let down, especially since I've been seeing such raving reviews for it.

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

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.

Yes, yes and yes! I loved how everything and everyone tied together. So well written, kept me engaged and loved the ending!

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 both are 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?

From 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, to 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 for a top-notch first-class crime thriller that will leave 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 advanced digital reading and paperback copy and advanced listening copy. #MacAudio2024 #SMPInfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
May 2024 Must-Read Books
May Newsletter

I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller with multiple POVs, and lots of twists and mysteries. It took me a bit to get everyone clear in my head because there are quite a few POV characters which can be confusing on audio. I liked that they had a full cast though, and used multiple narrators.

Trying to work out how everyone related to each other, and what had happened to Amy was fun, and the book's a quick read so any frustrations I had were quickly solved.

This was my first Alex Finlay book but I doubt it'll be my last.

Ryan’s girlfriend Alison was abducted when they were alone in her car. Although he was never charged, the suspicion followed him around. He changed his name and moved away from the past.

Five years later, while he was in Italy with a law school trip, the man who pulled him out of Alison’s car contacted him. According to the man, Alison was still alive. Ryan followed him to a village in UK.

Meanwhile, in the town in Kansas where Ryan left behind, a young sheriff’s deputy Poppy was working on her first case. Alison’s car was found in the bottom of the lake, but there were 2 male bodies inside of the car instead of Alison’s.

Another major POV is Shane, a mobster in Philadelphia, who experienced tragic loss.
This fast-paced thriller moves back and forth between multiple POVs in addition to 3 major characters. The experienced readers would figure out the mystery behind the abduction quickly, but other mysteries keep readers interested.

I’ve read most of Alex Finlay’s novels since his breakout novel EVERY LAST FEAR, and my favorite was THE NIGHT SHIFT (2022) until this one. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is Finlay’s most polished work so far.

I'd like to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the Advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this fast paced thriller. The chapters were short and often ended on cliffhangers, which kept my attention and left me intrigued for more. Once I figured out the timeline, I did guess correctly a few of the twists, but not all. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I might have done a better job with a physical copy rather than the audiobook, but the multi-voice cast was a big help. Very well done on the narration - all in all a great mystery and thrilling read from a very talented author.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for alc to listen to and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

One night, Ali vanishes into thin air, leaving Ryan haunted by her screams for five long years.
But get this—Ryan's life takes a wild turn. Accused of Ali's murder, he faces a storm of harassment, from rivals on the basketball court to internet trolls and true crime fanatics. It's like living in a nightmare.

So, Ryan decides to hit reset. He changes his name, skips basketball, and dives into law school. But just when he thinks he's left the past behind, fate throws him a curveball.

Now, enter the three amigos of narration: Ryan, Poppy, a war vet turned deputy sheriff, and Shane, the big boss of a Philly crime syndicate. And that's just the beginning—there's a whole cast of characters adding spice to the mix.

Hold onto your hats because this thriller doesn't mess around! From the get-go, it's a heart-pounding, page-flipping ride packed with twists and turns that'll make your head spin faster than a rollercoaster.

And talk about a mastermind at work! Finlay weaves together a web of intrigue that'll keep you guessing until the very last page. Trust me, when everything comes together in the end, you'll be left in awe.

So, buckle up and prepare for a wild ride! Big shoutout to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me tag along on this thrilling adventure. If you're into pulse-pounding suspense and jaw-dropping reveals, this audiobook is a must-listen!

Ryan’s life is changed one night when he’s knocked out and his girlfriend Alison is kidnapped, and assumed to be murdered. He’s never charged with the crime but has always been suspected. Five years later Ryan has tried to move on with his life when Alison’s car is found with two dead men inside and a coded note that says “if something happens to me”

We follow multiple POVs, Ryan, a new sheriff, a mob accountant and a few others. Their stories intertwine and come together in a super interesting and fun thriller. At first it took me a while to figure out all the characters but once I got into it I devoured this book. I listened to the audiobook and the cast of narrators did a great job with each of their characters. I was so invested in the story and entertained the whole time. There’s were a few twists, some I guessed and a few I didn’t but I really had fun listening the entire time. The ending seemed a little rushed to me but maybe that’s because I didn’t want it to end. Overall this is an addicting and fast paced read. I would definitely give it a reread to see if there were any little clues I missed.

If Something Happens to Me comes out on May 28th. Thanks to NetGalley, Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for this ALC.