Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this book.

This book was a mess. I didn't like any of the characters, and it was obvious halfway through the book who was responsible for the kids missing. None of the characters were fleshed out, too many inane little details. I just was not a fan at all.

I've read several other books by Alex Finlay and I loved seeing familiar characters in the newest edition, Parents Weekend. This book has A LOT going on, and doesn't slow down one bit! Highly recommend keeping track of all the people, but once you get the gist of who is who and what is what- it's a real showstopper!

Alex Finlay's Parents Weekend offers an intriguing premise, set in a small Northern California college town where five families come together for Parents Weekend, only to face every parent's nightmare when their children mysteriously vanish. The book's brisk pace and compelling return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller are highlights, keeping the tension alive. However, the story falters with its overcrowded cast of characters, many of whom come across as flat, unsympathetic, or caricatured rather than fully realized individuals. While the multi-POV format has potential, it feels underutilized here, leaving the narrative emotionally disconnected. Despite these shortcomings, the layered mystery and exploration of family dynamics offer moments of intrigue. For fans of Finlay's previous works, this may not be his strongest, but it’s worth a read for the suspenseful twists and Sarah Keller’s enduring charm. Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected release date: May 6.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alex Finlay for an advance copy of Parents Weekend in exchange for an honest review!

I guess one good thing about insomnia is being able to finish an absolutely amazing book. Finlay can do no wrong and his latest book was no exception to this. I was captivated and sucked in within the first 5 minutes of reading. Finlay has a great way of keeping you hooked through his details, different POVs, and short chapters.
When you start this one, it may seem like a lot of POVs to keep up with but keep going because you get to know and love the different characters. All the characters and their families played a fantastic role in the storyline & can we please get another book with Agent Keller & Bob!!

Put this one on your radar & do yourself a favor by preordering it!

This thriller finds four sets of parents (and returning FBI agent Keller!) trying to figure out what happened to five college kids when they fail to show for dinner during Parent’s Weekend at their university. While I loved the premise of this one, as well as the return of a character I’ve enjoyed before, I struggled with the plot and pacing. I felt like there were too many characters given the length of the book, making character development lacking despite having chapters told from each character’s point of view. Unfortunately, many of these characters were stereotypes (such as the arrogant doctor) and relied on fairly predictable premises to create tension amongst the parents. That being said, the book is a quick read and perfect for the beach. It’s nice to learn about bit more about Agent Keller’s family. Unfortunately, the conclusion of this one was a bit outlandish. I wasn’t invested enough in the characters to really care who lived or died. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author but this one wasn’t my favorite.

I tried to like this, but I just couldn’t.
Too many characters, and none of them were fleshed out enough or had enough depth to care about them.
Too many small subplots added in for dramatic effect that lasted for a page or two and just served to be distracting.
The writing was awkward and the author was trying so hard to sound like he was “in touch” with youth culture, that it showcased how out of touch he is.
I will try another book by this author in the future, but this book was not for me.

I was excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley because I loved If Something Happens to Me. Parents Weekend is another solid book from Alex Finlay. I will say that I normally enjoy multiple POV books, but having five POVs got confusing at times.

Parents Weekend kept me in suspense. Overall, it felt like it had too many characters to develop any of them fully.

A fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed all of the different characters and the juxtaposition between them all. It was not necessarily a surprise ending but it was still good. Everything wrapped up nicely and had a satisfying conclusion. Definitely a good read!

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that centers around a group of parents visiting their children at a college for Parents Weekend—only to find themselves caught up in a deadly series of events. The story combines twists, humor, and mystery, as the parents, each with their own baggage, become unlikely players in a much larger and more dangerous scenario. Finlay’s writing is sharp and engaging, keeping the tension high while exploring themes of family, secrets, and the hidden dangers beneath seemingly ordinary events. With its clever plotting and unexpected turns, Parents Weekend is a gripping read that delivers both thrills and a satirical look at the pressures of modern life.

3.50✨ I've been a fan of Alex Finlay ever since I read “The Night Shift.” After reading and loving his last 2023 release, If “Something Happens To Me,” my anticipation for “Parents' Weekend” was high. Sadly, this one felt more like a missed opportunity than a home run. While I was captivated by the intriguing premise, the overall experience left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. The story had a brisk pace that kept me turning the pages, but the execution didn't hit the mark for me and didn’t resonate.
One of the most significant drawbacks was the many characters presented, which ultimately hampered my enjoyment. I typically relish multi-POV narratives, but the characters felt flat and one-dimensional here. While they weren't outright unlikable, they struck me as wholly unsympathetic. As a reader, I struggle to connect with young adults being excused for their behaviour simply because they're
'just kids.' We're talking about college students- legal adults!

I found myself losing interest quickly as I encountered a parade of archetypes: the wealthy bureaucrat, the affluent plastic surgeon, the privileged judge, and the beleaguered wife -but none resonated with me. By the end, I struggled to care about their fates or the risks they faced. Their personalities felt more like caricatures than real people. None of them resonated with me. By the end, I struggled to care about their fates or the risks they faced. Their personalities felt more like caricatures than real people.

On a brighter note, it was a pleasure to see Agent Sarah Keller make a return. She remains a compelling character amidst an otherwise forgettable cast. Despite my disappointment with the story, her presence added a spark that kept me flipping the pages.

Expected release date May 06,

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley, for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends family drama, college life, and a chilling mystery. When five students go missing during a festive weekend, the story unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, keeping you hooked with its twists and secrets. The characters are compelling, and the tension builds beautifully as the mystery deepens. While some threads feel rushed, the book delivers an exciting and thought-provoking read. Perfect for fans of Finlay’s previous works or anyone who loves a suspenseful, emotional tale.

As a fan of Alex Finlay’s work, I knew I had to dive into Parents Weekend the moment it came out—and it did not disappoint! Just like Finlay’s other books, this one was packed with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I found myself trying to figure out the ending several times, but the surprise reveal completely took me off guard in the best way possible.

This book is a fast-paced read that hooks you from the very first page. The suspenseful and unpredictable storyline makes it nearly impossible to put down. Whether you're already a fan of Alex Finlay or new to their work, Parents Weekend is a thrilling ride you don’t want to miss!

Finlay has once again created a fast paces thrilling read. 5 family arrive for the Parents Weekend celebration at their kids college. Nothing goes as planned. This book has it all, secrets, lies, missing students and death. Sarah Keller FBI Special Agent makes return in this one to help find the missing. I was sucked in this one right from the start and didn't see the end coming. It a fast paced read with nothing in the book to make the reader feel they are wasting time.
Absolutely loved this one !

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review

I enjoyed the multiple different view points for different characters. A fast paced mystery novel set on a college campus. So many different entangled characters, you never know what is going to come to light next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC! *Parents Weekend* by Alex Finlay is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that expertly weaves together family secrets, college drama, and the mystery of five missing students. Finlay’s skillful use of multiple perspectives adds layers of intrigue and tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The blend of suspense, psychological depth, and the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller elevates the plot, making it impossible to put down. This novel is a perfect read for those who love fast-paced mysteries with twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

if there’s one thing alex finlay knows to do, it’s write a fast-paced, addicting, heart-pounding thriller 🤯 I love a good ol thriller that I can’t put down!!!

five students go missing during parents weekend, leaving their parents scrambling to cover up their own secrets while find out the truth about what happened 😮‍💨 and it definitely felt more like a true crime doc more than anything

there wasn’t much mystery to this one, as the detective (the same one from EVERY LAST FEAR and THE NIGHT SHIFT) methodically ruled out every red herring until they were only left with one solution - and while I thought it was obvious, I lived for the drama between all of the parents!! there’s something about a messy secret that just gets me going 😂

this was definitely a telling rather than showing type of story, and the cast of characters was so huge that it felt a bit overwhelming at times. even when the readers were supposed to connect with the missing kids, I felt like I didn’t really know them due to the lack of characterization and time spent with each character 🤷🏼‍♀️

a huge thank you to netgalley and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: burgundy red blend

I enjoyed Alex Finlay's Parents Weekend. This was a fairly typical mystery, but taking place on a college campus during "parents weekend." The book focuses on a FBI agent, Sarah Keller, who appeared in a prior novel. The book is fast paced, but has a lot of characters with five different families, and goes from character to character for each chapter. At times this makes it hard to follow, without paying close attention. The mystery is interesting, but was not my favorite book. I appreciate the advanced readers copy and suspect the book will be of interest to folks as a summer beach read.

As a fan of Alex Finlay’s previous books, especially Night Shift, I went into Parents Weekend with high expectations. Unfortunately, this one fell short. The usual grit, tension, and intrigue that typically define Finlay’s writing were absent in this one.

While I still love Sarah and Bob Keller as characters and enjoy that the stories always involve Agent Keller, they couldn’t carry the weight of a slow and mostly dull plot. I fell asleep with my kindle falling on my face more often than I’d like to admit because it was just boring. It felt like I was waiting forever for something significant to happen, and by the time the story picked up, it was almost over. The ending, while decent, felt rushed and lacked the payoff I was hoping for.

I’ll always look forward to Finlay’s books because he’s shown he can deliver gripping thrillers, but Parents Weekend just didn’t live up to his usual standard. Here’s hoping his next release captures the magic of Night Shift and his other great stories. Special thanks to @netgalley for the ARC. I truly wish I enjoyed this one more 2.5/5 stars

From the bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me comes Parents Weekend, a masterfully crafted thriller that is both deeply unsettling and utterly addictive. The story begins with an air of normalcy, as five families gather at a small private college in Northern California to celebrate Parents Weekend. But when their children—the inseparable Five of Campisi Hall—fail to show up for dinner and remain unaccounted for, the evening spirals into a nightmare of unanswered questions and mounting dread.

The narrative's brilliance lies in its layered storytelling. Told through multiple perspectives and timelines, the novel deftly weaves the parents’ growing panic with the unfolding mystery of what happened to Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella. Each character is vividly drawn, their relationships brimming with tension and secrets. As the story unfolds, the weight of parental expectations, past mistakes, and hidden truths are revealed, adding emotional depth to the suspenseful plot.

The return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller adds another layer of intrigue. Keller’s calm demeanor and sharp investigative skills bring a welcome sense of steadiness amidst the chaos. Fans of Every Last Fear and The Night Shift will relish her role in unraveling the mystery, even as the story keeps readers guessing until the very end.

The book excels at capturing the nuances of family dynamics, the vulnerability of young adulthood, and the intoxicating yet perilous bonds of friendship. The vibrant campus setting and clever incorporation of true-crime podcasters and TikTok sleuths lend a modern, immersive feel to the story.

While the pacing is mostly taut, the alternating timelines occasionally slow the momentum, and some twists feel more predictable than others. However, the emotional payoff and relentless tension make these minor quibbles.

Parents Weekend is a gripping exploration of love, betrayal, and the lengths we go to protect those we care about. Whether you're a longtime fan of the author or new to their work, this thriller is sure to keep you reading late into the night.