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If Something Happens to Me
For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.
With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.
Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…
Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.
As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.
In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told from several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The story cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.
With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.
Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…
Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.
As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.
In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told from several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The story cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2024
2946 people are currently reading
103971 people want to read
About the author
Alex Finlay
14 books4,969 followersALEX FINLAY is the bestselling author of several critically acclaimed novels, including the 2024 national bestseller, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME. His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into twenty-five languages and sold around the world. Nearly all of Alex’s books have been optioned or are in development for film and television. His May 2025 release, PARENTS WEEKEND, has already been scooped up by Hollywood for adaption to the screen. Alex lives in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,876 reviews
April 27, 2024
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2.5 Stars
Outlier alert. I really liked the first part of this story, it was a bit over the top but I read it for what it was, a decent popcorn thriller. When I got to the end of part one I wasn't surprised at all. I saw that twist a mile away. I don't know if it's because I've read so many thrillers over the years or if it's because I am so smart.
This book is getting rave reviews everywhere and I can see the appeal but it didn't work for me for so many reasons. The main one being that once that twist in part one was revealed the story seemed to drag and there were two parts to go still. By that point, I stopped caring what happened to the characters or why. This is my fourth book by Finlay; I loved The Night Shift and Every Last Fear , but this title and What Have We Done I did not so he is two for four with me. I would read him again as I always give three strikes to an author before deciding they're not for me. I just wish this one had the suspense and momentum of the two books I did like.
This is a two-star book at best in my opinion BUT I am giving it 2.5 for readability and being a page-turner. I can't round up because this was just too predictable and didn't wow me. There are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this title so take mine with a grain of salt.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
Outlier alert. I really liked the first part of this story, it was a bit over the top but I read it for what it was, a decent popcorn thriller. When I got to the end of part one I wasn't surprised at all. I saw that twist a mile away. I don't know if it's because I've read so many thrillers over the years or if it's because I am so smart.
This book is getting rave reviews everywhere and I can see the appeal but it didn't work for me for so many reasons. The main one being that once that twist in part one was revealed the story seemed to drag and there were two parts to go still. By that point, I stopped caring what happened to the characters or why. This is my fourth book by Finlay; I loved The Night Shift and Every Last Fear , but this title and What Have We Done I did not so he is two for four with me. I would read him again as I always give three strikes to an author before deciding they're not for me. I just wish this one had the suspense and momentum of the two books I did like.
This is a two-star book at best in my opinion BUT I am giving it 2.5 for readability and being a page-turner. I can't round up because this was just too predictable and didn't wow me. There are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this title so take mine with a grain of salt.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
November 2, 2024
Five Happy Dance Stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💃💃
Ryan Richardson will never forget the night that his girlfriend, Ali was taken. He will never forget her loud screams. It happened five years ago.
Someone opened the car door, hit him hard in the head and pulled Ryan from the car. Ali disappeared without a trace of her along with the car.
Ryan had a good lawyer and was never charged. Later in his first basketball game at Kent State the opposing team shouted from the bleachers: Killer..
..Killer..Killer. The harassment was awful and not just from the rival teams but from podcasts, true crime shows and from internet trolls too.
So Ryan skipped playing basketball, and changed his name from Ryan Richardson to Ryan Smith and transferred to a new college to go to law school.
Then Ali's vehicle is found submerged in Suncatcher Lake five years later and two guys were found dead in the car. The big question is Who are the two dead men? Also a cryptic note was found and written on the envelope in Ali's handwriting is a note that says, If Something Happens To Me. Trying to figure out what this note says is another big mystery.
I am a big fan of this author. He cracked this one out of the ball park! I was loving this one straight from the beginning and to the very end. I could not put it down. So much was going on.I couldn't put this one down. This is a very intense read. When you open up the book make sure you don't have any plans because all you will want to do is read this book. Lock your doors and turn off your phone. This book was Amazing! Also it's full of twists and turns with characters that are so well developed.
I am jumping up and down with excitement on how much I am crazy in love this book. I can talk about this one all day long. This is an addicting fast paced read.
I want to thank Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ryan Richardson will never forget the night that his girlfriend, Ali was taken. He will never forget her loud screams. It happened five years ago.
Someone opened the car door, hit him hard in the head and pulled Ryan from the car. Ali disappeared without a trace of her along with the car.
Ryan had a good lawyer and was never charged. Later in his first basketball game at Kent State the opposing team shouted from the bleachers: Killer..
..Killer..Killer. The harassment was awful and not just from the rival teams but from podcasts, true crime shows and from internet trolls too.
So Ryan skipped playing basketball, and changed his name from Ryan Richardson to Ryan Smith and transferred to a new college to go to law school.
Then Ali's vehicle is found submerged in Suncatcher Lake five years later and two guys were found dead in the car. The big question is Who are the two dead men? Also a cryptic note was found and written on the envelope in Ali's handwriting is a note that says, If Something Happens To Me. Trying to figure out what this note says is another big mystery.
I am a big fan of this author. He cracked this one out of the ball park! I was loving this one straight from the beginning and to the very end. I could not put it down. So much was going on.I couldn't put this one down. This is a very intense read. When you open up the book make sure you don't have any plans because all you will want to do is read this book. Lock your doors and turn off your phone. This book was Amazing! Also it's full of twists and turns with characters that are so well developed.
I am jumping up and down with excitement on how much I am crazy in love this book. I can talk about this one all day long. This is an addicting fast paced read.
I want to thank Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
After reading “Every Last Fear”, I predicted that Alex Finlay would be the next BIG thriller author that everyone would want to auto request! And, after devouring “The Night Shift”, I doubled down on that bet! But, then, his third book, “What Have We Done” was a BIG miss for me! 🫤
I am happy to report that Alex Finlay has returned to form with his latest-this was nearly impossible to put down!
Alison Lane and Ryan Richardson were a young couple in love, parked on “Lover’s Lane” when they were attacked. Ryan was knocked out and left behind when Ali was abducted-taken in her own car-never to be seen again.
There was not enough evidence to convict Ryan of any involvement in the crime, but he couldn’t live under the cloud of suspicion that followed him, and he was forced to change his name and move elsewhere.
Five years later, Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas, about 40 minutes outside of Kansas City. Inside are two dead men but no female body.
But, a cryptic note has been found in the car, with the words, “If something happens to me…” written on an envelope which has been sealed in a plastic bag-and the handwriting is definitely Ali’s.
Inside the envelope is a code-a series of numbers called a “book cipher”. The numbers reference the page, line and word in a book or another piece of writing but to decipher the message, you have to know what document to use.
Perhaps, Ryan would know?
Poppy McGee has just been discharged from the Military Police, and appointed Deputy Sheriff, of her hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas. This will be her first case, and it’s a big one.
She has to get this right.
And, how does a hit man, Shane O’Leary, from Philadelphia, PA tie into this case?
These three narratives alternate in PART ONE, and converge in PARTS TWO and THREE.
I’m not a fan of Assassins and World Wide chases, so I enjoyed the first half a bit more than the second half, but this was definitely a book that I couldn’t wait to pick up, whenever I got the chance!
The plot definitely requires some suspension of belief but if you can go with it-the denouement is very fitting given the circumstances, and seems like how it would all play out.
Engaging from the first page through the last, I was thoroughly entertained!
Watch for DeAnn’s review to see if she and I agreed on this one.
NOW AVAILABLE!!
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
After reading “Every Last Fear”, I predicted that Alex Finlay would be the next BIG thriller author that everyone would want to auto request! And, after devouring “The Night Shift”, I doubled down on that bet! But, then, his third book, “What Have We Done” was a BIG miss for me! 🫤
I am happy to report that Alex Finlay has returned to form with his latest-this was nearly impossible to put down!
Alison Lane and Ryan Richardson were a young couple in love, parked on “Lover’s Lane” when they were attacked. Ryan was knocked out and left behind when Ali was abducted-taken in her own car-never to be seen again.
There was not enough evidence to convict Ryan of any involvement in the crime, but he couldn’t live under the cloud of suspicion that followed him, and he was forced to change his name and move elsewhere.
Five years later, Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas, about 40 minutes outside of Kansas City. Inside are two dead men but no female body.
But, a cryptic note has been found in the car, with the words, “If something happens to me…” written on an envelope which has been sealed in a plastic bag-and the handwriting is definitely Ali’s.
Inside the envelope is a code-a series of numbers called a “book cipher”. The numbers reference the page, line and word in a book or another piece of writing but to decipher the message, you have to know what document to use.
Perhaps, Ryan would know?
Poppy McGee has just been discharged from the Military Police, and appointed Deputy Sheriff, of her hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas. This will be her first case, and it’s a big one.
She has to get this right.
And, how does a hit man, Shane O’Leary, from Philadelphia, PA tie into this case?
These three narratives alternate in PART ONE, and converge in PARTS TWO and THREE.
I’m not a fan of Assassins and World Wide chases, so I enjoyed the first half a bit more than the second half, but this was definitely a book that I couldn’t wait to pick up, whenever I got the chance!
The plot definitely requires some suspension of belief but if you can go with it-the denouement is very fitting given the circumstances, and seems like how it would all play out.
Engaging from the first page through the last, I was thoroughly entertained!
Watch for DeAnn’s review to see if she and I agreed on this one.
NOW AVAILABLE!!
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
May 8, 2024
writing: painful | plot: pls stop | ending: hallelujah
my opinion
Booooooo!!!!! I know I'm a few short of a dozen, but Finlay must think his readers are drooling imbeciles the way he over-explained everything. For example:
"It seems my companies have been infiltrated by a corporate spy. I need to move some assets to make sure they're secure." Translation: O'Leary thinks there's a rat—someone talking to the Feds. He wants to hide his money somewhere else. LMFAOOAFKOAFMO ok thanks???? It wasn't obvious enough the first time around.
And when he literally ended a chapter with "...", the punctuation equivalent of DUN DUN DUN, I knew there was no way in hell this book could escape one star territory.
But enough about that, let's get to my biggest issue of the book: if I wanted to read an old dude's opinions on social media, women who like yoga, tourism, woke culture, and Europe vs US I'd just go on Facebook. Finlay used each character, no matter their age, sex, or race, as a mouthpiece for his opinions on topics that were irrelevant to the story. Feast your eye upon the following excerpts:
"Dena, Diana, and Divya have evidently been awake for hours, Instagram ready with their contour makeup that looks like they applied it while watching a tutorial from a Kardashian. These women are smart—top of the class at Georgetown Law—but get too caught up in social media, like everybody else, he supposes." These women are literally mentioned one other time and that's it so why was it so vital for a 23-year-old male to shade them for putting effort into their appearance? Sorry they care while you use 3-in-1 shampoo body wash and dish soap for all your cleaning needs. Also, if you asked a straight 23 yr old male what contour is they'd probably say is that a type of commercial plane.
Ryan likes this about Nora, her practical there-are-bigger-things-to-get-upset-about attitude. She understands that good people sometimes say stupid shit, unintentionally offend because they don't know any better or act or text or post in the heat of the moment. She has three things seemingly lost in this world of social-media outrage: perspective, nuance, and empathy. JFC which IG baddie tried to get Finlay cancelled?
Poppy is trying to track down three witnesses so she calls one of their moms, who tells Poppy that her daughter is at a yoga class. Poppy thinks (condescendingly) "Of course they are." Oh sorry for being active??? Would it be better if I did something stereotypically manly like a ruck march??
Fatheads is part pool hall, part dive bar. And obviously named before the world got enlightened, or too sensitive, depending on your world view. This is peak snowflake logic. The narrator is 23-years-old max. She's not contemplating the political correctness of the term "fathead" because she probably associates it with those huge cut outs of faces.
Turns out the UK and the rest of Europe are like the US: not everyone's wealthy, not everyone's good-looking. And not everyone's nice. Cool story bro but considering every bad guy in this book is American, I'm not sure why you needed to say this? Also, I don't think anyone who's received an elementary level education thinks all of Europe is wealthy OR nice.
Funny how we all hate tourists even though we'll all be tourists at some point.... LMAOOO not the extendo ellipsis. We're at the 86% mark of the book and this is the bar you're dropping? Suuuuper funny.
Sadly there are plenty more quotes to go around, but I'm gonna stop here. I liked The Night Shift but this was NOT it. Even his last book about assassins was better because it was so blatantly OTT, you could lean into the vibes and have fun.
pros & cons
Pros: quick read
Cons: basic, closed caption writing, over-explaining basic stuff like we have a single digit IQ, using the characters as mouthpieces for his own opinions on shit that did not matter in the slightest, ridiculous, swiss cheese plot with the world's cringiest action scenes
__
Check out my YouTube
my opinion
Booooooo!!!!! I know I'm a few short of a dozen, but Finlay must think his readers are drooling imbeciles the way he over-explained everything. For example:
"It seems my companies have been infiltrated by a corporate spy. I need to move some assets to make sure they're secure." Translation: O'Leary thinks there's a rat—someone talking to the Feds. He wants to hide his money somewhere else. LMFAOOAFKOAFMO ok thanks???? It wasn't obvious enough the first time around.
And when he literally ended a chapter with "...", the punctuation equivalent of DUN DUN DUN, I knew there was no way in hell this book could escape one star territory.
But enough about that, let's get to my biggest issue of the book: if I wanted to read an old dude's opinions on social media, women who like yoga, tourism, woke culture, and Europe vs US I'd just go on Facebook. Finlay used each character, no matter their age, sex, or race, as a mouthpiece for his opinions on topics that were irrelevant to the story. Feast your eye upon the following excerpts:
"Dena, Diana, and Divya have evidently been awake for hours, Instagram ready with their contour makeup that looks like they applied it while watching a tutorial from a Kardashian. These women are smart—top of the class at Georgetown Law—but get too caught up in social media, like everybody else, he supposes." These women are literally mentioned one other time and that's it so why was it so vital for a 23-year-old male to shade them for putting effort into their appearance? Sorry they care while you use 3-in-1 shampoo body wash and dish soap for all your cleaning needs. Also, if you asked a straight 23 yr old male what contour is they'd probably say is that a type of commercial plane.
Ryan likes this about Nora, her practical there-are-bigger-things-to-get-upset-about attitude. She understands that good people sometimes say stupid shit, unintentionally offend because they don't know any better or act or text or post in the heat of the moment. She has three things seemingly lost in this world of social-media outrage: perspective, nuance, and empathy. JFC which IG baddie tried to get Finlay cancelled?
Poppy is trying to track down three witnesses so she calls one of their moms, who tells Poppy that her daughter is at a yoga class. Poppy thinks (condescendingly) "Of course they are." Oh sorry for being active??? Would it be better if I did something stereotypically manly like a ruck march??
Fatheads is part pool hall, part dive bar. And obviously named before the world got enlightened, or too sensitive, depending on your world view. This is peak snowflake logic. The narrator is 23-years-old max. She's not contemplating the political correctness of the term "fathead" because she probably associates it with those huge cut outs of faces.
Turns out the UK and the rest of Europe are like the US: not everyone's wealthy, not everyone's good-looking. And not everyone's nice. Cool story bro but considering every bad guy in this book is American, I'm not sure why you needed to say this? Also, I don't think anyone who's received an elementary level education thinks all of Europe is wealthy OR nice.
Funny how we all hate tourists even though we'll all be tourists at some point.... LMAOOO not the extendo ellipsis. We're at the 86% mark of the book and this is the bar you're dropping? Suuuuper funny.
Sadly there are plenty more quotes to go around, but I'm gonna stop here. I liked The Night Shift but this was NOT it. Even his last book about assassins was better because it was so blatantly OTT, you could lean into the vibes and have fun.
pros & cons
Pros: quick read
Cons: basic, closed caption writing, over-explaining basic stuff like we have a single digit IQ, using the characters as mouthpieces for his own opinions on shit that did not matter in the slightest, ridiculous, swiss cheese plot with the world's cringiest action scenes
__
Check out my YouTube
January 15, 2024
A Fun Ride
If Something Happens To Me is a fast-paced thriller about a missing girl presumed dead, a notorious crime boss, and a new sheriff in town trying to put the pieces together.
There are three primary narrators: Ryan, once accused of his girlfriend’s murder, and he is now on a law school trip in Italy. Poppy, a young war vet who returns home to Leavenworth, Kansas, to work as the deputy sheriff, and Shane, the head of a major crime syndicate in Philadelphia. A few additional POVs are mixed in.
How the narrators fit together is a bit of a puzzle, but seasoned thriller readers will most likely figure out how the pieces connect early on.
It is best to go in blind. The plot is a little over-the-top, and suspension of disbelief is required, but it is gripping and worth reading. I enjoyed this more than What Have We Done, but not as much as Every Last Fear and The Night Shift .
If Something Happens to Me has all the elements of a solid thriller: action, tension, suspense, and a bit of mystery. The pace is fast, fueled by twists and turns. Most of all, it is fun to read, and it saved me from falling into a reading rut.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
If Something Happens To Me is a fast-paced thriller about a missing girl presumed dead, a notorious crime boss, and a new sheriff in town trying to put the pieces together.
There are three primary narrators: Ryan, once accused of his girlfriend’s murder, and he is now on a law school trip in Italy. Poppy, a young war vet who returns home to Leavenworth, Kansas, to work as the deputy sheriff, and Shane, the head of a major crime syndicate in Philadelphia. A few additional POVs are mixed in.
How the narrators fit together is a bit of a puzzle, but seasoned thriller readers will most likely figure out how the pieces connect early on.
It is best to go in blind. The plot is a little over-the-top, and suspension of disbelief is required, but it is gripping and worth reading. I enjoyed this more than What Have We Done, but not as much as Every Last Fear and The Night Shift .
If Something Happens to Me has all the elements of a solid thriller: action, tension, suspense, and a bit of mystery. The pace is fast, fueled by twists and turns. Most of all, it is fun to read, and it saved me from falling into a reading rut.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
July 23, 2024
Alex Finlay triumphantly returns to the literary scene with a gripping narrative that pulses with heart-throbbing intensity, action-packed sequences, and an addictive plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This unputdownable twisty thriller introduces new characters into the equation, with Poppy, a young deputy sheriff unjustly discharged from the army, emerging as a standout and compelling figure. Finlay's adept storytelling shines, and Poppy's presence adds a layer of freshness that promises exciting possibilities for Finlay's upcoming books.
Despite some disappointment with his previous work, "What Have We Done," this latest offering proves to be a resounding success. From the first page, the action-packed opening, swift character introductions, and attention-grabbing short chapters captivate the reader. It's evident that Finlay has reclaimed his magical thrilling mojo, solidifying this book as another triumph in his literary arsenal.
The narrative skillfully weaves a tapestry of characters and storylines, reminiscent of Finlay's signature twisty style seen in his previous works. Enter Ryan Richardson, burdened by accusations in the murder of his girlfriend Alison Lane five years ago. His journey unfolds during a school trip to Italy, where a mysterious note hints at a compromised identity, raising questions about the tragic night that changed his fate.
Poppy McGee, the freshly discharged deputy sheriff, becomes entangled in the discovery of a submerged vehicle in Suncatcher Lake. Linked to Alison Lane's presumed kidnapping, the vehicle holds two deceased men, and a cryptic note with the unsettling title "If Something Happens to Me" leaves readers speculating on Alison's fate.
Shane O’Leary, leader of Philadelphia’s mob families, introduces another layer of intrigue as his son Anthony navigates challenges in a new academy, unaware of the profound impact it will have on their lives.
The convergence of these characters' storylines promises a perfect puzzle, compelling readers to embark on a wild journey to unravel the mysteries.
This adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding, and smart thriller is a true page-turner that rightfully earns its five-star rating. My sincere gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this addictive thriller in exchange for my honest opinions.
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Despite some disappointment with his previous work, "What Have We Done," this latest offering proves to be a resounding success. From the first page, the action-packed opening, swift character introductions, and attention-grabbing short chapters captivate the reader. It's evident that Finlay has reclaimed his magical thrilling mojo, solidifying this book as another triumph in his literary arsenal.
The narrative skillfully weaves a tapestry of characters and storylines, reminiscent of Finlay's signature twisty style seen in his previous works. Enter Ryan Richardson, burdened by accusations in the murder of his girlfriend Alison Lane five years ago. His journey unfolds during a school trip to Italy, where a mysterious note hints at a compromised identity, raising questions about the tragic night that changed his fate.
Poppy McGee, the freshly discharged deputy sheriff, becomes entangled in the discovery of a submerged vehicle in Suncatcher Lake. Linked to Alison Lane's presumed kidnapping, the vehicle holds two deceased men, and a cryptic note with the unsettling title "If Something Happens to Me" leaves readers speculating on Alison's fate.
Shane O’Leary, leader of Philadelphia’s mob families, introduces another layer of intrigue as his son Anthony navigates challenges in a new academy, unaware of the profound impact it will have on their lives.
The convergence of these characters' storylines promises a perfect puzzle, compelling readers to embark on a wild journey to unravel the mysteries.
This adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding, and smart thriller is a true page-turner that rightfully earns its five-star rating. My sincere gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this addictive thriller in exchange for my honest opinions.
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May 1, 2024
2.5 Stars
I...uh. Have no idea wtf really went on in this story. There was a ton of characters, too many in my opinion for a thriller. The story takes place in 4 different cities and from 4 different POV's and it made it hard to keep up with.
I felt like it lacked some detail and was a little far fetched, the ending was a bit rushed.
I may have very well liked this more and kept up better if I read it on kindle and not listed to the audiobook while multitasking - but that's no excuse for the issues that I had. I feel like anything you read on kindle you should be able to listen to on audio - unless it's a narrator issue and that wasn't a problem here.
I'm a little disappointed considering I've seen such high ratings in my feed. Oh well, on to the next one.
Many Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alex Finlay for the complementary audio advanced copy in exchange for my honest review 💐💖
I...uh. Have no idea wtf really went on in this story. There was a ton of characters, too many in my opinion for a thriller. The story takes place in 4 different cities and from 4 different POV's and it made it hard to keep up with.
I felt like it lacked some detail and was a little far fetched, the ending was a bit rushed.
I may have very well liked this more and kept up better if I read it on kindle and not listed to the audiobook while multitasking - but that's no excuse for the issues that I had. I feel like anything you read on kindle you should be able to listen to on audio - unless it's a narrator issue and that wasn't a problem here.
I'm a little disappointed considering I've seen such high ratings in my feed. Oh well, on to the next one.
Many Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alex Finlay for the complementary audio advanced copy in exchange for my honest review 💐💖
May 7, 2024
What do I think of Alex Finlay’s newest book?
I loved it! He always brings his A-game to his stories, and once again he blew me away with this fun, fast-paced, pulse-pounding, mafia-laced thriller!
Five years ago, sweethearts Ryan Richardson and Alison Lane were on the cusp of heading to their respective colleges when their romantic Lover’s Lane night was interrupted by dark figures who knocked Ryan out before taking Alison.
Suspicion immediately fell on him, especially with his wild flashes of memory about a man missing his two pinkies, though a good lawyer and lack of evidence kept him from being charged.
Now with the new generic name Ryan Smith, he’s pursuing a law degree at Georgetown and trying to put the past behind him. On a trip to Italy with his classmates, that past comes back to find him in the form of a mysterious note that says:
“I know who you are.”
Little does he know that he’s about to be thrust into an all-out bonkers scenario involving a new small town sheriff’s deputy named Poppy McGee and a crime boss named Shane O’Leary when a new discovery is made about Ali's disappearance. They all have something at stake and it’s very personal. Who is friend and who is foe? As Ryan races to find the truth about the past, there are others who want to make sure he doesn’t find the answers!
To quote a great line from 2019 movie The Irishman:
“Three people can keep a secret only when two of them are dead.”
In a story epitomized by secrets, lies and revenge, it’s nearly impossible to know who to trust, and when the dead bodies start piling up and secrets are slowly revealed, it’s a race to see who’ll make it to the end!
No one was more surprised than me that I enjoyed this so much. I’m not a super huge fan of crime family stories, but this pulled me in from the jump with super speedy chapters and a constant flow of action and intrigue. I couldn’t wait to get back to it every time I had to step away. With great characters, world travel and a wildly engaging story, I can definitely see this making its way to the big screen at some point, and I’ll be in line for it!
You may be tempted to think this is just a fluff action story with one-dimensional mafia goons, naive small-town characters and young adults in peril, but the thing I loved most about this story is how wonderfully human and accessible ALL these characters are. It would be easy to just say mafia = BAD, but Finlay shows a vulnerable side of every character that allowed me to feel empathy, though not approval, of even the worst actions they took. That’s a tough trick to pull off, but he did it beautifully. I finished the story having liked or sympathized in some way with every major character!
I listened to this on audio while reading along on my Kindle. The narration by Helen Laser, John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh was excellent and I highly recommend both formats! Check out the author’s note at the end for a fun little insight into the book and Finlay’s writing style.
★★★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Alex Finlay for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This will be published May 28, 2024.
I loved it! He always brings his A-game to his stories, and once again he blew me away with this fun, fast-paced, pulse-pounding, mafia-laced thriller!
Five years ago, sweethearts Ryan Richardson and Alison Lane were on the cusp of heading to their respective colleges when their romantic Lover’s Lane night was interrupted by dark figures who knocked Ryan out before taking Alison.
Suspicion immediately fell on him, especially with his wild flashes of memory about a man missing his two pinkies, though a good lawyer and lack of evidence kept him from being charged.
Now with the new generic name Ryan Smith, he’s pursuing a law degree at Georgetown and trying to put the past behind him. On a trip to Italy with his classmates, that past comes back to find him in the form of a mysterious note that says:
“I know who you are.”
Little does he know that he’s about to be thrust into an all-out bonkers scenario involving a new small town sheriff’s deputy named Poppy McGee and a crime boss named Shane O’Leary when a new discovery is made about Ali's disappearance. They all have something at stake and it’s very personal. Who is friend and who is foe? As Ryan races to find the truth about the past, there are others who want to make sure he doesn’t find the answers!
To quote a great line from 2019 movie The Irishman:
“Three people can keep a secret only when two of them are dead.”
In a story epitomized by secrets, lies and revenge, it’s nearly impossible to know who to trust, and when the dead bodies start piling up and secrets are slowly revealed, it’s a race to see who’ll make it to the end!
No one was more surprised than me that I enjoyed this so much. I’m not a super huge fan of crime family stories, but this pulled me in from the jump with super speedy chapters and a constant flow of action and intrigue. I couldn’t wait to get back to it every time I had to step away. With great characters, world travel and a wildly engaging story, I can definitely see this making its way to the big screen at some point, and I’ll be in line for it!
You may be tempted to think this is just a fluff action story with one-dimensional mafia goons, naive small-town characters and young adults in peril, but the thing I loved most about this story is how wonderfully human and accessible ALL these characters are. It would be easy to just say mafia = BAD, but Finlay shows a vulnerable side of every character that allowed me to feel empathy, though not approval, of even the worst actions they took. That’s a tough trick to pull off, but he did it beautifully. I finished the story having liked or sympathized in some way with every major character!
I listened to this on audio while reading along on my Kindle. The narration by Helen Laser, John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh was excellent and I highly recommend both formats! Check out the author’s note at the end for a fun little insight into the book and Finlay’s writing style.
★★★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Alex Finlay for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This will be published May 28, 2024.
June 2, 2024
Plot:4⭐
Audio Narration: 5⭐
It’s been five years since Ryan Richardson witnessed the kidnapping of his girlfriend Alison Lane in their hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas. Ryan was left injured, with a vague recollection of his attacker, who was never found, and Alison and her car disappeared without a trace. Initially a prime suspect in her disappearance, Ryan is eventually acquitted, but the unwanted media attention surrounding the case forces him to change his name.
In the present day, he is a law student at Georgetown and while visiting Italy with a group of friends he is informed that Alison’s car was found submerged in Suncatcher Lake with the bodies of two men and Alison’s bag with a cryptic note. Ryan, able to decipher the note, embarks on his own quest to find out what happened to Ali.
In Leavenworth, Kansas, Poppy McGee, who only recently joined as deputy sheriff after being discharged from the army, is pursuing the investigation into Ali’s disappearance. She has her hands full, reviewing case files from five years ago, trying to locate Ryan and decode Ali’s message. As she delves into the details pertaining to Ali’s disappearance, Poppy begins to suspect that there are people close to her who might know more than they are letting on and unbeknownst to either Ryan or Poppy there are other forces at play and people with their own agenda who are monitoring their movements.
A cleverly crafted thriller with well-thought-out characters, If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay is a gripping read. A lot is going on in this novel, but the author deftly weaves it all together into a twisty and suspenseful fast-paced narrative presented through multiple perspectives in short chapters and not a boring moment. I will admit that I could predict one of the major twists/reveals midway through the novel, but this in no way detracted from my overall experience because there were plenty of surprises along the way.
I loved the full-cast audio narration featuring Helen Laser and John Pirhalla and Paul Dateh, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience that I finished in one day.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller! As with most books in this genre, there are OTT elements, but don’t overthink it and just enjoy the wild ride!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
January 24, 2024
*After more thought I've changed my rating to 5*, this was a really great ride!
This twisty thriller grabbed me from the first page!! Ryan Richardson and Alison Lane are parked in a quiet area close to Suncatcher lake for some time together.
The next thing that Ryan remembers is the passenger door being ripped open, hearing Ali’s piercing scream and being struck on the head as he is pulled from the car!! Later he will come to remember only one thing about the attacker — you will find out what that is.
Ryan is never found guilty of Ali’s disappearance but he is nevertheless hounded by podcasters and the press. He changes his name and enters law school to start a new life.
Poppy McGee is a young deputy sheriff in Ryan’s hometown, recently discharged from the army. Before she has a lot of time on the job, a submerged vehicle is pulled from Suncatcher lake. There are two men inside and a cryptic note!
It is 5 years since Ali’s abduction and Ryan is on a school trip to Italy. He gets the news about the vehicle that was pulled from the lake and a cryptic note “If Something Happens To Me” written in Ali’s handwriting!
There is yet another POV in this novel, that is Anthony O’Leary who has started in a new academy. His father is Shane and is the leader of a mob family.
OMG, there is so much going on in this book. The short chapters kept my interest and I thought this was a wild and entertaining ride.
Poppy was my favorite character as she tries to untangle the mystery that the recovered vehicle presents.
I think this is the return of Mr. Finlay to his earlier very twisty and character driven plots and I loved it!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
This twisty thriller grabbed me from the first page!! Ryan Richardson and Alison Lane are parked in a quiet area close to Suncatcher lake for some time together.
The next thing that Ryan remembers is the passenger door being ripped open, hearing Ali’s piercing scream and being struck on the head as he is pulled from the car!! Later he will come to remember only one thing about the attacker — you will find out what that is.
Ryan is never found guilty of Ali’s disappearance but he is nevertheless hounded by podcasters and the press. He changes his name and enters law school to start a new life.
Poppy McGee is a young deputy sheriff in Ryan’s hometown, recently discharged from the army. Before she has a lot of time on the job, a submerged vehicle is pulled from Suncatcher lake. There are two men inside and a cryptic note!
It is 5 years since Ali’s abduction and Ryan is on a school trip to Italy. He gets the news about the vehicle that was pulled from the lake and a cryptic note “If Something Happens To Me” written in Ali’s handwriting!
There is yet another POV in this novel, that is Anthony O’Leary who has started in a new academy. His father is Shane and is the leader of a mob family.
OMG, there is so much going on in this book. The short chapters kept my interest and I thought this was a wild and entertaining ride.
Poppy was my favorite character as she tries to untangle the mystery that the recovered vehicle presents.
I think this is the return of Mr. Finlay to his earlier very twisty and character driven plots and I loved it!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
January 13, 2024
Woohoo!!!! Alex Finlay has wowed me yet again! I LOVED this book!!! It kept me on my toes, turning the pages with a gleeful smile on my face! This is how you do it! Anyone picking this book up to read is in for a treat! If Something Happens to Me is gripping, fast paced, shocking, perfectly plotted and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea what I was getting into when I turned the very first page, and I loved every second of it.
A young teen is bullied at an elite school and the aftermath leaves his parents devastated.
Five years ago, Ryan Richardson was at lover's lane with his girlfriend, Alison, when suddenly a man opened the door yanking him from the car. Alison and her car were never seen again. Everyone thought Ryan was responsible but with no proof he has been able to move on even though the court of public opinion still believes him to be responsible. He has now moved on and while in Italy with his law school friends, he gets a call from his father informing him that Alison's car has been found.
Poppy McGee had just started her job as a deputy sheriff when a car if found. Inside is an envelope which reads "If something happens to me." She is up for the challenge and throws herself into the investigation and will stop at nothing until she gets some answers.
Wowza! This book was a well thought out, well written, fast paced page turner! It also has a nice amount of shocking twists and reveals. There are quite a few characters in this book, but it was easy to keep track of all of them. I loved how Finlay brought everything together in the end. Paths will cross, answers will be sought, tensions will rise, and readers will be left amazed. Finlay blew me away with this well thought out, well written and thrilling book.
Highly Recommend.
TW: bullying, violence
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A young teen is bullied at an elite school and the aftermath leaves his parents devastated.
Five years ago, Ryan Richardson was at lover's lane with his girlfriend, Alison, when suddenly a man opened the door yanking him from the car. Alison and her car were never seen again. Everyone thought Ryan was responsible but with no proof he has been able to move on even though the court of public opinion still believes him to be responsible. He has now moved on and while in Italy with his law school friends, he gets a call from his father informing him that Alison's car has been found.
Poppy McGee had just started her job as a deputy sheriff when a car if found. Inside is an envelope which reads "If something happens to me." She is up for the challenge and throws herself into the investigation and will stop at nothing until she gets some answers.
Wowza! This book was a well thought out, well written, fast paced page turner! It also has a nice amount of shocking twists and reveals. There are quite a few characters in this book, but it was easy to keep track of all of them. I loved how Finlay brought everything together in the end. Paths will cross, answers will be sought, tensions will rise, and readers will be left amazed. Finlay blew me away with this well thought out, well written and thrilling book.
Highly Recommend.
TW: bullying, violence
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
June 17, 2024
Laced with thrills and chills. Jaw-dropping twists. Non-stop suspense mixed judiciously with some drama. All of the above describes If Something Happens to Me to a T. With a perfectly plotted, interwoven storyline and characters that had me cheering them on from the sidelines, this epic game of cat-and-mouse was everything I love about Finlay’s novels and more. This time around, though, we got to ride shotgun as the villains and heroes battled it out on both sides of the Atlantic. Needless to say, I couldn’t put the book down.
While there was quite the long list of characters, the short chapters and intense scenes kept my eyes glued firmly to the pages. Told from multiple POVs and in three parts, there was more than one staggering revelation that completely rearranged everything that I thought I knew with a mind-blowing twist. Perfect for fans of Charlie Donlea or Harlan Coben, the cliffhanger scenes and fast-pace meant it was a rollercoaster ride of suspense. Not once did I have even a glimmer of what was really going on, which kept me happily addicted as I held on for dear life.
I do have to add a minor warning, however. This is one book where you’ll have to suspend all disbelief. At the same time, though, certain topics within the plot made it plausible, I guess. Having no experience with it myself, I just couldn’t say. But if you approach this novel with an open mind, the adrenaline-fueled storyline will mean a raucous good time.
All in all, Finlay clearly came out a winner yet again with psychological thriller number four. Already one of my auto-buy authors, the seemingly unconnected threads of this dynamite plot meant that he merely cemented his name firmly in place. Now I’m crossing my fingers and toes that this book ends up playing on a screen near me someday soon. After all, the palpable tension and edge-of-your-seat action are primed and ready. I have just one caveat, though. I strongly recommend going into this one blind. You’ll be all the better for it. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 28, 2024
Trigger warning: criminal organization, cancer, mention of: bullying, suicide
For those of you incapable of reading a book without perusing the synopsis first, here’s the publisher’s two cents:
For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.
With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.
Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…
Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.
As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.
While there was quite the long list of characters, the short chapters and intense scenes kept my eyes glued firmly to the pages. Told from multiple POVs and in three parts, there was more than one staggering revelation that completely rearranged everything that I thought I knew with a mind-blowing twist. Perfect for fans of Charlie Donlea or Harlan Coben, the cliffhanger scenes and fast-pace meant it was a rollercoaster ride of suspense. Not once did I have even a glimmer of what was really going on, which kept me happily addicted as I held on for dear life.
I do have to add a minor warning, however. This is one book where you’ll have to suspend all disbelief. At the same time, though, certain topics within the plot made it plausible, I guess. Having no experience with it myself, I just couldn’t say. But if you approach this novel with an open mind, the adrenaline-fueled storyline will mean a raucous good time.
All in all, Finlay clearly came out a winner yet again with psychological thriller number four. Already one of my auto-buy authors, the seemingly unconnected threads of this dynamite plot meant that he merely cemented his name firmly in place. Now I’m crossing my fingers and toes that this book ends up playing on a screen near me someday soon. After all, the palpable tension and edge-of-your-seat action are primed and ready. I have just one caveat, though. I strongly recommend going into this one blind. You’ll be all the better for it. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Alex Finlay and Minotaur Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 28, 2024
Trigger warning: criminal organization, cancer, mention of: bullying, suicide
For those of you incapable of reading a book without perusing the synopsis first, here’s the publisher’s two cents:
For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali’s piercing scream as she is taken.
With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he’s never charged, though that doesn’t matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.
Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written on the envelope in Ali’s handwriting: If something happens to me…
Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.
As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff’s deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who’s experienced tragedy of his own.
June 26, 2024
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.
There is plenty of love for this one, so don't take my word for it.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
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.
There is plenty of love for this one, so don't take my word for it.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
July 28, 2025
Oh Alex, you had me at page 4. And, then you did it again. You kept at it with every chapter. What were you doing to me? My pulse couldn’t stop racing. I kept checking my Apple Watch to make sure I wasn’t hyperventilating from all the excitement, as you kept me hanging and wanting more from all the little shocker reveals at the end of each chapter.
Ryan and Ali(son) are so in love. They are at the end of their high school year, and they want to have this instant romantic evening together before they head off to their separate colleges. And, just as they might be able to have that loving teenage moment together at their favorite hang-out secluded spot, a storm hits.
But wait readers, there is more!
As they head for shelter to Ali’s car, did someone knock Ryan out, or are we imagining it?
And then, readers find Ryan waking up, Alison and her car are gone and it is daylight. Chapter ends.
And, thus this is how it is throughout the book. Moments like this with explicit tension.
Something dramatic happens at the end of each chapter where readers are left hanging with a piece of news hoping for some explanation…but not necessarily getting it. Yet!
And, that is where readers feel like they are attending a masterclass in expert plotting.
By chapter 2, readers find themselves fast forwarding 5 years later. What happened? Ryan has changed his last name and although he is evading his past, it seems to be catching up to him. Why?
Readers are still left wondering what happened to Alison that fateful night 5 years earlier. And, what happens when Alison’s car is found 5 years later? And, what happens when some (thing?) is found in Alison’s car that isn’t Alison? And, who is after Ryan now?
Will the past ever be resolved?
And, will Karen ever get some sleep? (That’s me! Spoiler reveal: No.)
So many questions…
I couldn’t turn pages fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns in this fast-paced, riveting story that will have readers guessing what really happened on that night long ago. And, if readers think they know…don’t be so sure of yourself!
Ryan and Ali(son) are so in love. They are at the end of their high school year, and they want to have this instant romantic evening together before they head off to their separate colleges. And, just as they might be able to have that loving teenage moment together at their favorite hang-out secluded spot, a storm hits.
But wait readers, there is more!
As they head for shelter to Ali’s car, did someone knock Ryan out, or are we imagining it?
And then, readers find Ryan waking up, Alison and her car are gone and it is daylight. Chapter ends.
And, thus this is how it is throughout the book. Moments like this with explicit tension.
Something dramatic happens at the end of each chapter where readers are left hanging with a piece of news hoping for some explanation…but not necessarily getting it. Yet!
And, that is where readers feel like they are attending a masterclass in expert plotting.
By chapter 2, readers find themselves fast forwarding 5 years later. What happened? Ryan has changed his last name and although he is evading his past, it seems to be catching up to him. Why?
Readers are still left wondering what happened to Alison that fateful night 5 years earlier. And, what happens when Alison’s car is found 5 years later? And, what happens when some (thing?) is found in Alison’s car that isn’t Alison? And, who is after Ryan now?
Will the past ever be resolved?
And, will Karen ever get some sleep? (That’s me! Spoiler reveal: No.)
So many questions…
I couldn’t turn pages fast enough to keep up with the twists and turns in this fast-paced, riveting story that will have readers guessing what really happened on that night long ago. And, if readers think they know…don’t be so sure of yourself!
June 1, 2024
Whoa! I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I requested this ARC! What a compulsive, action-packed read!
A bullying incident at a prestigious Prep School goes horribly wrong: the violence (mostly - but not always - off page) escalates, the body count starts to mount and a local mob leader will stop at nothing to get his revenge, no matter how many years it takes to punish the group of entitled teens whose hazing drove his son to take his own life.
You can run, but you can't hide: young Ryan and Alison's lives will never be the same....
Right up until those very last nail-biting chapters, I was unable to fathom how this whole sorry mess could possibly end well.
So, because I don't want to drop any spoilers, I am just going to say that I could not put this book down and will definitely be seeking out other books by this talented author. Finlay's characters (both despicable and endearing) sprang off the page and breathed and battled before my eyes. Well done: 5 out of 5 well deserved stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
UPDATE: I am attaching Alex Finlay's book tour ad, should any of you wish to get your copy of his newest book signed, or do a meet and greet!
A bullying incident at a prestigious Prep School goes horribly wrong: the violence (mostly - but not always - off page) escalates, the body count starts to mount and a local mob leader will stop at nothing to get his revenge, no matter how many years it takes to punish the group of entitled teens whose hazing drove his son to take his own life.
You can run, but you can't hide: young Ryan and Alison's lives will never be the same....
Right up until those very last nail-biting chapters, I was unable to fathom how this whole sorry mess could possibly end well.
So, because I don't want to drop any spoilers, I am just going to say that I could not put this book down and will definitely be seeking out other books by this talented author. Finlay's characters (both despicable and endearing) sprang off the page and breathed and battled before my eyes. Well done: 5 out of 5 well deserved stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
UPDATE: I am attaching Alex Finlay's book tour ad, should any of you wish to get your copy of his newest book signed, or do a meet and greet!
September 25, 2024
5 Stars
It is the third Alex Finlay novel I’ve read, and I loved it😍 Prepare to cancel your plans and anticipate a book hangover. If Something Happens to Me is exhilarating, taut, compelling, cleverly plotted. I suggest you go in as I did blind to enjoy the book and avoid spoilers. I am not going to elaborate more on the characters. 🤐
Anthony is bullied and humiliated at a party—the result is shocking, and he leaves his parents heartbroken and enraged with thoughts of revenge. That leads to a collision course with the main and secondary characters that is pacy with non-stop action: ‘Hauntingly heartbreaking scarifies, unforeseen twists, and an emotionally shattering conclusion.’
On a hot and humid summer night, Allison and Ryan drive to Lovers Lane (a popular place where teenagers go to make out). Ryan follows Allison to their favourite spot under a large oak tree and lays out a blanket. As they begin to kiss, a flash lights up the night sky and a drop of rain falls on Ryan's cheek. Allison and Ryan race to her car as the rain falls in a downpour. They pick up where they left off suddenly. The door flies open, and a man knocks Ryan out and pulls him from the car— he awakens on the wet grass; it's morning, and Allison and her vehicle have disappeared.
Five years later
Ryan has moved on with his life. While in Italy with his friends and classmates from Georgetown University, he hears a voicemail from his father informing him that the police retrieved Allison's BMW, submerged in Suncatcher Lake—
It's Poppy McGee's first day as deputy sheriff with the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office; the Sheriff informs her that some YouTube Slueths posted a video of a vehicle submerged at the bottom of Suncatcher Lake. When Poppy arrives at the lake, they confirm that the car submerged is Allison Lake's BMW. Inside the car, they find among her personal effects an envelope written on the front in her handwriting — if something happens to me, inside the envelope is a cipher written on a piece of paper. Who is it for? What does this mean? Also inside were the remains of two men. Who are they? Did they know or abduct Alison? And where is Allison? Poppy is determined to solve this mystery and will stop at nothing until she gets the answers to her many questions.
It's a propulsive thriller that is taut, with secrets, lies, betrayal, non-stop suspense, and drama; well-paced with short chapters, gasp-worthy twists, and multiple storylines and timelines that Finlay seamlessly weaves together that will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you fully immersed until the final pages. I highly recommend you read this. You won't be disappointed! It’s my favourite thriller of the year.
I want to thank St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ADC in exchange for an honest review.
It is the third Alex Finlay novel I’ve read, and I loved it😍 Prepare to cancel your plans and anticipate a book hangover. If Something Happens to Me is exhilarating, taut, compelling, cleverly plotted. I suggest you go in as I did blind to enjoy the book and avoid spoilers. I am not going to elaborate more on the characters. 🤐
Anthony is bullied and humiliated at a party—the result is shocking, and he leaves his parents heartbroken and enraged with thoughts of revenge. That leads to a collision course with the main and secondary characters that is pacy with non-stop action: ‘Hauntingly heartbreaking scarifies, unforeseen twists, and an emotionally shattering conclusion.’
On a hot and humid summer night, Allison and Ryan drive to Lovers Lane (a popular place where teenagers go to make out). Ryan follows Allison to their favourite spot under a large oak tree and lays out a blanket. As they begin to kiss, a flash lights up the night sky and a drop of rain falls on Ryan's cheek. Allison and Ryan race to her car as the rain falls in a downpour. They pick up where they left off suddenly. The door flies open, and a man knocks Ryan out and pulls him from the car— he awakens on the wet grass; it's morning, and Allison and her vehicle have disappeared.
Five years later
Ryan has moved on with his life. While in Italy with his friends and classmates from Georgetown University, he hears a voicemail from his father informing him that the police retrieved Allison's BMW, submerged in Suncatcher Lake—
It's Poppy McGee's first day as deputy sheriff with the Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office; the Sheriff informs her that some YouTube Slueths posted a video of a vehicle submerged at the bottom of Suncatcher Lake. When Poppy arrives at the lake, they confirm that the car submerged is Allison Lake's BMW. Inside the car, they find among her personal effects an envelope written on the front in her handwriting — if something happens to me, inside the envelope is a cipher written on a piece of paper. Who is it for? What does this mean? Also inside were the remains of two men. Who are they? Did they know or abduct Alison? And where is Allison? Poppy is determined to solve this mystery and will stop at nothing until she gets the answers to her many questions.
It's a propulsive thriller that is taut, with secrets, lies, betrayal, non-stop suspense, and drama; well-paced with short chapters, gasp-worthy twists, and multiple storylines and timelines that Finlay seamlessly weaves together that will have you on the edge of your seat and keep you fully immersed until the final pages. I highly recommend you read this. You won't be disappointed! It’s my favourite thriller of the year.
I want to thank St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the ADC in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2024
Ryan has been living a nightmare since high school, when his girlfriend Ali was ripped from his arms one night, never to be seen again. His recollection of that evening was vague. To compound the pain, no one believed his tale of what happened.
Years later Ryan changed his last name hoping to reinvent himself.
On a trip to Italy with his law school classmates he catches sight of something that shocks him to the core. It’s the man from that dreaded day! Ryan must risk his own life to track this man down and finally find out what happened to Ali.
Once again Alex Finlay writes a propulsive read that keeps you fully engaged trying to assemble the pieces of the puzzle together. I’ve enjoyed all his previous books and look forward to more in the future! He’s definitely become a go-to author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
Years later Ryan changed his last name hoping to reinvent himself.
On a trip to Italy with his law school classmates he catches sight of something that shocks him to the core. It’s the man from that dreaded day! Ryan must risk his own life to track this man down and finally find out what happened to Ali.
Once again Alex Finlay writes a propulsive read that keeps you fully engaged trying to assemble the pieces of the puzzle together. I’ve enjoyed all his previous books and look forward to more in the future! He’s definitely become a go-to author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press
soft-dnf
June 30, 2024 ₊˚⊹♡ reading log
♡︎.ᐟજ⁀➴ 28/06 11:25pm
is this starting off as thrilling? i don't think so, it doesn't have the atmosphere (yet). maybe i am in a slump?
₊˚⊹♡ pre-reading
hello! i made the mistake of burning out on romance books and then entered a subsequent slump and then got so busy with uni and i haven't picked up a book all week so i'm down to relax with a thriller ₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.
♡︎.ᐟજ⁀➴ 28/06 11:25pm
is this starting off as thrilling? i don't think so, it doesn't have the atmosphere (yet). maybe i am in a slump?
₊˚⊹♡ pre-reading
hello! i made the mistake of burning out on romance books and then entered a subsequent slump and then got so busy with uni and i haven't picked up a book all week so i'm down to relax with a thriller ₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.
May 25, 2024
Holy Guacamole! This was a banger! 🔥🔥🔥 Alex Finlay wrote one hell of a story and I loved every bit of it!
One night Ryan and Ali are sitting at Lovers Point talking about their future after high school. They’re high school sweethearts and definitely in love. Then the unthinkable happens….. someone has opened the door, knocked Ryan over the head and taken Ali. Who would do this and why?
Then five years pass. The car Ali was driving is found submerged in a local lake with two bodies found inside, but no Ali. Who are these people and what in heck happened to Ali?
There is another storyline going on as well that I would love to tell you about but then that would be saying too much. All I can tell you is that somehow these stories are connected. Boy oh boy, once that came together, this turned into a full on WILD RIDE! 😱
So much is going on and you’ve got to pay close attention to the details. Was it too much? Absolutely not! In fact, I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! Work just became a problem 🤣
Put this on your TBR! Preorder this NOW! You will not be disappointed! A full on rollercoaster of a ride! Action and suspense will keep you gripped to this phenomenal read!!!!
A huge MASSIVE THANKS to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Alex Finlay for this opportunity! All opinions are my own.
Release date May 28, 2024
5 shining ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One night Ryan and Ali are sitting at Lovers Point talking about their future after high school. They’re high school sweethearts and definitely in love. Then the unthinkable happens….. someone has opened the door, knocked Ryan over the head and taken Ali. Who would do this and why?
Then five years pass. The car Ali was driving is found submerged in a local lake with two bodies found inside, but no Ali. Who are these people and what in heck happened to Ali?
There is another storyline going on as well that I would love to tell you about but then that would be saying too much. All I can tell you is that somehow these stories are connected. Boy oh boy, once that came together, this turned into a full on WILD RIDE! 😱
So much is going on and you’ve got to pay close attention to the details. Was it too much? Absolutely not! In fact, I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! Work just became a problem 🤣
Put this on your TBR! Preorder this NOW! You will not be disappointed! A full on rollercoaster of a ride! Action and suspense will keep you gripped to this phenomenal read!!!!
A huge MASSIVE THANKS to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Alex Finlay for this opportunity! All opinions are my own.
Release date May 28, 2024
5 shining ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 16, 2024
Alex Finlay has written another fast paced thriller. Five years ago, Ryan and his girlfriend Ali were parked at the local “lover’s lane”. He’s attacked and when he comes to, Ali and the car are gone. The only thing he remembers about his attacker was that he was missing both his pinkies. Now, Ali’s car has been found with two men executed inside. And in her purse, an envelope in Ali’s handwriting “if something happens to me” with a cryptic message inside.
The story bounces between multiple characters. Ryan has changed his name and is now in law school. On a trip to Italy, he sees the 8 fingered man. Meanwhile, Poppy is a new sheriff’s deputy and is working the cold case. And then there’s Shane O’Leary, a crime boss in Philadelphia. How does he figure into the story? I found all three of these characters to be well developed.
This is great entertainment. It’s a quick, easy read and moves at a high rate of speed. There are plenty of twists and I appreciated that I didn’t see them coming.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an advance copy of this book.
The story bounces between multiple characters. Ryan has changed his name and is now in law school. On a trip to Italy, he sees the 8 fingered man. Meanwhile, Poppy is a new sheriff’s deputy and is working the cold case. And then there’s Shane O’Leary, a crime boss in Philadelphia. How does he figure into the story? I found all three of these characters to be well developed.
This is great entertainment. It’s a quick, easy read and moves at a high rate of speed. There are plenty of twists and I appreciated that I didn’t see them coming.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an advance copy of this book.
April 9, 2024
This story started off with a bang- and just kept on going!! I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to keep up, because we have several locations and characters throughout this story. But don’t worry, it’s easy to keep up with, and all the twists and turns have everything come together nicely.
Poppy is a new police detective, and it’s her first day on the job when a car that has been submerged underwater in the lake nearby has been discovered. Is this the car that belonged to Alison Lane, the teenage girl that went missing all those years ago? Alison’s boyfriend, Ryan Richardson was yanked out of the car and has little memory of what happened that night. Does Ryan remember the man that yanked him out of the car and drove off with his girlfriend, or is it just a figment of his imagination? What really happened that night, and will Ryan ever live a normal life again?
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania we have Shane O’Leary who “runs” the city per se… Shane is a man that you don’t want to double cross, and he has several men that work for him. Yes, he’s a mob boss. Shane and his wife experience a horrible tragedy, and all those involved will pay. But just how far can you run?
This story was divided into three parts with short, quick chapters that made this book easy to read. This book was action packed and full of thrills! Once again, Alex Finlay is at the top of his game and moving forward he is an auto-read/auto-buy author for me! This is one book that you don’t want to miss!
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and the author for an ARC of this book. Publication date: May 28, 2024. Genre~ General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
May 14, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Looking for some much desired alone time, Ryan and Ali, a high school couple, find a quiet place to park in their hometown by Suncatcher Lake.
The next thing Ryan knows, it's hours later, he's laying on the ground having been bludgeoned in the head and Ali is gone. He remembers being yanked out of the car at some point, and briefly seeing a strange man, but that's it.
In the aftermath of Ali's disappearance, everyone suspected Ryan. The ole' logic of, it's always the husband, or boyfriend, in full effect. The fact that there's no evidence against him, doesn't stop the world from speculating.
Haunted by that night and the blow to his reputation, Ryan changed his last name and moved away for law school. Nevertheless, he hasn't truly been able to move on. Ali was the love of his life and it tortures him imagining what may have happened to her.
Five years later, in Italy on a trip with some law school classmates, Ryan gets an unexpected call from his father. Ali's car has just been found submerged in Suncatcher Lake.
Once the car is recovered from the water, a grisly discovery is revealed. There are two dead men in the trunk, along with a cryptic note contained in an envelope that has five words written on it in Ali's handwriting:
If something happens to me...
Obviously, this reopens everything for Ryan. With that night fresh in his mind, the unthinkable happens. Ryan actually spots the man he remembers seeing that night. What is that man doing in Italy? Who the heck is he?
Ryan is no longer a scared teen. He pursues the man. He needs answers and he's not stopping until he gets them.
If Something Happens to Me is a whirlwind ride. The drama takes place in multiple countries and follows a few different perspectives. Initially, it's jarring, but as the pieces start falling into place, the various connections are revealed.
Even though this isn't my favorite Finlay novel, that distinction goes to The Night Shift, there's no denying he knows how to deliver the action and page-turning intrigue.
This is a very action-oriented Thriller, most in line with Finlay's earlier work, Every Last Fear. The various perspectives each help to build out a different aspect of the underlying mystery and it always impresses me how much detail Finlay goes into.
For me, Ryan's perspective was the most memorable, but I also enjoyed Poppy McGee, a young deputy from Ryan's hometown, brought onto the case after the car is found.
As a side note, there were certain elements of this that reminded me of the series, Your Honor, featuring Bryan Cranston, but with an international twist.
Overall, this is fast-paced and twisty. I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration. It felt compelling and I needed to keep reading until it was complete.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Alex Finlay is a force to be reckoned with in the Thriller space, and I'll continue picking up his work!
Looking for some much desired alone time, Ryan and Ali, a high school couple, find a quiet place to park in their hometown by Suncatcher Lake.
The next thing Ryan knows, it's hours later, he's laying on the ground having been bludgeoned in the head and Ali is gone. He remembers being yanked out of the car at some point, and briefly seeing a strange man, but that's it.
In the aftermath of Ali's disappearance, everyone suspected Ryan. The ole' logic of, it's always the husband, or boyfriend, in full effect. The fact that there's no evidence against him, doesn't stop the world from speculating.
Haunted by that night and the blow to his reputation, Ryan changed his last name and moved away for law school. Nevertheless, he hasn't truly been able to move on. Ali was the love of his life and it tortures him imagining what may have happened to her.
Five years later, in Italy on a trip with some law school classmates, Ryan gets an unexpected call from his father. Ali's car has just been found submerged in Suncatcher Lake.
Once the car is recovered from the water, a grisly discovery is revealed. There are two dead men in the trunk, along with a cryptic note contained in an envelope that has five words written on it in Ali's handwriting:
If something happens to me...
Obviously, this reopens everything for Ryan. With that night fresh in his mind, the unthinkable happens. Ryan actually spots the man he remembers seeing that night. What is that man doing in Italy? Who the heck is he?
Ryan is no longer a scared teen. He pursues the man. He needs answers and he's not stopping until he gets them.
If Something Happens to Me is a whirlwind ride. The drama takes place in multiple countries and follows a few different perspectives. Initially, it's jarring, but as the pieces start falling into place, the various connections are revealed.
Even though this isn't my favorite Finlay novel, that distinction goes to The Night Shift, there's no denying he knows how to deliver the action and page-turning intrigue.
This is a very action-oriented Thriller, most in line with Finlay's earlier work, Every Last Fear. The various perspectives each help to build out a different aspect of the underlying mystery and it always impresses me how much detail Finlay goes into.
For me, Ryan's perspective was the most memorable, but I also enjoyed Poppy McGee, a young deputy from Ryan's hometown, brought onto the case after the car is found.
As a side note, there were certain elements of this that reminded me of the series, Your Honor, featuring Bryan Cranston, but with an international twist.
Overall, this is fast-paced and twisty. I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration. It felt compelling and I needed to keep reading until it was complete.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Alex Finlay is a force to be reckoned with in the Thriller space, and I'll continue picking up his work!
April 15, 2024
Ryan Richardson will never ever forget the night five years ago when his girlfriend Ali Lane is taken screaming from her car and he receives a blow to the head. Hours later when he recovers consciousness, the car is gone and so is Ali. Probably inevitably, a cloud of suspicion hangs over his head and although he’s never charged, he faces tough questioning. The experience definitely scars him but motivates him to want to study law and currently he’s in Italy on a law school trip with some classmates. Whilst there, he receives a call from his father informing him that Alice’s car has been discovered submerged in Suncatcher Lake. Inside are the bodies of two men, and some possessions of Ali’s including a cryptic note ‘If something happens to me’ …. This news sends Ryan into a tail spin, but when he believes he sees the man who has haunted him since that shocking night, his anxiety levels rocket to sky high. Thus starts a quest that takes Ryan from Italy to England, France and eventually back to Leavenworth in Kansas.
Meanwhile in Leavenworth, newly appointed Deputy Sheriff Poppy McGee is working the case and how on earth does Philly mob leader Shane O’Leary fit into the mystery? The story is told via Ryan, Poppy and Shane, the latter giving us a conundrum to figure out.
Thwack. Can you hear that? That’s the whack of the ball as Alex Finlay knocks it out the park, again. I love the way that he deepens the mystery, as if he’s dropped a stone into water with the concentric circles rippling out. It’s multilayered, unsettling, there are some fantastic images and great settings that provide an atmosphere backdrop to the unfolding jaw dropping drama.
It’s a totally engaging and thrilling storyline, the pace is spot on keeping you on the edge of your seat, turning pages and desperate to get to the truth. The tension levels escalate, at times I can scarcely breathe as the danger is so intense especially as I become wrapped up in Ryan’s life and Poppy’s actions. These are very likeable characters, they’re resourceful, brave and full of gumption.
Overall, Alex Finlay delivers yet again, making him an auto read author for me. It’s clever but also fun and highly entertaining. Yes, there’s a bit of disbelief suspension but what a ride! It’s a cracker of a read, an easy five stars and one I can highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/Aries for the much appreciated and returned for an honest review.
Meanwhile in Leavenworth, newly appointed Deputy Sheriff Poppy McGee is working the case and how on earth does Philly mob leader Shane O’Leary fit into the mystery? The story is told via Ryan, Poppy and Shane, the latter giving us a conundrum to figure out.
Thwack. Can you hear that? That’s the whack of the ball as Alex Finlay knocks it out the park, again. I love the way that he deepens the mystery, as if he’s dropped a stone into water with the concentric circles rippling out. It’s multilayered, unsettling, there are some fantastic images and great settings that provide an atmosphere backdrop to the unfolding jaw dropping drama.
It’s a totally engaging and thrilling storyline, the pace is spot on keeping you on the edge of your seat, turning pages and desperate to get to the truth. The tension levels escalate, at times I can scarcely breathe as the danger is so intense especially as I become wrapped up in Ryan’s life and Poppy’s actions. These are very likeable characters, they’re resourceful, brave and full of gumption.
Overall, Alex Finlay delivers yet again, making him an auto read author for me. It’s clever but also fun and highly entertaining. Yes, there’s a bit of disbelief suspension but what a ride! It’s a cracker of a read, an easy five stars and one I can highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/Aries for the much appreciated and returned for an honest review.
April 12, 2024
what a fun binge! i enjoyed this one—might be my fave of his (have read them all).
can i just say how much i love quick chapter books?!?! round of applause. the real MVPs. these chapters were like 3-5 pages max, and it makes the book go by sooo fast and makes it harder to put down. i think i read this book in under 3 hours.
i really liked the triple POV in this one. the synopsis made me nervous too much would be going on but they flowed sooo well together. the mobster chapters were also very fun—they got a little “holy shit he went there” like Karin Slaughter vibes but it worked.
my main issue was that the ending was a bit too wrapped up for my thriller taste. you guys know im a thriller snob so i’m always looking for that WOWWW / shocking moment. that said, i reallllllyyyy liked the twist at the end of Part 1. i guessed a bigger twist in Part 2. and the ending left me wanting a bit more, maybe 5-10 more pages to wrap it up?
it wasn’t a groundbreaking and unique OMG thriller, but this was a very fun, popcorn-style binge thriller! he will remain and auto buy author for me. look to save this for a pool/beach read and enjoy the ride 🤓
out in May. thanks to Minotaur for the gifted ARC!
can i just say how much i love quick chapter books?!?! round of applause. the real MVPs. these chapters were like 3-5 pages max, and it makes the book go by sooo fast and makes it harder to put down. i think i read this book in under 3 hours.
i really liked the triple POV in this one. the synopsis made me nervous too much would be going on but they flowed sooo well together. the mobster chapters were also very fun—they got a little “holy shit he went there” like Karin Slaughter vibes but it worked.
my main issue was that the ending was a bit too wrapped up for my thriller taste. you guys know im a thriller snob so i’m always looking for that WOWWW / shocking moment. that said, i reallllllyyyy liked the twist at the end of Part 1. i guessed a bigger twist in Part 2. and the ending left me wanting a bit more, maybe 5-10 more pages to wrap it up?
it wasn’t a groundbreaking and unique OMG thriller, but this was a very fun, popcorn-style binge thriller! he will remain and auto buy author for me. look to save this for a pool/beach read and enjoy the ride 🤓
out in May. thanks to Minotaur for the gifted ARC!
November 21, 2024
3.5
Le sigh… a lost star for pushing “far-fetched” into the realm of “isn’t that convenient?”(said in a Church lady accent— lol) and another 1/2 star because of bad timing. (Mine, not the author’s).
I love a mystery/thriller that involves old crimes or secrets being revealed or solved decades later. This one has about 10 years in between and I have to admit the twists and turns were pretty good. I especially liked how the two time lines were skewed which made some of the reveals even better. The author may have traded shallow characterization for the thrills, but that worked for the most part.
Sadly, after a near 60-day wait between the first 70% and the ending, the rabbits being pulled out of one of the characters’ top hat (I think it’s safe to safe while on the run) was so unbelievably convenient, that I might have even cried out, “Oh, come on,” once or twice. Clever is great but that kind of preplanning was downright preposterous.
Despite those criticisms, it was a pretty good ending— justice was served.
I will definitely read another Alex Finlay book, but I’ll make sure not to wait until three days before the book is due back to start it ‘cuz that definitely killed some of the thriller vibes.
(Reviewed 9/15/24)
Le sigh… a lost star for pushing “far-fetched” into the realm of “isn’t that convenient?”(said in a Church lady accent— lol) and another 1/2 star because of bad timing. (Mine, not the author’s).
I love a mystery/thriller that involves old crimes or secrets being revealed or solved decades later. This one has about 10 years in between and I have to admit the twists and turns were pretty good. I especially liked how the two time lines were skewed which made some of the reveals even better. The author may have traded shallow characterization for the thrills, but that worked for the most part.
Sadly, after a near 60-day wait between the first 70% and the ending, the rabbits being pulled out of one of the characters’ top hat (I think it’s safe to safe while on the run) was so unbelievably convenient, that I might have even cried out, “Oh, come on,” once or twice. Clever is great but that kind of preplanning was downright preposterous.
Despite those criticisms, it was a pretty good ending— justice was served.
I will definitely read another Alex Finlay book, but I’ll make sure not to wait until three days before the book is due back to start it ‘cuz that definitely killed some of the thriller vibes.
(Reviewed 9/15/24)
May 29, 2024
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.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
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.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
March 1, 2024
Loved this latest by Alex Finlay. Superb characters, and a timely, twisting plot that had me racing to the end.
April 29, 2024
Ryan and his girlfriend, Ali, are at Lover's Lane doing what young teenagers in love do when Ryan is hit unconscious. When he finally comes to his girlfriend and her car are gone. What happened to Ali?
Ryan is accused of foul play. They don't believe him when he says he didn't see anything which makes him their #1 suspect. His Dad hires a hot shot lawyer and no charges are filed and no evidence is found but Ryan's life will never be the same again. People never forget when you're accused of murder.
Fast forward 5 years later and Ali's car has been found in the bottom of a lake. Inside are two long since dead men and Ali's handbag. Inside that hand bag is a note "If something happens to me" followed by a cryptic puzzle.
Is it possible that Ali's alive and safe somewhere? You'll have to read this to find out!
Okay, I can totally see why this book has such high ratings. Fast paced, short chapters, and likeable characters you can root for will leave many thriller readers *thrilled* with Alex Finlay's latest. I liked it well enough but it was never a love match for me. My main complaint is the mafia aspect. I just didn't buy it and felt it was a little cheesy. It's also a HUGE part to the storyline so while I was invested in the outcome I was never super excited whenever I picked this up. This is a me thing. I prefer psychological thrillers more so than action packed shoot 'em ups. If YOU like a lot of action with a mafia angle then this one is sure to satisfy! 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
Ryan is accused of foul play. They don't believe him when he says he didn't see anything which makes him their #1 suspect. His Dad hires a hot shot lawyer and no charges are filed and no evidence is found but Ryan's life will never be the same again. People never forget when you're accused of murder.
Fast forward 5 years later and Ali's car has been found in the bottom of a lake. Inside are two long since dead men and Ali's handbag. Inside that hand bag is a note "If something happens to me" followed by a cryptic puzzle.
Is it possible that Ali's alive and safe somewhere? You'll have to read this to find out!
Okay, I can totally see why this book has such high ratings. Fast paced, short chapters, and likeable characters you can root for will leave many thriller readers *thrilled* with Alex Finlay's latest. I liked it well enough but it was never a love match for me. My main complaint is the mafia aspect. I just didn't buy it and felt it was a little cheesy. It's also a HUGE part to the storyline so while I was invested in the outcome I was never super excited whenever I picked this up. This is a me thing. I prefer psychological thrillers more so than action packed shoot 'em ups. If YOU like a lot of action with a mafia angle then this one is sure to satisfy! 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.
April 10, 2025
No family is without its secrets.
Ryan Richardson had been pining for Alison Lane (Ali) for years. They have known each other since 9th grade, and cared for each other for a long time. They will be leaving for different colleges soon. Their special night is interrupted by rain. Back to her father’s BMW, it was looking like Paradise by the Dashboard Lights would finally become a reality, two teens parked in a Lover’s Lane in Leavenworth, Kansas. Alison does not hit him with an I gotta know right now, but they are this close to heaven when the car door is ripped open. Ryan takes a heavy blow to the head, and comes to on the wet grass. The car, and Ali are gone.
Alex Finlay - image from Amazon
We meet Ryan again, the presumed perp, five years later, long suspected of and hassled about that night. Ali has not been heard from. On vacation in Tuscany, his father notifies him that the missing BMW has been found. As if that is not enough, he receives a note in his hotel room from a mysterious stranger, demanding a meeting, and the game is afoot, sending Ryan on a quest to find out the truth of what had really happened that terrible night.
Poppy McGee is late of the military, an MP, having earned her discharge by standing up for herself in a suitable fashion. She had hoped for a gig on the federal level, FBI maybe, but finds herself stuck, instead, in Leavenworth, Kansas, her home town. Her father’s friend, Sheriff Ken, had offered her a safe landing. Deputy Sheriff McGee soon finds herself up to her neck in the five-year-old disappearance. Way to begin!
Shane O’Leary is a very bad man, a Philadelphia gangster with few qualms about the occasional homicide. We soon learn of his involvement in everything;
These three will twirl around each other for the rest of the book, with chapters alternating among them, as each pursues a goal.
Poppy and Ryan are appealing characters, finding a way forward after having faced some serious challenges. O’Leary has a bit of appeal from his love of family. But really, he is a straight up monster.
Finlay offers us a range of venues, from the small city (under 40k pop.) of Leavenworth to the metropolis of Philadelphia, from Tuscany to a small hamlet in the UK to Paris.
Poppy, in particular, confronts frenemy, Agent Fincher, a fed, who wants Poppy to share details on the investigation. She offers up some details of her own, but leaves us wondering if she is for real.
Many novels offer a thing called payload. What did you learn? This is a look at some real-world thing, how certain activities are carried out, the details of philatelic theft, how drugs are transported, how money is laundered, how even benign activities are undertaken. Although there is a bit of this in looking at how O‘Leary launders his income, this was an area in which the book was lacking. While that mote of depth was absent, this will take nothing away from the pace or fun of the book.
If Something Happens to Me is a tale of murder, bullying, REVENGE, passion, and a core mystery (why was Ali kidnapped?) that explains it all. It will keep you guessing and flipping those pages. The only thing that will happen to you on reading Finlay’s latest is that warm, filling feeling of having just read a very satisfying thriller.
Review posted - 10/11/24
Publication dates
----------Hardcover – 5/28/2024
----------Trade paperback - 4/1/2025
I received a ePub ARE and a hard copy of If Something Happens to Me from Minotaur in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.
This review will soon be cross-posted on my site, Coot’s Reviews. Stop by and say Hi!
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to Finlay’s personal, FB, and Instagram pages
Profile - From the author’s real-name website
Interviews
-----Authors on the Air - Alex Finlay -- If Something Happens to Me - by James L'Etoile - video – 20:48
-----The Poisoned Pen Bookstore - Alex Finlay discusses If Something Bad Happens to Me by Barbara Peters – video - 52:15
My review of Finlay’s prior book
-----2023 - What Have We Done
Items of Interest from the author
-----Promo
-----Google Play Books - Audiobook preview - 16:05
Ryan Richardson had been pining for Alison Lane (Ali) for years. They have known each other since 9th grade, and cared for each other for a long time. They will be leaving for different colleges soon. Their special night is interrupted by rain. Back to her father’s BMW, it was looking like Paradise by the Dashboard Lights would finally become a reality, two teens parked in a Lover’s Lane in Leavenworth, Kansas. Alison does not hit him with an I gotta know right now, but they are this close to heaven when the car door is ripped open. Ryan takes a heavy blow to the head, and comes to on the wet grass. The car, and Ali are gone.
Alex Finlay - image from Amazon
We meet Ryan again, the presumed perp, five years later, long suspected of and hassled about that night. Ali has not been heard from. On vacation in Tuscany, his father notifies him that the missing BMW has been found. As if that is not enough, he receives a note in his hotel room from a mysterious stranger, demanding a meeting, and the game is afoot, sending Ryan on a quest to find out the truth of what had really happened that terrible night.
Poppy McGee is late of the military, an MP, having earned her discharge by standing up for herself in a suitable fashion. She had hoped for a gig on the federal level, FBI maybe, but finds herself stuck, instead, in Leavenworth, Kansas, her home town. Her father’s friend, Sheriff Ken, had offered her a safe landing. Deputy Sheriff McGee soon finds herself up to her neck in the five-year-old disappearance. Way to begin!
Shane O’Leary is a very bad man, a Philadelphia gangster with few qualms about the occasional homicide. We soon learn of his involvement in everything;
These three will twirl around each other for the rest of the book, with chapters alternating among them, as each pursues a goal.
Poppy and Ryan are appealing characters, finding a way forward after having faced some serious challenges. O’Leary has a bit of appeal from his love of family. But really, he is a straight up monster.
Finlay offers us a range of venues, from the small city (under 40k pop.) of Leavenworth to the metropolis of Philadelphia, from Tuscany to a small hamlet in the UK to Paris.
I had never done, really, a European setting and so it is set part in Kansas. I thought a contrast for that would be Ryan on this trip in Italy. It starts with me having a trip in Italy when I was finishing the book What Have We Done?. I always thought this would be a cool setting. And then I finished the novel in Paris, so I naturally wanted to weave that into the story, which I did. And while I was in Paris for this extended period where I had gone just to finish the book, my wife and I went to this small village I had lived in in the UK as a boy. I hadn't been back in forty years...so that was in the book as well. It was personal travel that inspired settings, but also just things that had stuck with me for forty years. - from the promoThe secondary characters are given sufficient attention, adding depth to the characterization of the primary three. And Finlay has done a wonderful job of giving several of them explanatory, if not exactly exculpatory, three-dimensionality.
Poppy, in particular, confronts frenemy, Agent Fincher, a fed, who wants Poppy to share details on the investigation. She offers up some details of her own, but leaves us wondering if she is for real.
The agent sits there appraising Poppy, watches her eat. Eventually, she says, “Are you familiar with Russian folklore, Deputy Sheriff McGee?”So, should Poppy trust this person or not?
This is too much. Poppy gives the agent a lazy-eyed stare. “Do I look like I’m familiar with Russian folklore?”
Agent Fincher allows herself a smile. “In Russian folklore there’s someone called the Holy Fool.”
The woman is an oddball or genius, Poppy can’t tell which. It’s possible her schtick is just a tactic to get Poppy to talk.
“The Holy Fool is an outsider—sometimes an eccentric, sometimes crazy, sometimes just a child. But it’s their outsider status that makes them a truth teller.”
“I’m not sure where this is—”
“You heard of the story ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’?”
What the hell, Poppy decides to bite. “The story about the emperor who’s told he has a magical outfit and everyone plays along even though he’s naked?”
Agent Fincher snaps her fingers. “Everyone except a little boy. He’s a Holy Fool—someone who’s free to state the truth.”
“What’s this have to do with anything?”
“Oh . . . I don’t know. After you punched your commanding officer in the nose, I was hoping you were one.”
“One what?” Poppy asks.
“A Holy Fool.”
Poppy shakes her head. This lady’s been looking into Poppy’s background. Following her. What’s her deal?
“In real life, our Holy Fools are whistle-blowers. People willing to sacrifice loyalty to their job or other institution to expose the truth.”
Many novels offer a thing called payload. What did you learn? This is a look at some real-world thing, how certain activities are carried out, the details of philatelic theft, how drugs are transported, how money is laundered, how even benign activities are undertaken. Although there is a bit of this in looking at how O‘Leary launders his income, this was an area in which the book was lacking. While that mote of depth was absent, this will take nothing away from the pace or fun of the book.
If Something Happens to Me is a tale of murder, bullying, REVENGE, passion, and a core mystery (why was Ali kidnapped?) that explains it all. It will keep you guessing and flipping those pages. The only thing that will happen to you on reading Finlay’s latest is that warm, filling feeling of having just read a very satisfying thriller.
Review posted - 10/11/24
Publication dates
----------Hardcover – 5/28/2024
----------Trade paperback - 4/1/2025
I received a ePub ARE and a hard copy of If Something Happens to Me from Minotaur in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.
This review will soon be cross-posted on my site, Coot’s Reviews. Stop by and say Hi!
=============================EXTRA STUFF
Links to Finlay’s personal, FB, and Instagram pages
Profile - From the author’s real-name website
Anthony Franze is a critically acclaimed novelist with St. Martin’s Press, and a lawyer in the Appellate & Supreme Court practice of a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm.
For more than a decade, Anthony was an adjunct professor of law teaching courses in Federal Courts, Legal Rhetoric, and Appellate Practice, and he currently participates in a European faculty exchange program where he teaches at law schools abroad.
He writes legal thrillers under his own name, including THE LAST JUSTICE (2012), THE ADVOCATE’S DAUGHTER (2016), and THE OUTSIDER (2017) He writes commercial fiction under a pen name, [Alex Finley] and his 2021 novel was an Indie Next pick, a LibraryReads selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a CNN, Newsweek, E!, BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, and Reader’s Digest best or most anticipated thriller of the year. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and optioned for television and film.
Interviews
-----Authors on the Air - Alex Finlay -- If Something Happens to Me - by James L'Etoile - video – 20:48
-----The Poisoned Pen Bookstore - Alex Finlay discusses If Something Bad Happens to Me by Barbara Peters – video - 52:15
My review of Finlay’s prior book
-----2023 - What Have We Done
Items of Interest from the author
-----Promo
-----Google Play Books - Audiobook preview - 16:05
May 28, 2024
** Happy publication day **
My first book by Alex Finlay and I loved it! Will try this author again for sure.
Honestly this is the kind of book that reminds me why I enjoy a good, easy to read thriller so much. It had everything, including a gripping start and ofc fab twists (that actually worked and made sense).
When I say I couldn't put this down, I mean whenever I HAD to I really really didn't want to 😆. This was one of the occasions where I could not figure out where the story was going at all.
I was impressed that, despite the many characters, it was easy to follow with good character development.
Suspend disbelief is necessary but it all worked so well.
Would recommend this book, especially if you're in a bit of a reading slump! Added bonus is the short chapters, which IMO always keep books moving at a faster pace.
⚠️ Please check TWs online, notably some pretty tough HS bullying scenes ⚠️
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
ETA: I forgot to mention, I was very pleased to read this author explain in suitable dialogue the misuse of the word "committed" before suicide. After having just read two books where authors inappropriately use the word committed, it was refreshing and I hope a step in the right direction for all authors.
My first book by Alex Finlay and I loved it! Will try this author again for sure.
Honestly this is the kind of book that reminds me why I enjoy a good, easy to read thriller so much. It had everything, including a gripping start and ofc fab twists (that actually worked and made sense).
When I say I couldn't put this down, I mean whenever I HAD to I really really didn't want to 😆. This was one of the occasions where I could not figure out where the story was going at all.
I was impressed that, despite the many characters, it was easy to follow with good character development.
Suspend disbelief is necessary but it all worked so well.
Would recommend this book, especially if you're in a bit of a reading slump! Added bonus is the short chapters, which IMO always keep books moving at a faster pace.
⚠️ Please check TWs online, notably some pretty tough HS bullying scenes ⚠️
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
ETA: I forgot to mention, I was very pleased to read this author explain in suitable dialogue the misuse of the word "committed" before suicide. After having just read two books where authors inappropriately use the word committed, it was refreshing and I hope a step in the right direction for all authors.
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