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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
While I enjoyed the pacing and overall story, I did keep getting a little lost with all the different character perspectives and locations, but that was just a me issue, no real fault of the book.
I enjoyed the crime boss revenge plot, and how it all connected the different perspectives. I think the end was a little convenient, and everything tied up a little too nicely.
Overall though, this was a pretty enjoyable and fast paced read that I think a lot of people would enjoy.
I enjoyed the crime boss revenge plot, and how it all connected the different perspectives. I think the end was a little convenient, and everything tied up a little too nicely.
Overall though, this was a pretty enjoyable and fast paced read that I think a lot of people would enjoy.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
A decent, disposable thrill ride, If Something Happens to Me was fast-moving and kept my attention throughout, but there were also countless moments where I was thrown off by its lax on logic and common sense. So even though I enjoyed the overall plot progression and the subject matter featured (revenge, hidden identities, double agent, parental love), the ridiculous ease at how tasks were accomplished made the moment-to-moment experience absent of intricacy and downright silly (a character who was living in hiding had his photo publicly displayed near his residence, police / FBI freely sharing case details with civilians, and not to mention plot convenience like characters simply bumping into each other).
The audiobook is very sleekly produced, and the narrators' performance adds the needed human warmth to an otherwise very task-oriented writing. With this being my first Alex Finlay read, I can see the reason behind his popularity: the story is extremely eventful and 'busy', so there is never a dull moment. But my suspense of disbelief can only stretch so far, and the liberty he's taken in his storytelling is a little beyond my personal tolerance. Not (yet) a must-read author, but can make for a fine library loan when I'm desperate for something easily digestible and thinking-free.
The audiobook is very sleekly produced, and the narrators' performance adds the needed human warmth to an otherwise very task-oriented writing. With this being my first Alex Finlay read, I can see the reason behind his popularity: the story is extremely eventful and 'busy', so there is never a dull moment. But my suspense of disbelief can only stretch so far, and the liberty he's taken in his storytelling is a little beyond my personal tolerance. Not (yet) a must-read author, but can make for a fine library loan when I'm desperate for something easily digestible and thinking-free.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME follows three primary characters -
- Ryan “Dodge” Richardson (Smith), whose girlfriend, Alison (“Ali”), disappeared five years ago when they were parked at Lovers’ Lane on their last night together before leaving for college
- Poppy McGee, newly appointed deputy sheriff who recently returned to her hometown after being honorably discharged from the Army, who is assigned to investigate new leads into Alison’s disappearance
- Shane O’Leary, whose character and purpose are slowly revealed over time
The pacing is great and the chapters are short, leading me to want to read “just one more.” With a short prologue on the events of Ali’s disappearance, the plot skips forward five years, when Ali’s missing car is discovered with two male bodies inside.
I really liked twenty-one-year-old Poppy. She’s two years younger than Ali and Ryan and knew them when they were in high school, but not well. She knows she is put on the case as busywork to sort through old and new details. But she takes it upon herself to do a very thorough investigation, with the help of some unexpected parties.
Ryan is also a strong character, doing his own investigation into Ali’s disappearance after learning some new information.
There are a few startling revelations in the story that knocked my socks off. The ending was REALLY good, too.
I can’t wait to see what Finlay writes next!
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I really liked this book. The characters were really enjoyable and the story unfolded really nicely and flowed well. I don’t think it was an ultra twisty novel like some thrillers but it was overall a great story.
First half: 5 stars. Second half: 3 stars. There became way too many twists and timelines to keep track of after the first big reveal in Part 1. I still enjoy this author though, so will likely keep reading his stories.