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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Ryan was the victim of a crime with his then girlfriend, Ali, and now he is dealing with podcasters and trolls who now believe he is the person who committed this unsolved crime. Now, years later, after changing his last name, his past starts catching up to him… Like right up to him. Someone has found his girlfriend's car in the bottom of a lake with two dead bodies inside along with a note in Ali’s handwriting.
This book starts with one of those scenes that just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go. In addition to Ryan, we are also introduced to Poppy, a young veteran who has taken a job as a deputy sheriff in her hometown in Kansas, and Shane, a mob boss. There is also the mystery behind the note in the car left by Ali, as it was written in code, and I loved how Ryan was used to figure it out. I did find some things predictable, but I was also left with my jaw dropped a few times. Although I feel like this was a fast-paced book, I did not feel as if anything was rushed or skipped over. This was my first book by Alex Finlay and I’ll definitely check out his backlist now.
I love multicast audiobooks and what’s even better is we get three perspectives and they all come with their own issues. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh all did a wonderful job and are all very distinguishable with their voices.
A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and the author for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You love fast-paced psychological thrillers that offer multiple POV’s and aren’t overly predictable.
This book starts with one of those scenes that just sucks you in and doesn’t let you go. In addition to Ryan, we are also introduced to Poppy, a young veteran who has taken a job as a deputy sheriff in her hometown in Kansas, and Shane, a mob boss. There is also the mystery behind the note in the car left by Ali, as it was written in code, and I loved how Ryan was used to figure it out. I did find some things predictable, but I was also left with my jaw dropped a few times. Although I feel like this was a fast-paced book, I did not feel as if anything was rushed or skipped over. This was my first book by Alex Finlay and I’ll definitely check out his backlist now.
I love multicast audiobooks and what’s even better is we get three perspectives and they all come with their own issues. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh all did a wonderful job and are all very distinguishable with their voices.
A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and the author for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You love fast-paced psychological thrillers that offer multiple POV’s and aren’t overly predictable.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Short chapters, fast paced. 3 POVs with almost every chapter ending in a cliffhanger. Satisfying ending.
‘Something’s not right. The puzzle pieces are warped, disfigured.’
The novel opens with a prologue set in Leavenworth, Kansas. Ryan and Alison, high school sweethearts, are about to leave home for different colleges. On their last night at home, they head off in Alison’s father’s BMW to a local lover’s lane near the river. They are parked, when the car door is ripped open. Ryan is knocked out and when he wakes up the following morning, both Alison and the car are gone.
Five years later, in Leavenworth, a car is found in Suncatcher Lake. The finders are a couple of men who were looking for another missing person and whose claim to fame is that they’ve helped solve thirty-two cold cases. Poppy McGee is the (new) deputy sheriff charged with investigating.
In the meantime, Ryan has lived with Alison’s disappearance and the fact that many believe he is guilty for five years. He has changed his name to try to distance himself from the past and has entered law school. And now, when he and his law-school classmates are on a trip to Italy, Ryan’s father calls him to let him know that the car has been found. Inside the car are the bodies of two men, and a bag belonging to Alison. The bag contains an enveloped note. On the outside of the envelope, Alison had written: ‘If something happens to me…’
The story shifts to Philadelphia, where Shane O’Leary lives with his wife Gina and son Anthony. Anthony attends an elite school where he is bullied. And Shane O’Leary wants to know who is involved.
All these threads (and there are a couple of others) are eventually neatly tied together. To disclose more about the story would introduce spoilers and while some elements of the story are predictable, it is the way that Mr Finlay ties all the pieces together that held my attention. Suspend your disbelief, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride. This is the first novel I have read by Alex Finlay: it won’t be the last.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The novel opens with a prologue set in Leavenworth, Kansas. Ryan and Alison, high school sweethearts, are about to leave home for different colleges. On their last night at home, they head off in Alison’s father’s BMW to a local lover’s lane near the river. They are parked, when the car door is ripped open. Ryan is knocked out and when he wakes up the following morning, both Alison and the car are gone.
Five years later, in Leavenworth, a car is found in Suncatcher Lake. The finders are a couple of men who were looking for another missing person and whose claim to fame is that they’ve helped solve thirty-two cold cases. Poppy McGee is the (new) deputy sheriff charged with investigating.
In the meantime, Ryan has lived with Alison’s disappearance and the fact that many believe he is guilty for five years. He has changed his name to try to distance himself from the past and has entered law school. And now, when he and his law-school classmates are on a trip to Italy, Ryan’s father calls him to let him know that the car has been found. Inside the car are the bodies of two men, and a bag belonging to Alison. The bag contains an enveloped note. On the outside of the envelope, Alison had written: ‘If something happens to me…’
The story shifts to Philadelphia, where Shane O’Leary lives with his wife Gina and son Anthony. Anthony attends an elite school where he is bullied. And Shane O’Leary wants to know who is involved.
All these threads (and there are a couple of others) are eventually neatly tied together. To disclose more about the story would introduce spoilers and while some elements of the story are predictable, it is the way that Mr Finlay ties all the pieces together that held my attention. Suspend your disbelief, fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride. This is the first novel I have read by Alex Finlay: it won’t be the last.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Why are all these books so boring and so uncreative. Ugh. Where are all the Sidney Sheldon's of the world.
mysterious
tense
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book. I liked the dual storyline and how everything came together. Poppy was my favorite.
Characters 5 /5
Plot 5 /5
Pacing 4/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Unable to put down 4/5
18 /20
Characters 5 /5
Plot 5 /5
Pacing 4/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Unable to put down 4/5
18 /20
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
fast-paced