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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Read if you like:
• Fast-paced thrillers
• Mobster crime stories
• Very short chapters
• Multiple POVs/timelines
• Books with lots of characters
This was my first book by this author. I really liked the storyline, but felt it was hard to follow at times because there were WAY too many characters/intertwining plots. It’s definitely worth a try!
• Fast-paced thrillers
• Mobster crime stories
• Very short chapters
• Multiple POVs/timelines
• Books with lots of characters
This was my first book by this author. I really liked the storyline, but felt it was hard to follow at times because there were WAY too many characters/intertwining plots. It’s definitely worth a try!
This is a summer thriller that is right up my alley. I love a book that tells separate stories that are intricately woven and when it all came together it blew my mind!
.
Ryan Richardson has spent the last five years reliving the night that his girlfriend was taken. After much suspicion that he was involved he started a new life, with a new name and law school. He’s a law student on a trip in Italy when he gets the call that Ali’s car has been found submerged in water, with no Ali. Instead, two dead men and a note. When he sees the man that haunts his dreams he knows his nightmare has become a reality.
.
Somehow his new reality will include a young sheriff deputy from Kansas and a monster from Philadelphia who’s living his own nightmare.
I don’t want to say too much but I couldn’t stop reading this one! This one is out today!
.
fast-paced
The issue with giving books a 3.5 star rating is that people automatically assume that means you hated it or that it was a bad book. That’s usually the case. For If Something Happens to Me, it simply means it was an alright thriller that I didn’t mind reading, will likely appeal to the average thriller reader not looking for something deeper or with more substance, but isn’t a title I’d go around recommending or putting on my own bookshelf.
ISHTM starts with a killer (ah, come on, let me have my fun) opening scene straight out of a slasher flick or scary story that ends with one of this novel’s main characters blacking out. It’s well-written, creepy, and immediately engages you. It’s a very nice piece of bait to lure you into a boiler-plate plot that’s been dressed up with a hodgepodge of other story elements: A boyfriend who was wrongly accused of his girlfriend’s death who ultimately had to leave town and change his name, a shadowy eight-fingered man, a young and plucky new female officer in town just as new evidence comes to light regarding this cold case, a good ol’ boy police force that may be keeping secrets, a mysterious FBI agent, and an organized crime syndicate with a bone to pick. It’s a puzzle, so, how does it all fit together?
Of course, there are the predictably-timed turns. There are some attempts at red herrings and misdirection, but I don’t think this book was plotted very well because they didn’t hit like I assume they were supposed to. The pacing was actually done very well, without much lagging or rushing. There were some attempts at social commentary that I felt were clumsy in nature and ultimately came across as trying too hard and that made the ending of this book feel more than a little cheesy.
At the end of the day this book was an okay read and I don’t regret spending my afternoon on it, but I can’t say I’d recommend you rush out and buy it. It’s not the worst time either.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Crime Thriller/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Thriller
This book started off with a bang and kept that same energy the whole way through. There was a lot going on - lots of characters and various settings. At times, I had to pause to focus on who was talking and where we were. That didn't take away from the enjoyment though. There were good twists and turns that helped answer all the questions I had throughout the story. The chapters were quick and easy to read. There was also nonstop action that kept me entertained and invested in what was going to happen. This was my first read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.
I enjoyed the full cast narration consisting of Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh. It helped to keep up with the various main characters.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the full cast narration consisting of Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh. It helped to keep up with the various main characters.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The way I absolutely loved this (audio)book👏🏾😅
Perfect for fans of:
✨Fast-paced thrillers
✨Multi-POV
✨Unreliable Narrator(s)/Lots of Shady Behavior
✨Podcast storyline
✨Short Chapters that leave you wanting more
⭐️IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, OUT MAY 28th ⭐️
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the review ALC!!!
#MacAudio2024 #ifsomethinghappenstome #alexfinlay #macmillanaudio
Perfect for fans of:
✨Fast-paced thrillers
✨Multi-POV
✨Unreliable Narrator(s)/Lots of Shady Behavior
✨Podcast storyline
✨Short Chapters that leave you wanting more
⭐️IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, OUT MAY 28th ⭐️
Thank you @macmillan.audio for the review ALC!!!
#MacAudio2024 #ifsomethinghappenstome #alexfinlay #macmillanaudio
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 ⭐️s | Five years ago high school student Ali Lane was abducted from a car while with her boyfriend, Ryan, who everyone suspects killed her. Now the car has resurfaced with clues to what happened including a note that says “if anything happens to me…” with a code. This catapults the story into action across multiple cities and countries, different POVs/narrators, and storylines to find out what truly happened that night.
As the story developed and I could see where the storylines and characters connected, I liked the story more, but it took me a while to get into it. I think if you like high-action thrillers. you will enjoy this book. Also, if you liked The Last Thing He Told Me, this is up your alley!
I listened to the audiobook, and I would recommend reading a physical copy. Although there is a multicast of narrators, there were many characters in the book. Some of the narrators overlapped characters and it made it more challenging to keep up with who was who. I also only liked 1 of the narrators voice. Overall, there is so much going on in the book that I think it would be easier to keep track of what is happening by reading it vs. listening.
TW: bullying, violence, murder
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
As the story developed and I could see where the storylines and characters connected, I liked the story more, but it took me a while to get into it. I think if you like high-action thrillers. you will enjoy this book. Also, if you liked The Last Thing He Told Me, this is up your alley!
I listened to the audiobook, and I would recommend reading a physical copy. Although there is a multicast of narrators, there were many characters in the book. Some of the narrators overlapped characters and it made it more challenging to keep up with who was who. I also only liked 1 of the narrators voice. Overall, there is so much going on in the book that I think it would be easier to keep track of what is happening by reading it vs. listening.
TW: bullying, violence, murder
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
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.
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.