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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Suicide, Grief
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Finished reading: May 9th 2024
"Whoever said if you're seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for your enemy and one for yourself - had it almost right."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Head Of Zeus in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I always seem to have a great time reading Alex Finlay's thrillers, so it's easy to understand why I was over the moon that my request for his newest story If Something Happens To Me was actually approved. I've been wanting to pick it up ever since it appeared on my kindle, as I loved the sound of the blurb with the promise of an international setting and multiple layers... And I have to say that I ended up having a blast with this story. Engaging, fast-paced and action-packed: If Something Happens To Me turned out to be yet another more than solid thriller.
This story uses a multiple POV structure and is also divided into different parts. These layers gave the story more dimension, and while you might wonder how the different POVs fit in together at first, it all becomes clear in the end. The POVs are spread out over different locations as well: you begin with Ryan in Italy, deputy Poppy in Kansas and the third set in Philadelphia that will provide the mobster angle. The last one doesn't seem to fit in with the story at first, but once the connection became clear I admit it was a clever one.
I love stories with a travel element, and we get plenty of that while we follow Ryan around. Italy, UK, France... His journey takes him across Europe as well as the US, and I liked what the locations added to the plot. This is probably why Ryan's POV is one of my favorites, although I really enjoyed spending time with Poppy as well. I could also appreciate that the different POVs introduced different thriller subgenres to the plot, blending for example detective, crime, psychological and mobster elements along the way. The story as a whole felt well balanced and I quite enjoyed the resulting thriller cocktail.
Things can be said about the credibility of it all, as certain twists are either farfetched or too convenient. I also spotted one of the big twists quite early on, but as a whole there were still plenty surprises along the way as well. If you don't mind the plot being over the top and are more interested in the entertainment level, If Something Happens To Me most likely won't let you down. Between the fast pace and engaging writing style it will be easy to keep turning those pages!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Ryan and his girlfriend, Ali, are out at Lovers' Lane when tragedy strikes and Ali is ripped from the car by a stranger. The story picks up five years later—Ali has never been found and Ryan has changed his name because of all of the circling rumors around his guilt.
This story follows three people: Ryan, the boyfriend; Poppy McGee, the new, small town deputy sheriff; and Shane O’Leary, Philly mobster. What do these three have anything to do with each other? Well, I'll tell you... I had absolutely no clue for a good part of the book (this alone will keep you reading) but when they do finally start to collide, the book was hard to put down.
I liked the twists and the pacing and it was an entertaining enough read for me. The plot was interesting but I never connected with the characters very much and something fell flat for me. I think I was expecting more of a thriller novel but it ended up being more of a crime drama and it wasn’t the right time for me to read it. For now, I'm giving it 3-3.5 stars based on my own enjoyment.
*Lovers of Finlay’s previous works and/or lovers of crime novels involving mobsters will enjoy this quick read.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 05/28/2024.
This story follows three people: Ryan, the boyfriend; Poppy McGee, the new, small town deputy sheriff; and Shane O’Leary, Philly mobster. What do these three have anything to do with each other? Well, I'll tell you... I had absolutely no clue for a good part of the book (this alone will keep you reading) but when they do finally start to collide, the book was hard to put down.
I liked the twists and the pacing and it was an entertaining enough read for me. The plot was interesting but I never connected with the characters very much and something fell flat for me. I think I was expecting more of a thriller novel but it ended up being more of a crime drama and it wasn’t the right time for me to read it. For now, I'm giving it 3-3.5 stars based on my own enjoyment.
*Lovers of Finlay’s previous works and/or lovers of crime novels involving mobsters will enjoy this quick read.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 05/28/2024.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You think your towns messed up? Wait until you pick up this book. PHEWIEE!
Thank you MacMillan Audio, St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the gifted copies of this book. "If Something Happens to Me" publishes on May 21, 2024.
📚 I am always a person who gravitates towards Alex Finlay's thrillers. I read them every year. I am always entertained when I pick up his books. Heck, I get excited when I see that they are coming out with something new.
"If Something Happens to Me" was a classic Finlay novel. Filled with brain melting twists, tons of unreliable characters, multiple points of views to keep you at the edge of your seat, pacing that's so fast you'll find yourself binging the entire book in less than forty-eight hours. (Yes, that is me. I did that)
This was a good thriller...I enjoyed reading this! My problem that I have found when it comes to Finlay's stories is that there's too many characters but I will say for "If Something Happens to Me" it works.
I did mostly audio and when there are a lot of people to keep track of its hard to full enjoy the mystery. I got to 75% of the story and the book just got blah. The big twist that broke my brain came too early in the story and left me grasping in the air for something more deliciously mind melting by the end. Don't get me wrong the twists were good. They keep the book entertaining. The back half of the book just didn't keep me engaged. *shrugs*
What really kept me going was with each character's point of view we continued to see how deeply messed up this town collectively is. I was shocked. I was addicted. I was not ready for the reveals Alex Finlay slapped in my face.
🎧 I had a great experience with listening to this story. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh did a great job with their performances and helping the reader stay entertained through this multi-character story. I will say that the narrator for Ryan's pacing got slow towards the end especially when it came to moments where the character were experiencing an extremely stressful situation. I like when I can feel the narrator express those emotions and highlight those stress inducing moments. Those were missed several times throughout the listen.
✉️ Multiple POV
✉️ Sketchy Towns with Just as Sketchy People
✉️ Puzzles
✉️ Unsolved Mysteries
✉️ Fast Paced
Thank you MacMillan Audio, St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the gifted copies of this book. "If Something Happens to Me" publishes on May 21, 2024.
📚 I am always a person who gravitates towards Alex Finlay's thrillers. I read them every year. I am always entertained when I pick up his books. Heck, I get excited when I see that they are coming out with something new.
"If Something Happens to Me" was a classic Finlay novel. Filled with brain melting twists, tons of unreliable characters, multiple points of views to keep you at the edge of your seat, pacing that's so fast you'll find yourself binging the entire book in less than forty-eight hours. (Yes, that is me. I did that)
This was a good thriller...I enjoyed reading this! My problem that I have found when it comes to Finlay's stories is that there's too many characters but I will say for "If Something Happens to Me" it works.
I did mostly audio and when there are a lot of people to keep track of its hard to full enjoy the mystery. I got to 75% of the story and the book just got blah. The big twist that broke my brain came too early in the story and left me grasping in the air for something more deliciously mind melting by the end. Don't get me wrong the twists were good. They keep the book entertaining. The back half of the book just didn't keep me engaged. *shrugs*
What really kept me going was with each character's point of view we continued to see how deeply messed up this town collectively is. I was shocked. I was addicted. I was not ready for the reveals Alex Finlay slapped in my face.
🎧 I had a great experience with listening to this story. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Dateh did a great job with their performances and helping the reader stay entertained through this multi-character story. I will say that the narrator for Ryan's pacing got slow towards the end especially when it came to moments where the character were experiencing an extremely stressful situation. I like when I can feel the narrator express those emotions and highlight those stress inducing moments. Those were missed several times throughout the listen.
✉️ Multiple POV
✉️ Sketchy Towns with Just as Sketchy People
✉️ Puzzles
✉️ Unsolved Mysteries
✉️ Fast Paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I actually devoured this book in one sitting, which is so rare for me. I loved it so much. The story was incredibly captivating and thrilling, keeping me hooked right from the start. Though the multiple point of views made it a bit challenging to keep track of all the characters, the diverse plots ultimately came together so seamlessly. I did enjoy trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together along the way, but everything was tied together and made so much sense in the end. I was so shocked! The short chapters contribute to the fast-paced, engaging narrative, making it nearly impossible to put down. I’d say that this is truly one of Finlay’s best works yet! I highly recommend checking it out.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
dark
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
True to classic @alexfinlayauthor form, If Something Happens To Me, is told from multiple POVs to form a story that is full of surprising twists. It’s what makes Alex one of my must read authors.
This audiobook is well produced and has a cast of narrators to cover the multiple POVs. The story itself is told from dual timelines, the first beginning on the night of a carjacking that leaves a teenager missing (and presumably dead). The second timeline, picks up 5 years later to how that event impacted main character, Ryan.
I recommend reading this book if you love Alex’s other novels, as well as a thriller that occurs on a summer trip. This novel is already out and ready to be added to your summer TBR.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This audiobook is well produced and has a cast of narrators to cover the multiple POVs. The story itself is told from dual timelines, the first beginning on the night of a carjacking that leaves a teenager missing (and presumably dead). The second timeline, picks up 5 years later to how that event impacted main character, Ryan.
I recommend reading this book if you love Alex’s other novels, as well as a thriller that occurs on a summer trip. This novel is already out and ready to be added to your summer TBR.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.