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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
another pub day, another review! alex finlay is back with a quick, light, and entertaining mystery that takes place at a california college during parent's weekend. this book has a lot of twists and red herrings, which i normally love, but these ones all got squared away a little too quickly. i wanted them to breathe a little bit and cause some more tension, but it didn't bother me too much. i have personal opinions about the whodunnit/ending, but i won't spoil it for anybody.
my main issue with this book is that i didn't have enough time to get to know anybody in it. there were just way too many characters and not enough space. the only person who we get to spend time with is special agent sarah keller. i liked her and her family, but even she could have used more of a deep dive because they all came across a little too perfect (then again, i did audibly shout "BOB!!" at one part of the book). this is the third of finlay's books that keller has been in, but i didn't remember (and i LOVED the night shift!) her. overall, i think she's a strong and levelheaded lady and i appreciated her steadiness, but i just wanted to get to know even more.
also, the author's note at the end made me laugh — i didn't know alex finlay and david ellis were besties and this quick little acknowledgment was a very fun way to wrap up the book!
thanks to st. martin's press and minotaur books for the digital copy of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I recently had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay, thanks to an advance listening copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher. As a fan of Finlay’s previous thrillers, I was eager to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint!
The story kicks off during a seemingly typical Parents Weekend at a secluded Northern California college. Five students—Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—fail to show up for dinner with their families, sparking a tense and emotional search. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, including those of the parents and FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller, a familiar character from Finlay’s earlier works.
What I appreciated most was the audiobook’s ability to bring each character’s voice to life, making the shifting viewpoints easy to follow and deeply engaging. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters that kept me hooked, and the plot is layered with secrets and twists that kept me guessing until the end.
If you’re into fast-paced thrillers that explore family dynamics and hidden pasts, this one should be on your radar. It’s a compelling listen that balances suspense with emotional depth.
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
Alex’s newest thriller, Parents Weekend, has an intriguing premise. A capstone group of students stand up their parents during a parent’s weekend group dinner. Are these students just being typical college freshmen and out partying? Or is there something more sinister going on?
First of all, I love this cover. The story is a fast paced thriller told from multiple POVs. While told mostly from the present tense, there are some flashbacks to give background. If you love Finlay’s other books, you’ll love this one too. If you have never read one of his books, then this one is a good one to read first.
First of all, I love this cover. The story is a fast paced thriller told from multiple POVs. While told mostly from the present tense, there are some flashbacks to give background. If you love Finlay’s other books, you’ll love this one too. If you have never read one of his books, then this one is a good one to read first.
This was a bingeable thriller. I loved that Agent Keller made a reappearance. That being said, I didn’t feel truly invested in the story or characters. Due to the large number of characters and different POVs, they didn’t feel fully developed. But if you’re looking for a quick, twisty, entertaining read, this meets the criteria.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book!
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book!
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced