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A review by outsmartyourshelf
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Five years ago, Ryan Richardson's girlfriend, Ali, was kidnapped from their date & has never been found. Ryan has had suspicion hanging over him for all this time, & has never quite been able to put the past behind him. On a summer trip to Italy, Ryan gets a call from his father to say that Ali's car has been found submerged in a lake in their hometown of Leavenworth. There's no sign of Ali, but the car contains two dead men & a cryptic note on an envelope saying "If something happens to me".
Meanwhile back in Leavenworth, new deputy sheriff, Poppy McGee, has the discovery of missing teenager Ali's car happen on her first day in the job. Asked to follow up on any leads or tips, Poppy finds that most of them are as unhelpful as expected, but the investigation takes a strange turn which has Poppy suspecting her own family of being mixed up in Ali's disappearance.
This is a multi-strand plot where the reader hears from both Ryan & Poppy's point of view, alongside a third narrative which deals with the aftermath of a school bullying incident. I was a little perplexed at first how the three were going to dovetail, but the author pulled it all together nicely. It's all a bit improbable, yet extremely readable & it kept my attention well. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Head of Zeus/Aries, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Meanwhile back in Leavenworth, new deputy sheriff, Poppy McGee, has the discovery of missing teenager Ali's car happen on her first day in the job. Asked to follow up on any leads or tips, Poppy finds that most of them are as unhelpful as expected, but the investigation takes a strange turn which has Poppy suspecting her own family of being mixed up in Ali's disappearance.
This is a multi-strand plot where the reader hears from both Ryan & Poppy's point of view, alongside a third narrative which deals with the aftermath of a school bullying incident. I was a little perplexed at first how the three were going to dovetail, but the author pulled it all together nicely. It's all a bit improbable, yet extremely readable & it kept my attention well. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Head of Zeus/Aries, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying and Suicide