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Today‘s Prompt: LETTERS

Being miles from home and receiving a note that says “I know who you are” wouldn‘t bother most people but when it has something to do with a disappearance, it worries Ryan.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/36942mj2

3/5 ⭐️
I like the book. Maybe it‘s because I read too many mystery/thriller but this one didn‘t stand out to me.

The chapters are short, which helps to make it a fast-paced novel, but there were so many pieces that were too unbelievable to me; some things were a little too far fetched. The audiobook was okay. I liked that there were multiple narrators used, especially since the novel is told from the viewpoints of multiple people. I found the pace to be rather slow, especially for a thriller, and at times the delivery was flat and monotoned, but not always.

I had to read this one quickly as every time I put the darn thing down I couldn‘t keep all the characters straight when I picked it up again! Three story lines, mobsters, missing girl, boyfriend looking for her, new cop…you get the idea. One big twist and one I saw coming. Forgettable.

Another twisty, fast-paced mystery. Ryan was left for dead the night his girlfriend Ali went missing. Five years later, he gets a call: Ali's car has finally been found, submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men and a cryptic note with five words written in Ali‘s handwriting: If something happens to me…

📸 Kyoto, Japan

Oh heck yes, this book takes place in Leavenworth, KS and that where I was when I started it! I was pulled in immediately and enjoyed the wild ride. Plenty of interesting characters and good action. Told from multiple POV‘s and just a darn good mystery thriller. Book #73 in 2024

For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open, a crushing blow to the head, hands yanking him from the vehicle and his girlfriend Ali‘s scream as she‘s taken. While abroad, Ryan gets a call from his father: Ali's car has been found submerged in a lake in his hometown. Inside are two dead men & a cryptic note with five words on the envelope in Ali‘s handwriting: If something happens to me…

Thoroughly enjoyed this. The pieces come together fairly early so it‘s not as much about the mystery as the action. Finally writes complex characters, bad people trying to do good things, or doing horrible things for somewhat understandable reasons &good people who have done bad or irresponsible things. Bingeable.

This was a page turner! Another hit from Alex Finlay! I got through this in a day! I love how the different POVs come together. I‘ve seen the author speak several times & he says he writes to entertain mainly but this book also showed (albeit severe) consequences of things done when you‘re young and dumb. It would make people think twice if they‘re cruel to someone. I definitely recommend this one! A quick suspenseful read w/some deeper meaning!

This thriller follows the story of Ryan Richardson, whose girlfriend Ali disappeared five years ago after a violent night. When Ali's car is found submerged in a lake with a cryptic note inside, Ryan, now studying in Italy, is drawn back into the mystery. The narrative weaves through the perspectives of Ryan, a new sheriff's deputy named Poppy McGee, and a Philadelphia mobster, Shane O'Leary, who is seeking vengeance for his son's death. ⬇️

When it comes to an Alex Finlay novel, it doesn‘t matter what I‘m reading I put it down and I read the story. From start to finish this novel everything I‘ve become used to good. The characters, plot and pacing is pristine. I am looking forward to his next novel. I think it comes out next year. #IfSomethingHappensToMe #AlexFinlay

This was a fun time. The ending didn't quite go in the direction I wanted it to, but it was fun the rest of the time. 4/5

I auto-read anything from this author. I got the book when I saw it was available on Libby. Go into it not knowing more than the publisher‘s summary. There was a stretch of slowness but it was a good international thriller.

Teenagers being teenagers. A bonk on the head & a scream from a GF never to be seen again. A suicide. The game is afoot. There be twists.

Some far fetched moments.

A fun, quick read. I hope we see Poppy again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4

5 years ago, Ryan's girlfriend, Ali, was kidnapped from their date & has never been found. Ryan has had suspicion hanging over him for all this time, & hasn't been able to put the past behind him. On a summer trip, 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. No sign of Ali, but the car contains 2 dead men & a cryptic note saying “If something happens to me“. (cont'd)

This was a just ok mystery thriller. It is very fast paced, easy read but very predictable. 3⭐️

I‘m 74 pages into this. I‘ll be done by this weekend.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬⇩
- fast-paced plot
- multiple settings around the world
- great narration
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬⇩
- the plot may have moved too quickly for me to keep up but it could‘ve been the side plots that threw me off
- discrepancies here and there (like how that note stays legible when it was submerged for years & the whole story hinges on it)
- not sure how I feel about the ending

A bit late on this ARC but diving right in this evening!

I‘m a big fan of Finlay‘s so I was so excited to dive into his latest! With multiple perspectives, this fast paced thriller starts with Ryan, now on a celebratory law school trip, receiving a note tying to his past from five years earlier when he was the main suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend and her car. Meanwhile, back in KS, the car‘s been found with a cipher note & two dead bodies… Fast-paced & exciting, I couldn‘t put this down!

This book is full of twists and turns!

https://reecaspieces.com/2024/05/30/if-something-happens-to-me-by-alex-finlay-au...

I couldn‘t put down Alex Finlay‘s latest mystery/thriller. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#if-something-happens-to-me

Today—May 28—is publication day!

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #IfSomethingHappenstoMe

Ryan had been a suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend five years ago, was cleared, but when new evidence is found he is trying to stay under the radar.

And what will happen now?

You will find out in this edge-of-your seat, best of Mr. Finaly.

Don‘t miss it.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/5y7kfr87

@alexfinlayauthor
@stmartinspress

Now Available!! 🥳🎉📚

Book review- https://www.boleybooks.com//if-something-happens-to-me/

#boleybooks #bookbeast #ifsomethinghappenstome #alexfinlay #netgalley #mustread

This is one of my most anticipated books of 2024. #IfSomethingHappensToMe #alexfinlay

#IfSomethingHappensToMe #AlexFinlay #BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2024 #May2024

Ryan Richardson remembers the night Alison Lane was taken and a cloud of suspicion was over Ryan as everyone was suspecting him but he was never charged. Now he has entered law school and put his past behind him. Ryan gets a call from his father while traveling in Italy. He tells Ryan that Ali‘s car has been found submerged in a lake in his hometown.

Alison and Ryan are at “lovers lane” when the back door of the car opens and someone grabs Alison. Ryan is knocked out and doesn‘t remember what happened. Many years later, her car is found in the lake and Ryan gets wrapped up in what happened when they were in high school. This was a “popcorn” book - one that would make a great movie and was a fast read.

5/28

Being miles from home and receiving a note that says “I know who you are” wouldn‘t bother most people but when it has something to do with a disappearance, it worries Ryan.

Who could have sent that note? And what will happen now?

You will find out in this edge-of-your seat, best of Mr. Finlay.

@alexfinlayauthor
@minotaur_books
@stmartinspress

This book to me was one of his best. I've enjoyed a few and though I did see what was coming at the end of the first part it did not take away from the story for me.

A girl goes missing. Her boyfriend is knocked out and dragged from the vehicle. He wakes and both her and the vehicle are gone... What happened? Who could or would do such a thing and why?

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/3k5m4sfk

My first novel by Alex Finlay, and I was certainly captivated! This is told in multiple POVs and is one of the few books I‘ve seen do end of chapter cliff-hangers right. Here‘s the thing: I guessed a lot of the twists before they were revealed, but each time I figured it out, I still got that shocked feeling and eagerly read on. That‘s how compelling Finlay‘s writing was.

This was a great, globetrotting thriller. I‘ll admit the twists were anticipated be me but that didn‘t distract from the joy of reading this. I love Alex Finlay‘s books and they will continue to be must reads for me.
Many thanks to St. Martin‘s Press and NetGalley for this ARC on return for my honest review.

This was a great read. The only thing that made me question the credibility…(edited out for spoiler reasons.)

Great characters, suspense. It will keep you guessing, keep you reading.

Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
What are you reading?
#boleybooks #ifsomethinghappenstome #alexfinlay #bookbeast #NetGalley #bookbuds

Thank you, Kayla Janas of @stmartinspress @minotaur_books

Review will be on May 28.