I couldn’t put down Alex Finlay’s latest mystery/thriller. Read my full review here.

May 28 is publication day.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #IfSomethingHappenstoMe ( )

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. ( )

Fast paced and absorbing mystery thriller.

After a traumatic event he experienced as a teenager, Ryan Richardson had to reinvent himself and learn to exist without his girlfriend. Allison disappeared with the thugs who took her and was never seen again. Ryan lived for years under a cloud of suspicion and changed his name and went on to law school but never forgot his first love. On a trip with school classmates to Italy about 5 years later, Ryan gets a call that the car Allison was in has been discovered at the bottom of a lake. Allison’s body is not inside but a note in her handwriting leads Ryan to believe that she might still be alive. A mad hunt ensues. The situation involves a young Kansan deputy working her first job and a group of mobsters in Philadelphia.

Although quite convoluted and complex, the plot was great. Lots of characters both good and bad. I liked the writing style and the different locations. The narrative shifts in point of view and I loved listening to the audiobook while reading alone in the E-book (both ARCs provided by the publisher).
Especially enjoyed the multicast performance on the audio which enhanced the entire experience. The book was fast and fun and I definitely recommend it. ( )

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay is a very highly recommended fast-paced, action-packed, intelligent thriller. This one was un-put-downable.

Five years ago in Leavenworth, Kansas, high school sweethearts Ryan Richardson and Alison Lane were on a date when he was yanked out of the car. He was left knocked out and she and her car disappeared. Suspicions ran high that Ryan was responsible, but there was no proof, but he was harassed enough that he changed his last name. Now Ryan is in law school at Georgetown and traveling with classmates in Italy, but he still thinks of Alison and the vague recollection he has of a man he saw that night, a man with missing fingers.

Now in Leavenworth on Poppy McGee's first day as the new Deputy Sheriff a car is found submerged in a lake. It is the car Alison was driving, but she's not in it. Two dead men are. Alison's purse is in the car and an envelope is found with the words "If something happens to me..." written on it.

Shane O'Leary, a mobster in Philadelphia has a son who is being bullied in school. His wife, Gina, is frantic. O'Leary turns to his accountant who has a daughter at the same school to fix the problem. And there are a few other characters along the way.

Once you start reading If Something Happens to Me it will be hard to put down. This is a smart, creative thriller full of tension, action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The pace is fast and relentless. Every different character, storyline and setting is interesting and compelling.

The beginning of each chapter helpfully informs you of the location and characters to help keep readers on track. While reading, you will question how all the storylines fit together, but it will soon become clear and along the way there will be a few surprises. The chapters are short and the pace is lightning fast.

The characters are all unique, interesting, fully-realized individuals and you will either care about what happens to them or be concerned how they fit into the plot. There may be some suspension of disbelief required, but it is easily done so you can find out what happens next. Most importantly, this was enjoyable and a pleasure to read.Thanks to Minotaur for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/05/if-something-happens-to-me.html ( )

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is an intriguing, braided tale. It is told in multiple viewpoints. Ryan has changed his last name and entered law school to get away from the fateful night when he and his girlfriend Ali were attacked at the local make-out spot. She disappeared and he was questioned in her disappearance.

The second point of view is that of Poppy McGee who is in her first week as a sheriff's deputy in her hometown of Leavenworth after an honorable discharge from the Army when she was harassed by a superior officer. Her first job happens after Ali's car was discovered at the bottom of a local lake by true crime podcasters. Ali's body wasn't there but the bodies of two men, shot in the head, were.

The third point of view is that of Shane O'Leary who is a crime boss in Philadelphia who goes on a rampage when his teenage son commits suicide after bullying at his exclusive prep school. His accountant raids his accounts in a Swiss bank and goes on the run with his teenage daughter who was a part of the bullying.

As the story progresses, we learn how all three parts of the story connect. The clues are gradually revealed as the characters investigate their own parts of the mystery. This was a fast-paced and intriguing thriller. It was filled with adventure and discoveries. ( )