Book Summary and Reviews of If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay

If Something Happens to Me

A Novel

by Alex Finlay

  • Readers' Rating (1):
  • Published:
  • May 2024, 336 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

From "one of the genre's most exciting voices" (E! News) comes one of the year's most-anticipated thrillers.

For the past five years, Ryan Richardson has relived that terrible night. The car door ripping open. The crushing blow to the head. The hands yanking him from the vehicle. His girlfriend Ali's piercing scream as she is taken.

With no trace of Ali or the car, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Ryan. But with no proof and a good lawyer, he's never charged, though that doesn't matter to the podcasters and internet trolls. Now, Ryan has changed his last name, and entered law school. He's put his past behind him.

Until, on a summer trip abroad to Italy with his law-school classmates, Ryan gets a call from his father: 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 on the envelope in Ali's handwriting: If something happens to me…

Then, halfway around the world, the unthinkable happens: Ryan sees the man who has haunted his dreams since that night.

As Ryan races from the rolling hills of Tuscany, to a rural village in the UK, to the glittering streets of Paris in search of the truth, he has no idea that his salvation may lie with a young sheriff's deputy in Kansas working her first case, and a mobster in Philadelphia who's experienced tragedy of his own.

In classic Alex Finlay form, If Something Happens to Me is told by several distinct, compelling characters whose paths intersect, detonating into a story of twist after pulse-pounding twist. The novel cements Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"A tightly coiled spine tingle ... As in Finlay's previous novels, relentless pacing, impressive characterizations, and the author's knack for surprise combine to produce top-shelf entertainment. This is a smart, unpredictable winner." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Finlay serves up another compelling, tension-filled thriller, perfect for fans of Kate Moretti and the crime-writing duo of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen." ―Booklist

"Alex Finlay has outdone himself with If Something Happens to Me―a riveting thriller with a twist that you won't see coming. I loved this book." ―Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

"A brilliant and taut action-packed thriller that begs to be read in one sitting. I know I did If Something Happens to Me is perfectly plotted, nail-bitingly intense, and incredibly compelling. Finlay proves once again that he is a master of his craft." ―Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Marriage

This information about If Something Happens to Me was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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Author Information

Alex Finlay

ALEX FINLAY is the bestselling author of several critically acclaimed novels, including the 2025 instant national bestseller, Parents Weekend. His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into twenty-six languages and sold around the world. All of Alex's books have been optioned or are in development for film and television. Alex lives in Washington, D.C. is the bestselling author of several critically acclaimed novels, including the 2025 instant national bestseller, Parents Weekend. His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into twenty-six languages and sold around the world. All of Alex's books have been optioned or are in development for film and television. Alex lives in Washington, D.C.

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