Where I see the days as they fade away: IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME.

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Not my favorite Finlay book, but still a page turner that I finished in one day!

This thriller is definitely compulsively readable, as, after five years, Ryan struggles with memories of his girlfriend Alison being kidnapped right before his eyes. She was never seen again. Now her car has been found in the lake in their hometown, but Alison isn't inside: police find the bodies of two strange men instead. Traveling abroad in Italy, Ryan starts to wonder exactly what happened to Alison, especially as he's contacted by local law enforcement from back home, a new deputy sheriff named Poppy.

The story is told from multiple POVs, including Poppy and Ryan, and weaves in an intriguing mob aspect. It's dark and gruesome, as is typical of a Finlay story. It delves into the theme of family and exactly what we will do for those we love. I especially loved Poppy's character: a war veteran struggling to find her place in the sheriff's department of her hometown.

I did find a lot of this story to be rather predictable, working out much of the twists way ahead of time. There are plenty of surprises, but many of them do seem rather obviously mapped out. Still, if you're looking for a quick thriller, this is a fun one. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review.

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