If Something Happens to Me: A Novel

Five years ago, Ryan Richardson and his high school girlfriend Ali were parked at the local “lover’s lane”. He’s attacked and when he comes to, Ali and the car are gone. The only things he remembers about the attack was Ali’s screams and that the attacker was missing both his pinky fingers. Ryan was accused of the murder of Ali, since she never found her.
Years later Ryan changed his last name hoping to reinvent himself. He is now in law school and has decided to take a trip with his school mates to Italy. Ryan just happens to catches sight of something that shocks him to the core. It’s the man from the night Ali went missing. Ryan must risk his own life to track this man down and finally find out what happened to Ali.

Poppy, a young war vet who returns home to Leavenworth, Kansas, to work as the deputy sheriff. Her first call is to an abandoned car found in a lake. There are two men that have an evidence of an execution style murder. Poppy must find out who these men are, and why they were murdered. The car is Ali’s, the exact one that went missing that terrible night. Ali’s body is not in the car, but her purse is. They find a note in Ali’s handwriting that says, if something happens to me with a cryptic message.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a completely fast paced, easy read with lots of twists and turns, that kept me guessing. It is told in multi character POV. The narrator fits all of the puzzle pieces together for us, with ease. This was a 4 star read for me.

Ah, Italy—the land of pasta, romance, and apparently, haunted pasts that refuse to stay buried. Ryan Richardson, our protagonist, isn't just backpacking through Europe for the gelato and scenic vistas. Nope, he's running from the echo of a fateful night that’s haunted him for five long years.

Flashback: high-school-Ryan—a drive to lover’s lane interrupted by chaos, a car door ripped open, and the kind of traumatic abduction scene that would make even the hardiest true crime aficionado wince. Ryan's girlfriend, Ali, vanished without a trace, leaving him to grapple with the aftermath. Despite the lack of charges, the court of public opinion (read: podcasters and internet trolls) has already handed down a life sentence.

Fast forward to law-school-Ryan—new name, new life, new hope. He's trying to forget the past, but the universe has other plans. A phone call from his father yanks him back to reality: Ali’s car has been found, submerged in a lake, complete with two dead men and a cryptic note in her handwriting.

"If something happens to me…" Seriously? Could the plot get any thicker? Spoiler alert: yes, it can.

In the idyllic rolling hills of Tuscany, Ryan spots the man who’s haunted his dreams—the same one from that night. Cue a thrilling chase across Europe that reads like a Lonely Planet guidebook with a murder mystery twist. From the serene rural villages of the UK to the glittering streets of Paris, Ryan’s search for the truth is a rollercoaster of paranoia and adrenaline.

Meanwhile, back in the good ol' US of A, a young sheriff's deputy in Kansas is cutting her teeth on her first case. Oh, and did I mention there's a mobster in Philadelphia with his own baggage of tragedy? Because what's a thriller without a side of organized crime?

Alex Finlay masterfully weaves multiple viewpoints into a tapestry of tension and intrigue. Each character’s narrative is a puzzle piece, clicking into place with every pulse-pounding twist and turn. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Finlay pulls the rug out from under you—again and again.

Finlay delivers a gripping thriller that will keep you guessing—and second-guessing—until the very end. It's a wild ride through mystery and mayhem, perfect for those who love their thrillers served with a side of European flair. Just maybe don't book that European vacation right after reading.

Wow, this was my 1st read by this author and it was a great thriller. I was engaged from the beginning and did not want to put this one down. It has a lot of action, tension, suspense and mystery. It is a fast-paced story about a missing girl who is presumed dead, a notorious crime boss and a young new sheriff trying to piece it all together.

The story is told by 3 main narrators: Ryan, missing girl's old high school boyfriend now on a trip in Italy with his law class; Poppy, the new, young war vet who has returned home to Kansas to work as the deputy chief (went to same high school and Ryan and missing girl) and Shane, the head of a major crime organization in Philly. Some others are sprinkled in. The story is told in 3 parts and the narratives alternate. They do meet up in part 2. There is an amount of disbelief required but that didn't stop me from being thoroughly entertained. It reads part like a bit assassin/mob story thriller. I did not see the big twist coming.

This book started off with a bang and I thought I was hooked. Then it kinda petered. Maybe I was just in a mood but it couldn't keep my attention. I'm glad I didn't give up on it though because about 2/3rds through it got good and I really enjoyed it!!

Listening to the audiobook of “If Something Happens to Me” by Alex Finlay was an unforgettable experience. The story’s gripping narrative and complex characters had me completely immersed. Ryan Richardson’s harrowing journey to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s disappearance is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating. Finlay’s skillful storytelling, combined with the excellent narration, made for a thrilling listen that I couldn’t pause. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the emotional depth of the story resonated with me deeply. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a good mystery with a strong emotional core!

Alex Finlay delivers a heart-pounding thriller in “If Something Happens to Me,” a tale woven with suspense and global intrigue. Ryan Richardson’s search for his abducted girlfriend takes readers from Tuscany to Paris, with Finlay’s signature twists captivating you until the last page.

This novel is a must for fans of emotional depth like Emily Henry, dark twists akin to Emily McIntire, and the intense storytelling of Tracy Wolff. It’s a cross-genre gem that will appeal to true crime aficionados and those who savor character-driven stories.

In essence, Alex Finlay’s book is a masterclass in thriller writing, perfect for anyone seeking a story that thrills and touches the soul.