The Anniversary: A Thriller

From the national bestselling author of Parents Weekend, comes one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year.

"Everything I want in a thriller!”―Ashley Elston
"I could not put it down!”―Angie Kim
"Nonstop twists!"—Jason Rekulak
“A master of his craft.”―Jeneva Rose

Every May 1st, a serial killer stalks a small town. Every year he comes for them . . .

On May 1, 1992, Jules Delaney and Quinn Riley hardly know each other.

Jules is high school queen bee in a small Midwestern town when she survives a brutal attack by the elusive May Day Killer—a predator who strikes every May 1st and then vanishes without a trace. Quinn, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested the same night after trying to break up a fight and nearly killing someone.

By morning, their lives are forever connected.

A year later, Jules is haunted by trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was she spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to devastating news—the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year: May 1st.

As the years pass, secrets surface, lies unravel, and the paths of Jules and Quinn draw closer together. Two mysteries edge toward the truth—what really happened the night Jules was attacked, and who murdered Quinn’s mother? All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there.

And the clock is racing toward another anniversary.

Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, The Anniversary is an addictive murder mystery and nail-biting thriller—but it’s also a tender, heartrending story about fate, innocence lost, and two people bound by a single day. With its masterful structure and propulsive tension, The Anniversary reaffirms Alex Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

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Published May 12, 2026

336 pages

Average rating: 8.5

10 RATINGS

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WineforReading

May 22, 2026

9/10 stars

Great thriller with twists and turns. But added human touches throughout.

redamelia

May 19, 2026

9/10 stars

2:38 AM. That is when I finished this book because I could not put it down. Alex Finlay surprised me with part of the ending, which is not easy to do. This is one of those thrillers that hooks you quickly, pulls you in, and quietly convinces you that sleep is optional. The pacing creates an interesting reading experience. The story moves fast at first, but the emotional weight makes the journey feel heavier and more deliberate as it unfolds. That pacing works because the tension never disappears. Someone is watching Jules. Someone has access to deeply personal information. Jules does not know who it is, and neither do we. Alongside that tension, Quinn brings another compelling layer to the story. A difficult childhood and one defining moment during a concert ripple into adulthood in ways that feel realistic and emotionally grounded. What worked particularly well for me is how the suspense builds alongside uncertainty. There is a constant feeling that something is wrong, that answers exist just outside your reach. It creates the kind of reading experience where you tell yourself, "one more chapter," repeatedly. I will admit that one part of the ending left me emotional and wanting more. As a reader, I wanted additional answers. But perhaps that feeling mirrors life itself. Sometimes there are things we never fully understand. Highly recommend for thriller readers who enjoy tension, emotional stakes, and stories that may cost them a little sleep.

Bea Melanie

Feb 15, 2026

7/10 stars

This story follows Quinn Riley and Jules Delaney, two teenagers whose lives are forever altered by a violent night in 1992. Quinn, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who was trying to do the right thing, and Jules, a survivor of the infamous May Day Killer, carry the weight of that night for years as the narrative revisits them every May 1st. The structure works well — short, digestible chapters and alternating perspectives between Quinn and Jules keep the pacing smooth and easy to follow. I especially enjoyed the literary references sprinkled throughout the novel; they add a thoughtful layer to an otherwise dark story. The characters are strong and well developed, even if a few plot threads feel slightly unresolved. That said, the book reads more like two parallel character studies than a tightly intertwined narrative. For much of the story, Quinn and Jules move through separate emotional journeys shaped by the same date but very different circumstances. Their paths intersect early on and again toward the end, but much of their development unfolds independently. While the premise promises a suspenseful serial killer hunt, the tension builds gradually and doesn’t fully grip until the final stretch. However, just when the story seems complete, the final twist delivers a satisfying surprise. Overall, this is less a high-octane thriller and more a reflective story about trauma, fate, and how brokenness can shape identity. A solid, character-driven read with emotional depth — especially rewarding for readers who appreciate introspective suspense.

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