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A review by aoki_reads
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay
5.0
“You have two choices when you’re confronted with your every last fear:
Give up or fight like hell.” - Evan Pine
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a murder-mystery/thriller that is nothing short of a bonafide page-turner. Finlay is quickly climbing the ladder to becoming one of my favorite authors of the suspense-thriller genre. I previously read The Night Shift and loved it, but I think I love this debut novel of his even more.
The story follows NYU student Matt Pine, who is informed that his family has died from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Tulum, Mexico. Let’s emphasize the word apparent because what looks like a gas leak is not that at all. Matt is devastated, and understandably so. Both of his parents, Evan and Olivia, as well as his two younger siblings, Maggie and Tommy, have been taken from him. But this is not Matt’s first bout with grief, anger, and despair. This is also not the first time the Pine family has succumbed to becoming the featured face of true crime. Their family name was made infamous years ago after Matt’s older brother, Danny Pine, was accused and convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Charlotte, in cold blood. After being sentenced to a life behind bars— Danny’s story went viral, complete with a full documentary on the case, suggesting Danny was wrongfully convicted— thrusting the family into the spotlight. These two terrible events may be interconnected, holding plenty of tragic and dark secrets. It is a story that keeps you invested until the very end.
Similarly to what I’ve already stated in my The Night Shift review, I think Finlay’s use of multi-narration and time are brilliant. Not only do we get to read the story from many viewpoints, but Finlay allows us to bounce back and forth through time as well. While Matt and Agent Sarah Keller give us the present-day perspective, the past is given to us in the voices of Evan, Olivia, and Maggie Pine up until their demise. Everyone has a role in the story and holds pieces to the puzzle that contributes to its incredibly thrilling climax. Not only this, but as the reader, you are able to get glimpses into the lives of every individual, allowing you to soak in every character and recognize the important parts they play. Again, I love that Finlay does this for us.
Ughhhhhhhh my heart broke in a million little pieces for Matt and yours will, too. Though this is a murder-mystery/suspense/thriller— there are so many sad moments. So many times where you feel the heaviness of Matt’s losses but you also commend his perseverance and loyalty to his family. It’s touching and heartbreaking all at once, and I live for that in a thriller. Draw every emotion out of me while I simultaneously remain baffled and electrified by the storyline. That’s great writing right there.
And oh, I was so excited to see Agent Sarah Keller again! She’s also in The Night Shift, and at first I was a bit confused by what seemed like “back-tracking” with her character until I put two and two together, realizing that though this novel is Finlay’s debut and The Night Shift is his second, in the Finlay universe— The Night Shift would really be the prequel because it takes places years and years before Keller is put onto Matt’s case. So technically, reading The Night Shift first makes complete sense— if you’re in it for Agent Keller. This paragraph is dedicated to her, sorry for that rant. She is a badass and one of my favorite characters, though Finlay says and I quote, “I have no current plans to bring Keller back, but never say never.” I stan Agent Sarah Keller, she needs to come back ok!
But back to the book. I loved it. I’m giving it a 4.5 rounded up to a solid 5 stars. At one point, I thought I had figured out the twist early and I was pissed! But of course, Finlay proved me wrong again. I absolutely loved the premise, the plot-building, characters, and all. There were so many “that’s crazy” and “that’s wild” moments, different red herrings, and a whole lot of whodunnit. Finlay is not a predictable thriller writer, which is my favorite part of it all. He gives nothing away up until the very last chapters and answers all of your questions. I will say, I was kinda disappointed at how quickly and abruptly it ended, but that’s only because I wanted more. I can’t wait to read more from Finlay. If you are into suspense-thrillers with a lot of background and great storytelling, then Every Last Fear is a great place to start. Highly readable and I highly recommend.
Give up or fight like hell.” - Evan Pine
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a murder-mystery/thriller that is nothing short of a bonafide page-turner. Finlay is quickly climbing the ladder to becoming one of my favorite authors of the suspense-thriller genre. I previously read The Night Shift and loved it, but I think I love this debut novel of his even more.
The story follows NYU student Matt Pine, who is informed that his family has died from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Tulum, Mexico. Let’s emphasize the word apparent because what looks like a gas leak is not that at all. Matt is devastated, and understandably so. Both of his parents, Evan and Olivia, as well as his two younger siblings, Maggie and Tommy, have been taken from him. But this is not Matt’s first bout with grief, anger, and despair. This is also not the first time the Pine family has succumbed to becoming the featured face of true crime. Their family name was made infamous years ago after Matt’s older brother, Danny Pine, was accused and convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Charlotte, in cold blood. After being sentenced to a life behind bars— Danny’s story went viral, complete with a full documentary on the case, suggesting Danny was wrongfully convicted— thrusting the family into the spotlight. These two terrible events may be interconnected, holding plenty of tragic and dark secrets. It is a story that keeps you invested until the very end.
Similarly to what I’ve already stated in my The Night Shift review, I think Finlay’s use of multi-narration and time are brilliant. Not only do we get to read the story from many viewpoints, but Finlay allows us to bounce back and forth through time as well. While Matt and Agent Sarah Keller give us the present-day perspective, the past is given to us in the voices of Evan, Olivia, and Maggie Pine up until their demise. Everyone has a role in the story and holds pieces to the puzzle that contributes to its incredibly thrilling climax. Not only this, but as the reader, you are able to get glimpses into the lives of every individual, allowing you to soak in every character and recognize the important parts they play. Again, I love that Finlay does this for us.
Ughhhhhhhh my heart broke in a million little pieces for Matt and yours will, too. Though this is a murder-mystery/suspense/thriller— there are so many sad moments. So many times where you feel the heaviness of Matt’s losses but you also commend his perseverance and loyalty to his family. It’s touching and heartbreaking all at once, and I live for that in a thriller. Draw every emotion out of me while I simultaneously remain baffled and electrified by the storyline. That’s great writing right there.
And oh, I was so excited to see Agent Sarah Keller again! She’s also in The Night Shift, and at first I was a bit confused by what seemed like “back-tracking” with her character until I put two and two together, realizing that though this novel is Finlay’s debut and The Night Shift is his second, in the Finlay universe— The Night Shift would really be the prequel because it takes places years and years before Keller is put onto Matt’s case. So technically, reading The Night Shift first makes complete sense— if you’re in it for Agent Keller. This paragraph is dedicated to her, sorry for that rant. She is a badass and one of my favorite characters, though Finlay says and I quote, “I have no current plans to bring Keller back, but never say never.” I stan Agent Sarah Keller, she needs to come back ok!
But back to the book. I loved it. I’m giving it a 4.5 rounded up to a solid 5 stars. At one point, I thought I had figured out the twist early and I was pissed! But of course, Finlay proved me wrong again. I absolutely loved the premise, the plot-building, characters, and all. There were so many “that’s crazy” and “that’s wild” moments, different red herrings, and a whole lot of whodunnit. Finlay is not a predictable thriller writer, which is my favorite part of it all. He gives nothing away up until the very last chapters and answers all of your questions. I will say, I was kinda disappointed at how quickly and abruptly it ended, but that’s only because I wanted more. I can’t wait to read more from Finlay. If you are into suspense-thrillers with a lot of background and great storytelling, then Every Last Fear is a great place to start. Highly readable and I highly recommend.