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The Night Shift
by Alex Finlay

4.25

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PREVIEW — THE NIGHT SHIFT BY ALEX FINLAY

THE NIGHT SHIFT

by
Alex Finlay (Goodreads Author)
4.25 · Rating details · 1,114 ratings · 803 reviews
It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from
the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital
apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New
Jersey, four teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one
survives. Police quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen It’s New
Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to end in chaos: planes falling from the sky,
elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse.
None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey, four
teenage girls working the night shift are attacked. Only one survives. Police
quickly identify a suspect who flees and is never seen again.

Fifteen years later, in the same town, four teenage employees working late at an
ice cream store are attacked, and again only one makes it out alive.

Both surviving victims recall the killer speaking only a few final words...
“Goodnight, pretty girl.”

In the aftermath, three lives intersect: the survivor of the Blockbuster
massacre who’s forced to relive her tragedy; the brother of the original
suspect, who’s convinced the police have it wrong; and the FBI agent, who’s
determined to solve both cases. On a collision course toward the truth, all
three lives will forever be changed, and not everyone will make it out alive.

Twisty, poignant, and redemptive, The Night Shift is a story about the legacy of
trauma and how the broken can come out on the other side, and it solidifies Alex
Finlay as one of the new leading voices in the world of thrillers. ...more

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Hardcover, 368 pages
Published March 1st 2022 by Minotaur Books
More Details...
Original Title
The Night Shift
ISBN
1250268885 (ISBN13: 9781250268884)
Edition Language
English
Setting
Linden, New Jersey, 1999 (United States)
New Jersey (United States)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)[Why was Vince buried at Ella’s
house? I missed the connection there. (hide spoiler)]
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Lauren
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)[ That's where the father's brought
him after kidnapping him from his house. Assuming because it's a sizable estate
it would be easier to beat Vince wit…more That's where the father's brought him
after kidnapping him from his house. Assuming because it's a sizable estate it
would be easier to beat Vince without being seen or interrupted. (less) (hide
spoiler)]
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Showing 1-30
Average rating 4.25 ·
Rating details
· 1,114 ratings · 803 reviews

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Sep 22, 2021 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it it was amazing
Happy pub day to this unputdownable addiction! 🥳🎉🥂🎈

Oh my! May I have your attention please? I think after devouring one of the best
thing I’ve read lately, I can honestly say: I want to create a fan club of Alex
Finlay. I want to print and sell embroidered T-shirts with his book covers! I
have to discuss his books on book forums and chant for his works!

I enjoyed Every Last Fear as a debut and I was so curious what he would write
after that great book. Could he write something even better than h Happy pub day
to this unputdownable addiction! 🥳🎉🥂🎈

I enjoyed Every Last Fear as a debut and I was so curious what he would write
after that great book. Could he write something even better than his debut? And
he actually did. I wrote a five star review for Every Last Fear so to be fair I
have to write seven stars review for Night Shift. Can I write it? Well, if the
author exceeded my expectations with his great performance, I think it’s worth
to try!

Night Shift has everything for geeky mystery/ serial killer story fans like me.
It has deeply layered, complex, honest, absolutely well-developed
characterization. Writing style with short and intense chapters ending with
cliffhangers hook you up, forcing you to devour pages a little faster than you
planned and eventually you find yourself cancel everything in your life to give
full attention to this riveting, addictive mystery.

There are so many twists that we mostly don’t see them coming and they hit us
hard. I honestly guessed the culprit easily but there are so many surprising and
juicy revelations about the characters and their connections to the murder cases
which pull the rug out from under you!

FBI Agent Keller was my favorite character as bold, witty, badass inspector
reminds you of a sweet combination of Fargo’s Frances McDormand -X Files’ Dana
Scully- Mare of Easttown’s Kate Winslet! ( coolest fiction character I’d like to
hang out and share bottles of Chardonnay)

And heart wrenching, emotional, fear ending is absolutely the best possible way
to finalize this impactful and remarkable story!

Let’s take a look at the plot:
The story opens up 1999’s New Year’s Eve: thankfully no planes crushed, the
elevator didn’t plunge to earth or the world market didn’t collapse as it was
expected! But another local tragedy hit Linden, New Jersey: the four teenager
girls working at Blockbuster Video store, were brutally attacked! Three of them
are killed and only one of them survived.

After fifteen years later another brutal attack occur at the same town. This
time the killer hunts the victims at ice cream store and only a young girl named
Jessica Duvall survived from the massacre. But she rejects to talk with the
officers. She needs someone who truly understands the tragic situation she’s
been endured. That’s how Ella who is the lone survivor of the Blockbuster video
store murders finds herself to talk with the victim.

Ella is a therapist whose brain is foggy with drugs, suffering from self
destruction, sabotaging her own relationship with her fiancée, having random one
night stands. She’s still stuck at the day the murders have been occurred. Her
connection with Jesse push her to dig more to find out more clues about two
murders. Could they be connected? Could both murders have been committed by the
same person?

Ella is not the only one to connect the dots to solve whose behind the great
scheme. FBI Agent badass Keller who is expecting twins team up with young
officer Atticus investigate the past and present crimes’ connection and Chris:
baby brother of Vince Whitaker who was presumed to be responsible for killings
at Blockbuster video store, working as public defender, chasing a V-logger
because there are so many similarities between the guy and his brother who has
run away after being accused of killing the girls!

Could Vince Whitaker be innocent? Could somebody put the blame on him to resume
his/ her deadly massacres?

Keller-Ella-Jesse and Nick’s paths are intercepted. Their connection and
determination to find out the truth will also open so many can of warms. Nothing
as it seems and as the revelations come out none of them’s life will be the
same!

I truly deeply highly recommend this mind blowing page- turner! And as probable
founder of fan club, I’m looking forward to read Alex Finlay’s future works

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for sharing
this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts. ...more
flag 276 likes · Like · see review
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Carolyn Great review Nilufer. Just finished and loved this. I'll sign up for one
of your T-shirts with sequins please! Great review Nilufer. Just finished and
loved this. I'll sign up for one of your T-shirts with sequins please! ...more
22. Februar, 21:38 Uhr · flag

Nilufer Ozmekik Yay! Thanks Carolyn! I’m working on those t-shirts immediately
🙌🏻🥳
22. Februar, 21:44 Uhr · flag

Nov 15, 2021 Meredith rated it really liked it
Shelves: netgalley
A Riveting Read!

The Night Shift is a compulsively readable thriller about the night crew of a
Blockbuster being murdered on New Year’s Eve in 1999. Fast forward 15 years and
the closing crew of a local ice cream shop is offed the same way. Is it a copy
cat or has the original thriller come out of hiding?

The novel opens on the eve of Y2K--there’s tension in the air from the fear of
what will happen when the world meets the 21st century. This scene brought me
back to the time when movie rental stores existed, and it made me nostalgic
until the employees were brutally murdered. My nostalgia quickly ended there.

The Night Shift is told from multiple POVs: Ella, the lone survivor from the
Blockbuster murders, Sarah Keller, FBI agent, and Chris, an assistant
prosecutor, who holds a connection to the suspected murderer. In addition to
this trio, there are many characters to keep track of--the victim’s families,
the school principal, some cops, and Jesse, the lone survivor of the ice cream
murders. At times, I was a little confused regarding who was who, but these
scenes involved minor players.

Chris and Ella’s stories were the most intriguing. Agent Keller, who features in
Every Last Fear, was the stable link between the other two characters.

Each chapter ends with a little tidbit or cliffhanger that made me want more,
but sadly the perspective would switch to another character, and I would get
annoyed! This aspect of the novel irked me, but not enough to fully impact my
enjoyment level.

This is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller. I guessed the killer very early on
(it seemed rather obvious), but this didn’t bother me. There were some surprises
along the way of the dots being connected. I had a few issues with the plot and
some of the characters, but I chose to ignore them! Overall, The Night Shift is
a gripping thriller that kept me turning the pages.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for
an honest review. ...more
flag 233 likes · Like · see review
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Jan 28, 2022 MarilynW rated it really liked it
Shelves: 3500-2022, netgalley-2022, netgalley
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

Two timelines, two sets of young people slaughtered, fifteen years apart. Are
the two crimes connected? Could the killer be the same person?. FBI agent Sarah
Keller is called in to assist the investigation although she's relegated to the
sidelines, her questions to the local police not always appreciated. Not to be
deterred, Sarah and her temporary partner Atticus Singh, follow every lead they
can, seeing signs where no one else is looking. There is a lot going on in this
story, with two crime scenes, so much time having passed since the first crime,
so many victims, and parents of the first set of victims clamming up whenever
Sarah and Atticus try to interview them. Don't they want their children's
murderer to be found?

Almost from the beginning, I suspected the identity of the killer, but that
didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. So many people have secrets and
are holding things back that watching Sarah and Atticus try to ferret out the
false leads from the helpful information was fun. There is also a young public
defender who has a tie to the first case and he wants to track down the
suspected killer of the first victims for his own personal reasons.

Sarah is 8-8 1/2 months pregnant during this story and it's her actions that
brought it down a bit for me. Three distinct times she puts herself in danger,
her soon to be born twin babies leading the way, headlong into situations that
could end their lives. Sarah has only a few weeks to go before she can toss the
babies off to her domestically inclined husband and get back to spending most of
her time fighting crime. It's not just that she couldn't put the babies first
during this short time in her life, it's also that she is able to perform
incredible feats, while 8 1/2 months pregnant, that took away from some of my
enjoyment of the story. I really wish the babies could have been kept out of the
story, all I could do is decide not to care about them since Sarah didn't seem
to care about them either.

Publication: March 1st 2022

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
...more
flag 193 likes · Like · see review
View all 73 comments
Samantha Curtis I couldn’t get into this book
7 hours, 56 min ago · flag

MarilynW Samantha wrote: "I couldn’t get into this book"

Sorry it didn't work for you, Samantha 💕 Samantha wrote: "I couldn’t get into
this book"

Sorry it didn't work for you, Samantha 💕 ...more
7 hours, 37 min ago · flag

Sep 21, 2021 Michael David rated it really liked it · review of another
edition
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

Remember the nerves and uncertainty in the air on the eve of Y2K?

That’s exactly where this book starts off, on December 31st, 1999 at a
Blockbuster Video Store (oh, how I love the nostalgia). Four teenage girls are
working with their young manager, and all but one of the workers are brutally
murdered. A suspect is quickly arrested and released...never to be seen again.

15 years later, some teenage girls are working at an ice cream parlor in the
same neighborhood. There is o HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

Remember the nerves and uncertainty in the air on the eve of Y2K?

15 years later, some teenage girls are working at an ice cream parlor in the
same neighborhood. There is only one survivor.

Are the two crimes connected? Is the original suspect from 1999 back from
wherever he went?

Told from the perspectives of Ella, the lone survivor of the Blockbuster
murders, FBI Agent Keller, and Public Defender Chris, I immediately became
immersed in the story, waiting to see how everything would intersect.

For the most part, The Night Shift is a gripping thriller with interesting
characters, an intriguing and dark plot that sprinkles “a-ha” moments
throughout, and enough tension to push through to the ending.

It’s not perfect, though. I found the way the characters received pertinent
information to be a bit coincidental. One source of knowledge was pretty
unbelievable, and I’m not sure how this particular individual would uncover so
much information that has eluded the FBI, police, reporters, and the like.
Additionally, the epilogue was way too HALLMARK-esque for my liking. 🙄

Author Alex Finlay has a surefire talent with his words. This is the second
novel of his that I have read and truly enjoyed. While I didn’t quite love it as
much as his previous offering, Every Last Fear, it’s still a worthy addition to
my “read” shelf. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an
honest review. Expected Publication Date: 3/1/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com ...more
flag 171 likes · Like · see review
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Mary Beth Fantastic review!
3 hours, 49 min ago · flag

Michael David Thanks, Mary Beth!
3 hours, 3 min ago · flag

Nov 23, 2021 jessica rated it really liked it
the characters are what sell this story. not necessary them as individuals, but
how they are all connected. or seemingly connected. the way that the information
is revealed and you see how the different arcs intersect or intertwine
definitely makes the story worth reading.

i also like how the characters have various professions, so the reader is
exposed to every angle the case. the fbi agent sheds light on the criminal
investigation, the lawyer show the legal side of things, and the therapist al
the characters are what sell this story. not necessary them as individuals, but
how they are all connected. or seemingly connected. the way that the information
is revealed and you see how the different arcs intersect or intertwine
definitely makes the story worth reading.

i also like how the characters have various professions, so the reader is
exposed to every angle the case. the fbi agent sheds light on the criminal
investigation, the lawyer show the legal side of things, and the therapist
allows the reader to delve into the psychological components. i thought it
provided a good balance of everything.

i will say that i was disappointed with the epilogue and hope that it goes
through some revision before publication because, honestly, its such an
unsatisfying and uninformative status update on the characters. this huge
“finale” happens at the end, where multiple characters are involved, and the
epilogue just does not provide the necessary closure for some of them. so
fingers crossed it gets expanded or changed.

overall, this is for sure a mystery/thriller to look forward to early next year,
especially if you enjoy connected cold and current cases, the ‘final girl’
trope, and great characters.

a big thanks to st. martins press/minotaur books for the ARC!

↠ 4 stars ...more
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Oct 06, 2021 Jayme rated it really liked it
Shelves: influencer-program, macmillan-insiders, crime, netgalley,
mystery-suspense
On New Year’s Eve, 1999-the whole World was afraid that computers would be
unable to transition to a new century, causing planes to fall from the sky,
elevators to plunge to the ground and the Stock Market to collapse-and Everyone
was partying like it could be the last time…

But, it’s just a typical night at the Blockbuster video store in Linden, NJ for
the 4 teenaged girls and their manager who were working the NIGHT SHIFT.
Rewinding the videos returned, selling microwave popcorn, and gossiping On New
Year’s Eve, 1999-the whole World was afraid that computers would be unable to
transition to a new century, causing planes to fall from the sky, elevators to
plunge to the ground and the Stock Market to collapse-and Everyone was partying
like it could be the last time…

None have them could have guessed that they might not survive the night for
reasons other than Y2K.
None could have guessed that they would soon be BRUTALLY attacked.

There was just one survivor-Ella.

Fifteen years later, four more teenaged girls are VICIOUSLY attacked in Linden,
NJ, just before closing time at the Dairy Creamery Ice cream shop.

Again, there is just one survivor-Jesse.

And now, in the aftermath of this crime, Ella, now a therapist will be called to
try to help Jesse make sense of what has happened.

Vince Whitaker, the boyfriend of one of the girls from the Blockbuster Video had
been swiftly arrested, following that tragic night, but when he was released on
bail, he disappeared and has never been seen again. Could he be back?

His younger brother, Chris, now a Public Defender who has always maintained his
brother’s innocence doesn’t think so. But, local police are able to call in the
FBI because of this possibility, and Sarah Keller, (from Every Last Fear)
arrives to assist.

Each will try to figure out IF these two crimes are linked.

Alex Finlay’s writing HOOKS me instantly! I was immediately drawn in by the
nostalgia and the well developed characters.

Although I guessed one piece of this puzzle pretty early, I couldn’t put
together how it would all come together in the end. I think his books are
written this way-giving you a chance to solve the crime-as in both books the
crimes felt plausible to me. That isn’t to say that there won’t be
surprises-there definitely are-but there isn’t going to be that crazy twist that
comes out of left field.

And, I personally LOVE stories written like this! ❤️

If you enjoyed his last-I don’t think you will be disappointed by this one. I am
already looking forward to seeing what he pens next.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded down
AVAILABLE NOW!!

Thank You to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley.
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!! ...more
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Jayme RoshReviews wrote: "Terrific review, Jayme! Looking forward to getting my
hands on this book. 😍"

Thanks Rosh! Enjoy! 🥰 RoshReviews wrote: "Terrific review, Jayme! Looking
forward to getting my hands on this book. 😍"

Thanks Rosh! Enjoy! 🥰 ...more
1 hour, 14 min ago · flag

Jayme Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "Excellent review, Jayme. I’m sure I
will love the nostalgia and the story, but now I can’t get the Prince Song, 1
Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "Excellent review, Jayme. I’m sure I will
love the nostalgia and the story, but now I can’t get the Prince Song, 1999, out
of my head. Added to my list. ♥️🌹"

😂 Enjoy!! ...more
1 hour, 14 min ago · flag

Feb 20, 2022 Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2022-favorites, 4-and-a-half-stars, netgalley
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur, and Alex Finlay for an
ARC of this book! Now available as of 3.1!**

It's Friday Night. 1999. You're 18. And you have absolutely no idea what TikTok,
Tesla, or Twitter are. You're desperate for SOMEthing to do other than roam the
mall, loiter at the nearest bowling alley, or jump around in your Moon Boots for
the thousandth time.

A commercial comes on, with it's all-too-familiar phrase:

Make it a Blockbuster Night.

...and suddenly, there is NO **Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's
Press/Minotaur, and Alex Finlay for an ARC of this book! Now available as of
3.1!**

A commercial comes on, with it's all-too-familiar phrase:

Make it a Blockbuster Night.

...and suddenly, there is NO PLACE you'd rather be.

Alex Finlay manages to take this charge from Make it a Blockbuster Night to Make
it a Blockbuster Book...and there was NO BOOK I'd rather read!

Our story opens in the last true golden age: the Age of VHS. Four teens in the
small town of Linden, NJ are closing up their Blockbuster store for the night
when an attacker strikes. One teen survives, but the perp manages to evade
police and disappear entirely. A blip on the crime radar UNTIL a similar attack
occurs at an ice cream shop, fifteen years later. 4 victims, one survivor. Has
the killer come out of hiding for round two?

It certainly seems that way...as both times, the killer utters "Goodnight pretty
girl."

Everyone's favorite FBI Agent Sarah Keller (first featured in Finlay's debut,
Every Last Fear) is on the case, and "Final Girls" Ella and Jesse have input and
insight as well. There is a wide range of possible suspects here, and as things
progress, we meet siblings of the survivors, friends, colleagues, detectives,
and family members. Does the killer have a THIRD target in mind? Could all of
these loose ends be neatly tied together by story's end. Do either of these
Final Girls know more than they are letting on...and just exactly WHO was
lingering in the Blockbuster parking lot, all those years ago?

After the absolutely top-notch thriller that is Every Last Fear from then-debut
author Alex Finlay and a run of less than 5 star reads lately, my expectations
for this book were about as high as they could be for any author AND any
thriller I have picked up in recent memory...and saving this one for a much
needed pick-me-up was WELL worth it!

Finlay's trademarks are all here:
*short, punchy, in-your-face chapters. My personal favorite in thrillers, for
the obvious reason of compelling you to read more and more. It's easy to say,
"Just one more chapter" when it only takes a few minutes to read it! Well
played, Finlay. 😉

*character development that brings you up to speed with the life, motivations,
and hopes of his characters in no time flat! If you're going to alternate POVs
AND be economical in chapter length, every word counts. Finlay's books don't
hold much in the way of filler, because frankly? There isn't any time for it!
However, I never feel shortchanged when it comes to his characters. They are
always easy to visualize and intriguing from start to finish!

*Red herrings and twists. I LOVE his jaw-dropping and eye-popping moments, and
there were certainly a few in this one! Sometimes it's fun to really play sleuth
and see how quickly you can determine the killer, and other times it's fun to
sit back and sort of watch everything unfold before you. The beauty of Finlay's
books is that you can take either path and have FUN. Plenty of room for armchair
detectives, but if you'd rather just let yourself be surprised (basically how I
went into this one) there's plenty of room to do that too. His stories FEEL very
plausible and real, and even if there were minor plot holes pointed out to me, I
doubt I'd notice them or care! Always a sign of entertaining and well-thought
out writing.

I think perhaps my biggest criticism of this one, ironically, was Agent Keller's
portrayal: she is supposedly 9 MONTHS PREGNANT (and nearly full term) with
twins...and not only is she still working her normal beat without MISSING a
beat, there is actually a point in the book where she feels some pain in her
stomach and thinks "Eh" and essentially ignores it. I mean, the fact that she's
moving around at all is pretty incredible, but I have to imagine most first time
moms would hardly be nonchalant about pains like that...since they could
potentially signal a problem or...you know...LABOR! 🤦‍♀️

The best thing about Finlay's writing, however? It pulses with a suspenseful
heartbeat all its own, not letting up from page one until it left me baffled,
breathless, and begging for more! Finlay is an absolute must-read author for me,
and if you enjoyed his last, love the 90s and are in search of a
character-driven, page-flipping thriller?

...The Night Shift will tick every one of those boxes, because ANY night you're
reading a Finlay book is its own Blockbuster Night! 🎬🍿

4.5 stars ...more
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Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) Peter (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I haven't
read this one yet but it's on my list. Fantastic review, Catherine."

Oh it was a winner, Peter! I’m excited yo Peter (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "I
haven't read this one yet but it's on my list. Fantastic review, Catherine."

Oh it was a winner, Peter! I’m excited you’re going to check it out, I’ll be
looking for your review! 😊 ...more
6 hours, 50 min ago · flag

Regina Haha! I miss those blockbuster night days. Wandering around, hoping to
find one of the popular titles in stock. Anyhoo, absolutely marvelous review, C
Haha! I miss those blockbuster night days. Wandering around, hoping to find one
of the popular titles in stock. Anyhoo, absolutely marvelous review, Catherine.
I have this ARC but didn't manage to get it read before pub date. I'm tardy! ;)
...more
39 minutes ago · flag

Sep 30, 2021 Dorie - Cats&Books :) rated it really liked it
Shelves: edelweiss, psychological-thriller
I think I feel a bit differently about this book than some other reviews that
I’ve read. For me I felt as though the first half of the book was much more
slowly paced than his last novel. In Every Last Fear, the beginning started with
a bang and just kept building. For me, this one was a bit of a slower start.

Mr. Finlay’s strengths are many; I love the time and place where this novel was
set. The beginning brings a sense of deja vu for anyone old enough to remember
the fear of Y2K and how the wo I think I feel a bit differently about this book
than some other reviews that I’ve read. For me I felt as though the first half
of the book was much more slowly paced than his last novel. In Every Last Fear,
the beginning started with a bang and just kept building. For me, this one was a
bit of a slower start.

Mr. Finlay’s strengths are many; I love the time and place where this novel was
set. The beginning brings a sense of deja vu for anyone old enough to remember
the fear of Y2K and how the world was going to literally shut down, computers
wouldn’t know how to update, etc etc. It really was quite a fierce buildup TO AN
ABSOLUTELY NON-EVENT!!!!

The author is very clever at bringing in twists at a consistent pace while
saving the most surprises for later in the book. His writing is excellent and
there was no problem with the two timelines, I thought they were clearly defined
and easy to separate.

I loved that he chose some really intelligent, hard working and industrious
women to advance the plot and be involved in the investigation. HIS CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT IS VERY GOOD!!

BRIEF HIGHLIGHT OF THE PLOT: In 1999, New Year’s Eve, there is a murder in
Linden, New Jersey, a town not used to a lot of violence. Four teenagers were
brutally attacked at the local Blockbuster Video, only one survived.

Now about 15 years later, there is another tragic murder. Same town, this time
at the Dairy Creamery. Teenagers are brutally murdered with again a lone
survivor. This one also took place during THE NIGHT SHIFT!!

Because the crimes are very similar, both involved teenagers in the same town,
there seems there must be a connection right? Why this town? Why always
teenagers? Why now, 15 years later??

The novel is told from two perspectives. FBI agent Keller and public defender
Chris. They will investigate the possible connection and of course, try to find
out WHO THE KILLER, OR KILLERS ARE!!!!!!

Vince Whittaker was arrested for the Blockbuster murder but set free on bail,
never to be seen again!!

In the present Jesse Duvall is the survivor of the ice cream parlor massacre.
She won’t talk to the police. She requests someone that has gone through a
similar experience. She wants to speak to Ella, a therapist now, who was the
survivor of the Blockbuster attack.

The second half of the book was more enjoyable and exciting for me. I felt that
the pace picked up, I got to know the characters better and things started to
come together.

In this novel there are some unanswered questions and coincidences that were a
little hard to believe. I also had a hard time picturing Agent Keller, 8 ½
months pregnant with twins doing some of the things that she did!!

All in all this was a great thriller, well written that I can definitely
recommend and I look forward to Mr. Finlay’s next novel!!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was a
pleasure to read and review this title. ...more
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Jan 06, 2022 Kaceey rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: buddy-read, netgalley
It’s New Year’s Eve. 1999. While most of the world is out partying or hiding
from Y2K. Five teens are working the night shift at the local blockbuster. Only
one will survive the night.

Fifteen years later an eerily similar massacre just occurred at the local ice
cream shop. Once again, only one teen survived.

Do you believe in coincidences?💁🏻‍♀️ Me neither!

This was a fantastic, twisty thriller that kept me guessing throughout.
Including lots of wild moments I never could have imagined.

My second re It’s New Year’s Eve. 1999. While most of the world is out partying
or hiding from Y2K. Five teens are working the night shift at the local
blockbuster. Only one will survive the night.

Fifteen years later an eerily similar massacre just occurred at the local ice
cream shop. Once again, only one teen survived.

Do you believe in coincidences?💁🏻‍♀️ Me neither!

This was a fantastic, twisty thriller that kept me guessing throughout.
Including lots of wild moments I never could have imagined.

My second read by this author and looking forward to seeing what he has in store
for us next.

A buddy read with Susanne.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press ...more
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Jan 20, 2022 Ceecee rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
4.5 stars rounded up.

Remember the panic about Y2K?? Remember Blockbuster? What’s the connection? It’s
New Year’s Eve 1999 in Linden, New Jersey and a killer brutally slays the night
shift staff with just one survivor. The authorities believe they have the
perpetrator but he disappears before any charges are made. Fast forward to 2015,
same town, the night shift staff at an ice cream store are slain, again with one
survivor. Is the Blockbuster killer back, there’s one chilling fact that seems
to 4.5 stars rounded up.

Just like the previous novel this one reels me in from the start and keeps me
hooked from beginning to end. I love the way it’s written as most chapters end
with an enticing, tantalising cliff hanger some of which are doozies they’re so
unexpected and this keeps you reading on. It’s fast paced, though thankfully you
do get some opportunities to catch your breath and it’s just my kind of
thriller. In fact, it’s a very definition of a good thriller with plenty of
action, thrill and spills especially in the second half with good suspenseful
plot twists and turns, some being real jaw droppers.

The characterisation is very good, Sarah Keller is very likeable and gutsy even
more so being heavily pregnant, her sidekick in this is Atticus Singh and he is
extremely likeable. Ella and Chris have suffered trauma and their changing moods
and a sense of foreboding hanging over them is well conveyed. One character from
2015 sure keeps you on your toes giving you pause for thought as you try to sift
through fact from fiction.

The ending is very dramatic perhaps in part a bit of a stretch but it’s
certainly riveting and heartbreaking. As for the epilogue I ponder over if we
need it but then I guess so as the author is trying to show how you can pick
your life up from horror and make something good out of it. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus, Aries for the much
appreciated arc in return for an honest review. ...more
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The Cats’ Mother Awesome review! My book of the year so far 🎉
26. Februar, 00:53 Uhr · flag

Ceecee Thank you very much indeed Jo!
26. Februar, 04:08 Uhr · flag

Jan 16, 2022 JaymeO rated it really liked it
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

Be kind, rewind!

New Year’s Eve 1999, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night
shift are brutally attacked at a Blockbuster Video. There is only one survivor.

The suspect is released due to a technicality and never heard from again.

15 years later, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night shift
at an ice cream shop are brutally attacked. Again, there is only one survivor.

Both survivors heard their attacker say, “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

Could HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!

Be kind, rewind!

New Year’s Eve 1999, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night
shift are brutally attacked at a Blockbuster Video. There is only one survivor.

The suspect is released due to a technicality and never heard from again.

15 years later, Linden, New Jersey - four teenage girls working the night shift
at an ice cream shop are brutally attacked. Again, there is only one survivor.

Both survivors heard their attacker say, “Goodnight, pretty girl.”

Could the original Blockbuster killer be at it again, or is it just a copy cat?

When the Blockbuster survivor meets up with the original suspect’s brother and
the ice cream shop survivor, they vow to find the truth.

With Agent Keller’s help from the FBI, they are sure to solve the case!

Make way for agent badass!

Every Last Fear was not a stand out thriller for me last year. However, I did
enjoy Finlay’s writing style and Agent Keller’s character, so I decided to read
his next book which continues her story. Once again, I very much enjoyed the
fast-paced writing and Agent Keller. My own nostalgia for a simpler time during
the late ‘90s was peaked in these references.

While I found myself intrigued by the mystery and oftentimes furiously flipping
the pages, I was confused by several plot holes and the unethical behavior of
the characters. Agent Keller is one bad ass agent, but would a woman in her
ninth month of pregnancy with twins really put herself if the line of danger and
take extremely dangerous risks? I found this book to be a bit over the top, but
fun nonetheless. It is a very quick read with several twists and turns that will
keep you guessing until the very end.

4/5 stars

Review is also featured in the March 2022 Library Reads publication.
https://libraryreads.org

Expected publication date 3/1/22

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Night Shift by
Alex Finlay in exchange for an honest review. ...more
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Feb 07, 2022 Jasmine rated it liked it
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay is a compulsively readable thriller loaded with
Y2K nostalgia.

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999 when someone attacks four teenage girls at a
Blockbuster in Linden, New Jersey. Only one girl escapes alive.

Fast forward fifteen years, someone attacks four girls at an ice cream shop, and
again only one survives.

The suspect for the first murder disappeared not long after it happened.

Is it the same perpetrator for this second mass murder? Is it a copycat?

These are the questi The Night Shift by Alex Finlay is a compulsively readable
thriller loaded with Y2K nostalgia.

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999 when someone attacks four teenage girls at a
Blockbuster in Linden, New Jersey. Only one girl escapes alive.

Fast forward fifteen years, someone attacks four girls at an ice cream shop, and
again only one survives.

The suspect for the first murder disappeared not long after it happened.

Is it the same perpetrator for this second mass murder? Is it a copycat?

These are the questions that FBI Agent Sarah Keller has in mind when she gets
called in to see if there is a possible link between the two cases.

The chapters are short and alternate between Agent Keller, a therapist, and a
young lawyer.

I would have enjoyed this novel more if there hadn’t been so many misogynistic
hot takes sprinkled throughout the text. One of the characters believes that
kids steal pain medication from their mothers specifically, and only aunts
attend AA meetings. Umm, what? Oh, and apparently, it’s very faux pas to call a
woman in her thirties “ma’am.”

Some of Agent Keller’s actions were unbelievable since she is nearly nine months
pregnant.

Once I put those comments out of my mind and suspended my disbelief, I enjoyed
the rest of the story. While the big reveal was predictable, finding out how
everything tied together was super compelling.

While reading this thriller, I could easily envision it as a TV show or crime
drama. Some of the dialogue was very reminiscent of those popular crime shows.

This was my first time reading Finlay. I believe a character from a previous
book of the author’s features in this one; however, it didn’t impact my reading
experience not having read that one.

I recommend this book to those looking for a fast-paced and compulsive thriller.

Three stars isn’t necessarily a low rating for me. I enjoyed it, but it had its
drawbacks.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in
exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com ...more
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Jasmine Thank YOU, Ellie!
2 hours, 3 min ago · flag

Jasmine Thanks, Kat!
2 hours, 3 min ago · flag

Sep 23, 2021 Carolyn Walsh rated it really liked it · review of another
edition
First, I want to express my sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
for this well-written and complex mystery in return for an honest review.
Alex Finlay's debut book, 'Every Last Fear,' was an accomplished thriller with
emotional drama and one of my favourites. 'The Night Shift,' his second book,
takes the 'final girl' premise to new heights. The plot focuses on a mass murder
at a Blockbuster Video on the evening of December 31, 1999. There was one
survivor, Ella, a teenaged girl.

In First, I want to express my sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's
Press for this well-written and complex mystery in return for an honest review.
Alex Finlay's debut book, 'Every Last Fear,' was an accomplished thriller with
emotional drama and one of my favourites. 'The Night Shift,' his second book,
takes the 'final girl' premise to new heights. The plot focuses on a mass murder
at a Blockbuster Video on the evening of December 31, 1999. There was one
survivor, Ella, a teenaged girl.

In 2015, Ella, the 'last girl', is a therapist but her emotional scars remain.
She is on a path of self-destruction with drugs, drink, and one-night stands.
There has been another killing of young people working in an ice cream parlor.
Ella has been asked to connect with the only survivor, Jess, who will not talk
to the police or their counsellors. The two become friends because of their
connection as 'last girls'.

At the time of the Blockbuster murders, two boys were living with a frightening,
physically abusive father. Their mother had long ago deserted them. Vince, the
older brother, was the prime suspect. He vanished and has not been apprehended
by the police for the last 15 years. The younger brother, Chris, was placed with
a loving, supportive family and given their last name. He is now a public
defender. He has never stopped believing that Vince is innocent or revealed the
horrible upbringing in his early years.

Chris has discovered a series of Vlogs by an adventurer who travels worldwide to
dangerous and exciting places while filming and commenting on his adventures.
His face is never shown, but Chris believes there are similarities to his
long-lost and sadly missed brother.

Trying to connect the two crimes are FBI agent 'badass' Keller, heavily pregnant
with twins and young officer Atticus Singh. Ella and Jess also suspect both
crimes are related. They both have memories and secrets they have never revealed
to the investigators. Could Vince be back in the country and be responsible for
both crimes? Could Vince be entirely innocent? Have a different perpetrator and
a copycat killer committed the crimes? Maybe both slaughters were committed by
one person, and the blame was placed unjustly on the missing Vince Whitaker?

At first, I was not feeling the suspense nor engaged in the complicated,
well-plotted puzzle. It took me some time to connect with its flawed characters.
Later I became gripped by the storyline that contained many twists and
revelations. There was much action, tragedy, violence and increasing dread,
thrills, and suspense, and I became emotionally involved in the outcome. FBI
agent, Keller is a bold, amazing character.

This was a riveting, intelligent thriller and would read anything Alex Finlay
writes next! ...more
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Oct 23, 2021 Virginie rated it really liked it
Shelves: english, netgalley, suspense
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!🥳📚

A strong 4-star rating for the second Finlay novel I read! I consider myself
really lucky to have received an ARC, because it was a terrific thriller.

I loved the cover and, luckily, the story didn't disappoint. Three equally
interesting POV, a clever plot, some twists and turns and a couple of endearing
characters managed to keep me engaged all along. I thought the pacing was great
and, even if I guessed the culprit early on, I don't think it was too obvious
(and I still HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!🥳📚

A strong 4-star rating for the second Finlay novel I read! I consider myself
really lucky to have received an ARC, because it was a terrific thriller.

If you liked Every Last Fear, do not hesitate to read this one!

Pub Date: 01 Mar 2022

Many thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC!
...more
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Kristy I really enjoyed this one - great review, Virginie!
4 hours, 24 min ago · flag

Virginie Kristy wrote: "I really enjoyed this one - great review, Virginie!"

Thanks a lot, Kristy! Glad you liked it too! Kristy wrote: "I really enjoyed
this one - great review, Virginie!"

Thanks a lot, Kristy! Glad you liked it too! ...more
3 hours, 7 min ago · flag

Jan 02, 2022 Christina rated it really liked it
Another solid whodunit from Alex Finlay, who burst into the thriller scene last
year with Every Last Fear. It was hard not to get sucked in by the nostalgia of
one of the key crimes taking place at a late nineties Blockbuster Video. The
timeline then jumps back and forth between that crime and another one years
later. Both crimes involve the murder of numerous employees at a store….with one
survivor…who whispers one secret phrase.

As is sometimes the case with me, within the multiple narrators an Another solid
whodunit from Alex Finlay, who burst into the thriller scene last year with
Every Last Fear. It was hard not to get sucked in by the nostalgia of one of the
key crimes taking place at a late nineties Blockbuster Video. The timeline then
jumps back and forth between that crime and another one years later. Both crimes
involve the murder of numerous employees at a store….with one survivor…who
whispers one secret phrase.

As is sometimes the case with me, within the multiple narrators and timelines, I
found one character by far the most compelling — Ella, the survivor of the
original slaying. She was great to read. We also see the investigation through
the eyes of an FBI agent and a public defender. The plotting is fast-paced and
twisty with some great ending reveals.

My one bone to pick is this pet peeve I have - I am a lawyer and I tend to get
very annoyed with plots that have a lawyer with an obvious conflict of interest
as part of the storyline, usually (as here) written as someone key to the plot
with an obvious connection to the crime who is somehow representing a suspect in
the same crime. This obviously never happens in real life and it annoys me as a
plot point, but I will say I appreciated the author pointing out the conflict
and incorporating it into the plot. Despite this personal pet peeve, overall the
entertainment value, strong writing, and whiplash-fast plot won me over. Finlay
is an extremely talented thriller writer, and I’ll read anything he puts out!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and the author for this very fun and
twisty ARC. ...more
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Oct 29, 2021 L.A. rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Alex Finlay does not disappoint with his brilliant writing elements to make this
a gripping thriller. I loved his last book Every Last Fear and this one was
exceptional in sprinkling information throughout to solve two seperate
horrendous attacks on innocent people. This hits close to home in a neighboring
county when they experienced the same horror. In 1997, there were two Baskin
Robbins employees killed and in 1994, four Taco Bell employees lost their life
to a crazed killer. The loss the com Alex Finlay does not disappoint with his
brilliant writing elements to make this a gripping thriller. I loved his last
book Every Last Fear and this one was exceptional in sprinkling information
throughout to solve two seperate horrendous attacks on innocent people. This
hits close to home in a neighboring county when they experienced the same
horror. In 1997, there were two Baskin Robbins employees killed and in 1994,
four Taco Bell employees lost their life to a crazed killer. The loss the
community and the families suffered has never left my mind.

"The sheep spends its life worried about the wolf, only to be eaten by the
farmer."

On New Year's Eve in 1999, the fear of the world ending was all the hype and
never thinking a killing spree of four teens and a manager at a Blockbuster
would be the headlines. As the lone survivor, Ella, chooses to live her life
helping others as a counselor. That practice would be put to use as she tries to
console and guide a young girl, Jesse. When an ice cream parlor suffers the same
fate with teens killed, Jesse is the lone survivor.

With Detective Keller trying to solve the cases and see a clear relation between
the two, she meets frustration and roadblocks with the community who want the
old case left alone.
A teenager, Vincent, convicted and later overturned for the Blockbuster murders,
is released and never to be seen again. Are the clues leading back to Vincent?
Could he be responsible for these murders?

One person interested in finding out who is responsible is public defender,
Chris. He is the brother of Vincent. After Vincent's arrest, Chris was adopted
and raised by a loving family that sent him to law school. This saved him from a
father and home life which was a disturbing case in itself. Chris has always
wondered what became of his brother. He has a theory and chases it throughout.

This has a fabulous twist in the end and a lot of shady characters with some
crazy endeavors to get the truth out of the townspeople who seem to clam up, but
for what reason? And who are they covering?

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eGalley in exchange for my
honest opinion. ...more
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Dec 13, 2021 Liz rated it really liked it
Shelves: netgalley
The Night Shift starts with a massacre at a Blockbuster on 12/31/99. While the
rest of the world waits to see what Y2K would bring, 4 young employees are slain
and one is left for dead.
Now, 15 years later there is a similar massacre at a local ice cream store.
Again, there is a single survivor.
The story is told from the perspective of three different characters. Ella is
the survivor from the first incident and she’s now a therapist. But she’s a
wounded soul who never quite recovered. Chris is The Night Shift starts with a
massacre at a Blockbuster on 12/31/99. While the rest of the world waits to see
what Y2K would bring, 4 young employees are slain and one is left for dead.
Now, 15 years later there is a similar massacre at a local ice cream store.
Again, there is a single survivor.
The story is told from the perspective of three different characters. Ella is
the survivor from the first incident and she’s now a therapist. But she’s a
wounded soul who never quite recovered. Chris is the brother of the man
suspected of the first murders who went missing. He’s also a public defender.
And Sarah Keller is the pregnant FBI agent helping with the current murders.
Keller was my favorite and well named as a “badass” in the book. But all the
characters were well developed and interesting in their own way.
This is a great story. Finley keeps the reader off balance by switching
perspectives. It’s a fast paced book with some good twists. I had my suspicions
early on about the killer. While sometimes that annoys me, here it just made me
more anxious to get to the end and see if I was right (which I was). It wasn’t
so much the who as the how that mattered here.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
...more
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Sep 20, 2021 megs_bookrack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: arcs-read
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY TO ALEX FINLAY
AND THE NIGHT SHIFT!!!

I had a lot of fun trying to piece this one all together. The more perspectives,
the more the intrigue. Available now!!!

Original:

**4.5-stars rounded up**

On December 31, 1999, a mass murder occurred at a Blockbuster Video store in
Linden, New Jersey. The vicious closing time attack left three teenage girls and
their manager dead; one girl survived.

The alleged perpetrator, after being initially interrogated, is freed on a
technicality. It's HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY TO ALEX FINLAY
AND THE NIGHT SHIFT!!!

I had a lot of fun trying to piece this one all together. The more perspectives,
the more the intrigue. Available now!!!

Original:

**4.5-stars rounded up**

On December 31, 1999, a mass murder occurred at a Blockbuster Video store in
Linden, New Jersey. The vicious closing time attack left three teenage girls and
their manager dead; one girl survived.

The alleged perpetrator, after being initially interrogated, is freed on a
technicality. It's at that point that he flees, never to be seen or heard from
again.

Fifteen years later, in Linden, girls closing up an ice cream shop are brutally
attacked. Again, there is one survivor.

Both final girls recall the attacker whispering something to them before he
flees: good night, pretty girl.

Could the Blockbuster attacker be back, or is there a copycat killer on the
prowl?

The Night Shift follows multiple perspectives as both the events of the past and
present are explored; including possible connections. The evolution of this
story was absolutely spellbinding.

Finlay drew me in from the very start of this book and it never let up. I read
this entire thing in a day and half, while reading other books. It's safe to
say, I quickly became obsessed with this.

Initially, I felt like there may be too many perspectives followed, but as it
progressed, it became obvious why Finlay chose to write it that way. He really
pulled it off. It ended up weaving together perfectly.

Reflecting back on my time reading Finlay's previous work, Every Last Fear, I
had the exact same comment on that one.

There were a ton of perspectives there as well, and even though I ended up
feeling like they were all necessary, I feel even stronger about the way The
Night Shift was done. For me, Finlay's writing has grown and I'm loving that
upward trajectory.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see a recurring character from ELF, FBI Agent
Sarah Keller. I enjoyed her perspective a lot before and even more so in this
one. I felt like I got to know her better here and I became quite attached.

I love her strength of spirit and she is so darn smart. She's definitely a
character you can get behind.

This story kept me guessing. I think I started to figure it out really at the
same time as the people investigating it. I had some inklings, but truth be
told, I suspected everyone at one point or another.

It felt like such a natural progression of reveals. I was living for it, whilst
at the edge of my seat.

Overall, I had a blast with this. It got wild. It was engaging for me the entire
way through. Additionally, it read like a movie. I could picture every scene as
it was playing out.

I would definitely recommend it. I pretty much feel on the same level for this
one as I did for No Exit by Taylor Adams. Take from that what you will...

Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy
to read and review. I think it is safe to say at this point, I will pick up
anything Alex Finlay writes!! ...more
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NZLisaM Superb review. I didn’t like it quite as much, but there was still a lot
to enjoy.
2 hours, 5 min ago · flag

megs_bookrack NZLisaM wrote: "Superb review. I didn’t like it quite as much, but
there was still a lot to enjoy." Thank you so much. I'm sorry it didn't work for
yo NZLisaM wrote: "Superb review. I didn’t like it quite as much, but there was
still a lot to enjoy." Thank you so much. I'm sorry it didn't work for you quite
as well. It definitely swept me away. I was home alone for the weekend and
totally devoured it! ...more
1 hour, 36 min ago · flag

Jan 03, 2022 Susanne rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddy-read, netgalley
A look back on New Year's Eve, 1999, and Y2K. It almost seems like a distant
memory, but then again it is!

On New Year's Eve in 1999 at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey - an
assailant goes on a shooting spree, killing four teenage girls. There is one
survivor. Her name is Ella.

Fast forward 15 years later, another shooting spree occurs in the same town,
this time at an Ice Cream shop. Once again, there is a lone survivor. Her name
is Jesse.

After surviving the Blockbuster attack, Ella bec A look back on New Year's Eve,
1999, and Y2K. It almost seems like a distant memory, but then again it is!

On New Year's Eve in 1999 at a Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey - an
assailant goes on a shooting spree, killing four teenage girls. There is one
survivor. Her name is Ella.

Fast forward 15 years later, another shooting spree occurs in the same town,
this time at an Ice Cream shop. Once again, there is a lone survivor. Her name
is Jesse.

After surviving the Blockbuster attack, Ella became a counselor and as it turns
out, she is the only person Jesse will talk to.

The FBI, together with the police are now investigating both shootings as the
original suspect got away.

Caught in the middle of this mess is Chris, the brother of the original suspect
who is now an attorney representing the individual accused of the second crime.
Talk about a conflict of interest!

Tense, taut, and fast-paced, this thriller was quite entertaining, albeit
predictable.

In The Night Shift, Alex Finlay brings back FBI agent Sarah Keller, her boss
Stan, and her fabulous husband Bob, who always brought a smile to my face.
3.75 stars

A buddy read with Kaceey that both of us enjoyed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.
...more
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NZLisaM Excellent review, Susanne.
24. Januar, 14:41 Uhr · flag

preoccupiedbybooks Looking forward to this, I was always in blockbuster in 1999
😂
26. Februar, 00:47 Uhr · flag

Dec 02, 2021 Blaine rated it really liked it
Shelves: e-book, 2021, advanced-reading-copies
Update 3/1/22: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!

Update 3/1/22: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!

> That’s what drew Ella to work in the trauma field: how little all the
> well-meaning therapists understood her. Maybe, just maybe, she hoped, she
> could unlock the secrets of the mind and help other victims. And maybe even
> herself.
> …
> Atticus says, “In the movies, the detectives always end up interviewing
> witnesses at a strip club, and it seemed like it would be pretty cool. But
> this is awful.”
> …
> He’s explained the scar so many times over the years, he almost doesn’t think
> of Rusty clutching his wrist, his face wrinkled with fury, spittle flying from
> his mouth, pressing Chris’s hand to the burner. But, really, Chris should’ve
> known better than to drink the last Coke in the fridge.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of The Night
Shift in exchange for an honest review. After really enjoying Mr. Finlay’s debut
hit Every Last Fear, I was very interested to see how his sophomore effort would
turn out.

On New Year’s Eve 1999, then-teenager Ella Monroe survived an attack at a
Blockbuster Video that left her four co-workers dead. The suspected killer,
another teenager named Vince Whitaker, disappeared within days, leaving behind
questions about his guilt and a devastated younger brother, Chris. Then in April
of 2015, history repeats itself when another late-night attack in an ice cream
shop in the same town again leaves another teenage survivor, Jesse Duvall. Ella
is now a therapist, and is brought in to talk to Jesse. Meanwhile, FBI
Investigator Sarah Keller—heroine of Every Last Fear and now
eight-and-a-half-months pregnant with twins—is brought in to assist the
investigations into both sets of murders.

As with Every Last Fear, the story in The Night Shift alternates between
different narrators—Ella, Sarah, and Chris—both in the past and the present,
with occasional clips from a video blogger who may have a connection to the
murders. Each of them brings a different perspective to what’s happening: Ella
is still damaged by the memories of the night she was almost murdered, Chris is
still haunted by the uncertainty of whether his brother is a murderer, and Sarah
is a thoughtful, compassionate investigator.

The writing in The Night Shift is crisp and strong, and the novel is well
plotted. The killer(s) may have been a bit predictable, but there were other
parts of the mystery that I did not see coming. The alternation of timelines and
narrators does a nice job of slowly revealing little morsels about what
happened, the characters’ various secrets (especially those of the mysterious
Jesse), and the occasional red herring. There’s a late reveal that changes the
direction of the tale, and a moment very late when I said out loud “oh no” as I
realized a character was no longer as alive as I would have liked (spoiler
alert? 🧐).

Another well-plotted, well-written thriller by Mr. Finlay. Recommended. ...more
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Oct 06, 2021 DeAnn rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2021, netgalley-2021
4.5 Don’t work the night shift in Linden stars - (but do read this book, now
available!)

Picture the very late 1990s, just about to turn 2000, and a Blockbuster store in
a small town. There are four teenage girls working the night shift along with
their manager. A killer strikes, and all but one of them are killed. There’s a
suspect immediately arrested, but he’s released for lack of evidence and then
disappears. The lone survivor, Ella, turns to counseling to process her
experience.

Flash forward 4.5 Don’t work the night shift in Linden stars - (but do read this
book, now available!)

Flash forward 15 years and the same crime occurs again, this time at an ice
cream parlor. Has the original killer returned? Or has a copycat criminal struck
the same town of Linden? The survivor of this attack, Jesse, connects with Ella.

The FBI is called in and I love the character of Sarah Keller (she was also in
Every Last Fear). She’s very pregnant with twins, but she doesn’t let that slow
her down! The local police don’t really want to cooperate with her, but she
keeps at the case, trying her luck at solving the Blockbuster murders from years
ago and checking for similarities to the new case.

Then there’s Chris, working as a public defender, and he’s got a very close
connection to the case. I rooted for him and liked his character as well.

I had some suspicions about how this one would turn out but there were
definitely some surprises for this reader! I really like Alex Finlay’s writing
style and he’s created a believable thriller here. While not perfect, I
recommend this one!

My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read
and review an early copy. ...more
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Feb 08, 2022 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY! 🎉

No sophomore slump here!

Finley has crafted another fabulously compulsive mystery/thriller! I really
enjoyed his debut novel Every Last Fear and was very excited to get my hands on
this. This had all the things I enjoy most in a good story; a well thought out
plot, well developed characters, and a mystery & twists that kept me on my toes.
I really liked Agent Keller and my fingers are crossed that we get to
investigate with her again. She’d make a great lead for a series
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY! 🎉

No sophomore slump here!

I can’t really find any major or minor flaws in this story & in my recent
reading that’s pretty rare. I do wish NG had offered it in audio which is how I
prefer to read my thrillers for the added depth. I still highly recommend & I’m
already looking forward to Finley’s next endeavor. 5 stars.

***ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest
review. ...more
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Kat (on hiatus ... kinda) Fabulous review, Lori. I just started this and I'm
already hooked! Fabulous review, Lori. I just started this and I'm already
hooked! ...more
26. Februar, 09:45 Uhr · flag

Meredith Fantastic review, Lori! I am so glad you enjoyed this too!
18 hours, 57 min ago · flag

Feb 25, 2022 ScrappyMags rated it really liked it
Shelves: kindle-read-done-finito, reviewed-by-me, make-into-a-movie-please,
mystery-its-a-mystery
Yikes, let’s NOT party like it’s 1999!

⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: A mass murder takes place in a local
ice cream shop: three teens are dead, one left alive. Flashback fifteen years
ago, New Year’s Eve 1999 and the same crime occurred at a Blockbuster video. The
survivor, Ella Monroe, is now an adolescent therapist called in to help with the
event, forcing her to relive her trauma while helping the newest survivor. The
police, the FBI, and a defense attorney all converge to find the killer (or
kille Yikes, let’s NOT party like it’s 1999!

💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Love Agent Keller! Who doesn’t love a pregnant-with-twins
totally bad-ass detective? And what I loved was that her pregnancy wasn’t a
burden or problem to her job - she’s rocking the the whole agent extraordinaire
role (hair flip it girl! 💁🏼‍♀️).

Ella Monroe, another great character, flawed but facing her fears, and Chris
Ford - the dedicated defense lawyer with altruistic motives. All written
adeptly, and just that perfect amount of reader attachment.

Many interesting characters and a few hmmms and ooooohs, questions and drama -
all the elements that mixed together made a well-seasoned, perfectly-paced,
minute-by-suspenseful-minute enjoyable mystery.

Admittedly, the killer(s) was/were kind of a “duh” in this one, but enough red
herrings were thrown at me to make me second guess myself for a hot minute (just
a minute, but it happened).

A few head-scratcher issues with some plausibility that held back my 5th star,
though I’ll start by saying I was crazy busy reading this so not my normal
“attention to detail” self. (Not a spoiler) - never understood why no one was
that interested in Vince Whitaker as a suspect; he was the original suspect in
the Blockbuster killings. He disappeared and yet, the police, FBI, all were like
🤷🏼‍♀️ “Meh, maybe it’s him but who knows? Oh well! Let’s look all these other
places!” Say whaaaa? I’ve watched enough ID Channel to know that’s NOT right,
😆. But I clearly got over it 🤷🏼‍♀️ .

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺
𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Procedural

😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Those ready for a quick well-paced
character-driven read, able to suspend a little disbelief.

🙅‍♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you can’t get past some of the ???
moments I was able to overlook.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for my
advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for Agent Keller and
my hope that she returns to my life in the future!
...more
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Denise Love this review, Mags! 😘
5 hours, 13 min ago · flag

Margaret M (On hiatus) Fabulous review Mags
3 hours, 16 min ago · flag

Jan 09, 2022 Nicole rated it really liked it
I remember Blockbuster! I wish they were still around.

This book took me a while to get through for some reason, but I was hooked from
the start! The plot twists were pretty good and I liked the action scenes at the
end.

It’s 1999 and the world is bracing for Y2K. However, in the town of Linden New
Jersey, three teens have been murdered at a Blockbuster. There is one survivor,
Ella.

Fifteen years later, in the same town, the same event occurs. Three teens
murdered, this time at an ice cream shop. A I remember Blockbuster! I wish they
were still around.

This book took me a while to get through for some reason, but I was hooked from
the start! The plot twists were pretty good and I liked the action scenes at the
end.

It’s 1999 and the world is bracing for Y2K. However, in the town of Linden New
Jersey, three teens have been murdered at a Blockbuster. There is one survivor,
Ella.

Fifteen years later, in the same town, the same event occurs. Three teens
murdered, this time at an ice cream shop. Again there is one survivor, Jesse.
The survivors of both tragedies recall the killer whispering the same thing to
them “good night, pretty girl”.

What do you get when you mix two survivors of a tragedy, one very pregnant
police officer, and the brother of the original suspect? One hell of a thrill
ride!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest
review. ...more
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Jayme Great review! I enjoyed it too!
09. Januar, 19:41 Uhr · flag

Nicole Thank you! 😊
10. Januar, 07:38 Uhr · flag

Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) The last Blockbuster is in Bend, Oregon!
28. Februar, 08:18 Uhr · flag

Feb 22, 2022 Carolyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: netgalley, netgalley-2022, 2022, thriller
On New Year’s Eve, 1999 three young girls and their manager working the evening
shift at Blockbuster videos were found stabbed to death. High school junior Ella
Monroe was the only survivor. An anonymous tip quickly led to a suspect, Vince
Whitaker, being brought in for questioning, but he was allowed to go since the
police didn’t yet have enough evidence to hold him. Shortly afterwards he
disappeared, never to be seen again, his younger brother Chris the only one to
believe that he couldn’t hav On New Year’s Eve, 1999 three young girls and their
manager working the evening shift at Blockbuster videos were found stabbed to
death. High school junior Ella Monroe was the only survivor. An anonymous tip
quickly led to a suspect, Vince Whitaker, being brought in for questioning, but
he was allowed to go since the police didn’t yet have enough evidence to hold
him. Shortly afterwards he disappeared, never to be seen again, his younger
brother Chris the only one to believe that he couldn’t have done it.

Fifteen years later, the shockingly similar murder of three teenage girls at an
ice cream parlour rocks the town, again with one survivor, Jesse Duvall. Jesse’s
headmaster Dale Steadman, who also helped Ella all those years ago. asks her to
come and speak to Jesse at the hospital since she is refusing to talk to the
police.

Before picking up speed and becoming a really riveting read, the novel starts
off a little slowly to set the scene and bring in the various characters
involved such as the detectives working the case, Chris Ford, the young lawyer
working in the Public Defenders’ office, heavily pregnant FBI agent Sarah Keller
who is reviewing the Blockbuster murders for similarities, along with keen young
detective Atticus Singh. What everyone really wants to know is whether Vince
Whitaker is back in town or whether these are two unrelated events.

The narrative is mostly told through the voices of Ella, Jesse, Chris who are
all flawed characters, damaged both by the murders and their upbringings, as
well as by Sarah Keller who believes the cases are related. Even at 38 weeks
pregnant with twins Sarah is relentless and fearless, to the point where she
picked up the nickname Agent Badass during the case). Every time she rushed into
danger I worried about her unborn twins and the risks she was taking, especially
since twins are mostly born at least two weeks early and she could have gone
into labour at any moment. (I also can’t imagine a woman that hugely pregnant
with twins charging around anywhere and think it would have more believable if
she hadn’t been quite so far along.)

Overall, this was a very enjoyable well written thriller, with a good build-up
of suspense later in the book, plenty of action, great, well-developed
characters, and some terrific twists. I felt the ending of the epilogue was
unnecessary, but those who like redemption and happy endings will probably enjoy
it. 4.5★

With thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for a copy to read ...more
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Kat (on hiatus ... kinda) Terrific review, Carolyn! I just started this!
26. Februar, 10:58 Uhr · flag

Carolyn I hope you enjoy it too Kat!
27. Februar, 23:15 Uhr · flag

Feb 13, 2022 Whitney Erwin rated it really liked it
3.5 stars rounded to 4. Overall a pretty solid read that I enjoyed. There were
were a few drawbacks for me. The storyline felt slow at some points and I just
think there were too many characters in the book with too much going on. Some of
the characters I think were pretty boring and needed more development to be more
interesting. I did enjoy learning about all the characters jobs and I like how
they all intertwined. This book did keep me guessing and was suspenseful at
times. I was satisfied wi 3.5 stars rounded to 4. Overall a pretty solid read
that I enjoyed. There were were a few drawbacks for me. The storyline felt slow
at some points and I just think there were too many characters in the book with
too much going on. Some of the characters I think were pretty boring and needed
more development to be more interesting. I did enjoy learning about all the
characters jobs and I like how they all intertwined. This book did keep me
guessing and was suspenseful at times. I was satisfied with how the book ended
and will definitely keep this author on my radar for future books.

Thank you Net Galley and St Martins Press for an ARC in return for my honest
review. This book will be published March 1st, 2022. ...more
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Margaret M (On hiatus) Love all the comments Whitney
16. Februar, 22:00 Uhr · flag

Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) Excellent review, we definitely agree!
21 hours, 12 min ago · flag

Feb 01, 2022 Mandy White (mandylovestoread) rated it it was amazing
Shelves: net-galley, read-in-2022
Oh my gosh - you all need to read the Night Shift!! I am pretty sure I told
everybody last year that they needed to read Every Last Fear and Alex Finlay has
followed it up with another must read thriller.

The story was addictive and so cleverly written, giving us just that little bit
of information from the past to match up with what was happening in the
investigation today. The idea of a massacre at at Blockbuster video sucked me
in. Didn't we all love going to hire a movie from the local video Oh my gosh -
you all need to read the Night Shift!! I am pretty sure I told everybody last
year that they needed to read Every Last Fear and Alex Finlay has followed it up
with another must read thriller.

The story was addictive and so cleverly written, giving us just that little bit
of information from the past to match up with what was happening in the
investigation today. The idea of a massacre at at Blockbuster video sucked me
in. Didn't we all love going to hire a movie from the local video store? I know
I did. And I work in an industry that is really missing video/DVD hiring.

The characters were all hiding something of course and getting to the truth is
the fun part. I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next and
how the new murders at the ice cream store would be connected. My mind was
working throughout trying to put all the pieces together. Happy to say that I
could not work it out.

Released on March 3rd, The Night Shift needs to be added to your TBR if it isn't
already there. Thanks so much to Netgalley and head of Zeus for my advanced copy
to read. A physical copy will be added to shelf on release. ...more
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Mandy White (mandylovestoread) Oh fantastic Monica 🤞 Good luck
23. Februar, 11:58 Uhr · flag

Monica Mac Thank you :)
23. Februar, 13:00 Uhr · flag

Jan 30, 2022 Dutchie rated it really liked it
Shelves: goodreads-giveaway
2 for 2 on this author. I just can’t ever put down the book. There was so much
nostalgia and characters were so well developed.

1999 a murder at a blockbuster then fly ahead 15 years to another similar
incident. Who and why? Doesn’t matter because the author grips you in the
writing style and you are along for the ride. I did not want to put this down.

This is one of my new favorite authors

Final note…somehow I forgot about zima

So thankful I won this via a giveaway
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Oct 06, 2021 Summer Reads rated it really liked it
On New Year's Eve in 1999 four teenagers working late at night at a Blockbuster
Video store, were all brutally attacked leaving only one survivor, Ella.
The guy who was accused of committing the crime Vince, jumped bail and was never
heard or seen from again.
15 years later four more teenage girls were attacked while they were working
late night at a fast-food restaurant, leaving only one survivor, Jesse. Could
this new massacre be the work of Vince or was it committed by someone new?

The story On New Year's Eve in 1999 four teenagers working late at night at a
Blockbuster Video store, were all brutally attacked leaving only one survivor,
Ella.
The guy who was accused of committing the crime Vince, jumped bail and was never
heard or seen from again.
15 years later four more teenage girls were attacked while they were working
late night at a fast-food restaurant, leaving only one survivor, Jesse. Could
this new massacre be the work of Vince or was it committed by someone new?

The story is told through 3 points of view, Ella the blockbuster massacre
survivor, Chris a public defender, and Keller who is a detective working on the
case. The story is told in the present tense with some flashbacks to the past.

This story starts with an intense scene and hooked me in immediately! The first
half of the book is slower-paced, It introduces the reader to all of the
characters and their backstories. The second half is faster-paced with action
scenes and shocking revelations.

I loved reading about how all of the flawed characters' lives intersect and how
their stories were connected. I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and how it
wasn't so cut and dry.

This book would make an excellent movie!
The Night Shift was such a fun and fast read and I can’t wait to read more of
Alex Finlay’s work. I would highly recommend this book for fans of
detective/crime mysteries with a thriller twist. Many thanks to Minotaur Books
and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! ...more
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Oct 20, 2021 Jean rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: mystery, netgalley, thriller
They say: two thousand zero, zero party over, oops, out of time
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999 (1999 – Prince)

New Year’s Eve, 1999. Four teenage girls were working the night shift at a
Blockbuster Video store. (Remember those?) “Working” as little as they could get
by with, really, because their boss, Steve, was not much older than they were,
and despite his threats of disciplinary action, he didn’t have much control over
them. But there would be no party for those girls when their shi They say: two
thousand zero, zero party over, oops, out of time
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999 (1999 – Prince)

New Year’s Eve, 1999. Four teenage girls were working the night shift at a
Blockbuster Video store. (Remember those?) “Working” as little as they could get
by with, really, because their boss, Steve, was not much older than they were,
and despite his threats of disciplinary action, he didn’t have much control over
them. But there would be no party for those girls when their shift was over.
Someone saw to that. Y2K was a memorable time, mostly because the world didn’t
stop. Except that for some, it did. The four girls were brutally attacked. Only
one survived. This is how Alex Finley’s new thriller, The Night Shift, begins.

Fifteen years later, it’s like “déjà vu all over again.” This time, it’s an ice
cream shop. Once again, four teenagers are attacked; three of them die, and one
girl, Jesse Duvall survives. There are some bizarre similarities. Immediately,
the high school principal contacts Ella, the lone survivor of the first
massacre, who is now a counselor. This was a déjà vu experience for me, as the
book I just finished had a therapist who was a trauma survivor as well. As in my
previous reading, Ella deals with her experience by displaying potentially
self-destructive behaviors and getting involved in dysfunctional relationships.
The similarities, not to mention coincidences, between the two mass murders keep
popping up.

A young man, Vincent Whitaker was arrested after the 1999 murders but released
soon afterward. Almost everyone presumes he is guilty. His younger brother
Christopher is one who does not. Because their mother disappeared before the
killings, and their father is a mean, violent alcoholic, Chris was placed in the
care of a kind, loving couple, who adopted him. He now works as an attorney for
the public defender’s office. He’s a major character. “Watch this space.”

Enter FBI agent Sarah Keller. Keller is very, very pregnant with twins, but that
doesn’t stop her from earning the moniker of “Badass” because she’s thorough,
determined, and very smart. She also takes too many chances than are
realistically likely or possible for a woman in her physical condition. She’s
assigned to work with a local cop, Atticus – yes, “Atticus” – Singh, an eager,
bright young guy who’d love to join the Bureau someday. He proves to be a quick
study.

Chapters alternate between Keller, Chris, and Ella. Keller and Singh seem to be
getting shut out of the main investigation by the locals, so they keep digging
into the past. Chris is tracking a vlogger, whom he believes to be his long-lost
brother. He hopes that Vince will return home so that he can help prove his
innocence. Ella tries to help Jesse, but it’s hard to know what to believe. Is
Jesse telling her everything? She seems to be holding something back. And what
do we really know about Ella?

There are so many twists in this story. I imagine the author needed a flow chart
to diagram this plot! My oh my oh my! What happened to Vince? Is he the
mysterious vlogger? Is he truly guilty of the 1999 murders? What about the
similarities between that and the ice cream shop killings? I had my suspicions
early on, but as the story grew more and more complex, I wasn’t sure what to
think!

The characters are fabulous. The plot starts out slowly and builds and builds to
a frenzy. If anything, the wrap-up happens a bit too quickly. But it’s nothing
at all like that Y2K experience – that was a humongous hype with fizzle at the
end. This. This is what I call a thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for providing me with an ARC
copy of The Night Shift in exchange for my unbiased review. My thoughts and
opinions are my own.

5 stars ...more
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ABOUT ALEX FINLAY

Alex Finlay

1,022 followers
Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington, D.C. His 2021
breakout thriller, Every Last Fear, was an Indie Next pick, a LibraryReads
selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a CNN, Newsweek, E!,
BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, and Reader’s Digest best
or most anticipated thriller of the year. Alex’s work has been translated into
more than Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington,
D.C. His 2021 breakout thriller, Every Last Fear, was an Indie Next pick, a
LibraryReads selection, an Amazon Editor’s Best Thriller, as well as a CNN,
Newsweek, E!, BuzzFeed, Business Week, Goodreads, Parade, PopSugar, and Reader’s
Digest best or most anticipated thriller of the year. Alex’s work has been
translated into more than a dozen languages and optioned for film and
television. ...more

BOOKS BY ALEX FINLAY

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TRIVIA ABOUT THE NIGHT SHIFT

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QUOTES FROM THE NIGHT SHIFT

“Nico's a good man, but like many men, he treats pregnant women like fragile
flowers. They overlook the fact that, over the course of history, through
famines, epidemics, and other extreme conditions, women survived longer and
better than men. Having babies? A walk in the park next to what most men could
endure. But whatever” — 2 likes

“It's not like Phyllis to be at a loss for words. Her wealth has given her the
confidence, no, the sense of entitlement to say whatever comes to mind, without
filter” — 0 likes

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