I found the concept of this really interesting - almost like a ‘Final Girl’ take in the modern day, now helping the next generation.

Short sharp chapters frame a thrilling suspense novel bu one of my fav authors.

Although lacking in the Y2K / 90's nostaligia I was hyped for the book (in dual timeline) delivers a punchy, red herring laced thriller that will keep you guesisng right til the end.

The story's tension builds steadily, maintaining a constant sense of anticipation. The writing is competent, effectively drawing you into the narrative. The characters could have been a bit better fleshed out.

Unfortunately I have not been able to connect with this book and so after multiple attempts have had to admit defeat and mark as dnf

The world didn't end as the clock ticked over to Y2K, but in one Blockbuster Video store in Linden, New Jersey things would never be the same. Four teenage girls are attacked during the late shift. One survives. A suspect is identified, let go, and never seen again.

15 years later, in Linden, four teenagers again are attacked. One survives. The crime brings back the memories of the first massacre. Soon they are connected when the survivor recalls the killer's parting words.

The problem with mystery or thriller narratives is that it really comes down to the final answer or ending which makes or breaks the story. This is one of those times where the ending is slightly disappointing or maybe I had to high of hopes? Sometimes the answers are more mundane than some insane serial killers who returns after 15 years.

The premise of the book sounds like the set up for a really good mystery-thriller, but unfortfalls short of that. The reveal of the killer and his motivation was a bit weak, especially since the reason behind the second massacre was not the smartest twist. The epilogue felt like it didn't belong at all. It was as if the book had switched genres to a contemporary novel. Furthermore, maybe it happened in drafting but there was definitely some storylines that came up that were never addressed again. For example a potential teacher-student grooming situation that went nowhere and was completely forgotten.

The characters were fine, but not memorable. Perspectives switch between Ellaz the survivor of the Y2K massacre, now a therapist who is bought in to counsel the most recent survivor. Chris Ford, a public defender with a close connection to the man suspected of original killings. And lastly, Sarah Keller, an eight month pregnant FBI Agent who leads the investigation (major Fargo vibes). All good people with good hearts searching for something.

One thought I had as I read this was that Alex Finally definitely watched some Criminal Minds and Fargo before writing this book.

Overall, if you read you might be satisfied but I was hoping for something more.

• Thank you to Netgalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review •

I absolutely loved the 90’s nostalgia of this addictive and intense crime mystery thriller. The varying perspectives and flip flop of the two timelines kept the story moving at a thoroughly entertaining speed that I rode to the thrilling reveals which I felt was down really, really well. It’s ending was heart poundingly climatic
It ticks all the boxes novel premise , plenty of action, fantastic character development , a watertight storyline that was perfectly paced and plotted . Would I recommend it - YES 100% slick, razor shop and unputdownable. Alex Finlay has fast become a must read author for me and I will eagerly anticipate any new title he releases.
Thankyou NetGalley

This is a catchy and highly entertaining ride! Well, maybe I could not call the mystery murder containing not ony one, but two mass killings of young people an entertaining read - but it is so easy to get immersed within the pages! The novel reads very fast and there is practically never a dull tone present, the machine is well-oiled so to say and for the massive 90% of the novel I was thinking about a five star review. But...while I can live with that there are so many subplots and plot arches - as they are all interesting to me - I find the killer/s’ identity and so called “operational mode” being the weakest link of the story - and this is a literal sin in my eyes. While the perpetrator/s weren’t unexpected, I simply can not believe that they ever could be such “charmer/s” without anyone ever noticing and ever saying something about the....let’s call it preferences. This is simply unbelievable to me.
But having said that - I think about the book quite fondly. Mr Finlay is a huge talent and his growth from his previous novel to this is visible and steeply aiming for the goodness. And practice makes perfect - so I am already having high hopes for his next works.

Glad I read this one! A captivating read which had me hooked, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author given this is the first book of his that i’ve read.

This is my first book by Alex Finlay and, given how many mixed reviews and opinions I heard of the author, I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did. I am so happy I finally picked this up.

This thriller is way more fast-paced, dynamic and compelling than I expected. I particularly enjoyed the intriguing premise and loved the narrative structure: short chapters, four different narrators, and a dynamic setting alternating between past and present. Unlike many other thrillers and mysteries, I couldn't figure out the whodunnit until the very last pages.

However, I must say that the description of the detective's pregnancy was so unrealistic it hurt. No way an 8-month pregnant woman with twins will have enough strength to go around solving crimes and chasing murderers.

All in all, quite a suggested read!

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay was one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time, and exactly what I was looking for.
Non of the twists were particularly shocking and I didn't necessarily fall in love with any of the characters but the vibes were immaculate. It had this old-school slasher feel that I couldn't get enough of.

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
Review by Kelly Lacey

When a massacre occurs in a Blockbuster video store in 1999, you would think something so very heinous would ever be repeated. Fast forward fifteen years and it happens again. Is there a copycat killer on the loose or is the original killer back?

I loved Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear and I was very excited to hear about the release of The Night Shift. Total disclosure if I hadn’t read ELF I probably wouldn’t have picked up TNS due to the cover. It is the only thing that I don’t like about the book.

Alex Finlay makes you feel so comfortable whilst you read the book. You think wow this is so simple, I have it all figured out. Then BAM plot twist and you think bloody hell I didn’t see that coming and whilst you are still recovering another hits you upside the head. It is brilliant and you are so bamboozled that you didn’t see them coming that you just embrace the ride and go with it.

The book has strong women characters at its forefront. Each of them is brilliantly flawed in their own way. They each bring a meaty realistic background with them to the virtual reading table. I hope we have more to come from Sarah Keller.

If you want to be challenged as a reader but with fast-flowing writing then you will love Alex Finlay’s style. I am still thinking about the book long after I finished it the other night.

I would love to see Bookstagram or Booktok get behind Alex’s books because they really do deserve the attention.

Crime fiction at its absolute best!

Five stars

Such a thrilling read , really was intrigued by this read , such a great moving storyline , the characters were brilliant ,I will be reading more by this author

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

Dark twisted tale of brutal murders that take place fifteen years apart. Both killings as shops were about to close and teens working there are slaughtered…but who did it and why?

What I liked:
* Sarah Keller: FBI Special Agent, 8 months pregnant with twins, married to Bob, unrelenting, intelligent, focused, a force to be reckoned with
* Ella: survivor of the first killings, therapist, probably has PTSD and a few other issues, good hearted if a bit different. Enjoyed getting to know her better as the story progressed
* Chris: public defender, adopted, difficult childhood, loved his mother, seeks justice for those in need, courageous, has secrets
* Josie: survivor of the second killings, focused, intelligent, strong, researching the first killings at the Blockbuster, has secrets and a difficult backstory
* Vince: older brother, protective, accused of murder, disappeared while out on bail
* The twists, turns, and red herrings
* The police procedural elements of the story
* Atticus: authority in the local department on the Blockbuster murders, works with Sarah on the new case, good man
* The plot and writing
* Slowly learning what happened in the past and present…what TRULY happened
* That the Vlogger tie-in that didn’t seem necessary actually was and added a bit of closure at the end of the book
* That Sarah and her husband were truly committed to one another and their family
* That the story was believable, drew me in, made me care, and had me hoping for the best for more than one character in the story.

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the evil that occurred in this story happens in real life more often than it should

Did I like this story? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to Head of Zeus for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This was an entertaining if perhaps a little too slight story. I guessed one reveal quite early but there were a few details I didn't guess and I enjoyed the way things all came together. I do think the characters may have been slightly too broad, feeling like archetypes we've definitely seen before, and while this wasn't a deal breaker for me with a slightly longer page count I do think we could have had some more density to them. This would have made the story hit home harder.

I would read more from this author.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book, dual timeline and multiple POVs, full of twists and surprises! This was so much more than I was expecting, in a good way.
Definitely adding more of Alex Finlay’s books to my list!
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for my review copy!

So much happened in this book between the two timelines.
It really had me wondering who was behind what and who I could trust.
I would have preferred more time given to 1999. I have nostalgia for that period!

The characters were well developed I thought, I particularly liked the characters of Keller and Chris. Chris had a very interesting storyline.

There was so many twists and turns throughout this book to keep us guessing.

I'll definitely be reading Finlay's previous books.

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

This book had me hooked from the first page. It has several points of view and it is very much an action driven story. The characters were interesting and likeable. I loved the pacing and really enjoyed this book.

This is pure and utter crime fiction at it's best!

The Night Shift has everything and more! For any mystery/serial killer fans out there this is a MUST READ.

This is one hell of a complex, multi layered read that had me in its grasp from the get go. Yhe character development is spot on and I LOVED the short intense chapters that ended with cliffhangers which just made you carry on without taking breathe.

The book starts in New Years Eve 1999 - remember the eve of the Millennium when we were all told the world would end! - well the world might not have ended but a tragedy did happen in New Jersey. Four teenage girls are brutally attacked leaving only one surviving victim, Ella.

Fast forward 15 years and like a mirror image a brutal attack happens in this sleepy town again, this time at an ice cream parlour. Once again only one girl survives, Jessica Duvall.

Jessica refuses to talk to any officers so they bring in a psychologist... the original surviving victim Ella. Can Ella face her own deeply entwined demons to help Jessica?

Now add FBI Agent Keller and her team into the mix and you have one hell of a formidable team ready to crack the case... what's the connection between the two cases? Were they committed by the same person/people? *NO SPOILERS*

This book is full of unexpected twists and turns. Even though I guessed the 'baddie'quite easily, all the other shocking revelations completely dissolved any disappointment i usually have when I've guessed early on.

Amazing characters, amazing plot, amazing full stop.

Impactful, heart wrenching, emotional and completely unputdownable... what more can you ask for?

Huge thanks to netgalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC.

This is a new author to me and i loved the suspense, and i just loved this book. I was hooked from the very start and absorbed page after page (the short chapters definitely kept me reading late - the classic just one more chapter moment!!) and the twists and turns kept me engaged. Thanks for sharing with me i will definitely be on the look out for others by this author