Alex Finlay might be my favorite thriller writer I’ve read in the past few years. "Every Last Fear" was just incredible, a devastating thriller that sticks with you, especially because it’s so tragic and shocking, with a plot that’s perfectly laid out. The Night Shift was another stunner. Very hard to forget. If you haven’t read his stuff yet, Parent's Weekend is a great starting point; it’s a bit lighter and easier to get into since the catastrophes happening here are equally divided among several families. While it might not hit you as hard as his earlier works, he still knows how to deliver those gut-punch twists. This book is super snappy, like a script that would have Hollywood buzzing. It has that perfect elevator pitch and goes down like a refreshing honey-infused summer drink. With a twist.
We’re thrust into a nerve-wracking and chaotic scene in the dead of night, where five students find themselves being pursued. Then, just like that, we shift back to the sunlit lawns of this gorgeous campus, brimming with the excitement of Parents Weekend. This annual event draws in the wealthy moms and dads of those five students, including a senator, a judge, and several high-profile figures. Among them, the most sympathetic one is the mother of one student who manages to get her son enrolled by working as a secretary at the university.
It’s through her eyes that I truly connect with the story. As she preps for dinner with the other parents, nervously donning a dress she hopes will help her blend in, the tension builds. When the parents gather, and the kids fail to show up, the unsettling realization begins to sink in that something may be seriously wrong. We’re then reintroduced to one of my favorite heroines, FBI agent Sarah Keller, and her charming husband, Bob.
What’s skillfully crafted in this book is that each chapter zeroes in on different families, and oh, do they have their fair share of troubles, almost as many as their kids face. We hop from one troubled family to another to read about cheating spouses, stalkers, fraudsters, and a teacher embroiled in accusations of inappropriate relationships with students, along with bullying, pranks, and all the riveting elements that make this story so captivating. This novel is not only really juicy but also elevated, much like a classic Mint Julep served at the Oak Room, to be specific about that drink.
Once you finish it, and if you haven't had the chance to read them before, I highly recommend diving into the two books mentioned earlier. They tend to be a bit grittier and more unyielding. You’ll truly be impressed by Alex Finlay's remarkable talent for crafting perfect mysteries that will really get under your skin.
