Title: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
In one of the year’s most anticipated debut psychological thrillers, a family made infamous by a true crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days.
“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.
After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family―his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister―have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain―and they won’t tell Matt why.
The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny―currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte―was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.
When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison―putting his own life in peril―and forcing him to confront his every last fear.
Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted.
Review:
Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay is a puzzling mystery.
The Pine family has never been the same since oldest son Danny’s conviction for murdering his girlfriend, Charlotte Rose, seven years ago. Evan believes his son is innocent and he will do anything to prove it. Evan is keeping serious secrets from his wife, Olivia, but he knows the time is drawing near tell her the truth.
However, when he and his daughter Maggie receive details that might be the proof they need to clear Danny’s name, Evan books a Mexican vacation. The only person who does not join them is Matt, who is away at college. After Evan, Olivia, Maggie and youngest son Tommy’s bodies are discovered in their vacation home, Special Agent Sarah Keller must break the news to Matt. With the Mexican consulate demanding a family member claim the remains, Matt travels to Mexico only to find himself in danger. Why would someone want to murder the Pine family? And what, if any, connection do the tragic deaths have to Danny’s murder conviction and the trip to Mexico?
The Mexican authorities believe the deaths were accidental but Agent Keller wants to dig a little deeper. She understands Matt is grief stricken, but she needs his help to claim the bodies. After his experience in Mexico, Keller’s instincts tell her she is on the right track. But what new information has been recently been revealed that would lead someone to take such drastic measures?
Weaving back and forth in time and alternating between various points of view, an intriguing picture begins to emerge. Evan and Maggie work as team to try to find evidence that would exonerate Danny. Matt wants nothing to do with Danny’s case since he believes his brother is guilty. Olivia understands Evan’s obsession but she is concerned about the effect his efforts to save Danny are having on the rest of the family. After their deaths, will Matt and Agent Keller find out the truth about what happened to them and why?
Every Last Fear is an absolutely riveting mystery with a clever storyline. The cast of characters is interesting and well-developed. The story unfolds at a brisk pace with each chapter and perspective change ratcheting up the tension. Debut author Alex Finlay brings this mesmerizing mystery to a breath-taking conclusion. I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding mystery to fans of the genre.
