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The Anniversary
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26Every Year He Comes For Them.
On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.
A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by the Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.
Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.
The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.
On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.
A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by the Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.
Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.
The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 12, 2026
29 people are currently reading
23281 people want to read
About the author
Alex Finlay
17 books5,206 followersALEX FINLAY is the bestselling author of several acclaimed novels, including the 2025 instant national bestseller, PARENTS WEEKEND. His work regularly appears on best-of-the-year lists and has been translated into twenty-six languages and sold around the world. Alex’s books have been optioned or in development for film and television, including PARENTS WEEKEND, which was recently acquired for adaptation to the screen. Alex lives in Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 27, 2025
Alex Finlay truly is the king of unputdownable mysteries—the kind that glue you to your seat, make you flip pages nonstop, and leave you devouring the whole book in one breathless sitting. His stories build pressure so fast and so tightly that you feel like you’re hyperventilating right alongside the characters, only to be hit again and again with sharp, smart twists you never see coming.
This is another gripping novel that moves across ten years—actually, you could even say twenty if you count that perfectly placed, epilogue-like final chapter. The story revolves around two unforgettable main characters whose lives collide on the same devastating night.
Quinn Riley is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks: quiet, bookish, and deeply caring. He looks after his younger brother George, who has special needs and suffers episodes, while living with his widowed mother and her parasitic, volatile boyfriend, with whom Quinn has recently had a serious altercation. He works at a drive-through, struggles to hold his family together, and still dares to dream of college and something better.
Jules Delaney, on the other hand, comes from a completely different world. She’s the “it girl,” high school royalty, turning heads with her beauty and sizzling confidence, carrying big dreams and a future that seems wide open.
Everything changes for both of them on the night of May 1st—Quinn’s birthday, which will forever become the day Jules’s old self dies.
That night, Quinn steps in to break up a fight at a concert, a choice that spirals into nearly deadly consequences and lands him in juvie for five months. Jules also leaves that same concert early, only to be attacked by the infamous May 1st Killer. Shockingly, he lets her live—but not without a chilling warning: stay silent, or her family will pay the price.
From that moment on, their lives fracture. In the year that follows, Quinn returns to find everything he knew destroyed—his home auctioned off, his mother brutally murdered, and his brother sent to a care facility. When he later sneaks back into their abandoned house, he discovers what he believes is the murder weapon used to kill his mother, a horrifying clue that convinces him the truth is far from over and sets him on a relentless search for answers.
Meanwhile, Jules, who survives and even rises to sudden fame after becoming a sensation at a stadium game, begins pursuing a modeling career. But the past won’t let her go. An FBI agent reaches out to her, asking for help in tracking the May 1st Killer. Over the next ten years, we follow their parallel paths: Quinn hunting for his mother’s murderer, and Jules working with other survivors to uncover the identity of the man who spared them, all while knowing he could strike again at any moment.
What neither of them realizes is that their paths are destined to intersect. The answers to both mysteries are more closely connected than they ever imagined—and the killer may be far closer, hiding in plain sight, than anyone would expect. The tension builds until it’s right at their doorstep, delivering revelations you won’t see coming until it’s almost too late.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, addictive read that’s nearly impossible to put down. I did manage to guess a few of the twists and the main perpetrator’s identity a bit earlier than expected, but that didn’t take away from the thrill of the ride. The nostalgic walk through the ’90s, the emotional weight of a decade-long mystery, and the clever way everything unravels make this an irresistible page-turner. Once you start, I guarantee you won’t be able to stop.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for sharing this addictive mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This is another gripping novel that moves across ten years—actually, you could even say twenty if you count that perfectly placed, epilogue-like final chapter. The story revolves around two unforgettable main characters whose lives collide on the same devastating night.
Quinn Riley is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks: quiet, bookish, and deeply caring. He looks after his younger brother George, who has special needs and suffers episodes, while living with his widowed mother and her parasitic, volatile boyfriend, with whom Quinn has recently had a serious altercation. He works at a drive-through, struggles to hold his family together, and still dares to dream of college and something better.
Jules Delaney, on the other hand, comes from a completely different world. She’s the “it girl,” high school royalty, turning heads with her beauty and sizzling confidence, carrying big dreams and a future that seems wide open.
Everything changes for both of them on the night of May 1st—Quinn’s birthday, which will forever become the day Jules’s old self dies.
That night, Quinn steps in to break up a fight at a concert, a choice that spirals into nearly deadly consequences and lands him in juvie for five months. Jules also leaves that same concert early, only to be attacked by the infamous May 1st Killer. Shockingly, he lets her live—but not without a chilling warning: stay silent, or her family will pay the price.
From that moment on, their lives fracture. In the year that follows, Quinn returns to find everything he knew destroyed—his home auctioned off, his mother brutally murdered, and his brother sent to a care facility. When he later sneaks back into their abandoned house, he discovers what he believes is the murder weapon used to kill his mother, a horrifying clue that convinces him the truth is far from over and sets him on a relentless search for answers.
Meanwhile, Jules, who survives and even rises to sudden fame after becoming a sensation at a stadium game, begins pursuing a modeling career. But the past won’t let her go. An FBI agent reaches out to her, asking for help in tracking the May 1st Killer. Over the next ten years, we follow their parallel paths: Quinn hunting for his mother’s murderer, and Jules working with other survivors to uncover the identity of the man who spared them, all while knowing he could strike again at any moment.
What neither of them realizes is that their paths are destined to intersect. The answers to both mysteries are more closely connected than they ever imagined—and the killer may be far closer, hiding in plain sight, than anyone would expect. The tension builds until it’s right at their doorstep, delivering revelations you won’t see coming until it’s almost too late.
Overall, this is a fast-paced, addictive read that’s nearly impossible to put down. I did manage to guess a few of the twists and the main perpetrator’s identity a bit earlier than expected, but that didn’t take away from the thrill of the ride. The nostalgic walk through the ’90s, the emotional weight of a decade-long mystery, and the clever way everything unravels make this an irresistible page-turner. Once you start, I guarantee you won’t be able to stop.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for sharing this addictive mystery’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Want to read
December 18, 2025A boy from the wrong side of the tracks, a high school royalty and the predator known as the “May Day Killer” that strikes every first of May in a small Midwestern town—this is a story about fates, broken souls, secrets.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Alex Finlay for this early eARC.
Publication date: May 12, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author, Alex Finlay for this early eARC.
Publication date: May 12, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved the characters. Excellent use of alternating pov. As far as I'm concerned, Alex Finlay never disappoints.
December 19, 2025
The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is a layered thriller about trauma, fate, and the long shadows that a single night can cast over two lives as they intersect year after year.
Snapshots of May 1st across a decade tracking two seventeen-year-olds whose worlds are irrevocably altered by violence. Quinn Riley, “a boy from the wrong side of the tracks,” finds himself in juvenile detention and then back home to grapple with his mother’s unsolved murder, while Jules Delaney, once high school royalty, survives an attack by the May Day Killer but carries deep survivor guilt. The annual revisits give such a rhythmic beat to their evolving emotional landscapes and the overarching mystery of the serial predator lurking just out of reach.
What struck me most was how Finlay balances high tension with real heart, weaving themes of innocence lost and resilience into what could have been a purely procedural plot. This story is not just about uncovering a killer but about the way trauma and hope can coexist in flawed, compelling characters. The emotional weight of Jules’s lingering question about why she survived and Quinn’s relentless pursuit of truth made me feel connected to their journeys.
Snapshots of May 1st across a decade tracking two seventeen-year-olds whose worlds are irrevocably altered by violence. Quinn Riley, “a boy from the wrong side of the tracks,” finds himself in juvenile detention and then back home to grapple with his mother’s unsolved murder, while Jules Delaney, once high school royalty, survives an attack by the May Day Killer but carries deep survivor guilt. The annual revisits give such a rhythmic beat to their evolving emotional landscapes and the overarching mystery of the serial predator lurking just out of reach.
What struck me most was how Finlay balances high tension with real heart, weaving themes of innocence lost and resilience into what could have been a purely procedural plot. This story is not just about uncovering a killer but about the way trauma and hope can coexist in flawed, compelling characters. The emotional weight of Jules’s lingering question about why she survived and Quinn’s relentless pursuit of truth made me feel connected to their journeys.
December 26, 2025
Im really into Alex Finlay books later, fast paced short chapters, multiple POV, multiple suspects, a mysterious case that slowly unravels and an ending where everything fits together perfectly. If you like suspense, twists and mystery - This book was a great read.
November 30, 2025
This was a solid and unputdownable mystery. I even teared up at a couple points which is something I never do with books like this. Finlay has managed to play with the reader’s emotions in the best way and lead them on a wild goose chase to find the killer. I rarely enjoy books with multiple timelines, but this book flows so smoothly I didn’t get lost once.
A serial killer that abducts and kills women only on May 1st, a victim who survived, and a boy who is determined to solve his mother’s murder. Sounds like a lot to tackle in less than 400 pages but it interconnects so perfectly that I was amazed I didn’t get sidetracked and lost.
If you want a book that is easy to follow, unputdownable, and flows together into an anxiety riddled and at times heart wrenching story, this one is for you.
A serial killer that abducts and kills women only on May 1st, a victim who survived, and a boy who is determined to solve his mother’s murder. Sounds like a lot to tackle in less than 400 pages but it interconnects so perfectly that I was amazed I didn’t get sidetracked and lost.
If you want a book that is easy to follow, unputdownable, and flows together into an anxiety riddled and at times heart wrenching story, this one is for you.
December 22, 2025
4.5 stars! The way I tore through this one! I started it at night thinking I’d read a few pages before bed and suddenly I was 30% in.
Alex Finlay is another must-read author for me, he always keeps me turning pages but this was his best book in recent memory. We follow two people on May 1 every year, starting with their high school study hall. There is a serial killer who strikes on May Day each year in Nebraska and this will affect everything that happens to them.
Who is the May Day killer and how is he escaping capture for so long? Why does he make the choice he does? How does this affect our two main characters and their relationships with others and each other?
I was intrigued the entire time and couldn’t put this down for a second.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
Alex Finlay is another must-read author for me, he always keeps me turning pages but this was his best book in recent memory. We follow two people on May 1 every year, starting with their high school study hall. There is a serial killer who strikes on May Day each year in Nebraska and this will affect everything that happens to them.
Who is the May Day killer and how is he escaping capture for so long? Why does he make the choice he does? How does this affect our two main characters and their relationships with others and each other?
I was intrigued the entire time and couldn’t put this down for a second.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been an Alex Finlay fan since the day I read “The Night Shift” and I’m happy to say that he is still delivering top notch thrillers!
This story is told from two POVs across a ten year span—specifically, on the anniversary of a date that changed the course of our two protagonists, Jules and Quinn, forever. We follow the as they live with the trauma of their experiences and as they work to bring the perpetrators behind that trauma to justice.
There were a couple of chapters where I felt like the momentum lulled, but by the end I was very satisfied with how it all concluded. It was satisfying to both guess a key part of the plot and also be surprised by the final reveal.
Huge thanks to Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review. “The Anniversary” releases on 5.12.26!
I’ve been an Alex Finlay fan since the day I read “The Night Shift” and I’m happy to say that he is still delivering top notch thrillers!
This story is told from two POVs across a ten year span—specifically, on the anniversary of a date that changed the course of our two protagonists, Jules and Quinn, forever. We follow the as they live with the trauma of their experiences and as they work to bring the perpetrators behind that trauma to justice.
There were a couple of chapters where I felt like the momentum lulled, but by the end I was very satisfied with how it all concluded. It was satisfying to both guess a key part of the plot and also be surprised by the final reveal.
Huge thanks to Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for this honest review. “The Anniversary” releases on 5.12.26!
December 23, 2025
May Day, every year on May 1st he takes a girl. Two teens, Quinn and Jules’ lives are changed forever on the same day the same year. Their lives are intertwined for a decade, their paths keep crossing. Both trying to put together the pieces of their lives and solve their own mysteries.
This book had an emotional hold on me. I couldn’t put it down, I tore through the pages with my eyes filling up with tears. This was a story about redemption, missed opportunities, friendship, and love. Not to mention the 90s nostalgia that tugged at my geriatric millennial heart. This was more than a thriller, and it might be my favorite Alex Finlay book yet!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This book had an emotional hold on me. I couldn’t put it down, I tore through the pages with my eyes filling up with tears. This was a story about redemption, missed opportunities, friendship, and love. Not to mention the 90s nostalgia that tugged at my geriatric millennial heart. This was more than a thriller, and it might be my favorite Alex Finlay book yet!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Want to read
August 18, 2025this book is one of my most anticipated book releases in 2026 and I can't wait to read this book !
from alex I have read last year in 2024 if something happens to me and it was amazing so I can't wait to read more books written by him
from alex I have read last year in 2024 if something happens to me and it was amazing so I can't wait to read more books written by him
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was definitely and "edge of your seat" read, with all the drama and twists you could wish for thrown in!
This story is told over the passage of several years as both Quinn and Jules navigate life and try to survive the emotional and physical repercussions of their respective life traumas. I am grateful to the author for not giving overly graphic details of the numerous rapes and murders of the many the victims in this novel. Just enough detail/information was provided to make me want Quinn and Jules to bring the evil perpetrator to justice.
QUINN: As the story starts out, it seems that young Quinn just couldn't cut a break. He kept to himself and studied hard in hopes of getting a college scholarship, but the odds were against him. When he comes to the aid of Jules' boyfriend, Brad, at a rock concert, Quinn is arrested and convicted of aggravated assault.
To make things worse, Quinn's mother is murdered while he is serving time as a juvenile offender. After his release, Quinn finds work as a junior investigator for a detective firm and uses his skills to investigate his mother's murder. Although Quinn has never liked his mother's boyfriend, he suspects that Randy was framed for her murder... and that the infamous May Day serial killer may well have been involved.
JULES: Jules was one of the "Lucky Ones" - one of the very few May Day rape victims who was allowed to live after her ordeal. She never reported the rape to the police for fear of repercussions against her family.
I won't go into more details for fear of spoilers, but this was an engrossing read. Once again, I want to commend the author for being respectful of the rape victims and sparing us the gory details. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TACT AND CONSIDERATION, ALEX FINLAY!
I suspected everyone at some point - Finlay kept throwing a ton of red herrings at you. The reader is craftily overwhelmed with so many viable suspects! But, as is always the case in an Alex Finlay thriller, justice - of a sort! - was served, and that very last twist/reveal did surprise me.
I'm rating this tense thriller 4.25 stars. My thanks to the author, Alex Finlay, his publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story is told over the passage of several years as both Quinn and Jules navigate life and try to survive the emotional and physical repercussions of their respective life traumas. I am grateful to the author for not giving overly graphic details of the numerous rapes and murders of the many the victims in this novel. Just enough detail/information was provided to make me want Quinn and Jules to bring the evil perpetrator to justice.
QUINN: As the story starts out, it seems that young Quinn just couldn't cut a break. He kept to himself and studied hard in hopes of getting a college scholarship, but the odds were against him. When he comes to the aid of Jules' boyfriend, Brad, at a rock concert, Quinn is arrested and convicted of aggravated assault.
To make things worse, Quinn's mother is murdered while he is serving time as a juvenile offender. After his release, Quinn finds work as a junior investigator for a detective firm and uses his skills to investigate his mother's murder. Although Quinn has never liked his mother's boyfriend, he suspects that Randy was framed for her murder... and that the infamous May Day serial killer may well have been involved.
JULES: Jules was one of the "Lucky Ones" - one of the very few May Day rape victims who was allowed to live after her ordeal. She never reported the rape to the police for fear of repercussions against her family.
I won't go into more details for fear of spoilers, but this was an engrossing read. Once again, I want to commend the author for being respectful of the rape victims and sparing us the gory details. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TACT AND CONSIDERATION, ALEX FINLAY!
I suspected everyone at some point - Finlay kept throwing a ton of red herrings at you. The reader is craftily overwhelmed with so many viable suspects! But, as is always the case in an Alex Finlay thriller, justice - of a sort! - was served, and that very last twist/reveal did surprise me.
I'm rating this tense thriller 4.25 stars. My thanks to the author, Alex Finlay, his publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆. 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑶𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍.
On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in small towns around the Midwest. Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year on May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its rich 90s nostalgia, which feels authentic rather than gimmicky. The author captures the era with an easy confidence through cultural references, social dynamics, and the pre-digital way relationships both formed and fractured without ever letting the time period overshadow the story itself. The nostalgia works as emotional scaffolding, grounding the characters in a time when everything felt immediate, intense, and permanent. It adds warmth and melancholy in equal measure, making the contrast with the present-day consequences all the more effective.
Another strength were the characters and their rich back stories and the fact that the mystery unraveled over the span of a decade, allowing all the little details to come together to form a cohesive picture. The growth, the changes, and the losses just cut so much deeper when you follow a character over a longer period of time. I was devastated over the final reveal because it felt like such a betrayal, but that's all I'll say about that.
What truly elevates this book, however, is the fact that it’s more than a thriller. While the suspense is tightly paced and the twists are well-earned, the novel is ultimately about memory, guilt, loyalty, and the quiet ways trauma reshapes identity over time. The author writes with empathy, allowing the emotional weight of the story to linger long after the final reveal. This is a novel that truly understands that the most unsettling mysteries aren’t just about what happened, they're about how people live with the aftermath. Many thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for this stunning early copy. Look for this one May 12, 2026.
On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in small towns around the Midwest. Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year on May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its rich 90s nostalgia, which feels authentic rather than gimmicky. The author captures the era with an easy confidence through cultural references, social dynamics, and the pre-digital way relationships both formed and fractured without ever letting the time period overshadow the story itself. The nostalgia works as emotional scaffolding, grounding the characters in a time when everything felt immediate, intense, and permanent. It adds warmth and melancholy in equal measure, making the contrast with the present-day consequences all the more effective.
Another strength were the characters and their rich back stories and the fact that the mystery unraveled over the span of a decade, allowing all the little details to come together to form a cohesive picture. The growth, the changes, and the losses just cut so much deeper when you follow a character over a longer period of time. I was devastated over the final reveal because it felt like such a betrayal, but that's all I'll say about that.
What truly elevates this book, however, is the fact that it’s more than a thriller. While the suspense is tightly paced and the twists are well-earned, the novel is ultimately about memory, guilt, loyalty, and the quiet ways trauma reshapes identity over time. The author writes with empathy, allowing the emotional weight of the story to linger long after the final reveal. This is a novel that truly understands that the most unsettling mysteries aren’t just about what happened, they're about how people live with the aftermath. Many thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for this stunning early copy. Look for this one May 12, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
read if you like:
📖 stories set over years
👀 serial killers
🕵🏼 crime procedurals
summary:
Wow. When you finish a book and think, “that was so satisfying”….it deserves a 10/10. Alex Finlay has always been a must read for me, so when I got a chance to review this, I jumped on it. And let me cut to the chase — this will be my favorite release of 2026.
It follows Jules and Quinn, two people whose lives will be forever connected after May 1, 1992. On that night, Jules survives an attack from the elusive May Day Killer, who strikes every year in the Midwest on the first day of May, while Quinn finds himself arrested after he tries to break up a fight. A year later, Jules continues to wonder why the killer let her go, and Quinn is released from jail, joining the army as he struggles to deal with his mom’s murder. We continue to follow them every May 1 for the next decade, as Jules tries to help the FBI capture the May Day Killer, and Quinn wrestles with his grief as his mothers killer is put to justice. Or is she? As their two stories come together, both fight for peace, closure and the ability to move on.
This book has everything—a gripping mystery, a coming-of-age story, and an unexpected opposites-attract dynamic. Through dual first-person narration, we come to know both characters intimately, following them across the years as they grow up, stumble, struggle, and ultimately mature. Their empathy feels genuine, and I found myself tearing up more than once as they navigated deeply personal tragedies. From the very first page, the story plays with your emotions and never lets go. The pacing is steady and engaging, with enough emotional highs and lows to make it easy to keep turning the pages. Finlay also excels at misdirection, weaving in subtle clues that take on entirely new meaning as the story unfolds.
The ending is an equal balance of shock, disappointment and introspection. Just when you think it can’t get better, it does, and has one of the most satisfying endings I can remember.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy, and DO NOT WAIT to preorder this book so you have it when it comes out on May 12!
📖 stories set over years
👀 serial killers
🕵🏼 crime procedurals
summary:
Wow. When you finish a book and think, “that was so satisfying”….it deserves a 10/10. Alex Finlay has always been a must read for me, so when I got a chance to review this, I jumped on it. And let me cut to the chase — this will be my favorite release of 2026.
It follows Jules and Quinn, two people whose lives will be forever connected after May 1, 1992. On that night, Jules survives an attack from the elusive May Day Killer, who strikes every year in the Midwest on the first day of May, while Quinn finds himself arrested after he tries to break up a fight. A year later, Jules continues to wonder why the killer let her go, and Quinn is released from jail, joining the army as he struggles to deal with his mom’s murder. We continue to follow them every May 1 for the next decade, as Jules tries to help the FBI capture the May Day Killer, and Quinn wrestles with his grief as his mothers killer is put to justice. Or is she? As their two stories come together, both fight for peace, closure and the ability to move on.
This book has everything—a gripping mystery, a coming-of-age story, and an unexpected opposites-attract dynamic. Through dual first-person narration, we come to know both characters intimately, following them across the years as they grow up, stumble, struggle, and ultimately mature. Their empathy feels genuine, and I found myself tearing up more than once as they navigated deeply personal tragedies. From the very first page, the story plays with your emotions and never lets go. The pacing is steady and engaging, with enough emotional highs and lows to make it easy to keep turning the pages. Finlay also excels at misdirection, weaving in subtle clues that take on entirely new meaning as the story unfolds.
The ending is an equal balance of shock, disappointment and introspection. Just when you think it can’t get better, it does, and has one of the most satisfying endings I can remember.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy, and DO NOT WAIT to preorder this book so you have it when it comes out on May 12!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
~3.5~
The Anniversary is a slow burn mystery that begins in 1992, when the MCs are 17, and continues until 2001, with an epilogue set in 2011. Snippets of news headlines (Kurt Cobain's death, the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal) keep readers firmly grounded in the 90s.
Something I love about Finlay's stories are the multiple POVs. Here, we have only two narrators: Jules and Quinn. I liked Quinn from the get-go, but it took me longer to warm up to Jules.
Quinn is looking for his mother's killer; he's convinced that his mom's boyfriend, convicted of the crime, is innocent. Jules, a victim of the May Day Killer (so named because he strikes on May 1), is one of the "lucky ones" who was allowed to live.
Quinn and Jules barely interact on page; they meet in passing, chat, and move on. Their love story didn't work for me at all. It felt like an aside, a distraction.
The main, as well as secondary, characters, especially Lucy and Carrie, who, like Jules, were freed after being abducted and brutalized, are fully fleshed out. Finlay kept the worst of the violence off page, which I appreciate, but I could still feel the women's terror.
However, too many important events (e.g., Quinn's time in Somalia, his brother George's last visit to the zoo) were summarized after the fact, creating a sense of detachment from the narrative.
There were also a few moments that didn't strike me as believable; e.g., Jules who, upon recognizing her attacker, does the one thing she's NEVER supposed to do: she leaves alone. And in a bar crammed with friends, family, private eyes, and FBI agents, no one notices until it's too late.
While the plot is compelling and explores the timeless themes of loss and grief, it wasn't difficult to guess the unsubs (granted, there were additional reveals that surprised me).
This book is a departure for Finlay, but I was still absorbed in the story, swiping the pages long into the night. I just happen to prefer his edgier, frenetic thrillers, like The Nightshift and If Something Happens to Me.
The Anniversary is a slow burn mystery that begins in 1992, when the MCs are 17, and continues until 2001, with an epilogue set in 2011. Snippets of news headlines (Kurt Cobain's death, the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal) keep readers firmly grounded in the 90s.
Something I love about Finlay's stories are the multiple POVs. Here, we have only two narrators: Jules and Quinn. I liked Quinn from the get-go, but it took me longer to warm up to Jules.
Quinn is looking for his mother's killer; he's convinced that his mom's boyfriend, convicted of the crime, is innocent. Jules, a victim of the May Day Killer (so named because he strikes on May 1), is one of the "lucky ones" who was allowed to live.
Quinn and Jules barely interact on page; they meet in passing, chat, and move on. Their love story didn't work for me at all. It felt like an aside, a distraction.
The main, as well as secondary, characters, especially Lucy and Carrie, who, like Jules, were freed after being abducted and brutalized, are fully fleshed out. Finlay kept the worst of the violence off page, which I appreciate, but I could still feel the women's terror.
However, too many important events (e.g., Quinn's time in Somalia, his brother George's last visit to the zoo) were summarized after the fact, creating a sense of detachment from the narrative.
There were also a few moments that didn't strike me as believable; e.g., Jules who, upon recognizing her attacker, does the one thing she's NEVER supposed to do: she leaves alone. And in a bar crammed with friends, family, private eyes, and FBI agents, no one notices until it's too late.
While the plot is compelling and explores the timeless themes of loss and grief, it wasn't difficult to guess the unsubs (granted, there were additional reveals that surprised me).
This book is a departure for Finlay, but I was still absorbed in the story, swiping the pages long into the night. I just happen to prefer his edgier, frenetic thrillers, like The Nightshift and If Something Happens to Me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this eARC.
Alex Finlay has a talent for crafting thrillers that feel cinematic and emotionally grounded, and The Anniversary is one of those stories that grabs you early and refuses to loosen its grip. What makes this novel stand out is the way Finlay layers tension—not through constant shock tactics, but through a steady, deliberate build that keeps you alert to every detail.
The premise alone is irresistible: a long‑ago tragedy resurfaces, pulling together a cast of characters whose lives have been shaped, warped, or quietly haunted by what happened. Finlay uses this setup to explore how people carry guilt, fear, and unanswered questions, all while delivering a plot that moves with purpose. Every chapter feels like it’s nudging you toward something bigger, and the payoff is genuinely satisfying.
The characters are where the book shines. Each one feels distinct, flawed, and believable, and their perspectives add texture rather than distraction. Finlay avoids the trap of making them mere puzzle pieces; instead, they feel like people you could meet, each with their own blind spots and buried truths. The pacing is brisk without being rushed, giving you time to absorb the emotional stakes while still propelling you forward.
Finlay builds an atmosphere with precision. There’s a sense of unease woven through even the quieter scenes, and the shifting timelines deepen the mystery rather than complicate it. The suspense is clean, controlled, and confident—never overwrought, never cheap. It’s the kind of thriller where you feel the tension tightening long before you understand why.
The Anniversary is a smart, engaging thriller that rewards readers who enjoy layered storytelling and character‑driven suspense. It’s polished, propulsive, and emotionally resonant in a way that elevates it beyond a simple whodunit. Finlay delivers a story that’s both gripping and surprisingly thoughtful, making this a standout read for anyone who loves thrillers with depth.
Alex Finlay has a talent for crafting thrillers that feel cinematic and emotionally grounded, and The Anniversary is one of those stories that grabs you early and refuses to loosen its grip. What makes this novel stand out is the way Finlay layers tension—not through constant shock tactics, but through a steady, deliberate build that keeps you alert to every detail.
The premise alone is irresistible: a long‑ago tragedy resurfaces, pulling together a cast of characters whose lives have been shaped, warped, or quietly haunted by what happened. Finlay uses this setup to explore how people carry guilt, fear, and unanswered questions, all while delivering a plot that moves with purpose. Every chapter feels like it’s nudging you toward something bigger, and the payoff is genuinely satisfying.
The characters are where the book shines. Each one feels distinct, flawed, and believable, and their perspectives add texture rather than distraction. Finlay avoids the trap of making them mere puzzle pieces; instead, they feel like people you could meet, each with their own blind spots and buried truths. The pacing is brisk without being rushed, giving you time to absorb the emotional stakes while still propelling you forward.
Finlay builds an atmosphere with precision. There’s a sense of unease woven through even the quieter scenes, and the shifting timelines deepen the mystery rather than complicate it. The suspense is clean, controlled, and confident—never overwrought, never cheap. It’s the kind of thriller where you feel the tension tightening long before you understand why.
The Anniversary is a smart, engaging thriller that rewards readers who enjoy layered storytelling and character‑driven suspense. It’s polished, propulsive, and emotionally resonant in a way that elevates it beyond a simple whodunit. Finlay delivers a story that’s both gripping and surprisingly thoughtful, making this a standout read for anyone who loves thrillers with depth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was so excited to get this one because I absolutely love Alex Finlay's books!! The Anniversary is honestly the kind of thriller that grabs you immediately and refuses to let go. I was fully hooked from the start and ended up reading it in a single day...I felt like the pacing was relentless in the best way.
Alex Finlay does an excellent job layering timelines and perspectives without making the story feel cluttered or confusing. The structure keeps information coming at just the right pace, revealing pieces of the mystery while still holding back enough to maintain tension. Each chapter feels purposeful, which makes it incredibly easy to keep turning pages. What really stood out to me was how the emotional stakes were woven into the suspense. The story isn’t just about uncovering what happened, it’s about how past events continue to ripple forward, affecting relationships, trust, and identity. The characters feel grounded, and even when you think you’ve figured something out, the book finds a way to complicate it just enough to keep you guessing.
The twists are smart rather than gimmicky. Nothing felt random or purely for shock value, and the reveals felt earned. While a few moments leaned slightly predictable if you read a lot of thrillers, it never took away from how engaging the overall experience was. Overall, The Anniversary is a sharp, addictive thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: tension, secrets, and a story that’s almost impossible to put down. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, well-constructed page-turner, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Alex Finlay for the eARC of The Anniversary in exchange for an honest review. The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is set for publication 12 May 2026.
Alex Finlay does an excellent job layering timelines and perspectives without making the story feel cluttered or confusing. The structure keeps information coming at just the right pace, revealing pieces of the mystery while still holding back enough to maintain tension. Each chapter feels purposeful, which makes it incredibly easy to keep turning pages. What really stood out to me was how the emotional stakes were woven into the suspense. The story isn’t just about uncovering what happened, it’s about how past events continue to ripple forward, affecting relationships, trust, and identity. The characters feel grounded, and even when you think you’ve figured something out, the book finds a way to complicate it just enough to keep you guessing.
The twists are smart rather than gimmicky. Nothing felt random or purely for shock value, and the reveals felt earned. While a few moments leaned slightly predictable if you read a lot of thrillers, it never took away from how engaging the overall experience was. Overall, The Anniversary is a sharp, addictive thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: tension, secrets, and a story that’s almost impossible to put down. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, well-constructed page-turner, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Alex Finlay for the eARC of The Anniversary in exchange for an honest review. The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is set for publication 12 May 2026.
December 23, 2025
In a small town in Nebraska, May 1st is a day to dread. For years, the town has been terrorized by a serial killer, dubbed the May Day Killer, because he only kills on May 1st.
Quinn Riley and Jules Delaney, high school students in town, run in opposite circles, but their lives are entwined more than they realize. On May 1st, 1992, Jules tells Quinn she is going to the heavy rock concert that evening and says he should come. Quinn declines, as he already promised his mom he would take care of his younger brother, George, that evening. As it turns out, Quinn ends up at the concert, too. This night changes everything for Jules and Quinn.
Quinn finds himself arrested for nearly accidentally killing someone in a fight. Jules finds herself the newest victim of the May Day Killer, but he lets her after assaulting and torturing her.
This fateful night propels Quinn and Jules on their two separate paths, but over the years, their lives continue to intersect in ways they never imagined. Will they find the May Day Killer before he finds them again?
This book was phenomenal. I could hardly put it down. I loved the format of the story, time jumping to the following year on May 1st. It kept the reader in suspense because I kept thinking that this would be the chapter we find out who the killer actually is. The twists were unexpected, but still completely believable. Alex Finaly has a hit on his hands with this one. I can't wait to discuss this one with friends.
Quinn Riley and Jules Delaney, high school students in town, run in opposite circles, but their lives are entwined more than they realize. On May 1st, 1992, Jules tells Quinn she is going to the heavy rock concert that evening and says he should come. Quinn declines, as he already promised his mom he would take care of his younger brother, George, that evening. As it turns out, Quinn ends up at the concert, too. This night changes everything for Jules and Quinn.
Quinn finds himself arrested for nearly accidentally killing someone in a fight. Jules finds herself the newest victim of the May Day Killer, but he lets her after assaulting and torturing her.
This fateful night propels Quinn and Jules on their two separate paths, but over the years, their lives continue to intersect in ways they never imagined. Will they find the May Day Killer before he finds them again?
This book was phenomenal. I could hardly put it down. I loved the format of the story, time jumping to the following year on May 1st. It kept the reader in suspense because I kept thinking that this would be the chapter we find out who the killer actually is. The twists were unexpected, but still completely believable. Alex Finaly has a hit on his hands with this one. I can't wait to discuss this one with friends.
December 26, 2025
The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is a fast-paced thriller, set in the 90s, with a unique story telling device. The reader only reads about the story on May first throughout the years. This is because May first is the anniversary of horrific kidnappings, rapes, and murders. The Midwest is plague by a serial killer, The May Day killer. And May first is his hunting day. There are two narrators, Jules, a beautiful popular girl and a survivor on the May Day killer – one of the lucky ones. There is also Quinn, a grunge loving, quiet boy that Jules originally shares study hall. Both Quinn and Jules find themselves dealing with the aftermath of the May Day killer and desperately trying to find the killer before he can strike again.
I loved that the reader sees the characters and the case develop over ten years. The novel reads so fast because of the time jumps. This book is a page turner. I wanted to know who the killer was, when he would kill again, if he would get caught, and how Jules’ and Quinn’s relationship developed. I appreciated that there was no extreme violence on page. The violence is obvious and inferred, but fortunately no torture porn here. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, thrilling read.
I loved that the reader sees the characters and the case develop over ten years. The novel reads so fast because of the time jumps. This book is a page turner. I wanted to know who the killer was, when he would kill again, if he would get caught, and how Jules’ and Quinn’s relationship developed. I appreciated that there was no extreme violence on page. The violence is obvious and inferred, but fortunately no torture porn here. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, thrilling read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Every year on May 1, a killer strikes, leaving fear and unanswered questions in their wake. Yet, in a strange twist, some victims are spared—Jules being one of them. The experience leaves her haunted, shaping the person she becomes. Years later, Riley, a former classmate of Jules, is still grappling with the unsolved murder of his mother. Driven by a need for answers, he becomes determined to uncover the truth, unaware of how deeply his path is intertwined with Jules’ own dark history.
Finlay’s novel spans several years, following the characters as they grow, confront their pasts, and navigate the ongoing threat of a killer who always seems one step ahead. The story balances suspense and emotional depth, gradually revealing the connections between the characters and the secrets that bind them. The pacing is excellent, keeping tension high while allowing moments of reflection and character development.
I found myself completely immersed in the story, eager to see how each piece would fall into place. The Anniversary is a gripping, cleverly written thriller that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers thinking about the characters and their fates.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Anniversary!
Finlay’s novel spans several years, following the characters as they grow, confront their pasts, and navigate the ongoing threat of a killer who always seems one step ahead. The story balances suspense and emotional depth, gradually revealing the connections between the characters and the secrets that bind them. The pacing is excellent, keeping tension high while allowing moments of reflection and character development.
I found myself completely immersed in the story, eager to see how each piece would fall into place. The Anniversary is a gripping, cleverly written thriller that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers thinking about the characters and their fates.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Anniversary!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, for the copy of The Anniversary by Alex Finlay. Maybe it's my fault for starting this at bedtime, but I also blame Finlay for writing a book with characters that I loved so much I had to keep reading to make sure they would be okay. I was up until 2 am because Jules and Quinn felt real and showed emotions and provoked them in me. I wanted a sequel just to follow the characters after the conclusion. It’s the rare thriller that has such touching moments that I actually cry. I loved how the timeline advanced on the same day every year and how effective it was for learning more about how Jules and Quinn's lives change and how they grow and change. I loved how pop culture and news of each year were woven into their stories. There was so much character development that I almost forgot I was reading a thriller once or twice, but then something would happen to remind me. Run, don’t walk to buy this book ASAP. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I first happened upon an Alex Finlay novel, “The Night Shift”, by accident. From then on, I have been aa huge fan of his work. “The Anniversary” sure doesn’t disappoint.
There are two different threads going on in this novel. The one that dominates and is always underlying at all points of this story is that there is a serial abductor/killer known as the May Day Killer. Every May 1st, a young lady disappears.
One thread centers around Jules Delaney, who is abducted by the May Day Killer. By what seems like literal chance, she survives the night. Broken as a person, but a survivor.
The other thread centers around Quinn Riley. In a moment of passion, trying to do the right thing, his world gets turned upside down and his life is sent on a different course than ever imagined.
Alex Finlay takes these two threads and weaves a beautiful tapestry that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and screaming at this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
There are two different threads going on in this novel. The one that dominates and is always underlying at all points of this story is that there is a serial abductor/killer known as the May Day Killer. Every May 1st, a young lady disappears.
One thread centers around Jules Delaney, who is abducted by the May Day Killer. By what seems like literal chance, she survives the night. Broken as a person, but a survivor.
The other thread centers around Quinn Riley. In a moment of passion, trying to do the right thing, his world gets turned upside down and his life is sent on a different course than ever imagined.
Alex Finlay takes these two threads and weaves a beautiful tapestry that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and screaming at this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On May 1st, Quinn Riley, a high school senior tries to break up a fight and ends up nearly killing someone, sending him to juvenile detention. Jules Delaney, also a senior at the same school is attacked by the May Day killer but is allowed to live. These incidents send these two off on unexpected paths that seem to intersect year after year with them ultimately solving the mystery of who the May Day killer actually is.
This was an interesting format. We only see the characters on May 1st over the course of ten years, so there is a lot of fast forwarding with each of them being in different places by the time a year has passed. This was a quick read because I was engaged in the mystery and kept turning the pages not just to get to the bottom of that but also to see what Jules and Quinn were up to with each passing year. I have really enjoyed most of Alex Finlay's books and this was another good one.
On May 1st, Quinn Riley, a high school senior tries to break up a fight and ends up nearly killing someone, sending him to juvenile detention. Jules Delaney, also a senior at the same school is attacked by the May Day killer but is allowed to live. These incidents send these two off on unexpected paths that seem to intersect year after year with them ultimately solving the mystery of who the May Day killer actually is.
This was an interesting format. We only see the characters on May 1st over the course of ten years, so there is a lot of fast forwarding with each of them being in different places by the time a year has passed. This was a quick read because I was engaged in the mystery and kept turning the pages not just to get to the bottom of that but also to see what Jules and Quinn were up to with each passing year. I have really enjoyed most of Alex Finlay's books and this was another good one.
December 27, 2025
I really enjoyed The Anniversary by Alex Finlay. In my opinion it’s his best work in the past couple years. I couldn’t put it down and when I finished it I was sad I read it so quickly.
One fateful night in 1992, Jules and Quinn’s lives are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer―a predator who strikes every May 1st in small Midwestern towns.
The concept of coming back to the same day every year really kept the storyline going and quickened the pace. I loved the character of Jules and Quinn equally, which you don’t always get in books. I did figure out who the May Day Killer was pretty early on but it didn’t really matter to my enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One fateful night in 1992, Jules and Quinn’s lives are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer―a predator who strikes every May 1st in small Midwestern towns.
The concept of coming back to the same day every year really kept the storyline going and quickened the pace. I loved the character of Jules and Quinn equally, which you don’t always get in books. I did figure out who the May Day Killer was pretty early on but it didn’t really matter to my enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Check out my full thoughts on this book and more here: booktube reviews :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review: For me, Finlay's best book has always been "the night shift," that remains true. The Anniversary is a fine thriller, I don't have super big complaints, it just didn't hold out well for me. Outside of "the night shift," I have found that his writing, plot points, characterizations, just don't work for me. If you have enjoyed his other books, I think you will like this. As a concept, it was an interesting idea to surround a thriller with. However, the first 50 percent feels more like a romance or lit fic than anything else. This is really a complaint, but more of a point where I think some readers may be put off. Although this wasn't for me, again, if you are a traditional fan of his I do think this will be on track for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review: For me, Finlay's best book has always been "the night shift," that remains true. The Anniversary is a fine thriller, I don't have super big complaints, it just didn't hold out well for me. Outside of "the night shift," I have found that his writing, plot points, characterizations, just don't work for me. If you have enjoyed his other books, I think you will like this. As a concept, it was an interesting idea to surround a thriller with. However, the first 50 percent feels more like a romance or lit fic than anything else. This is really a complaint, but more of a point where I think some readers may be put off. Although this wasn't for me, again, if you are a traditional fan of his I do think this will be on track for you.
December 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, author Alex Finlay, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.
Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed several of Alex Finlay’s novels, I approached this one with high expectations. While the premise was compelling and had strong potential, the execution fell slightly short for me.
The structure of the book was somewhat disjointed, with time jumps that often lacked sufficient detail or context, making parts of the narrative confusing. The pacing felt uneven, and the transitions between timelines were abrupt, which impacted the overall flow of the story.
That said, the central storyline was engaging, and although some plot points were a bit predictable, it remained a solid read overall.
While not my favorite work by Finlay, it still showcases his talent for crafting suspenseful, character-driven fiction.
Publishes May 2026
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed several of Alex Finlay’s novels, I approached this one with high expectations. While the premise was compelling and had strong potential, the execution fell slightly short for me.
The structure of the book was somewhat disjointed, with time jumps that often lacked sufficient detail or context, making parts of the narrative confusing. The pacing felt uneven, and the transitions between timelines were abrupt, which impacted the overall flow of the story.
That said, the central storyline was engaging, and although some plot points were a bit predictable, it remained a solid read overall.
While not my favorite work by Finlay, it still showcases his talent for crafting suspenseful, character-driven fiction.
Publishes May 2026
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 19, 2025
3.75 stars! The Anniversary is one of those thrillers that grabs you instantly. The main thing I loved about this book was the way it made you feel. You absolutely cannot put it down. This one could definitely be read in one sitting. The chapters are extremely short, leading you to continue on and on.
The premise is very interesting, and I love how it spans over a decade. My favorite types of thrillers (both books and movies) are when there is a serial killer on the loose. Something about it is incredibly interesting throughout the entire story, as this novel was. I did feel as though some years were longer than others. With the shorter years, I wish we got a little bit more information.
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Alex Finlay for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Anniversary is released on May 12, 2026!
The premise is very interesting, and I love how it spans over a decade. My favorite types of thrillers (both books and movies) are when there is a serial killer on the loose. Something about it is incredibly interesting throughout the entire story, as this novel was. I did feel as though some years were longer than others. With the shorter years, I wish we got a little bit more information.
Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books, & Alex Finlay for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Anniversary is released on May 12, 2026!
December 21, 2025
This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery thriller and quick read. Every year on May 1, a killer strikes - but this serial killer occasionally lets his victims go, including main character Jules. Meanwhile, Jules's high school classmate, Riley, having been dealt a bad hand, is trying to rebuild his life while also focused on his own mother's unsolved murder. As the novel unfolds, the reader experiences the characters' lives on a single day, May 1, each year - more mystery, more tragedy, but also glimmers of hope and love. While I definitely got an inkling of certain things from various dropped clues early on, I totally missed other clues, and there are plenty of red herrings and false trails that kept me guessing.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #TheAnniversary #NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #TheAnniversary #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A missing persons, serial killer thriller from two POV- starting in the mid-90’s the popular girl Jules and the brooder Quinn - we follow them until 2011.
Big on nostalgia, I appreciated the pop culture and current event references to set the tone with each time jump.
They are in Nebraska and each May 1, a girl is abducted and killed. It takes them a very long time to solve this mystery, but as the time jumps it is a really fast paced novel. Alex Finlay is a master of storytelling, spending just the right amount of time in character building, plot reveals, and building suspense.
It was creative and clever to see things from both Quinn and Jules’ POV and how they came together at the end. The ending was also very satisfying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC. Book to be published May 11, 2026.
Big on nostalgia, I appreciated the pop culture and current event references to set the tone with each time jump.
They are in Nebraska and each May 1, a girl is abducted and killed. It takes them a very long time to solve this mystery, but as the time jumps it is a really fast paced novel. Alex Finlay is a master of storytelling, spending just the right amount of time in character building, plot reveals, and building suspense.
It was creative and clever to see things from both Quinn and Jules’ POV and how they came together at the end. The ending was also very satisfying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC. Book to be published May 11, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book. Jules and Quinn are high school students when terrible things happen to both of them on May 1st. Quinn goes to jail for assault, and Jules is the victim of the May 1st sexual predator. After this happens, they each go their own ways, but somehow often run into each other in unexpected ways. This book is told from two points of view, over the next ten years of their lives. We learn how they find ways to cope with the things that have happened to them. And throughout it all, they are looking for ways to come to terms with the May 1st killer. Hoping to find him and put him behind bars where he belongs. There are many twists to this book before we find out who the killer actually is. This is like a murder/love story and I am giving thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love a good, fast pace, thrilling mystery? Love a serial killer on the loose? Love trying to solve a murder? Want all of the above- then this book is for you.
Quinn and Jules’s lives were both individually changed by separate tragedies on May 1. The story follows them over the next decade on the anniversary of the day. Their stories are individually told while also interconnecting. The book isn’t just serial killers and murder, it’s about hope, love, loss and healing.
The story is fast paced and full of twists. It kept me engaged and from guessing every twist. It flows nicely and you don’t get lost in the timelines.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Net Galley for the ARC.
Quinn and Jules’s lives were both individually changed by separate tragedies on May 1. The story follows them over the next decade on the anniversary of the day. Their stories are individually told while also interconnecting. The book isn’t just serial killers and murder, it’s about hope, love, loss and healing.
The story is fast paced and full of twists. It kept me engaged and from guessing every twist. It flows nicely and you don’t get lost in the timelines.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Net Galley for the ARC.
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