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A review by katemreads
The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An entertaining quick read that I feel neutral on. I can see why a lot of people like this. And overall I did enjoy this quick read but it felt like a weak thriller to me; more of a smaller thriller within a larger small town drama.
The book follows three perspectives and only one feels like it’s diving into the murders while the other two on are a separate journey that intersects with the cases. Those two felt more like a personal journey to resolve past issues from the first set of murders. I get why, but it felt more like the second set of murders opened old wounds and that was the main part of their journey rather than the thriller piece of being invested into the connection between the first set of murders and the second; if any at all.
There was also a character who was important to the story but kind of dropped out around the halfway point, only to return at the end. I felt their storyline was used as a plot device for these two perspectives mentioned above. While I can understand because this story isn’t about this person, the whole thing never would have occurred without them. I felt it was a bit of a disservice to use them to move the plot along for other characters and not explore deeper into their story. Some other aspects of the story also felt there for just the plot. Of course there are red herrings in thrillers, but I just wasn’t convinced on most of them. This led me to feeling I spent so many pages reading about something that ended up nowhere. Since I didn’t buy in in the first place, it felt like a cheap payout/investment. Speaking of, I guessed the “who done it” very early on. It felt a bit obvious to me which may have contributed to my skepticism with the red herrings; and lack of enjoyment of them.
On the positive side, I loved the FBI agent’s perspective! Her character and personality were so vivid and easy to picture. I enjoyed her storyline and the investigation. I have to say that the author seemed to clearly put a lot of work into learning about FBI protocols and investigating as well as the legal system; at least from what I can tell. Both of those aspects felt 100% authentic to me.
As much as it may sound like I didn’t like this book, it was a fun enjoyable read! Right after I read it I’d have given it 4 stars. Just the more I think about it the more I’m a bit unsatisfied with choices the author made; at least for my reading preference. Overall I’d recommend giving it a try!
The book follows three perspectives and only one feels like it’s diving into the murders while the other two on are a separate journey that intersects with the cases. Those two felt more like a personal journey to resolve past issues from the first set of murders. I get why, but it felt more like the second set of murders opened old wounds and that was the main part of their journey rather than the thriller piece of being invested into the connection between the first set of murders and the second; if any at all.
There was also a character who was important to the story but kind of dropped out around the halfway point, only to return at the end. I felt their storyline was used as a plot device for these two perspectives mentioned above. While I can understand because this story isn’t about this person, the whole thing never would have occurred without them. I felt it was a bit of a disservice to use them to move the plot along for other characters and not explore deeper into their story. Some other aspects of the story also felt there for just the plot. Of course there are red herrings in thrillers, but I just wasn’t convinced on most of them. This led me to feeling I spent so many pages reading about something that ended up nowhere. Since I didn’t buy in in the first place, it felt like a cheap payout/investment. Speaking of, I guessed the “who done it” very early on. It felt a bit obvious to me which may have contributed to my skepticism with the red herrings; and lack of enjoyment of them.
On the positive side, I loved the FBI agent’s perspective! Her character and personality were so vivid and easy to picture. I enjoyed her storyline and the investigation. I have to say that the author seemed to clearly put a lot of work into learning about FBI protocols and investigating as well as the legal system; at least from what I can tell. Both of those aspects felt 100% authentic to me.
As much as it may sound like I didn’t like this book, it was a fun enjoyable read! Right after I read it I’d have given it 4 stars. Just the more I think about it the more I’m a bit unsatisfied with choices the author made; at least for my reading preference. Overall I’d recommend giving it a try!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Death of parent