Allison’s Book Report: “The Anniversary” by Alex Finlay

It has been a minute since I featured a thriller here in The Book Report. Don't get me wrong, I love a good thriller – but sometimes, after you've read a lot of them, they all run together and feel a little too familiar. This week's pick changes all of that. If you're ready to find yourself completely submerged in a story that refuses to let you go, it's time to dive into Alex Finlay's "The Anniversary."

Finlay has already established himself as a master of the fast-paced mystery, but this particular novel feels like a masterclass in tension and human nature. From the very first page, he drops you into a complex web of secrets that slowly unravels in the most satisfying way possible, making it nearly impossible to find a good stopping point for the night.

The story kicks off on a fateful night—May 1, 1992—in a small Midwestern town, where the lives of two seventeen-year-olds from completely different worlds are permanently altered. Jules Delaney, the popular high school queen bee, miraculously survives a brutal attack by the elusive May Day Killer, a terrifying serial predator who strikes once a year on that exact date. Meanwhile, Quinn Riley, a quiet kid from the wrong side of the tracks, tries to break up a concert brawl but ends up in juvenile detention after nearly killing someone. When Quinn is released a year later, he returns home to the devastating, unsolved murder of his mother.

What makes the book so compelling is its brilliant chronological hook. Instead of a traditional timeline, Finlay revisits Jules and Quinn exclusively on May 1, year after year, tracking the echoes of that initial night across a full decade. As the years pass, Jules struggles with survivor's guilt, Quinn searches for his mother's killer, and their parallel paths inevitably collide.

Finlay's writing style is incredibly accessible and engaging, moving forward with a sleek, cinematic energy. By skipping the filler and focusing only on these annual check-ins, he creates a lean, fast narrative where secrets surface and lies unravel right on schedule. Just when you think you have the connection figured out, he gently tilts the frame and reveals a completely different angle. Ultimately, "The Anniversary" is a poignant, gripping exploration of grief, accountability, and fate. If you are looking for a book that combines deep character studies with a breathless, decade-spanning whodunit, you absolutely need to add this one to your reading list.

I hope you enjoy the ride that "The Anniversary" is about to take you on. Don't forget to check out my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations and book talk.