The Anniversary: A Novel by Alex Finlay by Alex FinlayPublication Date: May 12, 2026
Pages: 336
Add the Book on:Goodreads
Rating: ★★★
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Publisher: Minotaur Books / Macmillan
Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of Parents Weekend, comes one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year.
Every 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 question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh heartbreak: 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.
Twisty, high-concept, and emotional, the novel reaffirms Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.
REVIEW
The Anniversary: A Novel by Alex Finlay is a propulsive, twist-driven thriller that reinforces Alex Finlay’s talent for blending emotional stakes with relentless suspense. From the outset, the novel establishes a mood of unease, anchoring its momentum in the idea that the past never stays buried for long. Finlay’s crisp, accessible prose keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, making it easy to fall into the rhythm of mounting tension and hard-to-ignore danger.
What sets this thriller apart is its emotional grounding. Finlay excels at writing characters whose history matters, allowing past relationships and unresolved trauma to shape every present-day choice. The narrative skillfully balances action with introspection, using shifting perspectives and layered timelines to deepen the mystery without becoming overwhelming. Each revelation feels purposeful, tightening the web around the characters rather than simply escalating for shock value.
The Anniversary: A Novel by Alex Finlay is a gripping read for fans of smart, character-driven thrillers that keep the pages turning while still offering something to think about. It’s tense, well-constructed, and emotionally resonant, with enough twists to surprise without sacrificing coherence. Finlay once again proves he knows how to craft a thriller that’s both entertaining and unsettling; one that lingers long after the final chapter closes.
