Every Last Fear was one of my favorite books last year, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Night Shift.
In 1999, Ella is the sole survivor of a brutal massacre at a Blockbuster. Years later, working as a social worker, she's called to talk to Jesse, a young girl who is the sole survivor of a similar attack, one where the killer whispers the same words Ella's own attacker said to her on that awful night. Told from multiple POVs, The Night Shift focuses on the search for a killer and the quest for redemption.
Ugh, I loved this book.
Finlay's writing is so engaging and crisp, it's impossible to put down. Short chapters keep you turning pages, but it isn't just the short chapters. The voices are expertly developed and woven together in such a way that propels the plot without dragging it down with backstory or heavy flashbacks. I loved Ella and her unlikable traits, so if you're a reader looking for a protag with questionable morals and relatable dialogue, this will be the book for you.
Also, I could go on and on about the resurgence of the 90s. I love nostalgia and the throwbacks references, and Finlay hit the nail on the head, painting a very realistic picture of what Friday nights at Blockbuster used to be. Combined with the Silence of the Lamb type layers of investigation and cat-and-mouse intrigue, The Night Shift has all the ingredients for an un-put-downable thriller.
Out 03/01, add this to your TBRs now.
Huge thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.