For most of us, an anniversary is something to celebrate. A special moment in time each year. But for Jules and Quinn in The Anniversary by Alex Finlay, May 1st is an anniversary date that is stamped in trauma. By having the reader check in on them every May 1st for ten years, Finlay turns the concept of “anniversary” into a haunting, psychological thriller.
5/5 stars ★★★★★
To read the summary and details of the book
📍 The Setting
- Small-Town Nebraska 🌽🏘️ (A fictional, isolated rural community)
- The 1990s to Early 2000s 📼☎️ (A nostalgic, pre-smartphone era spanning from 1992 to 2002)
🕵️♂️ The Tropes
- “One Day a Year” Timeline 🗓️⏱️ (The story uniquely checks in on the characters only on May 1st across ten years)
- Cold Case Reopened 📂❄️ (A decade-long hunt to unmask a killer who strikes in plain sight but disappears completely)
- Interconnected Fates / Shared Trauma 🤝💔 (Two different tragedies on the same night bind the main characters together for life)
- Ticking Clock Dread ⏰😱 (The literal calendar date approaching creates a countdown of terror for the characters)
Genre: Psychological Thriller
From the publisher: From the national bestselling author of Parents Weekend, comes one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year.
“Everything I want in a thriller!”―Ashley Elston
“I could not put it down!”―Angie Kim
“Nonstop twists!”—Jason Rekulak
“A master of his craft.”―Jeneva Rose
Every May 1st, a serial killer stalks a small town. Every year he comes for them . . .
Published on: May 12, 2026 (I wonder if the author was hoping for a May 1st publication date?)
Pages: 317
My Thoughts on The Anniversary:
Flashback in Time:
If you grew up in the 1990’s, this will be a fun flashback in time. There are some parts that I wonder if readers in their 20s and 30s will understand, but it made me love this book even more. Think pre-smartphones, collect calls, pre-DNA forensics, paper maps and MapQuest, siblings listening in on the other “line,” and answering machines.
The Characters and Pacing:
I read through this book quickly because I loved the story and the characters so much. I cheered on Quinn and Jules throughout the whole story. I like how Finlay switched back and forth throughout their lives. The chapters were short for each character, and this made the pacing more enjoyable.
Since we check in with the two main characters once a year for ten years, there isn’t a lot of unneeded information. I appreciate this in a book. That being said, Finlay does a wonderful job of character development. You feel like you really know these two people by the end of the book. In many thrillers, you don’t get to know the characters well, but in The Anniversary, you get to watch them grow from teenagers into young adults while each dealing with their own tragedy. This was my favorite part of the book. It felt like a coming-of-age story mixed with a thriller.
My Rating:
I gave this 5 stars because of the storyline. It had its twists and turns, great character development, and fun nostalgic moments along the way.
Where to Buy The Anniversary and More:
Purchase The Anniversary by Alex Finlay here!
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📚 What to Read Next!
If The Anniversary left you craving another puzzle, add these three incredible thrillers to your TBR list next:
- The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: This thriller hits on several identical tropes and narrative structures. It features “small-town secrets” and “hazy/unreliable memories,” just like how Jules and Quinn have to slowly piece together the truths of what happened in their small Midwestern town on May 1, 1992.
- The Profiler by Helen Fields | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: If the aspect of The Anniversary that grabbed you most was the terrifying, calculating nature of the “May Day Killer,” The Profiler is a highly recommended match. It combines a dark serial killer storyline with intense profiling technology. The book doesn’t hold back on the chilling details of the crimes, keeping you completely on the edge of your seat, much like Alex Finlay’s predator.
- Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden | Buy on Amazon
- Read my full review here
- Why it’s similar: If you loved the aspect of ordinary, everyday people forced into chaotic, dangerous survival scenarios, I recommend this psychological thriller. It shares that gritty, unsettling reality of a monster hiding in plain sight in a seemingly normal community.
Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Alex Finlay for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
To learn more about Alex Finlay. visit his official website.
💬 Let’s Chat!
Have you read anything by Alex Finlay before (like Parents Weekend)? Or do you have a favorite thriller that uses a unique timeline structure? Let me know in the comments below!
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