Summary

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999. Y2K is expected to bring chaos: planes falling from the sky, elevators plunging to earth, world markets collapsing. A digital apocalypse. None of that happens. But at a Blockbuster Video in New Jersey, four teenagers working late are attacked. Inexplicably, only one survives. Police quickly identify a suspect, the boyfriend of one of the victims, who flees and is never seen again. 

Fifteen years later, four teenage employees are attacked at an ice cream store in the same town, and again only one makes it out alive. 

In the aftermath of the latest crime, three lives intersect: the lone survivor of the Blockbuster massacre, who’s forced to relive the horrors of her tragedy, the brother of the fugitive accused, who’s convinced the police have the wrong suspect; and FBI agent Sarah Keller, who must delve into the secrets of both nights – stirring up memories of teen love and lies – to uncover the truth about murders on the night shift. 

Twisty, poignant, and redemptive, The Night Shift is a story about the legacy of trauma and how the broken can come out on the other side, and it solidifies Alex Finlay as one of the new leading voices in the world of thrillers. 

Why I chose to read this book
Nostalgia is what made me choose this book; I have fond memories of going to the video store Friday nights with my dad to pick out movies for the weekend. I couldn’t wait to be transported back to 1999 – back when life was simple. 

Thoughts & Opinions

This immersive thriller allowed me to discover a great new author; Alex Finlay. Exhilarating, The Night Shift is a quick read. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, heart beating fast, as you experience twist after twist. 

The story is narrated by multiple characters, in the present day and the occasional flashback to 1999. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience the nostalgia I was seeking; so the summary referring to the Y2K meltdown was a bit misleading.

I found all the characters to be compelling. I was frightened for them when they found themselves in difficult situations because I got attached to them. Especially Keller, a very pregnant FBI agent. I kept asking myself do they not get early leave considering how dangerous their job is? But then I remembered that maternity leave in the US is nearly non-existent. Keller is intuitive and empathetic, however a tad reckless at times given her predicament.  

The Night Shift invokes dark subjects and features despicable criminals so do not expect rainbows and sunshine. The accounts of a mysterious vlogger were original and brought an added dimension and layer to the intrigue. I’m looking forward to reading more of Finlay’s work. 

Check out my other thriller reviews:

American Dirt

Crimson Summer

Danger in Numbers

Gray Mountain

Please Join Us

The Paris Apartment

When No One is Watching