NEED TO KNOW
Alex Finlay will publish a new thriller novel, The Anniversary, next yearPEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the cover of the book, which traces the lives of two people brought together by an infamous serial killerThe author tells PEOPLE that the novel is “also a story about fate and love”
Alex Finlay’s latest book is killer … literally.
The bestselling author is sharing the cover of his upcoming thriller, The Anniversary, exclusively with PEOPLE. The book will be published in spring 2026 from Minotaur Books.
One night in 1992, 17-year-old Quinn Riley, who only intended to break up a fight, is arrested after he nearly kills someone. That same evening, teen Jules Delaney just barely escapes an attack from a murderer known as the May Day Killer, who wreaks havoc on small towns in the midwest every May 1st.
‘The Anniversary’ by Alex Finlay.
Minotaur Books
A year later, Quinn is released from juvenile prison, only to learn that his mother has been murdered. Jules, still struggling with survivor’s guilt, is dealing with his own problems too.
The Anniversary follows Quinn and Jules over the next 10 years, when their lives begin to intersect with one another’s — and the May Day killer remains on the loose.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Best known for thrillers like Parents Weekend and If Something Happens to Me, Finlay teases that his latest novel is more than just a chiller for readers.
Alex Finlay.
Kristina Sherk Photography
“I’m excited because it’s so much more than just a serial killer novel,” Finlay tells PEOPLE. “It’s also a story about fate and love as we meet Quinn and Jules and watch as their lives intersect and the mystery unfolds over a decade.”
The book, which has been described as “twisty, high-concept and emotional” by its publisher, was a memorable writing process for the author, too.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
“The structure of the novel — telling the story through only glimpses of their lives on a single day each year — was both challenging and rewarding,” Finlay explains. “I can’t wait for people to read it.”
The Anniversary will be published on May 12, 2026 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold.