📖 Overview
A group of former residents from Savior House, a home for troubled teens in the 1990s, find themselves targeted by an unknown threat decades later. The survivors must confront their shared past while racing to uncover who is hunting them down and why.
The story alternates between the present day and flashbacks to the characters' time at Savior House, gradually revealing the bonds and trauma that shaped their lives. Five distinct characters drive the narrative: a prosecutor, a rock star, a stay-at-home mom, a prison chaplain, and a homeless man.
What Have We Done is a fast-paced thriller that explores themes of institutional abuse, survival, and the ways childhood experiences reverberate through adulthood. The novel examines how different people cope with shared trauma, and questions whether true redemption is possible in the face of past wrongs.
👀 Reviews
Readers found the book gripping and fast-paced, with multiple narrators and timelines keeping the suspense high. Many noted they finished it in one or two sittings.
Praise focused on:
- Complex character development
- Unpredictable plot twists
- Thoughtful handling of trauma themes
- Satisfying ending that ties loose ends together
Common criticisms:
- Too many characters to track initially
- Some plot points felt unrealistic
- Middle section pacing drags
- Certain backstories could be more developed
One reader noted: "The shifting perspectives kept me guessing but never felt gimmicky." Another mentioned: "The childhood trauma elements hit hard without being exploitative."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (11,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings)
LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings)
The book resonated particularly with thriller fans who appreciate psychological depth over pure action.
📚 Similar books
The Night Swim by Rachel Hawkins
A true crime podcaster investigating a rape trial uncovers connections to an unsolved crime from 25 years ago.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware A woman must revisit her testimony about her roommate's murder when new evidence suggests she identified the wrong killer.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica Multiple disappearances in a suburban neighborhood come back to haunt the community when one victim returns eleven years later.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave A woman searches for the truth about her missing husband while protecting her teenage stepdaughter after discovering his disappearance connects to a larger conspiracy.
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban Six students trapped in a room with a bomb must decide who to kill within an hour to prevent their own deaths.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware A woman must revisit her testimony about her roommate's murder when new evidence suggests she identified the wrong killer.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica Multiple disappearances in a suburban neighborhood come back to haunt the community when one victim returns eleven years later.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave A woman searches for the truth about her missing husband while protecting her teenage stepdaughter after discovering his disappearance connects to a larger conspiracy.
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban Six students trapped in a room with a bomb must decide who to kill within an hour to prevent their own deaths.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 Alex Finlay is a pseudonym; the author's true identity remains private, adding an element of mystery to the literary world.
📚 The book explores the dark side of childhood group homes and the lasting psychological impact on those who lived in them, drawing attention to real issues in the foster care system.
🎭 "What Have We Done" weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, following five former group home residents whose past comes back to haunt them 25 years later.
🏆 The novel was named one of the "Most Anticipated Thrillers of 2023" by CrimeReads, Goodreads, and BookPage.
🔄 Like Finlay's previous works "Every Last Fear" and "The Night Shift," this book continues the author's signature style of blending psychological suspense with complex character relationships.