Praise for Books
“Dark and witty and clever. An original and highly gripping read, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Catherine Ryan Howard has a deliciously dark imagination and always tells a good tale.” —Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Darker
“Gripping, beautifully written, and genuinely chilling, The Nothing Man had me from page one. Simply stellar.” —Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award–winning author of The Dark Corners of the Night
“Compelling and suspenseful…A satisfying thriller.” —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“A very satisfying and twisty tale.” —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“A highly confident and accomplished debut novel, impeccably sustained, with not a false note.” —Irish Times (Dublin)
“Topical, twisty, and with a real heart-stopper of a moment halfway in that’ll make you turn the lights back on.” —Gillian McAllister, New York Times bestselling author
“The Nothing Man is the most original and chilling thriller I’ve read in a long time, and is perfect for fans of Serial and The Fall.” —Mark Edwards, bestselling author of The House Guest
“A completely exhilarating book. This book grabbed me from the beginning (or shall we call it the end) and kept me engrossed until the very last page…Attention-grabbing and thrilling, Rewind is a fascinating read for lovers of suspense and mystery with a great twist at the end.” —Tulsa Book Review
“A twisty read in which the tragedies extend beyond the murders. Has a man’s life been ruined by a crime he did not commit? If so, why did he confess?” —Cleveland Plain Dealer (Grade A)
“This exceptionally well-crafted and compelling read is very highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library general fiction collections.” —Midwest Book Review
“A breakneck thriller with so many twists and turns that your head will spin. I absolutely tore through The Trap.” —Holly Seddon, internationally bestselling author of The Woman on the Bridge
“Expertly crafted—storytelling at its best.” —Patricia Gibney, bestselling author of The Missing Ones
“A compulsive, just-one-more-page plot and major entertainment value. In Rewind, readers are drawn into a cleverly crafted work of psychological suspense, one that utilizes unconventional plot structures and shifting perspectives to build an irresistible story of betrayal, secrets, and suspense…Catherine Ryan Howard deftly draws readers through this story’s alternating perspectives, utilizing the book’s video-inspired structure to deliver essential mystery-solving pieces of information in a fresh, engaging format…Rewind is a creative, inventive psychological suspense novel perfect for a binge-read.” —Crime by the Book
“[In] this exceptional thriller…Howard keeps the reader turning the pages right through to the shocking and satisfying resolution.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“An exhilarating debut thriller from a hugely talented author. Distress Signals is fast-paced, twisty, and an absolute joy to read.” —Mark Edwards, bestselling author of The Magpies
“Howard, the author of the wonderful 56 Days…has sentences that unspool like silk and a sly gift for misdirection…Again and again, you’ll blithely follow her down the wrong path.” —New York Times Book Review
“A book to steal your waking hours and haunt your sleeping ones. Chilling and brilliant.” —Cass Green, award-winning author of In a Cottage in a Wood
“Creepy, atmospheric, and beautifully written, this is her best one yet.” —Mark Edwards, author of The Magpies
“Readers of Paula Hawkins, Tana French, and Ruth Ware will love this exceptionally well-crafted thriller.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“A gripping, smart, and fast-moving read…[that will] immerse you in the fascinating world of cruise ships and the mysterious, perfect crimes committed at sea. The compelling mystery at the heart of this debut novel is engrossing, and Catherine Howard’s clever plotting makes this a terrific debut.” —Christine Carbo, author of Mortal Fall
“A white-knuckle ride of a serial-killer thriller.” —The Guardian (London)
“The queen of high-concept crime fiction strikes again: this is the first novel I’ve read that really captures the chills and twists of the true crime that obsesses us. Catherine Ryan Howard has always been thrillingly good at what she does, but she’s just getting better and better with every book.” —Jane Casey, author of the Maeve Kerrigan novels
“An involving tale of obsession, blackmail, and murder, and Howard remains a writer whom thriller fans should check out.” —Booklist
“Howard toggles smoothly between past and present and between Alison and the perpetrator, revealing the extent of the lies only in the final pages. Another impressive writer to watch in the thriller genre.” —Booklist
“Howard weaves an intricate web of suspense chapter by chapter…and before you know it, you’re trapped inside.” —Brian Freeman, bestselling author of Goodbye to the Dead
“Catherine Ryan Howard always delivers, and The Trap might be her most electrifying thriller yet. Told by a victim, a relative, an investigator, and a killer, The Trap takes a classic crime story and twists it into something vast, emotional, and absolutely terrifying.” —Flynn Berry, Edgar Award–winning author of Northern Spy and Under the Harrow
“I was truly blown away and couldn’t read it fast enough. I can’t shower it with enough praise. Terrifying, brilliantly plotted, and extremely satisfying.” —Jo Spain, bestselling author of With Our Blessing
“Edgar Award nominee (for 2018’s The Liar’s Girl) Catherine Ryan Howard strays into Memento and Pulp Fiction territory in her third novel, Rewind…Along the way, Howard seeds her compelling narrative with tantalizing bits of information that eventually accumulate and converge, leading to a surprising and satisfying dénouement. Rewind is an intricate, carefully crafted book with many moving parts, all of which Howard manages with enviable skill. Her characters all come to seem like people in real life, convincing in their actions and their motivations. The real power of the novel, however, lies in its underlying obsession with causation and destiny.” —Mystery Scene
“The convergence of survivor guilt, emotional insecurity, naiveté, and strange coincidences that bridge the past and present make this a taut psychological crime thriller from a young Irish writer who bears watching.” —Burlington (NC) Times-News
“Pacey, suspenseful, and intriguing…[A] top-class, page-turning read. Catherine Ryan Howard is an astonishing new voice in thriller writing.” —Liz Nugent, author of Unraveling Oliver
“Catherine Ryan Howard is an absolute master of suspense and her latest thriller, The Trap, is an utter triumph! Pulse-pounding, heart-wrenching, with razor-sharp commentary and twist after ingenious twist, I raced through this suspense, desperate to find out what was going to happen next. And my mind was blown when I did! A must-read for summer.” —May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives
“Utterly compelling, completely original, The Nothing Man will be the standout novel for 2020. This is a book you won’t forget as Catherine Ryan Howard brings crime writing to a new level.” —Sam Blake, bestselling author of Little Bones
“[A] unique thriller…Nothing is as it seems in Rewind, and the final reveal provides the satisfying chill that makes the entire journey worthwhile.” —Foreword Reviews
“Although Howard meanders a bit through the streets and shops and pubs of Cork and Dublin, she picks up the pace when it most matters—and tosses a lovely curveball at the end, too.” —Kirkus Reviews
“I loved the voice…[An] engaging, unusual, and believable thriller.” —Sinéad Crowley, bestselling author of Can Anybody Help Me?
“A heart-in-your-mouth, punch-you-in-the-gut, gripping thriller. Everything you’d expect from a Ryan Howard read. Chilling, page-turning, and shocking! This book will leave you breathless, terrified, and desperate for more.” —L. C. North, author of The Ugly Truth
“Whip-smart, thrilling, and utterly compelling.” —Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Lying in Wait
“Part twisty thriller, part Black Mirror nightmare, Rewind is a deftly written page-turner that keeps you guessing. A scary, cunning, and all too real exploration of contemporary dangers by a rising star of Irish noir.” —Zoje Stage, USA Today bestselling author of Baby Teeth
“[As] three accomplished Irish narrators present the story…Alana Kerr Collins portrays a fractured but resolute Alison…Listeners hear her nervous, reluctant voice and her anxiety about opening old wounds. Alan Smyth and Gary Furlong bring to life a mad murderer, the imprisoned boyfriend, a likable police detective, and other characters, using voices that sound genuine and natural. The multiple perspectives fill out the narrative of this engrossing psychological suspense.” —AudioFile
“I loved this book, it hooked from the beginning and didn’t let go. It was so easy to read, I finished it within a day of starting it. The pace was really good as it kept the story constantly moving along. The characters felt real and so did the situation. It kept me guessing and had me coming up with different theories as to what was going on. It’s not a dark thriller, unless of course you are a regular cruise goer with a vivid imagination. I thoroughly recommend it to thriller/mystery lovers and will definitely be looking out for the author’s next book.” —The Secret Library
“Intelligent, terse, and propulsive, The Trap is a headlock of a book that refuses to let you go until you find out what happened. And when you do, it will blow your socks off. Prepare to be ensnared in Catherine Ryan Howard’s very clever (but equally sinister) net.” —Amanda Cassidy, author of Breaking
“Fiendishly clever…Howard uses serial killer tropes in original and surprising ways in this tour de force.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Completely immersive, deliciously creepy with the darkest of twists…this is a book that grabs your full attention and does not let go.” —Dervla McTiernan, bestselling author of The Ruin
“The Liar’s Girl is an addictive page-turner that asks, would you stand by someone you loved if he was accused of murder? The set-up is horribly believable as we toggle between the past and present lives of two adults reconciling themselves to the consequences of their teenage immaturity. Catherine Ryan Howard ladles out the suspense like spoonfuls of sugar, building to a heady rush of tension—and a heartbreaking final twist in the tale.” —Jo Furniss, author of the bestselling All the Little Children
“Distress Signals is a well-written, page-turning read, with a number of red herrings and some surprise plot twists…An engaging thriller written with authenticity and aplomb from a writer who knows her craft, and who clearly has a bright future.” —Books Ireland
“Catherine Ryan Howard is a gifted storyteller and The Trap is her best book yet. From the dramatic opening chapter right the way through the twists and turns of this cleverly-plotted novel, the tension never lets up. Sinister, compelling, utterly addictive, this is heart-in-mouth stuff. Crime writing at its very best.” —Karen Perry, author of Your Closest Friend
“This is probably one of the best books I ever read…I absolutely loved the book within a book format…The author did a fantastic job, and if you are a fan of Meg Gardiner, which I am, you will love this book.” —Seattle Book Review
“Catherine Ryan Howard is one of the best Irish crime writers around, and her novels always feel completely authentic and true to their setting. Rewind is no exception and in the twisty plot Catherine also displays an in-depth and incredibly vivid knowledge of social media and its perils. Supreme entertainment.” —Sinéad Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?
“The Liar’s Girl is a haunting thriller about one woman’s attempt to escape a horrific past…and her inability to fully do so. I found myself continually surprised and even shocked by the twists and turns in the plot. This is a fast-moving, crackling good novel.” —David Bell, author of Bring Her Home
“Atmospheric, character driven, and cleverly plotted, Distress Signals had me hooked from the very start and captivated me until the final reveal. I loved the setting, which added a claustrophobic feel to the story, and threw Adam an extra curveball when his back was already up against the wall and his world as he knew it had gone up in flames. Adam’s despair was tangible on every page, adding that emotional connection that kept me reading much too late into the night.” —But Books Are Better
“Add it to your must-buy lists, because it is fantastic…Howard’s books really stand out as some of the absolute best, with clever plotting, interesting and often funny characters, and excellent twists. A real treat for anyone who loves an atmospheric thriller.” —BookBrunch
“[A] compulsive thriller…Those familiar with Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, which inspired Howard, may spot similarities between the Nothing Man and the real-life Golden State Killer, but Howard (nominated for an Edgar for The Liar’s Girl) takes her story in other directions. The Nothing Man is an ingenious nesting doll, revealing surprises in alternating chapters from Eve’s book and those from the killer’s point of view as he reads said book. Howard can paint moving depictions of grief and survivor’s guilt while terrifying readers and making them triple-check the locks on their doors. This isn’t nothing; it’s the author’s best work yet.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“There’s no hitting stop in this cleverly crafted thriller. With its claustrophobic, isolated setting and superb cast of characters, Rewind will keep you utterly absorbed until the last tense turn of the page. Compelling and brilliant. The perfect read for any crime-fiction fan.” —Olivia Kiernan, author of The Killer in Me
“This may just be the best book I have ever read! Howard writes an amazingly terrifying story of how one small lie can change the course of your entire life and those around you. I simply cannot say enough good things about this book, it left me utterly speechless!” —TheBindingThread (5/5 stars)
“Distress Signals is a debut novel that packs a wallop of a punch…[a] complex plot…perfectly executed…page turning and twisty.” —It’s Book Talk
“It’s no surprise Catherine Ryan Howard has done it again. I’m always amazed and flabbergasted by her books, and The Trap is no exception. Howard’s creativity knows no bounds, and neither do her twists! I dare you to figure this one out.” —Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife
“It might be cliché to say that a strong storytelling tradition runs in Irish genes, but…Cork native and current Dubliner Catherine Ryan Howard would seem to be indicative of this…This juxtaposition of predator and prey—and the underlying question of just who is which—renders the stakes breathtakingly high. It’s a clever, meta construct—and one the author fully, and frankly, embraces…The Nothing Man is clearly influenced by Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone In The Dark…but don’t be mistaken: it’s still very much a work of fiction, albeit one that’s grounded in the realities of crime, recidivism, and victimization. The Nothing Man himself may be quite ordinary, but Catherine Ryan Howard’s book-within-a-book is anything but.” —Strand Magazine
“Rewind is brilliant: an expertly constructed thriller that plays on our worst fears about modern life. Catherine Ryan Howard has a genius for creating memorable and convincing characters—some appealing, some horrifying—and the plot moves back and forth through their lives like a pendulum counting down to the explosive ending. Rewind is exactly what I expect from Catherine: exceptional, original, and compelling writing that’s a joy to read.” —Jane Casey, author of Let the Dead Speak
“The Liar’s Girl takes us back to the canals of Dublin in a story packed with psychological trickery and playing on the theme of the bad boy, and a very bad boy indeed. What do you do when you realize your boyfriend is a killer?” —Electric Lit
“This one is a standout and one I can highly recommend for fans of the genre.” —Novel Gossip
“This one will chill you to the bone! The Trap is a taut police procedural, psychological thriller, and family drama crafted into one brilliant, breathless thrill ride. This might be my favorite Catherine Ryan Howard novel yet!” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten
“Terrific. A cast of brilliantly drawn characters, whip-smart dialogue, and the thrill of the remote Irish setting kept me hooked from the first page to the last.” —Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew
“[A] sophisticated psychological thriller…Howard’s portrait of Alison as a bright girl full of hope starkly contrasts that of the woman whose light has been dimmed by tragedy. The exploration of the characters’ inner lives—their jealousy, guilt, misguided chivalry—is as riveting as the crime.” —Shelf Awareness
“An excellent debut thriller which may give cruising executives some sleepless nights.” —Irish Independent (Dublin)
“Howard’s propulsive new thriller is inspired by a spate of unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the 1990s…This scary, twisting, and psychologically incisive commentary on the recent increase in missing and murdered women in Ireland will leave readers guessing until the gut-punching reveal.” —Library Journal
“Catherine Ryan Howard is a gift to crime writing. Her characters are credible, her stories are original, and her plotting is ingenious. Every book is a treat to look forward to.” —Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Unraveling Oliver and Skin Deep
“Slick, smart, and stylish suspense. Characters so real I felt I knew them personally, a plot so taut it squeaked, and deeply poignant nods to the loss of innocence that every teenager craves and despairs. Really clever.” —Holly Seddon, USA Today bestselling author
“Highly recommended to thriller fans.” —The Suspense Is Thrilling Me
“Not only does [Howard] bring the spirit of those cold cases to the forefront of her story, she adds her own unique spin on how it might have happened and who could have been behind these kidnappings.” —Bookreporter
“Oh, my word! I was absolutely invested in the story from start to finish. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough…Excellent storytelling. A compelling read.” —Patricia Gibney, author of The Stolen Girls
“A meticulous, devious plot, superb writing, and vivid, sympathetic characters would be enough to make The Liar’s Girl a stand-out read, but its dark, sad, inevitable ending makes it a triumph.” —Eric Rickstad, New York Times bestselling author of The Names of Dead Girls
“[Howard] writes with complete command of language, plot, and the thriller genre.” —Shelf Awareness
“Dark, creepy, and very clever, The Trap will lure you in and keep you captive until the very last page. Catherine Ryan Howard is the Queen of the Unguessable Twist.” —C. L. Taylor, Sunday Times bestselling author
“Claustrophobic, terrifying, and most of all satisfying, Rewind sees Catherine Ryan Howard succeed in bringing something fresh and fierce to the crime genre once again. Totally gripping.” —Claire Allan, author of Her Name Was Rose
“Read The Liar’s Girl with the lights on. A thrilling whodunit with a shocking final twist.” —A. J. Banner, USA Today bestselling author
"[A] fast-paced debut thriller…Hold on, you’re in for a wild ride…The setting—on a Mediterranean cruise ship—will leave some vacationing listeners delightfully ill-at-ease.” —BookPage
“The Trap is an irresistibly suspenseful, heart-pounding read, full of perfectly executed twists. I never wanted to stop turning the pages. It has everything anyone could possibly want in a thriller.” —Clémence Michallon, author of The Quiet Tenant
“I was riveted. So very clever…and just gripping the whole way through. Ryan Howard is a superstar.” —Jo Spain, author of The Confession
“Catherine Ryan Howard is such a skilled storyteller—every setting was evocative, every hook well-placed, every twist expertly timed. I flew through it! Astonishingly good.” —Jo Spain, Irish Times bestselling author
“[A] solid first novel…Life and death aboard a cruise ship prove very mysterious indeed.” —Publishers Weekly
“A skillful, compelling read. I absolutely loved it.” —Jo Spain, bestselling author of Dirty Little Secrets
“Psycho meets Fatal Attraction…Readers who enjoy books by Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware, as well as the earlier thrillers by award-winning Irish author Howard will find this a perfect vacation read; full of twists and turns and just the right touch of creepiness. A must for mystery and thriller collections.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“An absolute belter of a book…[A] stand-out book in the thriller genre. Real and sympathetic characters, a flawlessly paced plot, and a genuinely original premise. I finished it at 2:00 a.m. last night, my heart pounding!” —Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author
“Brimming with suspense and plot twists you’ll never see coming.” —Pop Culture Nerd
“Everything a thriller should be: clever, page-tearing, devastating. Catherine Ryan Howard makes you feel for her characters so much, whether you love them or absolutely loathe them. It’s impossible to stop reading—or to stop thinking about The Trap, long after you’re done.” —Abigail Dean, author of Girl A
“Set in Ireland, this captivating thriller from Edgar finalist Howard tracks several people whose lives collide with deadly results…Astute readers will have fun picking up clues as to what’s really going on. Fans of expertly crafted whodunits will be rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly
“The author grabs the reader by the scruff of the neck and she never lets go. She transforms Dublin into a sinister city of shadows, building the tension until breaking point…The plotting is faultless and the writing assured. Catherine Ryan Howard is as good as the early Val McDermid.” —Irish Examiner
“Clever and compulsive.” —Irish Examiner (Ireland)
“The Trap is everything you want in a book—breathless pace, clever plot, addictive characters, and very pertinent social commentary on how victims are judged. Whip smart, utterly absorbing, and unputdownable.” —Andrea Mara, author of All Her Fault
“Alan Smyth narrated Adam’s confusion, desperation, and determination brilliantly. Bronson Pinchot and Suzanne Toren narrate the dual story line that keeps you just as invested as the major story going on to the heartbreaking end. A superb listen.” —Under the Boardwalk (audio review)
“A taut, gripping page-turner. Catherine Ryan Howard at her dark and disturbing best.” —Sam Blake, bestselling author of Remember My Name
“This novel has become one of my favorite psychological thrillers to date…Catherine Ryan Howard went outside the box and really brought a unique and interesting setting to Distress Signals…I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough!” —Rose Reviews
“Dark, gripping, and terrifying with a killer final twist in the blistering, head-spinning final pages. Utterly brilliant!” —Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club
“The clarity of the voices and the perfection of the audio itself make it a pleasure to hear. Alana Kerr Collins’s lilting Irish brogue is a treasure…John Keating’s performance of the male point of view is just as cold and calculating as the villain he portrays.” —AudioFile
