The mix of a variety of narrators and timelines really got in the way of this book's flow for me. The twists and turns and reveals were interesting enough, but I found it a slog to finish and it's not a long book. I tried the audiobook and when that didn't help I pushed through but it wasn't a favorite of mine.

I loved how this book was inspired by a series of missing women from Dublin in the 90s. Things like this go on every single day all over the world, and get such little attention. So any kind of spotlight shone on a very real and troubling epidemic is helpful.

I just wish I liked the book itself more. It started out great, and I loved the premise, but it just didn't stick the landing for me.

I enjoyed the beginning of this story with the multiple perspectives and the little details that we received from them. However, the ending made me sad. I know that thrillers aren't suppose to have happy endings, but I had hoped. Just left me wanting something, but that's just me.

This was kind of my foray back into thrillers and it was very suspenseful and kept my attention. This is my first book from this author but I’m excited to read more of her books.

Slightly disturbing! There's a killer out there luring women into his car, and it could literally be anyone! Pulse pounding and scary! Short chapters which I love. Full of twists and turns and wow what an ending! I'm still thinking about this one and will continue to do so for a long time

This is a quick and easy read with a good ending, but it's probably my least favorite book by CRH so far.

I think the idea is interesting and the fact this is loosely inspired by the series of women who went missing in Ireland in the 90s had me intrigued, but I don't feel as if this fully delivers what it promises.

The title is called ‘The Trap’ and the synopsis claims the story is about a woman risking everything to catch the person who took her sister, but none of that is really the focus of the story. It's mainly about introducing all of the characters, how they are impacted by the missing women, and the police investigation. Lucy trying to “trap” the culprit is only like 10% of the story. So I wish that had gotten more page time and played a bigger part in the plot.

But, like I said, this is a quick and easy read with a good ending. I just think it could have been better if the main focus of the story was different.

I loved this!! So many twists that I didn’t see coming which makes it so enjoyable all throughout. It felt like a complex storyline but it wasn’t difficult to follow, and the payoff was unexpected and dark. Also I love Irish settings and characters so this checked lots of boxes for me.

Can Catherine Ryan Howard do any wrong?? I doubt it. Huge fan of this one and can't wait to get my hands on her next book as well.

There is a serial killer on the loose in Ireland. Women keep coming up missing. When Lucy's sister, Nicki, comes up as missing they didn't take things seriously until more women followed. Lucy knows her sister would not just disappear like that. So, she walks the streets in hopes that the same man will pick her up as well. She just has to know what happened even if it kills her.. Unputdownablle!

Lucy’s sister, Nicky is missing and has been for over a year. Lucy, unable to come to terms with her disappearance is convinced that she is the third victim in a string of kidnappings in her small Irish town. As Lucy continues to put herself in even more dangerous positions, Angela a civilian for the Missing Persons Unit, is determined to solve the disappearances. At the same time a nameless man drives through the night, ready to find his next victim.

This was the perfect audiobook to listen to while running! It had just the right amount of suspense to keep me entertained and convince me that I could do one more mile. Alana Kerr Collines and John Keating were the perfect narrators for the story, and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much had I not listened to it.

The multi-pov provided plenty of insight into the case, while the killer’s inner monologue kept me on the edge of my seat. Together they created the perfect mystery novel with plenty of complex twists and made me feel as if I was watching a True Crime Documentary.

I didn’t love Howard’s 56 Days when I read it back in 2021, but The Trap completely makes up for that, and now I’ve adding some of her backlist titles to my reading list. Completely recommend grabbing a copy of this one, especially for my True Crime lovers!


The Trap is out now! Huge thank you to Blackstone Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting:
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Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. I enjoyed this book so much. It was intense and a page turner. I highly recommend it.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard was fucking incredible! I kept gasping at all the twists and turns and loved it until the end!! I was truly thankful to have gotten to read this before most people! I would like to purchase this one for my physical library!

"The Trap" by Catherine Ryan Howard is a chilling mystery inspired by a series of real-life disappearances in Ireland in the 1990s. As the third Irish woman vanishes without a trace, Lucy is consumed by the agony of not knowing what happened to her sister, Nicki, who disappeared after meeting friends at a pub in Dublin.

Desperate for answers, Lucy decides to take matters into her own hands, determined to uncover the truth behind her sister's disappearance. Meanwhile, Angela, a civilian working in the Missing Persons Unit, harbors aspirations of joining the Irish police force. Frustrated by the stalled official investigation, Angela begins her own unofficial inquiry, risking her career in pursuit of justice.

As Lucy and Angela delve deeper into the case, they uncover shocking secrets and dangerous truths that threaten to shatter their lives. Meanwhile, a nameless man prowls the night, his latest victim in tow. As he drives, he reveals his sinister intentions to his captive, unraveling a terrifying narrative of deception and violence.

With tension escalating and the stakes higher than ever, "The Trap" explores the unsettling consequences of what lies beneath the surface, where the truth can be more terrifying than fiction. Catherine Ryan Howard delivers a gripping tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Howard always has cutting edge thrillers that feel fresh and timely. Loved the dual perspectives with this one, and the ending is one that’s stayed with me long after I finished reading.

A mystery that took inspiration from the still-unsolved disappearances of women, during the late 80s/90s in Ireland, from an area that is now known as the Vanishing Triangle.

One evening, Nikki walks out of a pub in Dublin, but does not return home. Her disappearance marks the third from the area. Lucy, Nikki’s sister, takes matters into her own hands (technically feet), as she tries to find her sister and figure out what took place. Beyond grief, Lucy’s efforts are fueled by her frustration that the police investigation and media attention on the missing women has not been equal. Rather, the amount provided has been informed by the level of importance assigned to each by society. It is clear early on, that Nikki has not been apportioned much.

This book started out strong, but it ended up just okay. There were certainly gripping moments. The writing and atmospheric tension effortlessly reeled me in. But in the end, it became a bit repetitive and did not come together in any wow way.

I’ve heard excellent things about this Irish crime author, so I am going to go back and read her others: Distress Signals (shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey/New Blood Dagger), The Liar’s Girl (shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best Novel), Rewind (shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year), The Nothing Man (shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year), and 56 Days.

This was a twisty thriller told in multiple perspectives, one of them the presumed killer which actually was a unique angle in my opinion! Feeling the bad guy's energy throughout added a layer of suspense that made me get the sense of a predator still out for his prey. I felt as though there were enough twists that kept me on my toes, and at times making me question and look back at what I'd already read!

I honestly had to give this one a few go's to get into it, I can't exactly explain why other than that I didn't feel "hooked" from the beginning which is kind of an essential part of thrillers for me. The middle was engaging but at times a bit confusing. And the ending left things feeling unresolved for me, which I can appreciate the intent, but also I just feel like I read all of that and didn't get the satisfaction of a full resolution.

Overall a decent thriller - definitely recommend going in blind and with an open mind! Things may not be as they seem.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was not for me. The story was kinda slow and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I was hoping for something different

Thank you so much Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, & Catherine Ryan Howard for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 🖤⁠
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I received this one on my kindle 7/31/23 & I was SO excited but unfortunately I just couldn't get into it. ⁠
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I am so bummed to have to give it 3 stars. 😔⁠
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It felt anti-climactic & a bit confusing. When it was over, I was shocked because I couldn't believe that it just ended without much being resolved in my opinion. ⁠
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I love this author so it pains me to say this-- but this book was a definite letdown for me. ⁠
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After the author's note, I understand where she was going with it-- but it just didn't work for me. I am someone that needs to know all the things when I book is over & this one just didn't satisfy that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book!

A couple years ago I read (and disliked) 56 Days by this author. I figured I’d give her another go with The Trap but unfortunately I have come to the conclusion that she is not the author for me.

This story follows multiple points of view including a woman who believes her sister was one of a handful of women abducted and murdered, members of the Irish police force following these cases, and the apparent abductor/murderer of the missing women.

Overall this story felt sluggish. It never hooked me and I didn’t care about the outcome, nor did I get attached to any of the characters. But I think anyone that is a hardcore true crime fan may find this type of story entertaining and gruesome.

I’ve seen some mixed reviews on this one, but I honestly thought this was such a solid thriller!

the premise of this story involves a girl named Lucy who has made it her mission to find her missing sister after she’s been linked with several other missing women in the area. with their captor still at large, Lucy puts her own life in danger to find answers—and more importantly, her sister—before it’s too late.

while reading through Lucy’s perspective, we also get an alternate perspective from Angela, a civilian who is essentially a paper-pusher in the local Missing Persons Unit. after managing to get herself involved in a lead regarding the local missing women, Angela shadows a notable member of the Irish police force & finds herself in the thick of this mysterious case.

as the events unfold, we also get the perspective of the man at large. to me, this is what gives this book its chilling suspense factor. not only do we get a picture of the pure evil and darkness a seemingly normal person can possess—but all the while, we know that his presence is still looming, and he continues to be a threat.

overall, I thought this was thoroughly entertaining and cleverly written. the climax/ending frustrated me a bit, but I can’t really say why without giving it away 🙈 the beginning of the story ends up taking on a whole new meaning once you finish the book—I actually ended up rereading it to see how the experience changed for me after getting to the end. i would definitely recommend for any suspense lovers who enjoy hearing the bad guy’s perspective, too!

thank you to @netgalley, @blackstonepublishing & @cathryanhoward for my #advancedreaderscopy of this book!