I felt like this was a twist on the missing girls trope. I liked how it didn't make men too much of the focus when it should be on the women. So many books do that! I didn't really feel like I connected with the character though--maybe the book was too plot and concept heavy to really flesh them out? I liked it and with a little tweaking I think I would have loved it.

Lucy’s sister Nicki went out for a night of drinking with her friends at a pub, left late at night by herself and was never seen again. Her phone was found shattered on the ground right where she was last seen on the CCTV cameras. The police and the news have put her case on the back burner causing Lucy to take matters into her own hands and risk putting her life in danger to find her sister.

This was my first book by this author and will probably be my last. The chapters were an absolute mess; one minute readers are engrossed by the storyline, then the entire setting twists in the middle of a paragraph to a completely different time and a new set of characters and it was hard to decipher what’s going on.

The writing was rough to follow, so much that I had to take breaks or re-read an entire page to try to make since of it all. The premise of the story was great, it was the structure that I didn’t care for. The ending bounced around from past to present among different characters so much that it was dizzying. I’m trying to make sense of what I just read because I feel lost and disappointed because I expected more but it just never captivated me.

I’m a huge Catherine Ryan Howard fan. In her latest, The Trap, Lucy is hell bent on finding her missing sister. Nikki, along with two other women, are at the center of a missing persons case. Howard takes a fairly straight forward premise, but then adds a twist that makes it perfect.

This seems to be the summer of great thrillers. Catherine Ryan Howard has written another five star book for me with The Trap.

Thrilling from the first few pages and so relevant to how many women (dare I say most) feel when they are on a dark road, approached by a man alone, or when a man asks for directions, The Trap made the hairs on my arms stand up. The author has captured the collective fear and the all too real circumstances of serial killers.

While reading this book I briefly thought about how authors that write books like this must be deranged or true crime junkies because of the level of detail put into the crimes. Read the author’s note at the end to see how Howard came to her calling.

Thank you to @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. The Trap publishes August 1, 2023. If you enjoy thrillers then definitely pick this one up. I’ll be sharing this recommendation with some of my IRL friends as well!

4.5 rounded up!

One year ago, Lucy’s sister, Nicki, went out to a pub with some of her friends only to never be seen or heard from again. One of a string of missing women cases to spring up around their town in Ireland, what unfolds is a fast-paced mystery in search of answers.

THE TRAP by Catherine Howard has easily become my favorite of her books - the opening chapter alone had my JAW ON THE FLOOR.

Howard does not hold back in her latest release and a lot of the situations she puts her characters through in this one had my palms sweating. She alternates from Lucy’s search for her sister, a detective and civilian working out other clues, and a nameless man driving in search of his next victim and somehow managed to have SO MANY cliffhangers!

I do wish this one was twice as long, so we could spend more time with the characters and get to know them better and I think(??) I’m mad at the ending(???) BUT I think a lot of readers will be pleased with this one!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: August 1

This was so good! Catherine Ryan Howard is great at writing crime fiction with lots of layers that make the twists seem extra twisty and unpredictable. It had some vibes of her novel, The Nothing Man, as well, with some POV chapters from the killer, which added to the creepy suspense factor.

The Trap by @cathryanhoward
Release Date: 8/1/23
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

!!!! What a perfect summer thriller. This book was engaging from the first page to the very last. This one is for all the fans of unsolved cases and dual POVs!

Howard keeps you in the dark just enough thorough out this novel to have you guessing what the heck is going on at the end of every chapter, but since we’re getting the detective’s POV I got cocky a few times and thought I understood where the story was going. Don’t worry though, every time you think you’ve figured it out, you’ll be proven wrong 😂

I was so invested throughout but the last 20% of this book is especially incredible. I was literally screaming at my husband because I couldn’t believe it. Pure *chefs kiss*

I can’t say much more without ruining things but this book was amazing and you need to add it to your tbr immediately!

Huge thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion! This book absolutely ruled!

#TheTrap #CatherineRyanHoward #FiveStarRead

I have other Catherine Rayn Howard books but I have not read them yet, I might just have to after this one. I loved that this book was set in Ireland it's some place I really want to visit. One of my favorite parts of this book was how it started and ended kind of the same way that was a cool little switch. I can't believe this book was kind of based of some real life missing people for the 90s in Ireland as well as other murder cases in Ireland. I love true crime cases and see the inspiration at the end was so cool.

As always, thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This book was absolutely amazing, until it wasn't. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I thoroughly enjoyed the POV of Lucy, Angela, and the killer. However, the ending was a huge disappointment for me and is why I rated it 3.5 stars. I needed answers, and I feel like I didn't get them. Maybe it was open ended so the reader could make their own assumptions as to some of the things that happened? Overall, 3.5 stars and I would still recommend as the rest of the book was amazing for me.

**4.5 stars rounded down to 4**

Thank you @netgalley @blackstonepublishing & @cathryanhoward for early access to this book!

I devoured this book! CRH has a way of pulling you right into the book, making you feel unsettled like you’re right there amidst the chaos. I didn’t see any of the many twists coming - which is always a plus while reading a thriller.

The story unfolds through three different POVs: Lucy, the sister of one of the missing girls; Angela, a trainee police officer working with Detective Denise on the case; and the mysterious kidnapper/killer. Reading the killer’s POV was something new to me, but I found it incredibly intriguing and eerie.

The only slight downside for me was the ending. I'm not a fan of open-ended conclusions; I prefer a bit more closure. While this book provided a general idea of where things were headed, it ended rather abruptly for my taste.

It was still an overall stellar read, and CRH is officially one of (if not my favorite) thriller authors!!!

Thanks for the ARC Netgalley! This new book hits the shelves August 1st - I highly recommend this for thriller lovers. This book had me on the edge of my seat.

Lucy cannot move on from her sister Nicki’s disappearance. It’s been over a year and Lucy has no answers from the Garda (the Irish Police Force) and more women have vanished. She decides enough is enough, taking big risks to discover the truth. Meanwhile, Angela is a civilian worker for the Missing Persons Unit and begins to discover things the Garda never have-but she needs to break the rules to pursue these clues. The final perspective comes from the culprit himself, spilling the truth to an unknown victim in his backseat.

This is inspired by actual unsolved missing women cases in Ireland (I highly recommend reading Howard’s Author’s Note at the end of the book.) The structure of this worked so well, keeping the pace fast. I was reminded of the excellent film “A Promising Young Woman” when reading this, in the quest for justice and truth. I think this will be a popular summer thriller for good reason!

✨Trigger Warnings: Kidnapping, Violence, Murder, Rape, Suicidal Thoughts

The beginning of this book was gripping and tense. I just knew this book was right up my alley. A woman walking alone on a road is picked up by a man who later drops her off at a service station. The ride was creepy and tense. As was the fact that she does this often, goes out walking late at night, setting the trap, hoping to catch the man who took her sister!

Buckle me in!

I had such high hopes but had difficulty connecting with any of the characters. I found myself feeling a little apathetic after the chilling beginning. The highlight for me was the POV of the killer. I found these to be so well done, sinister and creepy.

Then the second half of the book begins to ramp things up and then suddenly, I was shocked a few times. There were a nice number of twists and reveals which I thought were very clever and well done.

This book was a mixed bag for me. Really gripping and shocking parts with parts that I just felt meh about.

But the ending!!!!! That is how you do it!

Overall, I enjoyed this but didn't love it as much as the other books I have read by this author. I will still be excited to read whatever Catherine Ryan Howard writes next.

3.5 stars

#TheTrap #NetGalley #CatherineRyanHoward, #BlackstonePublishing

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Catherine Ryan Howard for providing this book for my honest review. Wow! I really enjoyed this book. It’s full of twists and turns and is so entertaining! I love the different perspectives and how it all came together in the end. The short chapters beg you to keep reading! It’s so addicting! Catherine Ryan Howard always writes such unique books and this one is no different. I highly recommend it! Thank you again for such a wonderfully thrilling read.

It’s a trap, so why does Lucy try over and over again to fall into it?
In Ireland, 3 women have disappeared. One of them is Lucy’s sister, Nicki. She risk everything to find her. Hoping to attract the man who took her because not knowing is harder to live with.
When Angela from Missing Persons Unit receives information, she builds a case with Detective Denise. Even the killer gives insight to his mind revealing how he lures, chooses and captures them. Very chilling details!
This is a dark thriller containing such realistic scenes. Outstanding writing inspired by unsolved disappearances in the 90’s. It brought back memories of 1993 “The Vanishing” and 2012 movie “Gone”
Written from several POVs and at times you will be screaming “Do not get into that car!” The Epilogue will send a shock through you with an outstanding twist!
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Based on a true story from Ireland. Lucy's sister is the third woman in three years to vanish and Lucy decides to take things into her own hands. POV switches from Lucy to Angela, a clerk with the Missing Persons Unit, who is working the case and training to become a Garda herself, and then to the nameless, faceless killer.

I really enjoyed this. The twist was fantastic. I was hooked from the beginning and found this a quick read. I didn't love the characters choices but they were real and down-to-earth making me care what happened to them even though I didn't like them. The story was very creepy since it was so realistic. I loved the author's last book, "56 Days" and I'm going to continue to read her.

I'm hesitant to reveal too much in this review lest I give away its secrets. This book sent shivers through my body as I read it and depriving anyone else of that experience would be a tragedy. The clues, the red herrings, the assumptions...All are perfectly plotted to create a haunting mystery. And that ending? Chills. I'll be haunted for days.

Name of Book: The Trap
Author: Catherine Ryan Howard
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars!
Pages: 352


Story is told from the POV of Lucy, Angela, and the Killer
 *Lucy O’Sullivan is the sister of Niki one of the missing girls.
 *Angela Fitzgerald is the wannabe Police Office and works with Det. Pope
 * Denise Pope is the detective working on the cases of the three missing women- named “Operation Tide.”
 * The killer is obvious and tells us about what drives the kidnappings and murders.

Jennifer Gold, Tana Meehan and now Nicola ‘Niki’ O’Sullivan all from Dublin have disappeared without a trace
It’s been a year since Lucy’s sister, Nicki, disappeared. Lucy decides to take the investigation into her own hands. She does have the help of Angela Fitzgerald who works as a clerk and wants to be a Police Office and is currently working in the Missing Persons Unit at the police station.
Angela loves working with Detective Denise Pope who is a member of ‘AN Garda Siochana’ and is hopeful that the information she’s uncovered about the missing women could be her entry into law enforcement,

Story definitely got my attention immediately.
However I soon struggle with the foul mouth unlikeable characters. This is only my second story by [author: Catherine Ryan Howard] so I am not all that familiar with her writing style. I know authors typically want to portray their characters as authentic as possible and unfortunately nasty foul-language characters seem to be everywhere.😥

Since I was struggling I stopped to double check some reviews. I saw so many 4 & 5 star praises from readers I know and trust. Everyone mentioning the twist at the end ~ one called it fascinating mind-blowing another said- Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
I love these reviewers but it only confirms that we readers can have a different opinion on the same piece of information.
True the twist was something I didn’t see coming ~ Hmmm going to leave it at that!


I always enjoy reading the “Author’s Notes” I find authors typical give us the ‘inside-scoop’ on their motivation as well as their inspiration for the story,
In this case author, Catherine Ryan Howard tells us about the murder mysteries that occurred over the years in safe Ireland where doors were left unlocked and there were no guns ~these stories are indeed very fascinating. She then tells us readers that “The Trap” isn’t about the ”Vanishing Triangle’ of disappearing people or other shocking scandalizing situations but simply a story she made up about fictional people.

Ms. Howard appears to have a sense of humor and a person I would love to meet! I certainly will read another story she writes. Unfortunately I didn’t love this story but I know many others love it and you probably will as well!

I want to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 1, 2023.

Well, holy shit. A nightmare-inducing read for me. 🫠 Thank you to @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing, and thank you Catherine Ryan Howard!

The Trap is told through three lenses:
The serial killer’s chilling POV; Lucy, who is desperately and dangerously searching for her missing sister, Nicki; and Angela, a civilian working in the MPU who ends up assisting on the case because she’s got the vibes and she’s ready to crack this wide open even if it means risking her dream career on the force. Denise (my fav character) has a feeling about her and that is fkn important!

It doesn’t take long for all hell to break loose here. This was so tense and so surprising! The descriptions, the way the procedural is written, it’s like a web and you just get caught. You’re literally along for the ride in all the POV’s. I was captivated, as we all are with serial killers. The twist? Heartbreaking. The ending? Literally perfect. It made me emotional knowing this book is inspired by the real life disappearances of several women in the mid to late 90’s, also known as Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle.

This is a dark psychological thriller, yet so much horror. Like, scary as fuck. If you liked The Quiet Tenant, you’ll like this. If you liked The Silence of the Lambs, you’ll like this. If you just like crime books, you’ll like this. Fast-paced, jaw on the floor kind of stuff! A banger!

US Pub date: Aug. 1, 2023
5/🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘

I love Catherine Ryan Howard and thoroughly enjoyed this book. The chapters switch between several characters, including a civilian, working for the Missing Persons Department, a serial killer, and a missing girl’s sister.

This book did not go the way I expected it to, and kept me guessing throughout. I particularly enjoyed the chapters from the serial killer’s perspective. How well he had his interest in killing from others around him, who probably have no clue who he truly was.

My only complaint is with the ending. I found it to open ended. I needed more conclusion and wrap up about how it all ended.

4.5 stars - there was a lot of tension and suspense that sucked me in right away! lots of great twists throughout the story. The only reason it wasn't a 5 star read is because the ending infuriated me (no spoilers here)!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.