Just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, Oliver meets Ciara in a Dublin supermarket. When I say met, Oliver actually saw Ciara in the supermarket for 5 consecutive days, which he found strange, given that he’d arrived at different times, so initially he thinks she may be someone other than who she pretends to be ( and he has very good reason to be anxious about that). However, they eventually get chatting, and find that they get on really well, so Oliver asks Ciara to move in with him, but now, one of them is dead! All of the characters in this story though, have an agenda, but we’re not apprised of that information until much later.

This is a story built around multiple timelines, from 56 days downwards. It was a complex but well constructed story, and despite the jumping about from one timeline to another, it held my interest with several revelations along the way.

I know a lot of people have said that they don't want to read a book set in Covid times, or in lockdown, but I disagree: since the beginning of the pandemic, I've been thinking things like "how many people have died in their houses that we don't know about because everyone's staying home?" and "this is an ideal situation for the perfect crime." It's a totally amazing setting for a crime thriller, and Catherine Ryan Howard had a great idea for a story set in this "unprecedented" situation:

Ciara and Oliver meet as lockdown begins, and decide to live together for lockdown so they can continue to get to know each other without breaking any rules. But flash forward to "now" and a body has been found in the apartment: who is dead and what happened behind the closed door?

The novel unfolds by flipping between the point of view of the Garda officer investigating the crime, the couple in the run-up to the death, and who they both really are/were. It's a really well-constructed unfolding, with brilliant twists and reveals throughout.

This is the first book I've read that's set in the recent Covid-19 lockdown and what a cracking book it was! Told from 3 different points of view we're given a well written, fast paced book with an exciting and novel plot that twists and turns - often when/where I least expected it to go. The timeline jumps back and forth too but it all adds to the tension as secrets are shared and uncovered. I thoroughly enjoyed this bang-up- to- date page turner and I'll now go and check out some of her previous books.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an advance copy of this book.

‘They walk back together as far as his office, then wave each other goodbye. She doesn’t take a deep breath until she’s turned her back to him. And so it begins’
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Every time Catherine Ryan Howard has a new book out I RAVE about it, there is just something about the way she writes a story that always gets me hooked, and this new instalment is no different!!
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56 Days Ago…
Clara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin and start dating.
Today…
Detectives arrive at Oliver’s apartment to discover a decomposing body inside…
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THE PREMISE ALONE!!! Like jeez, already I was pulled in. The way CRH masterfully pulls together a mystery revealing snippet by snippet of information for you to fully piece it together and then BAM always there’s a curve ball you didn’t see coming, yet makes complete sense and you kick yourself for not realising! A true master of the genre, and I’m already head over heels excited for her next novel!!
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Heads up also… this book is set during Covid-19’s lockdown in Dublin, for those who may think a novel set in Lockdown is ‘too early’ or ‘too close to home’, I urge you to put that aside and read this still, the Lockdown is merely a setting for the novel, one that creates a locked room mystery and nothing more, COVID doesn’t play into the story, it merely adds for a very interesting and relatable setting, so fear not!!
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All in all, a triumph yet again, thank you to Netgalley, Atlantic Books and Catherine Ryan Howard for the ARC!

I was really blown away by this book. I usually pride myself on guessing the twists, but not only did I not guess them…they twisted again! I could not put this down. My only complaint was that a final twist at the end would really have cemented a five star rating for me, but regardless it really was a work of art.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy of 56 Days, a stand-alone thriller set in Dublin at the start of lockdown.

Oliver and Ciara meet at the supermarket and start a relationship, but the pandemic is looming so they rush and move in together after three weeks of dating. 56 days from their first encounter a decomposing body is found in the flat and DI Leah Riordan XXX has to work out what happened.

I normally open my comments by saying if I enjoyed a novel or not, but in this case I don’t know, although what I do know is that it is initially compulsive, sags in the middle and finishes strongly. The format takes some getting used to as it has both a changing point of view and timeline.

The narrative switches between Lee, as she is known, and her present day investigation and Oliver and Ciara as they analyse the start of their relationship, mostly why they got involved, but as both are obviously keeping secrets it’s difficult to know how much to believe. It is an interesting angle that most “milestones”, like the first date, are initially recounted by Ciara, then a few chapters later retold from Oliver’s point of view, after some fast forwarding. It may be repetitive to some readers, but I liked it as it reveals a small part of their thought processes and gives a wider perspective on events, but then again there’s the secrets, so how much is actually true? I really liked Lee’s voice as it has the world weary tone of a seasoned detective, cynical but not at the expense of her humanity.

Oliver’s secret is revealed about 40% in and while Ciara’s isn’t it becomes clear that she has some kind of ulterior motive. That’s when the novel lost much of my attention and it became a slog to get to the finish of who did what. To me the game of cat and mouse got tiresome and overly drawn out. It picks up again towards the end when all the secrets get unravelled, but overall I think it is a very uneven read and I was disappointed in the rather noncommittal ending. I don’t think it helps that the characters of Oliver and Ciara aren’t particularly likeable.

It was interesting that the author sets this novel in the lockdown. I think the detail is good, although it might not age well. It could only work in this setting, so I admire the author’s skill in coming up with the perfect scenario in restricted times.

56 Days isn’t what I thought it was going to be, a murder investigation first and foremost, and it’s not really my kind of novel, although I think it will appeal to those who like the more psychological aspects.

I have never read anything by Catherine Ryan Howard but I most certainly will look out for books by her now! My mind is actually blown by how amazing this book was!! I was so drawn in and even messaged my sister who had recommended it to me demanding to know what Oliver had done!! Extremely current with lock down one and two still very much in our recent memories, it was so well written I was still there at 1am despite it being a work night!!
I would give it many more stars if I could!! Outstanding !!!

Catherine Ryan Howard is one of my most favourite authors. Her books are a complete delight. I know I’m always in for a treat and 56 Days was absolutely stellar!! A brilliant read.
This follows two timelines:
* the past where we meet Ciara, who bumps into Oliver at a supermarket and cute romance ensues. They’ve met literally a few weeks before lockdown began in March 2020. With the impending restrictions the two decided to move in together. That way they can know each other with their parents knowing. Worse comes to worse they realise they’re not to be and after lockdown they can go their separate ways.
* In the present narrative we follow detective Lee, who is called into investigating the death of a man during lockdown. It’s the same building as Oliver’s...what happened during these 56 Days?

This was a compelling page turner. I was completely absorbed. I felt for the characters, who are well drawn out, and utterly riveted by the twists and reveals. I did find the ending lacklustre though, and personally wanted more closure and wish there was a tighter finish. Nonetheless this was a stellar read. An unputdownable suspense read. 4/5.

Oliver and Ciara meet just before the first Covid 19 lock down in Dublin, and they decide to move into Oliver's flat to be together during the enforced time. The book covers what happens over the period of 56 days from them meeting. Is everyone who they seem?

The story is cleverly written from 3 points of view - Oliver, Ciara and the police. The author doesn't follow a single timeline, it jumps back and forth, slowly feeding the reader little nuggets of information. It twists and turns, you never quite know who to trust - one twist definitely surprised me! I really enjoyed the book, I'll be sure to look out for more by this author in the future.

This was interesting as it’s the first book I have read that is set in lockdown. A good story with lots of intriguing twists. Recommended. #56Days #NetGalley

Wow, what a book! I loved the setting and the unique storyline. The ending was fabulous and brought everything together. It’s one of my favourite books of the year and one I’d definitely recommend.

Oliver meets Ciara in a supermarket just before lockdown hits.They decide to stay together in Olivers flat for the duration.They can get to know each other can't they?But will they like what they find out?Secrets always come out in the end don't they?
Very fast paced told from 3 points of view Olivers Ciara's and the police with plenty of surprises making it a must read.
Another hit for Catherine Ryan Howard.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic books for the ARC

When Ciara meets Oliver she is struck by his good looks and quickly falls for him. Lurking in the background is the pandemic and when lockdown strikes he asks her to move in with him. The story is told from both points of view and it soon becomes clear he is hiding something and so is she..

The author deals very well with the different points of view, drawing us in first one direction then another. The plot twists are good with at least one taking me completely by surprise. The claustrophobia and strangeness of the early days of lockdown are very well described and I really liked the ending which was quite cathartic in parts. Overall a good read and I'll look out for more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A really interesting read set just as the covid pandemic starts, a great story told well, came to a very satisfactory conclusion,a young lady fighting for the truth in a world gone a little crazy

It's 2020 in Dublin a few days before lockdown starts. Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket while queuing to pay. When lockdown starts they are just getting started on a relationship and decide to move in together. Just over 30 days after that the police find Oliver's body in his flat. I found the opening had me engaged. It's one of those time shift stories. Ciara and Oliver get to have their say about their meeting and events after that. Lee (the DI in the case) comes into it with her views on the current time.

The actual time shifted chapters are well enough signposted although they do jump around in terms of both time and the person whose narrative it is. As time goes by aspects are revealed that make you look again at the story overall. I really would prefer not to give anything more than that away!

In general I found both characters (& Lee) good enough. The pace was fine too and the use of the Covid situation was a good idea for this story. I really enjoyed this author's book The Nothing Man and so was looking forward to this one. I do find it quite hard to put a finger on just why I didn't love this. In the end I think the timing of some of the reveals didn't really work all that well for me. I confess that one twist did surprise me however I probably worked some of it out ahead of time.

This is not a bad story - I have read far worse - however for me it didn't quite have the edge I was hoping for. I'll certainly read more from this author.

This was a book I really enjoyed and the setting at the start of the pandemic made for interesting reading
A dead body is found in a Dublin apartment and as the officers start to investigate we go back in time and hear from Oliver and Ciara who have recently met and started a relationship at the outset of lockdown . we know early on that Oliver is hiding something from his past , and it does have you wondering about Ciara's motives too
The story comes out slowly as the young couple struggle with the restrictions imposed by the government and it was a gripping read with a very good twist . Would definitely recommend

The Nothing Man was compelling. This just as compelling. The second book I've read set in Lockdown but skillful handled. A romance or is it? Ryan Howard plays her red herrings with a skill that's hard to beat. Great writing. Great characters. Great stuff.

Not the kind of book I'd usually read but I have to say I enjoyed it. I'm not sure which character has the darker motives but both are playing a dangerous game.
I did find the jumping around from day 20 to 35 and then 50something at times took some concentration but it allowed the plot to be revealed slowly

Opening 56 days before the denouement of the book, this tells the story of the Romance in Covid times between Oliver and Clara. But who are they? The story line set after the 56 days involves a police investigation after a body is found in a flat. As the story of those 56 days jumps back and forth in time between the two characters, we get to the truth of what has happened, Very original and gripping - highly recommended.

A highly relatable pandemic story which on the face of it at the start looks like a classic boy meets girl and then the pandemic happens, which results in Ollie and Ciara moving in together after just a few weeks. Not everything is as it seems however and the discovery of a body in their shared apartment several weeks later switches it firmly from love story to police procedural. What has really happened is revealed by flashbacks and the same scenes are related from the different viewpoints of Ollie, Ciara and the detectives, Lee and Karl. The pandemic and the lockdown gives the story a more claustrophobic feel and contributes to the multiple dead ends encountered by the detectives as they try to reveal the truth. With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the novel pre-publication.