A dark twisty tale. A good storyline and plot. It was a good book. Thank you to Catherine Ryan Howard and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Too many plot lines, too many characters. I did appreciate the twist towards the end but was just so overcome with confusion for most of the book that it wasn’t as impactful as it could’ve been.

Alone in the dark, far from civilisation, a young woman finds herself getting a lift from a stranger. She knows this is risky, as her sister went missing in similar circumstances. But how else is she to find the monster who took not just her sister but several other young women too. Struggling for answers from both the police and the media, this is her last hope of learning the truth.

The Trap is a many layered mystery, and every time you think you understand what’s happening, the focus shifts somewhere else. At times this made it difficult to read, and I definitely found the ending more confusing than satisfying but overall it was a gripping read. The fact that Catherine Ryan Howard was inspired by the unsolved disappearances of a number of girls in Ireland makes it even more painful to read.

A dark, gritty tale.

Very twisty, one of the very few authors who can write a twist I can’t guess!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, so sorry I’m so late with the review.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future.

Told from a missing person’s sister and the abductor’s view meant you get a really interesting story. Lots of compelling parts that will have you in that lovely ‘I need to keep reading’ mode. I have been recommending to my friends and I liked the Irish setting which I always enjoy being part of an Irish family.

Fast paced, full of twists and especially at the end. I really wasn't expecting that and it makes you question everything that came before, especially the beginning.

A real page turner. A shocking and terrifying premise of a girl trying to find a killer. Fast paced and twisty. A good read.
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Hmm, I'm in two minds about this one, I think I just didn't like the ending and its dulled the shine of the rest of the book for me. I liked the POVs swapping and some great twists byt gaaah that ending. Why!?

Very clever idea and well written but not 100% successful and rather confusing at times as to who was narrating and what the time period was.
Still a good read though with plenty of believable twists.

I’ve only recently become acquainted with CRH’s writing, but she’s already become an auto-buy author, and this latest novel comfortably lived up to expectations, delivering a thrilling, riveting read with a twisty plot and a creepy, blood-chilling antagonist.

At its center is the story of Lucy, whose sister Nikki went missing without trace over a year ago. Her disappeared along with those of two other women is being investigated under the stalled Operation Tide, when suddenly evidence of an apparent fourth victim comes to light, breathing new life into the case.

Well, this was one crazy ride, the plot unfolding through the dual perspectives of Lucy and the investigation team, along with sinister interventions by the abductor. It was pacey and twisty and had me rooting all the way for Lucy and her determination to find Nikki, whatever the risk to herself.

The frantic build-up to the ending had me on the edge of my seat. However, some questions remained unanswered, and while I’m not averse to making my own conclusions, I can appreciate how some readers might be left wanting.

What a well named book, I definitely fell into a trap reading this book, and was taken totally unawares by how deceptive *everything* was..

Brilliant characters ✔️
Plausible setting ✔️
Twists to thrill ✔️

Absolutely loved and highly recommended to all those who love scary but familiar settings, and entangled plots.

I loved this one so much! A really great mystery/thriller with an interesting and unique hook. I do wish that it involved more of the hunting of the killer but with the way it ended I understand why it didn’t, I definitely had to re-read the beginning again and loved that twist!

Another great Catherine Ryan Howard, I will definitely be picking up her next one!

Wow what a book! This hooked me from the beginning, I was really engaged and invested in the storyline. The writing was great, as are her other books. I do feel a little let down with the ending, it felt a little rushed but overall a great book would highly recommend.

I was excited to read this as I love the authors books and I have the physical copy of this also. The book started off very strong and creepy and really gripped me and I loved the story line but unfortunately for me I lost interest after a while and then It came back again towards the end. Unfortunately this isn't one of my favourites but I have seen so many glowing reviews and definitely give this one a chance.
Thanks to netgalley for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly could not wait to read this with the premise I mean it sounded absolutely incredible and it definitely lived up to my expectations!
It was very well written and full of twists and turns and it honestly felt so real it gave me goosebumps. I got lost in this book and enjoyed the multiple pov as it flowed really well. Love this author a lot!

I’ve loved all of Howard’s other books and couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one and I really wanted to love it but it just didn’t quite work for me. I love that it’s based in Ireland. It’s told from different characters perspectives which is always good but I found I didn’t really connect with any of them and found the main character Lucy a little annoying. The structure of the storyline just didn’t flow well and jumped around quite a bit in time and place. For me it felt very different in terms of the writing from the authors other reads but maybe that was intended. The ending I’m a little confused by and feel I’m missing something which maybe I am as I did find sometimes I needed to go back on things. I can see true crime fans enjoying it but unfortunately it’s not my favourite.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review #TheTrap

This book was a good one! It had twist after twist after twist. The author really highlights the sick and twisted side of murderers. I loved the different viewpoints and found the police to play a very interesting role in the book. Sisterly love, reasons for missing people and the harsh reality of life is really well explored.
This is not an easy read, but it is a thrilling one.

🚘The Trap - Catherine Ryan Howard🚘

Thank you to @netgalleyuk @penguinbooksireland @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy is looking for her missing sister Nicki. She vanished without a trace after a night out with friends in Dublin. She is part of a group of three women who went missing in similar circumstances
and why Operation Tide was formed. This story is told from multiple POVs (One of my favourites being from the kidnapper think Joe from You meets Ted Bundy). This will leave you on the edge of your seat and racing through it to see how it ends.

For those who grew up in 1990s Ireland you will be familiar with the women of the vanishing triangle, you can name a few off the top of your head without having to even think too much. You can see CRH got inspiration from these disappearances. There is also lots of references to places around Ireland which I love 🇮🇪

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Has anyone any book, podcast or documentary recommendations about the women of the vanishing triangle? Send them this way.

✨My Thoughts✨

Lucy will do WHATEVER it takes to find out what happened to her sister Nicki even if that includes being on lonely roads in the middle of night acting like she’s lost and hoping that someone will pull up and offer a lift and wishing that someone is the monster who took Nicki.

Oh wow!
I was absolutely captivated by this story, it’s so atmospheric the first chapter had me feeling a little scared if I’m honest but I didn’t put my kindle down until I’d read every last page.

The different chapters from multiple characters kept me on my toes, I almost couldn’t keep up , I enjoyed Angela and Denise’s chapters the best though as they gave a few lighthearted moments.

If you’re looking for an unputdownable thriller to keep you reading long into the night then this is the book for you.