Well what a book!! This is one that I started and very quickly became unwilling to put down. I ended up devouring this gem in just one sitting.

Lucy’s sister is missing and Lucy has spent her time desperately searching, seeking answers and being unable to move on with her life. We follow her journey throughout this one as she tries to uncover answers.

This is a book which moves at a good pace. It’s interesting and intriguing. The characters are mixed and you can’t always be sure of who to be suspicious of. Lucy has made me shake my head on times. However, there is so much to unravel.

This is an author who can captivate the reader and take you down a dark dark hole. I have been completely hooked and unable to predict this one. I have been transported by the writing and found myself feeling as though, I’ve watched this play out.

I have read this author previously, The Nothing Man was a book that converted me as a fan. I can safely say that once again, this author has created a masterpiece.

This is a book that truly deserves to be a best seller. I have loved every moment. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to everyone.

Simply sensational read! Full of twists, turns and excellently written! Just read this, and thank me later!! Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!!

So many twists and turns, this book is full of suspense. The characters were very relatable. Told from multiple points of views i really enjoyed this creepy story

Nicki went missing on a night out a year ago and her sister Lucy decides that she is going to catch whoever did it after the trail goes cold and the other missing women aren't being found either. She does this by repeatedly getting in cars herself, putting herself in danger again and again, which I found quite frustrating.

The book starts strong, making you uncomfortable from the outset, and then switching to various other character POVs, including the serial killer/abductor's own story which was particularly creepy!

This book is full of twists and turns, the ending being a massive one, which left me feeling a bit at a loss. I guess I like all the loose endings tied off. All in all though, a compelling but unsettling read.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free ARC in return for an honest review

Catherine Ryan Howard always comes up with books with a fantastic premise and The Trap is no different. Packed full of twists and turns, this fantastic thriller had me guessing throughout.

The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard is the most recent release from one of Ireland's most prolific crime writers.

I've read all but one (I still haven't gotten to 'Run Time') and I really enjoyed this one. It's right up there for me with her best - I flew through it over two evenings.

Loosely inspired by Ireland's Vanishing Triangle (the author has an excellent note at the end about this, which I highly recommend), the story's main character is Lucy, who is so consumed with the need to find out what happened to her sister Nicki, who is missing (presumed abducted) that it leads her to try and lure the man to her.

A number of other women have also gone missing in nearby areas, so naturally the cases are discussed together. The book tackles this in a very realistic way, I thought. Without going into specifics, it's evident sometimes that some are given more attention than others, and it must be absolutely heartbreaking for the ones that don't make the front page. The author shines very valid light on the misogyny and classism applied to victims in the media that takes the focus off the violent men responsible.

We get a number of POVs here - there's Lucy, there's the man she's looking for, and there's a Garda volunteer, Angela, who wants to join the force. Her chapters with Denise, her superior, were my favourite parts. Denise reminded me of Sarah Lancashire's character in 'Happy Valley' (one of my favourite TV characters of all time) and I loved how they worked and bantered together. I'd read an entire novel with just those two characters, I loved them.

The rest of the story elements - I liked some, I didn't like some. I was disturbed at myself for thinking one or two of the women characters were foolish when, in reality, the vast majority of women would be able to walk home alone in the dark safely were it not for the existence of violent men. How are we supposed to tell the men from the monsters when they look the same?

❗️❗️❗️CONTAINS SPOILERS❗️❗️❗️



Okay, so how on earth do I start this review! My heart is broken for Lucy and I was in tears at her ending.

I loved the mix of different POVs, storylines and potential outcomes, some parts I didn’t have a clue what to be thinking and I loved every single word.

There are so many interesting/endearing characters that I hope to see more of, Angela is a must, we need her first case as a qualified Garda. However Nicki needs a punch in the face, I hated her selfishness and wished she was the one who was kidnapped.

I know, Harsh for a fictional character but this shows how good the authors writing is. I need to go back and read ‘The Nothing Man’ as it’s the only one I haven’t read yet.

This book is absolutely fantastic. It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. Fast paced and twisty

Lucy’s sister, Nicky, disappeared a year ago under mysterious circumstances and since then the question of what happened to her has haunted Lucy. She needs to know, even if it means putting herself into increasingly dangerous situations.

Howard’s stories are clearly inspired by true crime, even referencing similar cases, which adds an extra layer to the plot. Multiple point of views move the story along at a nice pace. It’s an easy recommendation for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy's sister Nikki is missing, likely abducted by the man who has taken at least two other women, and her life is on hold until she finds out what happened to her. She's risking everything, not selling the house, not converting the shop she bought into a tearoom, getting further into debt... and going out alone at night hoping HE picks her up next...

Angela is desperate to be a Guard, but until she passes the physical she'll have to make do with being a civilian officer with the missing persons unit. Like everyone in the Garda, she knows all about the missing women's cases and wishes she could be a part of it...will she regret that wish?

Then there's HIM. Telling us all about himself, his family, his motives and opportunities...or perhaps he's not telling us? Maybe he's telling someone else entirely...but who? And why?

The book is brilliant, switching the narration between the characters and intertwining all their stories. It's compelling and addictive as you try to make sense of it all. It's aptly named with all the different traps being set by the various characters to their own ends...and the biggest trap of all? The one I fell in. Well played #catherineryanhoward

As a further comment- traumatised is maybe a little dramatic but it has taken me a week to decompress after this book, maybe as I was getting sick, but it is a warning if you have any triggers to investigate further before reading.

#catherineryanhoward #thetrap #netgalley

Review also posted to Goodreads but unable to link account.

I love Catherine Ryan Howard's writing so always look forward to a new book from her so was keen to read The Trap. I think this might be my new favourite book by her, it was so good! Young women have been going missing in similar circumstances but the investigation seems to be moving very slowly so the sister of one of the victims decides to take matters in to her own hands. She goes out at night acting drunk and dressed like she's been on a night out hoping someone, the killer, will pick her up and she can solve her sister's disappearance and likely murder. The opening of this novel is so tense and I was literally on the edge of my seat. We then find out more about the other women who have disappeared and how once case seems to get more attention than the others, which is frustrating. This novel takes more than one unexpected turn so it keeps you hooked but it's also a really sad novel seeing how living with a disappearance of a loved one affects people. We also get the perspective of the person behind the disappearances but obviously we don't know who they are until later but as seems to often be the case it is someone who raises no suspicions in their own life, which is believable but also so creepy and scary. This was a thrilling read that keeps you hooked but it's also heartbreaking and it's definitely a book that will stay with me. It's rare that I want to re-read a thriller but I know this is a book I will come back to. Everyone should read this book!

Chasing it is a crushing weight of disappointment. Because he was a man, not a monster. And so, not the man she's been desperately trying to find... The monster. The one who took her sister and three other women.

Lucy's sister Nicki is missing. She was seen leaving a pub some months ago, before disappearing without a trace. She's not the only one. Two other women have gone missing and police think the same person may have taken them. Now, Lucy feels it's up to her to find Nicki.

Now, a killer has picked up his next victim. She was looking for the truth about her missing sister. Now, while bound in the backseat of his car, he is revealing all.

At the same time, a police officer investigating the matter has asked a civilian working for the Missing Persons Unit, Angela, to help. Something about the disappearances intrigues Angela, and she starts examining the few clues there are.

This book has several twists towards the end, the biggest making me question everything I've read. It felt a little convoluted and rushed but the bombshells themselves make up for it and Catherine Ryan Howard is great at twists (her book '56 Days' is one of my favourite thrillers). The book is filled with edge-of-your-seat tension. Usually, I'm not a fan of having the killer's point of view but in this case, it worked really well and added to the mystery.

A great read for lovers of psychological thrillers.

Inspired by a series of still unsolved disappearances The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard follows Lucy as she tries to find out what happened to her missing sister.

I have never read a Catherine Ryan Howard book before but this one sounded like the perfect place to start a girl trying to trap a killer, sign me up. This is how the book starts which ramps up the tension but then the story starts to slow down as it goes off on lots of different directions. Nothing really happens after that for a long while, especially as I expected the protagonist Lucy to either repeatedly go out hunting a killer. The saving grace for me was reading the POV of the killer. That is where the dark creepiness was and each chapter from him always left me wanting more. His involvement right up to the end was highly satisfying and chilling. Unfortunately there wasn't enough of this for my liking as intermingled between those chapters was the meandering investigations of both the police and Lucy. I wanted a fast paced thrill ride but instead I got a slow stop start of a journey.

The Trap is a twisty read which I knew it would be by this author.
Lucy O’Sullivans sister has gone missing, her phone found by the side of a road, the police are not taking this seriously enough according to Lucy. When we meet Lucy she is walking along a dark rural road and is taking a lift from a stranger. This man drops her off where she asked to be but Lucy is still intent this is her way of finding who is responsible for her sisters disappearance even if it does put her own life at risk.
This was a decent thriller, it did in my opinion slow down half way but did pick up again. There are a lot of red herrings along the way to make this a very twisty read. The characters were well developed and I loved the tension in the opening chapter, in fact I only read the first chapter and left it for a few hours to sink in as it was so tense.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

A deliciously simple story mixed up with differing time zones that should have complicated things but instead just added more interest. Catherine Ryan Howard is one of my favourite authors and this book once again does not disappoint. Don’t expect a plot that follows normal rules but enjoy all the strands on offer. I loved the characters some of whom I’m certain have legs so look forward to maybe meeting them again.
Read the notes from the author at the end too because they add an interesting background.

In "The Trap," Catherine Ryan Howard sets the reader on edge right from the get-go. My favourite thing about Ryan Howard's writing is her ability to lull the reader into a false sense of understanding, only to completely turn the tables on them. In this latest offering, she plays on this strength with an assured confidence that leaves the reader both shocked and wanting more .

The story is centered on a young woman's harrowing quest for justice . Stalked by the spectre of her sister's unsolved disappearance, the protagonist wades into dark and dangerous territories, baiting monsters in a world where they could be hiding under the guise of a Good Samaritan.

What makes "The Trap" even more engaging, especially for an Irish reader, is the way Howard weaves in familiar local references . As you delve into the narrative, the familiar landscapes juxtaposed with the chilling plotline elicit a sense of eeriness . The fact that it's grounded in locales we recognise and frequent makes the story all the more real - this could be any of us, and unfortunately, this has been the case for many women still missing in Ireland .

Ryan Howard cleverly uses misdirection to keep her audience guessing and employs it with a deftness that maintains a perfect balance between suspense and revelation. As a result, we're plunged into a sea of uncertainty, keeping us on tenterhooks as we navigate the plot's dark, winding road .

For those who enjoy psychological thrillers that play mind games, this book is a great read . This book is a testament to Ryan Howard's ability to craft complex, believable characters, and her skill at building a suspenseful plot that continually subverts our expectations. Whether you're a first-time reader of her work or a dedicated fan, "The Trap" is certain to leave you with a lingering sense of unease long after you've turned the final page 📖.

Catherine Ryan Howard is one of mu favourite authors and I was so excited to see this book was coming, and it really didn't disappoint. There were twists constant and just when you felt like you were getting the answers something else happened and threw you off. I love the multi person perspective which adds extra mystery and confusion. I have read all her other books so it was really fun to see the nods to each book, and this ended on a note that wraps the story up but leaves it open for part 2! I cant wait for the next one.

A chilling atmosphere and characters teeming with secrets make this thriller an addictive read that you won't be able to resist.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one - but it ended in a properly sickening, gut-punch way that I hadn't seen coming. The ending - those final pages - I felt all sorts of emotions! What I'd give for an epilogue!!

A breakneck thriller with so many twists and turns that your head will spin. I absolutely tore through The Trap.