Where to Start with Catherine Ryan Howard
Because all of Catherine Ryan Howard's crime novels are standalone thrillers, you can dive in wherever you like. However, if you want the absolute best entry points to sample her signature style, we recommend starting with one of these two fan-favorites:
- 56 Days (2021): A masterclass in lockdown-era suspense. It follows a couple who decide to move in together just as the COVID-19 pandemic locks down Ireland, only for dark secrets and a body to emerge. It won Crime Fiction Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards and is optioned for a screen adaptation by Amazon Prime.
- The Nothing Man (2020): A brilliant, high-concept "book within a book." The story follows Eve Black, the sole survivor of a serial killer known as the Nothing Man, who writes a memoir to hunt him down. Meanwhile, the actual killer—now working as a security guard—is reading her book, creating a heart-pounding cat-and-mouse game.
Are the Books Connected?
No, there is no shared continuity or recurring detective character across her thriller novels. Each book is a self-contained story set in the modern world (frequently in Dublin, Cork, or isolated settings). You do not need to worry about missing backstory or reading out of order. You can choose a book based entirely on the premise that hooks you most, whether that is a cruise ship mystery, a remote movie set, or a haunted piece of real estate.
Catherine Ryan Howard Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to watch an author's craft evolve over time, reading in publication order is a great path. Catherine Ryan Howard frequently experiments with structure and perspective, and following this chronological release list highlights her growing confidence in playing with the thriller genre's boundaries:
Distress Signals (2016)
Her debut novel introduces readers to her love of isolated, high-stakes settings. When Adam's girlfriend fails to return from a business trip, his search leads him to the unregulated and legally complex world of cruise ships. It was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey/New Blood Dagger, launching her career.
The Liar's Girl (2018)
Set in Dublin, this gripping psychological thriller centers on Alison, who is forced to confront her past when a new string of canal murders matches the pattern of her college boyfriend, Will, who is currently imprisoned for serial murder. Will claims he was framed and will only talk to Alison. It earned an Edgar Award nomination for Best Novel.
Rewind (2019)
In this fast-paced thriller, Howard utilizes a clever structure inspired by old VHS controls (rewind, pause, fast forward). The plot kicks off when a Instagram influencer goes missing, and a manager at a remote holiday cottage holiday park spots something shocking on a hidden camera feed.
The Nothing Man (2020)
This runaway bestseller features a double narrative: the survivor's true-crime memoir and the killer's real-time reaction to reading it. It explores trauma, memory, and the public obsession with true crime, solidifying Howard's reputation for structural innovation.
56 Days (2021)
Written during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, this novel perfectly captures the paranoia and claustrophobia of the era. By shifting timelines between the start of the lockdown and 56 days later when a body is discovered, it keeps readers guessing about who is the victim and who is the killer.
Run Time (2022)
A psychological horror-thriller that takes place on a remote film set in the woods of West Cork. A struggling actress takes a last-minute role in a low-budget horror movie, only to find that the bizarre occurrences on set mirror the terrifying script a bit too closely.
The Trap (2023)
Inspired by the real-life mysteries of Ireland's "Vanishing Triangle" in the 1990s, this dark thriller follows a young woman who uses herself as bait to catch the predator responsible for her sister's disappearance, taking a dangerous trip into the Dublin mountains.
Burn After Reading (2025)
This thriller features Emily, a ghostwriter hired to write the memoir of Jack Smyth, a man who is widely suspected of murdering his wife in a suspicious house fire. As Emily digs deeper into Jack's story, she begins to realize that playing with fire can have deadly consequences.
Buyer Beware (2026)
Tapping into the concept of "stigmatized properties" (homes with a dark, violent past), this novel follows Ellie as she moves into 1 Delaney Row. Looking for a fresh start, she instead finds herself trapped in a home with terrifying secrets that refuse to stay buried.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive in, keep in mind that Catherine Ryan Howard's books are highly atmospheric and character-driven. While they contain plenty of twists, they focus heavily on the psychological impact of crime on survivors and communities. She often draws inspiration from real-world phenomena—like the legal loopholes of cruise lines in Distress Signals, missing women cases in The Trap, and property stigmas in Buyer Beware—blending factual curiosity with fictional suspense.