Catherine Ryan Howard is one of my all-time favourite crime, mystery, and thriller authors. And after finally reading her entire backlist, I thought it was time to sit down and rank all of her published novels to let you know which are most worth your time.
Rewind (2019)
My rating: 3 stars
A brutal murder is caught on camera. We don’t know who the victim is, who committed the crime, or why it was recorded. The book then moves forward and backward in time as you gradually piece together what happened and why.
While the premise is intriguing, I thought the execution was a bit too complex. There were a lot of perspectives and while I wasn't confused, it jumped around too much for me to feel truly invested in the story.
The themes are darker than some of her other books, with parts that feel deliberately uncomfortable. I listened to the audiobook, which was well narrated, but ultimately I don't think this is going to stick with me long-term.
The Liar’s Girl (2018)
My rating: 3.5 stars
Ten years ago, Alison’s college boyfriend Will was convicted of being a serial killer. In the present day, the police believe a copycat killer is on the loose. Will claims to have information that may help but the only person he'll talk to is Alison.
While the title, cover, and synopsis sound kind of generic, I thought this was a well-written mystery. The present-day investigation has some good tension and the past timeline set during Alison's time at university felt very nostalgic.
The pacing dragged a little in the middle and the ending could have been more impactful but I still think it’s still worth checking out.
Distress Signals (2016)
My rating: 3.5 stars
When Adam’s girlfriend disappears while supposedly on a business trip to Spain, he follows a trail that leads him to a cruise ship.
Distress Signals was Catherine Ryan Howard’s debut novel but I don't think it feels like a debut. It has similar pacing issues to The Liar’s Girl, but the twist took me completely by surprise.
If you're looking for a thriller to read on holiday I think this could be a good option. I also learnt a lot about cruise ships and maritime law which was really interesting.
56 Days (2021)
My rating: 4-stars
Ciara and Oliver meet and start dating just before Ireland goes into lockdown in 2020. To avoid being separated, they decide to move in together but weeks later, one of them is found dead.
This is Catherine Ryan Howard’s pandemic thriller and I think she did a great job at capturing the eerie atmosphere of those early lockdown days.
There were a few moments where I felt like I was having to suspend disbelief but I thought the characters were interesting and the themes were well-incorporated into the plot.
The Nothing Man (2020)
My rating: 4-stars
It's just another day at work for supermarket security guard Jim Doyle. Until he comes across a new true crime memoir titled The Nothing Man. Written by Eve Black, it details her obsessive search for the man who murdered her family nearly two decades earlier. The more Jim reads, the angrier he becomes. Because Jim was (or is) the Nothing Man but he was never caught. And Eve is getting closer to uncovering the truth.
This was the first book I read by Catherine Ryan Howard and it's the one I would recommend most widely. I thought the 'book-within-a-book' structure worked well and it's less than 300 pages so easy to binge in one sitting.
Burn After Reading (2025)
My rating: 4-stars
Catherine Ryan Howard's newest release follows Emily, an author who reluctantly agrees to ghostwrite a book for a man who has been accused of murdering his wife.
This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! I loved the slow build-up and the way it switched between perspectives and timelines. How it also raised questions about morality within the publishing industry.
I would strongly recommend it if you're looking for a cleverly written story with a layered plot and lots of suspense.
Run Time (2022)
My rating: 4.5 stars
Former soap star Adele receives a phone call asking if she could take over the lead role in a horror movie after the previous actress drops out last-minute. After traveling to an isolated location in the Irish countryside, she begins to think she's made a big mistake.
Run Time has the lowest average rating on Goodreads of all Catherine Ryan Howard's books, and while I understand the criticism, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I felt so anxious, and the creeping dread was executed so well.
It does feel a little repetitive, as there are excerpts from the script that Adele is then acting out. But I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do if I were in Adele's situation, and it triggered something inside of me.
The Trap (2023)
My rating: 5-stars
Inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the 1990s, The Trap follows a woman's desperate search for her sister, who went missing the previous year.
This book has everything I want in a thriller. The story moves at a steady pace, gradually building tension and suspense. It's more psychological than action-driven, but some parts are genuinely creepy, and I appreciated the multiple points of view.
I loved how Catherine Ryan Howard incorporated social commentary, highlighting how missing women are treated by the police.
The ending took me completely by surprise and cemented it as one of my all-time favourite thrillers.
Final Thoughts
If you're new to Catherine Ryan Howard, I’d personally recommend starting with The Nothing Man or The Trap, depending on whether you prefer a fiction novel with true crime elements or a suspenseful mystery with a literary twist. She's an auto-buy author for me and I'm excited to see what she comes out with next!
Have you read any of her books? Which one’s your favourite? Or which one are you most excited to pick up next?
If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to check out my Guide to Ruth Ware and Guide to Riley Sager!
