Thriller

56 Days: A Thriller

56 Days: A Thriller

  • Downloads：7152
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-09-08 11:21:22
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Catherine Ryan Howard
  • ISBN：1982693797
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

No one knew they'd moved in together。 Now one of them is dead。 Could this be the perfect murder？

56 DAYS AGO
Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin the same week Covid-19 reaches Irish shores。

35 DAYS AGO
When lockdown threatens to keep them apart， Oliver suggests that Ciara move in with him。 She sees a unique opportunity for a new relationship to flourish without the pressure of scrutiny of family and friends。 He sees it as an opportunity to hide who - and what - he really is。

TODAY
Detectives arrive at Oliver's apartment to discover a decomposing body inside。

Will they be able to determine what really happened， or has lockdown provided someone with the opportunity to commit the perfect crime？

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Reviews

Betty Adams ，

If I could give this book 10 stars I would。 It has every element of a thriller and is exceptionally well done。

Allyn ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Wow I really enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would just because I was hesitant to read anything that takes place during covid times， but the premise of a murder mystery was enough to suck me in and I'm glad I read this！ Covid-related anxiety of reliving those bleak early days aside， I like how most of that kinda faded into the background to really tell this story。 There were so many twists that I wasn't expecting that truly left me shocked！ It was hard to put this book down！ The slo Wow I really enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would just because I was hesitant to read anything that takes place during covid times， but the premise of a murder mystery was enough to suck me in and I'm glad I read this！ Covid-related anxiety of reliving those bleak early days aside， I like how most of that kinda faded into the background to really tell this story。 There were so many twists that I wasn't expecting that truly left me shocked！ It was hard to put this book down！ The slow reveal of who these two characters actually are was so well done， and how everything came together/fell apart at the end was great。 The only thing that irked me a bit was that the actual "murder" happened so quickly。 I wouldn't loved to get Ciara's pov during those moments drawn out more， especially because there was such a long section of the one detective going across the street to a cafe to change in their bathroom that didn't really have anything to do with the investigation。 I had thought maybe the barista would have some clue to give， but。。 nothing！ 。。。more

Susan ，

I never rate a thriller this high but the character development in addition to many twists in the plot warrant the acclaim。 Although it takes place during pandemic lockdown， the timing is to enable the plot not to dwell on the horrors of the disease。

Natalie [genreneutralreader] ，

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard was a good book。 As I mentioned with another recent review， I am not sure I am loving my fiction being infected with Covid-19。 This novel was set almost entirely in the early days of the 2020 lockdown （Ireland's） as well as the days leading up to it。 I am always intrigued and impressed by how talented authors are able to spin mystery/thriller plots that work only because of Covid。。。。so while the average person was home being bored to death during the lockdown， Ca 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard was a good book。 As I mentioned with another recent review， I am not sure I am loving my fiction being infected with Covid-19。 This novel was set almost entirely in the early days of the 2020 lockdown （Ireland's） as well as the days leading up to it。 I am always intrigued and impressed by how talented authors are able to spin mystery/thriller plots that work only because of Covid。。。。so while the average person was home being bored to death during the lockdown， Catherine Ryan Howard was home pondering how could a killer use lockdown to his/her advantage。 I I was entertained by the plot of a dead body being found in an apartment after moldering for some number of days。 How did it happen？ Personally， I just felt this would have worked better as a novella or short story。 I didn't love the characters or plot enough for 300 pages。 However， I did like it and I would recommend it to my thriller-loving friends。 。。。more

Sara Rosales ，

It has its ups and downs。 Just OK

Jennifer kettle ，

This book is really good and very surprising

Lea M ，

I'm not giving this a star rating because it was a DNF， and it was due to personal taste， so that feels unfair。 I will say， though， that this book was horrendously slow， so I looked up a full summary online to decide if it was worth finishing still， and I'm glad I stopped reading because EYEROLL。 I want to love thrillers， but I find them。。。ridiculous。 The "twists" are often so bizarre and/or coincidental that I struggle to actually enjoy them。 I'm not giving this a star rating because it was a DNF， and it was due to personal taste， so that feels unfair。 I will say， though， that this book was horrendously slow， so I looked up a full summary online to decide if it was worth finishing still， and I'm glad I stopped reading because EYEROLL。 I want to love thrillers， but I find them。。。ridiculous。 The "twists" are often so bizarre and/or coincidental that I struggle to actually enjoy them。 。。。more

Lynn ，

4。5 stars。 This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last。 The whole unique idea behind the storyline grabbed me straight away and I enjoyed the covid aspect of it。 Great twists and turns which I genuinely didn’t see coming。 Loved this book。

Shanae ，

I wasn't sure what to think about a book set during the pandemic。 I worried it would be cheesy。 But it was perfect。 It used this time frame to force characters to make rash and sped up decisions in order to still see each other during social isolation orders。 It was an excellent plot expertly written with a great mystery that keeps you immersed until the end。 Definitely recommend。（view spoiler）[ It's hard to explain this book because the timelines keep switching。 So I'm just going to give the sp I wasn't sure what to think about a book set during the pandemic。 I worried it would be cheesy。 But it was perfect。 It used this time frame to force characters to make rash and sped up decisions in order to still see each other during social isolation orders。 It was an excellent plot expertly written with a great mystery that keeps you immersed until the end。 Definitely recommend。（view spoiler）[ It's hard to explain this book because the timelines keep switching。 So I'm just going to give the spoilers so that I can remember the whole plot later。 Cierra is a transplant from the Isle of Man by way of cork to Dublin。 She claims to have only been in the city for a week when she meets Oliver， but the reader can tell that this is probably not true。 The entire way through the book you understand that she is probably aware of all of her before she actually meets him， and there's something she desperately wants from him。 She's also entering into romantic sexual relationship with him， including moving in with him for the two weeks that they believe the pandemic is going to go on to flatten the curve。 While she seems to be attracted to him， she also seems to be nervous and scared of him。Oliver has moved to Dublin by way of London。 He's incredibly paranoid about people seeing his face and about journalists trying to get in touch with him。 He also keeps talking about something that happened back in London。 We figure out pretty quickly with him that he was one of two people who was involved in the murder of a child。 We know that he was a minor at this time and his name and picture could not be published by law， but it still makes him feel suspicious that people are going to try to track him down。 He was really from juvenile detention at 18。 The other person involved in the murders （Shane） killed himself when he turned 18 because he had more time to serve because he was the larger player in the murder。The murder is eventually revealed to be that of a 10-year-old boy。 He was following Oliver and Shane all the time And eventually irritated them too much。 This full story comes in a confession that all of her makes to Sierra when he knows that he wants to keep her in his life but he needs to tell her the full truth about who he is before she hears it from somewhere else。 The story is that the little boy is learned into a trap by Shane， the older of the two boys。 It's a pretty grizzly detailing of how Shane beats the young boy almost to death while Oliver holds his arms down。 It's really chilling and hard to read。 Eventually Shane stops before he fully kills the young boy。 But then he looks up at Oliver and decides that they need to drown him so that he doesn't go home and tell on them。 Their murder is sloppy and horrifying and they're almost immediately caught。 Oliver cooperates with the police and tells the full story。 Because he had less involvement， and was himself only 12 years old， they take all of this into account。 He's given a lesser sentence than Shane。Cierra has a hard time hearing this。 It becomes clear through the timeline of the novel that she has been reaching out to him because she wants to know the truth of what happened to her brother。 Becomes clear to the reader that her brother was the murdered child。 After these murders her father ended up committing suicide and her mother became a shell of a human being。 Cierra and her sister became much closer as they tried to survive the ramifications of this。 Cierra decides that if she can get the full truth of what happened that night， something that they never had before， might put her mother's mind to ease。As the reader this makes very little sense at first。 How would knowing more details about a murder help a mother？ And why the hell would you sleep with someone who killed your brother？ However after Oliver tells her the story it becomes clear that her brother was not the little boy who was murdered， her brother was Shane。 All of her cannot remember her because she was so young when this all happened。 Her father committed suicide because he couldn't believe they he was the father of a boy who would torture a child to death。 The mother became deeply depressed for the same reasons。 She had hoped that in getting out the details it would show that her brother wasn't a monster， but instead it did the opposite。 It confirmed it。Her and Oliver decide to continue giving this a shot because she does believe she has fallen in love with him。 And she believes that he was just a misguided child who went along with an older more convincing friend in the murder。 However that night when she comes to his house， and he's taken strong medication to help him sleep， he stumbles through the glass shower breaking it falling into the water where he's nearly drowning in the shower。 She turns the water off and she confesses to him who she is， after he's seen notes that she's been taking about him and her purse。 Because he's very high on his medication he confesses that this story was swapped。 He lied to make himself sound better。 But really Shane was the one who went along， and he was the one who deliberately murdered the boy。Here Cierra turns on the shower water and allows him to drowned in 1 inch of water because he's too high from the drugs to get up and he eventually falls asleep and drinks in the water。 When he's done drowning she turns off the water， wipes the place clean and disappears。 She been using a burner phone with him the whole time because she thought she was just there to gain information and run。 She had given him a fake name and had even given him fake work details。She never went there to murder him， but it turns out She committed the perfect crime。 Also the little boy that they murdered had a laceration on his head， and then he drowned。 This is also the way that all of her dies with the laceration on his head from falling into the shower， and then drowning。 The timelines told differently with the police investigation and goes back and forth in time。 But this is all the spoilers of the show。 Including that reporter had started to figure out who he was and was going to try to get extra details out of him。（hide spoiler）] 。。。more

Kim ，

A mystery set in Ireland during the first covid lockdown。 Sounds crazy but I really loved 56 Days。 Though， I wouldn't have thought I would given how current and lingering this pandemic is proving to be。 In this novel Ciara and Oliver meet and start a relationship just before the start of the lockdown drama。 It made me feel ever so mildly nostalgic for the first lockdown when everyone took it seriously and life reached a quiet， simpler rhythm。 A blissful time from my perspective。 But， back to the A mystery set in Ireland during the first covid lockdown。 Sounds crazy but I really loved 56 Days。 Though， I wouldn't have thought I would given how current and lingering this pandemic is proving to be。 In this novel Ciara and Oliver meet and start a relationship just before the start of the lockdown drama。 It made me feel ever so mildly nostalgic for the first lockdown when everyone took it seriously and life reached a quiet， simpler rhythm。 A blissful time from my perspective。 But， back to the book， things aren't as simple as all that as， clearly， there is another agenda at play， yet to be discovered。 Some cracking twists in this story and good character development。 The book bounces back and forth between Ciara and Oliver within the last 56 days。 There is also another perspective from the police set at the end of that period working to suss out what transpired。 I've not read a Catherine Ryan Howard book before and hope DI Leah Riordan features in her previous works。 Her relationship with her partner Karl is worth the price of admission by itself。 Leah's a smart cookie and has great instincts。 If I've stumbled upon another police procedural series I will be jolly happy！ 。。。more

Elizabeth Guinn ，

I loved this BOTM pick！ It kept me on my toes throughout the story and was really entertaining。 I wasn’t able to guess the twist correctly， but I could’ve used a little more at the ending。 I actually liked the COVID storyline and will have to read more by this author！

Miya ，

I really liked that this was centered around Covid。 It is the first book I have read to even mention it， and something about that just resonated with me and made me feel more on edge page by page。 We have all felt engulfed （and claustrophobic at times） by this pandemic， and this book just adds more creepy thriller goodness to that anxiety in a good way。

Joyce Qallison ，

A good diversion during difficult times。 Well Written and suspenseful。 Not my normal cup of tea， but glad I read it

Jessica Lauren ，

Definitely a book that I couldn't put down because I was just dying to know the answers to the millions of questions I had。 It could be a trigger for those still reeling with the COVID quarantine world we're living in。。。too soon？ Definitely a book that I couldn't put down because I was just dying to know the answers to the millions of questions I had。 It could be a trigger for those still reeling with the COVID quarantine world we're living in。。。too soon？ 。。。more

daniela weber ，

displaying my favorite props in thrillers - unreliable points of view， a countdown narrative， creepy kids and truly skilled dialogue， especially between the gardaí lee and karl - I knew I would like this right from page 1。。。 but really， what a GREAT book！ ♡

Stefanie ，

I never expected I would read a book involving the pandemic， because let's be real， the whole point these days is to escape！ But it was a BOTM pick and they usually have pretty good recs。 Anyway what a ride！ The story was tense （in a good way） like your right there while these two navigate their new relationship each holding major secrets。 So many unexpected twists that were timed just right！！ *chefs kiss * I could not put this down。 There was also so much unexpected depth to this story that had I never expected I would read a book involving the pandemic， because let's be real， the whole point these days is to escape！ But it was a BOTM pick and they usually have pretty good recs。 Anyway what a ride！ The story was tense （in a good way） like your right there while these two navigate their new relationship each holding major secrets。 So many unexpected twists that were timed just right！！ *chefs kiss * I could not put this down。 There was also so much unexpected depth to this story that had me in my feelings。 There's nothing like flawed characters to tell a great story。If you can get past the pandemic scene （which honestly made the story better because it presents this unique opportunity for the characters to act a certain way） then this is an excellent thriller！ 。。。more

Elizabeth Mannion ，

A terric read！ Much has been said in various places about when we would begin to see Lockdown fiction hit the shelves and whether we would be receptive to such tales。 This is the first one that I'm aware of， and I was definitely into it。 When you think about it， a mystery set during lockdown is a perfect fit for those of us who love Agatha Christie and other classic locked-room mystery authors。 Catherine Ryan Howard's 56 Days is set in Dublin and reads like realtime from early talk of the pandem A terric read！ Much has been said in various places about when we would begin to see Lockdown fiction hit the shelves and whether we would be receptive to such tales。 This is the first one that I'm aware of， and I was definitely into it。 When you think about it， a mystery set during lockdown is a perfect fit for those of us who love Agatha Christie and other classic locked-room mystery authors。 Catherine Ryan Howard's 56 Days is set in Dublin and reads like realtime from early talk of the pandemic through the lockdown。 Fast-paced， well-developed characters， and deft storytelling here。 Recommend。 。。。more

William Rhodes ，

3。5 - Quick read with some fun twists

Jane Russo ，

Great book，I couldn’t put it down！ Had me fooled！

Jo Grohs ，

3。5 stars。 Pretty good thriller and I was second guessing myself until the end！ Lots of twists and turns I didn’t see coming。 My one complaint was that it was pretty repetitive with the alternating timelines， although it was cool to see a different perspective of a scene after it had already happened once。

Paige Connell ，

I was leery at first to read a book that features the early days of COVID-19 and the lockdown side of the pandemic so heavily。 It just felt like it was still too soon， and yet a lifetime away （remember the days of initial lockdown and so much unknown？）。 But this book treats it as a plot device and does so in a very authentic and interesting way。 56 days ago， Ciera and Oliver meet in a grocery store in Dublin just as the rumors of COVID are breaking。 34 days ago when quarantine hits， they decide I was leery at first to read a book that features the early days of COVID-19 and the lockdown side of the pandemic so heavily。 It just felt like it was still too soon， and yet a lifetime away （remember the days of initial lockdown and so much unknown？）。 But this book treats it as a plot device and does so in a very authentic and interesting way。 56 days ago， Ciera and Oliver meet in a grocery store in Dublin just as the rumors of COVID are breaking。 34 days ago when quarantine hits， they decide to move in together and ride out the lockdown together。 Today， a group of police detectives are investigating a dead and decomposing body found in the apartment， trying to piece together what happened。 The rest of the story is told in back and forth between those time periods， with multiple secrets revealed as Ciera and Oliver's relationship develops through the pandemic。 It's a unique lens to view a murder mystery， as well as a romantic relationship， but it works。 My only difficulty was the higgeldy-piggeldy way the timelines bounce around。 Even though I listened on audio， I paid close attention and still had a hard time keeping up with the switches。 There are many secrets on all sides of this story， which makes it worth the read。 I'd expect more authors to use a setup like this， too， as the pandemic continues。 。。。more

Sarah ，

I was really enjoying this story （even though at over 500 pages on my kobo）， until Oliver's final reveal。 It just didn't make any sense payoff-wise with the rest of the story I was really enjoying this story （even though at over 500 pages on my kobo）， until Oliver's final reveal。 It just didn't make any sense payoff-wise with the rest of the story 。。。more

Jody ，

Boring！ Didn’t enjoy the characters or the plot。 Didn’t even want to pick it back up when I put it down。 Too much jumping around and repetition。

Emily ，

3。5 stars。 Pandemic still feels to fresh to me or I’d have probably given this 4 stars。

Heather Jain ，

Well I have to admit that I liked the characters and thought the covid lock down was relatable but I just didn’t really love much else。 I appreciated the mystery behind the main characters and their attraction to each other despite the secrets they held。 His paranoia of being found out and her secret that was revealed later on was an interesting twist but there was just two much in the middle that I didn’t care for to be honest！ The investigators I didn’t like or enjoy their banter or antics nor Well I have to admit that I liked the characters and thought the covid lock down was relatable but I just didn’t really love much else。 I appreciated the mystery behind the main characters and their attraction to each other despite the secrets they held。 His paranoia of being found out and her secret that was revealed later on was an interesting twist but there was just two much in the middle that I didn’t care for to be honest！ The investigators I didn’t like or enjoy their banter or antics nor the journalist neighbor who tied in but was basically just fluff。 However， it was a pretty graphic and vivid description of crime scene and smells which was the only thing that caught much my interest。 I was shocked in the last few chapters that despite the found out back story and his role in her family’s life she was going to possibly still love this man…until boom！ 。。。more

Monika Kozlowski ，

To the author yes this story entertained me。 Could not put it down

Sarah Leonard ，

Irish women 🤝 writing top tier thrillers

Alicia Gard ，

Absolutely loved this！ Twists and turns all the way till the end。 Well written with a clever plot - it’s one of those books where I couldn’t put it down and spent this long weekend devouring。 Highly recommend！

Stefanie ，

As of now this is BOTM’s Book of the Year for me。 I couldn’t get through this one fast enough。 My heart was racing at the end trying to figure out what happened。 The story ended up being so much more than what the synopsis hints at。 I feel like I have whiplash from all of those twists。 5 stars easily。

Kaela Turley ，

I loved this book， except for the fact it is set in current time and deals with Covid。 I liked how it was written。 I couldn't putt it down。 I loved this book， except for the fact it is set in current time and deals with Covid。 I liked how it was written。 I couldn't putt it down。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=56 Days: A Thriller

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=56 Days: A Thriller&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,56 Days: A Thriller&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0