The Trap

By: Catherine Ryan Howard

Narrated by: John Keating, Alana Kerr Collins

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning, internationally bestselling crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard comes The Trap: an unsettling mystery inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances in Ireland in the nineties, wherein one young woman risks everything to catch a faceless killer.

One year ago, Lucy’s sister, Nicki, left to meet friends at a pub in Dublin and never came home. The third Irish woman to vanish inexplicably in as many years, the agony of not knowing what happened that night has turned Lucy’s life into a waking nightmare. So, she’s going to take matters into her own hands.

Angela works as a civilian paper-pusher in the Missing Persons Unit, but wants nothing more than to be a fully fledged member of An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force. With the official investigation into the missing women stalled, she begins pulling on a thread that could break the case wide open—and destroy her chances of ever joining the force.

A nameless man drives through the night, his latest victim in the back seat. He’s going to tell her everything, from the beginning. And soon, she’ll realize: what you don’t know can hurt you …

©2023 Catherine Ryan Howard (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Interesting twist but unresolved

I agree with some of the other reviews that state this was written more to draw attention to unsolved cases in Ireland, as explained at the end of the book in a letter from the author.
I did not find the characters particularly likable or sympathetic and though it had an interesting twist at the end it was ultimately unresolved. I didn’t feel the lack of resolution I did anything to the book but perhaps it’s just meant to mimic reality. I was disappointed in it compared to her other books so the narration is wonderful and I do appreciate the authors works! She definitely does a great job exploring the mind of a serial killer!

Love this author!

Another great book by this writer. This is my third by her and I am ready to purchase my fourth.

Interesting

I really enjoy all of this author's books including this one. I do agree that the ending was not finished. It should have had a little something more to make it feel complete. But otherwise it was really good. Worth a listen.

SUPER TWISTY

There’s a point in this book where you think you’ve got it all sorted out and then….. beware! Pay attention! It’s called The Trap for a very good reason😉

Engaging and interesting

I have listened to all of CRH’s novels and enjoyed them all. I was very excited to listen to her newest novel. I did enjoy it and generally found it to include the same mix of elements that I enjoyed from her previous novels. However, I found this one a little disjointed and confusing. I also wish the characters were more developed - too much switching around between characters and story lines to develop a connection. Further, there were different voices for one character which really threw me off. Finally, I don’t mind endings with a few things left open but this was shockingly abrupt. In my opinion far too abrupt. I really hope a sequel follows or that this is developed into a series. I need to know more! LOVE the female narrator.

The ending was very poor

I liked the story, the ending was too rushed and no conclusion. The killer’s voice was that of an elderly man and he is supposed to be in his 30’s.

I loved the points of view!

The points of view kept it so interesting but also had me thinking I knew somewhat what was going on… only to be mind blown by the ending! Amazing work, amazing book!

Just okay

I have read every title by CRH and this is definitely my least favorite. I did listen to the entire book because it was entertaining enough- but there were some glaring inconsistencies in the beginning and end that ruins the ending and the main character is really stupid- it’s not even reasonable despite the author’s dramatic attempts to make her decisions seem slightly believable

Unique way to tell the story

I liked the different points of view/narrators. Gave the story a somewhat unique feel

Twisted

An interesting take. I really enjoyed hearing from the killer as a narrator- it was different. Also loved listening to the narrator.