THE TRAP CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD
*****
'You'd think they'd do something about the taxi shortage,' he says. 'Especially with the missing women.'
Stranded on a dark road in the middle of the night, a young woman accepts a lift from a passing stranger. It's the nightmare scenario that every girl is warned about, and she knows the dangers all too well - but what other choice does she have? As they drive, she alternates between fear and relief - one moment thinking he is just a good man doing a good thing, the next convinced he's a monster. But when he delivers her safely to her destination, she realizes her fears were unfounded.
And her heart sinks. Because a monster is what she's looking for. She'll try again tomorrow night. But will the man who took her sister take the bait?
MY REVIEW *****
I hadn’t realised I had read a novel by Catherine Ryan Howard before and I’m glad that my 3-star review of Rewind didn’t put me off requesting her latest read: The Trap.
The Trap tells the story of Lucy, whose sister Nicki disappeared years earlier in a spate of vanishing women in Dublin. The book alternates perspectives - an unknown perpetrator, an unknown victim, Angela – a civilian in the Missing Person’s Unit of the Garda and Lucy herself. I actually enjoyed this mechanic and it worked to keep the pace high and keep you guessing throughout. The first chapter in particular, which sees Lucy getting into a stranger’s car, was chillingly written and felt realistic.
I liked the fact that Angela was a civilian working for the MPU which meant she was relatable, and this stopped her from becoming a cop cliché. I also liked that we learnt quite a lot about the perpetrator from their chapters but not enough to easily establish a link to present events. The final twist was brilliant, and I did not see it coming. The ending is a little unsatisfying, but it keeps the book in your mind long after you turn the final page. I think the conclusion will divide readers but it was a brave choice from the author and it worked for me.
Overall, The Trap is a twisty thriller that will surprise you with an ending you won’t be able to stop thinking about! Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers & Bantam for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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