56 Days

by Catherine Ryan Howard
56 Days cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Thriller/Suspense
Technical:
  • ID: 1207
  • Added: 2025-10-01
  • Updated: 2025-10-01
  • ISBN: 9781838951641
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books
  • Published: 2021-08-19
  • Formats: 14
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

56 Days is a gripping thriller that unfolds against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin and quickly start dating as the world goes into lockdown. Oliver suggests they move in together, seeing it as an opportunity to hide his true nature. Ciara, on the other hand, sees it as a chance for their relationship to blossom without outside interference. However, when detectives arrive at Oliver's apartment to find a decomposing body, the perfect crime seems to have been committed. The novel explores themes of isolation, deception, and the blurred lines between love and danger. Winner of the An Post Irish Book Awards 2021 Crime Fiction Book of the Year and featured as a Book of the Year in major publications, 56 Days has been praised for its suspenseful narrative and intricate plotting. The novel's setting during the pandemic adds a unique layer of tension and realism, making it a standout in the thriller genre.

Reviews
BBook Inspector · 2023-02-26
Brilliant 4.00

The book is described as a quick and easy read with a brilliant ending. The chapters are of medium length, making it an engaging and fast-paced story.

The reviewer enjoyed '56 Days' for its fast-paced and engaging narrative, noting that the medium-length chapters made it a quick and easy read. They were particularly impressed with the brilliant ending, which they found satisfying and well-executed. The reviewer also appreciated the way the author crafted the story, making it both compelling and enjoyable. Overall, they found the book to be a standout in the thriller genre.

Quick quotes

    The chapters have medium-length, and the book was a pretty quick and easy read.

    The ending was absolutely brilliant and I loved how the author...

    The book was a standout in the thriller genre.

Buried Under Books · 2022-12-21
Loved 5.00

The book is loved for its genuine twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. It is highly recommended for fans of crime fiction.

This reviewer absolutely loved '56 Days' and highly recommends it to all fans of crime fiction. They were particularly impressed with the genuine twists and turns that developed throughout the story, keeping them on the edge of their seat until the very end. The reviewer found the characters well-developed and the plot engaging, making it a standout read in the genre. Overall, they praised the book for its suspenseful narrative and clever storytelling.

Quick quotes

    I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to all fans of crime fiction.

    I loved the very genuine twists that developed, leaving you guessing until the end.

    The book is a standout read in the genre.

Crime By The Book · 2021-08-17
Riveting 4.50

The thriller is praised for its gripping and twisty mystery that weaves in timely topics, making it utterly riveting. The pacing and suspense are highlighted as particularly strong.

This reviewer found '56 Days' to be a thrilling and engaging read, particularly appreciating how the author incorporates timely topics into the central mystery. The book's suspenseful and twisty nature kept them hooked throughout. They also noted the effective use of the lockdown setting, which added an extra layer of tension to the story. Overall, they found the book to be a riveting thriller that stands out in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Catherine Ryan Howard gives readers an utterly riveting thriller that weaves timely topics into its gripping and twisty central mystery.

    The book's suspenseful and twisty nature kept me hooked throughout.

    The effective use of the lockdown setting added an extra layer of tension to the story.

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