Quick Synopsis

56 Days is about a couple who start dating before Dublin is under its first COVID-19 lockdown. While it is fast, they decide to move in together for the 2 week lockdown. However, 56 days later one of them ends up dead.⁣

Publisher’s Synopsis

56 DAYS AGO

Ciara and Oliver meet in a supermarket queue in Dublin and start dating the same week COVID-19 reaches Irish shores.

35 DAYS AGO

When lockdown threatens to keep them apart, Oliver suggests they move in together. Ciara sees a unique opportunity for a relationship to flourish without the scrutiny of family and friends. Oliver sees a chance to hide who — and what — he really is.

TODAY

Detectives arrive at Oliver’s apartment to discover a decomposing body inside.

Can they determine what really happened, or has lockdown created an opportunity for someone to commit the perfect crime?

Book Review

I know that a lot of people have been hesitant to read 56 Days, because it is “too soon” to read anything pandemic-related. However, I have to say that the pandemic is mostly used for context and setting. It is not a focal point of the book. I did not find it triggering or upsetting. However, it did make for a great concept and plot point.⁣
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Initially, I found 56 Days to be a little slow. But it did not take long for the suspense to build and to be sucked into the story. I was happy to be surprised by a few of the twists, having made assumptions I was sure were true. Catherine Ryan Howard did an excellent job slowly unfurling the mystery and revealing the surprises in this novel. I also thought the the story was well told in two different timelines by three people. I had no problems keeping any of the story straight, and the unexpected addition of the third perspective definitely added to the novel. ⁣
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While domestic thrillers have been overdone at this point, 56 Days was different from others I have read. It was nice to actually find one that begins as the relationship does and includes a relationship that is tender and enjoyable to read about. (I cannot read another domestic thriller that is based upon mis- or non-communication.) I was honestly even rooting for a happy ending. ⁣
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Overall, I enjoyed 56 Days and would recommend it. It is nice to read a book that takes the horrible global pandemic we have been suffering through for so long and make it into a fun mystery. I will being picking up more books by Catherine Ryan Howard in the future.⁣

Ratings

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Writing

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Character Development