Distress Signals - by Catherine Ryan Howard (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The acclaimed debut thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Liar's Girl and 56 Days

The day Adam Dunne's girlfriend, Sarah, fails to return from a Barcelona business trip, his perfect life begins to fall apart. Days later, the arrival of her passport and a note that reads "I'm sorry--S" sets off real alarm bells. He vows to do whatever it takes to find her.

Adam is puzzled when he connects Sarah to a cruise ship called the Celebrate--and to a woman, Estelle, who disappeared from the same ship in eerily similar circumstances almost exactly a year before.

To get answers, Adam must confront some difficult truths about his relationship with Sarah. He must do things of which he never thought himself capable. And he must try to outwit a predator who seems to have found the perfect hunting ground.

Review Quotes

"I loved the voice...[An] engaging, unusual, and believable thriller."

-- "Sinéad Crowley, bestselling author of Can Anybody Help Me?"

"A highly confident and accomplished debut novel, impeccably sustained, with not a false note."

-- "Irish Times (Dublin)"

"Distress Signals is a debut novel that packs a wallop of a punch...[a] complex plot...perfectly executed...page turning and twisty."

-- "It's Book Talk"

"Distress Signals is a well-written, page-turning read, with a number of red herrings and some surprise plot twists...An engaging thriller written with authenticity and aplomb from a writer who knows her craft, and who clearly has a bright future."

-- "Books Ireland"

"[A] fast-paced debut thriller...Hold on, you're in for a wild ride...The setting--on a Mediterranean cruise ship--will leave some vacationing listeners delightfully ill-at-ease."

-- "BookPage"

"[A] solid first novel...Life and death aboard a cruise ship prove very mysterious indeed."

-- "Publishers Weekly"

"[Howard] writes with complete command of language, plot, and the thriller genre."

-- "Shelf Awareness"

"A gripping, smart, and fast-moving read...[that will] immerse you in the fascinating world of cruise ships and the mysterious, perfect crimes committed at sea. The compelling mystery at the heart of this debut novel is engrossing, and Catherine Howard's clever plotting makes this a terrific debut."

-- "Christine Carbo, author of Mortal Fall"

"Alan Smyth narrated Adam's confusion, desperation, and determination brilliantly. Bronson Pinchot and Suzanne Toren narrate the dual story line that keeps you just as invested as the major story going on to the heartbreaking end. A superb listen."

-- "Under the Boardwalk (audio review)"

"An excellent debut thriller which may give cruising executives some sleepless nights."

-- "Irish Independent (Dublin)"

"An exhilarating debut thriller from a hugely talented author. Distress Signals is fast-paced, twisty, and an absolute joy to read."

-- "Mark Edwards, bestselling author of The Magpies"

"Atmospheric, character driven, and cleverly plotted, Distress Signals had me hooked from the very start and captivated me until the final reveal. I loved the setting, which added a claustrophobic feel to the story, and threw Adam an extra curveball when his back was already up against the wall and his world as he knew it had gone up in flames. Adam's despair was tangible on every page, adding that emotional connection that kept me reading much too late into the night."

-- "But Books Are Better"

"Brimming with suspense and plot twists you'll never see coming."

-- "Pop Culture Nerd"

"Clever and compulsive."

-- "Irish Examiner (Ireland)"

"Highly recommended to thriller fans."

-- "The Suspense Is Thrilling Me"

"Howard weaves an intricate web of suspense chapter by chapter...and before you know it, you're trapped inside."

-- "Brian Freeman, bestselling author of Goodbye to the Dead"

"I loved this book, it hooked from the beginning and didn't let go. It was so easy to read, I finished it within a day of starting it. The pace was really good as it kept the story constantly moving along. The characters felt real and so did the situation. It kept me guessing and had me coming up with different theories as to what was going on. It's not a dark thriller, unless of course you are a regular cruise goer with a vivid imagination. I thoroughly recommend it to thriller/mystery lovers and will definitely be looking out for the author's next book."

-- "The Secret Library"

"Pacey, suspenseful, and intriguing...[A] top-class, page-turning read. Catherine Ryan Howard is an astonishing new voice in thriller writing."

-- "Liz Nugent, author of Unraveling Oliver"

"This exceptionally well-crafted and compelling read is very highly recommended for both personal reading lists and community library general fiction collections."

-- "Midwest Book Review"

"This novel has become one of my favorite psychological thrillers to date...Catherine Ryan Howard went outside the box and really brought a unique and interesting setting to Distress Signals...I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough!"

-- "Rose Reviews"

"This one is a standout and one I can highly recommend for fans of the genre."

-- "Novel Gossip"