THE NOTHING MAN
BY CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD

The reason for my requesting this newest novel by Catherine Ryan Howard called, "The Nothing Man," was due to the fact that her first book called, "DISTRESS SIGNALS," is one of my all time favorite reads. I loved it so much that I ordered the physical hard cover edition and it sits prominently in my book shelf in my living room where I can see it often and remember how clever and what a phenomenal reading experience it was. My review for "Distress Signals," can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I think I loved it so much was because I learned something new about cruise ships that I never knew. I didn't consider it a psychological thriller but now after reading all of Catherine Ryan Howard's other books after reading "The Nothing Man," and my less than stellar reaction to it I wanted to give an explanation why it was less than a five star read. I have come to the conclusion that my reading taste in genres have changed. I don't recollect "Distress Signals" as being a thriller when I read it. I found that I admired the story and the sheer amount of research that went into crafting the story and how it forever changed my viewpoint of never wanting to ever go on a cruise no matter how much money I was offered I absolutely will never do it after reading "Distress Signals," and the link that the author provided at the end that chilled me to learn just how dangerous cruise ship vacations are.

I couldn't understand why I wasn't wowed by the book "The Nothing Man," even though the creep factor is definitely there for thriller fans. I think the reason why I rated "The Nothing Man" less than five stars is because I didn't learn something new. I was expecting to have the same reading experience as "Distress Signals," so I think the fault is with my taste of genres has changed. I don't like thrillers with murders unless I find the characterization's brilliantly compelling and expertly executed realistically. "The Nothing Man," is about a serial killer named Jim Doyle who works as a security guard at a store. He shares the narrative with the main character Eve Black who at age twelve she was the sole survivor when Jim murdered her younger sister Sarah and her mother and father. She is now a grown woman and writes the book within a book called "The Nothing Man," because most serial killers are ordinary people who live rather a dull life. They are not glorified geniuses with the exception of Ted Bundy.

Eve Black writes her book recounting all of the victim's that were killed or raped for that is how he starts out and then escalates to murder. She is writing the book with a seasoned member of the Gardai who worked in the investigations of all of the victims as a way of catching the man who slayed her family. The killer was never caught but by writing and publishing her and this member of the Gardai's access to the files of all of the victim's Eve Black has an agenda. That agenda is to catch this serial killer and bring him to justice and make him pay with rotting in jail for wiping out the lives of her entire family and his other victims. The setting takes place in Cork, Ireland.

After reading "The Nothing Man," and Comparing it to "Distress Signals," I did something that I have never before done before writing my review. I wanted to read Catherine Ryan Howard's two previous novels that I wasn't aware had been published much less written in between "Distress Signals," and "The Nothing Man," as an inquiry to discover why I hadn't loved "The Nothing Man," as much as "Distress Signals." I had to find out if it was my personal choice in genre's had changed or was this author's first book her best book? I now wonder if this assessment which is purely personal reading genres taste changing or is it that "Distress Signals," which was my favorite because it is her best book in my opinion or is it that I didn't learn something new or is it because thriller's aren't my favorite genre's anymore? I felt that I owed this self exploration to both myself and this author so I read her Edgar award nominee called, "The Liar's Girl," and then I read her book called, "Rewind."

I did not however go back and re-read "Distress Signals," her debut and one of my life's Favorite books ever. I remember why I loved it but would I still enjoy the whole reading experience as much? Perhaps this experiment is incomplete by my failing to re-read it? Do I still love thrillers every once in a while if they are well plotted and character driven and scare me?

The Edgar award is a prestigious award and "The Liar's Girl," was nominated for it but what did I think? I found that the reading experience was average but its brilliance is in the very last section or the build up to the ending and the ending itself. It is also about a serial killer this time in Dublin called the canal killings. The protagonist who is lovable gets called back to assist the Gardai in solving what appears to be a copycat ten years later. At university ten year's earlier her boyfriend was convicted of being the original "canal serial killer." He sits in a hospital for the criminally insane. He will only talk to his former girlfriend about information he may have in solving this copycat serial killer ten years later. She returns to Dublin after fleeing to New Zealand. The plot was average but not overly compelling to me. As I said the Stunning arc to the novel was in the clever ending.

I may just be in the minority but "The Liar's Girl," didn't have me riveted to my seat throughout the book. I wasn't frightened or chilled during any of the narrative. Lastly I read her third book called, "Rewind," which reminded me why I love thrillers. "Rewind," did grab my attention and held me in its gripping plot from the first page until I got to the ending. It was one of those that after being a book that had me drawn in and not wanting to put it down to having lost its grip by the ending which took a promising premise towards a too neat and tidy ending tied up with a pretty bow. By reading "Rewind," I discovered that I still enjoy thrillers that are unique and compelling if they are interesting and draw me in by a clever plot and the characterization is superb.

My final analysis is that there will be many thriller fans who are intrigued by murder and serial killer's that will love "The Nothing Man." I still thought all four of Catherine Ryan Howard's books were unique in their own way from each other. I will continue to look for her books in the future and I will want to read them. Without re-reading "Distress Signals," this still remains my favorite and I would highly recommend it to reader's of all genres for its realism and guarantee that you will never want to vacation on a luxury cruise after reading the link that the author provides at the end which I have included in my review. My own life circumstances have changed and I don't enjoy murders and serial killers anymore as my favorite genre for reading. I would rate "THE NOTHING MAN," 4 stars. "THE LIAR'S GIRL," 4 stars. "REWIND," 4.5 stars. "DISTRESS SIGNALS," 5 plus stars.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Catherine Ryan Howard and Blackstone Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publication Date: August 18, 2020

#TheNothingMan #CatherineRyanHoward #BlackstonePublishing #NetGalley

There is no doubt that this will be a contender for 2020 BOOK OF THE YEAR from yours truly! Before you read further, just know it’s fiction (as my blurb sounds like it is a true story). 

THE NOTHING MAN is told in two ways: 1) Eve Black was 12 years old when her mother, father, and younger sister were murdered by The Nothing Man (nickname due to the lack of evidence left after his crimes). She survived due to a stolen can of orange pop that she snuck before bedtime, and happened to be in the bathroom when she heard horrid noises in the middle of the night. She learns that he has raped and/or killed and or/brutally harmed others, and years later decides to write a book about her investigation into catching him. Us readers get to read the book through alternating sections. 2) Jim Doyle is a grocery store security guard, a miserable and unhappy man who happens to see the book sold in the store he’s working in. He’s not very happy with the publicity, given that he is the Nothing Man. 

It is extremely rare that a novel scares me, but there are some moments that genuinely gave me goosebumps, caused me to look around and make sure lights were on, and made my deodorant fail. I was absolutely gripped from start to finish. This is the kind of book where you don’t want it to end because it is THAT good! It would also make an excellent movie! The book is taut, tightly plotted, and satisfying to the very last page. I binged all of the author’s previous books in a marathon last summer. This takes the cake! 

P.S. For those who have read it, did you notice that Catherine Ryan Howard is listed in the acknowledgements in the book within a book? :-) 

Thank Blackstone Publishing, Catherine Ryan Howard, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a candid review.

This is a near-perfect mystery/thriller. A tad anti-climactic at the end, but an engrossing ride for the most part.

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for supplying this copy for review.

This is the best serial killer mystery I’ve read in quite awhile. I don’t want to give too much of the great plot (and twist) away, but it is told in alternating viewpoints: a book about the killer written by a surviving victim who was a child when it happened, and the thoughts of the killer as he is reading the book. Though many thrillers like to say they are unputdownable, this one actually is. I loved that the primary focus was on the strength and resilience of the victim, and the killer was shown as basically a weak little petulant man who needed to feel strong by killing women. It’s too bad more serial killers aren’t seen as they really are and are given mythical status (a subject the book also addresses). This book also has a fantastic and very rewarding ending. I would give this book more than five stars if I could! Definitely going to seek out more books by this author ASAP.

WOW! That was really good. A book within a book. Did not want this one to end. One of the best, unique thrillers I’ve read.

Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for this eARC.

Frightening, Thrilling, & Chilling!
What more can one provide in another five star review for this fab author Catherine Ryan Howard.
I've not come across any of her books that don't make me scream with excitement and shake with fear.
She's truly an incredible writer that makes you feel if you are experiencing every twist and turn as she writes them with explosive action packed drama that plays out right before your eyes.
This story begins with Eve the only survivor of a serial killer that took her entire family.
He was a member of Garda but now is working as a supermarket security guard whose intrigued by Eve's caption of events in her memoir of the killings.
After all she ducked for cover in the bathroom which saved her life.
Now she's ravaged by the terrible memories of that horrible day and vows to get revenge if it's the last thing she does.
Eve is on a mission to stop him but first she must play his game and win!
Her mother was brutally murdered in bed and was sadly forcibly raped while the other family members were killed one by one including Eve's father and 7 yo sister.
A rope was used as she was stabbed 14 times and left for dead.
It's a sad horrendous action that went unpunished till now...
The ending and Eve's peaceful days ahead with her partner were quite refreshing after so much horrid details of events.
This was a true thriller with the podcasts/memoir/justice channel feel.
Loved every second of this gem.
Thank you to Catherine Ryan Howard , the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Excellent literary technique of seamlessly placing a story within a story. As the serial killer reads the story of his work, the sole survivor (and author of the book the murderer is reading) seeks to find justice/closure.

The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard was one of the most gripping books I have ever read in my life and that’s saying a lot because I read a lot of books. Eve Black is the sole survivor of a horrific tragedy that involved the murder of her entire family by a serial killer when she was twelve years old. Despite best efforts, the killer was never found.

Two decades later, Eve decides to write a crime memoir regarding the tragedy and the serial killer, Jim Doyle, happens to come across the book unexpectedly and reads it, reigniting all the rage in him over again. He is determined to stop his identity from coming out as a result of this book being published.

We are taken back and forth Eve and Jim’s perspectives and it is absolutely fascinating. This book is a slow burn, and the suspense is breath-taking. If you’re big on studying the minds of serial killers and how they work, as well as the clever investigations that take place trying to connect the dots between their horrific crimes, then this one is for you.

I was actually disappointed that the book ended, knowing that it will be quite some time before I get to read something written by Catherine Ryan Howard again. She is truly an amazingly gifted writer and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.

It’s been years since the serial killer known as the Nothing Man killed Eve Black’s entire family. Only 12 at the time, she has become obsessed with finding the man and making him pay for ruining her life. She’s even written a book about him, a book the killer has read, and now he’s determined to make Eve pay.

The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard is one of the most intriguing stories that I've read in quite some time.   This book tells the story of a serial killer in Ireland who was never caught. He was dubbed The Nothing Man because he never left behind any evidence at the crime scenes. The Nothing Man has been dormant for 18 years and has not killed since he murdered 3 members of the Black family.   Only 12 year old Eve Black survived The Nothing Man's final attack.  Now, at age 30, Eve has written a book about The Nothing Man and she publicly vows in the book that she intends to identify The Nothing Man.  Jim Doyle is working as a security guard when he sees  the book The Nothing Man on sale at the store that he is working in.  He is shocked to see a book written about his other name because it is written about him.  As he reads Eve's account of his attacks and her search to reveal his true identity, Jim begins to unravel.  Does Eve solve the mystery and identify a serial killer or will The Nothing Man make a return to silence Eve once and for all?

First of all, I have to say that I loved that the book had an embedded story.  While we were reading from Jim's point of view, he was reading Eve's book and we were able to get the story from her point of view.   This was a very creative way for us to get both points of view.  Eve's story was written as if it were a true crime story and it seemed very real, plausible, and was well done.  She also speaks about how serial killers have been mythologized and are seen as being evil geniuses or crazed madmen, but in reality they are people who have failed in many aspects of their own lives and the only thing they were truly successful at was in taking the life of others.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It was a fresh take on a psychological thriller without a lot of the usual very overplayed tropes.  It was refreshing!  The story line was riveting and the characters were believable.  I read this in one sitting because it was that good.  The only thing that I didn't like is that I didn't want it to end.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and/ or people who like books with serial killers, especially from the view point of the serial killer.

The Nothing Man was one of the most unique books l have read in a long time.  The premise is that a woman who survived the attack on her family 20 years ago writes a book about her experience and her quest to identify the man who attacked her family.  The twist of The Nothing Man is that the man who attacked her family is reading her book along with the reader of Catherine Ryan Howard’s book.  This builds the tension gradually as he realizes she probably knows who he is.  I loved the concept of a book within a book.  Catherine Ryan Howard is a new favorite author of mine.  I look forward to her next one!

A LOT OF SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THIS NOTHING MAN!!!

So what if it's been over 20 years since the murders and assaults occurred.  There's no statute of limitations on murder. There certainly isn't any statute of limitations on the fury and rage that's been building up inside of Eve Black since she was twelve years old and became the sole survivor of the Nothing Man's last known attack, which killed her entire family.  The serial killer known as the Nothing Man was never caught. Eve, now in her 30's, plans to rectify that.  

She publishes a book, a tell all about her experience that awful night, including his attacks on previous victims as well.  She teams up with a detective who worked the original cases and they continue the investigation themselves. She is determined to find and catch the Nothing Man once and for all and she believes her book will help her do exactly that. As her book achieves wide success it ultimately catches the eye of the man himself.  The Nothing Man decides he must read her book.

The story is told from the Nothing Man's POV as he is reading Eve's book, and then alternates with excerpts from Eve's book.  It is a fantastic storytelling method.  Kudos to the author on this unique method!  It made for a compelling experience for the reader.   I really enjoyed switching back to see the killer's reaction after each excerpt. What it's like for him to read about himself like this?  Was it getting to him?  Was he upset or nervous? Was he going to go after Eve to finally finish what he started?  The reader got to be inside his head for all of that!  Fascinating!

This was a great ride!!  A bit anti-climatic at the end, but overall a well done suspenseful novel!  I will be looking to see what else this author has written!

*Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for the digital review copy!

Loved this book so.much i was torn between wanting it to end and wanting it to slow down so.it wouldn't end. Readers are in for a treat with this one.