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Michael David (on hiatus)'s Reviews > 56 Days
56 Days
by
by
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
An intriguing thriller set during the early 2020 days of COVID-19 and lockdown.
56 Days Ago - In Ireland, Ciara and Oliver meet when each of them are taking a break from work to grab lunch...Just as COVID-19 reaches Ireland. There seems to be an instant connection.
35 Days Ago - With full lockdown rapidly approaching, Oliver asks Ciara to move in with him...at least for the two weeks where nobody is allowed outside with the exception of grocery shopping, medication pickup, and brief exercise. Ciara agrees...but does she know know Oliver is hiding something about his past?
Present Day - A decomposing body is found in Oliver’s apartment, and nobody else is inhabiting the space. Detectives work hard to determine the cause of death and find out anything they can about the victim.
I was immediately hooked by this story. The writing is top-notch and really pulled me back to the early days of COVID-19: the scary uncertainty, the shockingly quiet streets, non-essential businesses shut down. The mystery element is expertly crafted around the state of the world at that time. I guessed some of the surprises before they were revealed, but happily enjoyed one or two more that I didn’t fully anticipate.
A few minor critiques: The story is told from multiple POV’s that bounce back and forth between timelines. While I normally love that approach, there was a bit of repetitiveness as one character explained a scene that we already read about (with few new revelations). This gimmick isn’t used incessantly, but I noticed it a few times. In addition, the lead-up to the end is a bit long-winded.
Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable and unique thriller that I think many will love. Author Catherine Ryan Howard is a force to be reckoned with in this genre. I read her first four thrillers last year (including the incomparable The Nothing Man), and while 56 Days doesn’t quite achieve the same level of tension, it’s still a worthy and welcome addition to my “finished reading� shelf.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on: 8/17/21.
Review also posted at:
An intriguing thriller set during the early 2020 days of COVID-19 and lockdown.
56 Days Ago - In Ireland, Ciara and Oliver meet when each of them are taking a break from work to grab lunch...Just as COVID-19 reaches Ireland. There seems to be an instant connection.
35 Days Ago - With full lockdown rapidly approaching, Oliver asks Ciara to move in with him...at least for the two weeks where nobody is allowed outside with the exception of grocery shopping, medication pickup, and brief exercise. Ciara agrees...but does she know know Oliver is hiding something about his past?
Present Day - A decomposing body is found in Oliver’s apartment, and nobody else is inhabiting the space. Detectives work hard to determine the cause of death and find out anything they can about the victim.
I was immediately hooked by this story. The writing is top-notch and really pulled me back to the early days of COVID-19: the scary uncertainty, the shockingly quiet streets, non-essential businesses shut down. The mystery element is expertly crafted around the state of the world at that time. I guessed some of the surprises before they were revealed, but happily enjoyed one or two more that I didn’t fully anticipate.
A few minor critiques: The story is told from multiple POV’s that bounce back and forth between timelines. While I normally love that approach, there was a bit of repetitiveness as one character explained a scene that we already read about (with few new revelations). This gimmick isn’t used incessantly, but I noticed it a few times. In addition, the lead-up to the end is a bit long-winded.
Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable and unique thriller that I think many will love. Author Catherine Ryan Howard is a force to be reckoned with in this genre. I read her first four thrillers last year (including the incomparable The Nothing Man), and while 56 Days doesn’t quite achieve the same level of tension, it’s still a worthy and welcome addition to my “finished reading� shelf.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on: 8/17/21.
Review also posted at:
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Reading Progress
April 7, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 7, 2021
– Shelved
April 24, 2021
–
Started Reading
April 27, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 94 (94 new)
message 1:
by
len ❀
(new)
Apr 27, 2021 04:08PM
I find books with Covid as a plot device interesting. I haven’t read any, but I feel like books like this one can make you really think about what’s been happening, such as apocalyptic books as well. I’m glad to see you still enjoyed it despite the quibbles you pointed out. Great review, Michael!
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Wonderful review, Michael! I haven’t heard of this author but I’ll definitely check her out. Thanks for the tip.
I did like her writing in The Nothing Man, and this sounds worthy, especially with the setting. Too bad about the repetitiveness. Great review Michael!
Elena wrote: "I find books with Covid as a plot device interesting. I haven’t read any, but I feel like books like this one can make you really think about what’s been happening, such as apocalyptic books as wel..."Thanks so much, Elena! I find them interesting as well. This one was well done despite the few hiccups I had. Hope you enjoy it if you read it!
Laurie wrote: "Wonderful review, Michael! I haven’t heard of this author but I’ll definitely check her out. Thanks for the tip."Thanks, Laurie! She’s fantastic! I hope you’ll really enjoy her work.
JanB wrote: "I did like her writing in The Nothing Man, and this sounds worthy, especially with the setting. Too bad about the repetitiveness. Great review Michael!"Thanks, Jan! It was still a worthy read, and I hope you enjoy it too...although I’m never sure with you. 😂 I’ll be interested in seeing your thoughts.
I’m sure there will be a flurry of covid 19 stories soon to be released. Glad this one was still palpable for you. Nice review, Michael
It sounds like I should still start with "The Nothing Man" for my first Hyde read, and then maybe move on to "56 Days." Incredible review, Michael. :)
Ohhh, this sounds good, Covid or not. Although her last one wasn’t my favorite, it was still good. I will add this to my list. Thanks, David fir a great review.
Darn! I was hoping for another 5 ⭐️! Fabulous review!
This sounds good! I've yet to read a book with COVID era story. I'm adding this one. Great review!
I’m with Jayme in that I had hoped to see 5 stars for this one, but I’m still excited to read it. Fab review! 😘
Fabulous review, Michael! I like multiple POV's, too. So glad you enjoyed this unique thriller.
Jen wrote: "I’m sure there will be a flurry of covid 19 stories soon to be released. Glad this one was still palpable for you. Nice review, Michael"Thanks, Jen! I agree there will be a flurry of them soon. I read one other one so far, and this was MUCH better.
Melissa wrote: "It sounds like I should still start with "The Nothing Man" for my first Hyde read, and then maybe move on to "56 Days." Incredible review, Michael. :)"Thanks so much, Melissa! “The Nothing Man� and “Rewind� were superior in my opinion, but I don’t think you can go wrong regardless. :)
Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "Ohhh, this sounds good, Covid or not. Although her last one wasn’t my favorite, it was still good. I will add this to my list. Thanks, David fir a great review."KAT!! David?!? Really? 😱 Anyway, hope you enjoy this one. :)
Jayme wrote: "Darn! I was hoping for another 5 ⭐️! Fabulous review!"Thanks! I was hoping/expecting it too! Maybe if it didn’t come after The Nothing Man... 🤷♂� Still enjoyable though.
Tina wrote: "This sounds good! I've yet to read a book with COVID era story. I'm adding this one. Great review!"Thanks, Tina! Hope you enjoy it!
Regina wrote: "I’m with Jayme in that I had hoped to see 5 stars for this one, but I’m still excited to read it. Fab review! 😘"Thanks, Regina! I expected a 5-star stunner too, but it was still enjoyable...and I hope you think so too. 😘
Terrie wrote: "Fabulous review, Michael! I like multiple POV's, too. So glad you enjoyed this unique thriller."Thank you kindly, Terrie! I hope you enjoy this one too if you end up reading it. 😊
Wonderful review! Glad you enjoyed it, Wish you enjoyed it more. I can't wait to read it.
Glad to see this was mostly pretty good! I have mixed feelings about reading about Covid but this looks great. Excellent review, friend!
Sounds excellent, Michael. Another thriller to add to my list. Love your review! 👍
I was hoping it'd be as good as Nothing Man but how could it!? 🤭😅 Fantastic review!
Excellent review Michael! Hope your next book is 5 stars! ⭐️
Glad you enjoyed this one Michael...I'm not sure how I will feel about reading a Covid book. 😬
Great review Michael- duly noted your points but I’m sure I’ll request when it pops up here!! Loved her last book! 😊
Sounds a timely and exciting read .......... great review :)
Mary Beth wrote: "Wonderful review! Glad you enjoyed it, Wish you enjoyed it more. I can't wait to read it."Thanks so much, Mary Beth! I hope you love it! 🤞
Christina wrote: "Glad to see this was mostly pretty good! I have mixed feelings about reading about Covid but this looks great. Excellent review, friend!"Thanks so much, Christina! It was actually kind of interesting given the fact that this book took place in the beginning. I’ll be interested to see what you think whenever you do end up reading it.
Mischenko wrote: "Sounds excellent, Michael. Another thriller to add to my list. Love your review! 👍"Thanks so much, Jen! Enjoy! 👍
Farrah wrote: "I was hoping it'd be as good as Nothing Man but how could it!? 🤭😅 Fantastic review!"Thanks so much, Farrah! You and me both, but that’s a lot to live up to. 😂
Suzy wrote: "Excellent review Michael! Hope your next book is 5 stars! ⭐️"Thanks, Suzy! I hope so too! 😊
Deanna wrote: "Great reivew, Michael!"Thank you, Deanna! :)
Thanks for the review Michael! I can adjust my expectations!!
Excellent review, Michael! I am curious to see all the COVID-themed books that will inevitably be coming out over the next couple of years. Glad to see this was a winner, cheers!
This one sounds good and a few of my friends are buddy reading it. Unfortunately I got declined 🥲. Really great review Michael !
MarilynW wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this one Michael...I'm not sure how I will feel about reading a Covid book. 😬"Thanks, Marilyn! I completely understand. It was a bit of an odd experience, but good book nonetheless. 😊
Ceecee wrote: "Great review Michael- duly noted your points but I’m sure I’ll request when it pops up here!! Loved her last book! 😊"Thanks, Ceecee! Definitely worth a read. Her last book was amazing! 😊
Richard wrote: "Sounds a timely and exciting read .......... great review :)"Thanks, Richard! I enjoyed it. :)
Holly wrote: "Thanks for the review Michael! I can adjust my expectations!!"No problem, Holly! Hope you enjoy it!
Derek 🍻 wrote: "Excellent review, Michael! I am curious to see all the COVID-themed books that will inevitably be coming out over the next couple of years. Glad to see this was a winner, cheers!"Thanks, Derek! I’ve read two so far, and don’t plan on reading too many more at the moment...but I’m sure a lot will be hitting the shelves.
Pat (not getting friend updates currently) wrote: "This one sounds good and a few of my friends are buddy reading it. Unfortunately I got declined 🥲. Really great review Michael !"Thank you, Pat! So sorry you got declined. 😢 I hope you’re able to get a copy eventually.
Michael wrote: "Thanks, Derek! I’ve read two so far, and don’t plan on reading too many more at the moment...but I’m sure a lot will be hitting the shelves." I'm with you there. We're already living it, no need to read about it.
Excellent review, Michael! 💗 I love this author too so I'm looking forward to this one.
Great review, Michael! I figure there will be a boom of COVID thrillers coming soon. 😂
Michelle wrote: "Excellent review, Michael! 💗 I love this author too so I'm looking forward to this one."Thanks, Michelle! Can’t wait to see what you think of it. 💛
Denise wrote: "Great review, Michael! I figure there will be a boom of COVID thrillers coming soon. 😂"Thank you, Denise! I think you’ll be right about that!! 😂
This author writes enjoyable stories. Glad this was one of them, Michael!
