Distress Signals - Softcover

Catherine Ryan Howard was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1982. Her debut thriller, Distress Signals, is out now in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and was published in the US in early 2017. The Irish Times called Distress Signals ''a highly confident and accomplished debut novel, impeccably sustained, with not a false note.'' Catherine is also the author of the self-published titles Mousetrapped and Backpacked, both light-hearted memoirs of her travels abroad to the US and Central America. She is currently studying for a BA in English at Trinity College in Dublin and working on her second thriller.

''[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

''[Howard] writes with complete command of language, plot, and the thriller genre.'' --Shelf Awareness

''Brimming with suspense and plot twists you'll never see coming.'' --Pop Culture Nerd

''This one is a standout and one I can highly recommend for fans of the genre.'' --Novel Gossip

''Distress Signals is a debut novel that packs a wallop of a punch...[a] complex plot...perfectly executed...page turning and twisty.'' --Its Book Talk

''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

''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

''[A] solid first novel...Life and death aboard a cruise ship prove very mysterious indeed.'' --Publishers Weekly

''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

''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

''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, bestselling author of Mortal Fall

''Howard weaves an intricate web of suspense chapter by chapter...and before you know it, you're trapped inside.'' --Brian Freeman, author of Goodbye to the Dead

''A tense, tight, original page turner...Definitely a new, exciting and original author to watch.'' --Sunday Independent (Dublin)

''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

''I loved the voice...[An] engaging, unusual, and believable thriller.'' --Sinead Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?

''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

''A highly confident and accomplished debut novel, impeccably sustained, with not a false note.'' --Irish Times (Dublin)

''An excellent debut thriller which may give cruising executives some sleepless nights.'' --Irish Independent (Dublin)