The Nothing Month: An exciting new voice in crime thriller fiction for fans of Catherine Ryan Howard

by Cat Miller

Thirty days off-grid. No contact with the outside world. No way to call for help.

Zara leaves home to take part in a challenge sweeping the nation no technology for one month.

A body is found in the woods. Right by the Safe House where Zara was meant to check in. And she hasn't checked in.

Another body is discovered, and mum Sally takes things into her own hands to make sure Zara is okay. But when thousands have disappeared, how do you find one missing girl?

A pulse-pounding, gripping crime thriller perfect for fans of Catherine Ryan Howard and Jack Jordan.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2025

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️

The Nothing Month had all the ingredients for a gripping crime thriller but ultimately fell flat. Instead of following Zara and the other “Nothing Monthers” - the characters with the most compelling and suspenseful arc - we’re stuck with endless pages of Sally, a distraught mother, wandering through her grief in circles. There’s barely any plot progression, and the emotional weight doesn’t translate into tension or urgency.

The writing itself is lacklustre, often dragging, and surprisingly dull for a story that should have had me on the edge of my seat. Sadly, it didn’t. Worst of all, the ending felt rushed and uninspired - not the payoff you'd expect after slogging through so many slow chapters. A thriller that forgets to thrill.

[Fiona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only finished this to figure out what exactly was going on, and it was somewhat worth it?

A lot of excess baggage, characters that don't matter, and plot points that don't matter.

Would have given up, if Zara's plot wasn't mildly interesting.

Overall, only read this if you are willing to give up your time, energy, and willingness to put up with the most annoying characters on the planet. I spent all of Sally's chapters wishing her daughter was dead, if it would just stop her from talking.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely deserves a two star. Tedious read just went on and on and on to end up with an unrealistic cheesy ending. Wasn't a fan or invested in any of the characters most bordered on irritating. The fact two bodies show up and police are essentially twiddling their thumbs was so unrealistic. Honestly wish I hadn't wasted my time on this one trust me when I say give it a miss.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough to keep me hooked but not very satisfying. A bit too much focus on the secondary characters than the ones in actual danger for me. Ending was also a bit rushed and unsatisfying, it felt too clean yet too vague at the same time. 2.5 ⭐️

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast pacy thriller - I felt that sometimes it had to many threads going at one time but it benefits from great characters and a unique idea to make an intriguing read 4* from me

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT. Everyone should read & learn.

[Ash Shand · Rating 1 out of 5]

pretty poor tbh. didn't make a DNF but was close

[Hannah Saunders · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my thing. I found it boring

[Natalie Penna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise was good, but writing was amateur and repetitive. Could've been much shorter and characters less annoying and hard to care for