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Burn after reading
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Expected 12 Mar 26Jack Smyth has always maintained that he's innocent in the murders of his wife and her friend. A year ago, he was acquitted of them, thanks to his crack legal team, a prosecution out of their depth and a jury bored by technical detail but enamoured with him.
Now, a year on, he's signed a book deal. He wants to tell his side of the story. A ghostwriter, Emily , is drafted in to assist. She has her own secrets and soon, she begins to suspect that even on the pages of his own book, Jack is still trying to hide his...
What happens during the interview stage means that she can't produce the book she was hired to write, but Emily can still tell the truth about what she learned and what happened there, and the guilty secret she's been hiding until now. The Ghostwriter is her (supposedly) non-fictional account of her experience.
A clever, high-concept thriller about how the rich and famous get away with anything, even murder...
Now, a year on, he's signed a book deal. He wants to tell his side of the story. A ghostwriter, Emily , is drafted in to assist. She has her own secrets and soon, she begins to suspect that even on the pages of his own book, Jack is still trying to hide his...
What happens during the interview stage means that she can't produce the book she was hired to write, but Emily can still tell the truth about what she learned and what happened there, and the guilty secret she's been hiding until now. The Ghostwriter is her (supposedly) non-fictional account of her experience.
A clever, high-concept thriller about how the rich and famous get away with anything, even murder...
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2024
247 people are currently reading
5036 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Howard
19 books4,344 followersCatherine Ryan Howard is an internationally bestselling crime writer from Cork, Ireland. Her debut novel, DISTRESS SIGNALS, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey/New Blood Dagger. THE LIAR'S GIRL (2018) was shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best Novel. REWIND (2019) was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year and is currently being developed for screen by Clerkenwell Films (Misfits, Lovesick, The End of the F***ing World.) THE NOTHING MAN was a no. 1 Irish Times bestseller and a no. 1 Kindle bestseller (UK) and was shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. Her latest novel, 56 DAYS, was published in August 2021. It is a thriller set in lockdown that Catherine wrote while she was in lockdown.
Prior to writing full-time, Catherine worked as a campsite courier in France and a front desk agent in Walt Disney World, Florida. She still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.
Prior to writing full-time, Catherine worked as a campsite courier in France and a front desk agent in Walt Disney World, Florida. She still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
April 17, 2025
I loved the trap, but this didn’t live up to it like I hoped. Slow-moving with real suspense fizzling off early on.
March 15, 2025
Catherine Ryan Howard is always an auto read author for me. Her book, The Nothing Man is still one of my favourite thriller books. If you haven’t read it then what are you doing? You are seriously missing out. Anyway, Burn After Reading has such an intriguing plot, I dare you to pick this up and not be hooked. I had so many ideas and theories going around in my head it was crazy. Her books are always a wild ride and this one was no different.
We have 2 main characters in Burn After Reading.. first we have Jack. He is an Olympic cycling champion, a businessman and a very charismatic man . But is he also a killer? His wife died less than a year ago in a tragic house fire, but the autopsy revealed that she was already dead before the fire started. The guards haven’t been able to charge him yet but the public opinion is that he is guilty. Enter Emily, the writer of a very successful book who is struggling to get that second book written. Her publishers offer her the chance to wipe her debt with them by ghostwriting Jacks story.
Tell me that doesn’t make you want run out and get this book now! There is a lot more to it but that is all you need for now. We find out that Jack isn’t the only one with secrets as we get further into the book, we learn why Emily is struggling with another novel.
It is a dark and very cleverly written story that will keep you in the edge of your seat and turning pages well past your bedtime.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Transworld Publishing on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this fantastic book to read. Publishes on April 10th,
We have 2 main characters in Burn After Reading.. first we have Jack. He is an Olympic cycling champion, a businessman and a very charismatic man . But is he also a killer? His wife died less than a year ago in a tragic house fire, but the autopsy revealed that she was already dead before the fire started. The guards haven’t been able to charge him yet but the public opinion is that he is guilty. Enter Emily, the writer of a very successful book who is struggling to get that second book written. Her publishers offer her the chance to wipe her debt with them by ghostwriting Jacks story.
Tell me that doesn’t make you want run out and get this book now! There is a lot more to it but that is all you need for now. We find out that Jack isn’t the only one with secrets as we get further into the book, we learn why Emily is struggling with another novel.
It is a dark and very cleverly written story that will keep you in the edge of your seat and turning pages well past your bedtime.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Transworld Publishing on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this fantastic book to read. Publishes on April 10th,
April 2, 2025
Emily Joyce had written a successful novel and been contracted for a second. But the words wouldn't come. She had no idea why, but the more she worried the worse the word block became. When she was approached by her publisher to take a ghostwriting job, or pay back the $25,000 she'd been advanced, her choice was obvious. Emily didn't have that amount of money - heavens, she was living day to day! So that saw Emily on the next flight to Florida, from Ireland, where she was to spend a week with Jack Smyth, an ex-professional cyclist who had lost his wife Kate to a house fire a year ago. His heroic efforts to save her by racing into the burning house came to nothing, but when it was discovered she was dead before the fire started, Jack went from hero to villain. Now, he wanted to prove his innocence in a memoir, ghostwritten by Emily...
Burn After Reading is an intriguing story and my first read by Catherine Ryan Howard. It's very twisty with red herrings galore; told by Kate before the fire and Emily once she became involved. But I found it slow going until after the half way mark, with the last third being the best. Recommended to fans of the author.
With thanks to NetGalley & Random House UK for my digital ARC to read and review.
Burn After Reading is an intriguing story and my first read by Catherine Ryan Howard. It's very twisty with red herrings galore; told by Kate before the fire and Emily once she became involved. But I found it slow going until after the half way mark, with the last third being the best. Recommended to fans of the author.
With thanks to NetGalley & Random House UK for my digital ARC to read and review.
March 17, 2025
Thank you SO much to Catherine Ryan Howard and Random House UK for my copy of Burn After Reading. When I saw that she had a new book out I HAD to have it! This book was about famous cyclist Jack Smyth, a man who lost his beautiful wife in a fire. When it came out that she was dead before the fire started, the nation’s sympathy turned to rage, and though Jack was never charged, he was surrounded by suspicion. The only way out is for him to tell his story.
When Emily is offered a job as his ghostwriter, she needs the money more than she wants to say no. She’s flown to a remote location, holed up with Jack for a week to learn his story in order to write his way into the hearts of the public. But soon she isn’t sure what is right and what is wrong, and Emily is part of a dangerous plot that she never wanted to be a part of.
Thoughts: I loved this book! It had so many similarities to the OJ Simpson/ Nicole Brown case that I actually went back and watched a documentary about it. Did you know that OJ even wrote a book about “if” he did it? I didn’t! Anyway, this story was intriguing, and about Jack wanting to tell the story of how he didn’t kill Kate. He wants to explain his side of the story, in hopes that he can get the public on his side.
I liked that Emily also had a past, and the way it was mixed in with the story. I wish there was more of it that came into play, because I think it would have made the story more interesting. I also think there could have been even more of a build up of tension. I thought the structure of this book was really well done, and it was creatively written like all of Howard’s books. 4-stars for this one!
When Emily is offered a job as his ghostwriter, she needs the money more than she wants to say no. She’s flown to a remote location, holed up with Jack for a week to learn his story in order to write his way into the hearts of the public. But soon she isn’t sure what is right and what is wrong, and Emily is part of a dangerous plot that she never wanted to be a part of.
Thoughts: I loved this book! It had so many similarities to the OJ Simpson/ Nicole Brown case that I actually went back and watched a documentary about it. Did you know that OJ even wrote a book about “if” he did it? I didn’t! Anyway, this story was intriguing, and about Jack wanting to tell the story of how he didn’t kill Kate. He wants to explain his side of the story, in hopes that he can get the public on his side.
I liked that Emily also had a past, and the way it was mixed in with the story. I wish there was more of it that came into play, because I think it would have made the story more interesting. I also think there could have been even more of a build up of tension. I thought the structure of this book was really well done, and it was creatively written like all of Howard’s books. 4-stars for this one!
March 31, 2025
Burn After Reading, the latest thriller from Irish true crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard, is inspired by OJ Simpson and his infamous book If I Did It.
One-time novelist Emily has been unable to recreate the magic of her first novel The Witness; she has spent five years trying and failing, and is now in debt to her publisher to the tune of €25k. The answer to her financial problems arrives in the form of a request from her publisher for Emily to ghost write a book for famous ex-cyclist Jack Smyth who may or may not have murdered his wife.
Mostly set in a modern purpose-built Florida town inspired by the town in The Truman Show, Burn After Reading is a slow-paced suspense novel that never caught fire. Florida and cycling hold no real interest for me, I felt all of the characters lacked depth and the pace was lacklustre. Unfortunately, reading it began to feel like a chore that I wanted to complete and move on from. Just an ok read unfortunately. 2/5⭐️
*Many thanks to Penguin Books Ireland for the advance proof copy. As always, this is an honest review.
One-time novelist Emily has been unable to recreate the magic of her first novel The Witness; she has spent five years trying and failing, and is now in debt to her publisher to the tune of €25k. The answer to her financial problems arrives in the form of a request from her publisher for Emily to ghost write a book for famous ex-cyclist Jack Smyth who may or may not have murdered his wife.
Mostly set in a modern purpose-built Florida town inspired by the town in The Truman Show, Burn After Reading is a slow-paced suspense novel that never caught fire. Florida and cycling hold no real interest for me, I felt all of the characters lacked depth and the pace was lacklustre. Unfortunately, reading it began to feel like a chore that I wanted to complete and move on from. Just an ok read unfortunately. 2/5⭐️
*Many thanks to Penguin Books Ireland for the advance proof copy. As always, this is an honest review.
May 7, 2025
Burn After Reading is Catherine Ryan Howard’s latest standalone thriller and this one was inspired by the OJ Simpson case.
A dead wife in suspicious circumstances, the husband, Jack Smyth, is a professional athlete and all the evidence seems to point at his guilt, but he’s determined to prove his innocence.
The main character is Emily. She is struggling to write her second novel after the huge success of her debut book. As she’s already spent the advance and her publishers are losing patience she has no option other than to fly out to Florida to be the ghost writer for Jack Smyth. This means spending time with a suspected murderer in an isolated and deserted new town.
There are a couple of storylines running throughout this book. Emily has a secret that could destroy her career which she is determined to keep hidden at any cost. Jack may also be guilty of murdering his wife, so why would he choose to publicly reveal his secrets. Is he dangerous and is Emily risking her life to write this book?
The story has dual timelines so the reader slowly learns more about the events that led up to the wife’s death.
Overall I found this a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining book. If you enjoy books with twists and turns then you should love this too.
A dead wife in suspicious circumstances, the husband, Jack Smyth, is a professional athlete and all the evidence seems to point at his guilt, but he’s determined to prove his innocence.
The main character is Emily. She is struggling to write her second novel after the huge success of her debut book. As she’s already spent the advance and her publishers are losing patience she has no option other than to fly out to Florida to be the ghost writer for Jack Smyth. This means spending time with a suspected murderer in an isolated and deserted new town.
There are a couple of storylines running throughout this book. Emily has a secret that could destroy her career which she is determined to keep hidden at any cost. Jack may also be guilty of murdering his wife, so why would he choose to publicly reveal his secrets. Is he dangerous and is Emily risking her life to write this book?
The story has dual timelines so the reader slowly learns more about the events that led up to the wife’s death.
Overall I found this a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining book. If you enjoy books with twists and turns then you should love this too.
September 3, 2024
3.5 stars Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts on this book. This book felt different to me than other Ryan Howard books I’ve read. I was convinced the ending would blow me away because this authors endings usually deliver.. but it really didn’t :/ I still recommend, love her writing at and think it’s entertaining, but this is my least favorite book by this author.
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNo9npkt/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNo9npkt/
July 2, 2025
CRH is a very hit or miss author for me. But this one was a definite hit!
June 22, 2025
to keep it spoiler free,
I'll only say I don't get the
point here - but whatever it
was, it was crazily gripping
and really well written. ;)
I'll only say I don't get the
point here - but whatever it
was, it was crazily gripping
and really well written. ;)
January 20, 2026
easy going thriller
Read
April 8, 2025#Gifted
Burn After Reading, the brand new psychological thriller from bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard (CRH) is a serious page turner, you will be pleased to hear.
I am a fan of CRH’s books so I love when a new one is published and I can freak myself out reading it into the late hours of the night 😅
We meet Emily, an author of one fairly successful thriller/mystery, who has been struggling for three years to write the notoriously difficult second novel. When her publishers call her in for a chat she’s extremely anxious that they will ask for her advance back, but instead they propose that she scraps her plans for a work of fiction and instead sign up as the ghostwriter for a new memoir.
So far, so not-so-bad, that is until Emily finds out the life story she’ll be penning is for none other than disgraced professional cyclist Jack Smyth.
Jack enjoyed some public sympathy after the death of his wife in a housefire, until the autopsy showed she died long before the flames took hold of their home.
With little other recourse, Emily agrees to write this book that Jack hopes will rehabilitate him in the public eye.
The plan is for the two to spend a week together in a villa in Florida and get the book mostly written, but when she gets there, Emily realizes how isolated it is and immediately starts to fear that she’s stepping into a much more dangerous situation than she could ever have prepared for.
There’s a super unsettling open to this book that immediately had me on edge, from there I just found myself flying through this one. I always say I read a lot of this genre but I rarely if ever work out the endings to CRH’s books (or Andrea Mara’s for that matter), which I personally love as I find myself guessing right up to the last chapter.
I’ll add content warnings to the comments but overall I’d recommend this book for fans of a clever thriller. It’ll make a fantastic holiday read this year too!
Publishing on Thursday the 10th of April. With many thanks @penguinbooksireland for my early copy. All opinions are my own, as always!
Burn After Reading, the brand new psychological thriller from bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard (CRH) is a serious page turner, you will be pleased to hear.
I am a fan of CRH’s books so I love when a new one is published and I can freak myself out reading it into the late hours of the night 😅
We meet Emily, an author of one fairly successful thriller/mystery, who has been struggling for three years to write the notoriously difficult second novel. When her publishers call her in for a chat she’s extremely anxious that they will ask for her advance back, but instead they propose that she scraps her plans for a work of fiction and instead sign up as the ghostwriter for a new memoir.
So far, so not-so-bad, that is until Emily finds out the life story she’ll be penning is for none other than disgraced professional cyclist Jack Smyth.
Jack enjoyed some public sympathy after the death of his wife in a housefire, until the autopsy showed she died long before the flames took hold of their home.
With little other recourse, Emily agrees to write this book that Jack hopes will rehabilitate him in the public eye.
The plan is for the two to spend a week together in a villa in Florida and get the book mostly written, but when she gets there, Emily realizes how isolated it is and immediately starts to fear that she’s stepping into a much more dangerous situation than she could ever have prepared for.
There’s a super unsettling open to this book that immediately had me on edge, from there I just found myself flying through this one. I always say I read a lot of this genre but I rarely if ever work out the endings to CRH’s books (or Andrea Mara’s for that matter), which I personally love as I find myself guessing right up to the last chapter.
I’ll add content warnings to the comments but overall I’d recommend this book for fans of a clever thriller. It’ll make a fantastic holiday read this year too!
Publishing on Thursday the 10th of April. With many thanks @penguinbooksireland for my early copy. All opinions are my own, as always!
July 29, 2025
One of the slowest books I've ever read. The twist was obvious and the pages were unnecessary
May 6, 2025
Emily is a writer who promised who was paid by her publisher to produce two books, but after stalling for two long on book two she is dealt an ultimatum, become a gosh writer for a man who’s wife died in a very suspicious “accident” or pay back the advance, which she doesn’t have.
This is how she finds herself in Florida for a week, and it’s clear that we are about to discover quite a few secrets!
This one was full of intrigue right from the beginning, we have two different time lines, from two woman, Emily and Kate (Jacks deceased wife) running side by side, I found it easy to follow and keep up with. Overall this was a solid thriller.
This is how she finds herself in Florida for a week, and it’s clear that we are about to discover quite a few secrets!
This one was full of intrigue right from the beginning, we have two different time lines, from two woman, Emily and Kate (Jacks deceased wife) running side by side, I found it easy to follow and keep up with. Overall this was a solid thriller.
January 9, 2026
3⭐️ Catherine Ryan Howard is one of my favorite thriller authors and when I heard she had a new book coming out but it wasn’t releasing in the US I was desperate to get my hands on the forbidden fruit!
I finally snagged a copy of BURN AFTER READING in London last month and dove in headfirst as soon as I returned to my boring normal life.
I’m so disappointed to report that this book wasn’t for me, but that’s not say it won’t be for a lot of readers! CRH is so unbelievably clever and her books always make my brain work overtime to process what I’m reading (in a good way!). Sadly, this one just didn’t do it for me!
BURN AFTER READING tells the story of an author who, after a smashing success of a debut, can’t deliver a second book to her publisher. She eventually agrees to take on a project as a ghostwriter telling the story of an Irish former pro-athlete who recently lost his wife and who many believe isn’t all that innocent.
This was probably the slowest burn of all the CRH novels I’ve read and tbh one of my main complaints is that it’s mostly set in Florida rather than Ireland. I also learned that I personally have zero desire to read about cycling which didn’t help matters!
The most interesting part of BURN AFTER READING for me was the author’s note. I can’t decide if mentioning what inspired BAR would be spoilery, but I will say the deep dive I did on a different criminal’s book after finishing this one was a doozy!
🏆my favorite by CRH remains THE NOTHING MAN! If you haven’t read this yet please hop to it asap!
🎥 important reminder that 56 DAYS is coming to our tv screens on @primevideo Feb 18th! It’s set in peak pandemic times so understandably a turn off for some, but I read it when it first released (Summer 2021) and really enjoyed! I highly recommend the book and can’t wait for the series!
I finally snagged a copy of BURN AFTER READING in London last month and dove in headfirst as soon as I returned to my boring normal life.
I’m so disappointed to report that this book wasn’t for me, but that’s not say it won’t be for a lot of readers! CRH is so unbelievably clever and her books always make my brain work overtime to process what I’m reading (in a good way!). Sadly, this one just didn’t do it for me!
BURN AFTER READING tells the story of an author who, after a smashing success of a debut, can’t deliver a second book to her publisher. She eventually agrees to take on a project as a ghostwriter telling the story of an Irish former pro-athlete who recently lost his wife and who many believe isn’t all that innocent.
This was probably the slowest burn of all the CRH novels I’ve read and tbh one of my main complaints is that it’s mostly set in Florida rather than Ireland. I also learned that I personally have zero desire to read about cycling which didn’t help matters!
The most interesting part of BURN AFTER READING for me was the author’s note. I can’t decide if mentioning what inspired BAR would be spoilery, but I will say the deep dive I did on a different criminal’s book after finishing this one was a doozy!
🏆my favorite by CRH remains THE NOTHING MAN! If you haven’t read this yet please hop to it asap!
🎥 important reminder that 56 DAYS is coming to our tv screens on @primevideo Feb 18th! It’s set in peak pandemic times so understandably a turn off for some, but I read it when it first released (Summer 2021) and really enjoyed! I highly recommend the book and can’t wait for the series!
February 25, 2025
Emily, a once-aspired author, is a good while delayed writing her second book. In order to avoid having to pay her fee back, her publisher offers her to ghost-write a memoir for a defamed Olympian cyclist, who may or may not have killed his wife. With this tell-all, he wants to clear up what really happened that night. As the story unfolds, it's pretty clear that Emily finds herself in a delicate and dangerous position.
I absolutely devoured this book. It's suspenseful from start to finish. Catherine Ryan Howard is now officially one of the authors that I'll pick up without having to know what the story is about. It'll be nail-biting stuff, guaranteed.
I absolutely devoured this book. It's suspenseful from start to finish. Catherine Ryan Howard is now officially one of the authors that I'll pick up without having to know what the story is about. It'll be nail-biting stuff, guaranteed.
May 12, 2025
Emily has published a bestselling book but is struggling to complete a second. Her publishers want her to ghostwrite a memoir for Jack Smyth. Jack however has a story to tell. His wife Kate died in a home fire or did she.
I have read many books by the author and have enjoyed them. This book however I really didn't enjoy at all.
I hadn't a problem with the premise but I found the story a chore to read. I felt it dragged on and for me it was obvious what had happened so if felt a long slog to get to the conclusion. I found the story very messy and at times I was getting quite lost with what was going on.
Although the story was slow I did find a section towards the end did pick up slightly with the truth of the matter but by this point I did lose all interest.
I may give this author another go in the future as I've enjoyed books by her in the past. However had this book have been my first I may not have picked up anymore by her. Very disappointed this time.
I have read many books by the author and have enjoyed them. This book however I really didn't enjoy at all.
I hadn't a problem with the premise but I found the story a chore to read. I felt it dragged on and for me it was obvious what had happened so if felt a long slog to get to the conclusion. I found the story very messy and at times I was getting quite lost with what was going on.
Although the story was slow I did find a section towards the end did pick up slightly with the truth of the matter but by this point I did lose all interest.
I may give this author another go in the future as I've enjoyed books by her in the past. However had this book have been my first I may not have picked up anymore by her. Very disappointed this time.
March 15, 2025
Catherine Ryan Howard is an auto buy author for me and I have read and enjoyed most of her books, so when she has a new release it immediately becomes one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
I had the same excitement going in to this one and I purposely went into it blind.
Unfortunately I found this to be not one of her best books.
For a start nothing really happens for the first half of the book. I found the pacing and plot to be actually really dull and slow. However I was intrigued by where the plot would go so I kept on going.
My main issue on finishing the book was that I thought it to be so unbearably dull, flat and lacking any tension, mystery or thrills.
I thought that both of the main characters Emily and Jack lacked any depth or personality and were really boring 2D characters to follow. I just never cared about them.
I feel like the story could have benefitted from chapters from Jack's perspective as this would have added some depth to the plot and character.
This could have been so much better than it was and I ended it feeling really disappointed. It's not that the writing was bad, just how dull the story was.
This wasn't my favourite by this author but I would read from her again.
But the cover is great though!
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
I had the same excitement going in to this one and I purposely went into it blind.
Unfortunately I found this to be not one of her best books.
For a start nothing really happens for the first half of the book. I found the pacing and plot to be actually really dull and slow. However I was intrigued by where the plot would go so I kept on going.
My main issue on finishing the book was that I thought it to be so unbearably dull, flat and lacking any tension, mystery or thrills.
I thought that both of the main characters Emily and Jack lacked any depth or personality and were really boring 2D characters to follow. I just never cared about them.
I feel like the story could have benefitted from chapters from Jack's perspective as this would have added some depth to the plot and character.
This could have been so much better than it was and I ended it feeling really disappointed. It's not that the writing was bad, just how dull the story was.
This wasn't my favourite by this author but I would read from her again.
But the cover is great though!
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
April 4, 2025
I found those book to be a slow read, I kept waiting for the pace to pick up.
The story is one of truth and deception. Jack Smyth, a famous former cyclist, may have killed his wife, she dies in a fire in their home, but the autopsy revealed she was dead before the fire started.
Emily, who is the main character has written one successful novel, she has been hired by her publisher to ghostwrite Jacks story.
Did Jack kill his wife? Emily is spending a week with him, recording his story as he talks, for material for the book. Should she be afraid of Jack?
The story dragged on, I found it a little dull and I did not particularly care for either Emily or Jack.
Not my favourite book by this author, but would read more
Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. 3.5stars.
The story is one of truth and deception. Jack Smyth, a famous former cyclist, may have killed his wife, she dies in a fire in their home, but the autopsy revealed she was dead before the fire started.
Emily, who is the main character has written one successful novel, she has been hired by her publisher to ghostwrite Jacks story.
Did Jack kill his wife? Emily is spending a week with him, recording his story as he talks, for material for the book. Should she be afraid of Jack?
The story dragged on, I found it a little dull and I did not particularly care for either Emily or Jack.
Not my favourite book by this author, but would read more
Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. 3.5stars.
May 19, 2025
1.5 ⭐️
This was honestly so confusing. I couldn’t tell you what was going on half of the time. I still don’t really understand the plot tbh.
The plot was slow moving and at times the book felt like such a chore to read.
I really wasn’t a fan
This was honestly so confusing. I couldn’t tell you what was going on half of the time. I still don’t really understand the plot tbh.
The plot was slow moving and at times the book felt like such a chore to read.
I really wasn’t a fan
May 18, 2025
Do yourself a favour and burn before reading. A total mess.
February 12, 2025
#netgalley
Catherine Ryan Howard is a master of the twisty thriller, and Burn After Reading is no exception. Layered stories within stories, shocking reveals, and expertly paced suspense make this an unputdownable read; I tore through it in just two sittings.
At its heart is Emily, a struggling author whose first novel, The Witness, was a hit. But years have passed, and her long-overdue second book remains unwritten. Is it just creative block, or is something darker at play?
Her publisher offers an unexpected solution: ghostwrite the memoir of Jack Smyth, a disgraced former pro cyclist whose life was shattered almost a year ago when he returned home to find his house in flames and his wife, Kate, inside.
But the autopsy reveals a chilling twist: Kate didn’t die in the fire. She was already dead before it started. Now, Jack is desperate to share his side of the story and clear his name. But is he really the victim he claims to be?
Set against the eerie backdrop of the unfinished town of Sanctuary, Florida, the tense atmosphere amplifies the suspense, pulling you deeper into the mystery. CRH expertly weaves the narrative through three gripping perspectives: Emily’s growing unease, Jack’s desperate plea for redemption, and haunting flashbacks of Kate’s final days. Just when you think you have it figured out, CRH throws in another jaw-dropping twist that will leave you breathless!
In the prologue, CRH mentions drawing inspiration from the O.J. Simpson case, but for me, the story immediately brought to mind the haunting murder of Reeva Steenkamp by Oscar Pistorius.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Burn After Reading hits the shelves on April 10, 2025, and you can pre-order it now—you truly won’t want to miss this gripping read!
Catherine Ryan Howard is a master of the twisty thriller, and Burn After Reading is no exception. Layered stories within stories, shocking reveals, and expertly paced suspense make this an unputdownable read; I tore through it in just two sittings.
At its heart is Emily, a struggling author whose first novel, The Witness, was a hit. But years have passed, and her long-overdue second book remains unwritten. Is it just creative block, or is something darker at play?
Her publisher offers an unexpected solution: ghostwrite the memoir of Jack Smyth, a disgraced former pro cyclist whose life was shattered almost a year ago when he returned home to find his house in flames and his wife, Kate, inside.
But the autopsy reveals a chilling twist: Kate didn’t die in the fire. She was already dead before it started. Now, Jack is desperate to share his side of the story and clear his name. But is he really the victim he claims to be?
Set against the eerie backdrop of the unfinished town of Sanctuary, Florida, the tense atmosphere amplifies the suspense, pulling you deeper into the mystery. CRH expertly weaves the narrative through three gripping perspectives: Emily’s growing unease, Jack’s desperate plea for redemption, and haunting flashbacks of Kate’s final days. Just when you think you have it figured out, CRH throws in another jaw-dropping twist that will leave you breathless!
In the prologue, CRH mentions drawing inspiration from the O.J. Simpson case, but for me, the story immediately brought to mind the haunting murder of Reeva Steenkamp by Oscar Pistorius.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Burn After Reading hits the shelves on April 10, 2025, and you can pre-order it now—you truly won’t want to miss this gripping read!
Want to read
July 15, 2025As someone in the US, I am beyond excited I was able to track this one down. I love this author - one of my favorites - and I'm so glad I don't have to miss one! I even got a signed copy!
February 17, 2025
3.5/5
I had so much fun reading this! Very well written with a plot that got me gripped till the end. For someone who doesn’t often read crime, I found it very entertaining. I look forward to reading her other books now 🥰
Thank you Penguin for the advanced copy! I definitely recommend for everyone to read!
I had so much fun reading this! Very well written with a plot that got me gripped till the end. For someone who doesn’t often read crime, I found it very entertaining. I look forward to reading her other books now 🥰
Thank you Penguin for the advanced copy! I definitely recommend for everyone to read!
February 6, 2025
Burn after Reading by Catherine Ryan Howard
The much awaited eighth novel by Catherine Ryan Howard (‘CRH’) opens with an absolutely terrifying, heart thumping, stuff of nightmares, chapter. Count me in.
In CRH’s usual style, Burn After Reading is another cleverly plotted thriller. This time our main character - Emily - has gone back to an office job after the success of her first novel, The Witness, and is approached by her publisher to ghostwrite a book.
The subject, a famous former cyclist, may or may not have killed his wife. Emily just has to spend a week alone with him to find out. Why would she do such a thing? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
As you might expect, of a crime fiction novel, there are some graphic, violent scenes and quite a few jump scares. Personally, I must read CRH’s novels at night, in the dark, on my own, but you may prefer to leave the lights on.
As always, there are some Easter eggs for the die hard CRH fans - one of which I spotted immediately and was thrilled by and another I have yet to confirm, so if / when you read it, please slide into my DMs.
I was lucky enough to be approved for a digital review copy on NetGalley and shortly after received a proof copy from @penguinbooksireland.
Burn after Reading will be published on 10 April 2025 and is available to pre-order now from all the usual places. Eason have an exclusive edition with bonus content and sprayed edges and Kenny’s have signed, first edition, hardbacks.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TiredMammyBookClub #TiredMammy30minutes #TiredMammyRecommends #BurnAfterReading #CatherineRyanHoward
The much awaited eighth novel by Catherine Ryan Howard (‘CRH’) opens with an absolutely terrifying, heart thumping, stuff of nightmares, chapter. Count me in.
In CRH’s usual style, Burn After Reading is another cleverly plotted thriller. This time our main character - Emily - has gone back to an office job after the success of her first novel, The Witness, and is approached by her publisher to ghostwrite a book.
The subject, a famous former cyclist, may or may not have killed his wife. Emily just has to spend a week alone with him to find out. Why would she do such a thing? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
As you might expect, of a crime fiction novel, there are some graphic, violent scenes and quite a few jump scares. Personally, I must read CRH’s novels at night, in the dark, on my own, but you may prefer to leave the lights on.
As always, there are some Easter eggs for the die hard CRH fans - one of which I spotted immediately and was thrilled by and another I have yet to confirm, so if / when you read it, please slide into my DMs.
I was lucky enough to be approved for a digital review copy on NetGalley and shortly after received a proof copy from @penguinbooksireland.
Burn after Reading will be published on 10 April 2025 and is available to pre-order now from all the usual places. Eason have an exclusive edition with bonus content and sprayed edges and Kenny’s have signed, first edition, hardbacks.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TiredMammyBookClub #TiredMammy30minutes #TiredMammyRecommends #BurnAfterReading #CatherineRyanHoward
Read
April 24, 2025DNF at about 50%
Was getting very bored, cycling holds no interest for me, I liked the Florida town setting, could imagine it well but the book was taking far too long for me to get into and at the midway point I just lost it with it.
Was getting very bored, cycling holds no interest for me, I liked the Florida town setting, could imagine it well but the book was taking far too long for me to get into and at the midway point I just lost it with it.
February 26, 2025
I read two of Catherine Ryan Howard’s books in 2023, and I was excited about this review copy. I pushed it to the top of my TBR because I enjoyed the previous books by this author. I must read more from this author.
Burn After Reading is a gripping thriller that masterfully explores the blurred lines between truth and deception, justice and privilege. With an unreliable narrator at its core and a story that unfolds through layers of manipulation, this novel is an engrossing, thought-provoking read.
Jack Smyth has always insisted on his innocence in the brutal murder of his wife. However, stalked by suspicion, Jack is now determined to tell his version of events through a book deal. Enter Emily, a ghostwriter with her own secrets, who soon realizes that even in his own words, Jack is still hiding something. But when the interview process takes an unexpected turn, Emily finds herself unable to produce the book she was hired to write.
Ryan’s storytelling is razor-sharp, delivering a slow-burn suspense that keeps readers hooked from the first page. The novel plays with perception, questioning how much we can ever truly know about a person—especially one with a carefully curated public image. Jack is a fascinating, chilling character, while Emily provides a compelling counterpoint, navigating her own moral dilemmas.
What makes Burn After Reading stand out is its clever structure—Emily’s supposed “non-fictional” account adds an extra layer of intrigue, making the reader question what is fact and what is fiction. The tension builds with every chapter, leading to a conclusion that lingers long after the final page.
For fans of psychological thrillers that dissect power dynamics and media influence, Burn After Reading is an absolute must-read. It’s a sharp, unsettling, and deeply satisfying story that will leave you questioning how some always seem to get away with everything—even murder.
https://featzreviews.com/burn-after-r...
Burn After Reading is a gripping thriller that masterfully explores the blurred lines between truth and deception, justice and privilege. With an unreliable narrator at its core and a story that unfolds through layers of manipulation, this novel is an engrossing, thought-provoking read.
Jack Smyth has always insisted on his innocence in the brutal murder of his wife. However, stalked by suspicion, Jack is now determined to tell his version of events through a book deal. Enter Emily, a ghostwriter with her own secrets, who soon realizes that even in his own words, Jack is still hiding something. But when the interview process takes an unexpected turn, Emily finds herself unable to produce the book she was hired to write.
Ryan’s storytelling is razor-sharp, delivering a slow-burn suspense that keeps readers hooked from the first page. The novel plays with perception, questioning how much we can ever truly know about a person—especially one with a carefully curated public image. Jack is a fascinating, chilling character, while Emily provides a compelling counterpoint, navigating her own moral dilemmas.
What makes Burn After Reading stand out is its clever structure—Emily’s supposed “non-fictional” account adds an extra layer of intrigue, making the reader question what is fact and what is fiction. The tension builds with every chapter, leading to a conclusion that lingers long after the final page.
For fans of psychological thrillers that dissect power dynamics and media influence, Burn After Reading is an absolute must-read. It’s a sharp, unsettling, and deeply satisfying story that will leave you questioning how some always seem to get away with everything—even murder.
https://featzreviews.com/burn-after-r...
March 13, 2025
this was surprisingly good?? did not expect to be hooked as much! literally could not until the last 50 pages know who was the bad guy. it was so well done. all intertwined and mysterious and at some points even chilling. a lot of interesting sub-plots and ideas and important topics talked through the book. for any good crime fan, i’d recommend it!
November 25, 2024
*4-4.5*
I’m undivided on my rating for this one!!
CRH is one of my favourite authors so getting a copy this is the post was such a surreal moment!
Did I really enjoy the book overall? Yes I did but it is nothing like CRH other books. I can definitely see this being a marmite book for people but I really really glad I enjoyed it.
With CRH book you always expect the unexpected because her brain is just gifted so stripping that back I thought would have a bigger effect and make me not like it but over all I really really enjoyed it.
I buddy read this with one my bestie and she was a huge fan so this book is definitely going to be an interesting one to talk about and honestly would make the perfect book club book!!
I’m undivided on my rating for this one!!
CRH is one of my favourite authors so getting a copy this is the post was such a surreal moment!
Did I really enjoy the book overall? Yes I did but it is nothing like CRH other books. I can definitely see this being a marmite book for people but I really really glad I enjoyed it.
With CRH book you always expect the unexpected because her brain is just gifted so stripping that back I thought would have a bigger effect and make me not like it but over all I really really enjoyed it.
I buddy read this with one my bestie and she was a huge fan so this book is definitely going to be an interesting one to talk about and honestly would make the perfect book club book!!
July 22, 2025
3.25⭐️
August 20, 2025
Slow paced book with the suspension short lived from the start. Didn’t overly enjoy and was a struggle to finish.
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