Rewind

Irish Instagram star Natalie O'Connor leaves home in Dublin abruptly to go to a cottage in remote Shanamore, posting to her more than 100,000 followers that she's taking some time for herself. Her husband, Mike Kerr, isn't worried at first, but, after days with no communication, he alerts authorities. Reporter Audrey Coughlan is asked to do a piece on Natalie's disappearance, and she runs with the story, hoping to be upgraded from her entertainment beat to a reporting slot, pursuing leads even after being told to stop. Why Natalie took off and what happened to her next are revealed gradually, along with details about two creepy men in Shanamore: Andrew Gallagher, manager of the cottages where Natalie was staying, and Richard Flynn, posing as a handyman, both of them with secrets they want to remain hidden. Howard, author of The Liar's Girl (2018), labels her chapters Play, Pause, Fast Forward, and Rewind, as the chronology shifts, a structure that becomes more disconcerting than helpful. That aside, this is an involving tale of obsession, blackmail, and murder, and Howard remains a writer whom thriller fans should check out.--Michele Leber Copyright 2010 Booklist

Set in Ireland, this captivating thriller from Edgar finalist Howard (The Liar's Girl) tracks several people whose lives collide with deadly results. Dubliner Natalie O'Connor Kerr, a blogger, suspects her husband, Mike Kerr, of having an affair, which he denies. Natalie sets off for a holiday hotel near Cork, Shanamore Cottages, where she has reason to believe Mike's trysts occur, leaving a note on her blog saying she's taking a few days off. Her friends start to worry when a week passes and no one hears from her. Dublin journalist Audrey, who works for an online gossip magazine, figures out that Natalie went to Shanamore and travels there herself. That Shanamore's owner has shameful secrets and a dark past complicates Audrey's quest. Meanwhile, Mike's having spent a night at a small Dublin hotel when his apartment had no hot water has unforeseen consequences. The suspense rises when it becomes clear that a mystery woman has been following Natalie. Astute readers will have fun picking up clues as to what's really going on. Fans of expertly crafted whodunits will be rewarded. Agent: Jane Gregory, Gregory & Company (U.K.). (Sept.)