What is this about?
The Nothing Man is a hit true crime novel causing ripples in Cork, in Ireland, and for Jim Doyle in particular it’s a shock to see that name on a cover, because he is The Nothing Man. And he needs to know what Eve Black, the author and The Girl Who Survived his last killing spree, has put in the book.
What else is this about?
This is a genuinely atmospheric and creepy novel that takes you into the mind of a serial killer as he reads a true crime book. The beauty of Catherine Ryan Howard’s writing is that even though Jim is reading a book about his exploits, the author imbues those true crime events (that book) with such detail that I forgot I was reading a book about a book. So to speak.
Blurb
I was the girl who survived the Nothing Man.
Now I am the woman who is going to catch him…You’ve just read the opening pages of The Nothing Man, the true crime memoir Eve Black has written about her obsessive search for the man who killed her family nearly two decades ago.
Supermarket security guard Jim Doyle is reading it too, and with each turn of the page his rage grows. Because Jim was – is – the Nothing Man.
The more Jim reads, the more he realizes how dangerously close Eve is getting to the truth. He knows she won’t give up until she finds him. He has no choice but to stop her first..
Oh boy, The Nothing Man is nothing like I thought it would be — and that is a testament to Catherine Ryan Howard’s superb writing.
So, when I started, I didn’t expect it to be in essence, me reading a book about a man reading a book about a true crime — and he just happens to be the subject of that true crime book — he’s The Nothing Man.
I need to find every one of Catherine Ryan Howard’s books
Yup, The Nothing Man is from the POV of our killer. We know exactly who he is, and Ryan Howard takes readers into the warped world of a man who is nothing if he’s not putting someone else down, or exerting what little power he has over the people around him — his wife, his daughter and the public that visit the supermarket where he now works as a guard.
Ryan Howard’s characterisation of Jim, and of Eve through her writing is powerful stuff. Jim is a misogynist, powerful once as The Nothing Man before he stopped killing and now he’s trapped in a powerless life.
Through Eve’s writing — and I know this sounds weird, but I honestly felt like I knew Eve, though until the end, I only knew her through Jim’s eyes.
Ryan Howard weaves these two characters together — in the past and the present drawing a picture of the terror Jim wrought in Cork all those years ago, and the consequences for Eve.
Who is Eve Black?
As important as Jim Doyle is to the story, he would not have worked in this book if we didn’t have Eve Black’s voice as well.
That Ryan Howard manages to give Eve a presence in this book, as Jim reads her novel, is a testament to just how damned good a writer she is.
By the time the book was over, readers knew how she survived, we know what she went through in the days and years after her family was killed. Readers are also aware that she has never come to terms with the fact that she survived.
We know the she was depressed, and how she unexpectedly found some sort of release in writing. Readers learn how she came to write the book, how she found herself working with Ed Healy, a cop who has worked the Nothing Man case decades.
It’s no easy feat to make Eve feel as present as she is in the book, while Jim is in present time, reading her book. And even more impressive, is that Howard makes even the most minor of characters complex, and compelling.
Honestly, this is one of those books that makes me go WOW because the characterisation is beyond insanely good, wrapped around a premise that could very easily not have worked.
Seriously guys, READ THIS.
What a lovely twisty take on a whodunit! I’ve seen this one on several other blogs and I hope you really enjoy it:)).
It is an exceptional read. Hands down one of the best this year for me!
How did I miss this one? I will be looking for it now.
You will LOVE this!
I watched an interview with the author a few weeks ago and have been meaning to get my hands on a copy. Now I absolutely MUST read this!
It is brilliant, it really is. I adored this. And I totally need to read more of her books!
What an insanely unique premise!
I love how unique this is and that it’s so well executed. Definitely adding this one to my TBR!
It’s brilliant. Brilliant!! Howard is a seriously impressive author!
I thought this author sounded familiar when I started reading your review! Turns out I read her book Distress Signals a few years back. I’m so glad to hear this was good!
I so need to read more of her work!
Damn… I really want this book now. It sounds amazing so I’m gonna put it on my wishlist right away!
It is sooooooooo good!, I can’t even tell you!!
Love the twist of a killer reading a book about himself. Can’t wait to read this one!
It is so impressive AND she managed to surprise me in the end by how complex her secondary characters are!
I got curious the moment I read this book is from the killer’s POV, and if you say this is utterly creepy and captivating, then I’m sure it deserves a go!
It totally is!! And that it’s from the killer’s POV just blew me away!
Ohhhh I need a copy of this one! I can imagine for victims of horrific crimes, writing about your experience is probably a cathartic release and a path to healing but to imagine your tormentor is still out in the public, probably living a mediocre and normal life while reading your account of the crime they committed, this is absolutely chilling. There is absolutely no chance I’ll be reading this one before bed but going to grab a Kindle copy on Amazon and read during daylight hours. I’m hooked already. Brilliant review Verushka, looking forward to seeing what you think of the authors other titles as well.
This is so impressive, Kelly, it really is. The author has managed to convey Eve’s PTSD and struggle to get her footing for years after. And all the while, we’re seeing Jim dismiss all of that, and show how cold blooded he is. The most unexpected thing though, is how complex Howard manages to make even the most minor of characters. It is fantastic,
Wow! I never would have picked this up on my own, but this is a book I can’t wait to get my hands on this to read. Sounds so different and scary. Thank so much for the recommendation! I just checked the online at the library and it’s not there yet, but I did order Rewind while I wait. Thanks again! Hugs, RO