In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
For eleven years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister — who she discovered in a pool of blood — and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda’s hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety.
But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister’s murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda’s memories — and her very sanity — are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
For eleven years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister — who she discovered in a pool of blood — and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda’s hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety.
But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister’s murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda’s memories — and her very sanity — are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
Published By | House of Anansi Press Inc — May 28, 2016 |
Specifications | 312 pages | 5.25 in x 8 in |
Keywords | murder; suspense; page turner; female protagonist; secret; deception; plot twists; mysterious; manipulation; lies; German; fast paced; crime; psychological; Black Mirror; Domestic Noir; isolation; haunting; fame; celebrity; unreliable narrator; Works in translation; Women writers; Shadow; BIPOC; family trauma; Couple Next Door; Cabin 10; Gone Girl; Gillian Flynn; Shari Lapena; Woman in the Window; Girl on the Train; Ruth Ware; Nicole Lundrigan; thriller; crime; mystery; |
Supporting Resources
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Excerpt |
Written By |
MELANIE RAABE is the internationally bestselling author of The Trap and The Stranger Upstairs. The Shadow, her third novel, spent eighteen weeks on the Der Spiegel bestseller list when it was published in 2018. She lives in Cologne, Germany. |
Written By |
MELANIE RAABE is the internationally bestselling author of The Trap and The Stranger Upstairs. The Shadow, her third novel, spent eighteen weeks on the Der Spiegel bestseller list when it was published in 2018. She lives in Cologne, Germany. |
“A page-turner with a plot that surprises . . . the storm that The Trap generates is as big as its charm.” —Die Welt (Germany)
“A smart and enthralling psychological thriller . . . splendidly entertaining.” —WDR (Germany)
“A fascinating psychological thriller.” —Bild (Germany)
“An extraordinary suspense novel.” —Für Sie (Germany)
“The Trap by Melanie Raabe enthralls with its unexpected twists and turns.” —Stern (Germany)
“A real literary phenomenon.” —Mía (Spain)
“This German journalist has come up with a superb psychological thriller with a storyline that will have you hooked. Not suitable for sensitive constitutions.” —AR (Spain)
“The Trap is a page-turner... It's clever, devious, and driven, and twists the reader inside out until it reaches a terrific ending. What a great start to a writing career for Melanie Raabe.” —Ian Hamilton, author of the Ava Lee novels
“You won’t be able to resist.” —Elle UK
“The Trap had me hooked from the start. Linda’s story unravels so cleverly, and Raabe keeps you questioning what’s fact and what’s not right to the end, ratcheting up the tension at the same time . . . A genuinely gripping debut: I had to keep reading until I was finished!” —Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You
“A fast twisty read for fans of Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn” —Booklist
“Suspenseful . . . taut storytelling.” —Publisher's Weekly
“Intricately constructed . . . nicely done twists and turns” —Kirkus
“...a clever, creepy and lively tale...” —Toronto Star
“This one has everything: intriguing characters, a great sense of place that grounds the action, and a devious and enthralling plot...a perfect by-the-lake book.” —Globe and Mail