Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard review

About The Book

Book: Buyer Beware
Author: Catherine Ryan Howard
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Bantam Books
Publication Date (UK): 16th July 2026

My Review

🔍Standout Read. Awarded to books I highly recommend.

The moment I discovered the inspiration behind this, I knew it would be a compelling read. The book explores the concept of “stigmatised properties” which is a term for houses that are home to a dark past often involving violent crimes. In the 2004 case of Sykes v Taylor-Rose, sellers of a house where a murder had once taken place answered no to “Is there any other information which you think the buyer may have a right to know?”. The buyers later sued after recognising their home on a true crime programme, but the court sided with the sellers. So Buyer Beware…

As an aside when searching about stigmatised houses, I realised we used to live a few streets away from this particular example!

The story unfolds across three timelines, told through the perspectives of three women: Ellie, Erin and Hannah.We meet Ellie in an undisclosed year, just after she’s purchased 1 Delaney Row. Erin’s timeline begins in 2000, when she was a student. Then we first meet Hannah in 2015 as a single, successful businesswoman. We switch between each woman as the story progresses.

We meet Ellie in an undisclosed year, just after she’s purchased 1 Delaney Row. Erin’s timeline begins in 2000, when she was a student. Then we first meet Hannah in 2015 as a single, successful businesswoman. We switch between each woman as the story progresses.After being added to the dreaded neighbourhood WhatsApp group*, Ellie receives an ominous message from a neighbour claiming they “pray the house is happy now, at long last”. Ellie is not offering much up about herself and keeping her own secrets… but now it seems the house may be harbouring its own too.

After being added to the dreaded neighbourhood WhatsApp group, Ellie receives an ominous message from a neighbour claiming they “pray the house is happy now, at long last”. Ellie is not offering much up about herself and keeping her own secrets… but now it seems the house may be harbouring its own too.

Buyer Beware had me hooked, I found it so hard to put down. I couldn’t wait to see how everything would intertwine, if it would, and to uncover the true history of the house. There was a small element I guessed, but it felt nicely seeded and a good reward as the rest absolutely kept me guessing! If you have read any of Ryan Howard’s previous thrillers then you will know you’re in for a treat.

This is one purchase you won’t regret exchanging contacts on this July.

Thank you to Bantam Books for the proof copy.