Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this excellent read.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started this I had not heard of this author before but wow am I glad I read the first chapter. That’s all it took and I was hooked into a suspenseful, twisty, turning ride I couldn’t get enough of.
The story is fast paced and I definitely stayed up too late reading wanting to know what happened next.

The story was quick, engrossing and interesting right up until the end. I was at the edge of my seat until the very end.
I will be reading the authors other books for sure!

4.5/5⭐️ rounded up

I don't usually like books that spend more time telling than letting be experience a story, but this had a very interesting premise that kept me reading. Too bad there was so much info-dumping and action happening off scene, or prior to the start of the story. Otherwise I probably would have given this five stars.

The title of this book intrigued me and after reading it I must say it did not disappoint. A tale of deceit,abandonment and friendship.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read dogboy v catfish. I am sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book. The characters and the plot were unbelievable and outlandish. Sorry

I liked this story, it was interesting even though I couldn't quite work out the mechanics of the scam. I'd like to know more about Dogboy but Catfish was a right piece of work.

<b>Not About Superheroes</b>
<i>Review of the Authors Upfront Kindle eBook edition (May 18, 2023)</i>

Despite the quirky title, this book is not about superheroes. It is about a battle between opposing forces though. The entrepreneur Lindsay Kramer is nicknamed Dogboy as they have been known as a “dog whisperer” since their youth. The story involves the aftermath of his marrying a Miss Australia beauty contest finalist and later social media influencer Katherine Kelly Fisher, nicknamed Catfish as a contraction of her name i.e. “Kat Fisher”.

Katherine Fisher shows up at a lawyer’s office to start divorce proceedings on Lindsay Kramer. The lawyer’s suspicions are aroused by the timing of exactly 18 months after the wedding (after which she is entitled to a substantial portion of the marriage assets) and the degree of advance financial research which she provides. At the same time, Lindsay Kramer disappears from a hotel where he had been staying on a business trip.

The book carries on with Katherine’s machinations to obtain Lindsay’s assets, only to find that he has anticipated her every move and has already made an advance countermove. Meanwhile, he himself may have committed suicide as he cannot seem to be located. The suspense ratchets up as further revelations occur, including the discovery of the suspicious death of Katherine’s first husband in Thailand. Might she have murdered both of her husbands?

I thoroughly enjoyed <i>Dogboy v Catfish</i> with its devilish game of a gold-digging influencer versus a husband on the run. Luke Gracias was a new name to me, and appears to have previously written horror books, but this lawyer / crime novel was extremely entertaining and even had a satisfying redemptive finale.

I read this Free Reading Copy of <i>Dogboy v Catfish</i> in eBook format thanks to the author Luke Gracias, the publisher Authors Upfront and the NetGalley website in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

I loved this book, loved the mystery and thriller element, it had my heart pounding at times and just couldn't put this book down it kept me hooked till the end.

A complex novel with a very interesting Title! I struggled about midway through the book trying to follow, the web of all the crimes. However I like a good challenge and am very pleased that I navigated the plot right through to the conclusion. I definitely would recommend reading Dogboy v Catfish.

I loved this book from start to finish! A great opening really hooked you in to the characters and story and I really enjoyed the way the suspense unfolded. Took a bit of concentration around the 'Endless Knot' bit to full understand what on earth was going on but some real laugh out loud moments as well, Ended as it should in my view. We all need a Dogboy in our lives!

My apologies to all those who gave glowing reviews to this book, but I didn't make it past the 20% mark.
The formatting was off (dialogue and exposition jumping from one character to another within the same paragraph makes for a difficult read) and the actual dialogue seemed to have come by way of a bad translation from another language. It was stilted, overly formal, and just didn't sound at all natural.
The character of Catherine (Catfish) was shallow, uninteresting, and one-dimensional. I notice others mentioned this as well. Dogboy might have been more interesting if I'd got to meet him.
I really wanted to read and enjoy this book. The blurb and premise were so promising. Unfortunately, life is too short to waste on books that aren't enjoyable.

Well this new novel from Luke Gracias is definitely different to his previous novels, The devils prayer & no light without shadow. I can't say I enjoyed it as much as his previous work, it has a very convoluted plot which has been well researched, but it seemed a bit 2 dimensional, most of the characters are not pleasant but then they are not meant to be and it did gave a very interesting insight into the Australian divorce laws, which seriously need changing. It would probably make a good tv series though.

An incident in September 1999, when Lindsay Kramer attends the University of Melbourne, explains why he is known as “Dogboy“. Remember, dogs are very good judges of character. In 2015, Melbourne boutique owner, Katherine Kelly Fisher, a.k.a. Catfish, wealthy, immaculate and beautiful meets with family lawyer, Freya Keogh. Katherine marries Dogboy/ Lindsey in 2013 but she believes he has cheated and she wants to get even. To say that Kat has thoroughly prepared for the meeting is an understatement and her eagerness has an adverse effect on Freya. Is Catfish well named? However, where is Lindsay? He’s gone missing from the Excelsior Sydney where he’s been staying. His case is investigated by Detective Stavropolous in Sydney and in Melbourne by Detectives Green and Finlay who soon discover that things are way more complicated than anyone foresees. The novel is into three parts – Greed versus Trust, Power vs Justice and Dogboy vs Catfish. It is fair to say that what starts out in one place, ie divorce proceedings ends up some place entirely different.

I really like the way that Luke Gracias tells this complex and well thought out story as it has a kind of documentary feel to it which works really well and makes it easy to read. It seems to give a gravitas to the plot which gets deeper and murkier with the mystery of both key players intensifying so provides an authenticity which is more than can be said of one character in particular. Right from the start Catfish gives off the wrong vibes and if ever there’s a character I want bad things to happen to, it’s her! She gives a whole new spin on manipulation. She is all too easy to picture and though Dogboy is central to what unfolds he isn’t present much but you definitely feel as if he is.

The fast paced, ever evolving plot takes the reader into the shadowy and dangerous world of the massively lucrative counterfeit designer goods industry and once that ‘bump in the road’ is established the danger levels rise and plot tentacles spread wide. It’s a very intriguing and well thought out plot that has exciting twists. It’s entertaining, engaging and enthralling with tension and suspense.

Overall, an enjoyable rollercoaster of a read.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publisher for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Did not finish. Not my style of writing. Overly descriptive that doesn’t seem to move the story along / be important details to know.

As a big Jeffrey Archer fan I felt this book for me had certain similarities to the plots of an Archer novel. It's twists and turns keep you guessing and gripped. Although set in Australia that is not a great impact on the story. The counterfeit goods smuggling, money laundering and suggested suicide all feature heavily. An enjoyable book read in a day. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this published book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I give this book a solid 5 star review
When I first started this book I thought it was kinda hokey. But as I got into it it was nothing of the sort. Suspense, crime, twist a book that you don’t wanna put down. A story of crime so intertwined it holds you to it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ebook. A complex novel. A murder mystery, a police procedural and a legal thriller all wrapped together to keep you involved right to the end. A novel that deals with love and hate, friendships and marriage, crime and punishment, and life and death. Great read!

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley, and Authors Upfront.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A planned future ahead is destroyed by a missing husband become a case of possible murder. Is her husband missing or dead as things take a possible turn as his mob connections come to life.

She is stuck in a whirlwind as his assets is frozen until things are sorted out. A gripping read that will keep you glued.

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************

On the day of her second wedding, Katherine Fisher, aka 'Catfish' set the date for her divorce. In precisely 18 months, she would be entitled to half of their combined assets and receive maintenance payments until her five-year-old daughter, Emma, turns 18. Just as Catfish is about to take her husband, Lindsay 'Dogboy' Kramer (a successful businessman and dog whisperer) to the cleaners, he goes missing.

The police investigation into Dogboy's disappearance leads them into the dark world of counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling. With Dogboy's assets frozen and the mob protecting their interests, the missing person's case escalates to homicide. Catfish is in a race against time to get hold of Dogboy's assets before the police get hold of her.

One question remains - is Dogboy dead or alive?

First off, I love the cover ... adore the cover. Exalt the cover ... it is so clever on so many levels. The book is a thrill ride and suspenseful and worth staying up way past your bedtime to finish. Be careful what you wish for...but pick up this book with abandon and recommend it to all your friends and family to read next summer on the beach!

#shortbutsweetreviews

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book!

The title was intriguing, but when I started reading it, I could not put it down. I had to read it twice that's how much I loved it. I have never really tried reading a legal thriller before, but I may have to change that after reading this.

Katherine “Catfish” Fisher gets married to Lindsay “Dogboy” Kramer, a wealthy businessman not long after her first husband committed suicide. She marks the date 18 months from her wedding date as Australian law entitled women to half their combined assets and maintenance payments until her 5 year old daughter turns 18. But just as Catfish was about to set her plan into action, Dogboy goes missing.

While the police look into Dogboy's disappearance, the investigation takes multiple shocking twists.

The book is split in three parts:
* Greed v Trust
* Power v Justice
* Dogboy v Catfish

This is the first book I have read by Luke Gracias and I am officially a fan! While some aspects I could kind of see where its going, it was written so well that I didn't even think about that. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives of what was occurring during the book. Catfish truly is the most awful character her actions are all powered by greed and yet you can't help but wonder what is going to happen to her.

Please read this book!!

Wow! What a story! From the very first chapter I was sucked in. And, even though the main character, Lindsay Kramer, goes missing almost right away, his presence is evident on every page. The search for Kramer leads into the labyrinth of drugs, money laundering, and fake designer goods from Australia to Bangkok.. I would highly recommend this book!