Perfect from start to finish, from cover to cover, this book will likely be my favorite for the year. The plot is highly original supported by subplots that are just as interesting. The characters are well drawn and neatly balanced with good and evil people. I found this a real page turner and highly recommend it it, as't kept me reading until 3 AM and I read the last word.
Dog Boy and Catfish are the nicknames for the two main characters, Lindsay and Katherine, an unlikely married couple whose union is on the rocks. Lindsay is is a kind, very successful entrepreneur who has amassed quite a fortune and his mysterious disappearance in Melbourne, Australia where they live attracts a lot of attention. Katherine meanwhile, a greedy and manipulating ex-beauty queen owns and operates a boutique that specializes in high-end clothing and accessories, and as the two detectors assigned to her husband's missing persons case discover, most of her clients seem to be local criminals involved in drugs, gunrunning, and money laundering. Is this a coincidence? Or is her husband's mysterious disappearance somehow related to these three intertwining snake like occupations? Each sub plot seems to twine around the other, as the author pulls willing and entranced readers through each page and incident, making sure to explain the intricacies and fine lines laws of Australia's legal system, from selling fake accessories to there somewhat unbalance way divorcing partnered are treated. . The writing is clear and no stone is left unturned as we flip the pages quickly, eager to discover where a plot will end. The resolution is also clear with a few surprises here and there among the characters who show bonds of friendship, honesty, and integrity. There's a lot to learn in this interesting novel which explains a lot about the value of a knock off item and why it could be so valuable in the retail market and why manufactures help track them down. Perhaps there is also a message about genuine friendships compared to Fairweather, fraudulent friends friends.

After reading the synopsis of this story, I thought it sounded really good but I wasn't sure as I hadn't read a book by this author before. I needn't have worried! It was a fantastic plot, with lots of research done, giving me a fascinating time reading about a marriage break up with money laundering, drugs, fake designer items and a man who could control dogs!!!. It was action packed!.
The characters were so real that I could see them in my mind's eye! I was telling them off, laughing out loud at some of the antics described as the case carried on. I was all in!!
If this sounds like your cup of tea, I would buy it!!
Many thanks for the arc copy via Netgalley from Luke Gracias.
#Netgalley, #author_luke_gracias.

Melbourne financial tech wizard millionaire Lindsay Kramer got the nickname ‘Dogboy’ because of his amazing affinity for attracting and communicating with dogs. A quiet, unassuming millionaire he meets ex beauty queen and social influencer Katherine ‘Catfish’ Fisher when she rents a shop from him for her high-end fashion shop. A young widow left with a child, when her husband committed suicide in Thailand, she sees an opportunity and it’s not long before she’s moved in with and then married the smitten Lindsay. Eighteen months on she’s preparing to file for divorce so she can get her hands on the bulk of Lindsay’s fortune in the settlement, but is thwarted when he disappears while on a business trip. Now he’s a missing person she’ll have to wait 90 days to get power of attorney over his bank account and seven years before he can be declared dead and his will read.

This is such a fun, clever, suspenseful thriller, full of twists. Catfish is smart and devious and likes to think she’s pulling all the strings, utilising her social media profile to garner public sympathy. But Dogboy is even smarter and has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. As the police investigate his disappearance, they begin to focus more and more on Catfish and the disappearance of her previous husband and soon a lot of red flags are being raised. As they dig deeper, the suspense rises as the fast-paced plot reveals a clever international crime ring but have to work out how it operates so smoothly. An excellent page turner that will keep you reading just one more chapter.

Dogboy V Catfish by Luke Gracias is a captivating literary journey full of suspense and intrigue that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The well developed plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, making Gracias storytelling masterful. The characters are meticulously crafted, each with their own layers and motivations, making the story feel incredibly real. The title and the book cover made me want to read this intriguing thriller encompassing drug dealing, homicide & money laundering. The story is set in Australia and covers a topic very much in the media right now "Seven out of nine suicides in Australia are men" The female protagonist in the book, Katherine Fisher AKA Catfish, decides to divorce her husband Lindsay Kramer AKA Dogboy, one day exactly after 18 months of marriage. This book is a real page turner making it a must-read for those who crave originality and creativity in their literary adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley for an APC copy to review. I look forward to reading more from this author.

<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.

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!

I thank NetGalley and the author for providing me an ARC copy of the novel which I freely chose to review.
I have read Luke Gracias’s previous novels, full of adventures, mysterious documents, and threats to humanity, and I was intrigued when I heard about his new one, especially as it promised to be a totally different kind of story. And it is, although, like the previous ones, it is not easy to categorise.
The novel is divided into three parts: Part 1 (Greed v Trust), Part 2 (Power v Justice), and Part 3 (Dogboy v Catfish). After a brief introduction to one of the main characters (Lindsay Kramer, the ‘Dogboy’ of the title) through the narrative of an episode involving him and some of his friends that took place when they were university students in Melbourne —where we also meet some of the other characters who play a part in the story and discover the reason for his nickname—, we move on to the mystery which drives the novel: a man, Lindsay Kramer has gone missing. OK, so this is a missing person story, you’ll think. And you’d be right. But it is much more. Throughout the book, we get to learn about Dogboy’s relationship with his wife, Katherine Fisher (known as ‘Catfish’, for reasons you’ll learn if you read the book), the ups and downs of that relationship, the dubious reasons for Catfish’s marriage to Kramer, her manoeuvring to get hold of his many assets (he is a very rich man) soon after his disappearance, and how that raises suspicions from everybody she gets in contact with. She milks the social media attention and sympathy, trying to get what she wants without having to wait the requisite time required by Australian law. There are parts of the novel that read like domestic noir, and Catfish is a fascinating character with a great capacity for reading people and exploiting their weaknesses.
Other parts of the novel focus more on the investigation by the police, who are trying to locate the missing businessman, and the readers get to follow Detective Finlay and Inspector Green, who soon discover that matters are much more complicated than they seemed at first sight. Initially, the disappearance pointed to a possible suicide, but the death of Catfish’s first husband in Thailand made them start to unravel a complex web of deceit, crime, and murder. The amount of detail about their investigation, the difficulties they find at every turn, and the many people they have to follow, interrogate, and collaborate with turns this part of the book into a police procedural novel, and one that is gripping and fascinating. Like most people, I have come across counterfeit luxury goods (mostly pretty bad fakes), but I never gave much thought to the huge industry behind that, the money it moves, or where this money comes from. Here, the complex net involves also money laundering and drug smuggling, and the factual information and the sheer amount of research evident when reading the novel are staggering. I am sure readers of police procedural novels, especially those interested in complex and twisted plots and unconventional crimes will have a great time reading this novel.
There is an actual trial as well (I am trying not to give too much of the plot away) but it does not occupy a big part of the book, and it is fairly slim in details.
The book, which is written in the third person, is told from different points of view: sometimes one of Dogboy’s childhood friends, sometimes the police, sometimes Catfish, and some of the other characters, although we hardly ever see or hear anything directly from Dogboy, other than through documents or statements he has left behind. He is a bit like Laura from the movie of the same name by Otto Preminger: Laura goes missing and the rest of the characters give their versions of her, which say more about each character than about the real Laura. The writing is functional and serves the story well, with plenty of detail to help readers understand the nature of the crimes (and once we get to see how it all works, we also appreciate the significance and the symbology behind the cover), but not so excessive that it slows the story down.
The novel talks about love, greed, crime (counterfeit designer goods, drug smuggling, and money laundering), manipulation, legal and illegal pursuits, loyalty, friendship, success, media use, and abuse. Its ending is satisfying, and it works especially well for readers who prefer not to have any loose ends or any questions left hanging when they close a book. Everything is explained, and I think most readers will be happy when they get to the end.
Would I change anything? This is a book that focuses mostly on the plot, which, as I said, is complex. There are plenty of twists and turns and quite a few surprises along the way. There are many adventures in a variety of locations (in Australia, Thailand, Portugal...) and a lot of things take place in this novel, but I missed learning more about the protagonists. Although we spend a lot of time investigating Catfish and her actions, there are only brief snippets of what she actually thinks or how she feels, and the same (but to a greater extent) applies to Dogboy Kramer. Although the rest of the characters play smaller parts, we learn very little about them as well, even those we spend a fair amount of time with (like Green and Finlay). Such a complex story and the planning involved made me curious to learn more about the people behind it, but that would probably have slowed it down, and turned it into a different kind of narrative.
A great story, complex, full of fascinating detail about counterfeit designer goods and the illegal activity behind them (a mind-boggling world), and some of the most manipulative and memorable characters I’ve come across in a while. Unmissable for those who love unusual police procedural novels with a twist or two.

Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliantly written thriller full of mystery and suspense. Gripping and a must read.

one of the best books I have read lately. it was different and for some reason just impressed the hell out of me.

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.

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!!

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 so much NetGalley, for my advanced reader copy and the opportunity to review Dogboy versus Catfish by Luke Gracias, I was drawn to this book by the cover and title, this is the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed the story, it’s twists and turns, delving into the seedier side of town nestled in amongst the glitz and glamour of Catfish Kelly's exclusive designer handbags.
From money laundering, drug dealers, sparkling diamonds, the markets of Bangkok, Gracias's web of deceit and wheeling and dealing heats up amongst shots being fired, with bullets ricocheting off the tree’s at close range.

Katherine thinks she's smart, so much smarter than Lindsay, as the saying goes ‘dogs are such good judges of character’ –
let the dogs decide 🐶

Lindsay Kramer, Dogboy, was a very successful entrepreneur in Australia. He made the mistake of becoming the second husband of Katherine Fisher, Catfish. Her first husband died in Thailand and was suspected of being a suicide. One day, Lindsay disappears. Katherine, being Katherine, immediately starts proceedings to attempt to gain his estate. The story is about her attempts to gain everything as his grieving wife and the Australian Police along with his friends attempting to prevent her from doing this and hopefully locating Lindsay. It deals with money laundering, fabricated designer goods, drugs, criminals of all kinds and a very successful finale that, if one did this for a novel, deserves applause. Thanks to Net Galley and the Author for an ARC for an honest review.

When Lindsay Kramer - Dogboy married Kath Fisher - Catfish, he married for love but she married with an eye on his fortune. That is the premise of the book but as the story unwinds you find that it is much more than that. A very interesting tale set in Australia concerning counterfeit goods, drugs and the criminal underworld. The solid police investigations uncover surprises and twists at every turn.
Thank you to NetGalley and Luke Gracias for the chance to read this book.

This was a very unusual police procedural book full of details about counterfeit goods and illegal activities with a twist or two thrown in for good measure. A completely different read from the usual books by this author, I absolutely loved every page. Thanks to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book.

Very enjoyable read. Two very clever minds at work, one conniving, the other astute. Mix them with lawyers, detectives, and a cast of criminals, the web is spun. Exploiting Australian family law rarely figures in crime & mystery thrillers but is masterfully laid out in this tale.

‘Each time she approached the glass panel doors Katherine admired her reflection.’

Meet Katherine Kelly Fisher, known as ‘Catfish’. Lindsay Kramer, known as ‘Dogboy’ is her second husband. Dogboy is Catfish’s second husband: her first husband, and father of her daughter Emma, apparently took his own life in Bangkok. Not long after, Catfish married the wealthy and reclusive Dogboy. And, on the day they married, she set the date for their divorce. Catfish was aware that after eighteen months of marriage she could claim half of their combined assets and receive maintenance payments until her daughter turned eighteen.

We first meet Catfish at a family law firm in Melbourne, Australia where she is seeking to initiate her separation from Dogboy. Alas, sadly for Catfish, Freya Keogh ultimately declines to take her case. And then Dogboy goes missing.

The police start investigating Dogboy’s disappearance and Catfish tries hard (using social media and various contacts) to get her hands on Dogboy’s assets.

What an awful person Catfish is! I nearly didn’t read this novel because of the title, but once I started, I found it hard to put down. The police investigation into Dogboy’s disappearance takes them to Bangkok where they find the circumstances surrounding the death of Catfish’s first husband are suspicious. But how is Catfish involved and where is Dogboy? A missing person case becomes far more complex when the police uncover connections between counterfeit designer goods, money laundering and drug smuggling.

The novel is divided into three parts: Greed v Trust; Power v Justice; and Dogboy v Catfish. There are more than a few twists in this story, and I would hate to spoil the read for those yet to undertake it. A complex plot which is an intriguing blend of thriller and police procedural with plenty of suspense and more than a little intrigue.

‘All you need is the head of one snake and the endless knot will unravel.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Lindsey Cramer is a money magnet genius. He has always had that sixth sense on how to invest and make his money work for him. However, there is another ability he is known for by his close friends and that is his exceptional almost supernatural ability to attract dogs to him regardless of who their masters are. To his close friends he has always been called Dogboy. When Dogboy got married to Kath Fisher people thought they had the perfect marriage, but not everything is as it seems.
Dogboy seems to be missing and Kath seems to be trying to find him. But does Kath have a secret? Is Dogboy really dead and not just missing? Does Kath have something to do with it?

This story stirred up every emotion I had. The author meticulously leads you throughout with a lot of twists and turns plus the characters are very realistic.
Have always enjoyed this author's writing style as well as his choice of topics. Very much recommend!!!
Got this through Netgalley but the review is all mine.

Dogboy Vs Catfish, set in Australia on the themes of gold digging partners and money scams. It was an interesting story with a backdrop of money laundering schemes spread around the globe. The story in the midst of it all that of Dogboy and Catfish was almost surreal in the midst of a global scam/ Con.

247 pages

4 stars

This novel is a great high tension ride!

Katherine “Catfish” Fisher marries wealthy Lindsay “Dogboy” Kramer soon after the suicide of her first husband. On her wedding day, she marks exactly eighteen months until she can file for divorce. For in Australia, a marriage dissolved after eighteen months entitles the woman to sixty-six percent of the husband’s assets.

Dogboy is a relatively shy, but very shrewd businessman.

Just days before Catfish launches her plan, Dogboy goes missing.

Enter the police. They are suspicious of Catfish. Catfish goes on the offensive. She turns to social media lambasting the police and the two honest attorneys (friends of Lindsay’s), the police have interviewed. Catfish is manipulative, abrasive and entitled.

When the police officers travel to Thailand to investigate the “suicide” of Catfish’s first husband, they uncover a plethora of sins and crimes.

Catfish is relentless in her attempts to get her hands on Dogboy’s assets. Remember, Dogboy is/was a smart businessman.

This book is a thrill ride. I found myself hoping that Catfish would reach a dead end no matter what she tried. I was rooting for Dogboy, wherever he was. Mr. Gracias is an excellent writer. His characters are real and believable. I truly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. I was, however, disappointed by the ending. As acquisitive as Catfish was, I very much doubt that she would be as “generous” as she was at the end of the book. Narcissists do not change.

I want to thank NetGalley and author Luke Gracias for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

An addictive page-turner of domestic drama and crime fiction.

Lindsay Kramer (AKA Dogboy) is the second husband of Katherine (Catfish) Fisher. Kath's first husband, and the father of her daughter, Emma, had died in Bangkok, but she found and married the wealthy Lindsay shortly after. Now after 18 months of marriage, and well versed in Australian law, Katherine visits a family law specialist to initiate a separation. Kath's behavior in the attorney's office is so unpleasant that Freya Keogh, wary and suspicious, ultimately declines to pursue the case. It's then that Lindsay goes missing.

This conniving woman is not the mourning wife that she pretends to be on social media. She's got her fingers in a lot of, shall we say, illegal business interests. But, thinking she is much smarter than the police, she attempts to carry on her activities involving drugs, money laundering, and counterfeit designer goods. She leads all on a merry chase with the big question always there -- where is Lindsay?

This was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Found it hard to put down as I wanted to see how this would all end. So different to this author's previous two books, I was a bit nervous about reading this one since I had really loved the others. No worries. The characters were great, and it was easy to root for the good guys all the while wondering how Australia can have what seems to be terribly unjust divorce and property laws. The details about the scam were intricate and extremely interesting and the reader can tell that the author did a lot of research as always. I liked the writing style and the clever plot. Enjoy!

I definitely recommend this one!

Well that was a little bit different! It was a good book but definitely different than anything I've really read! It had light suspense, intrigue, action, murder, revenge, gas lighting , great police work and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I will recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! It wasn't one of my top favorites but it was still a very interesting story and an enjoyable read! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The book is so unpredictable and twisted. People have facades and hidden truths are buried beneath lies & deception . I didn’t read this book in one reading due to thorough investigation that turned into homicidal investigation and psychological suspense. There were different perspectives of people that kept me glued and made me even more curious to figure the mystery of disappearance of Lindsay and her wife trying to acquire his assets. Yet it’s more twisted than you think it is.

Before the disappearance of Lindsay, Katherine wanted to separate from her husband. Lindsay Kramer goes missing and his wife files a complaint to police of his missing, she approaches lawyers as well and the government but her activities comes under suspicion and she comes at a point where she becomes the primary suspect. She gets tangled in the web of suspicion, crime and money laundering. But if anything happens to her, who will take care of her daughter, Emma? What if no will be able to find Lindsay?

There were so many unsolved puzzles embedded in the book. The Will Lindsay made, money, assets, private detective’s mystery, husband and wife’s personal life, Katherine’s ex-husband death, and disappearance of Lindsay. The ending was so twisted and unpredictable.

I could able to figure out forty percent things. But when the complete truth came in light, it trembled me. It’s a real page turner, you will find yourself engulfed in deception, mystery, suspense and crime. The twists will keep you at edge

🔍
•Mysterious Disappearance
•Mystery, Crime & Suspense
•Twists and Turns
•Police Investigation
•Homicide Investigation
•Multiple Crimes
•Psychological Aspects

Thank you Netgalley, Author and Publisher

Lindsay ""Dogboy" was a gentle soul with an affinity for dogs. Honestly, don't think Katherine had a single redeeming quality. It was a well written story, and Lindsay's friends were interesting and loyal. The story had many twists and turns, suspense and mystery. I had to keep reading to figure out the disappearance of Lindsay.

This is completely different to the previous books by this author. This is a thriller suspense with lots of twists and turns.

Lindsey aka dogboy is married to Katherine who has a large following on the social media. She appears to be heartbroken, but has ulterior motives. It's innovative with the most unusual and interesting plot.

The plot thickens as the story develops. Where is Lindsey? It's very intricate and slowly the police begins to solve the puzzle. Except there is a couple of more twists. It's very clever and well relayed. It keeps you in suspense until right to the end. It's a most enjoyable read I received a free ARC from the author for an honest review.

When introverted fintech entrepreneur Lindsay 'Dogboy' Kramer marries beauty queen Katherine Fisher (Catfish), he marries her for 'love.' She however marries him with an eye towards making it through 18 months so she can take him for most of what he is worth in divorce. She is preparing for just that, seeing a lawyer with financial statements, when Lindsay disappears.

When Melbourne detectives investigate the disappearance, they begin looking closely at Kath and her high-end designer goods business. She retaliates with posts on her popular Instagram page, garnering sympathy. But something seems off with her business so the police keep digging.

Meanwhile, Kath is still after her husband's money but Lindsay's best friend, Michael, a lawyer, does everything he legally can to thwart her. Will she have to wait for seven years until Lindsay is officially declared dead? Will she finally get what she deserves?

This suspenseful thriller is a departure from Gracias' previous two books and quite fun and exciting. Many thanks to the author for providing a free copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I don't usually read this genre of book, however I found it interesting and clever enough to want to finish it.

The character construction was good enough that I really didn't like Katherine at all and was hoping for her comeuppance.

There were sections of the book where I wasn't able to second guess what was happening or going to happen. I did guess somewhat about the ending, but only a little.

So if you want a mystery then certainly take this book up and read it, you won't be disappointed.

What a complete change of direction from the previous two books!! This deals with scams within the high end fashion industry and involves a gold digging female and a man who loves and understands dogs.
Dogboy is a nickname given to Lindsay Kramer whilst at University, he had a reputation for always showing great affection to stray dogs, a sort of dog whisperer. Catfish is the name his wife is known as, Katherine Kelly Fisher, a boutique owner and a social influencer.
After eighteen months of marriage, Katherine wants to sue for divorce. This is where all the fun and scheming starts which amazes and disillusions in equal parts.
Most people will root for Dogboy, he married for love and followed his heart. He made money to support his wife and step daughter, and was always loyal to his oldest friends. He is a character you really care about, a person you want to hold and reassure, he is worthy of so much more than the hand he has been dealt.
Catfish deserves all she gets, it is slightly unsettling that such deception and scheming go hand in hand with cold heartedly marrying for money, but both parties are calculating, ruthless in business dealings, yet one seems more deserving in the end.
The research is phenomenal and I have learnt so much about the high end fashion industry, and it doesn’t cover itself in glory.
The tension in this novel is really ramped up, it was so realistic, cunning and so emotional, the pace leaves one breathless in so many ways!
Absolutely intriguing and deeply engrossing story, real seat of the pants action, a real page turning thriller! A five star read , no doubt about it, and what a film this would make! Anybody who loves dogs, cannot be all bad.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, AuthorsUpFront for my digital copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review.
I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK.

This book is action packed, fast paced, giving moments of tension and anxiety. Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias is one such book that is sure to give that thrill and suspense that is expected from a thriller.
The aspect that I liked less was the informative way that the author used to talk about the laws and the divorce procedures. Taken that out it is am amazing thriller.

#dogboyvcatfish, #LukeGracias, #netgalley, #thriller

I came across Luke Gracias as an author, back in 2016, with his first book, The Devil’s Prayer. That was a really good story and I would recommend that to anyone who has not read this, or indeed his follow up book, No Shadow Without Light. Although Dogboy v Catfish is a completely different tale, this is another book I would recommend. We first meet Dogboy with a group of friends from the University of Melbourne under his real name of Lindsay Kramer. He gets his nickname because of his amazing control over dogs, even those he has never seen before. This skill comes to fruition when he and the group of friends are attached by a bunch of thugs, who are themselves attacked and chased away by a pack of dogs that arrive out of nowhere to support Dogboy and his friends. Years later we find Lindsay married to Katherine Fisher, another character with a nickname. For her it is Catfish, from the shortening of her name. By now a very wealthy man, Lindsay had offered to set up Katherine with her own luxury good shops in a building he already owned. We then learn that Katherine’s first husband had died in mysterious circumstances whilst on a business trip to Bangkok. We come back to that mystery later. The next thing that really gets the main story line started is about 18 months into Katherine’s second marriage, when she gets in touch with a divorce specialist (who happened to be one of the old group of Lindsay’s Melbourne University friends from years ago). Katherine’s claim was that Lindsay had been cheating on her and she was therefore after a huge divorce settlement from this very wealthy man. As the story line develops further, we learn that the innocent Lindsay had already recognised that Katherine was very much a gold digger, whom he had found had been spending his money outrageously. Lindsay then makes his own move by disappearing, thus preventing Katherine from getting access to any of his assets until he is declared dead (which could be after a considerable number of years). The story then settles down with attempts by the police to find Lindsay. The police then find out that Lindsay had already hired a private investigator to track down what had happened to Katherine’s first husband in Bangkok and they make good use of this information. Luke Gracias now shows his attention to detail, as it emerges that Katherine had been involved in the sale of high-level counterfeit goods, through her shop, and had connections with money laundering and drug dealing too, and Luke shows us in detail how this all works. I have probably revealed too much of the story line already, for which I apologise, but I can assure you that the overall story has much more to come (including the later use of Dogboy’s skill with dogs) and much much more to enjoy. All in all, I found this a fascinating story in a book in which I always wanted to read the next chapter to find out what was happening. Many thanks go to Net Galley for providing me a copy of this book for review.

Dogboy vs Catfish by Luke Gracias. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this mystery.
Dogboy and Catffish get married and after just eighteen months, just as Catfish is preparing to file for divorce, Dogboy disappears.
Catfish is caught scurrying to get her hands on the money, not a simple thing when your husband is a missing person.
The police follow the trail and discover a murky world of counterfeit goods, drugs and money laundering. But just who is responsible and is Dogboy dead?
Lots of twists and turns and speculation keep this rolling along nicely and will keep readers intrigued.

Thanks for providing a free copy of this for me to read and review.

Very enjoyable, well written, intriguing and gripping.

I'm not going to tell you all about the story as too many previous reviews have already done that but if you like a good mystery/thriller and a story you'll want to keep reading then get this.

It certainly kept me up late to reach the conclusion.

This was a really great riddle to solve. Kept me focused the whole way through. Somer well described characters and a storyline that said true the whole way to the end. I loved the conclusion.

I enjoyed reading this short book. I felt quite emotional upon reading the author’s note at the end as to what inspired the story. I am so glad that the author was there for his friend, Dogboy when he received the call on that fateful night. I do not agree with the author’s view that the Family Court in Australia is heavily weighted toward women. I say this as someone who’s seen so many women lose badly and being left destitute after protracted Family Court proceedings.

This is my first Luke Gracias novel. The story is divided into three parts: Part 1: Greed v Trust, Part 2 : Power v Justice, and Part 3: Dogboy v Catfish. Lindsay Kramer, aka Dogboy goes missing. We are introduced to him and his friends from University days and an event is described which explains why he’s called Dogboy. Dogboy marries Catherine fisher, aka Catfish. We read about the highs and lows of their relationship.. Catfish is a player and has a dubious talent of exploiting weaknesses and ‘taking’ people!

After Dogboy goes missing, Catfish does her utmost to get her greedy hands on his substantial assets very quickly. She elicits social media sympathy and very effectively plays the poor me card with everybody that she encounters. Some people become suspicious of her hurry to gain possession of his assets. He is, after all, apparently a missing person; this is not a murder investigation .

We read about the police investigation into the missing Dogboy. Finlay and Green, who are the investigating officers, soon realise that this is not a common and garden missing persons investigation. They have to interview many people as the parameters of the investigation widen.

There are a number of voices in this heavily plot focused book: Dogboy’s childhood friend, the police, Catfish, and other characters. There are many twists and turns in the plot and suspense is maintained. We visit a number of locations : Thailand ( where Catfish’s first husband died), Australia, and Portugal.

The book focuses upon crime, greed, love, manipulation, and abuse. The story is well told and the ending is a good one; all is explained. This is a book that I would recommend to others who enjoy reading mysteries.

My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

This is an excellent and interesting story, it is quite clear that the author has carried out a great deal of research. It is very much plot-driven, you only learn information about the characters that is necessary for the story. There are many twists and turns in the story, which add to the tension.

Lindsay Kramer, known as Dogboy because of his affinity with all dogs has few friends at university. However he is an excellent businessman and is soon very, very rich. Katherine Kelly Fisher, known as Catfish Kelly, is a very smart woman with a seven year old daughter. She is used to the finer things in life! Her first husband Darren went on a short business trip to Bangkok when his daughter was two, and died there in mysterious circumstances. Catfish grieved for a while, and when her daughter was five years old she met Lindsay when she was looking for premises to open a high end boutique. Soon they were married, and for a while travelled the world, living the high life. Then he started working late and going away on long business trips, and she was sure he was cheating on her. Catfish visits one of the best family lawyers in town to start divorce proceedings. Katherine is unaware that Freya Keogh is a friend of her husband’s, and her outburst saying that she will do and say anything to win does not go down well! Freya gives her a list of all the financial information she needs before proceedings can begin, assuming that it will take weeks or even months before anything can happen, but Katherine has already sorted it all out, or thinks she has.

In Australia, when people have been married for at least eighteen months the father not only has to pay maintenance for any children until the age of eighteen, plus the wife is given the house and two-thirds of any assets. Freya really doesn’t want to be involved in this obvious gold-digger’s efforts to fleece her friend, and after she is contacted by the police to be asked why she was the last known person Lindsay contacted by e-mail before he disappeared (it just said ‘Thank you’ and she had assumed it was a wrong number), she contacts Michael Kaynes, also a lawyer, to see if the police had contacted him as well. Michael was best man at Lindsay and Katherine’s wedding, and is executor of Lindsay’s will.

From there we see a lot of the police work, they are not only searching for Lindsay they are looking into the circumstances of the death of Katherine’s first husband. They discover various things that cause them to watch her as well. Many surprises are uncovered, and the story gets very exciting. The author has completely stuck to the plot, there is no padding out of the storyline, so when all the secrets start to be exposed there is an excellent build-up of tension. Lindsay is proved to have been a great deal more clever than his wife!

This is a really good read, I highly recommend it!

Thank you again to the publisher and author for this opportunity! I actually read this novel around the time of its release earlier this year and really liked it. It was my time reading work by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. This was such a good thriller read for me, filled with plenty of suspense, high stakes, and an intricately woven web of mystery and crime. I don't want to give too much away in order to avoid spoilers, but I will say that I think this is a book best gone into blind like I did (which we all know is very rare lol). I thoroughly enjoyed the wild whiplash of an adventure this story took me on (because trust me: it's a RIDE™ lol) and would definitely recommend this out to anyone who loves thrillers/mysteries or is just interested in reading something outside of their usual comfort zone!

The story has the right mix of drama, suspense, intrigue and clever storytelling. The tale unwinds as one quickly unravels the craftiness of the protagonist Catfish and her scheming plans to take her wealthy husband to the cleaners but there's much more murkiness under the carpet. The author brilliantly weaves in a spider's web of modus operandis that reflect the dark side of nature and business. You will get trapped in the narrative as it wrenches your heart in parts and you wait for sweet justice. The book satisfied on all counts - a must read

An excellent book, for me, much better than the title suggests.
The story of two people who meet at college and later become married.
The marriage is not a traditional one, but is not unlike some modern ones.
Parts of the plot are excellent, some are just good. All parts are interesting, especially if you like Australia and Thailand, the main settings.
Not really a who-dunnit, but a will they get away with it.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reading copy for honest review.

Author of the Devils Prayer, Luke Gracias latest offering is Dogboy v Catfish. An unusual thriller it had light suspense, intrigue, action, murder, revenge, gas lighting, great police work and some crazy twists and turns! Not surprising as this is a Luke Gracias novel. Both Dogboy and Catfish are monikers for the two main protagonists. The story opens with an incident that occurs as a group of mates are returning home after a night out. This results in one of them earning the nickname Dogboy. A onetime model Katherine Kelly Fisher had elected to give herself the moniker Catfish Kelly. Dogboy and Catfish are a couple and this thriller is largely their story.

After exactly 18 months of being married Catfish decides to take her husband to the cleaners. Australian divorce laws require that one should be married for at least 18 months before they can expect their spouse to support them. Catfish aware of the law intends to benefit from it Meanwhile Lindsay Kramer aka Dogboy is missing. Catfish Kelly shows her true colours as Dogboys grieving wife. Police investigation into his disappearance leads them into the dark world of counterfeit goods and narcotics.

This novel is very different from Gracias previous novel. He is questioning the rather harsh Australian divorce laws and has chosen to weave this thrilling twisty mystery to emphasise his premise. Boy did it grab me from the start. He uses the very differing characteristics of the two main protagonists to good effect skilfully painting vivid scenes that thrilled me. The suspense increased as the pages turned thanks to the gripping storyline. Gracias also raises numerous side issues. What I found delightful was that he had woven so many exciting tropes into this high octane thriller. It had surprises galore which I can’t reveal as it would be a spoiler. Its obvious that Gracias is passionate about these injustices.

Dogboy vs Catfish is a worthy read. Hats off to Gracias for a thrilling original and his courageous expose.

This book reads more like an incident report than a story; but while we don't necessarily learn a lot about the characters themselves, we follow their actions and there are plenty of surprises.

Katherine Fisher has built a name for herself as an influencer and purveyor of high end fashion goods. Her first husband committed suicide in Thailand and she married again - to 'Dogboy' Lindsay Kramer, a very successful entrepreneur. However, not all was for love - she intended from the start to divorce him 18 months after the marriage, which would entitle her to half their assets and maintenance.

Just as she starts to set the divorce proceedings in motion, Dogboy disappears. From there we see this materialistic woman determined to overcome all obstacles to getting her hands on his cash... but Dogboy has made arrangements of his own! Add to the mix some serious drug dealing, counterfeit design and money laundering and it makes for a high octane read. As a reader I was really rooting for Dogboy and hoping Catfish would get her come-uppance!

A really good read. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just finished Dogboy , had to finish it to find out if…… What a roller coaster it turned out to be. Brilliant plots and so informative. Loved it and of course it should be a film.

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

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.

In 2013, in Australia, Katherine Fisher (Catfish) has just got married for the second time - and her wedding day is also the day that she sets the day for her divorce from Lindsay (Dogboy) Kramer!

The laws in Australia at the time, meant that in precisely 18 months after marriage, Catfish would be entitled to half of their combined assets and receive maintenance payments until her five- year-old daughter, Emma, (from a previous marriage) turns 18.

Eighteen months later, just as Catfish is about to make her claim, Lindsay (Dogboy) goes missing. This means she’ll have to wait 90 days to get power of attorney over his bank account, and seven years before he can be declared dead and his will read. That simply won’t do, and Catfish is nothing if not determined, she’s simply not prepared to wait that amount of time, and she’ll use any dirty trick in the book to get her hands on the money. She’s an absolute nightmare!

This is where things become complicated - the police investigation into Lindsay’s disappearance, leads them into a very dark and dangerous world of counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling.

This is a complex but clever, tension filled storyline, quite unique, and a real roller coaster ride for the reader.

This was a fun book. The plot was much more complex and intricate than expected -- designer goods counterfeiting, money laundering, drug smuggling, social media influence, financial fraud, the porn industry, suicide, missing persons, and dog whisperers. I enjoyed the scheming by Catfish and the counter-scheming by Dogboy.

This was a twisty, quick read with unique, vividly drawn characters and a well paced plot. It is a relatively short, quick read, I read it straight through in one setting, finding that I couldn't stop turning the page to the next chapter. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced reader copy.

What a fun quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery suspense, police procedural with a side of domestic drama. This story is well-written with many twists and turns just the way I like it! The Australian author wraps everything up in the end in a satisfying way. Highly recommend this book to those who are drawn to this genre.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

On the day she marries her second husband, Katherine "Catfish" Fisher, starts planning for her divorce in eighteen months. That is when she would be entitled to half of their combined assets and receive maintenance payments until her five- year-old daughter, Emma, turns 18. However, just as Catfish was about to take her husband, Lindsay 'Dogboy' Kramer (a successful businessman and dog whisperer) to the cleaners, he goes missing, while away on a business trip. As the police begin investigating Dogboy's disappearance, it 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 persons 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?

I was unfamiliar with this author before reading this book, but I enjoyed it so immensely, I plan to check out the other books he has written as well. This was a non-stop thrill ride, with the police not only trying to determine whether or not Dogboy was alive, but also determining that Catfish was up to something illegal, and then trying to untangle her network of criminal enterprises. Catfish was truly a despicable person, so it was fun to see her get thwarted over and over by plans Dogboy had set in place before he went on his business trip. There was a lot of nail biting, waiting to see if Catfish and her cronies would get what was coming to them, and wondering about the fate of Dogboy. If you are a fan of mysteries or thrillers, then you should definitely check this out!

Gives new meaning to gold digger. Everything is not as it seems. The book had just the right amount of twists for a good story. Even though I am not familiar with the setting fo the book it was top notch.

How does Lindsay get the nick name "Dogboy"? Well, dogs are instantly enamoured with him at first meeting and enjoy obeying his every command whether a soft word or the lifting of a finger. You could say he's a combined dog whisperer and Pied Piper. How does a former beauty queen and social media 'Influencer' get the nick name "Catfish"? CATherine FISHer, simply by combining segments of her name. Thereby, we now have our two main characters and the title of the book.

These two polar opposites, she, the extroverted narcissist and he, the introverted shy-guy, have been married just short of eighteen months. In Australia, our story's location, there is a law whereby a spouse can be eligible for over 60% of the value of her husband's assets should the marriage fail. Catherine has been previously married and has a five year old daughter, Emma. Her first husband was murdered while on a visit to Thailand.
The daughter and the murder are important to the story.

Lindsay has done well financially and is worth a substantial amount of money. He also has to spend a lot of time on business trips. He has bankrolled Catherine in setting her up in a high-end retail outlet dealing in designer accessories, clothing and handbags.

The story becomes very quickly catapulted into high gear when Catherine sees a lawyer and Lindsay vanishes while on one of his business trips. She is making a legal foray into divorcing him after the eighteen-month magic moment puts her in reach of opulence. He is nowhere to be found, seemingly as a puff of smoke. His hotel room has clothing in the closet, no packed bags, phone in the charger, the leavings of a meal on the table, wet towels in the bathroom, shaving gear on the counter, etc.

Weeks pass. Police have found no clue as to Lindsay's whereabouts, there is no body and Catherine cannot claim Lindsay legally dead until seven years have passed. It is during the uneventful investigation into Lindsay's disappearance that troubling information surfaces causing police to unearth cryptic clues leading them Into drug smuggling, money-laundering and counterfeit designer goods. We, the readers, are now on a wild ride.

We watch Catherine's ever escalating frustration and anger as she tries unsuccessfully to get her hands on Lindsay's assets while Lindsay's friends and the police trace trails leading to Thailand and Portugal.

Is Lindsay (Dogboy) dead or alive? Does Catherine succeed in lying and cheating her way to riches? The author keeps the foot on the accelerator throughout the book. There are no slow passages. It's a satisfying, whirlwind read keeping you guessing and questioning the whole way.

First runner up to Miss Australia, Catfish, comes to a college friend to represent her as she divorces her husband, Dogboy, Then Dogboy disappears. Did he commit suicide or become a runner? What follows in Dogboy v Catfish, by Luke Gracias, takes lawyers, police, and private investigators into the underworld of counterfeit high end fashion, drugs, and money laundering. This is written in a no nonsense, Dragnet, style which was very entertaining.

Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias was a fantastic read.
I read this book in less than 24 hours… So gripping, it had me hooked and unable to put it down until I finished the last shocking page.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Luke Gracias for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

"Dogboy v Catfish" by Luke Gracias is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of intrigue, deception, and the complexities of relationships.

Katherine Fisher, known as 'Catfish,' plans to divorce her husband, Lindsay 'Dogboy' Kramer, on the day of her second wedding. Her strategy is to claim half of their assets and receive maintenance payments until their daughter, Emma, turns 18. However, just as Catfish is about to set her plan into motion, Dogboy goes missing.

The police investigation into Dogboy's disappearance uncovers a web of criminal activities, including counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling. As Dogboy's assets are frozen, the case evolves from a missing person's inquiry to a potential homicide investigation. Catfish must now race against time to secure Dogboy's assets before the authorities close in. The central question remains: Is Dogboy dead or alive?

Gracias expertly crafts a narrative full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing and fully engaged in the high-stakes world of deception and disappearance. The characters are well-developed, and their complex relationships add depth to the story. Gracias's writing is atmospheric, creating an immersive reading experience.

This book is an exhilarating read that will satisfy fans of thrillers and suspense novels. The themes of the story also touch upon the challenges of personal relationships and the complexities of the legal system. "Dogboy v Catfish" is a rollercoaster ride of suspense that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

#DogboyvCatfish #LukeGracias #Mystery #Thriller #BookReview #NetGalley

Review of eBook

When a group of students from the University of Melbourne are threatened by a gang of thieves, they are saved by dogs that come to their defense, seemingly at the command of Lindsay Kramer. Because of his rapport with the animals, Lindsay, the dog whisperer, is able to save the group from the gang.

Sixteen years later, Lindsay, known as Dogboy, is missing and his wife, Katherine, is seeking a divorce [and access to all of Lindsay’s money]. But Lindsay has gone missing.

Katherine’s first husband, Darren Berrington, died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Could the same fate have befallen Lindsay? Or is there some other explanation for Dogboy’s sudden disappearance?

=========

This twisty mystery keeps readers involved in the telling of the tale from the outset. Strong characters, a unique plot, and unexpected twists and revelations keep readers guessing until the final page.

Here readers will find believable characters, a story told from several points of view, and a complex plot that touches on marriage, friendship, infidelity, designer goods, counterfeiting, drug smuggling, and money laundering. The obvious greed of one of the characters, the procedures of the police throughout the investigation, and the ever-present question of Lindsay’s whereabouts work together to create a suspenseful tale that readers will find difficult to set aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Luke Gracias and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#DogboyvCatfish #NetGalley

This is a voluntary review for a complimentary ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and the author/publisher.

There are only a handful of books that hook me from the first chapter and this is one. Dogboy v Catfish opens with a glimpse of why Lindsay Kramer earned his nickname. Next we begin to see hints that Katherine “Catfish” Fisher is not the person the world thinks she is. Lindsay has disappeared and therein begins the story that the authorities investigate which peels like the layers of an onion with everyone they encounter.

At its heart, this story is about those who exist to work the system. Abuse of the imperfect Australian law becomes the center of Catfish’s focus and the complex story is untangled and wrapped around criminals, drugs, money laundering, and counterfeit designer goods.

The original and consistently engaging plot drives the events with brilliant unexpected twists creating a unique legal/mystery read. This is one of those books that’s worth more than 5-stars, and is hands down my favorite book of 2023.

Dogboy and Catfish is a most intriguing novel set in Melbourne which commences at the end of Melbourne Universities’ annual rowing regatta, where a group of friends are completing their day with a Pub crawl. A somewhat disturbing incident occurs and Lindsay, or Dogboy to his friends, uses his uncanny ability to work with dogs to save his friends from a vicious attack.
Time passes, everyone moves on and Lindsay, always the outsider, meets and marries Katherine “Catfish” Fisher, an influencer, fashionista and former Miss Australia entrant. They have been married for eighteen months, when Cat decides she wants a divorce and the money.
She approaches one of the top Divorce lawyers, a woman known for her success rate: she is well prepared, has already worked out what she wants and will stop at very little to get her own way. There is one problem, Lindsay has gone missing, possibly committed suicide, but whatever has happened he is gone and there is no body yet discovered.
So begins what is a fascinating tale of greed, corruption, deceit, obsession and the value of friendship, which ranges across the world of money laundering, drug smuggling and counterfeit designer goods with links to several crime syndicates.
Written in a clear, concise, almost report like style the mystery unfolds in carefully constructed sections which, in an almost clinical manner holds a fascination as to what happens next. In a wry twist, justice is seen to be done, but at what cost.
The conclusion while not completely unexpected, ties up many loose ends, but also delivers a moment for reflection on friendship, and the impact of a kind word at the right time, can make a very large difference.
Based on a true story, Luke Gracias has created an intriguing story that looks at the many aspects of humanity and the results of what could be considered as the ruthless narcissism prevalent in the world of today.

This was an interesting read with an important message. The story is set in Australia where after 18 months of being in a defacto relationship in Australia, the courts can determine that the assets of both parties are split equally. Seven out of every nine suicides in Australia are male. Seven!

The story is about Katherine Fisher, aka Catfish and Lindsay Kramer aka
Dogboy. When Lindsay Kramer, marries Katherine Fisher, he doesn't know that he is marrying a gold-digger….or does he? She is planning to divorce him after those 18 months and take everything she can get her hands on. Prepared for this day Katherine finds a lawyer and has all the paperwork required to start the divorce case, which raises red flags. When Lindsay disappears we follow the police investigation, while furious Katherine is doing everything possible to get the assets. The big question is if Dogboy committed suicide (TW), got murdered or is he still alive?

This book reads like a documentary and has a lot of details about Counterfeit designer goods, money laundering and drugs trafficking. I didn't mind this way of writing, but it wouldn't be for everyone as there is more telling than showing so it doesn't really leave a lot for imagination. I would have liked to hear more from Dogboy as now you hear ‘about’ him from other characters. The character building felt a bit flat, but that is more because of the writing style. It's written in 3rd person and has multiple POVs. The story has a complex story plot and is full of tensionthat keeps you engaged. Overall I enjoyed this fast-paced story.

This is such an incredible book - cant think how to explain it. It is based on the Australian divorce laws at the time, I remember listening to my father complaining, but I didn't really understand. This helped. I got so engaged. with the story and just kept reading it one afternoon. Catfish was such an interesting character but Dogboy was the silent introvert who you just wanted to know what was happening to him and how. Loved the ending.

I was given a copy by the author via netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I mean, look at the title. But, the description was intriguing so what the heck? To say I was blown away is an understatement. Like Gracias, an author I have never heard of, managed to craft a novel with enough twists and turns to hold the reader captive until the very last satisfying page. Dogboy is the nickname for Lindsay Kramer, a self-made millionaire who has the ability to commune with dogs. Catfish is his wife, Katherine Kelly Fisher, an Australian beauty queen who married Lindsay for his money.
In Australia, a wife can sue her husband for divorce after 18 months and generally get 70% of his money. Katherine was prepared for battle, but a few days before she could file, Lindsay disappears. What follows is the mystery of what happened to Lindsay and what happened to Katherine’s first husband who died from an apparent suicide in Thailand. Rarely has a book kept my rapt interest. This one is a gem and goes on my “don’t miss” shelf. Thank you to NetGalley and Authors Upfront for the advance copy.

What an unusual novel!

Katherine Fisher (known as Catfish) married Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy) and immediately started planning for her divorce. The novel is set in Australia, and after an 18 month marriage Katherine would be entitled to 70% of Lindsay's considerable wealth. As the deadline approaches, she meets with a divorce lawyer to start the process, but before she even has paperwork ready, Lindsay disappears.

Did he know the divorce was imminent? Is foul play suspected? As the police start to investigate, it is revealed that Katherine's first husband drowned. Is Katherine involved in Lindsay's disappearance?

Katherine meanwhile is now livid that all of his assets will be frozen, and it may take 60 days before she is allowed access to any of the accounts, and a full 7 years before he will be declared dead and she will inherit his fortune, unless he is found. She uses every opportunity to try and get around the rules and get her hands on the money.

While the plot started out as a question of whether she was involved in Lindsay's disappearance, it quickly morphed into another story altogether, as police dig deeper into her business dealings. A fast paced and exciting thriller, the plot carries us to Thailand and Portugal and introduces plenty of characters that enrich the tale.

This was a quick read for me as I was very engaged in the story. I enjoyed the ending, although the apparent change in Katherine's character at the end didn't quite sit as very likely with me.

Overall, a great read.

This was a very nice and unique story. I liked the narrative style, and rooted for many of the characters. I hope the detective duo show up in another book

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Usually I stay away from books that name characters things like Raven, Skye or Heavenly, and Dogboy and Catfish seemed to fit in that category. But I happened to be doing a crossword puzzle, and one of the answers was “ouroboros.” What the heck, maybe Dogboy, who is a dog whisperer, and Catfish were telling me something.

Lindsay Kramer, aka Dogboy, has made a pile of money in the fintech industry. Katherine Fisher, aka Catfish, is a social media influencer and high-end luxury goods retailer. Katherine sets her sights on Lindsay, and she does have him in her crosshairs. By their wedding day, she has already planned their divorce to take place in 18 months, when Australia’s law ensures she receives half their combined assets and maintenance payments until her 5-year old daughter turns 18. Everything is going along as Katherine planned, until Lindsay takes a business trip and disappears, thwarting her plans.

Police begin investigating the disappearance as a suicide, but there a few twists and turns that lead to murder. Or does it? There are more twists and turns indicating the disappearance might be intentional. What it does lead to is a multi-faceted ring involving counterfeit designer goods, designer trash theft, money laundering, and drug smuggling.

While the book is cleverly done, there was a bit of repetition. Still the plot was complex and engaging enough to hold my attention. And like the ouroboros, Dogboy and Catfish are continually devouring themselves and being reborn.

https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/

A truly unusual book and totally addictive. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. Definitely will be looking for other books by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Luke Gracias for the eARC.
Catherine (Catfish) is married to Lindsay (Dogboy) and is ready to file for a divorce. In Australia, after 18 months, half of the combined assets of the couple will be split between them. Catfish's little 5-year old girl from a previous marriage will be financially maintained by Lindsay till she's18.
Just as Catfish is about to file for divorce, Lindsay disappears.
What follows is a a read I couldn't put down; such twists and turns: a trip to Bangkok, the worldwide market of stolen and copied high-end handbags, a murder and so many interesting facts about what goes on worldwide with said handbags, And Lindsay has not reappeared!
Excellent!

This was a fast paced, compelling story that read like a documentary of a marriage gone wrong. Enjoyed this plot driven mystery.

Special thanks to Luke Gracias and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This book has a well developed plot with a lot of plot twists. The characters felt so real and it was a really well developed story.

This book is about Katherine (Catfish) divorcing her husband Lindsay (Dogboy) 18 months after marrying him. It had a lot of topics I'm interested in like drug dealing, money laundering and homicide which makes it better by the storytelling.

Last of all, it's unique. Which I always love.

I loved this novel. Straight facts, no long descriptions of clothing, location, etc. The end was a bit surprising, as mysteries should be I think. The name of the book was certainly appropriate, which you have to read the book to discover. Again, I loved the style of writing, and will read this author again!

Exactly how many of her husbands did Katherine (Catfish) Kelly Fisher kill? Author Luke Garcias begins this intriguing mystery with Catfish visiting a divorce lawyer. Dogboy loves Katherine; Katherine loves Dogboy's money.

Dogboy goes missing. No one knows whether he's alive or dead. Since Catfish's first husband died under suspicious circumstances, it was no wonder friends and strangers alike feared the worst for this second husband.

How did Lindsay Fisher get the "Dogboy" moniker? In college, Fisher's friends witnessed a remarkable occurrence between Fisher and a pack of dogs. He appeared to be able to communicate with them and calm their aggression.

"Catfish v. Dogboy" is a fast-paced mystery that really had me wondering whether Lindsay/Dogboy was alive and what despicable thing Catfish would do next.

I can't think of a book to compare it to but this may be because the story arises from an event in the author's life. I recommend "Catfish v. Dogboy."

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader's copy.

Wow. I could not, would not put this book down … There are so many twists and turns to this story… A must-read for those who love thrillers with so many turns, you have no idea where you are.

Wow! Amazing read. I don’t know what I expected when I started this book, but it was a really good read. It involves a marriage gone horribly bad, a missing spouse, counterfeit designer goods, drugs and money laundering and follows the investigation that begins with the missing spouse and goes from there. Very interesting read!

What a terrific surprise this book was. I hadn’t heard anything about it but received an invitation to read it from NetGalley and I’m thrilled I did. Millionaire Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy) disappears without a trace having not checked out of his Sydney hotel. His wife, Katherine (Catfish) Fisher, is a former Miss Australia and an influencer who owns a high end boutique. Before Kath learns of her husband’s disappearance, she is busy setting the stage to leave Lindsay and she seeks help from Freya Keough, a specialist in family law. Kath accuses her husband of cheating on her and wants to “get even”, meaning taking him for everything she can get. It’s readily apparent that she is diabolical when she suggests her daughter can be made to say to anything she’s told, Lindsay was abusive to her. She is armed with everything needed, all the documents to substantiate Lindsay’s assets. You learn at this time that her first husband died unexpectedly on a business trip to Thailand.

From there, the story is off and running with many layers. There's the investigation of Lindsay’s disappearance, the role of his college friends in his life, and, as Katherine works every angle to get her hands on Lindsay's assets, an unexpected turn into the multi-billion business of counterfeiting designer merchandise. The pacing is terrific and makes for an unputdownable read. As Mr. Gracias states, “This book is about the few who set out to abuse the system. For someone to win, someone must lose”.

Twists and turns galore. Money laundering, murder, disappearance, fake goods, real estate and diamonds. That is just to start with as well. A book that I could not put down, just waiting to turn the page for the next trick that Catherine tries.

Is the baddy going to win in this, the book will tell you near to the end.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this page-turner.

This is one Hell of a story! You really feel the feels with this one. This is no love story that ends in heartbreak. It is a tale of deceit and subterfuge. Catfish is the combination of all hateful things dressed as a beautiful woman. I wish she was pure fiction, but I know evil like this actually exists. Lindsay (Dogboy) is an intriguing character. His uncanny connection to dogs everywhere is ... well, cool! But he is so soft spoken that his intelligence is easily overlooked. This divorce turned missing person turned foul play investigation is so complex, but everything comes together in the end. Catfish deserved so much worse than she got, yet her inheritance was perfectly tailored to her. Perfectly! This story piqued my interest at first, but the tale really grabbed me ... so implausible yet actually possible. The addition of facts and statistics that helped mold the story left a bad taste and lent some seriousness which is going to linger in my mind. Incredible writing!

I'm grateful to have read this. It sounded interesting and was a bit different to my normal reading. I enjoyed it so much. Even though it was a hard read around suicidal tendencies, it was nice for the one in the right to win, in a way. I found the detail of the crimes fascinating too! I'd just like to say though, please stop using "committed suicide" in books as it isn't the correct term and hasn't been for many years now. I volunteer for a suicide prevention charity in the uk and we try to help others to understand that it is not a correct term, that is the only reason I took a star off. But I'd like to thank the author for also raising awareness using his talent of writing.
I'd certainly read more from him and loved the dog part of the story, so would be nice to learn more about that maybe?!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and netgalley, for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fun and interesting book! Set in Australia this book touches on many different subjects: wealth, missing people, money laundering, drug trafficking, and much more. Through a crime tale I learned many interesting facts about the underworld of the fake designer bags and the money laundering trade. I was hooked from start to finish. I hope to read more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. This was such a good surprise and the story gripped me from start to finish. I could not let the book down and the thriller was so well written from finish to end.
Really impressed.

Lindsay Kramer is a fascinating creation and I found myself completely swept up in the plot as he was seemingly at the mercy of a gold digging spouse. There is something oddly endearing about him and the author breathes life into it in a way which brings to mind Ben Elton at his best. This book presents an excellent mystery and the somewhat odd title should not put off fans of the thriller genre - this boo, is fast paced, challenging and kind of fun.

An excellent novel about two main characters and their interactions. I enjoyed reading this and the characters were exciting.

Thank you to the author and to NetGalley, for this digital copy for review.

The title and the cover had me hooked, and this book did not disappoint. Within the first few pages, the title is revealed as the nicknames of husband and wife in a frayin relationship - until the husband disappears and the wife is revealed as a thoroughly unpleasant person. Apart from her abrasive and greedy personality, it is also slowly revealed that she is in way over her head with various unsavory characters. I don't want to say more than that, but this crime novel - told in various POVs, not always clearly structured - is well worth the read. I did get a bit lost in the weeds of the crime scenario in the last third, but overall a compelling read.

Lindsay Kramer aka "Dogboy" meets his match in Katherine Kelly Fischer aka "Catfish" in this extremely clever story about extremely terrible people.

I enjoyed every minute of this riveting tale of determination, greed, and diabolical behavior. It was so juicy and gratifying!

Thank you to publisher for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own!

This is a compelling thriller which combines mystery, crime and legal drama. It involves a marriage about to break up between entrepreneurial genius Dogboy, remembered by his student friends for his amazing capacity to communicate subliminally with dogs, and glamorous influencer Catfish, who has immaculately planned the timing of her divorce to maximise her financial benefit. Before this happens, Dogboy goes missing, which puts these plans on hold and results in a police investigation which turns out to be far more complex and intriguing than anybody would have thought. What makes this interesting is the virtually complete absence of Dogboy from the narrative, with most of the focus on the unsympathetic character of Catfish and the detectives investigating her husband’s disappearance. As the investigation reveals links to organised crime, the reader is kept in suspense over whether Dogboy is the unfortunate victim of this complicated crime web, or the genius puppet master leaving a breadcrumb trail for his wife to incriminate herself and for the detectives to uncover. This is a beautifully plotted and extremely well executed mystery, though the unravelling of the criminal money laundering network needs a fair bit of reader concentration.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this excellent thriller from a new-to-me author.

lawyers, thriller, suspense, Australia, Australian-author, money-laundering, customs-fraud, counterfeit-merchandise, counterfeit-documents, mystery, smuggling, disappearance, international-crime-and-mystery, law-enforcement, egoist, influencer, social-media, procedural, due-diligence, murder, family, friendship, friends*****

A man who has an affinity with dogs and an amoral player whose nickname is Catfish were married for a time until she got greedy and he disappeared. Then things got diabolical and really fascinating.
I requested and received an EARC from the author via NetGalley. Thank you!
#AustralianAuthor

Thank you to Net Galley & the author, Luke Gracias for an ARC of this book!

Lindsay Kramer aka 'Dogboy' finds and marries the love of his life Katherine Fisher aka 'Catfish'.
Wealthy Lindsay and beauty queen Katherine make a dashing pair but things are not what they seem on the surface. Katherine has been waiting until the 18 month mark of their marriage to divorce and ensure she is set up financially. Suddenly, Lindsay disappears from his hotel without a trace.

When the police begin looking into the disappearance they get dragged into the dark and twisted underbelly of major crime - counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, the mob, and murder. While the police try to connect Katherine and her designer shop to the crimes she is trying to get a hold of her missing husbands assets before it's too late.

The premise of this book was very interesting and keeps you hooked trying to figure out who will win this tug of war between Dogboy and Catfish. There were so many fascinating aspects that would be revealed, such as the "movie" *wink wink* which made me laugh with the outrageousness of it. Lindsay Kramer is one smart man to say the least.

My only criticism would be that I found the writing to be choppy occasionally and I desperately wanted to know more about Dogboy and his abilities with canines, it was such an interesting aspect of this story but felt like it needed more! If you're looking to read something unique and outside the box, look no further!

I don't tend to read crime thrillers but decided to give this book a try as the description sounded interesting.
What a great decision to make.
From start to finish this book just kept growing and developing.
From a simple missing person story it suddenly grew into a fully fledged drama that is so well researched that you can't stop reading plus it shows what could be happening now.
Luke has written a great story with characters to either love or hate.
Definitely worth a read if modern crime thrillers is your thing but also if you just want to read a true page turner.

What a twisty tale of viperous, malevolent manipulation by a woman who marries a wealthy man with the firm intent to divorce and fleece him of his money and assets in eighteen months time! The man, however, nicknamed Dogboy as he has an innate affinity with all dogs who whisper to him and warned him about his intended, known as Catfish, anticipates her every move and plays her game with equal skill and sleight of hand.
When Dogboy goes missing, Kat must engage the legal system to try and access her husband’s money as well as trying to stop the police becoming suspicious about her shady business activity selling designer high end goods and consorting with underground criminal figures.
Katherine Fisher is thoroughly despicable and you feel for her poor daughter (although we never actually meet her in the novel) while Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy) comes across as a kind of mysterious Svengali, pulling the strings, punishing his wife, yet behaving honourably to those to whom he had obligations.
Written by Luke Gracias with a unique style and in three quite distinct sections, I enjoyed this novel which highlights some of the vagaries of the Australian justice system. Any break up will see winners and losers of varying degrees but it is a messy business.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest 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 was 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 persons 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.

Wow, this is a great story, written well and paced to make for a quick read. It’s probably the best book I have read this year. There is a lot of complexity in the plot but it doesn’t feel contrived at all. The explanations really make this a very believable plot, with characters who stand out and are memorable. I was intrigued initially by the title but it fully explained and fits the story perfectly.

An intriguing mystery, where very little is as it seems. Gracias did an amazing job of bringing "Catfish" to life, and it's easy to imagine her as a real person, (just not one you'll like very much). The story has so much tension, it makes it hard to set down. You really get drawn in quickly, with new aspects coming to light and making the puzzle all the more tangled the deeper you go. I loved how Gracias kept the reader engaged, and kept you guessing until the very end. Highly recommend for all mystery lovers!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, reading a book based in Australia enchanced the enjoyed more than I thought.

The characters were very believeable and learning more on the trade fake designer goods, provided an insight into another world, which not surprisingly is linked to the criminal underworld.

The relationships were relatable and the author paced the conclusion.

Loved the triumphant ending, very cleverly pieced together, in a puzzle like sequence of events.

Would highly highly recommend this author and have now researched Luke Gracias and plan to read Luke's prior novels in the near future. I hadn't heard of this author previously and its always a gift, finding another talented author.

Katherine (Catfish) wants to separate from her husband Lindsay (Dogboy) and things seem to start to unravel:
•a missing person
•money laundering
•drug trafficking
•murder
•lies and manipulation
•AND more
This book will keep you riveted until the end.

It would make a good movie!

The book cover makes sense once you read the story.

As the author himself put it: this is the story of a woman with the mind of a catfish and a man with the soul of a dog. The cunning and beautiful catfish set out to devour the beautiful and innocent soul of the dog. But what she got—what we as readers get—is a whole different kettle of fish.

When lonely Lindsay Kramer met beautiful Katherine Kelly Fisher he thought his dreams had come true. It did not take long before he realized he was being used. He also realized that when their marriage reached the 18-month milestone, she intended to take him for everything he had worked hard to achieve. So before that day arrived, Lindsay disappeared. But was he dead or alive?

Katherine did indeed plan to take Lindsay to the cleaners on their 18-month anniversary. She had already collected all Lindsay’s financial information and visited a high-powered attorney. Then Lindsay disappeared and threw a monkey wrench into her careful plans.

That’s when the story goes from being a straightforward missing persons, husband versus wife, case to something wholly unexpected.

For me, the two police investigators in the case, Green and Finlay, represented the readers. They began their investigation believing the case to be solely focused on finding a missing person. However, as they looked more closely at the seemingly grief-stricken wife, they were astonished to find themselves in the midst of a sophisticated operation to import high-end counterfeit retail goods which were being used to launder drug money. It felt like everything I felt or thought as I read, was expressed by the investigators. And, even as they pursued this new and unexpected crime, the question remained, where was Lindsay Kramer?

I did get a bit frustrated that the investigation of the counterfeit ring seemed to have derailed the original story. However, all story threads were very satisfactorily concluded. This was an unexpected story but absolutely fascinating.

This is another fascinating book that took me places I had never been! Dogboy (Lindsay) and Catfish (Katherine) appear to be a happy couple until Dogboy suddenly goes missing and it seems Catfish is thinking only of his money as she posts grief photos on her growing Instagram account. Oh, but this is a much bigger plot than anyone could have imagined; Catfish makes a small fortune selling designer goods out of her storefront...but what else is involved? This novel has it all: drugs, the underworld, money laundering, murders, and characters who will do anything for what they believe. it's a fast-paced thrill-ride that will keep you up at night (maybe lock your doors) reading about the underbelly of a world most of us never see!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

A new author for me and one I will look into more as I really enjoyed this story even though I didn't care for the title. The title does make sense once you get into it, but it was a turn-off to me. I only read it based on the description of a story that sounded like it would challenge me when trying to figure it out; I'm glad I did.

Dogboy is actually Lindsay who is a successful businessman and the dogs really do listen to him and he to them to the point where it is obvious that he has a talent with them. Catfish is actually Kath who runs her own import business (designer purses mainly) and who marries him. All is not well in their marriage and this story is one of how they both dealt with the issues they had.

Saying much more about it will take away from reading the story. Suffice it to say that the Australian detectives want to see justice done and go all out to ensure they do everything they can to achieve it.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are mine and are freely given.

An intriguing story that climaxes in a very satisfying way.

Fascinating characters that the reader either will love or detest. The plot was engaging, and the reader will find it hard to put the book down as the suspense builds; not in regards to the crime, but as to whether a comeuppance would happen. The author kept the story flowing well, and wrapped it all up with a nice big bow.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes crime novels with a big dose of suspense.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

I was approved for this title by the author and Netgalley but though I requested it several times, I did not receive it from them. Fortunately, I found it listed on Kindle Unlimited.

And this novel is a doozie! I was pleased that in the Afterward, the author acknowledged that the character of Catfish is not that of your basic divorcee. Indeed, Catfish is most rare. Because Katherine Kelly Fisher, better known as 'Catfish', is obviously a very greedy golddigger from her introduction in Chapter 2. We have no idea of the depths of her greed in the beginning, but Luke Gracias will fill us in as we go along. I couldn't help but have growing sympathy for her husband Lindsay Kramer, nicknamed 'Dogboy' in college, and Katherine's 9-year-old daughter, Emma. I did greatly underestimate the intelligence and self-protective instincts of Dogboy however. Please, sit back and watch this debacle unfold. It's quite a trip!

REVIEWED on November 15, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review on Kobo.

This book has everything from divorce to counterfeits and the mafia.

I felt this book differed from other thrillers in that it had outlandish elements that were fun to read.

I don’t know how I would categorise this book because it was fun, witty and deep in equal amounts.

Fantastic.

thank you for the advanced copy of dogboy v catfish.....it was totally entertaining.....i would like to see the police characters in another book again ,maybe......./there was mystery and suspense, some comedy.......and i just overall liked reading this book....i really enjoyed the descript4ions of bangkok and the markets and malls there.... i will be lookig for another book by luke gracias

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was very different from the author's previous books, it was fast paced and kept me guessing all the way through. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

I really enjoyed this book! I wouldn’t necessarily categorize it as literary fiction, but it does check all the boxes of a well written crime novel. The pacing was great and kept me turning the page. Catfish was the perfect villain you loved to hate. She was utterly repulsive from the first time we met her and I kept reading just to see her get her comeuppance, which was very satisfying. I think Dogboy needs his own book because he was such an elusive, interesting character I’d love to learn more about. I enjoyed Gracias’ style so I’ll be checking out more of his work.

Dogboy v Catfish is the third novel by Indian-born Australian author, Luke Gracias. When fintech entrepreneur Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy to his friends) fails to return from a business trip to Sydney, Instagram influencer and Melbourne designer boutique owner, Katherine Kelly Fisher (aka Catfish) assumes her husband has just extended his stay, as he often does. When the police get in touch to tell her that he’s now regarded as a missing person, it puts a bit of a dent in her long-term plans.

Kath was waiting for the eighteen-month mark in their marriage to file for divorce, aware that the milestone would entitle her to claim half of their combined assets as a settlement for herself as well as maintenance for her seven-year-old daughter, Emma. She tried to engage Freya Keogh, the family law specialist dubbed the “10% dragon”, but something about Katherine’s claims didn’t sit right with Freya, so she returned the massive retainer.

Left behind in Lindsay’s hotel room were his mobile phone and laptop, his last cryptic message sent to Freya Keogh, and a last early-morning sighting after leaving the casino, for DI Bernard Stavropoulos all point to possible foul play, but without a body or cause of death, he is left with trying to discover a motive. He hands the case over to his Melbourne colleague, Detective Inspector Sabina Green.

When Lindsay is reported missing, Freya contacts her corporate law colleague, Lindsay’s good friend Michael Kaynes, sharing, in strictest confidence, her encounter with Katherine. Michael reveals that, three months earlier, Lindsay hade made him executor of his will, and confessed his suspicions about his wife: “Kath sold my heart a story I so badly wanted to believe. I ignored all the warnings. I have been scammed.”

What seems to be a straightforward marriage breakup tale with the wife living up to her nickname, soon thereafter morphs into a riveting tale that features international designer goods fraud, money laundering, drug dealing and murder. Catfish uses her social media influence to help get her hands on Lindsay’s hard-earned money. Does she succeed?

Dogboy, Lindsay Kramer is an enigmatic character who has a special affinity for dogs as well as a talent with gambling, and IT, and a strong sense fairness. The blurb is a little misleading as not even the most naïve reader will wonder if Lindsay is dead. The clever plot certainly ensures that this is a page-turner, but the writing lacks polish: the dialogue a bit stiff at times, and Gracias neglects to show rather than tell. Nonetheless, this is gripping Aussie crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and the author.

Unusual thriller!

Wow! Multilayered, unusual and thoroughly engaging story about a rather different man’s journey and those he pulled along with him. This Australian crime/mystery/noir novel was just so unusual. It’s a real page turner.
Four people who’d been students together at Melbourne University are pulled back together again after one of them, ‘Dogboy’ Lindsay Kramer goes missing.
His wife, Katherine Kelly Fisher ‘Catfish’ walks into a family lawyer’s chambers. Freya Keogh is known for her merciless divorce settlements. Katherine is seeking help to divorce her husband. Katherine doesn’t know that Keogh knew Lindsay when she was a student.
Keogh feels right away that something is off.
A month later Katherine decides not to go ahead with the separation. The catch? Lindsay has disappeared. Further reveals show that Katherine’s former husband Darren Berrington had died unexpectedly whilst on a trip to Bangkok.
Two members of Crime Command Victoria, Inspector Sabina Green and Detective Karl Finlay investigate. After many false starts and hours of working blind things start to make some sense.
The story revolves around the endless knot of three headed snakes intertwined and representing three aspects of crime. Grab the right head and the knots unravel.
The three prongs here are drug smuggling, money laundering and high quality knock of designer goods.
The action moves between the wife and her associates, the former friend of ‘dogboy’, and the police inquiry.
This was a mesmerizing read. I enjoyed ever moment of it. Surprises kept being thrown in at the right moment, along with unexpected shocks. Absolutely loved it!

A Luke Gracie’s ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. I wasn't familiar with the author but I liked the title. I loved the book! I would make take 1/2 star off because it got a little slow with the details of the scam. I loved the characters. Lindsay-Dogboy-was strange from the start. I could see him as a loner computer geek, but the way dogs reacted to him was totally amazing. Kath-Catfish-was the perfect devious easy-to-hate female lead. She had no redeeming qualities. I couldn't wait for bad things to happen to her. The two lawyers were good lawyers, trying to do the right thing, as were the two detectives. I think the detectives were as confused by the scam as I was. The plot was intriguing. From the day influencer Kath married Lindsay-her second husband after her first "committed suicide"-she was planning her divorce. In 18 months she would be entitled to half their assets plus support. While she was waiting she had her own laundering scam going to bring in more money. When the detectives went to Thailand you got excitement, subterfuge, and danger. With Kath being an influencer, the power of the internet came into play. It showed how the masses will fall for most anything. The afterword by the author brought meaning to the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope to read more by Lucas Gracias.

Well, this book is just a fun ride. Between the nick names for the two main characters, to how truly twisted both of them really are. This is a book that that is fast paced and it will keep you wondering really what is happening throughout. Readers will get swept up in world where everything is not what it seems and the layers of deceit run deep.
Thank you to Luke Gracias and Netgalley for allowing me to read a copy of this title

The book title is odd and the cover has snakes. So I expected an odd story. But the story was actually a good one. Sometimes people marry and it just doesn't work out. And sometimes it is just a ploy to get rich quick. The story is full of twists, turns and revelations. I enjoyed the book.

"Dogboy v Catfish" by Luke Gracias is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that delves into the intriguing world of counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling.

Gracias does an excellent job of weaving a complex and suspenseful plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story is rife with unexpected twists and turns, and the author's meticulous attention to detail adds an authentic touch to the technological aspects of the narrative. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, adding depth and diversity to the narrative.

The pacing of the novel is relentless, with each chapter building upon the tension of the previous one. The author's writing style is crisp and engaging, making it a page-turner that is difficult to put down. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, adding to the overall immersive experience.

In conclusion, "Dogboy v Catfish" is a captivating thriller. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers, this book is definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review a captivating thriller!!!!!

An attractive woman approaches a family lawyer with a view to starting divorce proceedings after only less tan a year and a half of marriage to a rich, successful businessman. Almost simultaneously he goes missing. The police investigating the disappearance soon conclude that not all is as it seems. Soon an intrigue develops around counterfeit goods and money laundering related to the woman's high end designer goods business.. An intriguing and complex plot, based partly on the Australian law which entitles the woman to at least half of a couple's assets, more if they have children, after 18 months of marriage.. Its well written and moves along at pace, a rattling good read.

This book was not what I was expecting at all and in a great way!!! This book is may seem to have a simple plot right from the start but then things quickly morph into a more complicated thriller.

Lindsay "Dogboy" Kramer finally thinks he found his forever love with Katharine "Catfish" Fisher. But once the marriage is close to the 18 month mark, Catfish as no intentions of staying with her husband and just wants the money. But don't count Lindsay out, as he is far smarter than his wife believes and is always one step ahead. I was. immediately caught up in this story and was turning pages as fast as I could read them. I enjoyed the characters that were Brough out in this story as they were relatable. The police officers that are used were diligent and the author didn't make them ridiculously smart or extra. The friends that are supportive of Lindsay are loyal and realistic. The book will make you go back and forth on if the main character is alive or dead.

This was the first book I have read by this author and it will not be the last. The writing was spot on and engaging. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When I first read the title, Dogboy v Catfish, I thought that it sounded silly, and was skeptical as to whether I would enjoy the book. I hope others are not turned off by it, as this novel about crime and deception is anything but inane.


Millionaire Lindsay “Dogboy” Kramer vanishes close to the eighteen-month mark of his marriage to a former Miss Australia finalist Katherine “Catfish” Fisher. She is a popular social media influencer and owns a designer clothing and accessory shop. This is her second marriage, as her first husband supposedly committed suicide in Thailand.


First, Katherine files for divorce, but her high-priced attorney feels that something just isn’t right. Weeks after his disappearance, Katherine claims that he is dead and wants access to his bank accounts and assets. That’s when the story gets interesting.


A Melbourne detective and inspector investigating the disappearance also feel something is shady. When Katherine finds that she can’t get her hands on the money, she uses her social media influence to try and change the legal system.


The two officers find more than what they bargained for, which takes them to Bangkok. What ensues is a whirlwind of drug smuggling, gun running, money laundering and murder.


In addition to the family law attorney with a conscience, there are a host of other fascinating characters that add depth to the story.


It is important that you read the “Author’s Note” following the story. Author Luke Gracias discloses his motivation for writing the book, and how a friend’s divorce and attempted suicide provided the basis for the book. The author also claims that the Australian family court system usually favors the women, some of whom are unscrupulous and set out to abuse the system. He believes that there is a connection to why seven out of nine suicide victims in Australia are men.


As I am unfamiliar with Australian family law and legal system, I can only attest that this fast-paced story will keep you engaged until the last page.

(The review has been posted on UnderratedReads)

Book Review 📚
Dogboy Vs Catfish by Luke Gracias - 4.5/5 ⭐

I was intrigued by this book based on the cover (stunning by the way) and title. I didn't read the blurb and went in blind. To say it was utterly amazing is a huge understatement. I was so engrossed and entertained throughout.

Gracias has such a terrific writing technique, it's truly awe inspiring. He created scenes with depth and description like you can't even believe. It was so descriptive and beautifully done. The characters were phenomenal and the world building was fantastic.

The story itself was gripping! Once I started reading, I could not finish until I was done. It was such an amazing piece of work and I was lost for words throughout most of the story. The plot was well thought of and the authors note at the beginning made the world of difference.

Don't miss out on this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Dialogue Books for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

I loved this book. The title gave nothing much away! In actual fact it proved to be most entertaining and I scrambled through the pages quickly to keep up with the exciting plot!

Luke Gracias has delivered a creative and exciting plot that I found surprisingly educational. I now know a little more about a variety of subjects like “cross border crime”; “terms of divorce”; “money-laundering”; “drug-dealing” and “designer goods fraud”. I also loved the visual locations of Thailand and Australia.

I will definitely read more books by this author!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with DOGBOY V. CATFISH, only that reviews suggested it was worth reading. And, oh, yes it is! I must admit, I found the beginning a bit awkward. I thought perhaps this was author Luke Garcias’ first book, but apparently not. It is not a graceful beginning, in terms of the writing; it feels awkward. The transitions between scenes and from conversations to thoughts are just a bit off. But at about the 20% point, I found myself ignoring the writing style and really paying attention to the story. At one-third of the way, I was hooked and unable to put the book down. An untrustworthy woman seeks an overly favorable divorce settlement from a man that everyone, especially dogs, trust implicitly. The details of the divorce are unique to Australia but the characters and the plot machinations are global and as compelling as they are convoluted. This is a wonderfully satisfying mystery that is a delight to read. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book was great fun! I'm not sure exactly what genre it would be - there's elements of police, crime, and influencers, yet in a way it is just about people.
Had I heard all that, I may not have been tempted to read it, but that would be a shame, as I thoroughly enjoyed it, and had my nose fairly glued to the screen as I read it! The plot is a little twisty and involved, but that produces a fascinating read, and I can happily say it is not like anything I have read.

Dogboy v. Catfish by Luke Gracias

We first meet Dogboy aka Lindsay at Melbourne college with a group of friends. Those friends included Freya Keogh, Michael Kaynes, with more in the group and they were all headed to a pub. That’s what university students do, right? On their way home from the pub, well into a drunken state and singing the school song as loud as they could, Lindsay shouted for them to be quiet. The group was stunned and startled because Lindsay was normally a very shy, quiet young man. When Lindsay shouted a couple of dogs that had been following Lindsay began to snarl. More dogs came out of the woods and surrounded the group of students. They were about to be attacked by a group of six hoodlums, who fled when the dogs attacked them. From this point on Lindsay was nicknamed Dogboy.

We next meet Lindsay Kramer through his high brow wife in Freya Keogh’s law office many years later. Freya has become a powerful lawyer and Lindsay’s wife is there for a divorce. Her name is Katherine Kelly Fisher, and she was a runner up in the Miss Melbourne competition in 2001. Richly dressed from head to toe, she reeked of money. She also owns a boutique called Catfish Kelly’s. Why the name Catfish? Katherine made the name famous when she did a campaign for Catfish Wines after the beauty pageant. In fact, many started calling Katherine Catfish because the ad campaign was so successful.

After Katherine’s first husband, Darren died unexpectedly on a business trip to Bangkok, Katherine had to earn money to support her and her 7 year old daughter Emma. That’s how she met her second husband, Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy). He rented her the space for her high end boutique, where she sold designer shoes, bags and clothing. They were married just under 18 months when Lindsay had to go away. He didn’t return. Katherine wasn’t happy in the marriage so took the opportunity of his absence to arrange for a divorce.

Freya didn’t trust Katherine and refused to take her on as a client unless Katherine paid $250,000 up front, which was more than twice her normal fee. She was suspicious of the way Katherine earned her money. And Freya also mistrusted the story she presented.

You will not want to put this book down. It’s an intriguing story of lies and deception with the possibility of murder thrown in. Freya involves Michael Kaynes also a lawyer who has remained good friends with Dogboy. Together with detectives Green and Findlay they trace Lindsay’s tracks and are able to figure out Katherine’s unique way of earning a ton of money. I’ve discovered an interesting fact reading this book. You have to be a very smart person to be a crook. And having no soul doesn’t hurt either.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Authors Up Front for allowing to me to review this book.

Great read. I was actually a little unsure whether to carry on when catfish visited Freya but I’m glad I persisted in the end. I found that part a bit too full of difficult jargon. But it’s well worth a read with money laundering, murder, a missing person and a bitter divorce. I recommend.

I picked this book up because I was intrigued by the title; didn't even know what it was about. I found that this is a terrific story that I couldn't put down and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller.

Description:
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 was 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 persons 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?

My Thoughts:
This book has themes of divorce, wealth, greed, corruption, revenge, friendship, drug smuggling, money laundering, and the domestic legal system in Australia. Quite a mix! This clever novel is full of twists and surprises. It was fun to read and I couldn't put it down, and actually hated for it to end (even though I liked the ending). The book stood out to me because I don't think I've ever read one with a storyline like this. The way Dogboy got his name was an interesting story in an of itself. The plot had a good amount of tension and I couldn't wait to find out what happened, so it kept me awake reading into the night. Luke Gracias is a new author for me and I see he has written a couple more books that I'm going to check out soon.

Thanks to Luke Gracias through Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Dogboy v Catfish is cleverly thought out, plotted story that is full of intrigue that had the lights on way past midnight.

Kathy ( aka Catfish0) attempts to files for divorce (after 18 months) which now entitles her to half her her husband's Dogboy's ( Lindsay) estate plus child support.

Catfish is not a nice person to put it mildly but a determined gold digger and on a mission to get what she wants no matter the price.

Dogboy however has gone missing.

The police are positive foul play is involved but there is no body.

Luke Gracias has written a gripping story that will have you turning the pages as twist after twist comes your way.

Its a journey the reader must take for themselves and one they wont soon forget.

I am a new fan Luke Gracias. Cant wait to read more of your books.

Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review Dogboy v Catfish. Loved it.

Katherine Fisher (Catfish) marries for the second time and somehow her wedding day is also the day that she sets the day for her divorce from Lindsay (Dogboy) Kramer.

The novel plays on the idea of the Australian law in 2013 which said that after 18 months of marriage a partner (or, by that time, ex partner) is entitled to maintenance. This would, for Catfish, entitle her to payments for her and her young daughter. However, at the crucial time, Dogboy disappears, which kicks into action a complex legal shenanigans basically meaning the cunning plan Catfish had is now blown apart. It also kicks off some plot and pinch-points which develop the characterisation of Catfish and deepens the plot into a particularly complex and dark place. I enjoyed that, but there were times when I had to re-read or flick back to make a couple of plot points make sense. They did. It was probably me, being tired. Perhaps.

It's certainly complex and there's an intelligence to it. Highly recommended, but keep your wits about you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for th ARC.

I loved this book. I liked the characters from the very first page - Dogboy and his friends were great and it was very easy to dislike Catfish, moreso as the story progressed. The book was teally well written and full of twists and turns. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Firstly thanks to Luke Gracias for the invitation to read this book.
It is very much a "now" book of the times detailing modern crimes that i was not even aware of involving the "resale" of RFID and recycling of "designer trash". This coupled with money laundering and drug dealing makes for a compelling read, throw into the mix a missing person and the dynamic of a wife who married for money and a husband who married after falling for her mind.
This rollercoaster is set in Australia with a brief sojourn to Sintra in Portugal, which is a beautiful part of the country.
Without giving too much away you will have a vested interest as to whether or not Dogboy is alive and kicking ...

Dogboy v Catfish is a suspenseful thriller! I was intrigued from cover to cover. Speaking of the cover, I now see it with so much meaning and I especially liked the title of the chapters. Catherine and Lyndsey were only married a short time before he disappeared. He is a successful tech guy, and she operates her own boutique selling designer wares. He loves her, but she loves his money and possessions. The search for the missing man, is a treck from Australia to Bangkok, designer trash, drugs, and murder. A worthwhile read!

Many thanks to Luke Gracias, NetGalley and the publisher!

I really like this well developed plot. It’s full of twists and turns. There are a lot of intriguing questions to answer and the characters are very interesting. Lots of drama that kept me riveted to the story. It’s an excellent mystery.

4 bright stars for a complicated mystery that starts out with a flashback to demonstrate that Lindsay Kramer has an extraordinary ability to connect with dogs. The second chapter is 16 years later, when Katherine Kelly Fisher decides to hire a divorce attorney renowned for getting women excellent divorce settlements. Katherine Fisher was a Miss Australia finalist in 2001, 14 years before. She is now married to Lindsay Kramer, who was called Dogboy by college friends. Katherine Fisher had become famous for an advertising campaign for Catfish wines and now has an online following under the name Catfish.
In chapter 3 the reader learns that Lindsay Kramer has disappeared. Australian law is heavily weighted in favor of women. The blurb states that Catfish can get 50% of their assets after 18 months of marriage. But the text says that she would get 66% of everything. See quote, conversation between 2 lawyers:
"Think about it. From the settlement, Katherine would get about 66% of everything they both owned."
One more quote about Catfish and Dogboy: "A story about the most beautiful catfish, with the most cunning and calculating of minds, who sought out a hopeless romantic and bedazzled him with her charm."
What follows is is an unraveling of Katherine Fisher's carefully laid plans. I read this page turner in 2 days.
Thank You Luke Gracias for sending me this eBook through NetGalley.

Gracias has delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. This provocative, somewhat dark and twisted story grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing until the very end! It was so captivating and exciting that I simply couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I suspect every reader has come across a book they decide to read based solely on only one factor like, oh, the cover art but don’t really expect too much. Only when you read it, it’s like, wow, this was amazing. For me, Dogboy v Catfish was one of those books and it was the title that caught my attention but, once started I was completely sucked into the story and devoured it in one sitting.

The story is set in Australia where wealthy businessman, Lindsay Kramer, aka Dogboy due to his seeming uncanny ability to communicate with dogs, had married Katherine ‘Catfish’ Fisher, a former Miss Australia and present on-line influencer and boutique owner. Lindsay has alway been awkward around women so can’t believe his luck. As it turns out, he shouldn't have. Under Australian law, as long as a marriage lasts eighteen months, the wife can claim two-thirds of the marital assets. Just before the eighteen month mark, she seeks out a lawyer known for being tough in divorce cases, to apply for a separation. Thing is, the lawyer went to uni with Kramer and immediately suspects something is off. But soon after, Catfish calls off the separation because Kramer has gone missing and now, never mind two-thirds, she wants it all.

Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias is one twisty, absolutely addicting page turner and I loved it. Every time I thought I had it figured out, it threw in one more surprise turn. If you’re looking for a mystery full of great characters, plenty of red herrings and a complex plot that’ll keep you glued to the page, this might just be what you’re looking for.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Interesting tale of greed and counterfeit goods in Australia. Title makes it sound like a young adult book but it's quite a complicated adult tale of a missing and quite mysterious man.

Firstly, thank you Luke Gracias and Netgalley for this ArC of Dogboy V Catfish.

This is my first book from Luke and I wasn't disappointed, I felt that Katherine and Lindsey were well fleshed out and felt human, with faults and flaws that felt realistic. The story line was very well written. I really liked the twists and turns which made me question whether Lindsey was either Dead or alive! I kept swapping and I like that about a book that keeps me guessing. Being set in Australia, it's interesting how their laws work which again the author explains in wonderful language. The pay off to the end of the book is great and well delivered.

Im going to be looking out for more books from Luke!

Dog Boy and Catfish" unveils the tumultuous tale of Lindsay and Katherine, an unconventional married couple facing the strains of a faltering union. Lindsay, a kind and highly successful entrepreneur, mysteriously disappears in Melbourne, Australia, drawing widespread attention to his enigmatic vanishing act.

Meanwhile, Katherine, a cunning and manipulative ex-beauty queen, runs a high-end boutique specializing in luxury goods. As the detectives assigned to Lindsay's missing persons case delve into the investigation, they uncover a startling connection between Katherine's clientele and local criminals engaged in drug trade, gunrunning, and money laundering.

The question arises: is Lindsay's disappearance merely a coincidence, or does it intertwine with the shadowy world of criminal enterprises orchestrated by Katherine's clients? The narrative weaves a web of suspense and intrigue as the characters navigate through a complex plot where secrets, crime, and a troubled marriage converge, leaving readers eager to uncover the truth.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I was unsure about this book but I was totally blown away by what I read. I wanted to know so much more about dogboy and I hope there is a second book! The book kept me absolutely gripped from start to finish and I was thinking about it when I wasnt reading. Definitely one to add to the to be read pile!

Thank you netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book for an unbiased review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I was expecting more of a kids book but totally was blown away and loved it!!!!


I was so intrigued abd excited tk learn about dogboy and I hope there is a second book and a whole series ! The book kept me wanting to keep reading

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review

The title threw me off completely and I was almost expecting a kids story. Lots of shady characters, drama, crime. Enjoyable story, I ended up wondering why I didn’t start reading it sooner. Recommended

Luke Gracias constructs a high-stakes thriller in "Dogboy v Catfish" that thrives on intrigue and suspense. The novel's strength lies in its ability to intricately weave a complex narrative web, blurring the lines between deception, loyalty, and survival. Gracias crafts compelling characters whose motivations and actions constantly challenge the reader's assumptions, adding depth to an already riveting plot.

The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a sense of urgency that captivates readers. The exploration of the criminal underworld and its connections to the central characters creates a gripping atmosphere of suspense and danger.

Catfish and Dogboy emerge as multifaceted protagonists, each harbouring secrets and vulnerabilities that humanize them despite their morally ambiguous actions. The dynamics between these characters and their relentless pursuit of conflicting goals create a tension-filled narrative that never loses momentum.

Gracias skillfully navigates the twists and turns of the plot, building anticipation and suspense with each chapter. "Dogboy v Catfish" is a rollercoaster ride of suspense and mystery, leaving readers guessing until the very end. Luke Gracias delivers a thrilling tale that keeps the heart racing and the mind guessing, cementing his place in the realm of gripping thrillers.

Dog boy v Catfish
Luke Gracie’s
2023
5 Stars



Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Authors Upfront for my copy of Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: An Australian mystery set in Victoria, Australia. Where did Dogboy a.k.a. Lyndsey Kramer disappear to?

First let me say, what an excellent story!
Deeply engaging, well paced and satisfying ending. All the elements of a great book right there.

I tend to agree with other reviews that suggest the book comes across as a documentary, the story in my opinion is written in such away that it feels like you’re reading a true crime story, however it is merely a work of fiction. (I had to look up spoilers to check). I think this style of writing is the key to the success of the story.

The characters are well constructed and developed. I enjoyed following Katherine’s duplicity and villainy and her demise, lawyers Micheal and Freya and how they were able to thwart Katherine and the effort Inspector Green and Finlay for their sleuthing to put some big names in crime away by untangling the intricate web, or the blue, green red snakes. Lyndsey takes the cake on his methods of outsmarting his wife.

Gracias covers a lot of real world issues such as suicide, domestic violence (financial abuse, gaslighting for example). All of these things were greatly woven in to the story.

Katherine Kelly Fisher, aka ‘Catfish', is married to Lindsay ‘Dogboy’ Kramer, a successful businessman and dog whisperer. As their 18-month anniversary approaches, Lindsay goes missing which, under Australian law, means Catfish has to wait 90 days to get power of attorney over his bank account, and seven years before he can be declared dead and his will read. With his assets frozen Catfish is in a race against time to get hold of Dogboy’s assets before the police get hold of her.

This is a most unusual story and went places I've never been before in fiction and I mean that in a nice way. The story, containing aspects of money laundering, trafficking of illegal drugs and counterfeit designer goods, is very unique and clever. It flowed nicely and was an entertaining read. I'll be on the lookout for future works by Luke Gracias.

My thanks to the author, Luke Gracias, via Netgally for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great plot; uneven writing

The plot was good. A guy called Dogboy due to dogs being almost smitten with him, is married to a woman called Katherine Fisher, called Catfish. Dogboy has obtained a fair amount of wealth, but is still shy and really best around dogs. Katherine basically married him for his money. Evidentially Australian rules are that if you are married over 18 months and have a child (she has a child from a previous marriage that appears to fall under this rule), the woman can get a substantial divorce settlement. As the 18 month approaches Katherine sees an attorney to file divorce papers. But, Dogboy disappears at the same time. Did he run away, commit suicide, or was he killed? That is part of the plot.

The plot was good, but the writing uneven. Like when a person utters this line: "Seated in the lounge, our dogs just sat at his feet and completely ignored us." Who talks like that?

I didn't like the end, at least how Katherine ends up. But, I still liked the book on the whole.

The story is about husband and wife who try to make each other hurt and lose the money. Wife married a rich guy, he thought she was sincere, and she wasn't and planned to steal his money from the start. Since the book was written by a man, you can figure out who won at the end.
The story is set mostly in Australia, and it was interesting to read about their ways, including the police and privacy laws. Her lawyer was talking about confidentiality, but she spilled the beans without any pressure to the police, for example.
Overall, it was an interesting read

I got the copy of the book from NetGalley

Lindsay Kramer is nicknamed “Dogboy” by his college buddies because he has the ability to communicate with dogs. The introverted Lindsay becomes a high-tech millionaire who meets and marries the former beauty queen turned fashion maven Katherine, a widow with a young daughter. This was an unlikely pair if there ever was one. But Catfish had other plans; she was going to divorce Dogboy after 18 months of marriage, when she would become eligible for half of their assets.
But Dogboy disappears. And questions arise about the death of Catfish’s first husband. And Catfish makes a few mistakes. And the story unfolds about the diabolical plans that Catfish had so cleverly devised. But the lady did not accurately estimate Dogboy.
Luke Gracias pens a novel full of plot twists and chicanery in “Dogboy v Catfish.” It is full of counterfeit goods, drugs, money laundering, the Mafia, and one smart Dogboy. This was a good read!
My thanks to NetGalley and Luke Gracias for an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Wow. Very unique and engaging. I really enjoyed this book. I had never read anything from this author before but would be interested in reading other works by him. This crime/police drama was highly entertaining and will keep you wanting to get to the end so you can see the full picture.

I basically read this in one sitting because it was fast-paced with short chapters so I kept going well maybe just another chapter to see what happens next. I liked that a lot was going on without giving away too much at once or dragging anything out like lots of thrillers do

Set in Australia, this is essentially a crime mystery. It starts a little slow but then gains momentum. Lindsay (Dogboy) who is marriage to Catfish goes missing. Months before this, Catfish has taken steps to separate from Lindsay and begin divorce proceedings with the goal to glean all she can from his wealthy estate. From there begins a complicated unraveling of counterfeit fashion goods, smuggling and possible murder. At some points I was not able to follow or understand the implications of the different levels of intrigue about the counterfeit of fashion good, but all is explained in the end. Overall I enjoyed this book and found it fascinating. Although it's fictional it is reality based. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy present day based fiction and crime/mysteries. I would give this 4 of 5 starts.

I really enjoyed this book, I thought the storyline was really great and loved the fact that our dectectives were trying to get the tail of the snake out of the head of another snake to prove their case! (That will make more sense when you read it!)

I really felt sorry for 'Dogboy' as it was clear that 'Catfish' was only ever after his money. However, it does seem that he did realise this and the way he set about getting 'rid' of his money was just brilliant.

I loved how the storyline all built up together and thought that the ending was perfect!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review

Dogboy a multi millionaire has gone missing, his wife Catfish has been planning a multi million divorce settlement since the day of their wedding . Where is Dogboy and how far will Catfish go to get his vast estates and his money. Also why is Catfish openly mixing with the criminal underworld .
Dogboy and Catfish is a good in depth thriller full of twists turns greed and revenge. This story is cleverly written with dedicated chapters to the main characters. 5 stars

Catfish is an influencer with a huge following. She revels in the attention and has a little boutique shop where she sells items she hawks online. She is outgoing and gregarious. Dogboy is a wealthy businessman with various holdings, including the shop Catfish rents from him. He is introverted and lonely. Their brief courtship, initiated by Catfish, is a whirlwind romance that ends in marriage. In Australia, if a couple split up after 18 months of marriage each spouse is entitled to half of the estate.

They have been married almost a year and a half when Dogboy vanishes without a trace. Catfish, the panic stricken wife, had already begun the divorce process when everything is put on hold. Nothing can proceed until Dogboy’s fate is determined or 8 years have passed since his disappearance.

There are many sub plots and side stories to keep the reader entertained while at the same time the main story, Dogboy’s whereabouts, is pursued. The author has kept all the pieces active and engrossing, while at the same time giving hints as to Dogboy’s fate. A great story that is well written.

I received an advance copy of this book from Net Galley, this is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. This book definitely had my attention from the beginning and I loved the way everything played out.

"Dogboy v Catfish" is a legal crime thriller that follows Katherine Fisher, also known as "Catfish Kelly," as she files for divorce on the same day she is married. Due to the divorce laws in Australia, She is entitled to maintenance payments until her daughter turns eighteen and half of their combined assets in twelve months. As Catfish prepares to take Lindsay to the dry cleaners, he vanishes. When leads involve the police, they begin their search by traveling to the area of his disappearance, where a murder investigation is launched into the case. The story then delves into the criminal underworld around selling counterfeit designer goods, where the black market sells for more than Australia's exports.

This story kept me up for several nights. I had to read several sections twice because the words rolled off my tongue so pleasantly. One of those is how the main character, Dogboy, got his name. It's rather long, so I'll just recommend you buy and read the book. Also, the book cover with intertwined snakes is explained further in the book. Luke Gracias, the author, connected all the pieces and left a united whole. I thank the publishers Authorsupfront and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC for this honest review.

This was an excellent read, full of mystery, murder and some laughs. Lindsay Kramer was know as dogboy to his friends because he could talk to dogs and hear them. Katherine Fisher was know as catfish. She planned to marry Lindsay then fleece him. The whole book is written like a cop show where they go step by step trying to figure out what happened to Lindsay, he just disappeared one day and was a missing person. The police find out a whole lot more and it takes a while to figure out what was happening. Though I truly liked the ending and what Lindsay put in his will. This is the part that gives you the best laugh. I received a free copy and the views and opinions are my own.

This may very well be my favorite read of the year. 5 STARS! This book is an original with an elaborate storyline that continuously gives you just enough to leave you at the edge of your seat. So well done!

The is so much more than just a story about a gold-digging woman divorcing her husband for his assets. It truly is about the dark world of counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling. It's detailed, informative, and is a great read to challenge your mind. If you are a fan of crime thrillers, you WILL BE a fan of this book. No doubt!


The cover art on this book could use a revamp. Obviously the title and snakes have significant meaning, but it is just isn't working to really give this book the chance it deserves. It's dark and the gaudy brass from the 80s depicts tchotchke and cheesy; it screams wrestling match to me.

And also, the editor missed quite a few details. Examples are:
- Chapter 22 starts on Thursday, June 25th... so the 26th of June should be on a Friday.
- Page 149 reads <i> 'Babe ,what on earth...</i>
- Page 182 reads <i> Green asked, 'Can you can do that?</i>
- There are many commas missing from the text and more

I enjoyed this novel and felt that the plot and cast of characters will appeal to a wide audience. The 33-year-old former Miss Australia beauty finalist and her wealthy, 41-year-old husband seemed to have it all at one point, but when the story opens it is quite clear that they did not. The husband is missing, and like many famous or wanna-be-famous people, the wife is trying to prove the depth of her despair with perfect selfies of herself and soulful hastags. There are a lot of characters in this book, and at times I found myself wishing that the characters were fleshed out a little more. This was particularly true in the beginning of the book. As the chapters progressed, I felt that the mystery was flowing more smoothly and the dialogue between the characters seemed much more realistic. In the first and second chapters I sometimes felt that the dialogue was actually more of the backstory. The various international setting- Portugal, Bangkok, a reference to an airport in Brazil in addition to the various places in Australia were fun as was the well-developed element involving designer goods. Luke Garcias's author's note at the end of the book was very meaningful. I was not expecting that personal element, and it made me appreciate the book even more,. Thank you Mr. Garcias and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!

The book starts with the disappearance of Lindsay Kramer (Dogboy) who has the ability to communicate and control dogs. He is the husband of Catherine Fisher (Catfish) a famous model and influencer who plans to divorce him one day after 18 months of marriage to ensure she gets half of his estate and her 5-year old daughter will be well taken care of. His disappearance throws a wrench into her plan and getting her hands on his millions becomes difficult.

The police investigating the disappearance of Dogboy get wrapped up in counterfeiting, money laundering and drug smuggling. I felt that the explanation of crimes committed in Australian was a bit excessive and I skimmed over at first then reread as it explained the cover of the book.

Easy, fast-paced, page turner suspense thriller of good vs. bad. I believe readers will love the ending!

Thanks to the author, Luke Gracias, via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

This is my "read" of the year!

Gracias' excellent narrative provides for an engaging and thrilling "whodunnit" when a former beauty queen marries a loner for his money and begins divorce proceedings before the ink has even dried on the marriage certificate. Unfortunately, said bride soon finds that everything she thought she was getting, quickly turns to dust and slips through her fingers as her sordid past comes back to bite her in the arse.

This is a departure from Gracias' other two books - but it is a strong stand-alone. I read this in one sitting - driven by the compulsion to keep reading and wanting to know the fate Dogboy. For someone to win, someone must lose - would it be Dogboy or Catfish?.

Different from a lot of books I've read. Well developed characters and really interesting story. Fast paced. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

It's incredibly hard to achieve five stars from avid readers, even more so with genres you're constantly reading. Events in the book can start to feel stale or familiar - and you're just kind of reading knowing the inevitable is going to happen.
Well -- even when my crime heart had solved in my mind the events that were about to unfold - another not so foreseeable twist.
Luke Gracias' ability to storytell from multiple points of view, oftentimes in the midst of a story the POV will shift.
Ooooh that was dastardly fantastic.
I'm unsure if it was the fact that there was an important point being made in the book throughout, that added fuel to this 🤌🏾 of a read.
One thing I'll note is obviously with crime, this particular scene in Australia predominantly and tiptoing Portugal, Bangkok and beyond - there are points in the book that read more educational. It's pertinent to understand what is occuring, but it can take you out of the storytelling moment. Certainly not a ding however.
When you feel sad reading a book that is ending so you slow it down, but you wish to learn what happens ASAP so you must continue. 🤣🤣

Very much looking forward to new reads from Luke Gracias, thank you and Netgalley for the opportunity to experience this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of this book. Luke Gracias is a new author for me and he tells a great story. Not the common psychological thriller theme, but very much different and equally entertaining. Loved the layer of stolen goods and money laundering. Great story. 4 stars

As Lindsay and Katherine’s marriage approaches the 18 month mark, Katherine is ready to execute her plan to divorce Lindsay and take half of his substantial assets. However, her plans go awry when Lindsey turns up missing. Following an assortment of leads into the cause of his disappearance a greater mystery unfolds. Past friendships, drug deals, counterfeit designer bags, unusually behaved dogs, and Instagram followers are just the start of it. Will justice prevail?

This was a enjoyable mystery with a whole network of clues that knitted together quite nicely for a satisfying ending. The mystery behind the ‘Dogboy’ character was just the right amount of unique to make you wonder what the next big reveal was. The author also did a great job of researching the backstory and tying up all the loose ends. A good read! 4 stars.

Review based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Luke Gracias and NetGalley. Thank you!

Author Luke Gracias has written a page turner.

It tells a compelling story of Katherine Fisher aka 'Catfish' who on the day of her wedding to Lindsay 'Dogboy' Kramer (a successful businessman and dog whisperer), plans the date for her divorce.

In precisely 18 months, Australian law would entitle her to half their combined assets and maintenance payments until her five-year old daughter turns 18.
Just as Catfish was about to take Dogboy to the cleaners, he goes missing.

The story is full of twists and turns and covers a range of issues including the law, fake designer goods, money laundering and drug dealing. It also very sensitively covers the topic of suicide.

A very unique and intriguing story.

An intriguing story that keeps your interest right to the end. A scheming wife who goes to all lengths to get her husband’s money when he goes missing. Katherine has a brilliant mind and sets up a store from where she she can perform illegal transactions. But Lindsay her husband stays out of sight knowing that he has set up other plans to thwart her! And there are two detective who won’t give up! You will love how the mystery unfolds.

Dogboy va Catfish is a mystery/thriller that takes place when a rich husband, Lindsay Kramer, goes missing just as his gold digger wife is about to take him for all he’s worth. Set mostly in Melbourne, Australia, I enjoyed the thoughtful detail given to include real street names and settings within the story. Having visited Melbourne multiple times, I could envision a lot of the places/areas. The start of the book gives a look back at some of the recurring characters in their college days when their friendships began, I liked that for the most part, the true character of each didn’t change much over time, despite evolving into successful adults with professional careers.

The real plot behind Lindsay’s disappearance and the world of counterfeit merchandise, drug money, and money laundering was difficult for me to understand and I’m glad there came a point where the author cleverly spelled it out for naive readers like me. I couldn’t reiterate it if I tried, but I liked the three snake puzzle and description.

The story had some great twists and kept me wondering until the end. I was surprised that Catfish’s character seemed to be the only one that “grew” over time, but I suppose that was a good thing. Overall this book surprised me and kept me reading, all the way through the epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Luke Gracias for allowing me to read this copy.

I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book - the title gives nothing away. It's excellent. So action packed, it kept me gripped all the way through. It's a really fresh story, first class writing.

This book was entirely entertaining an intriguing. The main characters were a married couple - Dogboy so nicknamed because he attracted and communicated with dogs from a young age and Catfish- nicknamed as a variation of her name- Katherine Fisher. Dogboy is a very wealthy and successful business man. His wife Catfish, is an ex-beauty queen, widowed by an abusive husband, and the mother of a 5 year old. The met as teenagers, but really hit it off when she leased a space in one of his buildings to establish a high end boutique.
They've been married almost 18 months, although it seems that Catfish has been planning their divorce to occur at exactly 18 months (which has a particular benefit in Australian law), so that she can have a substantial maintenance until her daughter turns 18.
This book was a wild ride with numerous subplots with twists and turns that kept me guessing who the real criminals were and who were the good guys. The plot was well developed, believable and perfectly executed. Likewise the characters were clearly defined and described.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed are my own. I highly recommend this mystery and look forward to reading more of Like Gracias.

I really enjoyed this book. Short chapters and engaging. I did find the explanations on the different illegal activities a bit confusing but think it would make a good movie.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #LukeGracias for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

There are several slang words that fit Katherine Fisher, gold digger could be one. A gold digger is described as a person or woman who seeks out wealthy men or enters a relationship with someone for money, gifts otherwise basically exploiting or deceiving the other person rather than for a love interest. However, the author gave Kath an appropriate name of ‘Catfish’. This slang title is defined as a fictitious attractive persona with malicious intent.

Kath has timed her divorce from Lindsay ‘Dogboy’ Kramer after 18 months of marriage, she knows she will be entitled to half of his assets and receive child support payments for her five-year-old daughter, Emma, until she turns 18 but there seems to be a bit of delay in her plan. Her husband Lindsay ‘Dogboy’ Kramer is missing.

I picked the wrong time of year to read this book, December, so be warned if you do not have time to read it in one or two sittings, you may want to hold off until you can block off time and make sure your eReader is charged in advance. I like the organized set up of the breakdown or table of contents that shows the different parts and how each chapter has a name, this reminds me of how episodes in a television series are named. The title references a phrase said during or what is to come in that chapter or episode. I like that the author provided the dates so that I was able to follow along in the timeline of events and investigation. What attracted me to the book was first the cover and then the except. I like that the cover ties into the storyline where the three snakes were mentioned by Matthias in Bangkok and again in the tale of the Endless Knot that explains the color and what each snake represents.

This book has all the right ingredients for a suspenseful and remarkably interesting storyline. I can tell research was done on the criminal and family laws in Australia, statistics were reviewed on the suicide rate among men and my favorite since my background is in fraud and forensic accounting is reading about the money laundering and counterfeit/luxury handbags. I enjoyed the storyline; the author gave details that kept the story going enough to help set up the scenes, but he did not overdo it or get carried away being too wordy. Kath is an entitled individual that I did not like from the very first chapter when she met with the family law attorney Freya Keogh and there are many more instances that shed light on her true gold digger characteristics. Sadly, readers are not introduced to Lindsay, or his persona but I feel like his character was represented and spoken through by those that he considered as devoted friends and acquaintances. The other characters spoke of Lindsay in a good way that led me to believe he was a smart and good person, and I like how the author carried that out. Lindsay was a huge part of the story but yet he was not a physical character so to speak he was only mentioned and talked about, and the author executed that very well.

The author effortlessly captivated me with this complete, intriguing well told novel where the good guys win. A book of greed, crime, illegal pursuits, and friendship, however the characters play a small part as the novel is plot driven. I normally like to get to know the characters I am reading about, but the narrative surrounding counterfeit designer bags, and the twist of illegal activity in this exceptional story took precedence.

A must read for readers seeking a good crime thriller!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of this title. I found this title to be an interesting and fun read. Without spoiling the ending, I found it quite funny, in a good way. Catfish was definitely a lot more than what i thought her character was going to be.