Enjoyable fast paced thriller. Although the story left a lot of crumbs, I didn’t guess the ending which is always a sign of a good book.

This is a gripping story, with numerous clever twists. However, I felt it was trying a bit too hard to be clever, and the ending seemed rather rushed. I also felt it was similar to a number of other books I have read recently.

Didn’t realize I had already read this book under a different title. POSSESSION. So here’s my review for it!
A bit dark, a lot disturbing and graphic, if like me this is something you love in books, grab now; if not walk away! Well written, chilling, thrilling, shocking, and gruesome as heck! Very well developed in character and plot! Read two books with similar underlying themes, but was able to enjoy both greatly, because they were so unique! I love how authors are taking plots that’s been done many times, and creating their own unique spin, making it fun and original to read! If you too enjoy this, I highly recommend this book, as by starting you’ll see it’s not a completely uncommon plot, but I promise the author surely makes it stand out! Lots of graphic scenes, so if not your thing, again I’m warning choose another, if it is, it’s a must read! Clear your schedule, it’s hard to put down!
Will make sure to buzz it around platforms and use low Amazon reviewer number on release date!

This is my first book by Katie Lowe and it won't be the last!

I devoured this book in two days and LOVED IT! There is no spoilers in my review, that's for you to find out by reading this wonderful book of lies, more lies, secrets, love, revenge, coercion, betrayal and much more. Some chapters could have been shorter but did not detract from the story which moves along nicely throughout the book. I loved the atmosphere throughout the book. A modern, up-to-date story with snappy writing.

I would recommend this novel.

I give a 4 start rating

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

This is a powerful and scary book. Coercive control and gaslighting dominate the story of poor, desperate, Hannah.
At the start of the story, Hannah's husband Graham is murdered. Hannah is able to start a new life, but not without a cloud of suspicion hanging over her.
It soon becomes clear that Hannah lives with permanent self-doubt. Flashbacks show how much Graham and other men controlled her. It is as if she had a sign on her head: abuse me.
Two elements arrive to disturb Hannah's life. One is an old colleague, Darcy, who is now what she seems. Another is Conviction: a true crime podcast that is very zeitgeisty. The podcast sets out to prove that the man convicted of Graham's murder is innocent.
Suddenly, old faces come out of the darkness. Her relationships deteriorate, and Hannah thinks she is losing her mind. Did she really kill her husband? The only way to find out is to read The Murder of Graham Catton. You'll be glad to did.

Hannah Catton’s husband, Graham (perfect in every way), was murdered ten years ago, and Mike Philips has been imprisoned for the crime. Hannah has moved on, she’s now with partner Dan, and they’re living in Hawkwood with Hannah’s daughter Evie. Hannah is a psychiatrist working in a clinic for eating disorders and understands the psychology of the mind.

Journalist Anna Byers runs a popular podcast “Conviction” where she investigates cases where the perpetrator might be innocent, and has helped overturn guilty verdicts. Mike Philips has always protested his innocence, so Anna is planning to look into the case. And she has Hannah in her sights as the guilty party.

Unfortunately, Hannah can remember nothing of the night of the murder but she goes through trial by social media, and her life starts to spiral out of control.

A gripping thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This is a book that makes you think. It turns typical crime fiction/psychological thriller on its head by showing no justice at the end of the book. Unfortunately, as a reader who had invested time into the main character of the book, this felt like a cop out. It may be that in real life there is no retribution, but this is fiction! I really enjoyed the social media aspect of victimisation, but surely this crossed the line of believable? The main character could/would have sued for defamation of character at the very least. I’m afraid I cannot suspend belief when I’m shouting at my kindle!!! As a true fan fan of the puzzle element of crime fiction, I would have liked a few more pointers towards the perpetrator before the final couple of chapters. Very rushed ending in my opinion, with no real tying up of the ends.

#TheMurderOfGrahamCatton #NetGalley
Darkest read of 2021.
Graham Catton was the perfect husband, professor and father. Why would someone murder him? His wife, Hannah Catton, tells the police she remembers nothing from the night of the murder. Why would she lie to them? Evidence against the accused, Mike Philips, is minimal and he protests his innocence throughout the trial.Why would they convict him?Journalist Anna Byers has overturned numerous prison sentences with her popular podcast CONVICTION and she believes the wrong man is behind bars.What will she do to help him?Someone knows more about the murder than they’re telling.
Who? Find out in the book.
I loved it and finished it in two days. It was really a dark read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advanced copy of this book.

I loved this book!!
The Murder of Graham Catton follows Hannah Catton as the murder of her late husband is dug up on a crime podcast.
This book has a gothic feel throughout, it's dark and menacing and twisty. Perfect. And that ending!!!!

With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the chance to read and review.

I never repeat the blurb. This could have been good, but even as a survivor of abusive and coercive control, it didn't do it for me. It was too rambling, too contrived. Just not my cup of tea.

The kind of twisty mind bending psychological thriller that I love with an unreliable narrator (tick) a podcast theme (double tick) plus great writing and an unpredictable if sometimes convoluted plot that keeps you hooked throughout the story.

Fuller review nearer publication.
Comment

The Murder of Graham Catton intrigued me at the start but didn’t fulfil the promise. I usually enjoy books with unreliable narrators and the character of Hannah was well developed. However, the rest of the story was disjointed, with too much going on, predictable and full of usual platitudes - mental health issues, domestic abuse, loss of memory, which later conveniently comes back, best friend that is sleeping with the husband etc. I listened to this on audio and narrator was very irritating, talking in unnatural voices that all sounded the same.

I wanted to love this book but I couldn't help but I couldn't help feel it had hints of previous books I've read.

I enjoyed the twists and turns that happened in this book, there was always something wrong and you're never sure what it was. The main character makes you doubt everyone and everything being unreliable.

An intelligent and gripping psychological thriller, this had all the elements for a compelling genre read - shocking opening, then/now time shifts, creepy atmosphere and unreliable narrator. The twists were great (although I had guessed something didn't ring true about one of the characters) and I was not prepared for the ending which I LOVED. As well as being really entertaining, it also raises questions around privacy, social media and explores issues such as guilt, coercive control and mental health.

The idea that your husband could have been killed and you can’t remember a thing, not even if you’ve done it, was a gripping plot. The way the book gently reveals what happened , whilst also going through a reinvestigation of the case was very clever. The additional bonus of another murder, was a fairly predictable, but gripping feature at the end of the book. The book took its time to reveal details, and the start, for me, was rather slow. But the last third really sped up, lots happening and being revealed so you as the reader can start to guess what had really happened. Very deep and complex plot.

This book is unbearably tense and stressful and clever and sooo brilliant. A mega thrill-ride of psychological suspense.

This is a great read and one that stopped me sleeping late into the night.
I found myself cheering Hannah on and praying that justice would prevail, then, when I wasn't sure of her innocence, I was hoping it wouldn't.
It's a gentle, easy to read thriller but still one that cleverly keeps the reader enthralled with snippets of information all the way through that will alter your perception of guilt time and time again.
Many thanks.

Hannah Catton had hoped that she’d not exactly gotten over the murder of her husband Graham about a decade ago, but that she was able to focus on getting on with the rest of her life. On the outside, it looks as though she has: a daughter who she loves, and a new partner who adores them both. But when Conviction, a new podcast announces its developers are re-investigating Graham’s case, it’s clear that Hannah is a person of interest. With the speed of digital media and the rise of podcasts – and especially those concerning people in your locality – suddenly everyone has something to say about Hannah. Will the truth of how Graham met his demise actually be discovered? I thoroughly enjoyed this, pacy throughout and a plot that will maintain your interest.

I'd nearly finished The Murder of Graham Catton, and was wondering what else the author had written, before I realised I'd actually already read her previous book, The Furies. I liked that one, but I liked this one even more. Actually, it was great.

The title does seem to vary - sometimes it's called Possession (the US title?), and my advance copy was labelled, confusingly, as Conviction. The Murder of Graham Catton is a perfectly good title, however, since that's what it's about.

Hannah's husband - Graham Catton, not surprisingly - was murdered years earlier, and a man quickly convicted and imprisoned for the crime. Now, though, hugely popular true-crime podcast Conviction is re-examining the case. They believe Mike Philips is innocent and someone else guilty - and they have Hannah firmly in their sights.

Hannah doesn't remember a thing about that night, but with Mike in prison, the evidence against him apparently unassailable, she's been able to get on with her life - her job as a psychiatrist in an eating disorders unit, her home life with partner Dan and teenage daughter Evie, her long-time friendship with colleague Sarah.

But it's all about to come crashing down.

This story really got to me. I felt Hannah's frustrated helplessness as the trap closed around her - and the public vilification intensified - even as I remained unsure of what she had or hadn't done. Yes, it was pretty tense, and distressing to read at times. Katie Lowe clearly excels at building tension both external and internal, as Hannah's mind begins to fracture under the almost unbearable strain and people she trusted seem to turn against her. Meanwhile, there's her fascination with the ruined Hawkwood House, once a psychiatric hospital, and her growing sense of the presence of the deceased Graham. It builds to an inexorable denouement and an - ultimately - satisfying ending.

Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC
Overall a good read. I did get slightly confused at the end as to what was going on and it did get a bit unbelievable so I dropped a star.
Intriguing premise for the plot to a book. It was a slow burner but did draw me in. I'm not sure if you were supposed to feel sympathy for Hannah from the beginning. She annoyed me slightly but I did end up having more empathy with her.
I will likely read more from this author