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.

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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.

I wasn’t sure what to make of this book at first, but I ended up really enjoying it. Definitely worth a read!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dogboy v Catfish is an intriguing Australian crime thriller about the investigation into the disappearance of a shy tech millionaire just when his former beauty queen wife is preparing to take him to the cleaners in a divorce. I was invited to read it post publication by NetGalley, and liked the striking cover image and tantalising title, so decided to take a chance on a new author to me. I’m glad I did as I was immediately swept up in the story, which explores an area of the law that doesn’t usually appear in crime fiction, and exposes the way it can be abused by the unscrupulous.

I really liked how different this is, both in plot and writing style - it’s almost like a newspaper report, carefully describing a series of events, but the reader knows from the start who the villain is in this battle. The Melbourne police officers investigating Dogboy’s disappearance are sympathetic and diligent, and you cheer them as they take on the manipulative Katherine Kelly Fisher aka Catfish, and he scheming lawyers and dubious associates. Soon they are discovering links to international organised crime but the mystery lies in what exactly has been going on in the world of high-priced designer goods. Who knew that the market for fake handbags was quite so profitable!

I thoroughly enjoyed this for the characters and the twisty plot, and fully expect it to appear on my Top 5 books of this year. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy; I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Dogboy v Catfish is available now.

Thank you for this ARC. Not my usual type of book but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, it just flowed.
Would recommend to others.

This is the first book by this author I have read. I loved the storyline. After I read the synopsis, I couldn’t wait to read it. The premise is unique and well delivered. I wasn’t as much a fan of the author’s writing style. The sentences were short and lacked description. I think the story would have been so much better with more character development and more descriptive language. In my opinion, the writing was very simple.

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.

Interesting and disturbing concept. I didn't enjoy the writing style but was interested in the story itself. Certainly makes one want to be aware of a persons past.

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

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

How conniving can the woman you love be when she thinks she is entitled to live an easy life as a socialite? In this mystery novel, elements of family law, crime and psychology combine to expose how unfair Australia's legal system can be when one participant in a divorce is much more wealthy than the other.

Dogboy v Catfish is a relaxing read, not a thriller, which makes it an accessible look into how international crime can find its way into everyday Australian life. While the police are trying to unravel what is going on with both Dogboy and Catfish, the lawyers and associates of each party are drawn into a web of carefully laid plans. But whose are they?

The reader is on tenterhooks right to the end wondering who is going to get the better of who? Will the criminals get away with their dirty deeds or will the cops finally manage to slice the head off the snake? Will the police uncover what has happened to missing person Lindsay Kramer? Did he really kill himself? Are those knock-off designer handbags genuine after all? And what do a couple of porn stars have to do with it?

You will have to read Dogboy v Catfish to find out!

I almost didn’t request this book as the title didn’t inspire me and I thought the cover was a little odd. Until I read the description I thought it was aimed at young teens. However, the book got off to a really promising start. I loved Dogboy immediately and was really looking forward to more of his dog whispering skills. Sadly, there wasn’t much more. It wasn’t long before I realised I wasn’t enjoying the writing style. To be honest, at times I felt as if I was reading an instruction manual or a report, and the stilted dialogue was awful. There seemed to be a lot of repetition throughout and I got totally confused and bored with all the details we were given about the designer bags/trash/drugs crime. I enjoyed that a certain dreadful person got what they deserved in the end, and I enjoyed that it was the end! Sorry, but thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this.

This book had an interesting concept but it was hard to read. I was more interested in the relationship between the husband and wife and thought there would be more about the cat and mouse game between them. The style was a little stilted and the investigation for a missing husband became more of an investigation into fake good and money laundry, which wasn't long, detailed and not very interesting. I liked the beginning and the end more