#TuesdayBookBlog Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias (@devils_prayer)

Hi, all:

We’ve all read several books by an author and come to expect them to write in a certain way and about certain topics. But, it is not uncommon to get a surprise when the writer decides to explore something completely different. This novel is a case in point.

Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias

Dogboy v Catfish by Luke Gracias. For lovers of complex, twisted, out-of-the-ordinary police procedurals, and clever puppetmasters

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 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?

About the author:

Luke Gracias is an Environmental Specialist who has been working part- time in the film industry since 2006. The Codex Gigas or the Devil’s Bible is the largest medieval manuscript in the world. It currently resides in the National Library of Sweden. The Codex Gigas has twelve missing pages which are rumoured to contain an apocalyptic test known as the Devil’s Prayer. An avid photographer, Luke travelled through Europe and his home country Australia documenting the 13th Century conspiracy between the Mongols who came to Europe in search of the Devil’s Prayer and the Papal Inquisition.

My review:

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. In case readers need more, the author also shares the inspiration for this novel, a true event he has never forgotten, in the back matter of the book.

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.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the novel, thanks to all of you for reading, sharing, commenting, clicking, and your continued support. Keep smiling and enjoy every single moment of every single day ♥

L.W. Smith. Military, prisons, death, mediums, Australia, photography…

Hi all:

As I told you last week I’ve decided to dedicate a few posts to share the works of other authors bloggers whose blogs I have already recommended but I’ve realised I haven’t yet talked to you about his books. And no time like now.

Today I bring you an Australian blogger who fascinates me for his versatility, and the great variety of topics he covers in his blog. If you haven’t checked Laurie Smith, I advise you to do it as soon as you can. And here he is!

L. W. Smith

L. W. Smith

Writing gritty, adult crime based novels seemed like a natural extension to Laurie Smith’s working life. Retired now after a life of working in the military, prisons, police and security he believes that he has something to write about and says, ‘You can’t be immersed in prison life, then work the streets as a copper without picking up the feel of crime and criminals. These experiences transfer easily to my books, set mainly in Queensland they add a local flavour not found in most novels of this genre.’

Laurie arrived in Australia as a boy from England in 1961 and lived in Sydney for a while before moving to Queensland. After joining the army he was stationed back in Sydney for two years before going to Vietnam. He felt drawn to Kings Cross, Sydney’s notorious red light district. This is where his first novel, Mountain of Death was born. He writes the Death series as L W Smith.

Retired now he fills his time when not writing another novel in his Death series, with photography, blogging and travel. He lives with his wife Lorelle on their rural hideaway in south-east Queensland.

Here his unmissable blog:

http://laurie27wsmith.wordpress.com/

And now his books!

Mountain of Death

Mountain of Death

Ten years on the inside can change a man. It changed Jack Hardy, it made him meaner. He knew his first step outside the gates would be the hardest, what he didn’t count on was coming up against someone from his past who brings mean to a whole new level. Everybody enjoys a big payday, none more than Hardy. They called him Hardman in Sydney’s Kings Cross and not just for his disposition. You have to start somewhere and he cut his teeth as a strip club bouncer and thief. A chance encounter brings Eddie Barnes, a Melbourne jockey on the run, into his life and along with a U S serviceman on R&R from Vietnam they pull off an Army payroll. Success breeds confidence and going on the run isn’t part of the deal. Neither is falling in love. Jack’s journey will take you on the road, along the way it’s a mixed bag of sex, violence, pain, loss and death culminating in an orgy of destruction on the Mountain of Death.

From the first page you’ll be drawn into Jack’s world. Stand next to him in his cell as he mulls over his failures and triumphs. There are the women he’s used and those that have used him for their own ends. Feel the excitement mount as he nears the end of ten long years inside where every waking moment could have been his last. Now all he wants is the woman he loves and his three million dollars. All good reasons to be happy, yet he knows that the minute he walks out of the front gate he’ll be the target for anyone with the guts to take him on. He’s left a trail behind him of those who have tried and failed. His journey will take you down dark alleys where you’ll feel knuckles striking flesh, into prison remand yards where a kick in the balls is the least of your worries. You’ll find yourself in dingy strip clubs and grubby flats, tasting the sweet delights of willing female flesh, and good scotch whiskey. Or in the middle of a shootout where bullets don’t discriminate, they kill. This is not a book for the weak of heart, so I suggest you bring along a supply of arnica cream for the bruises and a couple of shots of penicillin – you may need both.

http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Death-Book-1-ebook/dp/B007N66TRM/

Valley of Death

Valley of Death

Drug addicted, abused and homeless, no one seems to care what happens to street kids in Fortitude Valley. When an underage girl is found dead from an apparent heroin overdose Detective Annie Leeson puts her reputation, career and life on the line to find answers.

So what do you do when your worst nightmares become a living reality? When people from your past aren’t who you think they are. Who can you trust? More importantly, who are you?

Constable Annie Leeson is hard, smart and sexy. A young woman who lives her life with lusty abandon and if she can’t talk her way out of trouble, she’ll fight. She has a good job, relationships and wealth and can handle most things the police force throws at her. It’s difficult enough being a woman and bi sexual in the job. So if you don’t want her in your face then don’t gossip about her adopted dad, Homicide Detective Johnny Leeson. The mail van robbery and his sudden retirement posed more questions than answers. The only downside to life is her dreams and they bring with them more questions than answers. Why do they terrify her? Who are the people in them, and where is her real father?

Fortitude Valley is an inner Brisbane riverside suburb steeped in crime, sex and violence a magnet for the good time crowd. It also attracts the homeless, mentally ill and runaways who fall prey to predators of all ages. Drug dealers ply their trade in the clubs and back alleys and the innocents don’t stay that way for long. Street kids and drug users are not high on society’s list of endangered species. They are seen as a blight, a nuisance something to be ignored. Annie can’t ignore them and when a girl is found dead of an apparent heroin overdose, it brings up frightening connections to her own life. The questions pile up and so do the bodies. She becomes caught up in a perverted web of child abuse, pornography and murder, run by men whose only aims are lust and profit. Who can you trust when those in positions of power do nothing?

Rod and Grace Davis, friends of Detective Johnny Leeson when he was alive, are her only link to the past and she turns to them for help. Lives and reputations are destroyed and she discovers that there is more to love than raw sex. No one she cares about is safe, and driven by her dark past she treads a path that leads only one way – downhill.

http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Death-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00A6QR8A8/

River of Death

River of Death

A young woman’s body is found hanging in an abandoned shipping container, at Pinkenba, near Fortitude Valley. This is Detective Senior Constable Simon Fynch’s first case and it’s nearly his last. DSC Annie Leeson, from Brisbane Homicide is assigned to the investigation. When the next body washes up on the shores of the Brisbane River, they find themselves on the hunt for a killer with a bent for the mythological and the bizarre. He has a preference for red haired, green eyed victims, and if they’re pregnant it’s a bonus. On a downward spiral he strives to find his perfect, pure woman and if she doesn’t exist, then he’ll make her. Refined, charming and sadistic he’ll keep killing until he reaches his goal.
If one killer isn’t enough another is on the run from Sydney’s Long Bay Jail and heading north to Queensland. He’s cold, brutal and someone from Detective Annie Leeson’s past. Annie may have hardened and matured since Valley of Death but her relationships are still in turmoil. Old friendships are reignited, new friends are made. Loved ones move on and new lovers fill the emptiness in her life, while she juggles work, relationships and motherhood. Her daughter, Susan is the cornerstone of her life and the centre of her frustration. A gifted child, she has a ‘special friend’ who keeps her company, much to the annoyance of her mother. Killers aren’t Annie’s only problem, her reputation is brought vividly into the spotlight again. Will it affect the investigation, more importantly will it put Susan’s life at risk?
River of Death will keep you reading as the breadth and scope of the killer’s reach unfolds. No one is safe from either killer as they are drawn together by a common bond. Understaffed and overworked the police at Fortitude Valley put everything into tracking down a monster, despite the toll wrought on them.

There are true horror stories out there and they aren’t about vampires and werewolves. We have made these creatures up, to hide the obvious fact that we are the monsters.

http://www.amazon.com/River-Death-L-W-Smith-ebook/dp/B00JAXRZYW/

Thanks so much to Laurie for always sharing the most wonderful content on his blog, thanks to you all for reading, and please, like, share, comment and of course CLICK!

Guest author Annie Seaton and her new novel Italian Affair

As you know Fridays is guest author day. Today I’m sharing with you the new novel of Annie Seaton, a wonderful author I met through Facebook and who loves nothing more than to make our hearts beat faster with her romantic stories.
She’s been very kind sharing with us the story of how she decided to write Italian Affair.

Hi Olga

Thanks for hosting me on your blog.

I’d like to tell you about how this book came about…

Having my first contemporary romance, Holiday Affair,  accepted for publication  by the fabulous Entangled Publishing was the first exciting part of my writing journey after I retired from my career  in education two years ago. Seeing my debut novel hit the best seller lists and get fabulous reviews was overwhelming . Suddenly I was an author, a published author and a bestselling author all in a matter of four months!

So where did the idea for the second book in the series… Italian Affair come from?

Tom, the middle brother in Holiday Affair needed to find his happy ever after and I mulled over his problem and what sort of woman he would need to fall in love with, to complete his happiness.

Now, for those of you who have read Holiday Affair, you will remember Tom as a bit of a stuffed shirt, as one reviewer of Italian Affair described him! Tom needed someone who was free spirited, who could tease him, but who would also fall in love with the wonderful man he is.

Inspiration came to me through a very dear friend and I have dedicated Italian Affair to this friend, Melissa Lulham who told me how she had discovered her birth grandfather on Lipari Island.

Brianna Ballantine was born in that moment. Free spirited and with an urgent need to find a husband in four days, she meets Tom on the plane on the way to Italy. And that is where their story begins.

I adore this book. I have learned and developed so much as a writer over the past couple of years; I hope everyone enjoys my story and will ‘laugh, cry, and sigh’ as Amy Andrews wrote for my cover quote!

Annie

And an excerpt of the book:

She looked from one to the other and then placed her hand on Tom’s arm. She wanted to know what was being said. Tom shook his head and the elderly lawyer frowned at her. A flash of white caught her eye and she looked across to the corner as the other lawyer wiped a tear from his eye. Absorbed in watching the old man wipe his eyes, she jumped when Tom reached out and placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. 

He leaned down and placed his lips against hers before she could move. “What the f—” she whispered against his lips. 

“Just follow my lead,” he murmured into her mouth. 

“Kissing men, crying lawyers. This is bizarre,” she muttered and Tom frowned at her. 

She sat straight in her chair and flicked her braid over her shoulder. She concentrated and tried to follow the conversation. Signore Antoniolli directed a comment to the man in the corner, and he gave a cry of distress and jumped out of his chair, launching himself at her. He leaned over and hugged her tightly from behind, his papery skin rubbing against her cheek before he stood and wiped his eyes once again. 

“Più tardi,” he said as he walked to the door and left, shutting it behind him. 

Brianna turned to Tom, absolutely bewildered. “What the hell was that all about? Translate, please.” 

“Later.” 

“No, now,” she said in a furious whisper. “Tell me now.” 

Tom looked at her patiently. “It means later. Più tardi means later.”

 

Annie Seaton

 

http://annieseatonromance.com

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Affair-Entangled-Indulgence-ebook/dp/B00CNTTEAI

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/italian-affair-annie-seaton/1115375432?ean=9781622661374

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/italian-affair/id645263903?mt=11

And if you’re as impressed as I am I’m sure you’ll want to get to know Annie a bit better:

Annie lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats in a house next to the beach on the east coast of Australia. She sits in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories.  Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren. She has always been fascinated by all things romantic and has found her niche in life writing romance novels, ranging from contemporary to paranormal with a foray into steampunk!

Her debut full length novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March 2012 and has been a best seller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The sequel Italian Affair released in June 2013, will be followed shortly after by Outback Affair. Annie has more books being released in 2013 with Entangled Publishing in the Bliss, Entangled Suspense and Covet imprints.

Annie has also ventured into independent publishing with her de Vargas family steampunk series: Winter of the Passion Flower and Summer of the Moon Flower. Blind Lust (Musa Publishing) a paranormal novella is a sweet romance and one of Annie’s favourites.

In appreciation of the supportive author community, Annie has

written a book on promotion to share the secrets of her success:

Promotional Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Authors in the Digital

Landscape.

 

Annie loves to hear from readers at: annieseaton26@gmail.com

Her website is
http://www.annieseatonromance.com/
and her blog is at
http://annieseaton.blogspot.com.au/

You can find her on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/AnnieSeatonAuthor
and
https://www.facebook.com/annieseaton26

and Twitter
https://twitter.com/annieseaton26

Thank you so much for reading, thanks Annie for being my guest and for sharing your creative process.

And please, remember to CLICK!

Autora Invitada: Carmen Grau. Amanecer en el Sudeste Asiático y Trabajo Temporal.

Hoy les traigo a Carmen Grau, una autora de Barcelona (como yo) pero que ahora también vive muy lejos (en Australia, nada menos). Las dos pertenecemos a un grupo de autores independientes del que recordarán a otros escritores como Manuela Herrero, Judith Priay y Eduardo Perellón.

A ella le gusta mucho viajar, y de hecho las dos obras que comparte hoy con nosotros son muy viajeras.

Aquí os dejo una pequeña biografía de Carmen, las portadas de las novelas y descripciones (que seguro que os enganchan) y por supuesto los enlaces. Y no os olvidéis de hacer click!

Biografía de la autora

Carmen Grau nació y creció en Barcelona. Es licenciada en Filología Inglesa por la Universidad de Barcelona y en Humanidades por Providence College, RI, Estados Unidos. Escribe en inglés, castellano y catalán. Ha viajado extensamente por el mundo y vivido en varios países, como Singapur, Malasia y Australia, donde reside desde hace once años. En el año 2000 emprendió un viaje poco planeado por varios países asiáticos y un año más tarde escribió «Amanecer en el Sudeste Asiático», el libro de viajes más vendido en 2012 y lo que va de 2013 en Amazon España. En 2004 escribió la novela «Trabajo temporal», también publicada en Amazon. Actualmente está enfrascada en otro libro de viajes que narrará su experiencia peregrinatoria a bordo de los trenes más legendarios del mundo desde Barcelona a Perth, Australia. También publica cuentos, relatos y ensayo en sus blogs: elblogdecarmengrau.blogspot.com, en castellano, y raisingboysinoz.blogspot.com, en inglés. Carmen compagina su pasión por la escritura y los viajes con el cuidado y educación total de sus dos hijos, Dave y Alex, que como ella, son autodidactas y librepensadores.

Amanecer en el Sudeste Asiático es algo más que un relato de viajes

El 2 de enero de 2000 Carmen Grau se despidió de su trabajo, familia y amigos en Barcelona y emprendió un viaje poco planeado, con lo puesto y la mochila a cuestas. A lo largo de siete meses recorrió Tailandia, Laos, Vietnam, Camboya, Birmania, Hong Kong, Malasia, Sumatra (Indonesia) y Singapur desplazándose en autobús, tren o barco. Se alojó en albergues y hostales, comió en restaurantes baratos o puestos de calle y compartió vivencias con mochileros de muchos otros países. Ante todo, se interesó por las gentes, la cultura e historia, la gastronomía y la belleza natural de los países por los que pisaba. Amanecer en el Sudeste Asiático es el resultado de esta gran aventura, que cambiaría su vida para siempre.

En versión electrónica:

http://www.amazon.es/AMANECER-SUDESTE-ASI%C3%81TICO-Mucho-ebook/dp/B007SLD4EI/

Y en papel:

http://www.amazon.es/Amanecer-Sudeste-Asi%C3%A1tico-Mucho-viaje/dp/1469989484/

Y su otra novela:

Trabajo Temporal

Anna Estebanell se toma su vida laboral como una aventura. Salta de trabajo en trabajo aprendiendo cosas nuevas y disfrutando todo lo que puede, hasta que se aburre y busca algo mejor. Después de un par de meses como teleoperadora representando al Fútbol Club Barcelona, aparece en su vida la oportunidad de trabajar en un velero de lujo como azafata. Sin experiencia previa, se lanza a una nueva aventura temporal, que promete ser unas vacaciones pagadas. En vez de eso, se ve inmersa en un mundo de diferenciadas clases sociales. La convivencia en el reducido espacio vital del velero conduce a un verdadero temporal de relaciones humanas.

Una novela refrescante, que hará que más de un lector se replantee su situación laboral.

«Me enganché tanto que la leí casi de un tirón, en un par de días. La narración es fluida, y tiene cierto suspenso. Un viaje en velero, una protagonista viajera, intelectual y algo marginal…Los paseos de Anna por los lugares nuevos y sobre todo el final, su renuncia liberadora. La novela es interesante en otros aspectos. Por un lado, porque revela la tremenda frivolidad de cierta alta burguesía, que imagino existe en casi todos los lugares del mundo. Por otro lado, porque muestra un pequeño mundo que casi nadie conoce: la vida en un velero privado de lujo. Y principalmente, porque en esa pequeña muestra humana se reproduce una realidad global de las relaciones sociales y laborales. Los peones (la tripulación), explotados y exigidos al máximo; los patrones (los jefes), amos totales, pero que juegan con el paternalismo y la buena onda (la aparente complicidad de Lyn, la invitación a cenar y confraternización de patrones y empleados) para tener a los peones más contentos y por lo tanto, servir mejor; y los capataces (el capitán y su mujer), los peores, los típicos lacayos, serviles con el amo y tiranos con los peones.» Savitri Ingrid Mayer, autora de Violeta y los 22 Arcanos

«Carmen Grau tiene mirada de viajera y sabe fijarse en detalles que a otros pasarían inadvertidos y describir situaciones con tanta precisión que te parece estar presente. Los sucesos que narra son en apariencia triviales: los roces de un grupo de personas de distintas procedencias que están obligadas a convivir en la estrechez de un barco de lujo. Sin embargo, poco a poco se van dibujando los caracteres y se perfilan asuntos de mayor calado, ocultos en las insignificancias, que van tomando cuerpo.» Carmen Martínez Gimeno autora de La historia escrita en el cielo.

Y el enlace:

http://www.amazon.es/TRABAJO-TEMPORAL-ebook/dp/B008IS0JTS/

Gracias por leer, y no os olvidéis de hacer CLICK!