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sicksadlit's Reviews (527)
This book is perfect. I could not put it down from the moment I read the first page, it gripped me like a fast-paced thriller novel made all-the-more enthralling by the fact that it is TRUE.
The depth of research is incredible, and Farrow managed to masterfully weave his own story and experience within the pages in a way that felt natural, highlighting his own inherent bias towards excusing predatory behaviour in order to avoid discomfort.
Although this is a book about Weinstein, it's so much more than that.
Catch and Kill pulls back the curtain on a deep, systemic rot that exists within the media industry and how there are so many more Weinstein's out there who control the narrative and exist to protect each other and their way of life.
The book had a relatively satisfying conclusion in that whilst many of the worst offenders aren't in prison - or even charged with anything - in the court of public opinion, we find them guilty.
If you take anything away from Catch and Kill, let it be the reminder that behind every news organisation is a man who is desperate to protect his reputation and silence any and all people who threaten it.
The depth of research is incredible, and Farrow managed to masterfully weave his own story and experience within the pages in a way that felt natural, highlighting his own inherent bias towards excusing predatory behaviour in order to avoid discomfort.
Although this is a book about Weinstein, it's so much more than that.
Catch and Kill pulls back the curtain on a deep, systemic rot that exists within the media industry and how there are so many more Weinstein's out there who control the narrative and exist to protect each other and their way of life.
The book had a relatively satisfying conclusion in that whilst many of the worst offenders aren't in prison - or even charged with anything - in the court of public opinion, we find them guilty.
If you take anything away from Catch and Kill, let it be the reminder that behind every news organisation is a man who is desperate to protect his reputation and silence any and all people who threaten it.
It's hard not to let my outrage and disgust with those responsible for these crimes, influence my review of this book.
Initially I rated this 4 stars but after a few days to think about it, I'm dropping it to 3.
As an avid reader of true crime and particularly white collar true crime, I was excited to sink my teeth into this one. But there were times where I couldn't tell if the story was particularly outrageous or if the writing was just... not that great.
I can't help but compare Billion Dollar Whale to other white collar heavyweights like Bad Blood and Catch and Kill, which are both exceptional and in my view, almost perfect.
Billion Dollar Whale fell short for me. Each time I'd pick it up I'd hope to get drawn in as I usually do and lose myself in the story but instead I just felt mad, and not just because the subjects at the heart of the con are truly reprehensible.
There was just something missing in the execution of the writing which is a shame because this story is so outrageous and so totally devastating for the current and future generations of Malaysians who now have to pay the price for the selfish actions of a few.
I recommend reading it because it's an important story to understand, but I'm overall a little disappointed.
Initially I rated this 4 stars but after a few days to think about it, I'm dropping it to 3.
As an avid reader of true crime and particularly white collar true crime, I was excited to sink my teeth into this one. But there were times where I couldn't tell if the story was particularly outrageous or if the writing was just... not that great.
I can't help but compare Billion Dollar Whale to other white collar heavyweights like Bad Blood and Catch and Kill, which are both exceptional and in my view, almost perfect.
Billion Dollar Whale fell short for me. Each time I'd pick it up I'd hope to get drawn in as I usually do and lose myself in the story but instead I just felt mad, and not just because the subjects at the heart of the con are truly reprehensible.
There was just something missing in the execution of the writing which is a shame because this story is so outrageous and so totally devastating for the current and future generations of Malaysians who now have to pay the price for the selfish actions of a few.
I recommend reading it because it's an important story to understand, but I'm overall a little disappointed.
This would be a great non-fiction white collar read... if any of it actually happened.
I devoured this book and naturally fell down a rabbit hole of personal research into Frank Abagnale after the fact. As an avid true crime fan I was astounded that more true crime podcasts and youtube channels weren't talking about this outrageous conman.
What I discovered is that all of Frank's "escapades" have since been debunked.
We have, in fact, been conned by the conman once again.
Researchers have discovered that much of Frank's supposed crimes could not have taken place as he was actually in jail between the ages of 16 to 21 at the times he states throughout his book for other, much more boring, run of the mill petty crimes.
If this were reclassified as fiction, it would be great.
As it stands, the classification as non-fiction is entirely inappropriate and therefore, hugely disappointing.
I devoured this book and naturally fell down a rabbit hole of personal research into Frank Abagnale after the fact. As an avid true crime fan I was astounded that more true crime podcasts and youtube channels weren't talking about this outrageous conman.
What I discovered is that all of Frank's "escapades" have since been debunked.
We have, in fact, been conned by the conman once again.
Researchers have discovered that much of Frank's supposed crimes could not have taken place as he was actually in jail between the ages of 16 to 21 at the times he states throughout his book for other, much more boring, run of the mill petty crimes.
If this were reclassified as fiction, it would be great.
As it stands, the classification as non-fiction is entirely inappropriate and therefore, hugely disappointing.
This is one of the all time worst true crime books I have ever read.
The author David Reichert was the lead detective on the Green River case for 21 years, and despite the shockingly high (49) number of victims, this a**hole STILL manages to make the story all about him and how great he is.
Oh! And how he's a victim too... *vomits*
Never have I read a more selfish account of a horrific case that widely affected so many.
It feels like the Green River Killer was the best thing to ever happen to Reichert who has probably been dining out on his involvement in this case ever since.
Any time he mentions criticism brought by any of the families, he disregards it and instead talks about how hurt HE feels by such critique.
Truly revolting piece of work.
If you want to learn about the Green River Killer, go and read Ann Rule's Green River Running Red instead and throw this one out the window.
The author David Reichert was the lead detective on the Green River case for 21 years, and despite the shockingly high (49) number of victims, this a**hole STILL manages to make the story all about him and how great he is.
Oh! And how he's a victim too... *vomits*
Never have I read a more selfish account of a horrific case that widely affected so many.
It feels like the Green River Killer was the best thing to ever happen to Reichert who has probably been dining out on his involvement in this case ever since.
Any time he mentions criticism brought by any of the families, he disregards it and instead talks about how hurt HE feels by such critique.
Truly revolting piece of work.
If you want to learn about the Green River Killer, go and read Ann Rule's Green River Running Red instead and throw this one out the window.
