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Catchee Monkey
When Elise Collette meets the suave and sophisticated Jeff Braithwaite she falls madly in love. But slowly she discovers there are disturbing aspects to his life – small things that don’t add up. Even his friends suspect him of shady financial deals and theft. She begins to suspect he has possibly killed two of his previous girlfriends and injured another for life.
Desperately hoping to be proven wrong, she decides to investigate his past. And the more she uncovers, the greater her fears. Her suspicion drives her to the point of madness as she tries to convince herself that someone is trying to ruin Jeff’s reputation. Are one of his friends to blame? On the other hand, how culpable is Jeff? Would he harm the woman he plans to marry, if she finds out the truth about him?
After an intruder tries to kill Elise, Jeff suggests they move to a property he has inherited in Sri Lanka. But even after they move to these sultry climes to start life anew, her suspicions follow her. Jeff invites all his friends to join them. Following the tragic death of the housemaid, Elise suspects that everyone has a motive. It is only after a terrifying confrontation that she realises she has been the victim of cruel deception. Unwittingly, she has enacted an ingeniously devised plan of revenge on behalf of someone else.
Desperately hoping to be proven wrong, she decides to investigate his past. And the more she uncovers, the greater her fears. Her suspicion drives her to the point of madness as she tries to convince herself that someone is trying to ruin Jeff’s reputation. Are one of his friends to blame? On the other hand, how culpable is Jeff? Would he harm the woman he plans to marry, if she finds out the truth about him?
After an intruder tries to kill Elise, Jeff suggests they move to a property he has inherited in Sri Lanka. But even after they move to these sultry climes to start life anew, her suspicions follow her. Jeff invites all his friends to join them. Following the tragic death of the housemaid, Elise suspects that everyone has a motive. It is only after a terrifying confrontation that she realises she has been the victim of cruel deception. Unwittingly, she has enacted an ingeniously devised plan of revenge on behalf of someone else.
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First published April 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 4, 2014
Last year, I read and reviewed Deep as Bone by this author and enjoyed it so much I didn’t expect Catchee Monkey to be anywhere near as good. But, Malla Duncan has done it again. This is one of those books that keeps you reading into the small hours and that you are sorry to finish. From the first page, the reader is plunged into a mystery which grows ever more dangerous and dark as the story goes on. Like the heroine, Elise, I was kept guessing right up to the end.
Elise’s only friend, Nina, an astrologist, fails to turn up for a planned meal out, one evening. A stranger, Jeff Braithwaite, asks to take Nina’s empty seat in the overcrowded restaurant. So begins a romance which is life-changing for Elise. Within six months she has moved into Jeff’s plush Bayswater flat, and enjoying a lifestyle like nothing she has known before. Only then does she realise that she hardly knows him at all and there is a great deal which Jeff is secretive about. When Jeff’s friends begin dropping hints about nasty things which happened to Jeff’s previous girlfriends, Elise begins to have serious doubts about Jeff’s character. His friends all seem to have axes to grind. Is Jeff really a dangerous person to know or are his friends vengefully stirring up trouble for him? It seems she has everything to lose by leaving Jeff, i.e. the money, the lifestyle, but staying might cost her life. On the other hand, is Elise allowing her imagination to run away with her? The sense of danger is ever present, caught there inside Elise’s ambivalence.
It is the author’s insight into the psychology of her characters which makes this thriller shine. Elise is vulnerable, isolated, manipulated – just the kind of girlfriend a controlling psychopath would want. She is too easily persuaded that her suspicions are the product of her over-imagination; too ready and needing to believe in Jeff’s essential goodness; too unsure of herself to voice her fears. We see in her character a young woman ripe for the picking. Yet, there is the possibility that Jeff has done nothing wrong and that Elise is on the brink of ruining the relationship of her dreams because she is unable to trust. Jeff tells her she has ‘a mind that has to make something of nothing’, and just like Elise, we are left wondering if the problem really does lie with her or if this is just another instance of him manipulating her.
This story is told in the first person voice of Elise which makes for a powerful read. We, the readers, feel at first hand her uncertainty, the imminent sense of danger, and the need to believe in Jeff while seemingly having every reason to doubt him. But the reader has the ability also to see Elise more objectively than she can see herself. What I saw was a young woman, whose autonomy was being chipped away at, bit by bit, to the extent that she is made to doubt even her own beliefs and instincts. For me, this meant her life was in danger in more subtle and far-reaching ways than the physical.
I love books that make me think, which tell me something profound about human nature and/or relationships. Apart from being a gripping thriller, this novel is an exploration of human psychology; the inherent imbalances of power within relationships; and the delicate thread we walk whenever we wholly entrust our well-being to the hands of another. Be careful who you trust!
A gripping, complex, clever thriller.
Elise’s only friend, Nina, an astrologist, fails to turn up for a planned meal out, one evening. A stranger, Jeff Braithwaite, asks to take Nina’s empty seat in the overcrowded restaurant. So begins a romance which is life-changing for Elise. Within six months she has moved into Jeff’s plush Bayswater flat, and enjoying a lifestyle like nothing she has known before. Only then does she realise that she hardly knows him at all and there is a great deal which Jeff is secretive about. When Jeff’s friends begin dropping hints about nasty things which happened to Jeff’s previous girlfriends, Elise begins to have serious doubts about Jeff’s character. His friends all seem to have axes to grind. Is Jeff really a dangerous person to know or are his friends vengefully stirring up trouble for him? It seems she has everything to lose by leaving Jeff, i.e. the money, the lifestyle, but staying might cost her life. On the other hand, is Elise allowing her imagination to run away with her? The sense of danger is ever present, caught there inside Elise’s ambivalence.
It is the author’s insight into the psychology of her characters which makes this thriller shine. Elise is vulnerable, isolated, manipulated – just the kind of girlfriend a controlling psychopath would want. She is too easily persuaded that her suspicions are the product of her over-imagination; too ready and needing to believe in Jeff’s essential goodness; too unsure of herself to voice her fears. We see in her character a young woman ripe for the picking. Yet, there is the possibility that Jeff has done nothing wrong and that Elise is on the brink of ruining the relationship of her dreams because she is unable to trust. Jeff tells her she has ‘a mind that has to make something of nothing’, and just like Elise, we are left wondering if the problem really does lie with her or if this is just another instance of him manipulating her.
This story is told in the first person voice of Elise which makes for a powerful read. We, the readers, feel at first hand her uncertainty, the imminent sense of danger, and the need to believe in Jeff while seemingly having every reason to doubt him. But the reader has the ability also to see Elise more objectively than she can see herself. What I saw was a young woman, whose autonomy was being chipped away at, bit by bit, to the extent that she is made to doubt even her own beliefs and instincts. For me, this meant her life was in danger in more subtle and far-reaching ways than the physical.
I love books that make me think, which tell me something profound about human nature and/or relationships. Apart from being a gripping thriller, this novel is an exploration of human psychology; the inherent imbalances of power within relationships; and the delicate thread we walk whenever we wholly entrust our well-being to the hands of another. Be careful who you trust!
A gripping, complex, clever thriller.
January 30, 2015
Malla Duncan’s novel ‘Catchee Monkey’ was an absolute joy to read. I read ‘Deep as Bone’ last year and therefore approached her latest book suspecting that I would like it at least as much – in fact I enjoyed it even more. She writes so well. Her descriptive passages are beautifully evocative of different places, bringing them into vivid Technicolor in the reader’s mind – especially when the action moves to Sri Lanka, at which point the symbolic relevance of the title becomes increasingly clearer. Malla Duncan is a master of metaphor and simile, using both with a subtle expertise that delights any lover of language, and which serve to paint eloquent visual images that are always crisply original. Just to give you a flavour of them, I made note of a few which I particularly liked:
“His words were as clear as coins in a mountain pool.”
“Words were pouring through my head, filling my mouth like a swarm of bees.”
“Thoughts buried sly as a virus in a bloodstream.”
Malla has a consummate ability to create the swelling tension of suspense as suspicions of possible unconscious and conscious motivations in all her characters begin to grow. I found myself torn between the compelling urge to continue reading to discover the final answer to the central mystery, and wanting to savour every sentence rather than miss any of the wonderful nuances. The characters are so believable, and their flaws are uncovered one by one as Elise travels an inner journey every bit as dramatic and life-changing as her external one. This author knows how to play with her readers’ emotions and keep them on a tight rein of anticipation. Her descriptions of escalating mistrust and fear in her oh-so-vulnerable heroine smack of authenticity, and several scenes made my blood run cold. There is a psychological integrity to this novel which deeply satisfies... yes, people do behave in this way, and are capable of betrayal and dissemblance and wavering ambivalence, and yes, perhaps many of us have been where Elise finds herself, unsure whether to trust her instincts and her intuitions and often trusting the wrong people and making unwise choices. It’s so often the one you least suspect who turns out to be a viper in the bosom. I’m giving away nothing of the story when I say this. Keep watching out as you read, and you’ll be kept guessing right to the very end about who that viper might turn out to be.
Malla Duncan has two other books on kindle, as well as ‘Deep as Bone’ – ‘Dark Sanctuary and ‘Fat Chance’ – and both have now gone immediately on to my reading list. I highly recommend ‘Catchee Monkey’ and it richly deserves 5 stars.
“His words were as clear as coins in a mountain pool.”
“Words were pouring through my head, filling my mouth like a swarm of bees.”
“Thoughts buried sly as a virus in a bloodstream.”
Malla has a consummate ability to create the swelling tension of suspense as suspicions of possible unconscious and conscious motivations in all her characters begin to grow. I found myself torn between the compelling urge to continue reading to discover the final answer to the central mystery, and wanting to savour every sentence rather than miss any of the wonderful nuances. The characters are so believable, and their flaws are uncovered one by one as Elise travels an inner journey every bit as dramatic and life-changing as her external one. This author knows how to play with her readers’ emotions and keep them on a tight rein of anticipation. Her descriptions of escalating mistrust and fear in her oh-so-vulnerable heroine smack of authenticity, and several scenes made my blood run cold. There is a psychological integrity to this novel which deeply satisfies... yes, people do behave in this way, and are capable of betrayal and dissemblance and wavering ambivalence, and yes, perhaps many of us have been where Elise finds herself, unsure whether to trust her instincts and her intuitions and often trusting the wrong people and making unwise choices. It’s so often the one you least suspect who turns out to be a viper in the bosom. I’m giving away nothing of the story when I say this. Keep watching out as you read, and you’ll be kept guessing right to the very end about who that viper might turn out to be.
Malla Duncan has two other books on kindle, as well as ‘Deep as Bone’ – ‘Dark Sanctuary and ‘Fat Chance’ – and both have now gone immediately on to my reading list. I highly recommend ‘Catchee Monkey’ and it richly deserves 5 stars.
July 7, 2013
A dark psychological thriller that has an undertone that hooks you in and doesn’t let go. I enjoyed the writing of this book as much as the unusual story. The style is smooth and competent and makes for very easy reading. When Elise discovers some unpleasant aspects to her boyfriend Jeff’s character, instead of packing and running, she decides to stick with him and prove to herself that he is still the perfect catch. Even when they go to Sri Lanka to start a small hotel, Elise is still hanging in with Jeff. But it takes a major disaster, an unexpected death, for her to realize that there is a third force at play in their relationship. Trick is, can Elise find the truth before distrust and suspicion destroy their increasingly fragile relationship. An unexpected, twist-in-the-tail story. Highly recommend.
December 3, 2011
Beautifully crafted. Malla Duncan has a poetic voice that captures you from the beginning. A story of intrigue and suspense with unique and colourful characters that keep you interested right to the very end. I highly recommend this novel.
August 10, 2013
"Catchee Monkey" was recommended to me by a friend whose literary judgement I value and I was not in the least disappointed. Being not quite the hardcore fan of thrillers I was surprised at how gripping this dark and psychologically deep story is.
The story begins with a single girl named Elise who is being stood up by her psychic/ astrologer girlfriend Nine and so by chance meets a charming man called Jeff. She falls in love despite his slightly mysterious and non-transparent nature.
Seven months into the relationship odd events play on Elise's insecurities about Jeff and an emotional battle of wills and trust begins. Can she trust this man or should she believe the rumours and suspicious events that surround him?
With Elise the author has created an excellent heroine whose mind is plagued by the conflicting information and instincts. Who can she trust and who speaks the truth?
In Sri Lanka, where part of the story takes place, this theme is being wrapped into the wonderful metaphor of the title: Monkeys never let anyone know what they really think, but humans....?
The book has a subtle and slow yet ever growing tone of suspense that would make a perfect script for a film directed by Hitchcock. Although there are some action scenes and minor physical threats the suspense comes from within, which in my book is the best kind.
I hate to use the phrase but I really could not put the book down. It is perfectly paced holding your attention all the way through and throws in some surprises to make this a remarkable story and a outstanding read.
I am most impressed since I have read a very good comedy by the same author and did not expect her to excel in both genres. A very talented and versatile writer to watch.
The story begins with a single girl named Elise who is being stood up by her psychic/ astrologer girlfriend Nine and so by chance meets a charming man called Jeff. She falls in love despite his slightly mysterious and non-transparent nature.
Seven months into the relationship odd events play on Elise's insecurities about Jeff and an emotional battle of wills and trust begins. Can she trust this man or should she believe the rumours and suspicious events that surround him?
With Elise the author has created an excellent heroine whose mind is plagued by the conflicting information and instincts. Who can she trust and who speaks the truth?
In Sri Lanka, where part of the story takes place, this theme is being wrapped into the wonderful metaphor of the title: Monkeys never let anyone know what they really think, but humans....?
The book has a subtle and slow yet ever growing tone of suspense that would make a perfect script for a film directed by Hitchcock. Although there are some action scenes and minor physical threats the suspense comes from within, which in my book is the best kind.
I hate to use the phrase but I really could not put the book down. It is perfectly paced holding your attention all the way through and throws in some surprises to make this a remarkable story and a outstanding read.
I am most impressed since I have read a very good comedy by the same author and did not expect her to excel in both genres. A very talented and versatile writer to watch.
February 4, 2015
Another thriller, another winner for Malla Duncan! She offers first class fear and suspense through the twisting and turning of that plot.
The protagonist, a beautiful and smart woman, speculates and investigates until her mind confuses her and the reader (in a good way!)'Knowledge instilled a calming effect. It was speculation that sent you off your head.'
I find Ms. Duncan's work a joy to read: her writing is intelligent, clever, subtle, sophisticated, and sexy light. She takes the reader to exotic places, both in the mind, and in locales. I especially love her diction, her original stamp on phrasing.
Here are samples of Ms. Duncan's beautiful writing. (A couple dining outdoors during a precarious moment):
'There was a silence. The monkeys had fallen quiet. An occasional violent rustle disturbed the foliage. Night was creeping across the patio in swathes of mauve. Jeff's face was beginning to lose definition.'
You feel the growing suspense through the deliberation of words. The protagonist continues her narration:
'It was dark now. The gold in my wine glass had become a flat mustard colour. Jeff's pale shirt was just a sheen of moving light. Now and then the rims of his glasses gleamed. The trees on the hill had lost their last tips of light and were now a black, silent mass. There were no lights anywhere. Jeff hadn't switched on the patio lights and the house behind me was sunk in darkness.'
A thoroughly enjoyable book - my second one of Duncan's. Entertaining for all, and edifying for writers, as well. I highly recommend it!
The protagonist, a beautiful and smart woman, speculates and investigates until her mind confuses her and the reader (in a good way!)'Knowledge instilled a calming effect. It was speculation that sent you off your head.'
I find Ms. Duncan's work a joy to read: her writing is intelligent, clever, subtle, sophisticated, and sexy light. She takes the reader to exotic places, both in the mind, and in locales. I especially love her diction, her original stamp on phrasing.
Here are samples of Ms. Duncan's beautiful writing. (A couple dining outdoors during a precarious moment):
'There was a silence. The monkeys had fallen quiet. An occasional violent rustle disturbed the foliage. Night was creeping across the patio in swathes of mauve. Jeff's face was beginning to lose definition.'
You feel the growing suspense through the deliberation of words. The protagonist continues her narration:
'It was dark now. The gold in my wine glass had become a flat mustard colour. Jeff's pale shirt was just a sheen of moving light. Now and then the rims of his glasses gleamed. The trees on the hill had lost their last tips of light and were now a black, silent mass. There were no lights anywhere. Jeff hadn't switched on the patio lights and the house behind me was sunk in darkness.'
A thoroughly enjoyable book - my second one of Duncan's. Entertaining for all, and edifying for writers, as well. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews