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Hooked: A Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 1 Feb 26In this suspenseful thriller by Caitlin Rother, a journalist and cop fight a sexual attraction as they join forces to expose a layered scheme of dark and dangerous secrets.
When investigative reporter Katrina Chopin and surfing homicide detective Ken Goode lock eyes, there’s an immediate attraction. Sparks fly as they bond over cocktails, sharing their common experiences of being orphans and losing loved ones to suicide.
But the next time they meet, it’s from opposing sides of a high-profile case. Two biotech execs, whose company is developing a groundbreaking sexual enhancement drug, turn up dead in the wealthy seaside enclave of La Jolla Farms, where Goode can readily see that the forensic evidence doesn’t add up.
As they work their own angles, sometimes together and sometimes at odds, their growing attraction threatens to cost them their jobs—and their lives. As Katrina and Goode pursue answers behind these mysterious events, a secret stalker taunts Katrina with details of her tragic past, which takes her to the brink of death. But once the duo rips the mask away from this beautiful paradise, the corrupt underbelly behind all that glitters is revealed.
When investigative reporter Katrina Chopin and surfing homicide detective Ken Goode lock eyes, there’s an immediate attraction. Sparks fly as they bond over cocktails, sharing their common experiences of being orphans and losing loved ones to suicide.
But the next time they meet, it’s from opposing sides of a high-profile case. Two biotech execs, whose company is developing a groundbreaking sexual enhancement drug, turn up dead in the wealthy seaside enclave of La Jolla Farms, where Goode can readily see that the forensic evidence doesn’t add up.
As they work their own angles, sometimes together and sometimes at odds, their growing attraction threatens to cost them their jobs—and their lives. As Katrina and Goode pursue answers behind these mysterious events, a secret stalker taunts Katrina with details of her tragic past, which takes her to the brink of death. But once the duo rips the mask away from this beautiful paradise, the corrupt underbelly behind all that glitters is revealed.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 1, 2026
227 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Rother
28 books314 followersNew York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 14 books, ranging from narrative non-fiction crime to mystery and memoir. Her newest book is DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case (April 27, 2021). Her backlist includes HUNTING CHARLES MANSON; SECRETS, LIES, AND SHOELACES; LOVE GONE WRONG; DEAD RECKONING; THEN NO ONE CAN HAVE HER; I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU; NAKED ADDICTION; POISONED LOVE; BODY PARTS; TWISTED TRIANGLE; LOST GIRLS; WHERE HOPE BEGINS and MY LIFE, DELETED. A Pulitzer Prize nominee, Rother worked as an investigative reporter at daily newspapers for 19 years before quitting the news biz in 2006 to write books full-time. Her journalism has been published in Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Daily Beast. She has done more than 200 appearances as a crime commentator on TV, radio and podcasts, ranging from "20/20," "People Magazine Investigates," "Nancy Grace," and "Crime Watch Daily," to shows on HLN, Oxygen Network, Investigation Discovery, C-SPAN, XM Radio and PBS affiliates. She also works as a writing-research-promotions coach and consultant.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 2, 2025
upgraded to 3.5⭐️
this book was a pretty solid start to the new series. I thought the case was kind of predictable but still had some good moments.
I hope we get more background stories on Ken & Katrina in the next books to come.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital eARC.
this book was a pretty solid start to the new series. I thought the case was kind of predictable but still had some good moments.
I hope we get more background stories on Ken & Katrina in the next books to come.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the digital eARC.
December 17, 2025
I rarely take 12 days to read a physical book which can be an indication the book isn’t captivating enough. However, it’s simply a case of not enough time set aside each night to keep the story going before the exhaustion of the day creeped in. I frankly felt the story worked very well and kept a good pace with action and intrigue. My only issues were with the characters who ultimately are the villains and their motivations. Seemed a little thin to kill over. I also find myself double checking who was who when there were 4-5 characters at the end who overlapped within the action. I really enjoyed how the writer gave us a strong female character and the romance brewing between the two main characters came across authentically.
It appears this is the start of a series so I look forward to more from this writer. The authors note also was interesting to read. I found it fascinating the backstory and history of this novel and the author who helped refine it. Truly love reading about these peak behind the curtain.
I recommend this book!
It appears this is the start of a series so I look forward to more from this writer. The authors note also was interesting to read. I found it fascinating the backstory and history of this novel and the author who helped refine it. Truly love reading about these peak behind the curtain.
I recommend this book!
dnf
August 15, 2025Early access e-arc provided by netgalley.
DNF
This is most likely largely on me because I'm not a standard enjoyer of mysteries and crime books but I was not engaged enough with this to keep going.
It followed a double homicide that I didn't have any investment in, and the direction of it being caused by issues within the business vs relationship issues wasn't very enticing or new to read. Maybe there was a good plot twist at the end, I won't know.
The main characters Goode, the lead detective on the case, and Katrina, the lead reporter on the case, were fine, but didn't have any other interesting aspects other than the little flirtation they had which isn't enough.
I didn't provide a rating because I didn't finish it.
DNF
This is most likely largely on me because I'm not a standard enjoyer of mysteries and crime books but I was not engaged enough with this to keep going.
It followed a double homicide that I didn't have any investment in, and the direction of it being caused by issues within the business vs relationship issues wasn't very enticing or new to read. Maybe there was a good plot twist at the end, I won't know.
The main characters Goode, the lead detective on the case, and Katrina, the lead reporter on the case, were fine, but didn't have any other interesting aspects other than the little flirtation they had which isn't enough.
I didn't provide a rating because I didn't finish it.
October 29, 2025
This is an intriguing story, that will baffle readers who, like me, will be keen to find out exactly what happened to the wealthy father and daughter murder victims. Unfortunately I found the alternating chapters, initially from Detective Ken Goode’s and journalist Katrina Chopin’s points of view, a little irritating. While they do progress the story, often we hear about certain events from both perspectives, which I found repetitive. I thought Hooked was too long, and would love to have read a much tighter, shorter version.
September 7, 2025
Book: Hooked
By: Caitlin Rother
Chapter: 41, Page: 249
Katrina
Thursday
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶
°•. “.. Tell me what you've got on the record that I can put on the budget,” she said referring to the editors’ list of stories for that day.”
Katrina was hesitant to say, knowing it would give them enough time to line up lawyers to insert their sticky fingers into her story..
What if they won't run it?
Turning up the tap water so Charlie couldn't hear, she quietly laid out the timeline of who and what she'd seen.
“Wow,” Joanne said, paying. “Wow.”
“I know, right?”
Then Joanne went quiet.
“Hello?” Katrina asked. °•.
▪︎Review▪︎
|:: How much is a story worth? A dance of lines on a paper that will be tomorrow's door wedge. When is enough? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... right?
Detective Goode and Katrina Choplin have something in common. They both live in the fast lane, living their lives moment by moment. Both are seduced by the slight misconception of wanting someone to get close but refusing to take a step into the unknown.
Being a good detective is all Goode knows. He lives on the adrenaline and the intense, forceful strain the job puts him under. Like Katrina, with new and old friends possibly on the radar of her successful career, she weathers the storm. Despite a new location and the prospect of new wounds being ripped apart, she faces the most terrifying tale of corruption, deception, murder, and scandal. All of this takes place in the little hidden haven of La Jolla Farms, all in the name of the truth.
However, she is severely underestimated. As figures in top positions fight to control her and the swift, sweet, and intellectual marvel of putting a story together, she is forever one step ahead. She allows her ambition to walk her into a situation where she needs to be saved. Even though she wanted to save herself, the alternative was okay too.
A few steamy experiences with the details obviously written with a woman in mind and to reiterate scenes of the mind.
My Thoughts
Ugh! This book crawled inside my brain and really dug deep. I began to read it for an hour each night, but it turned into three or four because I couldn't put it down.
By the end of the book, there were so many different theories about what would, could, have I tried to predict(by me) to happen. I'm still not sure whether I understand what happened to the beautiful Victoria.
I don't know many authors who write like Caitlin. Her words and the way she alarmingly allows you to connect with someone so quickly made me put it down after the first chapter. How can you connect with a character and then learn her movements, her triggers, strengths, and weaknesses through the eyes of others, cocooned by hatred and self-preservation?
Thankfully, I got to know two other characters who blossomed in front of my eyes. They are so similar, and even though this was my first encounter with K&K, I couldn't help but fall in love with them. They, in turn, seemed to grow closer, despite the raging threat of violence, danger, and mysterious movements with suspects making themselves known one at a time.
I got to the end and just wanted to keep reading. For a little while, I sat looking at the last page and felt a sense of... what now? What happened? Did they give in to their primal desires? Did Slimy McMurphy lose the advantages of his size? Can Darla be trusted? WHO IS ON THE INSIDE???? I would guess, but everything I thought would happen was wildly wrong. Such a good read.
I need more spice, more answers, more of everything!
Love, love, love, love, loved this book!::|
Title: Hooked
Author: Caitlin Rother
Publish Date: 13/1/26
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Review Score: 5/5
Spice Score: 3/5
I would like to say a huge thank you to Caitlin Rother for allowing me to read this book. The talent you possess is frightening. Look out world.
Oh, and I would also like to thank Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback.
By: Caitlin Rother
Chapter: 41, Page: 249
Katrina
Thursday
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶🌶🌶
°•. “.. Tell me what you've got on the record that I can put on the budget,” she said referring to the editors’ list of stories for that day.”
Katrina was hesitant to say, knowing it would give them enough time to line up lawyers to insert their sticky fingers into her story..
What if they won't run it?
Turning up the tap water so Charlie couldn't hear, she quietly laid out the timeline of who and what she'd seen.
“Wow,” Joanne said, paying. “Wow.”
“I know, right?”
Then Joanne went quiet.
“Hello?” Katrina asked. °•.
▪︎Review▪︎
|:: How much is a story worth? A dance of lines on a paper that will be tomorrow's door wedge. When is enough? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... right?
Detective Goode and Katrina Choplin have something in common. They both live in the fast lane, living their lives moment by moment. Both are seduced by the slight misconception of wanting someone to get close but refusing to take a step into the unknown.
Being a good detective is all Goode knows. He lives on the adrenaline and the intense, forceful strain the job puts him under. Like Katrina, with new and old friends possibly on the radar of her successful career, she weathers the storm. Despite a new location and the prospect of new wounds being ripped apart, she faces the most terrifying tale of corruption, deception, murder, and scandal. All of this takes place in the little hidden haven of La Jolla Farms, all in the name of the truth.
However, she is severely underestimated. As figures in top positions fight to control her and the swift, sweet, and intellectual marvel of putting a story together, she is forever one step ahead. She allows her ambition to walk her into a situation where she needs to be saved. Even though she wanted to save herself, the alternative was okay too.
A few steamy experiences with the details obviously written with a woman in mind and to reiterate scenes of the mind.
My Thoughts
Ugh! This book crawled inside my brain and really dug deep. I began to read it for an hour each night, but it turned into three or four because I couldn't put it down.
By the end of the book, there were so many different theories about what would, could, have I tried to predict(by me) to happen. I'm still not sure whether I understand what happened to the beautiful Victoria.
I don't know many authors who write like Caitlin. Her words and the way she alarmingly allows you to connect with someone so quickly made me put it down after the first chapter. How can you connect with a character and then learn her movements, her triggers, strengths, and weaknesses through the eyes of others, cocooned by hatred and self-preservation?
Thankfully, I got to know two other characters who blossomed in front of my eyes. They are so similar, and even though this was my first encounter with K&K, I couldn't help but fall in love with them. They, in turn, seemed to grow closer, despite the raging threat of violence, danger, and mysterious movements with suspects making themselves known one at a time.
I got to the end and just wanted to keep reading. For a little while, I sat looking at the last page and felt a sense of... what now? What happened? Did they give in to their primal desires? Did Slimy McMurphy lose the advantages of his size? Can Darla be trusted? WHO IS ON THE INSIDE???? I would guess, but everything I thought would happen was wildly wrong. Such a good read.
I need more spice, more answers, more of everything!
Love, love, love, love, loved this book!::|
Title: Hooked
Author: Caitlin Rother
Publish Date: 13/1/26
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Review Score: 5/5
Spice Score: 3/5
I would like to say a huge thank you to Caitlin Rother for allowing me to read this book. The talent you possess is frightening. Look out world.
Oh, and I would also like to thank Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback.
September 22, 2025
As I began this read there is a chance meeting between the two main characters, Katrina and Goode! A surfer stopping at a surfer bar, he was surfing in Hawaii, and Katrina is sitting at the bar, with sad losses between them.
What they don't know at the time of their meeting is that sure have a lot in common, but coming from different ways to solve a double murder.
We follow these two, sparks fly between them, but with him a Detective and her a reporter, can anything come from their attraction, with conflicts?
Rother offers us a bit of everything here, and she kept me guessing almost to the end as to whom the culprits were.
There are some really tense times here, and whom to trust, as my brain is screaming, "Don't go"!
Answers to come, and surprises along with the finding out a lot of answers, and the reasons why!
Now I am looking forward to the next book in this series that I am now really invested in!
I received this book through the Publisher Thomas & Mercer, and was not required to give a positive review.
What they don't know at the time of their meeting is that sure have a lot in common, but coming from different ways to solve a double murder.
We follow these two, sparks fly between them, but with him a Detective and her a reporter, can anything come from their attraction, with conflicts?
Rother offers us a bit of everything here, and she kept me guessing almost to the end as to whom the culprits were.
There are some really tense times here, and whom to trust, as my brain is screaming, "Don't go"!
Answers to come, and surprises along with the finding out a lot of answers, and the reasons why!
Now I am looking forward to the next book in this series that I am now really invested in!
I received this book through the Publisher Thomas & Mercer, and was not required to give a positive review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank You to the author for the free book in exchange for my honest review of Hooked. Thank you also to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this free digital read in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book in the Katrina & Goode series and it does not disappoint! I can't wait to read the second one! The book follows a journalist and a cop who end up joining forces to uncover a scheme of dark, but also dangerous secrets in this page turning read. The author wrote this well and it kept me guessing the entire time. Every character in this one I enjoyed. This is one author that delivered a gripping crime thriller that you don't want to miss. I highly enjoyed this read and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys a good thriller.
This is the first book in the Katrina & Goode series and it does not disappoint! I can't wait to read the second one! The book follows a journalist and a cop who end up joining forces to uncover a scheme of dark, but also dangerous secrets in this page turning read. The author wrote this well and it kept me guessing the entire time. Every character in this one I enjoyed. This is one author that delivered a gripping crime thriller that you don't want to miss. I highly enjoyed this read and would recommend it to any reader who enjoys a good thriller.
July 14, 2025
Rother delivers a gripping, expertly woven crime thriller from the first page. Hooked is a tense, multifaceted plot filled with murder, secrets, and a brilliantly plotted cover-up that keeps the pages flying.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews