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The Catalogue: A V.E.N.O.M. Novel
Every secret has a price. The Catalogue could cost the world everything.
When homicide detective Jake Penny stumbles onto a murder tied to a covert intelligence program, his life is thrust into a deadly game of espionage and betrayal. At the center of the storm is the Catalogue—a stolen file containing the identities of the world’s most elite operatives. Whoever controls it controls the future of global power.
As Jake races to recover the file, he’s hunted by a ruthless network of mercenaries, shadow operatives, and a devious NSA agent who may be friend—or foe. From the streets of New York City, to the darkest corners of international intrigue, Jake must navigate a world where trust is a liability and survival depends on deception. But when a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything he thought he knew, the mission becomes personal—and the cost becomes unimaginable.
Fast-paced, gripping, and packed with razor-sharp twists, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a masterclass in modern spy thrillers. Perfect for fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, this high-stakes novel will keep you guessing until the final page.
When homicide detective Jake Penny stumbles onto a murder tied to a covert intelligence program, his life is thrust into a deadly game of espionage and betrayal. At the center of the storm is the Catalogue—a stolen file containing the identities of the world’s most elite operatives. Whoever controls it controls the future of global power.
As Jake races to recover the file, he’s hunted by a ruthless network of mercenaries, shadow operatives, and a devious NSA agent who may be friend—or foe. From the streets of New York City, to the darkest corners of international intrigue, Jake must navigate a world where trust is a liability and survival depends on deception. But when a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything he thought he knew, the mission becomes personal—and the cost becomes unimaginable.
Fast-paced, gripping, and packed with razor-sharp twists, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a masterclass in modern spy thrillers. Perfect for fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, this high-stakes novel will keep you guessing until the final page.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Ty Mitchell
4 books34 followersTy Mitchell is an acclaimed author of espionage thrillers, known for his gripping narratives and complex characters. With his military background, Ty brings a unique depth to his stories, immersing readers in the dark and twisted minds of his protagonists and antagonists alike. His debut novel, The Catalogue, became an instant hit with readers and established him as a master of suspense.
A native of Atlanta, Ty draws inspiration from the different places he's been stationed, which often serve as the backdrop for his novels. He holds a degree in Communications Studies from University of Maryland Global Campus and has spent over a decade honing his craft as a writer.
When he's not writing, Ty enjoys trying new foods and traveling with his family. He currently resides in Italy with his wife and three children.
A native of Atlanta, Ty draws inspiration from the different places he's been stationed, which often serve as the backdrop for his novels. He holds a degree in Communications Studies from University of Maryland Global Campus and has spent over a decade honing his craft as a writer.
When he's not writing, Ty enjoys trying new foods and traveling with his family. He currently resides in Italy with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 25, 2025
The Catalogue: A V.E.N.O.M. Novel by Ty Mitchell opens like a movie scene. In a secluded Catskills home, Jun Li entertains children upstairs with an animated reading of The Story of Hok Lee and the Dwarf, but the warmth of the moment quickly dissolves. Downstairs, he confronts an elderly Chinese couple, Mr. and Mrs. Pei, in a ruthless attempt to obtain a mysterious item known only as The Catalogue. Tension escalates as Jun Li tortures the couple for information, and his henchman threatens violence. The calm breaks when Mr. Pei, moving with surprising precision, fights back and takes out the intruders one by one. But Jun Li ultimately gains the upper hand, making a chilling vow: “I will find The Catalogue and I will restore what you lost. The New V.E.N.O.M. is here, and I am its leader.”
Ty Mitchell deserves high praise for his writing. His words come to life on the pages, with sensory details and atmospheric descriptions. It gives you the feeling that you are right there in the scene that he just painted. The scene transitions are flawless and make the narrative very easy to read. Readers will be able to easily follow the narrative as it moves from different states, such as New York, Florida, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
The pacing isn’t super-fast, but it’s appropriately moderate and doesn’t slow down too much. The narrative moves at the same pace as life when you think about it. I also love a narrative that peppers in conspiracies. When Brian gives Zasha the rundown on the conspiracy behind six bodies being left at a crime scene, but only five showing up at the morgue, plus the NSA getting involved and attempting to conceal evidence, it just made me perk up.
The characters are unforgettable. Starting with Jun Li, who really put on a show in all his menace. He is just as Mr. Pei had always thought of him, reckless and never changing. Mr. Pei, although he had only a small part, remains a significant part of the narrative. His real name is Liang Do Shen. He is mysterious, and it’s later discovered that he had three million dollars in unmarked cash and six different passports.
Then there is Jake, a homicide detective described as “stark and utilitarian,” just like his studio apartment. He’s lost his wife and daughter, Lia and Andrea, and he only has a few pieces of jewelry, drawings, a stuffed rabbit with ashes on it, and his burn scar to remember them. He’s also very observant and good at his job, which is why he was put on the Catskills case to investigate the homicide and kidnapping.
Another important character is Zasha Avery, who is the Lead Investigative Reporter for the Miami Herald in Doral, Florida. She’s won a Pulitzer Prize for her investigative talents covering Cuban affairs. Agent Parker plays a significant role as well because he is with the NSA. He comes off as polished and arrogant, but he’s methodical. He couldn’t care less about Jake and the homicide division, but he’s trying to see just how much Jake discovered in the wall of Mr. Pei’s house besides the money and passports. He’s also attempting to get to the most important evidence that could affect the government on a global scale.
Mitchell really poured his heart and soul into painting the premise for The Catalogue. I could see Jake’s struggles as a homicide detective; drinking his grief and guilt away, struggling to pick up the pieces of his life. Lieutenant Simons is tough with him, but he really sticks his neck out for Jake because he wants to see him prove that he’s ready to take on a big case, even when leadership disagrees.
But as the story continues to move effortlessly, Agent Parker and the NSA are desperate to get their hands on intel before Jun Li and his group of venoms come back for it, and he needs Jake. He gives him the backstory of what this group of mercenaries represented and how Mr. Pei built the organization from the ground up before being taken out by Jun Li. Giving a great backstory to tie everything together is a very smart move, and it helps readers to understand what got the characters here. Zasha added a good balance to the story, especially as she took it upon herself with all her persistence to get an exclusive from Jake on the Wei Pei (Do Shun) case. But her interactions with Jake were gradual, showing that Jake’s trust in her had to be earned.
Thematically, Mitchell has managed to bring out Jake’s addiction to alcohol that trickles in at moments, especially during the anniversary of Lia and Andrea’s deaths. The tearful moment for me was when a photo of his wife and daughter fell, shattering the glass, and he said out loud that he doesn’t know how to go on without them or make a decision, even though he’s always been the planner. It is a touching moment and one that will resonate with readers. The story ties together very well, and there’s so much to unpack from chapter to chapter. I think readers will be satisfied and are in for a thrilling ride as the Wei Pei case blows wide open.
Overall, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a wonderful and gripping thriller with the appropriate amount of action, twists, and turns. Readers who are fans of similar works like The Chimera Syndicate by L.J. Osburn or The Billion Dollar Sugar Cube by Charles Jacobs will equally enjoy this conspiracy thriller.
Ty Mitchell deserves high praise for his writing. His words come to life on the pages, with sensory details and atmospheric descriptions. It gives you the feeling that you are right there in the scene that he just painted. The scene transitions are flawless and make the narrative very easy to read. Readers will be able to easily follow the narrative as it moves from different states, such as New York, Florida, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
The pacing isn’t super-fast, but it’s appropriately moderate and doesn’t slow down too much. The narrative moves at the same pace as life when you think about it. I also love a narrative that peppers in conspiracies. When Brian gives Zasha the rundown on the conspiracy behind six bodies being left at a crime scene, but only five showing up at the morgue, plus the NSA getting involved and attempting to conceal evidence, it just made me perk up.
The characters are unforgettable. Starting with Jun Li, who really put on a show in all his menace. He is just as Mr. Pei had always thought of him, reckless and never changing. Mr. Pei, although he had only a small part, remains a significant part of the narrative. His real name is Liang Do Shen. He is mysterious, and it’s later discovered that he had three million dollars in unmarked cash and six different passports.
Then there is Jake, a homicide detective described as “stark and utilitarian,” just like his studio apartment. He’s lost his wife and daughter, Lia and Andrea, and he only has a few pieces of jewelry, drawings, a stuffed rabbit with ashes on it, and his burn scar to remember them. He’s also very observant and good at his job, which is why he was put on the Catskills case to investigate the homicide and kidnapping.
Another important character is Zasha Avery, who is the Lead Investigative Reporter for the Miami Herald in Doral, Florida. She’s won a Pulitzer Prize for her investigative talents covering Cuban affairs. Agent Parker plays a significant role as well because he is with the NSA. He comes off as polished and arrogant, but he’s methodical. He couldn’t care less about Jake and the homicide division, but he’s trying to see just how much Jake discovered in the wall of Mr. Pei’s house besides the money and passports. He’s also attempting to get to the most important evidence that could affect the government on a global scale.
Mitchell really poured his heart and soul into painting the premise for The Catalogue. I could see Jake’s struggles as a homicide detective; drinking his grief and guilt away, struggling to pick up the pieces of his life. Lieutenant Simons is tough with him, but he really sticks his neck out for Jake because he wants to see him prove that he’s ready to take on a big case, even when leadership disagrees.
But as the story continues to move effortlessly, Agent Parker and the NSA are desperate to get their hands on intel before Jun Li and his group of venoms come back for it, and he needs Jake. He gives him the backstory of what this group of mercenaries represented and how Mr. Pei built the organization from the ground up before being taken out by Jun Li. Giving a great backstory to tie everything together is a very smart move, and it helps readers to understand what got the characters here. Zasha added a good balance to the story, especially as she took it upon herself with all her persistence to get an exclusive from Jake on the Wei Pei (Do Shun) case. But her interactions with Jake were gradual, showing that Jake’s trust in her had to be earned.
Thematically, Mitchell has managed to bring out Jake’s addiction to alcohol that trickles in at moments, especially during the anniversary of Lia and Andrea’s deaths. The tearful moment for me was when a photo of his wife and daughter fell, shattering the glass, and he said out loud that he doesn’t know how to go on without them or make a decision, even though he’s always been the planner. It is a touching moment and one that will resonate with readers. The story ties together very well, and there’s so much to unpack from chapter to chapter. I think readers will be satisfied and are in for a thrilling ride as the Wei Pei case blows wide open.
Overall, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a wonderful and gripping thriller with the appropriate amount of action, twists, and turns. Readers who are fans of similar works like The Chimera Syndicate by L.J. Osburn or The Billion Dollar Sugar Cube by Charles Jacobs will equally enjoy this conspiracy thriller.
November 12, 2025
Loved Jake Penny, meet Jack Reacher with more issues and baggage. This was a excellent story, excitement with more excitement on top of that then add a shocker .
This was an ARC read that I left an unbiased review for.
This was an ARC read that I left an unbiased review for.
October 24, 2025
A woman actually says "What's it gonna be, Cowboy?"
September 3, 2025
Secrets, Lies, and Survival: Mitchell’s Espionage Masterstroke.
The Catalogue—originally released under the title V.E.N.O.M. and now expanded with additional chapters—unfolds as a high-stakes espionage thriller. At its center is a secretive organization and a shadowy program known as “the Catalogue,” which keeps track of operatives, missions, and targets in a clandestine war of intelligence and counterintelligence. The novel follows field agents, double operatives, and shadowy government figures whose alliances shift as quickly as their loyalties. The narrative weaves together action sequences, coded communications, and tense interrogations, creating a story of survival in a world where betrayal is inevitable and truth is always murky.
The novel explores themes central to the espionage genre: secrecy, trust, betrayal, and the blurred line between patriotism and manipulation. At its heart lies a meditation on the cost of loyalty—to a nation, to an agency, or to one’s conscience. Power and corruption underpin the narrative, questioning whether any government or clandestine organization can be truly trusted. In addition, the book grapples with identity and deception, showing how operatives must wear multiple masks, often at the expense of their humanity.
Mitchell populates his world with a cast of morally ambiguous characters—agents, defectors, and handlers—each wrestling with the burdens of their roles. The protagonists are not idealized heroes but deeply flawed individuals, which lends a sense of authenticity to their struggles. The villains, likewise, are layered with motives that feel disturbingly plausible. The international settings—ranging from anonymous safe houses to foreign capitals—are rendered with a cinematic eye, drawing on the author’s own military background to provide realism and atmosphere.
Readers are kept on edge as allegiances shift, identities are revealed, and conspiracies deepen. While the plot occasionally slows during dense passages of operational detail, these moments also ground the story in procedural realism. Overall, the novel succeeds in sustaining suspense and rewarding readers with unexpected twists.
Mitchell writes in a clear, propulsive style that suits the thriller genre. Dialogue is sharp, often clipped, mirroring the coded world of espionage. Action sequences are visceral and tightly paced, while descriptive passages of setting are spare yet evocative. At times, the narrative leans heavily on jargon and procedural detail, which may enrich the experience for genre enthusiasts but could challenge more casual readers. Notably, the structure benefits from the re-release’s added chapters, which deepen character development and expand the world.
The greatest strength of The Catalogue is its atmosphere of paranoia and shifting loyalties, which keeps the reader unsettled and invested. Mitchell’s experience and background lend authenticity to tradecraft details, while his characters avoid cliché by showing vulnerability beneath hardened exteriors. The balance between action and psychological depth makes the book resonate beyond surface-level thrills.
The Catalogue succeeds as a taut espionage thriller that combines high-octane action with psychological complexity. Its strengths lie in its pacing, realistic depiction of covert operations, and morally gray characters. Its weaknesses—occasional over-reliance on jargon and slower expository sections—are outweighed by its suspenseful narrative and thematic depth. It will most appeal to readers of spy fiction, fans of Robert Ludlum or Tom Clancy, and those intrigued by morally ambiguous stories of intelligence and betrayal.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys thrillers that combine action with thought-provoking questions about power and loyalty.
Voluntary review of a free advance review copy.
The Catalogue—originally released under the title V.E.N.O.M. and now expanded with additional chapters—unfolds as a high-stakes espionage thriller. At its center is a secretive organization and a shadowy program known as “the Catalogue,” which keeps track of operatives, missions, and targets in a clandestine war of intelligence and counterintelligence. The novel follows field agents, double operatives, and shadowy government figures whose alliances shift as quickly as their loyalties. The narrative weaves together action sequences, coded communications, and tense interrogations, creating a story of survival in a world where betrayal is inevitable and truth is always murky.
The novel explores themes central to the espionage genre: secrecy, trust, betrayal, and the blurred line between patriotism and manipulation. At its heart lies a meditation on the cost of loyalty—to a nation, to an agency, or to one’s conscience. Power and corruption underpin the narrative, questioning whether any government or clandestine organization can be truly trusted. In addition, the book grapples with identity and deception, showing how operatives must wear multiple masks, often at the expense of their humanity.
Mitchell populates his world with a cast of morally ambiguous characters—agents, defectors, and handlers—each wrestling with the burdens of their roles. The protagonists are not idealized heroes but deeply flawed individuals, which lends a sense of authenticity to their struggles. The villains, likewise, are layered with motives that feel disturbingly plausible. The international settings—ranging from anonymous safe houses to foreign capitals—are rendered with a cinematic eye, drawing on the author’s own military background to provide realism and atmosphere.
Readers are kept on edge as allegiances shift, identities are revealed, and conspiracies deepen. While the plot occasionally slows during dense passages of operational detail, these moments also ground the story in procedural realism. Overall, the novel succeeds in sustaining suspense and rewarding readers with unexpected twists.
Mitchell writes in a clear, propulsive style that suits the thriller genre. Dialogue is sharp, often clipped, mirroring the coded world of espionage. Action sequences are visceral and tightly paced, while descriptive passages of setting are spare yet evocative. At times, the narrative leans heavily on jargon and procedural detail, which may enrich the experience for genre enthusiasts but could challenge more casual readers. Notably, the structure benefits from the re-release’s added chapters, which deepen character development and expand the world.
The greatest strength of The Catalogue is its atmosphere of paranoia and shifting loyalties, which keeps the reader unsettled and invested. Mitchell’s experience and background lend authenticity to tradecraft details, while his characters avoid cliché by showing vulnerability beneath hardened exteriors. The balance between action and psychological depth makes the book resonate beyond surface-level thrills.
The Catalogue succeeds as a taut espionage thriller that combines high-octane action with psychological complexity. Its strengths lie in its pacing, realistic depiction of covert operations, and morally gray characters. Its weaknesses—occasional over-reliance on jargon and slower expository sections—are outweighed by its suspenseful narrative and thematic depth. It will most appeal to readers of spy fiction, fans of Robert Ludlum or Tom Clancy, and those intrigued by morally ambiguous stories of intelligence and betrayal.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys thrillers that combine action with thought-provoking questions about power and loyalty.
Voluntary review of a free advance review copy.
December 3, 2025
The Catalogue
A V.E.N.O.M. Novel
By Ty Mitchell
The Catalogue opens with the echo of childhood imagination, stories devoured, innocence intact. But Mitchell wastes no time shattering that peace. Violence steps in with precision, driven by a predator whose disdain for his victims is unmistakable.
At the center is a man drowning in loss and fueled by duty, his emotional turmoil pushing him dangerously close to the edge. There’s a hint of Martin Riggs in his self destructive coping, but Mitchell keeps him grounded, flawed, and compelling.
Characters are introduced with ease and intention, each one adding weight and direction. The writing is sharp and cinematic, scenes play out like a film, vivid and relentless, pulling the reader deeper with every page.
Just when the path seems clear, the story pivots. New twists hit hard; choices narrow. An unwanted “partner” drags the protagonist into a hunt neither asked for. Kindness clashes with volatility. Questions sharpen. Answers resist. With time slipping away, manipulation and pressure become necessary weapons.
A larger deception slowly reveals itself. Two investigations, two predators, two trajectories destined to collide. And when they do, the cost will be brutal.
Amid the chaos, an unlikely connection takes shape. No sentimentality. No softened edges. Just two damaged people recognizing the same fractures in each other and choosing, against instinct, to stand together. Their alliance becomes the novel’s steel spine.
The pace never lets up. Action hits like a pulse spike, and confusion becomes fuel for a confession that changes everything. Every time you think you’ve guessed the twist, Mitchell closes the door and opens another you didn’t see coming. The ending is explosive, earned, and impossible to predict.
Fans of Lee Child, Tom Clancy, Sam Cogley, or Jeff Bonilla will feel right at home in Mitchell’s world but they’ll also find something fresh, bold, and harder hitting.
The Catalogue doesn’t just entertain it provokes. Beneath the bullets and tension lies a pointed question about power, control, and what “government” has become.
Operation Nightfall, Book 2 of the V.E.N.O.M. series, cannot come soon enough.
A V.E.N.O.M. Novel
By Ty Mitchell
The Catalogue opens with the echo of childhood imagination, stories devoured, innocence intact. But Mitchell wastes no time shattering that peace. Violence steps in with precision, driven by a predator whose disdain for his victims is unmistakable.
At the center is a man drowning in loss and fueled by duty, his emotional turmoil pushing him dangerously close to the edge. There’s a hint of Martin Riggs in his self destructive coping, but Mitchell keeps him grounded, flawed, and compelling.
Characters are introduced with ease and intention, each one adding weight and direction. The writing is sharp and cinematic, scenes play out like a film, vivid and relentless, pulling the reader deeper with every page.
Just when the path seems clear, the story pivots. New twists hit hard; choices narrow. An unwanted “partner” drags the protagonist into a hunt neither asked for. Kindness clashes with volatility. Questions sharpen. Answers resist. With time slipping away, manipulation and pressure become necessary weapons.
A larger deception slowly reveals itself. Two investigations, two predators, two trajectories destined to collide. And when they do, the cost will be brutal.
Amid the chaos, an unlikely connection takes shape. No sentimentality. No softened edges. Just two damaged people recognizing the same fractures in each other and choosing, against instinct, to stand together. Their alliance becomes the novel’s steel spine.
The pace never lets up. Action hits like a pulse spike, and confusion becomes fuel for a confession that changes everything. Every time you think you’ve guessed the twist, Mitchell closes the door and opens another you didn’t see coming. The ending is explosive, earned, and impossible to predict.
Fans of Lee Child, Tom Clancy, Sam Cogley, or Jeff Bonilla will feel right at home in Mitchell’s world but they’ll also find something fresh, bold, and harder hitting.
The Catalogue doesn’t just entertain it provokes. Beneath the bullets and tension lies a pointed question about power, control, and what “government” has become.
Operation Nightfall, Book 2 of the V.E.N.O.M. series, cannot come soon enough.
December 6, 2025
Ty Mitchell’s The Catalogue is a sleek, high-octane spy thriller that blends classic espionage tension with modern grit. At its core is homicide detective Jake Penny, whose routine investigation spirals into a deadly chase when he uncovers a murder tied to a covert intelligence program. The stolen file at the heart of the story—the Catalogue—holds the identities of the world’s most elite operatives, making it the ultimate weapon in the wrong hands.
Mitchell crafts the narrative with elegance and urgency, moving from the bustling streets of New York to shadowy corners of international intrigue. The atmosphere is taut, filled with mercenaries, double agents, and betrayals that keep Jake—and the reader—constantly questioning who can be trusted. The presence of a devious NSA agent, whose loyalties remain uncertain, adds another layer of suspense, ensuring the stakes feel both global and deeply personal.
What makes the novel so compelling is its balance of relentless action with sharp psychological twists. Jake’s journey isn’t just about survival—it’s about confronting shocking truths that threaten to unravel everything he thought he knew. The pacing is brisk, the tension razor-sharp, and the revelations hit with satisfying impact.
For fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, The Catalogue delivers exactly what you crave: a gripping, stylish thriller where every secret has a price, and the cost could be everything.
With thanks to Ty Mitchell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Mitchell crafts the narrative with elegance and urgency, moving from the bustling streets of New York to shadowy corners of international intrigue. The atmosphere is taut, filled with mercenaries, double agents, and betrayals that keep Jake—and the reader—constantly questioning who can be trusted. The presence of a devious NSA agent, whose loyalties remain uncertain, adds another layer of suspense, ensuring the stakes feel both global and deeply personal.
What makes the novel so compelling is its balance of relentless action with sharp psychological twists. Jake’s journey isn’t just about survival—it’s about confronting shocking truths that threaten to unravel everything he thought he knew. The pacing is brisk, the tension razor-sharp, and the revelations hit with satisfying impact.
For fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, The Catalogue delivers exactly what you crave: a gripping, stylish thriller where every secret has a price, and the cost could be everything.
With thanks to Ty Mitchell, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
November 28, 2025
(ARC provided by the author and BookSirens — thank you! My review is freely given and reflects my own thoughts.)
I really wanted to love this one. I’ve gone through serious action-adventure phases in my reading life—my Janet Evanovich era was no joke, and I’ve devoured most of the Jack Reacher series—so based on the cover and description alone, this felt like a perfect fit. But unfortunately…it just didn’t quite click for me.
My biggest struggle was the POV, the two MMC are similar in voice and background, and I kept having to stop and reorient myself about who I was following. Parker, Jake…then last names thrown in because, law enforcement. Totally realistic, but I found myself mixed up more often than not, which pulled me out of the story.
That said, there were bright spots.
Mitchell’s writing style is genuinely strong, his sense of atmosphere, pacing, and scene-setting kept me intrigued even when the plot wasn’t fully grabbing me. And I appreciated the threads of deeper emotion woven through the story, especially the exploration of addiction and grief. Those moments added weight and humanity to the action.
Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me, and it’s not a book I’d personally recommend. But if you’re a fan of action/adventure or crime-driven stories—and especially if you like gritty, character-heavy plots—you might have a totally different experience.
Sometimes it’s just a mismatch between reader and book, and that’s okay.
I really wanted to love this one. I’ve gone through serious action-adventure phases in my reading life—my Janet Evanovich era was no joke, and I’ve devoured most of the Jack Reacher series—so based on the cover and description alone, this felt like a perfect fit. But unfortunately…it just didn’t quite click for me.
My biggest struggle was the POV, the two MMC are similar in voice and background, and I kept having to stop and reorient myself about who I was following. Parker, Jake…then last names thrown in because, law enforcement. Totally realistic, but I found myself mixed up more often than not, which pulled me out of the story.
That said, there were bright spots.
Mitchell’s writing style is genuinely strong, his sense of atmosphere, pacing, and scene-setting kept me intrigued even when the plot wasn’t fully grabbing me. And I appreciated the threads of deeper emotion woven through the story, especially the exploration of addiction and grief. Those moments added weight and humanity to the action.
Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me, and it’s not a book I’d personally recommend. But if you’re a fan of action/adventure or crime-driven stories—and especially if you like gritty, character-heavy plots—you might have a totally different experience.
Sometimes it’s just a mismatch between reader and book, and that’s okay.
December 11, 2025
Spy-style stories aren’t usually my thing, but The Catalogue completely pulled me in. The story follows Homicide detective Jake Penny as he’s embroiled in a high-stakes race to recover a file (The Catalogue) containing information that could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.
The plot moves at just the right speed- tense enough to keep me gripped but also giving moments to really connect with Jake and understand what’s driving him.
Reading it felt like being wrapped up in a mix of suspense and curiosity, through the lens of espionage, murder and betrayal. The characters were varied, often morally ambiguous and I was constantly wondering who to trust and what would happen next. By the end, I was both exhilarated and a little shaken- in the best way.
Definitely worth a read if you’re a fan of espionage thrillers.
#TheCatalogue #TyMitchell #NetGalley #ARCReview #BookReview #Thriller #Suspense #RedRopePress
The plot moves at just the right speed- tense enough to keep me gripped but also giving moments to really connect with Jake and understand what’s driving him.
Reading it felt like being wrapped up in a mix of suspense and curiosity, through the lens of espionage, murder and betrayal. The characters were varied, often morally ambiguous and I was constantly wondering who to trust and what would happen next. By the end, I was both exhilarated and a little shaken- in the best way.
Definitely worth a read if you’re a fan of espionage thrillers.
#TheCatalogue #TyMitchell #NetGalley #ARCReview #BookReview #Thriller #Suspense #RedRopePress
December 4, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me a review copy of this novel. This is my book of Ty and I loved his style. I gather that this is a re-worked version of his earlier novel with some additional chapters. Now I am intrigued about Jake and Zasha and wanted to read his other books with them as the lead.
This novel is extremely fast moving and excruciating in detail (like the fight details really make you think and visualize the actual sequence). The plot is interesting and the story is pretty enticing. There are some real nice unexpected twists in the tale towards the end and seem a bit of a stretch in plausibility. but nonetheless it makes for a great read and wanting more at the end.
Look forward to reading more of Ty's works.
This novel is extremely fast moving and excruciating in detail (like the fight details really make you think and visualize the actual sequence). The plot is interesting and the story is pretty enticing. There are some real nice unexpected twists in the tale towards the end and seem a bit of a stretch in plausibility. but nonetheless it makes for a great read and wanting more at the end.
Look forward to reading more of Ty's works.
October 19, 2025
I think from the start the book gives you a good incite to the characters and it is well written. I didn't read the original but this version is a good read and well worth a few sleepless nights page turning.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2025
THE CATALOGUE - Interesting story lines and characters. Source: StoryOrigin. 4*
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews