They All Fall Down

Scott Carluccio Randall #1

by Cat Hogan

Ring-a-ring o’ rosie . . . ... Someone wants to play. ... Who's not playing the game? ... Now Someone must pay. Jen Harper likes to play it safe. She is settling into life on the outskirts of a sleepy fishing village with her little boy, Danny. Life by the sea – just how she wanted it. When she meets Andy, she feels the time has come to put her baggage and the scars of the past behind her. Then she is introduced to Scott, Andy’s best friend, and is stung by his obvious disdain for her. Why is Scott so protective of his best friend? What is the dark secret that threatens all of them? In her attempt to find answers, Jen must confront her demons and push her relationships to their limits. By digging up the past, she puts Danny and herself in danger. Will she succeed in uncovering the truth before they all fall down? Raw and energetic, They All Fall Down is a fast-paced and addictive novel exploring the depths of flawed human nature, the thin line between love and obsession and the destructive nature of addiction.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Book Club, Mystery Thriller

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2016

About the author

Cat Hogan was born into a home of bookworms and within spitting distance of the sea. Her father, Pat, a lightship man, instilled in her a love of the sea and the stars. Her mother, Mag, taught her how to read before she could walk.
Writing, storytelling and a wild imagination is part of her DNA.

The beautiful County Wexford, Ireland is home to Cat, her musician partner Dave, two beautiful sons Joey and Arthur, and her tomcat Jim Hawkins. There they live a life of storytelling, song and adventure. The other love of Cat’s life is food. A self-professed foodie, there is nothing she loves more than feeding a houseful of friends round her kitchen table.

When she is not conjuring up imaginary friends, she can be found supporting local musicians and writers of which there is an abundance in her home town. One of her first endorsements for her novel is also her favourite and comes from fellow Wexfordian of Artemis Fowl fame.

'If the Gone Girl met the Girl on the Train, they would have come up with They All Fall Down' -Eoin Colfer.

They All Fall Down is Cat’s debut novel.

Join her on Twitter @kittycathogan

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, What Close Friends Can Do...When They Want You To Remain ONLY Their Friend...

What a fabulous debut novel by this author! A plot that pulls you in immediately, scenes that will Not leave your mind, and characters who are so blind to One...A psychological experience that will have you searching all your friends for any little sign...That will scare the bejesus out of you!
A young mother, Jen Harper, has lots of scars...To her body, her life, but lives for her little boy, Danny, and does all the extra things to keep him safe...Even different safety drills every week in their home...She inherits a home, and a roommate, when her aunt dies...Life goes well, everyone settles in, the roommate is actually a wonderful man who Jen gets along with...Then she meets his Friend...And problems start for her friends all over town...A marriage break-up, drug use, a quick deal to invest in her friend Tess's Pub...What is going on...Jen thinks this guy is a snob...What else is hidden up his sleeve....
A story that I read cover to cover, unable to put it down until the end!!

[Margaret Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A small fishing village in Ireland is the setting for an unusual set of circumstances. Jen has inherited a house with a lodger and is slowly falling for his charms. Andy is a widowed fisherman, gentle of spirit and he awakens something within Jen. Their chemistry is obvious but she is afraid to act on it. Scott is the fisherman's sinister friend, determined to keep the pair apart. But why?

Single Mum, Jen, has uneasy feelings toward Scott from the get-go. He is a dark shadow that seems to appear at the worst possible times and is the complete opposite of his best friend. Rich, suave and a complete snob, he steps over people to get what he wants in life. These includs Jen, her friends and anyone else he sees as a threat. Tense dinner parties, subtle threats and many, many secrets all become part of Scott's larger plan.

This is Cat Hogan's debut novel and the title refers to an old playground song, Ring-a-ring-o' Roses. Although there is no real connection to this rhyming tune, the house of cards that Scott is trying to control does require a lot of balancing. The novel opens with a short, sinister prelude, on a cliff edge. The story begins with an introduction to Jen and her son, Danny, and how they have ended up in their little cottage with Andy as a lodger. There is then a strong chapter which gives the reader a glimpse into the dark and seedy mind of Scott, who obviously has more than a bit of the Norman Bates about him. The novel then heads off in a different direction, with many characters (mostly friends of Jens) appearing and lots of name-repeating in each sentence of the dialogue. The second half picks up a little pace as Scott's obsession becomes irrational and Jen seems to be the only one who can see it. The story then shifts up a notch and sprints towards its ending.

Cat Hogan obviously has a love of the sea, its lighthouses, its beaches and its overall atmosphere. There are moments when you can almost feel the breeze and taste the salt air on the tip of your tongue. I would have liked to have more visuals of the village, the pub, the local shop etc, to add a little more to the story. The ongoing mention of characters names, within dialogue, can be jarring for a reader but that is a personal issue that not everyone notices. This is a clever debut, with a despicable bad guy balancing out the fair and sweet protagonist. Andy is a dream lodger, for any fresh-blooded female and one can definitely see how Jen would fall for him. I'm just not sure he would ever be friends with Scott or fall for his continuous lies. I look forward to see what direction Cat Hogan will lead us in with book two. She is not afraid of the dark side of a story, which a great thriller really needs, and I hope she delves even further into the murky minds of some fictional characters in the future.

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like psychological thrillers then this book needs to be on your TBR list. They All Fall Down can be split into 2 distinct halves; the first half being slow burn build up of tension with the introduction of the charming, handsome and rich Scott who can charm the birds from the trees. Then, in the second half, ramps up the action to a crescendo of an ending.

The characters are realistic and likeable, other than Scott for obvious reasons – however I did love to hate him! Jen is just looking for a happy life for herself and her 8 year old son, Danny. She has had a tough time growing up and is haunted by her own demons but is grateful for Danny and the home that her Aunty Pat has left her – even if it is with a lodger in situ through to the end of the year! Although, Aunty Pat knew what she was doing there as Andy (the lodger) has shut down since the death of his beloved Sharon a few years prior – he was retreated into himself and cannot see himself being happy ever again. I loved Andy, for both his caring, romantic side and his fiery nature protecting those close to him. The relationship between Jen and Andy is predictable however this is because they are so well suited and just gel from the moment they start living with one another – as I say, Aunty Pat had a plan which she knew would work! Its interesting to have a love story running alongside a psychological thriller and it works really well as the reader becomes invested in everyone’s lives and understands how much everyone has to lose.

What can I say about Scott – what a weapon he is! The epitome of arrogance who thinks that he can control everyone and everything to his own advantage. Hogan certainly knows how to write an evil character, Scott’s ability to switch on and off his charm jumps out from the pages. Andy sees the good in everyone and everything therefore retains a good friendship with Scott even though he can see how he winds everyone up. I would have liked to have heard from Scott more from his own perspective, to get his take on things and enter his dark world – although it would definitely be a scary place to be as he is such a narcissist!

They All Fall Down is a wonderfully plotted story, building up the tension through the introduction of characters and snippets into Scott’s manipulative ways. The landscape certainly comes through as well through Hogan’s descriptions of the village and the sea. I loved the Irish language quirks coming through that really transports you over to Ireland. This is a fantastic debut and Cat Hogan is definitely one to watch!

[Melanie Tiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a psychological thriller at its best!
Jen likes the quiet life, possibly a little too quiet so her friends think, so they're all pleased when she meets Andy who although weighed down by the past seems to be the perfect catch (no pun intended!) Little did she bargain on him having such a downright nasty albeit charming, and dangerous friend who takes an instant dislike to her, of course the feeling is mutual...... Cat has created some wonderful and beautiful characters here who I warmed to instantly, and I have to hand it to her, Scott is a piece of work alright. if you're looking for a compelling psychological thriller with twists and turns and surprises, that will genuinely leave you guessing then this is it! I've tried and failed to find fault, They All Fall Down is a brilliantly woven story and for a debut absolutely faultless. a big and well deserved five stars. read it!

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOD. I know I am a little late to the party when it comes to this novel, and I have read so many amazing things about this book but nothing prepared me for this rip-roaring read that will send chills racing over your skin and have you double-checking your locks before you go to sleep.

Jen Harper carries her scars close to her heart and will do whatever she must to ensure the safety of those she loves. A loving mother, Jen doesn't have the time or the inclination for romance, but after her Aunt passes away and she finds herself living in her house that comes with a sexy flatmate, Jen knows that Andy is the one man who could persuade her to take that leap of faith with her heart. But as their friendship deepens, secrets from the past begin to surface, and Jen must fight to protect her son from a danger that you could never imagine.

THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Cat Hogan puts the psychological into psychological thriller and I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved the community vibe that existed throughout and the real friendship that existed between Jen, Sal, and Tessa, and as the drama unfolded and their relationships began to change, it really heightened the uneasiness and tension that permeates throughout this gripping tale. The characters are rich in detail and the narrative is perfectly paced so that the reader becomes deeply involved in what is happening and never gets bored.
​
THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Cat Hogan left me with goosebumps and I cannot wait to read more from this superb author.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

They All Fall Down is the debut novel from Irish author Cat Hogan. Set in a small coastal village which relies on both the tourist and fishing industry to keep it going the story follows Jen Harper as she returns to take up residence with her young son Danny in a house which she had been left by her Auntie Pat. That may all seem straight forward enough but once Jen has begun to settle in and get over the fact she has to share her house with the resident lodger – fisherman Andy until at least the end of the year, well then things start to take a slightly different turn. They All Fall Down is said to be a fast paced psychological thriller, I didn’t find the pace at all fast instead I felt until the closing chapters I very much felt the pace was slow and languid similarly to the ebb and flow of the tide of water next to the village. There were definitely elements of the thriller to be found in this book but I felt the whole pace could have been vastly ramped up and more of a sense of mystery incorporated throughout the story. We knew from the start who the person was we should be keeping an eye on was but still the finer details needed to be unravelled. I would have preferred to be left guessing throughout and attempting myself to slot the pieces of the puzzle together as the same time the characters were. Saying all that the male character was written to absolute perfection and I was suspicious of every movement he made and his ultimate motives, Psycho is an understatement.

Coming from the coastal county of Wexford herself Cat obviously has a love for the sea and rugged coastlines as they are described and used to great effect throughout the story. If the sea is angry and wild the characters seem to be going through some inner and outer turmoil as they all try to keep secrets from each other. Yet the more they keep hidden the bigger the tangled web of mystery and bribery widens. Throughout the entire book there really was an overwhelming oppressive feeling as if everything was closing in on the residents of the village. We only read about a few characters connected to Jen and Andy and it would have been nice to read of some other people living in the village just to add more of a community feeling to the story.

The book took on a very menacing, suffocating tone and none of the main players seemed particularly happy even though that was all Jen wanted for her life. They just appeared to be caught in a spell cast by a character and forgot their way as said character saw their flaws and weaknesses and played on them in every way possible for their own gain and to ultimately satisfy a crazy ambition they believed they had. Jen claims when speaking to her best friend Sal that this is the year she was going to get her act together and make life the best it could be. She is raising Danny on her own as the relationship with his father didn’t work out and I presume she would like to find happiness again, yet I felt there could have been a bit more delving into her background initially which would explain her later actions and thought processes. She was a mother at her core and she always wanted Danny’s safety and well being as paramount but at the same time she was a closed book and reluctant to open up the barriers she had enforced around herself. She does have a few close friends in Sal, who is an artist, and Tess, who runs the local bar, but there were times I just wanted to shake Jen and say you can see everything going on in front of your eyes why don’t you get to the bottom of the problem and confront your friends before it is too late.

Andy seemed a nice enough man and would help Jen in any way he could when he wasn’t away at sea fishing. Yet like with all the characters Andy has a past that he is not necessarily keeping hidden but at the same time he is not that forthcoming unless really pushed or questioned. He is deeply hurt by a horrific event in the past and has found it extremely difficult to move on. Andy has a friend Scott and I know I wasn’t supposed to like him (not that I really did) but he was by the far the best character within the book. He was brilliantly written - evil, rotten to the core, manipulative, menacing, a liar, corrupt, obsessive, possessive, dark, intimidating. Really I could go on and on with adjectives to describe him. He brought the bit of action so badly needed within the book. Scott was all sweetness and light on the outside but on the inside his mind was constantly whirring away plotting and scheming and he could be compares to a puppeteer. He controlled all the players and strings in the game whether they knew it or not. Unfortunately most of the characters couldn’t see through his false persona because he portrayed himself so well in that way and people fell under his spell and once hooked had no way of getting themselves out. Scott played his role with a sense of superiority and a smug feeling of satisfaction that he was the one in control. He really was one of the cruellest characters I have read in a long time and I won’t forget him in a hurry.

Sal’s storyline felt a little weak to me but Tess who was married to Doc had a believable storyline even though I wouldn’t want anything that occurred to her to happen in real life. They All Fall Down meandered along at a slow enough pace as I have said until the final few chapters which were action packed and emotion filled. Although for me the scenes and explanations were all very good and not too far fetched they didn’t make up for my feelings about the previous three quarters of the book. This wasn’t the page turner I was expecting and I know I only read very small amounts of thriller/crime but when I do I expect to be hooked and rapidly turning the pages to discover the ending. That didn’t happen here although the ending was very good and left the reader guessing and set us up nicely for book two if the author chooses to return to the same setting in the future. Cat Hogan has shown glimpses of the writing that is to come, she can certainly write an evil character very well but the overall story didn’t have the mind blowing twist that people may look for as I guessed what had happened. That said I would try another book from this author as her writing shows great promise.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jen inherits a house it's a new start for her and her son Danny. Danny is still a little boy and Jen needs to look out for him. The house comes with a lodger and it's a relief when Jen finds out he's nice. Andy is a fisherman who's traumatized because he lost his wife a few years before. Jen and Andy like one another, but Andy's best friend isn't happy with their connection. Will they have a chance at happiness together?

Andy has an extremely loyal best friend named Scott. Scott is always by his side and his protectiveness knows no limits. He doesn't like Jen and he treats her with contempt. Scott is a dangerous enemy to have. He's smart and cunning and his resources are unlimited. There's a lot about him Jen doesn't like, but she seems to be the only one. Jen has a son to think of and she knows she and Danny aren't safe. Is Andy's love worth risking everything she holds dear?

They All Fall Down is a fantastic gripping story. I read this book in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. The story is fabulously creepy. Scott is the charming, rich friend who has it all. He hides his real personality behind a convincing façade and I loved Cat Hogan's creative way of describing his awful schemes and unpredictable behavior. I often felt bad for Jen as she deserves happiness after everything she's been through. She's strong and resilient though, she doesn't give up and she fights for the people she loves. I liked that very much about her character. Andy is sweet and gentle. He's a kind man, but he's also a little bit naïve. Scott is toxic and evil and he comes up with the most malicious plans to chase Jen away, to stop her from being part of Andy's life. Finding out if he would succeed kept me on the edge of my seat.

Cat Hogan has a great fast-paced writing style. I enjoyed witnessing how she makes her setting, a lovely village by the sea, come to life. It's obvious she's passionate about the beach, the fishermen and the volatility and unpredictability of the water. She also describes the personalities of her main characters in a vivid and detailed way, which is the biggest strength of They All Fall Down. The atmosphere is often oppressive and I loved how much of it I actually felt while I was reading this novel. Influencing moods is something else Cat Hogan can do really well. The ending is scary and surprising and it left me reeling. I think They All Fall Down is an amazing story and I highly recommend it.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lovely buzz about this book at the moment and as I am always afraid of missing out on the next big thing, I was delighted to accept my review copy and dive in!

I love the nursery rhyme Ring O’Roses and have sung it to differing generations of children. It’s one that never seems to get old and I love the slightly dark edge that it has due to its well documented history. And it’s used to great effect here both on the cover and inside as well. This is such a twisted psychological thriller that it definitely lives up to that knot on the front cover as well. The first half introduces you to Jen and Danny and then slowly folded into the mix comes Andy which leads to Scott his best friend. Now Scott is not the sort of friend you would be happy with your boyfriend having. He’s the one you dread taking your boyfriend off into town as you just know he will try to lead him astray. Drink, drugs, women and conniving seem to come easily to him but he’s just being protective of his best friend isn’t he? I loved Jen (strangely enough my nickname for my daughter is Jennifer Juniper!) And I really felt quite protective of her due to things that had happened in her past. So it seems a match made in heaven when she gets together with her lodger Andy as he also comes with emotional baggage. The second half of the book takes on a very different pace to the first as Cat Hogan cranks up the tension and all the players start to come crashing down. It was compelling reading to get to the end and oh, what an end!

I just devoured this. It’s one of those books that you sit down to read and totally lose track of time as you are drawn into the murky waters of life by the sea where you never really know what goes on behind closed doors. It was atmospheric, dark and creepy with a threatening undercurrent throughout. I really enjoyed this and it is lovely to see Cat Hogan join the ranks of talented Irish authors debuting in 2016.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had seen Cat’s book knocking around social media but knowing I didn’t have the time to read it, I bought it and shelved it until I had a chance to read it in my own time.

Anyway, I picked this up after agonizing for ages about what to read, and I was pleasantly surprised. They All Fall Down is a psychological thriller, with a strong emphasis on friendship and trust. Following Jen Harper, and her son Danny as they settle in to a sleepy fishing village, it becomes obvious that there is definitely something a bit sinister in the offing for them.

I’m not going to go into the plot for fear of the dreaded spoilers. However, what I will say is that Cat Hogan has shown great promise in her writing. Capable of creating hateful characters, while balancing them out with the likes of Jen and her friends, I’d be intrigued to see where she goes with her next book.

I won’t lie, there were a few niggles for me with They All Fall Down. The main one, which is completely my issue, is that I don’t read Irish fiction. Yes, I’m Irish, shame on me. The author has the Irish mannerisms down with this book though, even the “bye,bye,bye,bye” that we’re all guilty of when we’re hanging up from a phone call. However, I am so used to reading US, Scandi and UK fiction, that it all threw me a little. I’m used to it in life, but not in fiction I guess!

That being said, They All Fall Down is definitely a good read. I had it read in less than 24 hours, it was the kind of book that you have to keep reading. I read a lot (A HELL OF A LOT) of books in the psych thriller genre, so there was nothing new for me with this one, but it was enjoyable all the same! Cat Hogan is definitely one to watch out for.

Recommended!

[Merrilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately clunky dialogue, the characters constantly saying the name of the person being spoken to. I found it difficult to stop noticing and it suggested a lack of confidence in the writing, as if the reader wouldn't be able to follow conversations without signposts. The plot did grip in parts but none of the characters really grabbed me apart from Jen. There is enough here to suggest the author can build and improve in future books, perhaps if the style hadn't bothered me so much I would have enjoyed it more.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As with any book that has so many characters and sometimes in this case, varying points of view in each chapter, it can be difficult to keep track of who's who at the start but it becomes clear very early just who are the hero's and villains of the piece and WHAT a villain... I galloped through the second half of the book and my heart was in my mouth right up to the last page and I actually felt strangely unsettled when it was over... Super debut, will definitely look forward to more from this author

[Rhiannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a slow read, took ages for anything to happen and when it did it was quick and pretty much all over. The villain of the book was a bit unbelievable in my opinion and I found the writing style not to my taste, some lines I just thought would you really say that in that way! Don't know if I'll try any more of this author.

[Carmel Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accomplished debut from Cat Hogan. Scott was a great villain and I loved the parts where Hogan gave us an insight into his dark, treacherous mind. I have a feeling the author hasn't done with him yet. If she does go back to Scott, I hope she shows us more of his POV, because they were my favourite parts of the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the fishing village also, the authors love of the area shone through. Hogan did a good job creating an eclectic mix of sub characters, who were at times unlikeable and also, quite hard on Jen, the main protagonist. But of course that made them all the more realistic, because none of us are perfect. Good pacing, in particular in the last third, where the story gallops to the finale.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

For me, this book just didn't work. Highly dramatized and too easy to see what would happen next. I wanted there to be a twist, but from the first chapter it was obvious what was going to happen. Really had to force myself to finish. Some things just didn't add up in the plot either (had Scott planned all of this 2 years before the book starts? Really?). The characters were quite boring/bland. Very far fetched and it's constant reminder "this is like a Hollywood movie" - yes, a very bad movie; it it felt that it was supposed to be a sceenplay but accidentally turned into a book.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't like to leave negative reviews and there was nothing necessarily wrong with this, I mean it was well written and we'll thought out. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Love and obsession really are two sides of the same coin, and depending on the perspective it is coming from, it can become a beautiful thing, or a thing of destruction.’

(via Trace Literary Agency)

They All Fall Down is the debut novel from Irish Writer Cat Hogan. It was just published at the beginning of July by Poolbeg Press, so I was very fortunate to receive a copy.

At the moment I have been very lucky to receive such wonderful debut novels from many Irish writers and this is no exception. My full thoughts are expressed in my review so please continue reading.

‘Jen Harper likes to play it safe. She is settling into life on the outskirts of a sleepy fishing village with her little boy, Danny. Life by the sea – just how she wanted it.

When she meets Andy, she feels the time has come to put her baggage and the scars of the past behind her. Then she is introduced to Scott, Andy’s best friend, and is stung by his obvious disdain for her. Why is Scott so protective of his best friend? What is the dark secret that threatens all of them?’

In her attempt to find answers, Jen must confront her demons and push her relationships to their limits. By digging up the past, she puts Danny and herself in danger. Will she succeed in uncovering the truth before they all fall down?

Jen Harper, recently single, is preparing for a new life for herself in a house she has inherited from her Aunty Pat. The house is located in a small fishing village, a village Jen has grown up in and is very familiar with.

She sets out a life for herself and her young son Danny, but also has to accept another presence in her new life, the lodger Andy.

Before her Aunt passed away, she made a private deal with Andy. He was to remain in the house until the end of the year.

Both Andy and Jen carry scars from separate traumatic events that happened earlier in their past lives and as the book reveals, these secrets are eventually shared.

They All Fall Down is a novel involving quite a cast of characters. Jen is a very popular girl in the village with some very strong friendships. Sal, her childhood friend, and Tess, the local publican, have been her rock in hard times. These friendships are tested to the limit in the novel, as Cat Hogan writes about how a rather unusual individual, Scott Carluccio Randall is introduced into the mix.

Scott Carluccio Randall, a playboy from Dublin, is an old college friend of Andy’s. They have been through quite a bit together over the previous years and Scott is particularly protective of Andy. Scott lives the fast life – women, cars, drugs – but Scott is not all he seems. There is something rather off about Scott. His behaviour borders on the psychotic at times and yet he has the ability to deceive and play the part when called upon. Is Jen the only one to see through him? To see what really delves in the dark part of his soul?

In the novel, Cat Hogan gives some wonderful descriptions of the sea and you can almost visualize yourself at these, sometimes dramatic, locations. We also get to see behind the gates of life in the Big House, at a garden party hosted by Scott at his estate.

Interspersed with all this lies an underlying evilness. Jen must fight against this evil with all her inner strength. Frustratingly, at times, her friends seem completely blinded by the actions of one person and Jen seems to be the only sane one among them.

Will Jen be able to protect herself and those she loves? Will the truth prevail?

You will have to pick up a copy of They All Fall Down to discover this for yourself.

They All Fall Down is a high-quality debut from Cat Hogan, but yet told in an almost storytelling manner, as though the author is recounting the story to the reader in person!

There is a sinister plotline encompassing the whole story, but what also shone through to me were the obvious parallels with Cat’s own life – the food, the music, the banter around the table with friends. It’s always nice when an author delves into their own lives and shares a little with us.

I look forward to reading Cat Hogan’s second novel (which I have no doubt is in the pipline)

Let me know what you think!!

M xx

I think it’s time you learnt a little about Cat:

Cat Hogan was born into a home of bookworms and within spitting distance of the sea. Her father, Pat, a lightship man, instilled in her a love of the sea and the stars. Her mother, Mag, taught her how to read before she could walk.

Writing, storytelling and a wild imagination is part of her DNA.

The beautiful County Wexford is home to Cat, her musician partner Dave, two beautiful sons Joey and Arthur, and her tomcat Jim Hawkins. There they live a life of storytelling, song and adventure.

When she is not bringing imaginary friends to life, she runs a professional writing service for businesses. She can also be found in an Order of Malta Ambulance Corps uniform, volunteering in the local community.

The other love of Cat’s life is food. A self-professed foodie, there is nothing she loves more than a feeding a houseful of friends around her kitchen table.

They All Fall Down is Cat’s debut novel.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An impressive debut novel"

Full of strong characters, inventive descriptive passages and Irish charm. I can't wait to see this young writer blossom. She's off to a solid start. Recommended.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed on Becca's Books.

When I first spotted They All Fall Down by Cat Hogan doing the rounds on Twitter, I was immediately grabbed by the cover and title. It had a certain sense of danger to it that I simply couldn't resist, so it came as quite a delightful surprise when the author contacted me in regards to reading and reviewing her novel, as well taking part in the blog tour. I couldn't say yes quick enough and, when the book arrived, I dived in straight away, eager to find out what Hogan had in store for me. I thought the blurb sounded fantastic and I loved the cover too.

In Cat Hogan's They All Fall Down, we're introduced to Jen and Danny Harper, who've just moved into the home which Jen has inherited from her Auntie Pat. Keen to get back on track with life and ensure her son has everything he needs, Jen is certain that this is the right choice for them both. Set in a sleepy fishing village in Ireland, there was a real essence of place within this novel and the author's wonderfully descriptive style allowed me to visualise it easily. Unfortunately for Jen, her new home comes complete with lodger Andy who, Jen doesn't fail to notice, is quite the dish, although he's suffered tragedy of the most heart-breaking kind in the past and it surely shows in his personality and character. Alongside Andy is his best friend Scott who, for some odd reason, can't seem to stand Jen and all that she could possibly represent for his best friend. From the initial meeting between these characters right the way through to the very end, Hogan displays perfectly the peeling back of layers to reveal the truth beneath which isn't always pretty...

One thing I loved about this novel was the mystery behind the characters that I couldn't wait to be revealed later on. From the moment I met Scott, I felt that something wasn't quite right and waited eagerly for the moment when all would be revealed to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the family dynamics between Jen and her son Danny, even more so when Andy began to grow close to the family too. It was an enjoyable process to see Jen get used to her new life in the village and more than anything, I truly hoped that things would go swimmingly for her. As is often the case though, swimmingly isn't how I'd choose to describe this novel now that I've finished, but it only made me enjoy it all the more.

There were moments of darkness that left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the characters, coupled with moments of truth that had me reeling. Hogan took me on a twisting, winding journey within this novel and it was addictive to say the least. Fast-paced, edgy and sharp, I couldn't wait to see what would be waiting for me in every chapter ahead, and I devoured them greedily, desperate to reach the end. Hogan's characters were exciting to learn more about and I really felt a closeness with Jen, loving her nature completely.

All in all, They All Fall Down by Cat Hogan was a fantastic psychological thriller with plenty of characters and circumstances to sink your teeth into. The Irish author is definitely one to keep an eye on, for sure. I'm excited to see what Cat Hogan has in store for her readers next! I hope we don't have too long to wait. Becca's Books is awarding They All Fall Down by Cat Hogan with four of my bookish cupcakes! A truly brilliant debut novel.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is very, very peculiarly written and I didn't like it at all. I had become totally baffled only 7% into it, despite flipping backwards and forwards to see if I'd missed something. It felt like I'd somehow skipped chapters !! For starters, we learn Jen inherits a house with a lodger.....she apparently knew said lodger but not very well. We didn't get to read of their meeting up as she moved in. He has a pal round and she thinks that "He couldn't be that much of a pig if he was a good pal of Andy's".......this Andy she knows nothing about, so an odd observation to make.
Then we're reading about Scott, this friend, who refers to "his" Andy, which was bizarre. Then we're suddenly back in time to the old lady Andy DID lodge with, who meets Scott and wonders, "What has blackened your heart so much, Scott ?" Yet we have no clue if she met him a few times or was just introduced or what, and I then reached the next portion where he apparently threatens her out of nowhere during some covert encounter and I just gave up with it. It makes no sense whatsoever !!
No doubt it should all become clear as you read further, if you have more patience than I do !! But it really felt as though huge chunks of background were jumped past and for me, it really doesn't need to be a chore to try and figure out what on earth I'm reading !! Oh, and the font on the Kindle is massive for some reason.
I hadn't spotted any errors in the bit I read, which was good, and I do like the cover. But that's it in mitigation for this reader.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read other reviews before writing my own, and I must admit this book came as a real surprise. No, I’ll go further than that – in a nice way of course, but it came as a total shock. With the author coming from the sunny southeast of Ireland and the talk of sleepy fishing villages, coupled with the fact that this one is published by Poolbeg, I was rather expecting it to be a gentle tale of country folk, maybe with a bit of sea-going and the odd bit of wisdom from the elders. And for the first third, I guess that’s largely what it was – Jen and young son Danny are introduced (and I immediately liked them both), there’s the awkwardness of having a lodger in their new home (but I liked Andy too, a bit of a hunk but gentle and caring – romance ahead, I thought, a bit of a set-up by dear departed Aunty Pat) and we meet Jen’s friends. Tess who runs the pub and Doc her musician husband, gigging round the country to help make ends meet, are having real problems with their relationship – then there’s Jen, the artist, obviously a good mate to have. Everything’s very conversation based, and maybe a tad slower than I like things – it was a bit like eavesdropping, Tess and Doc seemed to become more central to the story than Jen, and I wondered quite where it was all going.

In the midst of all the establishing of the characters we also meet Scott – suave, smooth, charming (or is he? sometimes not…), bit of an unconventional home life (closer to the retired gardener in a nursing home than to his ex-opera singer and party hostess mother), and a liking for drugs and the high life. Oh no, he doesn’t really fit in at all – but he’s a friend of Andy’s, and he’s pretty level-headed, so maybe Jen’s wrong in not taking to him. But then things turn – when it looks as if everything’s heading for a happy ending for some and a fresh start for others, Scott starts to show his true colours. The book becomes very much darker, the pace picks up dramatically, and we enter a whole different world of evil, secrets, betrayal, violence, addiction, obsession… goodness, I really wasn’t expecting that! It’s a tremendous page-turner as Jen becomes more and more isolated, apparently the only one who can see the evil in their midst – relationships fracture as the characters find their strings being pulled by a master manipulator, and the book hurtles towards a heart-in-mouth climax that had me unable to put it down until I’d finished reading.

The book’s not without its faults – I did feel the pace sometimes flagged a little too much with some of the dialogue, which did serve well in giving insight into the characters, but sometimes had me skip-reading a little (then flipping back when I realised I’d missed something important). That said, the dialogue is very well written, and I enjoyed the little quirks of Irishness that gave it more colour. The escalation in the second half was extremely well done though – Jen’s increasing alienation and the threat hanging over her, the terrifying personification of evil, the climactic scene vividly real, and the ending quite perfect. A strong first novel, and I enjoyed it – I look forward to seeing what Cat Hogan does next.

[Celeste Ní raois · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Thanks to Poolbeg Press and Cat Hogan, I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review......

Jen Harper and her 8 year old son Danny have recently moved into a house on the outskirts of a sleep fishing village in Wexford and she is looking forward to spending her life by the sea as she's always wanted.

She meets Andy, who is a fisherman based in the village too. Both Jen and Andy both have baggage after suffering separate and awful tragedies. Jen is then introduced to Scott who is Andy's best friend but he's so protective of Andy, almost to the stage where he won't let Andy out of his sight or be away from his side for too long but why is Scott so protective?? Jen attempts to find the answers and as she does she will push all her relationships to the limit she must confront her demons and face her past, but what is this dark secret that threatens to hurt all of them??

I didn't like this, I LOVED it. I would definitely recommend this book. I had it read in just a few days as I couldn't put it down and there were parts of the story I was shouting at the characters in my head to not do this and don't do that. The villian character was brilliant, very well written and cleverly constructed. They were everything you'd expect with a sociopath - cold, calculating, manipulating and has no regard for anyone's feelings or who they hurt on their path of destruction. Parts of the story where a bit creepy too which was perfect for the story. This story had it all from a little bit of humor, family, love, betrayal, a web of lies, protectiveness and deception to a little more hard-hitting issues and the lengths that some people will go to to cover up a secret. They All Fall Down has been compared to Gone Girl which to be honest I don't like publishers comparing their books to other books as I, amongst others didn't like Gone Girl so this may turn people against titles that are compared to it and it has also been compared to last year's hit The Girl On The Train but seeing as I haven't read that one (just yet) I can't really compare but this was a highly addictive and a MUST read for all fans of Psychological Thrillers.

This is Cat Hogan's debut novel and and I loved it so make sure you grab a copy to bring along with you on holidays as it'll be the perfect beach read. I'm really looking forward to Cat's new novel which will hopefully be sometime later this year (no pressure Cat).

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

They All Fall Down is Cat Hogan’s debut novel, and what a brilliant start! I’m looking forward to seeing what Cat has in store for us next.

Single mum, Jen Harper, has inherited a beautiful house by the sea. It’s perfect for her and young son, Danny. Perfect except maybe for the live in lodger! Before long Jen starts to see Andy, her lodger in a different light. After all he is rather dishy and maybe it is time she moved on with her life. Andy seems to feel the same spark, and with very tentative steps Jen and Andy become a couple. But Scott, Andy best friend, despises Jen. Just as he despised Andy’s deceased wife. She mysteriously jumped off a cliff. Scott hopes the same doesn’t happen to Jen…

This is a fantastic character driven psychological thriller. I loved Jen, I wanted to share a glass of wine with her and shout ‘it’s OK, I believe you!’. The build up to the conclusion was wonderfully tense. Just how I like my books! I desperately wanted to tell (read: yell in a fairly aggressive manner) Jen’s friends what I thought of them. Oohh, they made me cross!

The plot was interesting and I flew through the book. I found They All Fall Down very easy to read despite the use of Irish vocabulary which I am not used to (although with the more Irish books I read the easier I am finding it).

Would I recommend this book? I most certainly would. It’s a great psychological thriller with a compelling build to an exciting conclusion. Plus some of the characters will make you want to shake them, which I love. After all, you’ve gotta FEEL something when reading.

Four out of five stars.

Many thanks to Cat Hogan and Poolbeg Press for providing me with a copy of They All Fall Down in exchange for an honest review.

[Niamh Ennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the idea is somewhat clever, this book is dragged down by its God awful unrealistic dialogue (who finishes each sentence with the name of the person they're talking to?), horribly predictable plot progress and *spoiler* why would Scott be interfering in Tess and Doc's life before Andy went near Jen? Is the author trying to validate the sociopath diagnosis by removing Andy as the motive for everything, because this "twist" is done incredibly poorly to say the least. Expected maybe a little too much of this book but its not often I can't find even one redeemable quality.

[Don Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me turning and turning and turning the pages. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!

A brilliant and wonderfully Irish read. I must admit this was certainly a step into unfamiliar territory for me, and the beginning had me wondering what I'd gotten myself into, but I was drawn in rapidly.

[buzy_reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story takes place in Dublin, Ireland. Cat Hogan is an Irish writer who lives in Ireland. Cat’s Irish verbiage can be found throughout the book. I struggled with a few words here and there. This is Cat’s debut novel. It’s my first read by her. They All Fall Down is book one of the Scott Carluccio Randall series. This book was published in 2016. I read it in 2021. The second book was written in 2017. Yet I haven’t the desire to read it.

They All Fall Down is a character driven story with six characters whose lives are intersected together through friendship. The primary characters center around Jen and Scott’s lives. I’m not finding Cat’s writing voice to be very telling. Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t hold my attention. I skim read the book in its entirety.

It’s difficult for me to ascertain if this is a well written book. The way I decipher well written may vary from other readers. I look for fast pace storylines where the dialogue drives the story. The execution must be on point and flow smoothly. This book with its complex character interactions had me confused. At times the characters seemed forthcoming with certain reactions yet other times they were conniving. All of this should’ve been exciting and appealing, but I felt bored. The relationships and friendship stymied the thrill of this story. I didn’t find all the drama between the friends very appealing especially in what was supposed to be a suspenseful thriller. This was not a fast-paced story as indicated in the description on Goodreads. Cat kept telling the reader what these characters were saying but didn’t show the reader how they felt. It was lacking an emotional connection. I’m not too excited about reading books with this much drama so I’ll be skipping the second book.

Jen and Danny moved to a small fishing village near the sea. Jen inherited her Aunt Pat’s small home. Andy was the live in tenant that came with the inherited home. Jen and Andy developed a quick friendship. Andy had a friend that Jen grew suspicious of, but tried for the sake of her friendship with Andy to be pleasant. Jen has an eight year old son who lives with her. Sometimes he spends weekends with his dad. Jen has two close friends Tess and Sal. Although, I originally thought Sal was a man not a woman. Later found out Sal was short for Sally.Fran was another name in the book I confused for a woman when it was a man.

[Emanuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

They all fall down - cat Hogan

"Ring-a-ring of roses
A pocket full of posies
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down!"

Jen Harper has a divorce behind her. She is the mother of a lively child who always accompanies himself with his little dog and best friend, Butch.
She inherited a house from her old aunt, where she decides to go to live with her child. There is a clause, however, cohabitation with Andy, handsome, young and widowed, whom Jen already knew and to whom she felt attracted immediately.
The scars Jen carries are not only in the heart, but also on the flesh, following an accident in the past, and Andy seems to be the healer Jen needs.
On the scene, however, a disturbing character appears: Scott.
Scott is dark, mysterious, sexy, intelligent, rich, but also overpowering, arrogant, narcissistic and involved in dirty business.
Scott sneaks into the life of Jen and all the people she loves, upsets it and takes almost total possession of it. Scott is a control freak and a skilled strategist who can always achieve the goals he sets for himself.
Scott is Andy's best friend and Jen and him don't get on at all, Jen feels that Scott is hiding something really disturbing and will find out what it is.
Surprising ending.

I liked it very much and I recommend it.

[Denny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

This is chick lit. Not women’s fiction, not a thriller or psychological thriller.
It’s not particularly well written, the characters are superficial, shallow and not developed. Some Chick Lit authors, Marion Keyes for example, write a bout a serious underlying topic and although the characters are often not well developed and there is a strong element of ending happily ever after, the topic makes for a decent read.
This is none of those things. The ending is s blatant attempt to get the reader to buy another book, but a sequel is too far fetched, and the characters or storyline not worth it.
Some reviewers have commented on the unrealistic character of Scott, but he is perhaps the only well drawn, complex character. Unfortunately, narcissism is a real syndrome and Scott fits the clinical diagnosis of a narcissist. I don’t know if the author researched this or not, but he fits the profile. The other characters don’t measure up to his complexity and the writing barely dies him justice.

Hard core fans of chick lit may enjoy this, but if you like a bit more grit, or some decent writing, you may be disappointed.

[Dana Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good psychological thriller where the villain has everyone believing he's a wonderful, thoughtful, caring person, except for our main character who knows right away something is off about him and his behavior.

I enjoyed the drama, the Ireland setting, and the dialogue, although had to wonder throughout the book about some of the conversations --- these sound like rational adults! (for example, becoming upset about something but then having reasonable thought processes within yourself to diffuse the situation; talking through a situation with someone; making a point to say the issue needs to be discussed instead of ignoring it, etc --- very refreshing! I think the Irish are a bit ahead of the US in this aspect! Haha!)

Although I sort of saw the ending coming, it still left chills and is terrifying --- I would be interested in reading a continuation of the story (if there is one!)

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 38%

The dialogue is terribly written - why does every character have to mention the name of the person they are talking to? Even when it's a two-person scene it's 'Jen this' and 'Sal that' in response, every single time! I found it really irritating and in the end, I couldn't look past it.

The plot was moving so slowly and this far in we still don't really know anything other than Scott is likely to be a sociopath and the plot will play out predictably so from here.
I can guess with certainty that he killed Sharon and is now messing with everyone else's lives because of Andy. The only part that is not clear is why but the characters have so little depth I am struggling to care.