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Shadow Operatives #2
Catch and Kill
What happened to the girls? Overnight, hundreds of teenage girls disappear from the streets of America.
Off the coast of Florida, a virtual reality theme park opens for the super-rich.
Are the two connected?
When two assailants accost twenty-three-year-old Kaden Baker at an awards gala, she enters a maelstrom of high-tech international intrigue that pits her against a mysterious foe.
It will take all her covert ops and hacking skills as she allies with a group of family members to battle an enemy out to unleash a mass attack on the U.S. and West by stealth.
Can they bring the girls home and thwart the unthinkable?
Praise for ‘Catch and Kill’
• “An amazing read.” – thriller author Michael James Gallagher
• “I LOVED IT!” – Deborah Duncalf
• “Cinematic and riveting. I had to keep turning the pages.” – Sky Schuyler
• “Heart-thumping” – thriller author Dan Petrosini
Get it now! Catch and Kill is a roller-coaster thrill ride that appeals to both the head and the heart.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Matthew Mather, A.G. Riddle, and Tim Tigner. Includes a surprise gift!
Off the coast of Florida, a virtual reality theme park opens for the super-rich.
Are the two connected?
When two assailants accost twenty-three-year-old Kaden Baker at an awards gala, she enters a maelstrom of high-tech international intrigue that pits her against a mysterious foe.
It will take all her covert ops and hacking skills as she allies with a group of family members to battle an enemy out to unleash a mass attack on the U.S. and West by stealth.
Can they bring the girls home and thwart the unthinkable?
Praise for ‘Catch and Kill’
• “An amazing read.” – thriller author Michael James Gallagher
• “I LOVED IT!” – Deborah Duncalf
• “Cinematic and riveting. I had to keep turning the pages.” – Sky Schuyler
• “Heart-thumping” – thriller author Dan Petrosini
Get it now! Catch and Kill is a roller-coaster thrill ride that appeals to both the head and the heart.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Matthew Mather, A.G. Riddle, and Tim Tigner. Includes a surprise gift!
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2019
797 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Lasica
9 books52 followersJ.D. Lasica is the International bestselling author of four high-tech thrillers. He is also the founder of BingeBooks.com as well as a former columnist and journalist at a top 20 newspaper. J.D. has spoken at the United Nations, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cannes and at dozens of conferences on four continents. He has just moved to Puerto Rico (he loves the beaches and arts scene there) and is working on his next thriller release.
Do you belong to a book club? J.D. has spoken by video chat to dozens of book clubs on subjects from AI to thrillers to indie publishing.
Do you belong to a book club? J.D. has spoken by video chat to dozens of book clubs on subjects from AI to thrillers to indie publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 28, 2019
I beta read this story for J.D. and am honored he asked me to. He's a great writer with an ability to craft an intriguing story. I also like the artwork.
If you like technology, you're gonna want to check out this story. J.D. goes into detail about applications that exist, and I know they exist because I Googled them. Fans of Cory Doctorow will notice that J.D. does the same as Doctorow, he explains how technology works without boring you.
J.D.'s talent shines in this work, and to me that's part of what makes a story great. When you feel the energy the author puts out to produce their writing, it feels genuine.
If you like technology, you're gonna want to check out this story. J.D. goes into detail about applications that exist, and I know they exist because I Googled them. Fans of Cory Doctorow will notice that J.D. does the same as Doctorow, he explains how technology works without boring you.
J.D.'s talent shines in this work, and to me that's part of what makes a story great. When you feel the energy the author puts out to produce their writing, it feels genuine.
March 27, 2019
This is a thrilling, action-packed story that pulled me from one page to the next. Lasica did an amazing job balancing detail, research, action and believability, and created a world (and a story) that kept me fully engaged. It definitely reminds me of the big dogs in the techno-thriller world, both in the quality of the writing, and in its plot. Anyone that likes a good techno-thriller is sure to love this. Can't wait to see where he take Kaden and her team next!
March 27, 2019
Lasica writes another great thriller starring Kaden. He’s one of the few authors in the techno-thriller genre that do a fantastic job of making the technology believable.
I received an advance copy of the book and loved it! 4 stars because I rarely give anything 5 stars, but this seriously is one of the few books where I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter...
I received an advance copy of the book and loved it! 4 stars because I rarely give anything 5 stars, but this seriously is one of the few books where I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter...
September 26, 2019
Cyber espionage just got real.
Could not put this book down...if I would have read about the science behind the book first, it would have blown me away. Can't wait to get his next book.
Could not put this book down...if I would have read about the science behind the book first, it would have blown me away. Can't wait to get his next book.
July 6, 2019
For me not an enjoyable read. I passed the finishing line but it was a major struggle. Not my genre at all. Far too much fantasy and unrealistic storylines made the book one of the most difficult that I have read to reach the last page. Thank goodness it’s all over.
June 28, 2019
Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Catch and Kill, but I found it hard to stay interested in. For me, there were just so many character changes that as soon as I got interested the point of view would change, and I'd lose interest. The Villain didn't really feel like he fit into the story, and was a large part of me losing interest.
I thought the technical aspects were by far the best part of Catch and Kill. The AI and smart glass- dependent society was interesting and creative. The aspects that involved this were unique, and I enjoyed the Kaden's AI.
For my full review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
I enjoyed Catch and Kill, but I found it hard to stay interested in. For me, there were just so many character changes that as soon as I got interested the point of view would change, and I'd lose interest. The Villain didn't really feel like he fit into the story, and was a large part of me losing interest.
I thought the technical aspects were by far the best part of Catch and Kill. The AI and smart glass- dependent society was interesting and creative. The aspects that involved this were unique, and I enjoyed the Kaden's AI.
For my full review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
April 4, 2019
Biohack #1 - I actually started the second book of this series first, but was uncomfortable with not knowing the foundation for the characters and storylines. Luckily, I had Biohack in my library. So this series is the first I've read by this author and while he is not in the Big Boys League, this is an interesting book. Multiple storylines that lay a good foundation, especially helpful for the next book, weave a story about the good and bad of genomics and reproductive biotechnology (gene-editing) on a multitude of levels: medical; legal; ethical; etc. The technical information is easy to understand.
The variety of characters add to the depth of the storylines. I did get a good foundation for the main players and continued storylines of the second book, which made me want to continue reading Catch. These characters run the gamut from the self-righteous; the greedy; the immoral; the good; the victims; and so forth.
While the book is entertaining and does raise all sorts of emotions and issues from the reader, I think there is too much emphasis on sexual orientation. The presentations gave the impression that non-heteosexuals are defective and abused. Plus, Kaden seems to see "phallic symbol inagery" and thinks about her orientation at inappropriate moments. But there is something about her that made Catch more understandable.
Being from Texas and knowing there are not many cowboys in Dallas anymore, or Texans, I did not understand the crack made about regulatory rigmarole: "Safety regulations and labor laws were all but nonexistent in the cowboy culture that still held sway in Texas." (page 63). Cowboy culture is heavy in West Texas, but statewide we have current regulations that everyone follows.
I do suggest reading Biohack since there is quite a bit of foundation that will make Catch more understandable and revise the reader's perspective of Kaden and her orientation attitude. As a journalist and book editor, the author needs to apply those skills to editing his book; too wordy with unnecessary detail. 4*
Catch and Kill #2 - I'm glad I stopped reading Catch and read Biohack, which gave me the foundation and storylines to understand Catch better. The storylines continue from Biohack to Catch, so I strongly recommend reading them sequentially. Catch did not come with a notice of it being the second in a series.
The same characters from Biohack still exist and are more developed; they are all interesting in their own way. The science is interesting and should raise concerns of what we will face in the future on a global scale. The writing style, when not covering the science, fluctuates between Hollywood and OK; the action scenes follow the same and some of the dialog is silly. I had to keep reminding myself that not all of the players were professional, but still....
Again, the author is too wordy and does not properly edit his work. Instead of using "all black winter...", he lists several pieces of clothing and each with the descriptor black. I guess he thinks his readers have poor memories and we keep forgetting that she likes black clothing. As a journalist, he should understand the economy of words when writing. I finished this book because of my interest in genomics and reproductive biotechnology (gene-editing). I found this book on Booksprout and will not be continuing this series. 3*
The variety of characters add to the depth of the storylines. I did get a good foundation for the main players and continued storylines of the second book, which made me want to continue reading Catch. These characters run the gamut from the self-righteous; the greedy; the immoral; the good; the victims; and so forth.
While the book is entertaining and does raise all sorts of emotions and issues from the reader, I think there is too much emphasis on sexual orientation. The presentations gave the impression that non-heteosexuals are defective and abused. Plus, Kaden seems to see "phallic symbol inagery" and thinks about her orientation at inappropriate moments. But there is something about her that made Catch more understandable.
Being from Texas and knowing there are not many cowboys in Dallas anymore, or Texans, I did not understand the crack made about regulatory rigmarole: "Safety regulations and labor laws were all but nonexistent in the cowboy culture that still held sway in Texas." (page 63). Cowboy culture is heavy in West Texas, but statewide we have current regulations that everyone follows.
I do suggest reading Biohack since there is quite a bit of foundation that will make Catch more understandable and revise the reader's perspective of Kaden and her orientation attitude. As a journalist and book editor, the author needs to apply those skills to editing his book; too wordy with unnecessary detail. 4*
Catch and Kill #2 - I'm glad I stopped reading Catch and read Biohack, which gave me the foundation and storylines to understand Catch better. The storylines continue from Biohack to Catch, so I strongly recommend reading them sequentially. Catch did not come with a notice of it being the second in a series.
The same characters from Biohack still exist and are more developed; they are all interesting in their own way. The science is interesting and should raise concerns of what we will face in the future on a global scale. The writing style, when not covering the science, fluctuates between Hollywood and OK; the action scenes follow the same and some of the dialog is silly. I had to keep reminding myself that not all of the players were professional, but still....
Again, the author is too wordy and does not properly edit his work. Instead of using "all black winter...", he lists several pieces of clothing and each with the descriptor black. I guess he thinks his readers have poor memories and we keep forgetting that she likes black clothing. As a journalist, he should understand the economy of words when writing. I finished this book because of my interest in genomics and reproductive biotechnology (gene-editing). I found this book on Booksprout and will not be continuing this series. 3*
June 19, 2019
Frustrating to finish
Getting past editing and continuity errors is tough for me (and there were quite a few), but I am not one to put a book aside before finishing it. The author has definitely met women before but should stick to writing from a male character's perspective as his "female" protagonist (who keeps repeating that they don't like pronouns but doesn't do anything about it) falls short of a fully-rounded character. The future tech is interesting and the action scenes engaging.
Getting past editing and continuity errors is tough for me (and there were quite a few), but I am not one to put a book aside before finishing it. The author has definitely met women before but should stick to writing from a male character's perspective as his "female" protagonist (who keeps repeating that they don't like pronouns but doesn't do anything about it) falls short of a fully-rounded character. The future tech is interesting and the action scenes engaging.
April 22, 2019
I was given access to an advance copy of this book to read. So, here's my take - not quite as good as Biohack, the last Lassica book I read involving some of the same characters (though it's in a different series, apparently.) This is what I wrote about Biohack:
"J.D. Lasica's writing isn't quite up to that of those he lists in his afterward as his inspirations, but he is, forgive the pun, no hack. This story drew me in and kept me interested. I don't recall that interest flagging at any point. It is perhaps more thriller than sci-fi, but the same could be said of the works some of his inspirations, like Crichton. The science is reasonably solid. As thillers go, the surprises and plot twists were in evidence but I never quite found myself caught unawares."
I would say pretty much the same thing about this book except I would remove the part about my interest not flagging, as there were several points where I had to force myself to keep reading. Secondly, this book is overly marred by incessant infodumps and, as Gilbert & Sullivan once put it "Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative." Yeah, yeah - we get it - the author did his research (or was already an afficiando of or knowledgeable) about types of weapons, types of software, computer networking, programming, etc. All the "corroborative detail" got in the way of the story - and probably made the book twice as long (or rather, stretched a somewhat smaller story into a longer form to make it more lengthy to potential readers?) I'll probably continue to read Lassica's book for fun and leisure (though I suspect I'll be off the advance preview list after this review.)
"J.D. Lasica's writing isn't quite up to that of those he lists in his afterward as his inspirations, but he is, forgive the pun, no hack. This story drew me in and kept me interested. I don't recall that interest flagging at any point. It is perhaps more thriller than sci-fi, but the same could be said of the works some of his inspirations, like Crichton. The science is reasonably solid. As thillers go, the surprises and plot twists were in evidence but I never quite found myself caught unawares."
I would say pretty much the same thing about this book except I would remove the part about my interest not flagging, as there were several points where I had to force myself to keep reading. Secondly, this book is overly marred by incessant infodumps and, as Gilbert & Sullivan once put it "Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative." Yeah, yeah - we get it - the author did his research (or was already an afficiando of or knowledgeable) about types of weapons, types of software, computer networking, programming, etc. All the "corroborative detail" got in the way of the story - and probably made the book twice as long (or rather, stretched a somewhat smaller story into a longer form to make it more lengthy to potential readers?) I'll probably continue to read Lassica's book for fun and leisure (though I suspect I'll be off the advance preview list after this review.)
March 29, 2020
This is really like a bad Bond movie, complete with super villain intent on taking over the world. The plot is simply this: bad guy buys a tropical island where he sets of a sort of Fantasy Island, using kidnapped girls to cater to the rich and wealthy. VR and AR are used to supplement these fantasies. The bad guy also plans on poisoning the world's water supplies to take over the world.
If that sounds outlandish, keep reading. The book gets even more ridiculous. The only thing that kept me going is that, even with all this silliness, I still wanted to know what happens next. If you like over-the-top Bond movies, this book is right up your alley.
If that sounds outlandish, keep reading. The book gets even more ridiculous. The only thing that kept me going is that, even with all this silliness, I still wanted to know what happens next. If you like over-the-top Bond movies, this book is right up your alley.
May 26, 2019
Catch and Kill – Shadow Operatives Thriller 2 by J. D. Lasica came recommended to me because of people comparing it to works by Michael Crichton. I am pleased to confirm that all the people comparing the two authors were correct. J. D. Lasica also informed me that I did not need to read the first book to understand this one and that turned out to be true as well. There are not many books that are part of a series that can also be read as a stand-alone. On that same note, this book was so good that I want to go back and read the first book as well.
Action packed right from the start, A woman by the name of Kaden is attacked in an attempted kidnapping at a celebration where she was originally a person of honor. After returning home and finding that it has also been broken into Kaden receives messages from a mysterious man called Bo. Bo wants her help in investigating The Disappearance, and reluctantly Kaden agrees. At the same time on Samana City, a place called Fantasy Live is doing its soft open, and Alex, a reporter for the Axom is doing an undercover story on it.
Fantasy Live uses augmented reality to bring the patron’s deepest fantasies to life, within reason. Alex finds out some disturbing information about Samana City and Fantasy Live and sends word back to Axom. As it turns out Kaden and Bo’s investigation is already leading them to Fantasy Live and they team up with some other Axom employees to infiltrate the island. Things do not go very smooth for them on Samana City. Kaden must trust in her teammates, both familiar and new if they hope to escape. In the process, they are going to try to bring the girls from The Disappearance home and save the world from a surprise bio-warfare that no one is prepared for, but the creator of Fantasy Live is ready to kill to make sure no one interferes.
What I liked best was that the plot line was well thought out. The plans of Incognito and Lucid were explained in a way that made them completely believable. While it does take place in the future the technology used is not that far from what we use every day now. Naturally, I did not like the idea of Lucid and Incognito being missing at the end. However, with this being only the second book in the series I have faith that they will be found. I still do not completely understand how The Disappearance was able to happen without anyone noticing something before it was too late.
Target readers for this book are adults. This is due to the content and topics surrounding sex, forced surrogacy, and human trafficking. People who enjoy action-packed thrillers in a slightly futuristic setting will enjoy this book. I rate this book a 4 out of 4 because I got exactly what I was promised with this book. Each character clearly has their own personality that plays into how they respond to the situations presented. Everything was so believable that it was almost scary to think about how these events could actually happen.
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com/
Action packed right from the start, A woman by the name of Kaden is attacked in an attempted kidnapping at a celebration where she was originally a person of honor. After returning home and finding that it has also been broken into Kaden receives messages from a mysterious man called Bo. Bo wants her help in investigating The Disappearance, and reluctantly Kaden agrees. At the same time on Samana City, a place called Fantasy Live is doing its soft open, and Alex, a reporter for the Axom is doing an undercover story on it.
Fantasy Live uses augmented reality to bring the patron’s deepest fantasies to life, within reason. Alex finds out some disturbing information about Samana City and Fantasy Live and sends word back to Axom. As it turns out Kaden and Bo’s investigation is already leading them to Fantasy Live and they team up with some other Axom employees to infiltrate the island. Things do not go very smooth for them on Samana City. Kaden must trust in her teammates, both familiar and new if they hope to escape. In the process, they are going to try to bring the girls from The Disappearance home and save the world from a surprise bio-warfare that no one is prepared for, but the creator of Fantasy Live is ready to kill to make sure no one interferes.
What I liked best was that the plot line was well thought out. The plans of Incognito and Lucid were explained in a way that made them completely believable. While it does take place in the future the technology used is not that far from what we use every day now. Naturally, I did not like the idea of Lucid and Incognito being missing at the end. However, with this being only the second book in the series I have faith that they will be found. I still do not completely understand how The Disappearance was able to happen without anyone noticing something before it was too late.
Target readers for this book are adults. This is due to the content and topics surrounding sex, forced surrogacy, and human trafficking. People who enjoy action-packed thrillers in a slightly futuristic setting will enjoy this book. I rate this book a 4 out of 4 because I got exactly what I was promised with this book. Each character clearly has their own personality that plays into how they respond to the situations presented. Everything was so believable that it was almost scary to think about how these events could actually happen.
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com/
August 17, 2019
Review originally published at: https://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookr...
A multimillionaire builds an AI part on a private island, and funds the republic of Samana Cay, where rich people can make their deepest fantasies true. But the means and goals of this park are darker and more complex than what they seem. Alex, Valerie’s husband from book one, is sent to the island in order to write an article, but he also discovers there the darkest side of the island.
In theory, this book can be read as a standalone, but there are numerous references to the events in the previous one, as some of the characters, so I would say that reading the books in the correct order is recommended. I am glad that I listened to the first book before listening to this one to be able to do it justice. As with book one, there is plenty of technology and biohacking, as it often happens in Lasica’s books.
The pace of the story is quick and there are several twists and turns, which made of this book a rollercoaster. I found the main bad guy a perverse and complex enemy, and I was glad that we got part of his back story to justify his actions. I was less invested in the characters than in the first book though. In the first book, I found the characters more developed than average for this kind of stories, but I think in this one there were too many important new characters, and somehow the felt less developed. Kaden’s boyfriend and family are some examples. I expected to feel more attached to them but I found I did not care much about what happened to them. I had also troubles to understand some of Kaden’s actions, and while I was able to relate to her in the previous book, I found it more difficult this time.
It was quite an entertaining story, even though it felt a bit long-winded towards the end, probably because I couldn’t fully relate to the characters. I think the multiple POV’s was a factor for this.
This book was narrated by Tom Taverna. It always strikes me as strange when narrators change in the middle of a series, but it is also true that the previous narrator had some issues. I found Taverna slightly better, but I think part of the issue with this book is the narration. It was mostly correct, with a good audio production, but all characters sounded quite similar, and some of the accents sounded forced. There are more points of view than in the first book, so the decision to have a male narrator feels justified.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook, and I would recommend to anyone into technothrillers.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A multimillionaire builds an AI part on a private island, and funds the republic of Samana Cay, where rich people can make their deepest fantasies true. But the means and goals of this park are darker and more complex than what they seem. Alex, Valerie’s husband from book one, is sent to the island in order to write an article, but he also discovers there the darkest side of the island.
In theory, this book can be read as a standalone, but there are numerous references to the events in the previous one, as some of the characters, so I would say that reading the books in the correct order is recommended. I am glad that I listened to the first book before listening to this one to be able to do it justice. As with book one, there is plenty of technology and biohacking, as it often happens in Lasica’s books.
The pace of the story is quick and there are several twists and turns, which made of this book a rollercoaster. I found the main bad guy a perverse and complex enemy, and I was glad that we got part of his back story to justify his actions. I was less invested in the characters than in the first book though. In the first book, I found the characters more developed than average for this kind of stories, but I think in this one there were too many important new characters, and somehow the felt less developed. Kaden’s boyfriend and family are some examples. I expected to feel more attached to them but I found I did not care much about what happened to them. I had also troubles to understand some of Kaden’s actions, and while I was able to relate to her in the previous book, I found it more difficult this time.
It was quite an entertaining story, even though it felt a bit long-winded towards the end, probably because I couldn’t fully relate to the characters. I think the multiple POV’s was a factor for this.
This book was narrated by Tom Taverna. It always strikes me as strange when narrators change in the middle of a series, but it is also true that the previous narrator had some issues. I found Taverna slightly better, but I think part of the issue with this book is the narration. It was mostly correct, with a good audio production, but all characters sounded quite similar, and some of the accents sounded forced. There are more points of view than in the first book, so the decision to have a male narrator feels justified.
Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook, and I would recommend to anyone into technothrillers.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 9, 2019
Kaden and Red Team Zero are on the trail of the missing girls. Off the east coast of Florida, a Fantasy-Island-like resort for the filthy-rich opens on an island purchased for the same. Those guilty of snatching the missing girls have made a dire mistake when they snatched Kaden. Fantasy Live was billed as a judgment-free, guilt-free, no shame zone. They considered themselves an escape, a release valve from social and cultural tensions back home, free to express yourself. In reality, their contract stated there would be no bestiality, no pedophilia, no torture, no S & M, and no physical violence of any kind. Failure to abide by these rules would result in immediate expulsion from the island with lifetime banishment. The sales pitch and the rules do not mesh. There is more going on in Fantasy Live than the ad says. The people responsible for Fantasy Live have a much bigger diabolical plan than fulfilling the fantasies of its rich patrons. Seven of the richest oligarchs in the world comprise the cabal known as The Seven Spheres. They believe themselves to be the new superpower of the future. The crux of their plan is Project Ezekiel; personalized germ warfare. A molecular-modified microbe present in all humans will be infused in all the major water supplies infecting the world’s population. Targeted genetic markers within the infected will be triggered by a sleeper pathogen. Specific ethnicity, ancestry or genetic trait can be targeted creating a constant mistrust and fear throughout the world. When the world crumbles, the Seven Spheres will be there to pick up the pieces. There is also mention of replacing the U.S. dollar with cryptocurrency. “Catch and Kill” did not specify that it was the second volume in a series. Much or all of the background for this book is in volume one, “Biohack”. If you want the full story, go back and read “Biohack” first. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 24, 2019
This book actually reminds me of Tad Williams Otherland series. Not in the fact that at its base it's a thriller, but due to the virtual reality aspect of the plot. I'm not sure if the virtual reality part of the story makes things easier or not. It definitely took time to figure out what was going on and how the different plot lines fit together.
This is the second book in the series, so that might be why I am a little confused with things. It's not that the author doesn't explain things, they are explained, but the one thing I like about this book is that it doesn't regurgitate the first book so the reader can understand what is going on, just gives us enough information to be able to caught the drift. Still, there are one or two points that can be confusing when you don't know the background or the previous book.
Kaden Baker is caught up in a web of conspiracy involving missing girls and a island of high tech and ultimately greed. She must navigate through this island while dealing with personal upheaval and discoveries. Lots of action and intrigue and a bit of high tech involved.
I think it would be a wise move for people to read the first book before reading/listening to this. I think it would give the reader a better understanding of the world we find ourselves in. As I said, I like the fact that the author presumes his readers know what he's talking about without spending a quarter of the book re-introducing the world and characters.
I enjoyed the narrator's voice in this audiobook. He did an excellent job.
This is the second book in the series, so that might be why I am a little confused with things. It's not that the author doesn't explain things, they are explained, but the one thing I like about this book is that it doesn't regurgitate the first book so the reader can understand what is going on, just gives us enough information to be able to caught the drift. Still, there are one or two points that can be confusing when you don't know the background or the previous book.
Kaden Baker is caught up in a web of conspiracy involving missing girls and a island of high tech and ultimately greed. She must navigate through this island while dealing with personal upheaval and discoveries. Lots of action and intrigue and a bit of high tech involved.
I think it would be a wise move for people to read the first book before reading/listening to this. I think it would give the reader a better understanding of the world we find ourselves in. As I said, I like the fact that the author presumes his readers know what he's talking about without spending a quarter of the book re-introducing the world and characters.
I enjoyed the narrator's voice in this audiobook. He did an excellent job.
October 8, 2025
Catch and Kill by J.D. Lasica delivers an electrifying blend of high tech espionage, moral urgency, and relentless pacing that grips from the first page. The novel takes readers deep into a world where digital innovation and human trafficking collide a chilling reflection of how modern technology can both empower and endanger.
Lasica’s heroine, Kaden Baker, is a force of intellect and resilience. Her blend of covert operations expertise and hacking prowess brings a sharp, contemporary edge to the thriller genre. As she races to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of hundreds of teenage girls and a sinister virtual reality empire catering to the world’s elite, the stakes rise beyond the personal to the global.
What elevates Catch and Kill beyond a standard techno-thriller is its emotional core. Beneath the pulse pounding tension lies a story of courage, empathy, and the fierce will to protect the innocent. Lasica’s cinematic prose, taut plotting, and timely themes make this novel not just an action packed read but a haunting commentary on exploitation and power in the digital age.
This is a thriller that lingers fast paced, intelligent, and deeply human.
Lasica’s heroine, Kaden Baker, is a force of intellect and resilience. Her blend of covert operations expertise and hacking prowess brings a sharp, contemporary edge to the thriller genre. As she races to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of hundreds of teenage girls and a sinister virtual reality empire catering to the world’s elite, the stakes rise beyond the personal to the global.
What elevates Catch and Kill beyond a standard techno-thriller is its emotional core. Beneath the pulse pounding tension lies a story of courage, empathy, and the fierce will to protect the innocent. Lasica’s cinematic prose, taut plotting, and timely themes make this novel not just an action packed read but a haunting commentary on exploitation and power in the digital age.
This is a thriller that lingers fast paced, intelligent, and deeply human.
April 15, 2019
Another all to real thriller from Lasica. It continues from his first book (which I highly recommend reading though this book will likely catch you up on anything you need it is definitely a second book in a series and clearly setting up for future volumes.) Lasica explores tech in a way that is rooted in a lot of actual current research and tech and it shows in his books. They are great thrillers but also great science fiction in that they explore not just possible future technology but also the likely social implications of such tech - both the good and the ill.
Not a book for anyone who is squeamish as Lasica in a long thriller tradition explores some not so nice topics (torture, kidnapping etc). But he also inverts some thriller tropes in interesting ways. I recommend this to thriller fans as well as science fiction fans.
(I’m thanked in the acknowledgments as I am part of a group of readers and friends of the author who had a chance to read an early version of this book and gave him feedback and his small changes have indeed made for a stronger work)
Not a book for anyone who is squeamish as Lasica in a long thriller tradition explores some not so nice topics (torture, kidnapping etc). But he also inverts some thriller tropes in interesting ways. I recommend this to thriller fans as well as science fiction fans.
(I’m thanked in the acknowledgments as I am part of a group of readers and friends of the author who had a chance to read an early version of this book and gave him feedback and his small changes have indeed made for a stronger work)
March 28, 2019
I truly enjoyed this book. The pacing is appropriate for quick digestion, with all scenes being clipped to provide the essential matters. I don't think there's fat anywhere, and I'm never bored or confused as to what the purpose of a scene is, and action is never far off. It definitely must be called a fast-paced thriller, and its cyberpunk foundation is strong, with the setting's presentation of near-future technology well-executed. The plot's high speed might a bit disorientating for some who like to linger at all the science fiction details, as there are hostages to rescue and bad guys to stop.
Among the villains there is an interesting mix of motive and method that seems very robust: something for the hard left crowd, the chemtrail crowd, and the Biblethumper crowd. Beneath the action it's a troubling story of exploitation and the price of hedonism, and as a sequel Catch and Kill is very accommodating to the uninitiated.
Among the villains there is an interesting mix of motive and method that seems very robust: something for the hard left crowd, the chemtrail crowd, and the Biblethumper crowd. Beneath the action it's a troubling story of exploitation and the price of hedonism, and as a sequel Catch and Kill is very accommodating to the uninitiated.
March 27, 2019
'Catch and Kill' is a story that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next!
Kaden, our main character, is once again thrown into a world (more so an island) that appears to be beautiful, technologically advanced, and promises to meet your deepest fantasies. What pulled me most into this story was the chemistry and dynamics that each character had with each other. Which I felt gave the story a catchy hook and an interesting plot that just kept on giving! If you are a fan of tech-thrillers, rich vibrant imagery, and meaningful characters- then this book might just be for you!
I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader for this novel. Lasica has once again been able to craft a world that leaves you questioning the modern world and how our futures will be shaped with the ever evolving technology around us.
Kaden, our main character, is once again thrown into a world (more so an island) that appears to be beautiful, technologically advanced, and promises to meet your deepest fantasies. What pulled me most into this story was the chemistry and dynamics that each character had with each other. Which I felt gave the story a catchy hook and an interesting plot that just kept on giving! If you are a fan of tech-thrillers, rich vibrant imagery, and meaningful characters- then this book might just be for you!
I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader for this novel. Lasica has once again been able to craft a world that leaves you questioning the modern world and how our futures will be shaped with the ever evolving technology around us.
September 4, 2019
The thing that struck me right from the start of this entertaining action thriller is the plausibility of the technology involved. The wondrous gadgets the villains deploy are easy to imagine being available in the very near future. That all adds to the tension of the story and what a story it is. We have kidnapped girls, larger than life super rich super villains, secret organisations and heroes that are more than just brawn. This is a story with an awful lot going on, which would take far too long to recount here, and it’s all very entertaining. There’s plenty of action to go with the ambitious story about a world changing conspiracy. It’s very well written and the story moves along nicely before switching gears when the action hits. I really enjoyed it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone that enjoys books about secret agents, shady organisations and conspiracies.
August 3, 2019
JD Lasica writes a fascinating novel. It is gripping edge of seat with many twists and turns. You won't want to stop reading or listening till the end of the book. I did Audible, the narration was so gripping, it pushed you to the end. I did it in one sitting as I did things around the house. The characters are believable and interesting in this Techno Thriller. It has a lot of action and political intrigue. If you hadn't read Biohack it is OK as there is enough contrast in this book to keep you interested. Kaden Baker has a lot of learned survival skills. There is a botched kidnapping. You have young girls disappearing off the streets. You have an out of control Billionaire who is using advanced technology to gain world domination. This is a must read. I highly recommend this book.
March 16, 2020
This story is an amazing conspiracy theory story. This one more unusual because it is based in the "higher calling" of the man behind the curtain. It reminded me a bit of the Phantom of the Opera, and you have to read it to find out why.
On top of the awesome thriller, the story also captivated me because one can really see the research the author have put in the story without being not even a tiny bit boring. I really loved it and I'm crossing my fingers this can be turned into a great movie for sundays afternoons.
Now, about the narration... it's ok as a reading, but it could be much more improved has a real narration in terms of expressiveness and separation all the characters by their voice.
On top of the awesome thriller, the story also captivated me because one can really see the research the author have put in the story without being not even a tiny bit boring. I really loved it and I'm crossing my fingers this can be turned into a great movie for sundays afternoons.
Now, about the narration... it's ok as a reading, but it could be much more improved has a real narration in terms of expressiveness and separation all the characters by their voice.
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December 12, 2022A definite Thriller
A bit confusing at the beginning until you get things sorted out. Kaden has a kidnapping attempt that she thwarts but sees her new boyfriend murdered . Kaden meets Bo, finds out he's her father and that she has a sister who has "disappeared ".
Slightly confusing beginning as the characters get into play. Pretty well written otherwise . The plot is detailed , the characters do line up and fall in place . No apparent typos , a bit of biblical philosophy by the madman in charge. Pretty fantastical plot by him.
I initially was concerned because I actually paid money for this book . I only did so to get background for book 3.
A bit confusing at the beginning until you get things sorted out. Kaden has a kidnapping attempt that she thwarts but sees her new boyfriend murdered . Kaden meets Bo, finds out he's her father and that she has a sister who has "disappeared ".
Slightly confusing beginning as the characters get into play. Pretty well written otherwise . The plot is detailed , the characters do line up and fall in place . No apparent typos , a bit of biblical philosophy by the madman in charge. Pretty fantastical plot by him.
I initially was concerned because I actually paid money for this book . I only did so to get background for book 3.
December 5, 2020
Catch and Kill is a gripping techno-thriller that picks up from where Biohack left off. Lasica explores and works through the possible evil twists and turns that abuse of future technologies can produce and wraps it all around a truly tough kick ass hero – Kaden never disappoints.Cleverly disguised as fast-paced read that reveals the genie is already out of the bottle - it caused me to continue pondering what could be and what shouldn’t be in the use of technology and inspires me to want to keep a close watch at who is developing what types of technology. Both books are thoroughly provocative, enjoyable and a must read!
March 28, 2019
This book is a wonderful scifi thriller in the spirit of Michael Critchon. I didn’t have the chance to read book one yet, and if you’re in my same boat- never fear! This book is perfect as a standalone too, everything that happens in this book seems to be only in this plot, I never once read anything that wasn’t explained out further. This book is fast paced, filled with near-futuristic espionage, smart equipment and a cool throwback on a classic adventure. All rolled in with an intelligent, strong female lead, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a techy thriller!
March 28, 2021
I wanted to like this but I was finding it difficult to enjoy this book as it wasn't very believable. Over the top Jame Bond style bad guys for a start. The idea of all the futuristic technology was fascinating but the fact that they kept going out of range of wifi and it all stopped working was bizarre. We are talking holographic AI assistant, augmented reality mixed with virtual reality and even smart contact lenses etc but yes, every so often no wifi so it is all offline. Apparently it can't fall back on mobile networks? It bugged me all the way through the book.
November 11, 2019
Kaden is a hacker who can kick your butt if she needs to. She gets involved in an international conspiracy which threatens to kill millions of people and create a new world order of billionaires from around the world. If you like non stop action you will definitely need to read this. With a very engaging cast of characters, so much action you yourself will be out of breath and an awesome story line you won’t be able to put this book down !
April 17, 2019
Deep down Catch and Kill is a fast-paced, international thriller winding readers through foreign places, barreling them away just as quickly to keep up with the main character to her next challenge. As the story unwinds, the risks multiply both on a personal and story level, pitting Kaden and her tech-savvy crew against a megalomaniac with world-domination plans.
May 24, 2019
A Perfect World
This is an exciting and very enjoyable story. The characters are all well defined and the author seems to has some expertise on this subject matter. The story makes me wonder, if man really sets his mind to do something, is there anything he can't accomplish? Great Read. What's your fantasy?
This is an exciting and very enjoyable story. The characters are all well defined and the author seems to has some expertise on this subject matter. The story makes me wonder, if man really sets his mind to do something, is there anything he can't accomplish? Great Read. What's your fantasy?
May 25, 2019
Pretty intense!
I was introduced to this author by reading book two in the series! Now I must go back and read book one! This is a mix of technical possibility and the dark side of today's headlines! The editing and character development are nicely done. I found this story very difficult to put down!
I was introduced to this author by reading book two in the series! Now I must go back and read book one! This is a mix of technical possibility and the dark side of today's headlines! The editing and character development are nicely done. I found this story very difficult to put down!
June 8, 2019
Technology be damned
Good pact writing bordering on actual possibilities brought down to earth with the reality of the blunt force trauma of conventional low tech weaponry. Main character is conflicted butt stands strong in the fight against evil. Conflicts abound and one big question needs to be resolved at the end, job or not how doors Bo survive. Read on is my best suggestion
Good pact writing bordering on actual possibilities brought down to earth with the reality of the blunt force trauma of conventional low tech weaponry. Main character is conflicted butt stands strong in the fight against evil. Conflicts abound and one big question needs to be resolved at the end, job or not how doors Bo survive. Read on is my best suggestion
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