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Reviewed by Robert Collier III for Readers' Favorite
CatchEM by Julie Hodgson jumps straight into the lonely aftermath of an assault that the police simply shrug off. Grace Thorne is left trying to piece her life back together with large gaps in her memory after a university night out. But the authorities merely brush the whole thing off as a social misunderstanding. Her twin sister, Shelby, is absolutely furious and channels all her energy into building a secure website called CatchEm to track anonymous reports of sexual assault all over the country. What starts as a private tech-driven crusade quickly pulls back the curtain on a huge system of official neglect as thousands of women log identical stories. This rogue data project instantly triggers an aggressive retaliation from a faceless enemy who starts hammering their servers with cyberattacks and trying to ruin their reputation with fake charges. Can the sisters keep their platform alive long enough to look after the vulnerable people trusting them with their truths?
CatchEM by Julie Hodgson is a deeply moving psychological thriller that does a fantastic job of showing the monumental effort required to stand up to a hidden power structure. It is remarkable how Grace regains her footing. Seeing her overcome her initial emotional numbness to find a fierce new drive right alongside Shelby during a chaotic two-week window really brings the emotional reality of their fight into sharp focus, making their efforts feel like the true heart of the entire story. The pacing is good, making you feel the rising panic as the database hacks and threatening letters from lawyers close in from both sides. It was also fascinating to see characters like Priya and Detective Hall join the fray, because they make the resistance seem like a real grassroots effort run by people forced to choose between safety and doing what is right. The main theme about the strength of shared stories gives the book a deep emotional foundation. It is a gripping look at how ordinary people find their voices when the institutions meant to protect them fail. You finish the final pages with a real sense of admiration for the characters and a reminder of what collective courage can actually accomplish. Very highly recommended.
