Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Catch .22 opens with a murder that sets the stage for gripping scenes to follow. Kowalyshyn presents a complex storyline, enhanced with several well-developed characters, that traverses multiple locations and settings.
Prose: Kowalyshyn is a clear and concise writer, able to craft suspenseful scenes that will garner reader attention. Catch .22 is a promising thriller, although some contradictory plot points and structure could use fine-tuning.
Originality: The highlight of Catch .22 is the engaging plot and noteworthy characters, alongside a healthy dose of action that keeps the story moving.
Character Development/Execution: The two main players, Sloan and Julia, are well-defined and memorable, although lesser players, such as Renee—whose death is a catalyst for the novel's blistering action—hold their own. Kowalyshyn is clearly skilled at characterization, a strong point for the novel across the board.
Date Submitted: August 22, 2022
Catch .22 is a mystery/thriller finalist in the Canadian Book Club Awards. Winners will be announced in December.
