Title: Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators
Author: Ronan Farrow
Published: 2019 (Little, Brown and Company, New York)
Pages: 448
Genres: Investigative Reporting, True Crime, Non-Fiction, Thriller, Expose
Link Here

Hi everyone, this is my first review of 2020! Time has truly flown by in these first few weeks of the new decade. No big regrets yet, and not one New Years resolution was made. I guess the only thing that can count as a New Years Resolution is that I pledged to read 40 books this year through Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge. I’m hoping I read even more than 40, but I’m trying to keep it real here, and I like to set goals I know I can achieve.

Now, Catch and Kill was one of my Christmas gifts this year. I heard many good things about this book, and kept seeing it pop up on Instagram. So I thought, I’m going to give this book a real shot. Starting to read this book was one of the best calls I made that last week of 2019. Ronan Farrow’s harrowing and thrilling tale of the coverups of the film and news industry kept me on the edge of my seat.

“In the end, the courage of women can’t be stamped out. And stories – the big ones, the true ones – can be caught but never killed” – Ronan Farrow, Catch and Kill

Farrow’s sharp and chronological story of his 2017 expose of the Hollywood film industry in The New Yorker was more thrilling than announced. His story almost sounds like the plot of a Jason Bourne-like espionage thriller, but it’s more truth than fiction. Filled with fear, deceit, real spies, strung out corporate heads, scandal and an emotionally exhausted investigated reporter – Catch and Kill is as exciting as its name reflects. This book had just the right amount of wit and comedic undertones, while explaining the tragic situation for so many women who fell victim to a man hell bent on his own narcissism and getting ‘his way’.

What I found most surprising was how transparent Farrow was about his background and family scandal. He is the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. Most, I think, would not like to talk about their father’s abuse in his private life and in the industry, but Farrow took it head on and shared exactly what he thought. I thought Farrow’s honesty was refreshing and made the book as exposing as it was.

100% worth the read, and I thought it was one of the best books I’ve read this year (so far). This non-fictional tale made me think about how sexual and verbal abuse by someone with more power acts like a poison in a professional environment, an industry. The real abuse is someone trying to take advantage of those who they thought would not stand up for themselves and submit. It’s ultimately incredibly gross.

“Ultimately, the reason Harvey Weinstein followed the route he did is because he was allowed to, and that’s our fault. As a culture that’s our fault.” – Ronan Farrow, Catch and Kill

Everyone, please look out for your fellow humans, and hear them out when they come to you with their broken heart on their sleeve and need someone to talk to about an abusive situation. Even if you don’t believe them, at least hear them out and let them tell you their story. Be brave, and support those who need help speaking up.

Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5!

_Elizabeth