Every secret has a price. The Catalogue could cost the world everything.
When homicide detective Jake Penny stumbles onto a murder tied to a covert intelligence program, his life is thrust into a deadly game of espionage and betrayal. At the center of the storm is the Catalogue—a stolen file containing the identities of the world’s most elite operatives. Whoever controls it controls the future of global power.
As Jake races to recover the file, he’s hunted by a ruthless network of mercenaries, shadow operatives, and a devious NSA agent who may be friend—or foe. From the streets of New York City, to the darkest corners of international intrigue, Jake must navigate a world where trust is a liability and survival depends on deception. But when a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything he thought he knew, the mission becomes personal—and the cost becomes unimaginable.
Fast-paced, gripping, and packed with razor-sharp twists, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a masterclass in modern spy thrillers. Perfect for fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, this high-stakes novel will keep you guessing until the final page.
Every secret has a price. The Catalogue could cost the world everything.
When homicide detective Jake Penny stumbles onto a murder tied to a covert intelligence program, his life is thrust into a deadly game of espionage and betrayal. At the center of the storm is the Catalogue—a stolen file containing the identities of the world’s most elite operatives. Whoever controls it controls the future of global power.
As Jake races to recover the file, he’s hunted by a ruthless network of mercenaries, shadow operatives, and a devious NSA agent who may be friend—or foe. From the streets of New York City, to the darkest corners of international intrigue, Jake must navigate a world where trust is a liability and survival depends on deception. But when a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything he thought he knew, the mission becomes personal—and the cost becomes unimaginable.
Fast-paced, gripping, and packed with razor-sharp twists, The Catalogue by Ty Mitchell is a masterclass in modern spy thrillers. Perfect for fans of Jason Bourne, Jack Reacher, and Tom Clancy, this high-stakes novel will keep you guessing until the final page.
The nocturnal ambiance of upstate New York’s woodlands held a haunting beauty. It was a quiet that demanded reverence. A quiet so profound it felt as though the world held its breath, leaving your soul suspended, weightless. It was the kind of quiet that promised escape. A hiding place for secrets no one would ever uncover. Whether for burying truths or bodies, the rugged terrain embraced them without question.
Snow-covered houses hugged the forest’s edge like vigilant sentinels. Lifeless Christmas lights sagged from gutters, their dim glow a sorrowful echo of a long-faded holiday cheer. The house closest to the woods was old but stalwart, its brick chimney clawing at the twilight sky. The weathered purlins on its roof stood as silent witnesses to decades of storms.
Inside, echoes of children’s laughter reverberated against the wooden walls, blending with the scent of aged timber and fading wallpaper. A dimly lit bedroom housed three twin beds, their mismatched frames shoved together, and a single nightstand covered in dust. A bulb swung gently from the ceiling, its pale light casting faint shadows.
A group of Chinese children sprawled across the mattresses, their gazes riveted to Jun Li, who animatedly read from “The Story of Hok Lee and the Dwarf.” Though they knew every twist and turn of the story, Jun Li’s antics—his wide-eyed expressions, playful pauses, and exaggerated gestures—kept them enraptured.
Jun Li’s jet-black hair fell to his shoulders, and his leather jacket gleamed in the dim light. To the children, he was larger than life, a living fairy tale. In their eyes, he wasn’t just a storyteller; he was a hero.
Suddenly, a dull thud followed by muffled voices broke the spell. The laughter faded. Jun Li glanced over his shoulder, his jaw tightening. He turned back to the children with a fixed smile, but his eyes wary, and carefully marked the page before snapping the book shut.
“I think that’s enough for tonight,” Jun Li said, his voice steady.
The children groaned in protest, their pleas forming a harmonious chorus of disappointment.
“Just one more chapter, Jun Li,” the youngest begged, his wide eyes pleading.
Jun Li shook his head. “It’s late, and you need your rest. I shouldn’t have kept you up this long.”
“But what was that noise downstairs?” another child asked, sitting upright.
For a moment, Jun Li’s expression faltered, a flicker of unease crossing his features before he forced a grin. “That? Probably just the dwarf checking to see if you’re asleep. So, off to bed you go.”
The children reluctantly obeyed, burrowing beneath their patchy comforters. The eldest, a boy of thirteen, swung his legs over the side of the bed and moved purposefully toward the door.
Jun Li blocked his path, his presence commanding. “Where are you going?”
“Bathroom,” the boy replied, his voice steady but his gaze cautious.
Jun Li studied the boy’s face. “Your name is Koa, right?”
The boy nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.
“I heard one of your brothers say it earlier,” Jun Li continued.
Koa sighed with a tinge of annoyance. “Mr. Pei says I should go by my American name, John.”
Jun Li gently cupped the back of Koa’s neck as he locked eyes with him. “Koa is a powerful name for a warrior. It is in your blood. Do you understand me?”
Koa’s shoulders straightened. “Yes, sir.”
“All right, Koa,” Jun Li said, stepping aside. “But listen to me carefully. No matter what, stay upstairs. Deal?”
Koa nodded, his chin held high.
Jun Li turned to the others. “As for the rest of you, go to sleep. We’ll finish the story tomorrow.”
The children murmured their good nights, their voices soft. Jun Li pulled the string dangling from the bulb, plunging the room into darkness. He lingered at the door until he heard Koa enter the bathroom. Then he descended the creaky stairs.
The living room was sparse, its furniture worn but functional. A small wooden table held two untouched cups of tea beside an electric kettle. Gold-framed black-and-white photos adorned the walls, hinting at stories long past.
Jun Li ran a finger along the rim of one cup. “It’s a shame you didn’t get to finish your tea,” he said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
In chairs facing each other, an elderly Chinese couple sat bound and gagged, their torn clothing and disheveled appearance a silent testimony to the fierce struggle they had endured. Around them, five henchmen loomed like vultures over carrion.
Jun Li’s slow, deliberate footsteps filled the air, triggering the old woman’s breaths to quicken into panicked hyperventilation. Her bloodshot eyes darted to her husband, who remained stoic despite the swelling that sealed one of his eyes shut.
Jun Li stopped beside the woman, his touch deceptively gentle as his hand brushed her cheek. His gaze locked onto the elderly man. “You’ve changed,” he said, his voice quiet yet laced with disdain. “The man I knew would have never let me speak English as a child, let alone adopt an American name. Where’s your pride now? Or has it been stripped away by your new master?”
One of the thugs stepped forward and ripped the gag from the old man’s mouth. The elder paused, gathering his breath despite his swollen, bloodied lips. “This is between you and me,” he whispered hoarsely. “Let the woman and children go. They have no part in this. We had a deal.”
Ignoring the plea, Jun Li reached for the teacup on a nearby table and took a slow sip, savoring it. “Hmmm. Just like home,” he murmured. His eyes flicked back to the old man. “Do you remember that place?”
The elder raised his head, his voice stern as he switched to Mandarin. “I remember who you were. And I see you haven’t changed—still lost, still reckless. But there is hope for you yet. The Americans don’t know you’re here. Leave now, and I will forget this ever happened.”
Jun Li’s hand froze in midair before hurling the delicate porcelain cup against the wall, the shattering echo filling the room. “You’re in no position to negotiate terms,” he hissed. “Your time is over. Now, give me what I came for.”
The elder scoffed despite the wince it caused. “What you seek is gone. It died with me the day I was compromised.”
Jun Li’s smirk deepened into something far colder as he retrieved the electric kettle and dangled it menacingly over the woman’s head. “Don’t be stubborn. Give me what we agreed upon, and no more harm will come to anyone. My word is good.”
The sight of his wife’s tears cut deep into the old man, but he held his breath. She didn’t deserve this—no one did. His past sins had caught up with him, yet surrender was not an option. He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin, defiance etched into every line of his face.
Jun Li sighed through his nose, his voice icy. “Have it your way.” He tilted the kettle, letting boiling water cascade onto the woman’s lap. Her muffled screams tore through the room, a visceral sound that made even the henchmen look away.
The old man didn’t flinch. His throat constricted at the sight of his wife trembling, the searing pain leaving her skin raw and blistered, but his expression remained impenetrable.
Jun Li’s voice carried a chilling nonchalance. “I hear Ban Tian Yao works wonders for dry scalps.” He gripped the back of the old woman’s neck, forcing her head downward. A single droplet of scalding water struck her scalp, making her jolt violently.
Still, the old man betrayed no emotion.
Jun Li released the woman and let out a low, cruel laugh. The sound rippled through the room, echoed by his henchmen. He tossed the kettle onto the table and ripped the gag from the old woman’s mouth. “Impressive, old man. It seems you haven’t completely lost your edge.”
His smile vanished as he waved a hand toward the staircase. One of the henchmen started climbing the stairs.
“Wait,” the old man rasped, his voice steady despite his hoarseness.
The henchman froze mid-step, looking to Jun Li for orders.
The old man’s gaze bored into Jun Li. “The children upstairs—they’re descendants of those who fought and died for us. For our people. Don’t dishonor yourself by doing something you can’t undo.”
A sudden creak from the stairs made everyone’s heads turn. Koa stood at the landing, wide-eyed, paralyzed by the scene below him.
Jun Li’s face darkened. Switching to Mandarin, he barked, “Take the boy and the old man to the car.”
Two henchmen grabbed the elder and Koa, dragging them toward the door.
“No!” The old woman broke into Mandarin, desperation cracking her voice. “Take me instead. I don’t care about him or the children. I can bring value to your cause. Use me!”
Jun Li crouched before her, his expression inscrutable. For a moment, he studied her face, worn by time and suffering. “You have value, indeed,” he murmured in Mandarin. Then, in English, he added, “Which is why you’re staying. You’re going to deliver our message.”
He stood abruptly, signaling for another henchman to ascend the stairs. A fourth man moved behind the woman, drawing a nine-inch blade. Jun Li bowed mockingly before turning and walking out into the bitter cold.
Outside, the old man was pinned against an SUV.
“There was a time when honor meant something,” the elder said, his voice trembling with restrained fury. “Even among enemies, respect was sacred. You think this will bring honor back to us?”
Jun Li stopped inches from the elder, his smirk venomous. “You’ve led us to ruin. I’m here to save us.”
Koa was hauled into the SUV, his gaze averted. The elder’s eyes darted to the vehicle before narrowing on Jun Li.
“You have no honor,” he spat, his hand slipping to his sleeve.
Before anyone could react, the elder’s blade slashed the throat of the nearest henchman. Blood sprayed across the pristine snow as the man collapsed. A second thug lunged, but the elder moved with deadly precision, driving the knife into his abdomen four times in rapid succession.
The remaining henchmen hesitated, but it was too late. The elder struck with the swiftness of a predator, his blade a blur. Jun Li watched, captivated by the old man’s lethal grace. Memories of past lessons flickered through his mind, but he held his ground.
As the last man fell, the elder turned his blazing gaze to Jun Li and charged, each step pounding like a war drum.
Jun Li’s smirk deepened. The elder’s ferocity only fueled his confidence. Each swing of the blade came close, but never landed. The elder’s strikes slowed, his strength waning.
Finally, the elder lunged, aiming for Jun Li’s heart. Jun Li caught his wrist in midair, the blade trembling inches from his chest. His eyes flicked to the ring on the elder’s finger—a gold cobra with emerald eyes, glinting ominously.
“I remember the story of the Naja atra,” Jun Li murmured, his grip tightening. The sound of bones snapping echoed through the clearing as the elder dropped to his knees.
“That used to mean something to me,” Jun Li continued. “You meant something to me. I will find The Catalogue and I will restore what you lost. The new V.E.N.O.M. is here, and I am its leader.”
The force of Jun Li’s attack was so intense that it left the old man reeling. The elder’s vision blurred, darkness closing in. Jun Li stood over him, victorious, as silence reclaimed the forest.
Spoilers: ‘Tis might be the season for receiving catalogs, but if you are a character in Ty Mitchell’s Suspense Thriller VENOM Novel The Catalogue, this eponymous document is the last catalog that you will want to receive. Instead of orders about charcuteries and winter apparel, this is a list of the world's most available organized criminals, assassins, terrorists, blackmailers, and all around worst people ever.
The Catalogue is the property of VENOM, a global super network of organized crime. Many members know of the Catalogue’s existence but not all of them have access to it and some would kill to receive it. One of them is Jun Li who is literally killing the competition. His actions reach the attention of Detective Jake Penny, investigative reporter Zasha Avery, and NSA Special Agent Ethan Parker who try to get to the root of these murders that will hopefully lead them to VENOM and The Catalogue.
This is a high octane and energy thriller that relies on suspense, plot twists, and fast paced writing to tell its story and it does that well. The action chapters are very tight building on different layers of character and suspense to add to the overall tension.
From the first moment that we, the Readers, observe the characters, they are thrown into violent situations that require us to evaluate their personalities. Jake's introductory chapter takes place in a pharmacy where he is desperately trying to get opioids that he is addicted to. He stops an armed robbery and uses his observation skills to reveal that it was an inside job.
This opening shows him as an effective detective but a very troubled individual with deep personal conflict. Those actions questions his allegiance with the law and our thoughts towards him. He doesn't live in a world of black and white, but gray.
Jun Li is another character who acknowledges that gray world. He is ruthless and efficient in his murders, treating his targets like nothing more than items on a checklist. Even though he is a loyal VENOM member, he seems more interested in becoming the actual leader and grabbing power for himself.
However, there is another side to him and it is shown in the opening chapter when he reads to a group of orphaned children before he returns to and taunts his bound adult hostages. He develops a genuine bond with one of the young orphans so that a later chapter concerning the two of them is one of the most emotionally gripping.
Like Jake, the purpose is to show different sides and the gray world that he and the other characters inhabit. Sometimes the hero has a dark violent side and sometimes the villain shows vulnerability that is hidden from everyone else.
The gray world leads to some of the more intriguing plot twists and revelations. Some make sense but one arbitrary twist stretches credibility especially since the book is third person omniscient and we would have had some hints in the characters' mindset.
I suppose that is the point. In a world where good characters aren't always good and bad ones aren't always bad and everyone operates according to their own code, that is to be expected. Characters act in ways that even the Readers find questionable.
The Catalogue is the type of novel that provides suspense, thrills, plot twists, and understanding of the complexities of the law and the lawless. It is perfectly made to order.