Spilled Blood

A Novel

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A taut thriller about two rural Minnesota towns locked in a deadly feud - and a teenage girl caught in the crossfire.

Linked by the Spirit River, the two towns couldn’t be more different: in affluent Barron, a powerful and secretive scientific research corporation enriches its residents, while downriver in blue-collar St. Croix, victims of that company’s carcinogenic waste struggle to survive. The bad blood between the communities escalates into open warfare when the beautiful Ashlynn, daughter of the corporation’s president, is found shot dead - and a St. Croix girl, Olivia Hawk, is accused of the crime.

Reluctantly, Olivia’s mother summons her estranged husband, Christopher, a Minneapolis lawyer, to come defend his daughter. As Christopher struggles to unravel the mystery of Ashlynn’s murder and save his own daughter, he uncovers some ugly truths that endanger the residents of both towns. And looming over everything are the chilling, apocalyptic threats from a murderous psychopath known only as "Aquarius".

©2012 Brian Freeman (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Thriller Award Winner, Best Novel, 2013

“Brian Freeman is, quite simply, a first-rate storyteller.” (Nelson DeMille, New York Times best-selling author)

“This guy can tell a story.” (Michael Connelly)

“Harrowing.... Freeman ratchets up the suspense steadily, and then provides a cataclysmic ending.” (Publishers Weekly)

Great Storyline

Absolutely, loved the roller coaster turns of the storyline. Well put together. I enjoyed it from the beginning until the end.

Caught my attention and didn't let go

Loved this story. You think you've got it figured out . . . . . then it surprises you.

Another Great One!

Spilled Blood is an incredible thrill ride! Keeps you guessing until the very end. Brian Freeman has done it again, never a dull moment.

Narrator's character voice gave away the ending!

Ah! My headline pretty much says it all. I am a Brian Freeman fan - he consistently delivers a satisfying ending that I don't piece together until right before he spells it out. However, I always get a hoot out of trying to solve the mystery! Joe Barrett is generally a good narrator (though his women and children voices are borderline creepy... and his accented characters are cringy). His natural voice is strong, clear and even soothing. I was SO disappointed in this book though because his character's voice totally gave away who a mystery person was!!! AH!! I immediately made the connection after hearing the voice and was so bummed because I would not have figured it out had I been reading the book myself. OOF. I think narrator should re-do that little portion. Kind of ruined the rest of the book for me. Otherwise, a good Brian Freeman book.

As improbable the plot line is I was totally engaged

Well narrated
Totally enjoyed well crafted legal thriller
I intend to listen to more of Freeman’s work

A good Read!!!!!

First, the story is simple and yet complex enough to keep you guessing.
Second, the characters are interesting and compelling.
Third, the overall structure of story is enjoyable.
My only critiquing of the book is the male reader’s female voice. Had they used a second woman to read to female characters this would be a no brainer.
Truly enjoyed it.

Exciting Mystery with Realistic Plot

Some mysteries don’t have a believable plot, this mystery did. The plot was exciting and easy to follow, the characters were beautifully developed, and the storyline kept me totally engaged. The audio was excellent…it was a terrific read. I’m so glad I listened to it. It would make a very good movie.

Worth the listen because it’s free!

A little too long winded but I enjoyed the story and the narrator. It could’ve been about three hours shorter

serendipity

I had read a couple of books that I really looked forward to, and was quite disappointed with them. When I can’t count on books I look forward to, it leaves me a little sick feeling…I guess I have an audible problem. when I am tired of disappointment I look through the plus catalog. this time I found a book by an author I have read many times and enjoy. expecting nothing, I plowed ahead and found myself completely inculcated in a town feud in Minnesota.

this is a great read from so many angles, but the character development of both the introduced and mystery characters just make this a very compelling read. if I can offer any advice, it would be to not start this book if you have pressing matters. save it for a long drive or vacation. let it be savored and enjoyed from start to finish.

Great listen

it was engaging and suspenseful. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. it kept you wondering but I wasn't surprised by who aquarius was but was surprised who the other was.