Alter Ego

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a freak accident kills a driver on the remote roads outside Duluth, Jonathan Stride is disturbed to discover that the victim appears to be a "ghost", with a false identity and no evidence to suggest who he really was. What's worse, the man has a gun locked in the trunk - and it has recently been fired.

The next day Stride learns that a Duluth college student has vanished and worries that the two incidents are related. But what would have put an ordinary young woman in the crosshairs of a man who has all the hallmarks of an assassin for hire?

Stride's investigation of the girl's disappearance leads him onto the set of a film crew in Duluth, where a movie based on a case from his own past is being made. The actor playing Stride is Hollywood royalty, an award-winning icon who has charmed his way to the top of the box office.

But Stride soon hears whispers that his alter ego has a dark side and, in trying to expose the truth, discovers that he has made a powerful enemy who will stop at nothing to protect his reputation.

©2018 Brian Freeman (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Freeman Stride Bolton & Barrett! WOW!!!!

As with all the previous Jonathan Stride books this can be read as a stand alone. I recommend reading them in order (beginning with IMMORAL) for continuity in character and relationship development. This is a great series. Cab Bolton is another Freeman series and it was kind of nice to see the two cross paths.

This book deals with the seamy side of a big name Hollywood actor. He's in town to film a movie about a previous case of Jonathan Stride's. It's one that continues to give Stride nightmares.
Anyway, there are murdered women, abused, drugged and missing women. There's also a dead John Doe/assassin who dies in a freak accident. Does any or all of this have anything to do with the actor? And who is the one person he was talking to on a burner phone? As compared to other books in this series there is more direct involvement from other key characters in Stride's life. Stride's adopted daughter Kat contributes much more then ever before. And of course there is Cab Bolton who was never in a J Stride book.
Excellent story with an ending you will not see coming!!
Joe Barrett gave a FANTASTIC narration.He is one of my favorites!
My HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
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Thank You.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Brian Freemen releases another winner!

Alter Ego is Book 9 in Brian Freeman's Jonathan Stride police procedural mystery series. As usual Freemen keeps things moving quickly. The setting is Duluth, Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior in mid winter where a movie is being made about one of Stride's old cases. The actor portraying Stride's character is an A-list star. There are lots of action and suspense, but two major unexpected plot twists in the last hour of the audio book are what solidify the 5 star rating. Joe Barrett with his gravely voice narrates superbly.

Alter Ego may be the best of Brian Freeman's 14 outstanding audio novels and 2 novellas. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Not badly written, but pretty badly plotted

The English sentences are o.k., and a few of the characters are realistic enough. However, there are way too many cliff-hanger plot elements and zany out-of-the-blue revelations for the novel to hold the most tenuous connection to plausibility.


On the other hand, the author -- Brian Freeman -- must have congratulated himself on his anticipation of the flood of harassment stories spilling out of Hollywood, the restaurant kitchens of New York and DC, governors' mansions, and the halls of the national and state legislature.


Joe Barrett is an excellent narrator, as usual.

a good installment

Enjoyed this installment of this series. The last few were just so so.
This returns to being very good. I loved that everyone is in the story and Maggie seems to be doing good
as are all the characters

With a credit

Outstanding!

This book is an amazing addition to the Jonathan Stride story. Twists and turns you don’t expect. The reader is perfect! Highly recommend every book Brian Freeman has written. Hands down one of my favorite mystery writers.

Loved it Brian!

Weaving in Cab Bolton was awesome! And what can I say about Maggie?! She is my fav character. Best Stride book yet Brian. Thanks!

Never saw THAT coming!

Just when you think you know what comes next Brian throws in an new twist.

Awful Narration

I have enjoyed Brian Freeman's Stride novels but found this one to be lacking. The narrator was awful--tried to insert "Minnesotan" accents but ended up making the characters sound dumb and hokey.

Another Winner

I love how Brian weaves current events and global issues into his stories and makes them extremely entertaining. He's also a master at twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. If you're looking for a great detective story with characters that feel completely real, then you need to grab this book. I got frustrated every time real life butted in and I had to hit the pause button. Enjoy!

Could not stop listening !

Best Stride book yet, leaves me wanting more. I am waiting for another Cab book too!!