Alter Ego

The Jonathan Stride series, Book 9

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 10 hrs and 26 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.

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!

A little better than okay

This is not my favorite Stride novel, but maybe because there is more of Cat than I like. To me, she’s just supremely annoying. Sure, it’s admirable that she’s got her life on track, and I know she’s only 17, but her adolescent stubbornness and often poor judgment just rankle. I’m not a great fan of Maggy either, but she at least has some self awareness. Well narrated, though.

Wonderful

Yet another amazing book!! I really love this series, I hope you keep writing it and the narrator as well!

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.

You will never figure this out until it’s over!

Talk about plot twists!!! Even if you think you have this figured out- I promise you, you don’t!! This book is probably one of the best of the series and that’s saying something because this whole series is phenomenal! Fast paced, full of clues throughout, characters you find yourself getting attached to, intriguing story lines - I have gone through 11 of the 12 books in the series in a month (including the “short stories”) and I am not one bit tired of these characters or the stories themselves Or Freeman’s writing style. My only “negative” is I am so bummed that I am starting my last book- he just released Funeral for a Friend in 2020, so I can only hope that quarantine helped him write faster and that by the time I’m finishing book 12, #13 will be coming out 😬

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

Can’t go wrong with Joe

The story isn’t really why we’re here. We’re here for the narrator, Joe Barrett. Phenomenal performance by him once again. That being said, Brian Freeman is a good writer, and the story was as good,if not better than the others books in this series.

WOW!

I absolutely love the way Brian Freeman spins a mystery! The way the people and cases connect is crazy. I love that I am always surprised in some manner in the end. I have fallen in love with Stride, and Serena..... even Maggie. I am so sad that I have almost finished the series. I WANT MORE! Narrator does a great job!

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!!

Enjoyable story with a twist

I'm not going to lie, I thought I had figured it out about halfway through the book. And then I had doubts with my decision but in the end my decision was correct. Very well written.