Immoral

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

In a riveting debut thriller that has drawn comparisons to masters of the genre like Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly, Brian Freeman weaves obsession, sex, and revenge into a story that grips the reader with vivid characters and shocking plot twists from the first minute to the last.

Lieutenant Jonathan Stride is suffering from an ugly case of deja vu. For the second time in a year, a beautiful teenage girl has disappeared off the streets of Duluth, Minnesota, gone without a trace, like a bitter gust off Lake Superior. The two victims couldn't be more different. First it was Kerry McGrath, bubbly, sweet 16. And now Rachel Deese, strange, sexually charged, a wild child. The media hounds Stride to catch a serial killer, and as the search carries him from the icy stillness of the northern woods to the erotic heat of Las Vegas, he must decide which facts are real and which are illusions. And Stride finds his own life changed forever by the secrets he uncovers. Secrets that stretch across time in a web of lies, death, and illicit desire. Secrets that are chillingly immoral.

©2005 Brian Freeman (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Who is Brian Freeman? This guy can tell a story. Immoral is a page-turner of the highest caliber. It has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end." (Michael Connelly)

"Born Bad"

I'm really glad Brian Freeman's first read made a good impression on me, as now I'm sure I'll read them all. He's a good writer, never repetitive and writes good dialogue. He draws his characters well; some you'll like and others you won't. Perhaps in this book most of them I didn't. There was a good deal of suspense right from the very first page of the prologue where I was hooked immediately. The story then developed in an interesting way and then the twists and turns started in the second half and I was left upside down not knowing what would come next. I cannot help thinking, though, it would have even been better with a really good narrator. Having said than, Joe Barrett is OK, but, in my opinion only rates 3 stars. Apart from that, this is a very well woven book full of surprises right to the end; A thoroughly enjoying listening read and highly recommended.

Disappointing Ending

The book was slow to start but entertaining overall; however, the ending dropped it a full notch for me. It wasn't the unusual, perhaps unexpected, ending but Strider's reaction, or lack of action, towards it. The Strider character has now lost a lot of credibility with me for failing to properly deal with a stupid, clingy, whining character! (Trying not to give anything away in wording.). Just made me almost mad....

So many men, so little self-control

Overall not bad, certainly has its nicely written moments, but by the end I grew weary of hearing about the elusive teen temptress that drove men to distraction. Apparently too many were thinking with the wrong body part as they were manipulated by this all-powerful, malevolent 17 year old, an offensive archetype that was hard for this reader to swallow. The mystery aspect of this book is pretty good, but is marred by gratuitous sex scenes that don't really move the plot and leave nothing to the imagination. It actually gets to be a bore. Would have benefited from more mystery, less romance.

Bad Narration/ Convoluted story

The narration eventually got to me so much that I considered stopping. Only the actual mystery kept me going. Obviously written by a man, there’s an incredible amount of titalating detail about women’s bodies and clothing, when attractive and skimpy. The story is as described and keeps one involved. in the end, it’s pretty unbelievable.

Great story but narration a problem

I was looking forward to getting into this well written and seemingly carefully plotted novel, especially for his debut book. Several chapters in, I cannot go forward with the voice of the narrator. He is trying hard to do different voices, but his interpretation of women and especially children is just excruciating to me. Sorry butThis factor makes all the difference when you’re listening to a book

Strong plot, good character development.

Narrator was NOT good at female voices. Storyline was worth it. Kept my interest from beginning to end.

you won't be able to stop listening

just when you think you have it figured out... another
wrinkle another twist. very good book and narrator was awesome!

Mixed feelings...

Narrator: bad. Not terrible, but definitely bad. His character voices grated on me. The child voice: OMG. Have you ever heard a child?! It was horrific. Thankfully she only appeared twice and briefly. The Minnesotan accents were OVERDONE on some characters and missing for others completely. Also, I live in Wisconsin and have been to Minnesota many times. While you have the subset of those who have a heavy accent, this is like the equivalent of setting a book in Michigan but giving people a UP-er accent or set in Louisiana but everyone speaks Cajun. It was too much. Given all that, the narrator himself, without playing the characters, had a very pleasing voice.

The story: when I got past the narration, the plot was good. I hadn’t predicted the ending, even though I suppose it’s possible given what you learn throughout.

The women: SPARE ME. They’re either desperate/weak/feeble minded AF or evil AF. The female characters all irritated the hell out of me. Serena was slightly better, but obviously still desperate for attention.

Overall: I could rip on this book a LOT (um, I have, I guess). However, I enjoyed the overall story. I will be listening to the next book in the series as I enjoyed the plot. I’m hoping that maybe the women will get slightly more independent and/or the narration will improve...

Wow

Complex characters, complicated plot, interesting twists and turns! No wonder Immoral had me up until 4 a.m. I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend this book.

awrsome book

great story telling! characters are awesome! kept me on the edge of my seat! great performance!