Stalked

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Lieutenant Jonathan Stride knows his partner, Maggie Bei, is in trouble when she reports a deadly crime on a bitter winter night. She's obviously hiding a terrible secret, and her silence only feeds suspicion. But Maggie isn't the only one keeping secrets in Duluth. A seductive young woman has disappeared, leaving behind a stash of lurid fantasies and a cryptic message: "I know who it is".

Following a twisted trail, Stride uncovers a sordid web of violence and voyeurism that someone is willing to kill for in order to keep hidden. His lover, Serena Dial, a homicide cop turned private investigator, is chasing a blackmailer who knows all the city's dirty secrets, even Maggie's. But as Stride and Serena hunt for a killer, a predator is hunting them, with a terrifying plan for revenge.

©2008 Brian Freeman (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Chilling, atmospheric....A strong narrative crammed with twists and studded with sex and violence; a mysterious, even mystical, sense of place; and a well-crafted set of characters and relationships make this one of Freeman's stronger crime thrillers." ( Publishers Weekly)

Truly Great Mystery That Sees the Story Through

You could call it a twist, but really the author does a brilliant job of weaving storylines. Its clever, witty, tragic and riveting. And just as important, Freeman takes the time to unravel and then tie together all the loose ends.

Joe Barrett is perfect for all of Freeman's work.

Great characters, wit, masterful mystery writing and narration make this a 5 Star experience.

Liberty Versus License

At some point a sub class of mystery thriller writers tumble into a lascivious delight in detailing torture. Freeman circled that pit in his previous novels, but his compelling justification... explanation... convictions (choose one) with respect to what was once social deviance was fascinating. Freeman is the ultimate situation ethicist. And the thought process is fascinating as a gory accident beside the highway.

This time his obsession with the minutia of female bondage, rape, and torture aren't balanced by clever plot twists. None of Freeman's women escape rape (which is the least they suffer). Few of his men escape extravagant pain (at best). All suffer diabolical psychic assault as well.

Freeman defines the liberty of writers in this genre as a license to reveal his personal sadistic streak... no not to merely reveal, but to flaunt it as a commercial device. He's a talented writer and Joe Barrett's performance has grown over this series such that his female interpretations now resonate with more personality. The story, denuded of the SM/DS is strongly plotted and twisty. Once again, there's a double novel here as what might have been an epilogue in fact is more than a parallel story line.

I listened to the third part of this novel while biking last Saturday morning... And felt embarrassed enough in public to fast forward through large hunks of Freeman's sadistic glee. I've showered away both the grit of that road trip and my interest in any more of this guy's dank fantasy life.

BTW... Do writers like this have wives, significant others, daughters? Do they dare show them the manuscripts in progress? Or have they found and/or nurtured masochists? Yeah evil exists. But, as I listened to Stalker, I kind of wondered what happened to shame.

Really enjoyed this book

I really enjoyed this book. I hadn't read a good mystery/thriller in a long time and this book reminded me why I love them. I have never read this author before but will be looking for more books written by him.

The story was intriguing, suspenseful, twisted and kept me hooked until the very last chapter. Even though this is a long book (9+ hours) I never lost interest. I must say that the dubbing was inferior. I would rather not be able to hear the difference in tones on the track while trying to enjoy the story.

I would recommend this book to those seeking to be mystified and thrilled.

I like the author but I READ his other 2 novels

I really cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading Brian Freeman's first 2 novels, I was pretty much glued to the pages. That being said, I think it is the narrator that has ruined this novel more than anything else. He makes every woman sound like a moron and I would not listen to any audiobook that he narrates again. I'm very disappointed.

Great Mystery - LOVED IT!

Great mystery, lots of twists and turns. It's very well-written and the characters are charismatic and interesting. The narrator does a great job differentiating the character voices and bringing each to life. I didn't realize this was part of a series, but it stands well on its own. Will definitely read more!

4.5 Stars Another Good Installment To The Series

Goodreads Description- Lieutenant Jonathan Stride knows his partner Maggie Bei is in trouble when she reports a deadly crime on a bitter winter night. She's obviously hiding a terrible secret, and her silence only feeds suspicion. Maggie isn't the only one keeping secrets in Duluth. A seductive young woman has disappeared, leaving behind a stash of lurid fantasies and a cryptic message: I know who it is. Following a twisted trail, Stride uncovers a sordid web of violence and voyeurism that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden. Stride isn't alone. His lover Serena Dial - a homicide cop turned private investigator - is chasing a blackmailer who knows all the city's dirty secrets. Even Maggie's. But as Stride and Serena hunt for a killer, a predator with a vicious past is hunting them - with a terrifying plan for revenge. Now every step they take to expose the truth brings them closer to a showdown amid the howling winds of a winter storm. Where survival in the blinding snow is measured in seconds. Where crimes can be buried forever.

I loved this book, but then again I have loved all of the Jonathan Stride series books. As always they are action packed and have me at the edge of my seat. And when things start falling into place, I cannot stop listening because he writes in such a way that just draws the reader into the action that you just can't stop! His books are also like a roller coaster ride. Freeman takes you up the big hill and drops you fast thinking you know what is going on, but then the next hill comes and it takes you on a whole other plunge constantly changing directions. This is an excellent book and I often recommend this series to others who want to read a gritty mystery about the underbelly of society, with no holds barred. Maybe I am being picky, but I figured out something pretty early on and I just hate when that happens but don't worry, Freeman is great at throwing an awesome change up. Excellent read! 4.5 stars!

Joe Barrett was excellent with the delivery of the story

I didn't see that COMING

Where has this guy been (Brian Freeman)... Or better yet where have I been I guess. Excellent books, my style. ---- I don't mind figuring out a story, having that build up, then the sigh, oh I know where this is going. This book, as well as the previous books, never allowed me to create a conclusion based on the authors hints. How does one write, know the plot twists and not hint to it. Granted you see some things coming, but the heart of the matter involves many components. Freeman doesn't make it tedious, he turns it into good cooking. In the book he makes reference to John Sandford... I like John well enough, but this guy Freeman is just a tad better. Some of the references to technology dates the book, but still a great read. Ok enough about the Author. The story delves into a sexual lifestyle unfamiliar to many- It may be a bit much for some, even though it was toned down. Because it exist, and is far more prevalent than most would realize, just roll with it. Proofreading...I think I said absolutely nothing...lol. It's a good book, good narration. If I had to give it a letter grade, B+ A- range. Some of the police procedure is not quite right, and the blatant exposure of case details to civilians was hard to swallow. Yet still an excellent read.

Disgusting writer

I have listened to a couple of Brian Freeman books & apparently he (the author) is sex deprived or just twisted. Every person in his Johnathan Stride books is either half man/half woman, whores, or having sex with 10 people at the same time. Find something else to write about. Disgusting!!

Excellent book; fair audio rendition

I love Brian Freeman's writing and this book continues with his complex plot twists and interesting characters. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that this narrator has a hard time with female voices, especially Serena's character. Sorry, but for a woman noted for strength, her voice came across as just plain wimpy! I will grant him some credit for staying consistent with the voices, and Serena's was the only one that really bothered me. Know going in that her voice and some of the other female voices will bug you, and then settle in for a wild ride through a cold Minnesota town that's anything but tame.

Not my favorite in this series

I've been on a Brian Freeman marathon lately and I like his novels. He is really good at having lots of twists and turns and red herrings. This novel still had some good elements, but the dark subject matter (rape and torture) was a little hard to take. Also, while there is always a need to suspend questioning of probability in mystery thrillers, there were some parts that I found myself thinking - really, would this character do something as stupid as this? (I don't want to give any spoilers, so I can't go into further detail.)

If you are a fan of the series, I'd say go ahead and get it, but I just didn't like this one as much as the others.