by Brian Freeman

I first read one of Brian Freeman’s books last autumn, when I was given a copy of “The Watcher”. It was an excellent book which left me wanting more.

What I hadn’t realised was that these books are part of a series, following the exploits of his creation, Jonathan Stride. In Stride, Freeman has created a complex character with the kind of past that makes him both vulnerable and resilient. Having lost the love of his life to cancer, followed by a disastrous second marriage, Stride finds love again. But that involves starting a new life in Las Vegas, where he and his lover, Serena Dial, find themselves chasing a serial killer whose victims at first seem to have nothing in common. 

But as two seemingly different cases become one, the detectives uncover a link to the heady days of the 1960s and the murder of a showgirl. But Las Vegas is a city of secrets, and the more Stride and his colleagues discover, the deeper and more sinister the secrets get.

But the villains aren’t the only ones with secrets. Both his lover Serena, and his partner Amanda have pasts that threaten to compromise the case. 

The story is well paced and believable, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I like to be given an opportunity to work out the clues, which I did, although the ending was suitably unpredictable, with a twist that I probably could have guessed, but didn’t.

If you like a good solid drama with realistic characters and plot, then Brian Freeman is the writer for you. I will certainly continue to look out for his books.