In the Dark

Two young lovers. A sultry summer night. One brutal, cold-blooded murder. In this stunning, atmospheric thriller, "In the Dark," Brian Freeman takes you deep into Detective Jonathan Stride's complicated past. It's the case that has haunted Stride for thirty years. During the summer after his junior year of high school, he fell in love with beautiful Cindy Starr, the girl who would become his wife. But on the Fourth of July, the same night that Jonny and Cindy cemented their love, Cindy's older sister Laura was savagely murdered. The police suspected a vagrant of committing the crime, but no one was ever arrested, and the case was closed. Now, Laura's best friend Tish Verdure has returned to Duluth to write a book about Laura's death. Tish knows secrets that a lot of people would like to keep hidden, including information about Cindy that leave Stride questioning his entire past. When a young girl is found drowned in the St. Louis River and a witness to the original murder attempts suicide, Stride realizes that the violence of the past is spilling over into the present. As he unearths the explosive events that led to Laura's murder, Stride discovers that the ripples of her death changed everyone's lives, including his own. Can Stride put to rest the ghosts of his past, or will they devour him whole?

About the Author :
Brian Freeman is the internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense novels featuring detectives Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial. His books have been sold in forty-six countries and eighteen languages. His debut thriller, "Immoral," won the Macavity Award and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry awards for best first novel. His other novels include "The Bone House," "The Burying Place," and "Stalked." Brian is drawn to complex characters, and says, "My stories are about the hidden intimate motives that draw people across some terrible lines." Brian and his wife, Marcia, have lived in Minnesota for more than twenty years.

Review :
Edgar-finalist Freeman's fourth thriller to feature Duluth, Minn., police lieutenant Jonathan Stride may be his most ambitious--and accomplished--work to date...Powered by darkly poetic atmospherics and deep character development this harrowing and heartrending novel will leave readers guessing until the very last pages. "Publishers Weekly (starred review)" A suspenseful tale of terror and secrets kept too long. "Library Journal" An evocative mystery, one shaded with melancholy and dusted with heartache, and one that reminds readers that life may be brutal and cold, but, in Minnesota at least, we shore ourselves against these truths and we endure. "Minneapolis Star Tribune" Intense and fast-paced. "BookBitch.com" Freeman combines memorable characterizations with a complex but very believable plot that culminates in several surprising twists and turns. This one is a winner all the way. Highly recommended. "ILoveAMystery.com" A well-written, very interesting novel, blending past and present in a very believable, integrated manner. Jonathan is a very realistic character, and a very likable one. "Mystery News"" "Edgar-finalist Freeman's fourth thriller to feature Duluth, Minn., police lieutenant Jonathan Stride may be his most ambitious--and accomplished--work to date...Powered by darkly poetic atmospherics and deep character development...this harrowing and heartrending novel will leave readers guessing until the very last pages."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "A suspenseful tale of terror and secrets kept too long." --"Library Journal" "An evocative mystery, one shaded with melancholy and dusted with heartache, and one that reminds readers that life may be brutal and cold, but, in Minnesota at least, we shore ourselves against these truths and we endure."--"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune" "Intense and fast-paced." --BookBitch.com "Freeman combines memorable characterizations with a complex but very believable plot that culminates in several surprising twists and turns. This one is a winner all the way. Highly recommended."--ILoveAMystery.com "A well-written, very interesting novel, blending past and present in a very believable, integrated manner. Jonathan is a very realistic character, and a very likable one."--"Mystery News" "IN THE DARK" "Edgar-finalist Freeman's fourth thriller to feature Duluth, Minn., police lieutenant Jonathan Stride may be his most ambitious--and accomplished--work to date...Powered by darkly poetic atmospherics and deep character development...this harrowing and heartrending novel will leave readers guessing until the very last pages."--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) "A suspenseful tale of terror and secrets kept too long." --"Library Journal" "An evocative mystery, one shaded with melancholy and dusted with heartache, and one that reminds readers that life may be brutal and cold, but, in Minnesota at least, we shore ourselves against these truths and we endure."--"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune" "Intense and fast-paced." --BookBitch.com "Freeman combines memorable characterizations with a complex but very believable plot that culminates in several surprising twists and turns. This one is a winner all the way. Highly recommended."--ILoveAMystery.com "A well-written, very interesting novel, blending past and present in a very believable, integrated manner. Jonathan is a very realistic character, and a very likable one."--"Mystery News" " STALKED" "Scary, fast-paced, and refreshingly well written. The characters are so sharply drawn and interesting, we can't wait to meet the next one in the story. Freeman has another winner.A really great read."--#1 Bestselling Author Nelson DeMille "Should be on the to-read list of anyone who enjoys novels by authors like Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, and Jeff Abbott--a perfect blend of psychological suspense and crime fiction."--"Chicago"" Tribune" "Chilling...The descriptions of a dead-of-winter nighttime foot chase around Duluth's deserted harbor and a heart-thumping drive onto thin ice in a blizzard will have you glancing over your shoulder--and reaching for another sweater." "--Minneapolis StarTribune" "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."--"Publishers Weekly" "Perfect pacing and a haunting, engrossing mystery....another work that from beginning to end is impossible to put down."--Bookreporter.com "Freeman delivers a swift plot packed with satisfying twists."--"Booklist" "A striking display of skilled storytelling that will have readers surprised more than once well before the shocking ending. Highly recommended."--"Library Journal" "STRIPPED" "A knockout."--"Baltimore"" Sun" "Compelling."--"Booklist" "" "Freeman fuses character and plot expertly."--"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune" "Strong...rife with sex and violence."--"Publishers Weekly" "Riveting."--"Sun-Sentinel" "IMMORAL" "A page-turner of the highest caliber."--Michael Connelly "Utterly compelling."--Jeffery Deaver "Riveting."--"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune" "A near pitch-perfect novel."--"South Florida Sentinel" "" "tightly written."--"Dallas"" Morning News" "Spellbinding."--"Toronto"" Globe & Mail" "A psychologically gripping, virtuoso performance."--"Library Journal "(starred review) "the best debut mystery in quite some time."--"BookPage" "a gloriously chilling ride." --"New Mystery Reader" magazine "A devilish story of revenge and double-cross."--"Orlando"" Sentinel" "IN THE DARK" “Edgar-finalist Freeman's fourth thriller to feature Duluth, Minn., police lieutenant Jonathan Stride may be his most ambitious—and accomplished—work to date...Powered by darkly poetic atmospherics and deep character development…this harrowing and heartrending novel will leave readers guessing until the very last pages.”—"Publishers Weekly" (starred review) “A suspenseful tale of terror and secrets kept too long.” —"Library Journal" “An evocative mystery, one shaded with melancholy and dusted with heartache, and one that reminds readers that life may be brutal and cold, but, in Minnesota at least, we shore ourselves against these truths and we endure.”—"Minneapolis"" Star Tribune" “Intense and fast-paced.” —BookBitch.com “Freeman combines memorable characterizations with a complex but very believable plot that culminates in several surprising twists and turns. This Praise for "In the Dark": "Edgar-finalist Freeman's fourth thriller to feature Duluth, Minn., police lieutenant Jonathan Stride (after "Stalked") may be his most ambitious--and accomplished--work to date.... Powered by darkly poetic atmospherics and deep character development (especially Stride, whose understated intensity, dignity and resilience are emblematic of the Twin Ports area itself), this harrowing and heartrending novel will leave readers guessing until the very last pages." -- "Publishers Weekly" (starred review)Praise for "Stalked": "Brian Freeman is, quite simply, a first-rate storyteller. "Stalked" is scary, fast-paced, and refreshingly well written. The characters are so sharply drawn and interesting, we can't wait to meet the next one in the story. Freeman has another winner." -Nelson DeMille, #1 "New York Times "bestselling author of "Wildfire" "Chiling, 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" "Featuring a cast of realistic, three-dimensional characters; a truly terrifying villain; a serpentine plot; and ambiance so convincing you'll want to wear a turtleneck sweater and long underwear, Freeman's latest should be on the to-read list of anyone who enjoys novels by authors like Harlan Coben, David Baldacci and Jeff Abbott--a perfect blend of psychological suspense and crime fiction." "-Chicago Tribune"" "" ""Freeman just keeps outdoing himself with each book....a striking display of skilled storytelling that will have readerssurprised more than once well before the shocking ending." --"Library Journal " "Freeman delivers a swift plot packed with satisfying twists." --"Booklist " Praise for "Stalked": "Brian Freeman is, quite simply, a first-rate storyteller. "Stalked" is scary, fast-paced, and refreshingly well written. The characters are so sharply drawn and interesting, we can't wait to meet the next one in the story. Freeman has another winner." -Nelson DeMille, #1 "New York Times "bestselling author of "Wildfire" "Chiling, 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" "Featuring a cast of realistic, three-dimensional characters; a truly terrifying villain; a serpentine plot; and ambiance so convincing you'll want to wear a turtleneck sweater and long underwear, Freeman's latest should be on the to-read list of anyone who enjoys novels by authors like Harlan Coben, David Baldacci and Jeff Abbott--a perfect blend of psychological suspense and crime fiction." "-Chicago Tribune"" "" ""Freeman just keeps outdoing himself with each book....a striking display of skilled storytelling that will have readers surprised more than once well before the shocking ending." --"Library Journal " "Freeman delivers a swift plot packed with satisfying twists." --"Booklist "