In the Dark

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This week: IN THE DARK, the 4th Jonathan Stride novel.

When we first met Stride in IMMORAL, he was grieving the loss of his long-time wife, Cindy — and that loss has cast a long shadow over the entire Stride series.

I wanted readers to have a chance to learn more about Cindy and how Stride’s relationship with her developed. So IN THE DARK (which appeared in the UK under the title THE WATCHER) is about the murder of Cindy’s sister, Laura, during a long-ago summer when Cindy and Stride were first becoming involved as teenagers.

When a journalist comes to town to write a book about that unsolved crime, Stride gets pulled back into a summer that transformed his life — and he must also deal with violence that ripples from the past into the present. Using chapters from the journalist’s story, the “book within a book” format lets the reader see Stride’s past through Cindy’s eyes.

The last chapter of this novel still brings me to tears whenever I read it. And pay close attention to the chapter where Stride and Serena are in his attic as he digs through boxes of photos and letters from his late wife. Many of the fractures between Stride and Serena that break open in the next book — THE BURYING PLACE — are telegraphed in that scene.

One more little secret about this book: In my first draft, the twist ending was totally different! I changed it during the editing process, but there are still lingering hints in the book about the alternate ending. Can you figure out what the original twist was?

Click here to find out more about the book.

The Real Book Spy

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There’s not much higher praise in the thriller world than a review like this from The Real Book Spy.

“It’s been a while since Jason Bourne sat atop the thriller genre, but with Brian Freeman at the helm, he retakes his seat among the best in the business.

Bottom line: Jason Bourne is back and better than ever. Do not miss this book.”

Click here to read the full review at The Real Book Spy.

THE BOURNE EVOLUTION arrives in bookstores on July 28…!

Ice-Cold Thriller

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This week,  a look back at the third Jonathan Stride novel: STALKED.

After Stride’s stint in Las Vegas, I knew he would come back home to Duluth. And I knew I wanted to write an ice-cold winter thriller. I like to give readers a “you are there” feel with my settings, so to capture the genuine flavor of a Duluth winter, Marcia and I spent all of January 2006 in a little cottage out on Park Point near Lake Superior. (Yes, imagine how thrilled she was with that adventure!)

So if you read STALKED and really feel like you’ve got ice balls hanging from your eyelids, that’s because I was out on the Lake Superior beach in the midst of a winter storm, with my voice recorder, taking down exactly how it felt.

I also loved the old 1890s-era cottage where we stayed — and I decided to make it Stride’s home. So that’s where Stride has lived in the series ever since. It’s actually a rental cottage, and readers and book clubs now go to stay there and soak up the Stride atmosphere!

STALKED may well be the darkest of any of my Stride novels…cold, violent, and sexy. And those scenes out on the frozen lake? They’re still some of my favorite writing. Enjoy!

Click here to find the book.

Bourne is a Star

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Absolutely thrilled to see a starred review in Kirkus Reviews for THE BOURNE EVOLUTION. As a lifelong Robert Ludlum fan, I love hearing that this book “nails the Ludlum style” and is “a treat for fans.” Pub date is July 28!

Click here to read the full review.

Stride in Vegas

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I’m continuing my look at the entire Jonathan Stride series in anticipation of the September launch of the new Stride novel, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND. This week: the second Stride novel, STRIPPED.

STRIPPED is the only full-length Stride novel set outside Duluth. Instead, Stride and Serena must confront a mystery with decades-old roots in the glamour and seaminess of Las Vegas. I love the supporting characters in this book: Stride’s gender-bending partner, Amanda Gillen; the bold, seductive Claire; old-style Vegas gangsters like Boni Fisso and Leo Rucci; the secretive, reclusive Hollywood billionaire Walker Lane; and many more.

The relationship between Stride and Serena that began in IMMORAL is really tested in this book. Stride is a fish out of water in Las Vegas and knows he won’t last here. We also learn a lot more about Serena’s troubled past. These two have to decide whether — and where — they can make a life together.

The Florida Sun-Sentinel named STRIPPED one of the top 10 mysteries of the year when it was released, and all these years later, a lot of readers still call it their favorite book.

Find it here:
https://amzn.to/3bvjkyL

In the Beginning

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Fifteen years ago, it all began with IMMORAL. This was the novel that launched my career and introduced Jonathan Stride to readers. What a way to begin…a novel sold in 17 languages, Main Selection in the Literary Guild and the Book of the Month Club, and the Macavity Award winner and finalist for the Edgar, Dagger, Barry, and Anthony Awards for Best First Novel.

As we make our way toward the September 22 release of the tenth Stride novel, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, I thought I’d highlight each of the Stride novels over the next several weeks. If you’re staying home, this is a great time to catch up on the series.

Go back and read IMMORAL and meet Stride, Serena, and Maggie for the first time. As you go through the series, you’ll see how they’ve evolved as characters (and you’ll see my writing and plotting style change, too). I want these heroes to be real people, with strengths and flaws, victories and setbacks. Sometimes they’ll make mistakes, but that’s what makes them human.

The plot in IMMORAL spans several years as Stride tries to puzzle out the truth behind the disappearance of a very twisted teenager named Rachel Deese. I’ve had a lot of surprises in my books over the years, but the whodunit in IMMORAL remains one of my all-time favorites. As the tagline on the book said, if you think you know how it ends, think again… 

Bourne. Stride.

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Two of your favorite heroes — Jason Bourne and Jonathan Stride — return later this year!

July 28…my first Bourne book for the Robert Ludlum estate comes out: THE BOURNE EVOLUTION. This is an all-new take on Ludlum’s iconic character, and it stands completely on its own. Don’t miss it!

September 22…get ready for the long-awaited return of Jonathan Stride in FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND. Definitely the most shocking Stride book yet.

Both are available for pre-order now!

Social Distancing

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From Marcia at facebook.com/theauthorswife:

With April 1 soon upon us, many of us are asking whether we’re all living through one of the biggest April Fool’s Day jokes ever. Sadly, the answer is no…the current healthcare situation with Covid-19 is very real and very scary. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones—we wish you peace and comfort.

Minnesota is one of the many states where there is currently a “stay in place” order from the governor…but even before this official order came through, Brian and I were in discussion with the coordinators at all of the various venues where he was scheduled to appear over these next few months about how to best keep everyone safe. And we all unanimously decided that the best thing to do would be to postpone for now—and then reschedule these events when we’re all confident that it is safe to do so. (So, if you check out Brian’s website, you’ll see that all of the upcoming events that were scheduled through mid May are now listed as “postponed.” I would encourage you to check back periodically—we’ll post the new dates and times as soon as they are rescheduled.)

On the bright side, this change in schedule, coupled with the “stay at home” order, has meant more writing time for Brian…and that’s always a good thing. He’s rapidly approaching the completion of his next manuscript…so I hope to be able to do my first read-through sometime in the next few weeks…! I can’t tell you how excited I am about that…! If you’ve read earlier entries here, then you know that I actually know nothing about this new book—just the title…INFINITE…! What a tease, huh…!?

Of course, these are difficult times for many…so it’s important that we all work together. If you’re able, support your local merchants—they’ll be some of the hardest hit during the current restrictions. And even if they’re currently closed, many stores and restaurants are offering extra perks when you purchase their gift cards for future use. Be sure to check in with your local favorites…!

And finally, Brian and the boys and I want to give a great big shout out to all of those who are continuing to do their jobs—both at home and “out there” in the world…keeping us all moving forward…! Healthcare workers, first responders, military, and law enforcement officers are at the top of our list…!

And to all of you…stay safe…and healthy…and we look forward to many more years together.

Meet Jonathan Stride

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I’ve heard from a lot of readers who are using time at home to re-read the Jonathan Stride series from the beginning. Great plan!

Don’t miss a book…here’s the complete list from IMMORAL through ALTER EGO. Then you’ll be ready for the all-new Stride novel FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND coming September 22.

 

 

How Writers Write

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I recorded a great podcast recently with Brian Murphy of How Writers Write. We spent an hour digging into the creative side of the writing biz…so it’s long, but if you’re hunkered down at home, I think you’ll enjoy it.