The Cold Nowhere

Jonathan Stride, Book 6

By: Brian Freeman

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Ten years ago, six-year-old Catalina Mateo hid under the porch of her family home while a knife butchered her mother and a bullet killed her father. Now a rough-sleeping orphan, Cat arrives at the house of Detective Jonathan Stride, pleading for protection. Drenched in the icy waters of Lake Superior, she claims to have narrowly escaped a cold-blooded killer.

Stride's raw instinct is to protect Cat, whose late parents' case - and his personal guilt associated with it - still sends a shiver down his spine. As a result, he takes the troubled teenager under his wing.

But Stride's partner, Maggie Bei, is not convinced. She doubts the sincerity of this beautiful young streetwalker who has so easily won Stride's trust, and now sleeps in his house with a butcher's knife under her pillow.

As Stride continues to care for Cat, Maggie's suspicions solidify, and a single question occupies the void between them: Should Stride be afraid for, or of, this terribly damaged girl?

©2013 Brian Freeman (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I had to get accustomed to narrator

The gravelly voice was not pleasant, but I did get used to it. The characters were not particularly likable, the story involved prostitution which was not appealing. I did listen to all of it. I think it’s in the Plus Catalog, included in some memberships, free.

Lobe this series

Every book gives more insight to the characters and their histories together - exciting plots and enjoyable main characters and Joe Barrett is always terrific at the mic.

Didn't disappoint

If you could sum up The Cold Nowhere in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, captivating, suspenseful

What did you like best about this story?

Brian Freeman's books always grab my attention and are the kinds of stories I find it difficult to walk away from. I have to admit that being a Minnesotan I like the fact that his stories take place in Minnesota locales that I am familiar with.

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Joe Barrett is probably one of my favorite narrators. His voice is so easy to listen to, soothing rather than grating. He distinguishes between different characters without over doing it.

Any additional comments?

It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and never let it go.

Loved it

I love this writer. I would highly recommend. Always keeps me guessing how it all is connected.

Kept my interest

I didn’t mean to show 5 stars for performance. I didn’t care for the narrator at all. I had difficulty at times on who was talking and even when the narrator was talking for his own character his voice wasn’t pleasant to listen to. However I really enjoyed everything else about the book.

Another great one

This is the first time I have worked out the murder in one of this authors stories. I have to say he had me second guessing myself over and over but I stuck to what I picked. There are many twists and turns as the author takes you back years ago to a murder of a friend and the outcome of it and her child. It deals with a lot of serious issues, there is nothing more horrible then child abuse that turns that kid out of the street with the only means to support her self is to sell her body. That is scary enough without adding to the fact that someone is out to get you maybe even wanting you dead. Who can you trust some you might that you should not. What a messed up life for a messed up kid. As with the normal of this author there is a story inside a story that when it all comes together will blow your mind.

The narrator does a great job showing emotions right down to the humor and attitude of the characters. He pulls the listener in giving a delightful listen that holds your attention. There are no background noise, no repeating of words, no volume changes. His character voices are great, he really gives them flair and style.

I don't know what I am going to do once I have listen to all of this authors books, from the first one I have been hooked and can't get enough.

As always, fantastic story

One of the few authors that continue to keep me guessing to the very end. Superb writing, excellent narration, time well spent.

Bravo!

Held my attention and left me wanting more. Brian Freeman is a talented author and tells a good story. Joe Barrett did a great job narrating too. Worth the effort!

Excellent

Another fantastic Stride novel! I hope things go back to normal for Stride and Serena. I hope Maggie finds someone so Serena can relax.

My favorite thriller writer!

For a number of years. I have read thrillers and have many authors I would gladly listen to again and again. None though are as infinitely interesting as Brian Freeman! I have even shared his books with other bibliophiles like myself!