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Freedom Drop
An impressive debut mystery novel from Edgar Award-nominated author Brian Silverman
Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man who has disappeared to a small island in the Caribbean. When a genial tour guide, Rawle "Big Tree" Johns, is a suspect in an American woman's fall from a cliff, Johns' mother enlists Buonfiglio's help to free her son and prove his innocence. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his 16-year-old daughter who he hasn't seen in years, Mr. Len, as he's known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help. During his investigation, he discovers there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman's death that threaten both his life and his family.
Advance praise for Freedom Drop:
"What a thrill to find Mystery Tribune, one of the best magazines in the business, launching a novel-publishing arm, and launching it with Brian Silverman's Freedom Drop. Silverman had me at the Caribbean setting and held me with his fully human characters - of both good and bad natures - and their situation. Both the book and the publisher are welcome additions to the crime-writing world!" (SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author of The Art of Violence)
A mystery steeped in authentic Caribbean atmosphere. Silverman knows his territory, as does his hero, an ex-marine-turned-sleuth who discovers that, even in paradise, things aren't always what they seem." (Wallace Stroby, author of Heaven's a Lie and Some Die Nameless)
"A buddy book, a whodunit, and a family drama, Freedom Drop is mystery magic." (Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times best-selling author of What You Break)
"Brian Silverman's Freedom Drop is an exciting and welcome new addition to the crime writing pantheon " (S.A. Cosby, author of Blacktop Wasteland)
"An impressive debut... Silverman capably captures the feel of his setting en route to a satisfying conclusion. A sequel is warranted." (Publishers Weekly)
Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man who has disappeared to a small island in the Caribbean. When a genial tour guide, Rawle "Big Tree" Johns, is a suspect in an American woman's fall from a cliff, Johns' mother enlists Buonfiglio's help to free her son and prove his innocence. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his 16-year-old daughter who he hasn't seen in years, Mr. Len, as he's known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help. During his investigation, he discovers there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman's death that threaten both his life and his family.
Advance praise for Freedom Drop:
"What a thrill to find Mystery Tribune, one of the best magazines in the business, launching a novel-publishing arm, and launching it with Brian Silverman's Freedom Drop. Silverman had me at the Caribbean setting and held me with his fully human characters - of both good and bad natures - and their situation. Both the book and the publisher are welcome additions to the crime-writing world!" (SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author of The Art of Violence)
A mystery steeped in authentic Caribbean atmosphere. Silverman knows his territory, as does his hero, an ex-marine-turned-sleuth who discovers that, even in paradise, things aren't always what they seem." (Wallace Stroby, author of Heaven's a Lie and Some Die Nameless)
"A buddy book, a whodunit, and a family drama, Freedom Drop is mystery magic." (Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times best-selling author of What You Break)
"Brian Silverman's Freedom Drop is an exciting and welcome new addition to the crime writing pantheon " (S.A. Cosby, author of Blacktop Wasteland)
"An impressive debut... Silverman capably captures the feel of his setting en route to a satisfying conclusion. A sequel is warranted." (Publishers Weekly)
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
Published May 6, 2021
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Brian Silverman
4 books52 followersBrian Silverman’s writing career has spanned over 30 years. He has written about travel, food, and sports for publications including the New York Times, Saveur, Caribbean Travel and Life, Islands, the New Yorker, New York and others. From 2004 through 2013 he was the author of the annual Frommer’s New York City guide book series. He co-authored, with his father, Al Silverman, the acclaimed Twentieth Century Treasury of Sports.
His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, Vautrin, Rock and a Hard Place, Dark Waters, and Mystery Magazine. His stories have been selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. He is the author of two novels, Freedom Drop and Calypso Blue. He lives in Harlem, New York with his wife, Heather and his sons, Louis and Russell.
His short fiction has appeared in numerous publications including Mystery Tribune, Down and Out Magazine, Vautrin, Rock and a Hard Place, Dark Waters, and Mystery Magazine. His stories have been selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories in 2018 and The Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories 2021. He is the author of two novels, Freedom Drop and Calypso Blue. He lives in Harlem, New York with his wife, Heather and his sons, Louis and Russell.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 30, 2021
Freedom Drop
Suicide is defined as the intentional taking of one’s own life by different means. So, how can the police or any law enforcement agency can determine the true cause of death when in doubt. Len Burofiglio is a bar owner on the magnificent Caribbean island of St. Pierre. The descriptions of the scenery and the beautiful warm water might make you hope on a plan and vacation there. But Len has a reputation for helping people and often as in the past has investigated deaths that were suspicious. A young woman named Deanna Gould is at the center of this mystery. She was a travel writer that fell off Freedom Drop, a historical site where some of the island inhabitants that are considered indigenous reside. Did she fall or leap to her death?
Sometimes the cause or an investigation can go cold but in this case months after the death, the case is no longer closed and Rawle Johns a popular tour guide is arrested and charged with the murder or Deanna Gould, the young woman thought to have taken the leap off of Freedom Drop.
Kasie his daughter has just arrived from New York and has not seen her for a long time and although he wants to spend some quality time with her for the week she is there he gets hooked into trying to exonerate Johns. His mother has someone deliver a special dinner dish as a warning that she was going to ask him to try and find out who killed the girl and investigate for the family. Superintendent Mc Williams is not happy about his interference but with the proper paperwork filled out and the family’s consent he is free to investigate the case and investigate on his own.
Len knew in his heart that there was more to her death and he was not going to have any peace of mind unless he found out who really killed her. When Craig Frost arrives on the island and finds his way to his bar, the link between him and Deanna is revealed. Working with her as investigative journalists for a news website, he explained their relationship and why he was asking Len for his help. Being the last person to talk with him the night before, he was the first to be questioned in his death. Someone poisoned the rum but who and why? It did not come from his bar.
The people on this island accepted Len after he helped solve another case bringing justice the way he sees fit. Things get dangerous when two men come to his house and his daughter texts him in fear. Tubby shows up and then things spiral more out of control as he wants his daughter somewhere safe but first we meet the Marcia Gould the mother of the young girl who supposedly leaped to her death. There are many players that the author includes in this mystery but just who is behind the deaths of both journalists and why? Was it something they were working on?
Two men came looking for Mr. Len and their goal was to scare his daughter and they killed his dog. Tubby in the meantime explained to him the link between Frost and Deanna and what might have caused their murders. Author Brian Silverman uses code switching to help us understand the dialects of the people living on this island. Getting to know Rawle we understand the hardships he faces without his wife and hearing him tell his story and his side to Mr. Len while still in jail you wonder whether he is telling the truth or not. Added in we learn the reason for how Freedom Drop became you might say landmark where the slaves gave up slavery and oppression by giving up their lives for a different kind of freedom.
Lives will never be the same and when he realizes that his daughter might be in danger and too many events have happened he does the only thing he can, sends her back home to her mother. Not really wanting to go and at least enjoying the warm water and the beautiful snorkeling, there is more than must a tearful goodbye but not until we meet someone close to Len, Betta and her son Paolo and Mrs. John’s grandson who was smart and with Mr. Len enjoyed the phenomenon of the blue moon and the sea turtles. Len was relentless and would not give up getting Deanna’s phone records and loading them down to his laptop a startling revelation comes about. However, one encounter with Marcia changes his directions so why did she push him away? Just who was behind the murders and what happens to Rawle you will not believe what he uncovers and how Tubby comes into play so many times to save the day and him.
The ending and the revelation after Len face off with someone and is seriously injured as an unexpected assailant comes out of the woodwork but is this the guilty party? Offered a deal that would set him up for life what he answers, and the outcome will shock readers as you will not know who is telling the truth and who is not. Lies, corruption, betrayals, greed, money, and fear all play a significant role in the final revelation but only you the reader can decide if justice was really done. What is your definition of justice? What about the brand that Mr. Len dishes out? What do you think about the final faceoff with McWilliams? Freedom Drop is a powerful novel dealing with racism, prejudice, deception, deceits and hidden truths and lies about what really happened to Deanna Gould and Craig Frost. This is an important novel that reminds us that slavery did happen even today. Racism is always paramount in the news and justice has many definitions what is yours?
A father’s guilt, a father’s love and families that would never be the same and a small Caribbean Island that you will fall in love with including the people who are loyal to each other, humble in many respects and make the most delicious dishes that so many of you would want to experience and try.
Len Buonfiglio is tough, tenacious, impetuous and someone you want to see more of and on your side.
Fran Lewis: Just reviews
Suicide is defined as the intentional taking of one’s own life by different means. So, how can the police or any law enforcement agency can determine the true cause of death when in doubt. Len Burofiglio is a bar owner on the magnificent Caribbean island of St. Pierre. The descriptions of the scenery and the beautiful warm water might make you hope on a plan and vacation there. But Len has a reputation for helping people and often as in the past has investigated deaths that were suspicious. A young woman named Deanna Gould is at the center of this mystery. She was a travel writer that fell off Freedom Drop, a historical site where some of the island inhabitants that are considered indigenous reside. Did she fall or leap to her death?
Sometimes the cause or an investigation can go cold but in this case months after the death, the case is no longer closed and Rawle Johns a popular tour guide is arrested and charged with the murder or Deanna Gould, the young woman thought to have taken the leap off of Freedom Drop.
Kasie his daughter has just arrived from New York and has not seen her for a long time and although he wants to spend some quality time with her for the week she is there he gets hooked into trying to exonerate Johns. His mother has someone deliver a special dinner dish as a warning that she was going to ask him to try and find out who killed the girl and investigate for the family. Superintendent Mc Williams is not happy about his interference but with the proper paperwork filled out and the family’s consent he is free to investigate the case and investigate on his own.
Len knew in his heart that there was more to her death and he was not going to have any peace of mind unless he found out who really killed her. When Craig Frost arrives on the island and finds his way to his bar, the link between him and Deanna is revealed. Working with her as investigative journalists for a news website, he explained their relationship and why he was asking Len for his help. Being the last person to talk with him the night before, he was the first to be questioned in his death. Someone poisoned the rum but who and why? It did not come from his bar.
The people on this island accepted Len after he helped solve another case bringing justice the way he sees fit. Things get dangerous when two men come to his house and his daughter texts him in fear. Tubby shows up and then things spiral more out of control as he wants his daughter somewhere safe but first we meet the Marcia Gould the mother of the young girl who supposedly leaped to her death. There are many players that the author includes in this mystery but just who is behind the deaths of both journalists and why? Was it something they were working on?
Two men came looking for Mr. Len and their goal was to scare his daughter and they killed his dog. Tubby in the meantime explained to him the link between Frost and Deanna and what might have caused their murders. Author Brian Silverman uses code switching to help us understand the dialects of the people living on this island. Getting to know Rawle we understand the hardships he faces without his wife and hearing him tell his story and his side to Mr. Len while still in jail you wonder whether he is telling the truth or not. Added in we learn the reason for how Freedom Drop became you might say landmark where the slaves gave up slavery and oppression by giving up their lives for a different kind of freedom.
Lives will never be the same and when he realizes that his daughter might be in danger and too many events have happened he does the only thing he can, sends her back home to her mother. Not really wanting to go and at least enjoying the warm water and the beautiful snorkeling, there is more than must a tearful goodbye but not until we meet someone close to Len, Betta and her son Paolo and Mrs. John’s grandson who was smart and with Mr. Len enjoyed the phenomenon of the blue moon and the sea turtles. Len was relentless and would not give up getting Deanna’s phone records and loading them down to his laptop a startling revelation comes about. However, one encounter with Marcia changes his directions so why did she push him away? Just who was behind the murders and what happens to Rawle you will not believe what he uncovers and how Tubby comes into play so many times to save the day and him.
The ending and the revelation after Len face off with someone and is seriously injured as an unexpected assailant comes out of the woodwork but is this the guilty party? Offered a deal that would set him up for life what he answers, and the outcome will shock readers as you will not know who is telling the truth and who is not. Lies, corruption, betrayals, greed, money, and fear all play a significant role in the final revelation but only you the reader can decide if justice was really done. What is your definition of justice? What about the brand that Mr. Len dishes out? What do you think about the final faceoff with McWilliams? Freedom Drop is a powerful novel dealing with racism, prejudice, deception, deceits and hidden truths and lies about what really happened to Deanna Gould and Craig Frost. This is an important novel that reminds us that slavery did happen even today. Racism is always paramount in the news and justice has many definitions what is yours?
A father’s guilt, a father’s love and families that would never be the same and a small Caribbean Island that you will fall in love with including the people who are loyal to each other, humble in many respects and make the most delicious dishes that so many of you would want to experience and try.
Len Buonfiglio is tough, tenacious, impetuous and someone you want to see more of and on your side.
Fran Lewis: Just reviews
June 1, 2025
This is a pretty good debut effort. I liked the setting of a tropical island, the beaches, the turtles, the life styles of the locals. I like that Len's daughter came to the island so many of the beautiful beaches were visited.
With respect to the plot construction and character development, we are given many hints of a life changing event in New York that precipitated Len's divorce and ultimate move to a Caribbean island. For a while I wondered if I had missed an earlier novel and this was a sequel. But this is the first novel in the series. We do eventually, sort of, find out what that life changing event was but an earlier revelation of it would have helped me understand Len better and eliminated any confusion about a previous novel. I feel Len is a flawed hero and I would have liked to be able to understand him more.
The mystery aspect of the novel was good although I did not understand some of Len's actions and why he refused Tubby's help so often, especially near the end. That decision, of course, led to suspense. Again, knowing more of Len's previous life changing experience may have helped me appreciate his actions more.
I did like the novel overall and am interested in reading more of his adventures.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
With respect to the plot construction and character development, we are given many hints of a life changing event in New York that precipitated Len's divorce and ultimate move to a Caribbean island. For a while I wondered if I had missed an earlier novel and this was a sequel. But this is the first novel in the series. We do eventually, sort of, find out what that life changing event was but an earlier revelation of it would have helped me understand Len better and eliminated any confusion about a previous novel. I feel Len is a flawed hero and I would have liked to be able to understand him more.
The mystery aspect of the novel was good although I did not understand some of Len's actions and why he refused Tubby's help so often, especially near the end. That decision, of course, led to suspense. Again, knowing more of Len's previous life changing experience may have helped me appreciate his actions more.
I did like the novel overall and am interested in reading more of his adventures.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
April 4, 2021
Len Buonfiglio formerly from the Bronx has sold his bar business, divorced his wife, and left his kids to restart life on the Caribbean island of St. Pierre. He opens a sports bar and enjoys the good life, except when he is asked to solve crimes that the police cannot or refuse to investigate. A young travel reporter has fallen off a cliff named Freedom Drop and a local stands accused and is incarcerated awaiting trial. The accused mother asks Len to investigate, and he does so with some reluctance. Len runs afoul of lackadaisical police, corrupt island politicians, and vengeful family members. Meanwhile, Len's teenaged daughter is visiting and behaves as teenagers do. Len must juggle his daughter's moods while staying out of danger and maintain his business. Freedom Drop is entertaining, and Brian Silverman has created memorable characters that readers will want to follow.
November 28, 2022
General: I deeply enjoyed this book. It was well-paced and atmospheric. The character development was top-shelf. This was a fun read and I highly recommend it.
Specific: The main character, Lou, was relatable (for me) and fleshed out. The scene setting was fun, enough description to create a lush picture, without over doing it. The mystery, central to the plot, was believable. All in all, great book.
Specific: The main character, Lou, was relatable (for me) and fleshed out. The scene setting was fun, enough description to create a lush picture, without over doing it. The mystery, central to the plot, was believable. All in all, great book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews