Spitting Devil

Jonathan Stride #5.5

by Brian Freeman

A TWISTY PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM NUMBER 1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR BRIAN FREEMAN

A third woman dead in two months.

And for the third time, Alison Malville isn't sure her husband was home all night.

When the killer sends the usual photo of his victim to the press, she sees an item of her clothing left with this body, too.

Could you believe your own husband was capable of murder? Would you turn him in?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, Suspense

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2012

About the author

Brian Freeman is a New York Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his "you are there" settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian was also selected as the official author to continue Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne series, and his novel THE BOURNE EVOLUTION was named one of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020 by Kirkus.

Brian's seventh novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.

His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a nominee for the Edgar, Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. IMMORAL was named an International Book of the Month, a distinction shared with authors such as Harlan Coben and Lisa Unger.

All of Brian's books are also available in audiobook editions. His novels THE BONE HOUSE and SEASON OF FEAR were both finalists for Best Audiobook of the Year in Thriller/Suspense.

For more information on Brian's books, visit his web site at bfreemanbooks.com or find him on Facebook at facebook.com/bfreemanfans or Twitter and Instagram (@bfreemanbooks).

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the mouths of babes…at the age of ten, Evan Malville isn’t exactly a baby, but he blames a broken figurine on “the spitting devil.” The empty juice container in the fridge? That must’ve been the spitting devil too. His mother Alison thinks her son is lying, acting out because of the stress in the household. In Brian Freeman’s short story, Spitting Devil, Alison and her husband Michael are sleeping separately, their marriage strained.

Meanwhile, Detective Jonathan Stride and his partner Maggie Bie are working a string of murder cases. The press has dubbed killer “Dead Red.” He dresses his redheaded victims in designer clothing that seems to belong to someone else.

Alison thinks the clothing looks familiar, and she is afraid. Michael no longer seems like the man she married. But is he a killer?

I am a big fan of Brian Freeman. He uses some wonderful imagery. Dreaming of ants? Lots and lots of ants? Yikes! Freeman did a great job of building suspense in this one, but I was sorry that this was a short story and not a full novel. I love Stride, and there is not nearly enough Stride in this one. While it does bridge the gap between The Burying Place and The Cold Nowhere, the Stride-Maggie relationship feels brushed aside rather than resolved. In real life, I guess that happens, but it felt lacking somehow. There’s not a lot of police action either. It’s pretty much Alison’s show. I give Freeman credit for that character. She’s a woman on the edge of breaking – or is she? Spitting Devil is a quick read, but give me a full-length Freeman novel any day.

3 stars

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio Edition - Freeman is a wiz at capturing and holding a reader's interest from beginning to end. A great twist is nearly always delivered. Had me guessing and changing my mind throughout the book. The narrator was excellent, and really kept the story moving at a great pace. This was a short audible mystery at 1 hr 41 min. Earns 3.5 STARS, rounded up to 4, for the great narrative.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women are being murdered. When found, they are wearing clothing that doesn't belong to them. The killer sends pictures to the media. Is this a personal message to someone?

Detective Jonathan Stride receives a phone call one night from a woman who says that the clothes the murdered women are hers. They've disappeared out of her closet.

What she doesn't tell him is that her husband was not home the nights they were murdered.

If you suspected your husband of murder, what would you do? Would you turn him in? Or find some way to exonerate him?

This is a 70-page short story with Stride playing a very small role. I was a bit disappointed in that, but the story is good ... the remaining characters are developed. I did not see the ending coming at all.

If you've never read any of the Stride series, do not start with this one. Start with Immoral, the very first book in the series and read them in order. You won't be sorry!

[Brian Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 16,000-word Jonathan Stride short story “Spitting Devil” is now available in the U.S. Kindle store!

This story actually began in Spain. My Spanish publisher Circulo de Lectores was preparing a crime anthology, and they asked me to submit a short story to the collection. The theme of the anthology was “the perfect crime,” and I decided to take an unusual twist on that idea. In this case, what’s been stolen is someone’s perfect life.

Alison Malville seemingly has it all. Happy marriage. Beautiful child. A lovely, expensive new house in Duluth. And yet Alison is being haunted by nightmares. Ants keep creeping into her dreams, invading her body, working their way inside her clothes.

“She dreamed of the ants almost every night now. When she closed her eyes, there they were, waiting to slip out through the walls. They had even begun to march from her sleep into her waking life. She couldn’t escape them. Wherever she went in the house, she heard them massing in the ceiling, watching her like spies.

Alison understood what was happening to her. It wasn’t about the ants at all. It was about her husband. He was driving her into madness.”

Alison is the heroine of “Spitting Devil” — but this is also a Jonathan Stride story. At the time I wrote it, I had been away from Stride for a year. I’d finished THE BURYING PLACE and was in the middle of my first Cab Bolton novel, THE BONE HOUSE. But this story gave me a chance to catch up on Stride’s life. So as Alison deals with the ants, Stride is dealing with a malevolent killer whom the media has nicknamed “Dead Red.”

“Spitting Devil” is a short story — it’s about 15% of the length of a full novel — but I think it brings a lot of depth to the format. One of my favorite comments came from a reader who wrote: ““Spitting Devil” is one of the best thriller short stories I have ever read. So scary and suspenseful. Couldn't believe how well you developed those characters in such a short story.”

When the story was released in the UK Kindle store, it spent several weeks at #1. And now it’s finally available in the U.S. Kindle store, too. As we get ready for two big “Stride releases” in the weeks ahead — TURN TO STONE on February 18 and THE COLD NOWHERE on April 1— “Spitting Devil” is a great way to whet your appetite for more scary twists and turns.

Want to read “Spitting Devil” in another language? It’s also available in Spanish as LA MUERTE ROJA and Italian as FORMICHE.

[L Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Jonathan Stride novella is another amazingly eerie mystery! In my opinion the story is good as a stand alone. Reading at least a few of the full length novels earlier in the series gives more character meaning as far as Jonathan Stride and his new girlfriend Maggie who is also his fellow detective. The mystery and the spitting devil are so creepy that it is hard to forget.
5 creepy creepy stars!!

[Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5

Esta es la historia de Alison Malville, madre y esposa, que lleva una vida acomodada, su marido tiene una empresa de software y ahora, por diversos problemas ha tenido que despedir a varios trabajadores, algunos de los cuales lo han demandado, esta situación ha creado una tensión en la familia y un distanciamiento entre Alison y su marido.

También comienzan a ocurrir hechos pocos habituales en su casa, objetos rotos, ropas que desaparecen, un cuchillo desaparecido....

A la par en Duluth, han comenzado una serie de asesinatos de mujeres salvajemente acuchilladas y vestidas con blusas que no son de su talla, por qué el asesino les pone esas blusas? La investigación la llevan Jonathan Stride y Maggie Bei, después de tres mujeres muertas están estancados, aún no tienen pistas.

Entonces Alison comienza a relacionar los hechos de los asesinatos, con las cosas extrañas que suceden en su casa, y las sospechas hacen mella en ella, será su marido el que ha cometido esos crímenes o habrá otra explicación posible?

Este autor me encanta, me ha tenido inmersa en esta historia corta, que me ha resultado muy entretenida, pero para mi gusto ha sido demasiado corta.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read and loved all of Brian Freemans books and particularly love his 'Stride' series.

I was excited to get my hands on this short story hoping it would be sufficient to keep me going until the next exciting 'Stride' installment, sadly it did not.

The entire plot was just plain weird and I didn't care for any of the characters.

That said I fully intend to read the next 'Stride' story as once it is released.

[Antonella Imperiali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Di Freeman avevo letto solo Il respiro del ghiaccio e mi era piaciuto.
Anche questo corto non è male: veloce, con la giusta dose di suspense e la soluzione a portata di mano. In 60 pagine non si può pretendere molto. Ma un’oretta di svago, sì.


🌎 LdM - USA/Minnesota

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen movies and read books with the same concept as this story. Although it was a short story, it was a complete story. It's strange how the mind equates ants with mental warnings in this story. Narration was good. I think the story could have been a little better if it was longer and went into a little more depth.

[Kristen M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short, super thrilling read. I've never read anything from the Jonathan Stride series, but I like Brian Freeman's Frost Easton series. I *definitely* plan on reading a full-length Stride book now!

[Tgordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok for me. This was sorta strange to me to call part of the series. Not a spoiler so I can’t tell you why.

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this audiobook read by Joe Barrett detailing the period between Serena and Maggie as Johnny investigates a creepy mystery happening inside a home, driving the occupants apart and crazy. Another winner by Brian Freeman!

[Godzilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A freebie from the Kindle store, I approached this optimistically, there were some sparkling reviews, both of this and the series generally.

It's fast paced, and whilst there's an attempt to lay red herrings, they just didn't really work effectively for me.

I found it hard to relate to the main characters, and was surprised at how little detail there was about the main detectives, who are apparently stalwarts of the series!

This was a relatively short tale and whilst the tension built well, the overall impression I walked away with was that it could have been so much better.

That said, I'd read another free story in the series, but I'm not convinced I'd put my hand in my pocket to pay for one.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was up to date on the Jonathan Stride series and eagerly awaiting the next one which I believe does not come out until Spring 2013, so I was surprised and grateful to be emailed about this short story which I downloaded for free from Amazon to my computer kindle.
Brian Freeman is my favourite male author and I have read all the Jonathan Stride series within the past 6 months or so. He is an amazing writer and tells such a brilliant story.
This short story follows on from The Burying Place and Stride is now shacked up with Maggie. I really wanted to know how these two got on and this story give some insight into where things are going.
Great little story.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This kindle freebie was my first taste of Brian Freeman. It's a good little crime thriller which kept me hooked all the way through and certainly made me want to explore a full size novel by this author. I won't give anything away, but given it's size be aware that there is little detail about the Minnesota based detective, Jonathan Stride, who is the hero of the series, but focuses on the husband and wife who are the two main characters caught in the middle of a triple murder spree.

[Helen Laycock · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a promising start - the author has potential, but this was much too short to stand as a novel. I felt as though I had read a short story instead as it suffered from lack of character and plot development.

[Sharon Gigliotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeman never disappoints! As always, his books are always hard to put down. This was a great short read

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tight and quirky short from thriller-master Freeman.

[Mary Mullane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Minnesota authors, and Brian Freeman is one of my favorites. This short novella is well crafted and keeps you guessing.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was one of the best short stories that I've ever read. I'd say it's in my top 3. I'm impressed. Short stories rarely get 5 stars from me. Good job Mr. Freeman.

[Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relato corto pero no por ello falto de intriga, muy bueno como todo lo de este autor. Freeman forever.

[TeriC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Freeman always write a good book. This short story fills the gap between his books.

[Pisces51 · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPITTING DEVIL [2012] By Brian Freeman
My Review Four Stars****

This short story was written by the author about a year after he had published his fifth Jonathan Stride novel THE BURYING PLACE [2010]. The genesis of the tale is quite interesting. Freeman’s Spanish publisher was compiling a crime anthology with the theme designated as “the perfect crime”. Freeman was asked to contribute a short story for the project. The author decided to put his own spin on things and in SPITTING DEVIL it is someone’s “perfect life” that is stolen. The protagonist in this story is Alison Malville, a woman who has it all, but it is also a Jonathan Stride story. In Freeman’s own words “…this story gave me a chance to catch up on Stride’s life”. In fact, it is considered to be “5.5” in the Jonathan Stride book series. This designation is due to the liminal glimpse it provides into what is happening in the time frame following the conclusion of THE BURYING PLACE.

The police in Duluth, Minnesota are in pursuit of a serial killer dubbed “Dead Read”, and the detectives in the tale are only peripheral characters. SPITTING DEVIL works as a short story independent of the fact that the plot line has Jonathan Stride and his partner Maggie Bei at the helm of the hunt. However, fans of the author’s Stride books are treated to a look at what is happening with the relationship between Stride and Bei.

This short story was a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it but for one criticism. The author opined that (SPITTING DEVIL) “brings a lot of depth to the format” and Freeman was quite pleased by a reader who wrote “Couldn't believe how well you developed those characters in such a short story.” This provided an insightful look into the mindset of the author and what he hoped to accomplish with this short story. This is the first short story I have read by Brian Freeman. I purchased it (along with TURN TO STONE, a Novella designated as Jonathan Stride “5.6” in the series and also as a “Prelude” to #6 THE COLD NOWHERE) because I wanted to enjoy the events that bridged the distance between the finale of THE BURYING PLACE [2010] and the first page of THE COLD NOWHERE [2013]. I don’t read many short stories per se, but the formats couldn’t be more different if they tried. It follows that an author who excels at full-length novels may not be equally adept at penning short stories that are limited both in scope and page length. I feel satisfied after reading a well written short story. In the case of SPITTING DEVIL, it was figuratively a half-full glass of fine champagne as opposed to a full glass of cold beer in a frosted mug on a hot day. The author DID bring a lot of depth to the format, which is my only complaint. The short story felt like a fully developed novel unfolding, and I found myself mentally logging clues that were insidiously included in the narrative (the killer left evidence of hemoptysis at the murder scenes and the heroine of the story is a heavy smoker of instance). In a short story there are no holds barred. The author can misdirect the readers and good can be bad and vice versa. The hook is to snag their interest at the outset, lead them down a path, and then turn it all upside down with the big reveal. Frankly SPITTING DEVIL gave the reader more than that. There was deeper character development, the expected misdirection, and then double the plot twists.

In my opinion the author did not demonstrate an innate knack for the short story format. It left many readers wanting more I would expect. In my case, I got to learn what happened with the Jonny and Maggie experiment and I really enjoyed the couple’s endeavors to unmask the serial murderer nicknamed by the media as “Dead Red”. I will also acknowledge that despite the clearly planted clues to the identity of the villain, I was effectively misdirected and was surprised by the ending. This story of a woman with a fairy tale marriage, a beautiful home, good kid, and a handsome hard-working husband is rife with psychological suspense and really knocks it out of the ball park as a complex well-conceived whodunit. A short story wouldn’t typically lend itself to a discussion about marital relationships, but this one easily could qualify. Would (could?) a couple survive the horror that was unleashed to steal their perfect life.

A DEVILISH SHORT STORY TO ENJOY BETWEEN THE AUTHOR’S JONATHAN STRIDE BOOKS #5 AND #6

[Jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually disappointed. Basically the rewrite of a storyline often covered, the man who infiltrates a house and lives in the attic. Furthermore he repeats the self made, wealthy couple with a great life who fall apart which is a bit repetitive. Did not rink the child's involvement at the end was realistic, just an hysterical scream may have sufficed, not proactive behaviour.
OK, the prose is excellent, but I still felt cheated. As if it was a short story filler to earn money on the back of a good, established character group: Stride & cohorts. I'm hoping this is not a trend or my enjoyment of this writers work will diminish.
I can't truly recommend this, even Stride's relationship with Maggie is only half heartedly resolved.

[Micky Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a twisted little short story from the Jonathan Stride series. While it was entertaining enough and had an interesting plot, it was short on meat and development as is sometimes common in short stories. I am glad that I listened to it as it filled in the storyline a bit of Stride and Maggie post the Serena breakup and I think it will make the next books to come a bit more cohesive as it bridges the gap in the personal storyline of Stride and the women in his life. I don't think it is vital to enjoying the rest of the series to read this short, but it does add a stepping stone to the what comes next in the series plot line.

[G.J. Minett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never thought I'd be giving fewer than 5 stars to a novel in the Jonathan Stride series but this is so short (barely even a novella) and rushed that the format doesn't lend itself very well to the author's customary plot development and psychological insight. I'm sure a full-length novel would have served the Stride/Bei sub-plot better and made the main storyline much more convincing. Entertaining way to spend a couple of hours but no more than. Even so I remain a committed Freeman fan and would definitely recommend any of the other books in this series.

[Kimberly Morehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a short story, so that was a bit different from the rest of the series. It was well done and a great little mystery spun very well. Serena is still gone and Stride and Maggie are sleeping together nightly and sharing kisses, this make them both go WAY down in my book. Which makes me really sad, as I loved them up to this point. I can't believe Stride has just forsaken his love and relationship with Serena so easily and move on with Maggie like all is well. I hope the rest of the series doesn't continue like this, I liked liking Stride, now he is being tainted.

[Grace Gibbs]

113— SAY: “I take refuge with the Lord of Dawn from the mischief of whatever He has created and from the evil of dusk as it settles down, and from the mischief of women spitting on knots, and from the evil of some envier when he envies.”
114—SAY: “I take refuge with the Lord of Mankind, the King of Mankind, the God of Mankind, fro mthe evil of the stealthy Whisperer who whispers in the breasts of Mankind, whether among sprites or Mankind.”

[Sandy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frightening....

Because it was so plausible some might find it difficult to sleep after reading this short story. I would likely have given it more stars had I read it before a more recent book by this author. If you enjoy a good, often scary story that actually keeps you guessing, I don't think you can go wrong with Mr. Friedman's books.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand 42 page books. Not much of a story line to get hooked. I think this may have been better with a little more who done it to it. Next book only has about 100 more pages in it and makes me wonder if it's worth reading.