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Jonathan Stride #2
Stripped
In this stunning follow-up to Brian Freeman's remarkable debut novel, Immoral, Detective Jonathan Stride discovers that there are only two ways to go in Las Vegas. You can hit the jackpot. Or you can get Stripped...
They looked like isolated cases: a hit-and-run and a celebrity murdered during a fling with a prostitute. No one could ever imagine they'd be linked to a brutal crime in Las Vegas's steamy past--and that the race against the clock to corner a determined serial killer would stir up secrets long thought buried with the dead. As detectives Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial are called separately to investigate, they have no idea what they're stepping into: a world where desperate ambition rules and loyalties know no bounds, and where their own uncharted emotions and sexual desires will reach an explosive conclusion.
Shocking, twisted, with edge-of-your-seat suspense, Stripped pushes the limits of its heroes and keeps the reader turning ever page until the last plot twist.
They looked like isolated cases: a hit-and-run and a celebrity murdered during a fling with a prostitute. No one could ever imagine they'd be linked to a brutal crime in Las Vegas's steamy past--and that the race against the clock to corner a determined serial killer would stir up secrets long thought buried with the dead. As detectives Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial are called separately to investigate, they have no idea what they're stepping into: a world where desperate ambition rules and loyalties know no bounds, and where their own uncharted emotions and sexual desires will reach an explosive conclusion.
Shocking, twisted, with edge-of-your-seat suspense, Stripped pushes the limits of its heroes and keeps the reader turning ever page until the last plot twist.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2006
305 people are currently reading
2223 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freeman
61 books3,092 followersBrian 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
September 9, 2024
Excelente lectura 👍
Este autor es fantástico. Me encanta cómo escribe, lo bien que desarrolla la trama, sin cosas rebuscadas y sacadas de la manga.
La trama y los personajes son un diez.
Entremezcla la investigación policial con los asuntos personales de los detectives de una manera perfecta, dando gran profundidad a los personajes.
En esta segunda entrega, Jonathan Stride se ha trasladado a la comisaría de Las Vegas, a raíz de su relación con Serena Dial, detective en esa comisaría. Ha pasado de ser jefe a ser detective raso, pero está conforme.
Stride investiga el asesinato del famoso hijo de un productor de cine multimillonario. Serena está investigando la muerte de un niño de 12 años, atropellado en la puerta de su casa.
Descubren una posible conexión entre ambos casos, que podría tener su origen en el asesinato de una mujer en los años 60. Una artista con un espectáculo de primera en el Casino Sherherezade.
No voy a contar más, para no destripar nada. Solo decir que la investigación se complica muchísimo, hay mas muertes. Este caso es un hito en Las Vegas, toca a gente influyente.
Todo el desarrollo es perfecto. Me maravilla cómo el autor va introduciendo más y más complicaciones, con mucha coherencia.
Y, como no, un final apoteosico!!
Una novela redonda!!
Este autor es fantástico. Me encanta cómo escribe, lo bien que desarrolla la trama, sin cosas rebuscadas y sacadas de la manga.
La trama y los personajes son un diez.
Entremezcla la investigación policial con los asuntos personales de los detectives de una manera perfecta, dando gran profundidad a los personajes.
En esta segunda entrega, Jonathan Stride se ha trasladado a la comisaría de Las Vegas, a raíz de su relación con Serena Dial, detective en esa comisaría. Ha pasado de ser jefe a ser detective raso, pero está conforme.
Stride investiga el asesinato del famoso hijo de un productor de cine multimillonario. Serena está investigando la muerte de un niño de 12 años, atropellado en la puerta de su casa.
Descubren una posible conexión entre ambos casos, que podría tener su origen en el asesinato de una mujer en los años 60. Una artista con un espectáculo de primera en el Casino Sherherezade.
No voy a contar más, para no destripar nada. Solo decir que la investigación se complica muchísimo, hay mas muertes. Este caso es un hito en Las Vegas, toca a gente influyente.
Todo el desarrollo es perfecto. Me maravilla cómo el autor va introduciendo más y más complicaciones, con mucha coherencia.
Y, como no, un final apoteosico!!
Una novela redonda!!
June 17, 2014
My bad luck with audiobooks continues. At least I made it about 40% through this time. First off, the narration was below average. It was not bad enough to make me abandon the audio. This time around, I abandoned the book because of the content. I enjoyed the first book in the series very much. This time around, the sexual content of the story was pervasive and too much for my liking. The setting (Las Vegas) plays a role in the content and frankly, it does not feel out of place. That said, it was as if the author wanted to bring in as many sexual situations and persuasions that he could find. We have the sex obsessed Latino cop, the non operative transgendered partner, the love interest who was formally in a lesbian relationship. There are prostitutes, strippers, exotic dancers, retired yet vivacious showgirls.
I found the content was simply not to my liking and I had to abandon the story. That said, I will get a copy of the book to read as I am interested in continuing the series. It appears that the location changes. The series was excellent when it was set in Minnesota and I hope that he returns.
I found the content was simply not to my liking and I had to abandon the story. That said, I will get a copy of the book to read as I am interested in continuing the series. It appears that the location changes. The series was excellent when it was set in Minnesota and I hope that he returns.
November 19, 2012
I devoured Freeman's first book Immoral in short order. From beginning to end I was completely absorbed by it. Stripped is just as addicting and fantastic as the first novel.
The second novel places Stride in Vegas. He's now a police officer in the LVPD and is still in his relationship with Selena Dial whom he fell head over heels in love with during the course of Immoral
As the book opens, Freeman makes the reader witness to a 40 year old murder of a popular Las Vegas show girl. Flashing to the present we have two totally unrelated crimes. Or so it seems. A hit and run on a young boy and the murder of a trust fund playboy during a dalliance with a hooker. Serena draws the hit and run case and soon finds that there's more to it than just a cowardly driver. Stride draws the trust fund baby murder and to his trained eye he knows it's much more than a random act of violence in a city that has no shortage of violence.
Is everything related? How could these two seemingly unrelated crimes be tied to a 40 year old murder? Leave it to Brian Freeman to make something that seems a stretch of the imagination at first glass something totally plausible.
Brian Freeman is a master of writing deep, rich characters. The relationship between Stride and Dial is a story unto itself and is as compelling as the plot of the book. Their relationship, along with the clues they uncover in their own separate cases are equally addictive. What's more, Freeman delves deeper into each of them. We learn more about what makes Stride tick and we learn a great deal more about Serena and her past. She's not just a supporting character or love interest to spice things up. She's a main character unto herself. Even the minor players, pop off the page and are a joy to read.
I can't praise this book or Freeman enough. His stories are compelling with twists and turns that will have you biting your nails until you hit the last page. The characters are as real as can be and the subject matter is always compelling and handled well. Nothing for pure shock, nothing just as filler. Everything has its purpose and its done well.
You'll be thinking about this book long after you've turned the last page.
The second novel places Stride in Vegas. He's now a police officer in the LVPD and is still in his relationship with Selena Dial whom he fell head over heels in love with during the course of Immoral
As the book opens, Freeman makes the reader witness to a 40 year old murder of a popular Las Vegas show girl. Flashing to the present we have two totally unrelated crimes. Or so it seems. A hit and run on a young boy and the murder of a trust fund playboy during a dalliance with a hooker. Serena draws the hit and run case and soon finds that there's more to it than just a cowardly driver. Stride draws the trust fund baby murder and to his trained eye he knows it's much more than a random act of violence in a city that has no shortage of violence.
Is everything related? How could these two seemingly unrelated crimes be tied to a 40 year old murder? Leave it to Brian Freeman to make something that seems a stretch of the imagination at first glass something totally plausible.
Brian Freeman is a master of writing deep, rich characters. The relationship between Stride and Dial is a story unto itself and is as compelling as the plot of the book. Their relationship, along with the clues they uncover in their own separate cases are equally addictive. What's more, Freeman delves deeper into each of them. We learn more about what makes Stride tick and we learn a great deal more about Serena and her past. She's not just a supporting character or love interest to spice things up. She's a main character unto herself. Even the minor players, pop off the page and are a joy to read.
I can't praise this book or Freeman enough. His stories are compelling with twists and turns that will have you biting your nails until you hit the last page. The characters are as real as can be and the subject matter is always compelling and handled well. Nothing for pure shock, nothing just as filler. Everything has its purpose and its done well.
You'll be thinking about this book long after you've turned the last page.
July 30, 2008
It was an okay murder mystery with all the right twists. I will be happy if Stride goes back home. I think having it in Vegas is an excuse to put in alot of unnecessary sex. It was just too much for me.
March 14, 2019
A very complicated murder mystery set in Sin City, Nevada. The plot moves at a very fast pace with plenty of surprises. There are a couple of missteps though, the whole tranny thing and the love affair between Claire and Serena. They both were unworthy of an otherwise great story. Recommended.
a
January 11, 2019
Sin duda mucho mejor que la primera entrega de esta serie, si el primer libro fue bueno, este es mucho mejor.
Desde la primera página hasta la última, Brian Freeman nos lleva en una literal montaña rusa. Una historia ambientada nada menos que en la ciudad de Las Vegas, la capital del pecado, asesinatos, mafia, matones a sueldo y por supuesto un asesino en serie.
Hablando del thriller el ritmo es espectacular, no te da un respiro, tenemos a un asesino en serie meticuloso, frío e inteligente, pero no es el único malo de esta historia y creo que eso le da un plus que nos hace retener el aliento por momentos. La investigación es intrincada, complicada y muy bien manejada.
Brian Freeman les da a sus libros un toque que no había visto antes y me refiero a que el peso de la vida personal de sus protagonistas y actores es tan importante y tan fuerte como la misma historia del thriller, si bien es una de las características principales en la novela negra, en este caso lo he sentido con más peso que en cualquier otra que haya leído.
La personalidad de John Stride, sus razones, sus motivos para moverse de ciudad, el profundo amor que siente por Serena y en el caso de ella, su pasado, su amor por Stride, pero también el reconocimiento de lo que es ella y sus tentaciones, tienen tanto peso dentro del libro como los propios asesinatos.
Me encanta el estilo de Freeman, me encanta su manera de contar sus historias, pero me gustan mucho más lo que cuenta, es tan común que en este género los autores norteamericanos sean tan peliculeros, es tan fácil ver que todos escriben sus libros esperando que alguien les filme una película, es tan definido ese estilo en ellos que casi podría leer un libro de este género sin saber quién lo escribe y saber que fue escrito por un norteamericano, sin embargo, Freeman no es así, no tiene ese estilo tan típico de sus coterráneos, no voy a negar que algunas escenas son muy típicas de “Duro de matar”, pero en lo general se centra en su historia, en lo que cuenta y no en la acción que conlleva dicha historia.
Un autor a seguir, tengo poco de haberlo descubierto, por supuesto que seguiré la serie, me gusta mucho y vale la pena leerlo, es entretenimiento asegurado
Desde la primera página hasta la última, Brian Freeman nos lleva en una literal montaña rusa. Una historia ambientada nada menos que en la ciudad de Las Vegas, la capital del pecado, asesinatos, mafia, matones a sueldo y por supuesto un asesino en serie.
Hablando del thriller el ritmo es espectacular, no te da un respiro, tenemos a un asesino en serie meticuloso, frío e inteligente, pero no es el único malo de esta historia y creo que eso le da un plus que nos hace retener el aliento por momentos. La investigación es intrincada, complicada y muy bien manejada.
Brian Freeman les da a sus libros un toque que no había visto antes y me refiero a que el peso de la vida personal de sus protagonistas y actores es tan importante y tan fuerte como la misma historia del thriller, si bien es una de las características principales en la novela negra, en este caso lo he sentido con más peso que en cualquier otra que haya leído.
La personalidad de John Stride, sus razones, sus motivos para moverse de ciudad, el profundo amor que siente por Serena y en el caso de ella, su pasado, su amor por Stride, pero también el reconocimiento de lo que es ella y sus tentaciones, tienen tanto peso dentro del libro como los propios asesinatos.
Me encanta el estilo de Freeman, me encanta su manera de contar sus historias, pero me gustan mucho más lo que cuenta, es tan común que en este género los autores norteamericanos sean tan peliculeros, es tan fácil ver que todos escriben sus libros esperando que alguien les filme una película, es tan definido ese estilo en ellos que casi podría leer un libro de este género sin saber quién lo escribe y saber que fue escrito por un norteamericano, sin embargo, Freeman no es así, no tiene ese estilo tan típico de sus coterráneos, no voy a negar que algunas escenas son muy típicas de “Duro de matar”, pero en lo general se centra en su historia, en lo que cuenta y no en la acción que conlleva dicha historia.
Un autor a seguir, tengo poco de haberlo descubierto, por supuesto que seguiré la serie, me gusta mucho y vale la pena leerlo, es entretenimiento asegurado
September 7, 2014
Stripped is the second book I have read by Brian Freeman, the first being Immoral. I loved Immoral and I loved Stripped just as much, if not more. This surprised me as several of my Goodreads friends have read both, and they all preferred Immoral.
Stripped had it all (almost) for me. The pace was excellent throughout, and the last 75 pages or so just flew by in nothing flat. In those last pages, there were twists and turns, one after another, almost all of which were unanticipated by me. In regards to the characters, Jonathan Stride is a very likable, engaging protagonist. His detective partner, Amanda, and his fellow detective girlfriend, Serena, are also very easy to root for. Serena, a very complex woman, was first introduced in the second half of Immoral. In Stripped, Mr. Freeman delves deeply into her personality/psyche, though I get the feeling there is still more to learn about her. The author deserves kudos not only for Serena's character development, but for his depiction of Maggie, Stride's transgender (not a spoiler) partner. There are other things to like in this book. The story is told from multiple points of view; we even get inside the bad guy's head at one point, which helps us understand why he is doing what he is doing. There are quite a few important players, most of whom have enough background info to help us keep them straight. Another thing I liked was that there was more than one mystery to solve.
What didn't I like? I am not enamored with the Las Vegas setting. Las Vegas, LA and Miami settings, for whatever reason, do not generally appeal to me. Immoral was set in Minnesota. Stride loved Minnesota; this was clearly evident in Immoral. Stride does not love or even like Las Vegas. This was obvious throughout the book, and the reader picks up on Stride's downer feelings. I am pleased to see the next book in the series, Stalked, features a return to Minnesota. I don't know who's happier by that, me or Stride. And yes, I do live in Minnesota and lived in Duluth for several years. I suspect Stride will be more alive in the next book.
I plan to read everything written by Brian Freeman. I recommend this particular book to all mystery and thriller fans, even those who hate Las Vegas.
Stripped had it all (almost) for me. The pace was excellent throughout, and the last 75 pages or so just flew by in nothing flat. In those last pages, there were twists and turns, one after another, almost all of which were unanticipated by me. In regards to the characters, Jonathan Stride is a very likable, engaging protagonist. His detective partner, Amanda, and his fellow detective girlfriend, Serena, are also very easy to root for. Serena, a very complex woman, was first introduced in the second half of Immoral. In Stripped, Mr. Freeman delves deeply into her personality/psyche, though I get the feeling there is still more to learn about her. The author deserves kudos not only for Serena's character development, but for his depiction of Maggie, Stride's transgender (not a spoiler) partner. There are other things to like in this book. The story is told from multiple points of view; we even get inside the bad guy's head at one point, which helps us understand why he is doing what he is doing. There are quite a few important players, most of whom have enough background info to help us keep them straight. Another thing I liked was that there was more than one mystery to solve.
What didn't I like? I am not enamored with the Las Vegas setting. Las Vegas, LA and Miami settings, for whatever reason, do not generally appeal to me. Immoral was set in Minnesota. Stride loved Minnesota; this was clearly evident in Immoral. Stride does not love or even like Las Vegas. This was obvious throughout the book, and the reader picks up on Stride's downer feelings. I am pleased to see the next book in the series, Stalked, features a return to Minnesota. I don't know who's happier by that, me or Stride. And yes, I do live in Minnesota and lived in Duluth for several years. I suspect Stride will be more alive in the next book.
I plan to read everything written by Brian Freeman. I recommend this particular book to all mystery and thriller fans, even those who hate Las Vegas.
October 24, 2024
I enjoyed the characters and I appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from the craziness of Las Vegas. It isn’t a wonderful place for families and it has plenty of ugliness. There were a lot of sexual encounters so this isn’t for the faint of heart. I appreciated that the character of Amanda was handled so well. I don’t pretend to understand the whole trans thing but this character was handled so well that you couldn’t help but like her and feel for the things she was going through. And that little twist with her towards the end was wonderful. Stride is a really great person and I will enjoy continuing his story with the next in the series.
June 27, 2019
Um policial à antiga, bem escrito e bem traduzido.
Custou um bocadinho a entrar na história, mas sem me aborrecer.
Gostei muito do final, das reviravoltas.
Aconselho!
Custou um bocadinho a entrar na história, mas sem me aborrecer.
Gostei muito do final, das reviravoltas.
Aconselho!
July 7, 2011
"Stripped" is the second book by Brian Freeman, featuring his detectives/lovers Jonathon Stride and Serena Dial. Leaving the cold midwestern climate of Minnesota to work as a homicide detective in Vegas, Stride isn't settling in as comfortably as he hoped. Living with his new girlfriend/partner, Dial, isn't the issue. It's the city itself. When Stride and Dial get involved in a case that involves a billionaire casino operator, a fifty-year-old cold murder case of a showgirl, the mafia, and local politicians, things obviously heat up quickly. Bodies start piling up in the Nevada desert, and Stride/Dial are forced to use their superior detective skills once again. If you liked "Immoral", you'll greatly enjoy "Stripped". Freeman proves that he can tell a gripping, exciting mystery, with plenty of twists and turns, but he also demonstrates a mature and compassionate examination of the human condition. His characters are very real and believable. I'm already half-way through his third book, "Stalked".
September 26, 2020
Muy bueno. Gran libro con muchas emociones, intriga,etc. Muchos giros argumentales Es el segundo que leo de este autor y me encantan. Muy buenos sus libros.
May 3, 2010
PROTAGONIST: Detec. Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial
SETTING: Las Vegas
SERIES: #2 of 2
RATING: 3.25
It's got to be true love if someone is willing to move from the cold, crisp secluded world of Duluth, Minnesota, to hot, happening Las Vegas to be with their significant other—and that's just what Detective Jonathan Stride does to be with fellow detective Serena Dial. Although they work in different departments, they do have cases that overlap and involve both of them. Stride’s new partner is a woman named Amanda Gillen who seems to have been given the assignment with an eye toward putting both of them in their place. Lieutentant Sawhill believes that former lieutenant Stride is some kind of podunk who is incapable of handling big-city crime. Amanda is a non-operative transsexual (original equipment intact) who is constantly humiliated by the rest of the department, even though she is extremely capable and hard working. Fortunately, Jonathan and Amanda hit it off and are a very high performing team.
There is a series of strange killings going on in Sin City—an innocent 12-year-old boy run down by a car; a retired schoolteacher with her throat cut; a young, rich playboy killed on the streets—that don’t make any sense at all. During the investigation of each of these seemingly unrelated crimes, links are established to the murder of a sultry showgirl who was killed years earlier. What kind of grudge does the killer have that involves people who clearly had nothing to do with that murder? What associations have been made in his mind that merit such drastic actions? The stakes are high—the killer is becoming more and more brazen and out of control.
Stripped has a good plot premise, and its pages are inhabited by the kinds of characters you'd expect to find in Vegas. I particularly enjoyed the budding friendship of Stride and Gillen. However, I do have a bone to pick with how the investigation was run. Why is it that in many police procedurals a certain character will be mentioned over and over as a person of substantial interest to the police and they don't end up interrogating that person until the case has dragged along for quite some time?
Additionally, Jonathan and Serena are supposedly deeply in love; however, I never felt a strong connection between them in the scenes involving the two of them. The relationship was depicted in almost syrupy terms. So if they are soulmates and so into one another, why does one of them cheat on the other? The point where the book almost hit the wall was when the other easily decided to overlook this transgression because it wasn't a matter of love, but lust.
Freeman shows all the signs of being able to write a top-notch thriller. However, there were several scenes that were close to over-the-top; and the resolution was completely out of left field. My opinion of the book was lowered significantly as a result. Generally, when an author tries to be too tricky and clever in the denouement, it ends up backfiring. That's certainly what happened for me in the case of Stripped.
SETTING: Las Vegas
SERIES: #2 of 2
RATING: 3.25
It's got to be true love if someone is willing to move from the cold, crisp secluded world of Duluth, Minnesota, to hot, happening Las Vegas to be with their significant other—and that's just what Detective Jonathan Stride does to be with fellow detective Serena Dial. Although they work in different departments, they do have cases that overlap and involve both of them. Stride’s new partner is a woman named Amanda Gillen who seems to have been given the assignment with an eye toward putting both of them in their place. Lieutentant Sawhill believes that former lieutenant Stride is some kind of podunk who is incapable of handling big-city crime. Amanda is a non-operative transsexual (original equipment intact) who is constantly humiliated by the rest of the department, even though she is extremely capable and hard working. Fortunately, Jonathan and Amanda hit it off and are a very high performing team.
There is a series of strange killings going on in Sin City—an innocent 12-year-old boy run down by a car; a retired schoolteacher with her throat cut; a young, rich playboy killed on the streets—that don’t make any sense at all. During the investigation of each of these seemingly unrelated crimes, links are established to the murder of a sultry showgirl who was killed years earlier. What kind of grudge does the killer have that involves people who clearly had nothing to do with that murder? What associations have been made in his mind that merit such drastic actions? The stakes are high—the killer is becoming more and more brazen and out of control.
Stripped has a good plot premise, and its pages are inhabited by the kinds of characters you'd expect to find in Vegas. I particularly enjoyed the budding friendship of Stride and Gillen. However, I do have a bone to pick with how the investigation was run. Why is it that in many police procedurals a certain character will be mentioned over and over as a person of substantial interest to the police and they don't end up interrogating that person until the case has dragged along for quite some time?
Additionally, Jonathan and Serena are supposedly deeply in love; however, I never felt a strong connection between them in the scenes involving the two of them. The relationship was depicted in almost syrupy terms. So if they are soulmates and so into one another, why does one of them cheat on the other? The point where the book almost hit the wall was when the other easily decided to overlook this transgression because it wasn't a matter of love, but lust.
Freeman shows all the signs of being able to write a top-notch thriller. However, there were several scenes that were close to over-the-top; and the resolution was completely out of left field. My opinion of the book was lowered significantly as a result. Generally, when an author tries to be too tricky and clever in the denouement, it ends up backfiring. That's certainly what happened for me in the case of Stripped.
June 12, 2010
All of my Brian Freeman books will have the same review. I don't want to give even the hint of a spoiler. I have read all of his books and really consider his writing to be something "flying under the radar". I have a couple of authors that I feel that about. Brian Freeman's works are on a list of works that I recommend all the time. He is a must read in my book.
October 10, 2016
The very 1st book I've read with GoodReader. And also the very 1st English book that I've read in a few days than my own Language, Sinhala.
This book has a wonderful story line we never supposed to or assumed. Thanks very much Mr. Brian Freeman for creating a wonderful story like this.
This book has a wonderful story line we never supposed to or assumed. Thanks very much Mr. Brian Freeman for creating a wonderful story like this.
May 31, 2021
A truly awful hot mess of wokeness, combined with a notable lack of storytelling prowess. No more of this hack for me.
May 23, 2021
Stripped,
This is a good one, cops and serial killer stuff, but is packed with some unexpected twists and a solid story.
I keep coming back to this series after a while cause the stories that Brian Freeman creates are highly engaging and captive but if tried to finish the entire series one after the other it may get boring.
This too like his other books packs his unique way of story telling and gives a glittering image of Vegas.
Overall a good, entertaining story with some interesting twists and turns.
3/5
Nitesh
This is a good one, cops and serial killer stuff, but is packed with some unexpected twists and a solid story.
I keep coming back to this series after a while cause the stories that Brian Freeman creates are highly engaging and captive but if tried to finish the entire series one after the other it may get boring.
This too like his other books packs his unique way of story telling and gives a glittering image of Vegas.
Overall a good, entertaining story with some interesting twists and turns.
3/5
Nitesh
August 20, 2025
If I had read these in order, I never would have continued the series after this book. The mystery isn’t nearly as compelling as others, an irrational murder spree tied to 40yo crimes. Meh. The characters are all completely distasteful. Serena, who is supposedly a cold fish, actually seems to fall into bed with whoever asks, but Stride doesn’t mind because it’s another woman. Do guys really think that’s hot? Then there’s the trans character A-man-da (author’s joke, not mine). Authors obsession with sex is on full display, but no redeeming qualities in this installment.
Listened on Audible.
Listened on Audible.
March 30, 2021
This is another great mystery by Brian Freeman. I have enjoyed all of these on Audible and love the narrator, Joe Barrett. The stories are written so well, that it has not mattered even a little that I have read them out of order. This is by far one of my favorite detective mystery series.
June 3, 2023
This story started out a bit confusing, but as it progressed everything started making sense and all the pieces fell together. The ending totally blew me out of the water - this one is definitely worth reading! 9 out of 10.
April 16, 2021
Very much enjoyed the book.
September 15, 2023
3.5 stars
December 19, 2021
Very well done!! I like that the author keeps you guessing. You think you are figuring out the ending but when you get there you realize that you had no idea!!
September 27, 2021
I read and enjoyed Freeman's first book in the Jonathan Stride series, Immoral, several years ago. Not sure why it took me so long to get to this second in the series...I've been meaning to read this for a long time. Anyway, this second book has Stride moving to Las Vegas from Minnesota to be with his girlfriend, Serena Dial who is a police officer in Vegas. Stride gets a job as a detective on the Las Vegas Police Force, somewhat of a demotion from being a Lieutenant on the Duluth force in Minnesota. And then along comes a couple of cases that do not appear related on the surface but turn out to be: a hit-and-run of a young boy and the cold blooded murder of a celebrity who was having an encounter with a prostitute on the city's streets. So how are the two cases related? It appears they are both tied to the murder of a stripper named Amira who was murdered in the swimming pool of a soon-to-be demolished casino back in 1967. So are others connected with the killing of Amira also at risk? And why would someone be committing these serial killings?
This was an intense thriller from Freeman that kept me turning the pages. Freeman also was very good at developing and fleshing out his characters in this one. This included Amanda, Stride's partner who is also a transsexual, the hoods and associated owners of the Vegas hotels, the police officer who originally worked the Amira case and his gay partner who is an expert forger, and the daughter of the hotel owner who wants to have a lesbian affair with Serena. Overall, a very enjoyable action thriller and I'll be reading more in this series; Stalked is next in line.
This was an intense thriller from Freeman that kept me turning the pages. Freeman also was very good at developing and fleshing out his characters in this one. This included Amanda, Stride's partner who is also a transsexual, the hoods and associated owners of the Vegas hotels, the police officer who originally worked the Amira case and his gay partner who is an expert forger, and the daughter of the hotel owner who wants to have a lesbian affair with Serena. Overall, a very enjoyable action thriller and I'll be reading more in this series; Stalked is next in line.
January 30, 2013
Las Vegas, a Cidade do Pecado... é aqui que a trama se passa.
Dois crimes ocorrem, aparentemente sem ligação entre si. Os três detectives Stride, Serena e Amanda, um transsexual levam a cabo a investigação do assassinato de um homem e do atropelamento de um menino. Mas cedo se verifica que estes dois homicídios se encontram relacionados com um outro ocorrido há quarenta anos atrás e é na procura de um serial killer que serão trazidos à luz segredos há muito escondidos!
Um policial cheio de reviravoltas e com um final marcante a não perder!
Recomendo :)
Dois crimes ocorrem, aparentemente sem ligação entre si. Os três detectives Stride, Serena e Amanda, um transsexual levam a cabo a investigação do assassinato de um homem e do atropelamento de um menino. Mas cedo se verifica que estes dois homicídios se encontram relacionados com um outro ocorrido há quarenta anos atrás e é na procura de um serial killer que serão trazidos à luz segredos há muito escondidos!
Um policial cheio de reviravoltas e com um final marcante a não perder!
Recomendo :)
March 30, 2023
Teniendo en cuenta que éste autor me gusta muchísimo, tengo todos los libros que se han editado en español, con éste no puede variar mucho la opinión que tengo de éste autor. Me gustó mucho, sobretodo el personaje del detective Jonathan Stride que junto con su pareja también detective Serena Dial, investigan un caso en Las Vegas, y también intentan solucionar problemas de convivencia. Lo recomiendo muchísimo a todos a los que les guste la novela negra.
February 17, 2018
Being from Minnesota, I have to say that I preferred the Duluth setting of Immoral to Las Vegas' Stripped. That being said, I truly loved this story and love Brian Freeman's writing more and more with each novel I read. I fear that I will run out of his novels and be left to find another author as engaging as hee is!
February 28, 2018
I must be reading different books than most of the other reviewers. I love this series and seem to just devour them fast. So is it great writing-no but it’s entertaining like there is no tomorrow. I don’t read books to only see great historical books. I read for fun and entertainment and well this was an enjoyable and entertaining book. Love it!
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January 13, 2009My second novel, STRIPPED, was named one of the top 10 mysteries of 2006 by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and was a Main Selection in the Literary Guild. Write to me at brian@bfreemanbooks.com or visit my web site (www.bfreemanbooks.com) or Facebook page.
January 27, 2016
E pronto... aqui ficam as primeiras 5* do ano :)
Jà tinha gostado bastante do 1° livro desta saga mas acho que este conseguiu superar as minhas expectativas.
Uma trama bem elaborada e quando parece que està tudo resolvido, pum, mais um twist...
Muito bom!
Jà tinha gostado bastante do 1° livro desta saga mas acho que este conseguiu superar as minhas expectativas.
Uma trama bem elaborada e quando parece que està tudo resolvido, pum, mais um twist...
Muito bom!
January 13, 2017
Two cases seem unrelated but Jonathan Stride knows better. Serena Dial is at his side in Las Vegas as they try to piece together why people are being murdered for no apparent reason. I love the twisted suspense Freeman offers and it keeps you reading until the last page.
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