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The Freelancer: Book One in the Denny Durant Montréal Crime Series
Some questions lead to more questions. Other questions lead to murder.
When struggling journalist Denny Durant starts asking questions about an accidental overdose at a Montreal strip club, he soon discovers the overdose was no accident.
Before long, Denny and the beautiful but damaged dancer Martine Perpetue are caught up in a brutal game of blackmail and revenge. Durant must connect the dots in a decades-old cold case before an out-of-control killer succeeds in silencing his questions for good.
"The fast-moving pace of THE FREELANCER by C. J. Fournier runs through a maze of twists and turns to reach its ultimate conclusion — one that doesn’t disappoint. The lead character faces challenges that readers may identify with; career issues, money problems, a failed marriage, family relationships, and past secrets. With succinctly written characters and plot devices, story is an entertaining and suspenseful read for mystery lovers."
--IndieReader Discovery Awards review
"In THE FREELANCER, C.J. Fournier’s debut, a well-told crime plot is used to humanize the male perspective in the stories we tell about fatherhood, relationships, and loss." --IndieReader Review (Rating 4.1/5, IndieReader Approved Book)
"Gritty old timey detective novel feel. I loved it - from the first page." --Cheryl Kane, Goodreads
When struggling journalist Denny Durant starts asking questions about an accidental overdose at a Montreal strip club, he soon discovers the overdose was no accident.
Before long, Denny and the beautiful but damaged dancer Martine Perpetue are caught up in a brutal game of blackmail and revenge. Durant must connect the dots in a decades-old cold case before an out-of-control killer succeeds in silencing his questions for good.
"The fast-moving pace of THE FREELANCER by C. J. Fournier runs through a maze of twists and turns to reach its ultimate conclusion — one that doesn’t disappoint. The lead character faces challenges that readers may identify with; career issues, money problems, a failed marriage, family relationships, and past secrets. With succinctly written characters and plot devices, story is an entertaining and suspenseful read for mystery lovers."
--IndieReader Discovery Awards review
"In THE FREELANCER, C.J. Fournier’s debut, a well-told crime plot is used to humanize the male perspective in the stories we tell about fatherhood, relationships, and loss." --IndieReader Review (Rating 4.1/5, IndieReader Approved Book)
"Gritty old timey detective novel feel. I loved it - from the first page." --Cheryl Kane, Goodreads
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2022
5 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 7, 2026
A captivating and realistic story with no shortage of exciting twists.
The character development draws you into the characters’ struggles and keeps you wondering, “What will happen next?”
The character development draws you into the characters’ struggles and keeps you wondering, “What will happen next?”
January 4, 2023
The Freelancer is a compelling read, filled with gripping narrative twists, a rich cast of characters, and gritty prose that propels the reader through the story with great urgency. I felt I was inside the head of a seasoned reporter, who understood how to work an interview subject, recognized what clues were worth following, and knew when to show their hand and when to keep it close to their chest.
Denny Durant is a fascinating character to hitch a story to. He is acutely aware of his own flaws, yet is doggedly committed to his craft and the pursuit of the truth. He is imperfect and prone to making mistakes, but that’s what makes him a sympathetic character—someone you want to root for and see succeed.
The city of Montreal comes alive in C.J. Fournier’s prose. I felt a visceral sense of place, and could easily picture a diverse collection of neighbourhoods crammed together on a small piece of land surrounded by water.
Denny Durant is a fascinating character to hitch a story to. He is acutely aware of his own flaws, yet is doggedly committed to his craft and the pursuit of the truth. He is imperfect and prone to making mistakes, but that’s what makes him a sympathetic character—someone you want to root for and see succeed.
The city of Montreal comes alive in C.J. Fournier’s prose. I felt a visceral sense of place, and could easily picture a diverse collection of neighbourhoods crammed together on a small piece of land surrounded by water.
February 19, 2023
Gritty old timey detective novel feel, set in Montreal (which as everyone knows is rich in strip clubs).
I loved it - from the first page.
I loved it - from the first page.
February 20, 2023
Discovering the work of an author who is new to me is always a special treat, and even more so when you meet the writer in person. C. J. Fournier’s debut novel, The Freelancer, works on many levels: it’s a thriller, a redemption tale, and a crime novel with a great big heart. The Freelancer is set in Montreal, and Fournier brings the underbelly of this fascinating city to life. Fournier’s protagonist, Denny Durant, is a journalist struggling to survive and remain relevant in the new media landscape. He’s also facing challenges in his personal life: a failed marriage, a precarious relationship with his daughter, and secrets from the past that continue to haunt him. Fournier leads us and Denny through a labyrinth of dangers and moral dilemmas, forcing Denny to confront his insecurities, his core beliefs, and how much he’ll risk to do the right thing. The Freelancer a satisfying read, carried by interesting characters and an intricate plot filled with twists and turns. I’m looking forward to C.J.’s next novel!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews