Photograph - by Brian Freeman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Brian Freeman, Photograph is an emotional cold case mystery of hidden identities and startling twists--perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mary Kubica, and Freida McFadden.

Shannon Wells is a private investigator who helps women with nowhere else to go. Last year, a woman named Faith Selby came to Shannon with a strange request: Find out who I really am.

Shannon soon discovered that Faith was hiding a whole other life, but was unable to penetrate the web of mystery the woman had built around her past. Now Faith is dead. The only clue to who she was and why she was murdered is an old photograph of a little girl in the rain outside a Midwestern motel.

The hunt for answers takes Shannon from the hot beaches of Florida to a remote small town in Michigan as she peels away layer after layer of a shocking cold case that has rippled violently into the present. With each secret she uncovers, the danger around her grows--and forces Shannon to confront the demons hiding in her own past.

Review Quotes

"Photograph is everything I crave in a mystery: a protagonist as layered and complicated as the case she's chasing, questions that linger long after the last page, and a story that probes what it means to be alive--and to remember. I couldn't put it down."

-- "Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Plays Well with Others "

"[Freeman] pulls out all the stops here, delivering a suspenseful, surprising, and extremely satisfying thriller. A note about Shannon Wells: She's a very well-drawn character, with strong series potential. More, please."

-- "Booklist (starred review)"

"A new novel from Brian Freeman is always a reason to celebrate...Raucous and incredibly suspenseful...This is a satisfying read by a master of the modern thriller with something for everyone to enjoy."

-- "Bookreporter"

"An emotional cold case of hidden identities."

-- "Twin Cities Pioneer Press"

"If a picture is worth a thousand words, a photograph is worth a thousand twists in Brian Freeman's latest blockbuster, Photograph. The novel explores family secrets, the despair of losing a mother, and the lies we tell for those we love. Photograph proves once again why Freeman is one of the best thriller writers working today."

-- "Alex Finlay, bestselling author of Parents Weekend"

"In this immersive standalone from Freeman, Florida PI Shannon Wells grapples with haunting visions while trying to make sense of a particularly confounding job...Freeman's plotting is intoxicatingly knotty...Well-developed characters and the author's sharp attention to detail make this work."

-- "Publishers Weekly"

"Riveting, heartwarming, and profound, Photograph needs a warning label: Will cause insomnia, obsessive thoughts, and heart palpitations as you race to unravel this web of multilayered mysteries. Along with top-tier suspense, it's a tale of family--blood and found--and how far we'll go to protect our loved ones and reclaim our power. All the stars."

-- "Elka Ray, author of A Friend Indeed"

"The themes of female solidarity throughout are genuinely moving, especially in the gradually developing bond between Shannon and Kate. While this is a stand-alone mystery, I would love to read more of Shannon and her investigations in the future."

-- "Criminal Element"

"There are moody scenes involving darkness, wind-driven rain, and lonely roads that bring to mind the opening chapters of a Stephen King novel. And those roads twist a lot as Freeman unloads one surprise after another...An enjoyable read. May there be more Shannon Wells tales to come."

-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

"This isn't just a mystery--it's a relentless, twist-loaded chase through the shadows of the past, and it will not let you go."

-- "Best Thriller Books"

"With its unique plot, emotionally charged characters, and the right amount of suspense, Photograph kept me turning the pages."

-- "Capes & Tights"