From Publishers Weekly

A Harlan Coban–esque murder/psychological suspense structure and some uninspired writing ("He saw urgency written in her face") add up to a mildly interesting but unsurprising thriller for first-timer Freeman. Called to investigate the disappearance of beautiful teenager Ruth Stoner, Duluth, Minn., police detective Lt. Jonathan Stride is haunted by the disappearance of another teen, Kerry McGrath, 14 months earlier. Stride's an honest, likable cop, full of angst over the cancer death of his beloved wife. He has a great working relationship with diminutive partner Maggie Bei, who's been in love with him for years. As Stride and Mags investigate, the only aspect of the case that becomes clear is that everyone involved with the crime—the victim, her family and her friends—is guilty of something. Tweezing apart these strands of guilt and trying to connect them to the missing Ruth occupies Stride for more than three years. Finally, in an extended denouement, the pieces fall into place, and Stride is able to solve not only the mysteries of both Ruth and Kelly, but mend his own fractured life as well. BOMC and Literary Guild main selections; Doubleday Book Club and Mystery Guild alternates. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From

Freeman’s debut, which Bookspan selected as International Book of the Month, resounded with its critics. His is a highly intricate story, veering with sharp turns and switchbacks. In fact, his acrobatic plot may be excessively so, overindulging in too many clever flips and flops. No doubt, his prose can be worthy cause for wincing ( "Tight black jeans, the kind you need a knife to cut yourself out of"), but Freeman paints the requisite cold, gray atmospheric tones for a tale of murder, sex, and intrigue. For an old-school visceral ride of thrills better than most, and for an introduction to a strong, new character, Immoral is a pleasurable foray into the shadows of immorality.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.