Another great installment in this series. I just really enjoy this author's writing style. I like the main character, Frost Easton, even though he seemed to make some stupid decisions at times, specifically with the writer.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Frost has to make a very tough choice. Keep what he has learned to himself and keep everyone safe or do the right thing and end a friends career and set a killer free.

This was a great story from Mr. Freeman that takes us on a journey that is filled with twists and turns. While I was not completely surprised by the ending and result the ride to the end was enjoyable.

I am looking forward to the next installment in Frost’s story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer
in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Night Birds was the first book in this series, and if you haven’t read it, this would be a good book to start with from the author. If you don’t want to start a new series and just read a book, this one does make a good standalone one to read.

Frost Easton is back, after the death of his sister, by a serial killer, works in homicide for the San Francisco Police Department. The killer was caught and imprisoned, but now may go free, because a fellow police officer, and his closest friend planted false evidence to put Rudy Cutter behind bars.

Rudy has sworn revenge on those who has wrong him including a woman who wrote a book about him, and seems to know more about him than anyone else. Easton wants nothing than to keep him behind bars. All the while Frost is battling his own demons. He has a cat named Shack, and he’s pretty important to Frost, and he’s got on huge personality! He doesn’t talk, he doesn’t go and solve the murders for Frost, and he’s just your typical, every day, cat.

The book well keeps you turning the pages long into the night. I loved the plot and the characters, the action, the adventure, the suspense; the pace of the book was really good. I’m looking forward to a third book and hopefully many more from this series.

This is a well written psychological thriller with a gruesome killer. My rating 4.5.

Frost Easton lost his younger sister to a serial killer four years ago. Frost became a homicide inspector to fight foes like killer Rudy Cutter. But someone sneaks into Frost’s home to make him follow evidence that his best friend on the force, Jen, planted the piece of evidence that sent Cutter to jail. Frost struggles with the evidence: should he bury it or turn it in to his chief? When the truth is revealed Cutter is back on the streets and Jen is off the force.

Although the police try to follow Cutter he slips away and soon death stalks Frost and his friends. Frost gets help from author Eden Shay who suffered her own trauma as a young woman and is writing a true crime story about Cutter and his victims. Cutter seems to be one step ahead as Frost tries to find enough untainted evidence to put Cutter back behind bars.

The tension in this story is well developed from beginning to end. Cutter is a creepy, conniving, cruel killer. Frost is a real, conflicted hero and I liked his honest character as he tries to listen to the quiet voice inside. The writing is direct and moves along well. I enjoyed the twists in each chapter that keep it interesting all the way to the big twist at the end. I didn’t read the first book and this one read fine as a standalone. I may want to pick that title up. I recommend this to readers who like a well-written psychological thriller.

This is a very engaging detective mystery. I received this through NetGalley.

This book was just as riveting as the first in the series. I can't get enough of Frost Easton. I can't wait for book number 3!

Frost gets new evidence in the case of the serial killer who killed his sister. This evidence seems to indicate that there's been police corruption in leading to the apprehension of the killer. Now the killer could be released from prison. Frost has to find more (legal) evidence for the case and starts working with a true-crime author who invested years in research.

I like Frost's character. He's a good thinker. We get more of his family dynamic in this book and that's interesting. He seems real compared with other characters in mystery books. There're some relationship issues that I'm curious to read about in the next book.

I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense in this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Review: THE VOICE INSIDE by Brian Freeman (Frost Easton #2)

A nonstop race, vividly in-your-face, police procedural plus mystery, THE VOICE INSIDE is also a meditation on ethics, morality, and integrity, and an excavation of the deepest of human emotions. The title reflects a Shel Silverstein title, but it also spotlights the obligation of each thinking human to recognize and adhere to her or his own ethics. This is the second in the series starring San Francisco native and homicide detective Frost Easton, but it can be read as is also.

San Francisco homicide inspector Frost Easton uncovers a terrible lie about serial murder Rudy Cutter. Lead detective Jess Salceda had planted false evidence in Cutter's apartment to get him convicted and sent to prison. Easton is personally conflicted since his younger sister Katie had been one of Cutter's victims but he cannot hide this new evidence. The judge throws out the prosecution's evidence and Cutter is set free. The families of the victims are outraged. Desperate to get Cutter arrested again, Easton agrees to an alliance with author Eden Shay who used her own harrowing kidnapping experience to write a manuscript about Cutter's crimes. Easton has to figure out what is the link between the 6 murder victims and to stop Cutter from killing again.

This was a thrilling and quick read.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

When Frost Easton is forced to turn over evidence that his partner falsified evidence of a serial killer, the man is released from prison. Frost, whose own sister was a victim of this monster, must begin at the beginning of the killer's spree and find the evidence to put him back in prison. However, homicides are happening again and to the people involved in the investigation.

This is a brilliantly told story and a testament to the writer's desire to give the best he's got by killing off a character so close to his lead. This is a taut, tense and faced paces book and I highly recommend it. Bravo!

We were first introduced to Frost Easton and his world in The Night Bird. Now he's back, his sister Katie's killer is out on the streets, and Frost has to figure out how to take him down and put him away without losing anything in the process.

I've always been a big fan of Brian Freeman, especially his Jonathan Stride series. This newest entry did not disappoint. Serial killer Rudy Cutter was sent away for life 4 years ago, convicted of Katie's death, as well as several others. But then it comes to light that false evidence was planted by Frost's best friend, forcing the police to release him. Now he's back on the streets and out to finish what he started. Frost teams up with writer and survivor, Eden Shay (friend or foe?), to dig up new evidence to put Cutter back behind bars. I really liked this follow up to The Night Bird. I'm growing to know and love the characters (except for Frost's mother who is oddly angry that he's single...), especially Shack. The story is also well-told, alternating between the perspectives of Frost and Cutter. I hope that Brian Freeman continues to share the world of Frost Easton with us in future books.

5 Stars

Review on Amazon and Goodreads

Another 5 star read by one of my favorite living American authors and my number one recommended author globally.

This series is one of the biggest reasons on why I love Amazon Publishing so much. Frost Easton has all the quality and content of Jonathan Stride without the Big 5 Publishing House prices attached. Once my crazy life allowed me to sit down and read, this book sucked me in and flew by until the final page. Brian Freeman has an uncanny knack to never let characters get stale and Frost Easton is definitely following the same path. Now, the withdrawal of knowing I have to wait a couple of months for the next Stride novel to hit.

When I look at the reason I started IndiePicks magazine, it was specifically for this type of situation.

I admit it, I am a big Brian Freeman fan. I was introduced to him via his Jonathan Stride Duluth, MN police procedurals. And I continue to be a supporter, with the second entry into the San Francisco based Frost Easton series.
A serial killer has been released from prison due to an obsessed detective who wants nothing more than to see that justice
I admit it, I am a big Brian Freeman fan. I was introduced to him via his Jonathan Stride Duluth, MN police procedurals. And I continue to be a supporter, with the second entry into the San Francisco based Frost Easton series.
A serial killer has been released from prison due to an obsessed detective who wants nothing more than to see that justice is done. However, planting evidence is not advised, and the killer is free to kill again. Only this time, who is on his radar? Is it a prior woman who he missed last time out, is it Detective Easton, or is it the author of a book about the killer who is assisting the police? Also, consider that this case is personal for Detective Easton, in a way that most of us will never experience.
is done. However, planting evidence is not advised, and the killer is free to kill again. Only this time, who is on his radar? Is it a prior woman who he missed last time out, is it Detective Easton, or is it the author of a book about the killer who is assisting the police? Also, consider that this case is personal for Detective Easton, in a way that most of us will never experience.

What a brilliant read! My only regret is not reading the first book in the series before engaging with this one. No matter, I will definitely back track a little. This was a brilliant story about a murdered set free on a technicality! I don't like giving things away in a review so make sure you read the book!

Another corker from Brian Freeman.
I love the character of Frost Easton as he's a bit of a lone wolf and not bogged down by the constraints of a police department, with a Chief on his back all the time as in other novels. Yes, its somewhat unbelievable that this would be the case, but hey, its a fictional novel and I want a bit escapism.
The storyline is interesting and different as a killer gets released due to police planting of evidence and Frost has the task of 'catching' him all over again and bringing new evidence to light to convict him.
There's obviously twists and turns along the way and the involvement of Frost's own sisters murder too.
I love Freemans writing style as you feel you're right there in San Francisco too as the author clearly knows the city inside out and incorporates the scenery and sounds completely.
I would definitely recommend this book and the one before it too!

The Voice Inside is the second in series that centers around Frost Easton, though I didn’t find it any less as a standalone. The story does use the previous book’s plot as a pusher but that doesn’t stop it from exploring it’s own story. Years ago, Frost’s sister, Katie, had been killed by a serial killer who was later imprisoned for his crimes. But he’s stepping out of prison now and seeking revenge.

The book fairs well in terms of twists as they are perfectly paced and erupt at all the right places. A few do make the characters take a steep turn and excites me as a reader, but the ending one didn’t impress me much for the over-the-top revelation that it tried to build up. Of course, I’m trying to avoid spoilers here which is why I’m being so vague, apologies! Basically, it’s a chase between Cutter, the culprit, and Frost, the homicide inspector and all this while, there’s one question hanging in the air--why was Katie murdered when she didn’t even fit the pattern of this serial killing?

In terms of thrilling, this was on-point! I can’t emphasise enough on how stirring the events are especially with the fast-paced narration it’s associated with. Right from the opening scene, there’s hard pounding on the door, a news that slips off the ground from under Frost’s feet, and alarms going off around his house with 3:42 a.m. scheduled on them all. Throughout this chase, there’s a rush that makes it a quick but thrilling ride. The only thing that kinda let me down was the character development--there was enough but nothing to make me remember them forever. This might be correlated to my lack of previous installment’s knowledge so that’s something I won’t go in-depth but for me, it might be the reason for deducting one star.

I would recommend this to all those who are looking for a thrilling, action-packed crime fiction that doesn’t let your adrenaline rush go down even a notch.

Good book. this is the second book about Frost by Brian Freeman. I have read all his books

That said this one had that same noir feel of his other books. This one I really enjoyed. Frost is heartbroken that the killer of his sister is getting out of prison.

He goes after the killer to get him back in prison. the twists and turns are phenomenal.
this was good read. thank you net galley for allowing me to read it.

I must say all of Freeman's are good

It isn’t often that the sophomore book in a series keeps me as captivated as the first book. I always feel like it is hard for an author to keep their momentum, build up a character and provide enough backstory to push the story forward into a third book. Generally, I dread moving on to book two because I know that I often am left disappointed. The Voice Inside, by Brian Freeman, is the second book in Frost Easton series (the first being The Night Bird– you can check out my review HERE). I was worried going into this novel since I LOVED The Night Bird and didn’t know if Brian Freeman could keep me as captivated throughout this novel.

Not only could he keep me captivated but I actually thought The Voice Inside was more amazing than the first book. Freeman truly outdid himself with Book 2 in this series.

Once again, we meet Frost Easton who finds himself facing a moral dilemma after he uncovers that one of his colleagues planted evidence to convict the serial killer responsible for the death of his sister. Forced to reveal the truth, his sister’s killer is once again on the street and Frost must make sure he ends up back behind bars.

I really love Frost Easton and I found that I was able to get to know him even better in this novel. Characterization is truly Freeman’s strong suit and Easton becomes a truly memorable character. I love his moral compass and his damaged nature. It truly makes for a complex and interesting protagonist.

The story itself was also incredibly intriguing. Filled with twists and turns, I was on the edge of my seat as Freeman weaved this tale. This one had me up late into the night trying to figure out where everything would go and how all the pieces to the puzzle would fit together. I am pleased to report that end shocked me; it came completely out of left field. I love when a book does that.

The novel ended in a way that left me feeling satisfied but also left it open for Freeman to continue. I really hope he does. I would love some more of this series.

Overall, if you like police procedural novels, the Frost Easton series is absolutely one that should be added to your TBR pile. You will not regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Standing on the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco detective Frost Easton can’t believe that the key piece of evidence convicting serial killer Rudy Cutter was planted by his old partner. It would be so easy to just drop the watch—no one would know. After all, Cutter killed Frost’s sister Katie. But Frost can’t do it and Cutter is released from prison. Cutter is taunting them and Frost wants to rebuild the case before anyone else is killed. What ties the murders together? Katie’s doesn’t fit the pattern of the others. Is Frost too close? Or can he still rely on the voice inside?

First, I really love Freeman’s Jonathan Stride books so I was eager to read the Frost Easton series. Sometimes the second book in a series can be a let down, but that’s not the case here. Strong plotting keeps you guessing and you won’t see the final twist coming. I also love his ferocious little tuxedo cat Shack.

Frost Easton is known as a do it by the book cop. When he finds out that evidence was planted, he takes it public. A Serial Killer is released from prison. Not just any serial killer, one that killed Frost's sister.

Everyone knows Ryan Cutter is guilty, they just didn't have the evidence. So when a planted watch is found, he is finally convicted. When he is released, will he continue his killing spree? Frost knows that somewhere there is the evidence, the motive that will convict him for good this time. Can he find it in time?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Easy to follow even if you haven't read the first one. (Which I intend to go back and read). Well-drawn characters and interesting plot.