Photograph by Brian Freeman is a gripping psychological crime thriller that pulled me into the story from the very first page. With its unique plot, emotionally charged characters, and the right amount of suspense, Photograph kept me turning the pages.

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.

I was immediately drawn into the mystery of who murdered Shannon Wells' newest client's mother, armed with nothing more than a single photograph published in a book a few years back. The tale was emotional and even painful at times (not the writing but what was going on in the story), keeping me guessing until the last page. However, some of the plot threads wrap up a little too neatly.

The story centers on Shannon Wells, a private investigator, who dives headfirst into solving the mystery at hand. I found that Shannon's character was well fleshed out driven by personal sense of justice. However, some of the secondary characters lack the same depth and could have used more development to support our main character and to further the story a bit.

Photograph is clearly written with crime fiction and mystery thriller fans in mind as it hits many of the familiar tropes that appeal to that audience. It's not a bad thing, I mean the author is trying to fit into a genre. While I enjoyed parts of this story, the overall book didn't full click for me. I'd be open to reading another Brian Freeman novel in the future, but I don't see myself purposefully seeking out more of his work, not because of any flaw in his writing, more of just my taste in books.

Everything began and ended with the photograph.

Shannon Wells is a private investigator with a traumatic past. When a woman , Faith Shelby, shows up with a strange request to dig into her past and see what she can find, Shannon is intrigued. She fails to find out any information and months later, Faiths daughter shows up asking for help.

I absolutely loved this book. Some of the internal dialogue was questionable in my opinion but I really appreciated the strong female lead and her determination to help a grieving daughter.

Shannon Wells is a private investigator who helps women. Mainly because of a horrific attack and rape where the perpetrator was let go and went on to rape and murder someone else. Shannon suffers from horrible nightmares which she thinks are PTSD but a therapist seems to think the nightmares mean something totally different. A cold case murder, two recent murders (one of whom was a client of Shannon’s) and a mysterious photograph are just the beginning of this intriguing psychological thriller which delves into the psyche, family drama, and what lengths a woman will go to stay safe. Another great read from Brian Freeman.

An excellent psychological thriller. Strong female lead, dealing with the aftermath of a rape and brutal assault. Now as a PI, she takes on a complicated case with many layers from the past, and possible past life as well as current. The author skillfully depicts her, spiritual questions, family relationships and cats. It was an absorbing read, easy to read and get involved with and doesn't rely on easy answers. Loved it.

Shannon Wells is a Private Investigator who helps women with no where else to turn. A woman, Faith Selby, shows up one day asking Shannon to find out who she really is. Some time later, Kate, Faith's daughter comes to Shannon for information about her mother who was recently murdered. Shannon goes on a journey to find the truth. Her only clue is a photograph of a little girl outside a motel room in the rain. This book hooked me from the first page! A gripping, twisty and intense rollercoaster from start to finish. Just when you think you figure it out, nope another twist! Absolutely amazing!

Not only is this book gripping from the beginning, it keeps its grasp until end. This took me on a psychological journey and made me question what I believed in. You know it’s a good book when it mixes into your reality. Amazing character development - I felt myself bonding with the characters. All around great twisty story that had me changing my theory every with every chapter!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Brian Freeman’s Photograph is a taut, emotionally charged cold case mystery that peels back the layers of identity, memory, and the long shadows cast by buried truths. With his signature psychological precision, Freeman introduces us to Shannon Wells, a private investigator who specializes in helping women with nowhere else to turn. When a woman named Faith Selby asks Shannon to uncover her true identity, the request seems strange—but not unprecedented. What follows, however, is anything but ordinary.

Faith is soon found dead, and the only clue left behind is a haunting photograph: a little girl standing in the rain outside a Midwestern motel. That image becomes the novel’s emotional and narrative anchor, pulling Shannon into a decades-old mystery that stretches from the sun-soaked beaches of Florida to the fog-draped corners of rural Michigan.

Freeman’s storytelling is both intimate and expansive. He doesn’t just chase plot twists—though there are plenty—but instead builds a slow-burning tension rooted in character and place. Shannon is a compelling protagonist: tough, intuitive, and quietly haunted by her own past. As she unravels Faith’s secrets, she’s forced to confront the ghosts she’s long kept at bay.

What makes Photograph stand out is its emotional resonance. This is a story about the fragile scaffolding of identity, the lies we tell to survive, and the cost of truth. Freeman’s prose is crisp yet evocative, and the pacing is expertly controlled, delivering revelations with the precision of a shutter click.

For fans of Lisa Jewell and Mary Kubica, Photograph offers a deeply satisfying blend of suspense and soul. It’s a story that lingers—like an old photo you can’t quite bring yourself to throw away.

"Photograph" is an engaging thriller that captivates readers from the start. The story follows private investigator Shannon Wells, who has been contracted by a young woman seeking to uncover the truth about her mother, recently the victim of a brutal murder. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the mother led a secret life, hidden from her daughter. I found Shannon's character particularly compelling; she embodies toughness and determination. The narrative is fast-paced, featuring several surprising twists that keep the reader on their toes. I would rate this novel a strong 4 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling murder mystery by Brian Freeman. Private investigator Shannon Wells is hired by a woman who wants to make sure her past is hidden. Soon after that woman is murdered and her daughter comes to Shannon asking questions. Shannon comes to find out that a photograph the murdered woman took long ago is the key to unraveling the mystery of the woman’s murder and another murder that happed year ago across the county. This book is smartly written and fast paced. I look forward to reading more of Brian Freeman’s books.!

Having read most, if not all, of Brian Freeman’s books, I can wholeheartedly say that this is one of his best works. The reader is immediately immersed in the search to find out who murdered the investigator’s new client’s mother (who was also a former client). With the only clue (a photograph included in a book of photographs published 25 years ago), the reader is led on an unusual journey from Florida to Michigan replete with a few murders. There is also a significant subplot concerning family relationships which plays a vivid part of the story. However, I felt that the nightmares and the Mara character did not add much to the story and considered them superfluous to the main plot.
I thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Photograph. I loved this novel. I have read other books by Freeman but my favorites are the standalones.
This is a solid who done it, mystery with a suspenseful plot.
A young woman, Shannon, has had a rough life and is a victim of a terrible assault. She lives in Florida and is a PI. She works out of a local bar and starts her day with a pina colada.
She helps women only and those who are in trouble. She’s a loner who has had loss and tragedy but manages to keep her head on straight.
Everything changes when a young woman comes to her to find out why her mother employed her. Although hesitant Shannon explains to the woman what her mother asked her to do for her. She is struck when she is told her client is now dead. Not just dead murdered.
So begins Shannons quest to find out what happened to the murdered woman and in doing so she has opened up an unsolved case.
This is truly a nail bitter and painfully sad.
It is an emotional and painful story that had me guessing till the end.
5 big stars!

Brian Freeman’s Photograph is a compelling blend of suspense, emotional resonance, and psychological intrigue. Centered around private investigator Shannon Wells, the story kicks off with a haunting request from a woman named Faith Selby: “Find out who I really am.” When Faith turns up dead, the only clue left behind is a mysterious photograph of a little girl in the rain—an image that launches Shannon into a chilling investigation that spans from Florida’s sun-drenched beaches to a shadowy town in Michigan.

Freeman masterfully peels back layers of secrets, crafting a cold case that feels both intimate and far-reaching. The pacing is brisk, and the twists are genuinely surprising, keeping readers on edge. Shannon is a strong, empathetic lead whose personal demons add depth to the narrative without overwhelming the plot.

The only reason this isn’t a five-star read is that a few secondary characters could have used more development, and some plot threads wrap up a bit too neatly. Still, the emotional stakes and the central mystery are more than enough to satisfy fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven crime fiction.

Photograph is a standout for readers who enjoy stories with heart, grit, and a haunting sense of mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Freeman, and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.
Holy crap. So good.

4.5 stars
Freeman is always an instant read for me. This did not let me down. Full of his trademark suspense and great character development. I loved every minute of this book!

Shannon Wells isn’t really sure where her life is going. She’s a PI trying to solve cases on at a time. A woman has come to see her and she fails to help her, but this just starts a case like she’ll never believe. Trying to find out the meaning of the photograph. A really great book. Highly recommend!

A new standalone from my favorite all-time author. What a great cover to complement the perfect title and intriguing plot. His books are timeless page turners for me. This book kept me guessing throughout and I was very happy with the ending. It’ll be interesting to see if this standalone continues into a sequel or blend with another one of this author’s series. Looking forward to find out who may narrate the audiobook to determine if I’ll do it again! Thank you to Netgalley, Edelweiss, and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Author Brian Freeman continues to amaze me with the novels he creates. Photograph included. PI Shannon Wells finds she is connected to a photograph that contains many secrets. Unraveling them is the tale of the novel, and it does keep your interest. Are we all so closely connected? Do we all have a "shadow" who wishes us harm? You will be surprised at the author's take on these questions.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I always really like Freeman's books and this one was no different. Easy reading with many twists and turns for a real thriller.

This is a fascinating novel about private investigator Shannon and her client whose mother was murdered. All the evidence can be found in an old photo that shows a young girl with a can of Coke in a rainy parking lot at midnight. Lots of clues that lead nowhere, an arson, an old book of photographs...and we're off! Great convoluted story that had me shivering as each clue builds on the last piece of evidence leaving you breathless at the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!