EEK! Love this one! I had been reading romance after romance and this book was a much-needed break from that genre.

Right from the first chapter The Night Bird caught my interest. I really loved the character Frost Easton. This book was fast-moving and keeps you guessing. I also enjoy trying to figure out the ending and I was very wrong. I highly recommend this book if you are a mystery reader and are looking for a plot that isn’t too easy to figure out.

Thank you, NetGalley for the privilege of an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

Freeman's latest psychological thriller is sure to seize readers and not let go. Exploring the world of psycho-therapy and ethics, of memory and humanity, Freeman poses questions of how far is too far in overcoming fears and analyzing minds, and what happens when a therapist is wrong. The Night Bird is full of suspense and intrigue, and just when readers think they have it figured out, Freeman throws in a twist to turn everything upside down. Gripping, intense, and thoughtful, The Night Bird is a must read.

I liked the concept of this book. It was intriguing that seemingly random individuals had such drastic psychotic breaks and the story behind why all was happening. The characters seemed a little lacking in development. The police procedural aspects that were missing throughout the book really seemed weird and disjointed.

Sorry, I tried to finish this but I lack the willpower to do so because of the characterization.

I liked the book but did not feel it represented all the hype it received, it was still a god read, but not as fast paced as i like. thank you

While I enjoyed the book I felt something was missing. There wasn't much chemistry between characters and I would have liked a bit of back story on Frost. This story had loads of potential and I couldn't figure out who The Nightbird was, my guess was the restaurant guy.

This is a well done page turner with a good new hero in Frost. Some of this is fairly stock, although Freeman has wisely blunted the language ad violence that often propels the genre. Equally importantly, while Frost has his issues, he's not totally tortured nor is he a lone wolf. I liked Frankie, who is quite complex. The mystery is twisty enough with a wowsa sort of finish. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Thumbs up.

Being a fan of the STRIDE books, my expectations for anything by Brian Freeman are. pretty high. I REALLY like this book! For some reason it reminded me of a great Brian De Palma movie. This is a good thing in my opinion by the way! Great atmosphere and full of suspense. I would highly recommend THE NIGHT BIRD to those who love a good suspense thriller.

I will be publishing the below review onto my Amazon UK account, under Mrs R Carter, and onto my Goodreads account.

I could use every superlative and adjective under the sun to describe The Night Bird, but they wouldn't be enough. It really is everything a great psychological thriller/ crime novel should be. I was completely engrossed by the suspense filled storyline, it had me second guessing each character. Who is The Night Bird swooping down on the inhabitants of San Francisco?

The book begins with the death of a young woman who throws herself off the Golden Gate Bridge, seemingly for no valid reason. Detective Frost Easton is the first officer on the scene, then when a second woman also dies in mysterious circumstances, a link is made between them and Francesca Stein. Dr Stein (I love her name!) is a psychiatrist who specialises in memory reconsilidation - wiping people's worst memories or fears.

Fingers point to Darren Newman, a charming sociopath who is known to have abused and assaulted women in the city, and has already escaped jail time for rape. With time running out, and the mysterious Night Bird always a few steps ahead, can Easton and Stein work out who the terrifying killer is?

This is my first read of a Brian Freeman novel, and it certainly won't be my last. He really is a master storyteller and knows how to develop interesting characters amid a menacing and tense atmosphere (although to lighten the mood slightly, there's also a cute cat called Shack). I think I suspected most people at some stage of being the mask wearing perpetrator, with all of the shocking twists and turns. It really has to be read in huge chunks, so set aside a weekend and be absorbed in this fantastic psychological thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Truth be told I'm a bit of Freeman fan, especially of the Stride novels, so I was really quite excited to read The Night Bird which appears to be the first in a new series. And we ALL know how much I love a new series to love, so the outlook was good with little chance of rain.

Well except within the setting, where rain occurred.

Anyway I digress - The Night Bird is a truly excellent crime novel with an intricately woven plot and an eerie sense to it that doesn't bode well if you don't like to sleep with the lights on. Brian Freeman mixes a good old fashioned and terribly well done crime story into a huge dose of psychologically thrilling themes, adds some truly creepy set pieces and a whole plethora of intriguing characters then shakes them all up into The Night Bird.

Frost Easton is an immediately engaging main protagonist, having suffered a huge loss he now is a dedicated investigator - thrown in together somewhat with Francesca Stein, a psychiatrist whose patients seem to be suffering horrific psychotic breaks due to her innovative but controversial treatment - together and separately they try to work out what is going on.

That forms the basis, but then things get more complicated, definitely more frightening and its one of those books you just want to read cover to cover without drawing breath. Some of the scenes in The Night Bird will have you randomly glancing over your shoulder, the whole thing is beautifully constructed and highly compelling throughout.

Some of the themes explored are really gripping - memory, murder, familial relationship, just the tip of the iceberg. The story fairly rocks along, throwing in some lovely twists and keeping the reader off kilter until all is finally revealed. Great writing, great storytelling, just plain great.

Highly Recommended.

**Review also available on Amazon (UK and US) and Goodreads.

There is a psychologist who specializes in helping people get over their phobias by wiping those memories and replacing them with new memories where they are no longer afraid. The police discover that some of those patients are having mental breaks and killing themselves. The clock is ticking to find out what is happening, who is behind it all, and why. I am a huge fan of Brian Freeman and have read all of his books. That being said, I have to say he has outdone himself with this one. I personally feel that it is his best one yet.

Frost Easton is a homicide detective that I've grown to like already. Random women are suffering psychotic breaks and the one thing they have in common is being treated by Dr. Francesca Stein. I felt the connection with Frost very early on while I wanted more background from the Frankie/Jason/Pam part of the book. I felt there could be an entire book based on Frankie, her family, husband and job.
Other than a brief lull in action from the middle of the investigation that I found to be a bit repetitive this was a consistently intriguing read. It had me thinking about my memories and psycho analysing myself lol.
I already have another Brian Freeman book in mind to read next while I'm waiting for the 2nd Frost Easton book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, the author and publisher for an honest review.

What's the worst memory you have? An accident ... a trauma of one kind or another.. the loss of a loved one .... have a phobia of some sort?

And what if that memory kept you from living a normal life? Terrified you to the point you can't live your life normally? paralyzed when faced with something that reminds you of a bad memory?

Would you be willing to let someone play in your head to manipulate those memories? Make it go away? That is what Dr. Frankie Stein does. A psychiatrist, Dr. Stein works with changing bad memories into memories that aren't so bad.

Frost Easton is a Homicide Detective investigating the strange deaths of several women. They all seem to suffer psychotic breaks of one kind or another and wind up killing themselves. They have all been patients of Dr. Stein.

His investigation leads him to someone called the Night Bird. As the body count increases, the Night Bird gets braver ... taunting both the detective and the doctor. The clock is winding down and someone else is now in his sights.

This mystery, psychological thriller keeps the reader glued to the pages until the explosive ending. The characters are well defined. I really liked Frost ... keeping fingers crossed that he becomes a series.

Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A new series by Brian Freeman, and it is off to a great start. Det. Frost Easton of San Francisco trying to gather information on the deaths of several women. What is happening to them? Is someone responsible? A good mystery in an good city, but does it ever stop raining. I eagerly await the next in the series. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy.