What if you had to relive your most terrifying memory…over and over? A detective and a psychiatrist investigate in Thriller Award–winning author Brian Freeman’s gripping psychological novel.Homicide detective Frost Easton doesn’t like coincidences. When a series of bizarre deaths rock San Francisco—as seemingly random women suffer violent psychotic breaks—Frost looks for a connection that leads … connection that leads him to psychiatrist Francesca Stein. Frankie’s controversial therapy helps people erase their most terrifying memories…and all the victims were her patients.
As Frost and Frankie carry out their own investigations, the case becomes increasingly personal—and dangerous. Long-submerged secrets surface as someone called the Night Bird taunts the pair with cryptic messages pertaining to the deaths. Soon Frankie is forced to confront strange gaps in her own memory, and Frost faces a killer who knows the detective’s worst fears.
As the body count rises and the Night Bird circles ever closer, a dedicated cop and a brilliant doctor race to solve the puzzle before a cunning killer claims another victim.
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If you love a good psychological thriller, in which a killer can outsmart both the leading detective and the psychiatrist herself, “The Night Bird” is definitely for you. I was hooked from the very first chapter, in which the seemingly normal girl suddenly goes crazy and jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge, leaving her terrified roommate Lucy to witness the tragedy. Unfortunately, Brynn is not the first and not the last of the victims, and soon the demented serial killer’s cat-and-mouse game will claim more and more innocent victims, if only the renowned psychiatrist (who, by the way, treated all of these women) Francesca Stein and Frost Easton, the inspector in charge of the case, don’t stop the killer in time.
I must confess, I was thinking that a killer would be someone completely different (no, not the one whom Dr. Stein suspected), so the ending really surprised me by revealing such an unexpected motive from someone I hardly suspected in being capable of something sinister. The plot itself was very suspenseful from the very first pages and the pace never slacked, keeping me on the edge of my seat all the way till the end. San Francisco deserves a special mention as it’s basically one of the characters of the story, the vivid descriptions of which definitely made my reading experience even more pleasurable.
And finally, the main message of the story: is it better to live with one’s traumatic memory and slowly work your way through it or just take an easy way out and to erase it all altogether out of your mind with the help of a psychiatrist? And whether it’s an ethical thing to do for the said psychiatrist, to mess with human minds and emotions in such a manner? This book is not only an entertaining read but it definitely makes you think and question certain things about yourself and your past. The author just got himself a new fan. I’m already looking forward to reading more of his works in the future.
I was able to read before the publication date as an Amazon Prime member. Run no wait speed to the store to pick up this suspenseful book. The story takes place in San Francisco which drew me to this book. The main character who one will fall in love with is SFPD Inspector Frost Easton. He handles the multiple cases with charm along with his cat companion. The story centers on a psychiatrist who helps her patients by removing disturbing memories from their brain. One by one her patients are killing themselves but is it related to her and the memory erasure or something else. Many twists and turns to keep you guessing. Just when you think you nailed it you have not. *Side note -The cat “Shack” is just a ride along and does not take part in any way of solving the case but he sure is cute.
Intriguing premise and good read. I greatly enjoyed it.
My first time reading a Brian Freeman book. I was impressed (which is not easy due to reading so much). It kept me on my toes and I did not guess who the actual villain was until it was on the page in front of me. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the 2nd in this series and to reading more of Brian Freeman’s work. Nicely done!
The Night Bird is an intriguing psychological “who done it” type of thriller. I found this one especially creepy. I’m not exactly sure why, because this one didn’t have as much suspense as some other ones I’ve read. Maybe it was the whole concept of messing with people’s memories and biggest fears. Maybe it was the masked Night Bird with an extra creepy voice. The audio book narrator did a wonderfully terrible job with the creepy voice! I enjoyed this slowly unraveling mystery, but it did get a little too slow at times. Freeman did an great job weaving this eerily realistic tale.
Got this one free through Prime’s First Reads and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m so glad I chose this – I devoured the book in 2 days. This was an intense, fast-pace read. Love Frost!
I really enjoyed the original premise of this novel: A shrink is able to “reprogram” patients’ traumatic memories that generally leave them with debilitating phobias. The idea is scary and well written in this novel that opens with one of the shrink’s patients jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. More deaths follow, all seemingly related. Who is the Night Bird? What’s his connection to the creepy power he exerts on other targets? Unfortunately, with only an infinite number of characters, it’s fairly easy to ignore the most likely suspect. The originality of the premise let me overlook the predictable relationship that develops in the story–and the rationale for that complication. But … Add the great atmospherics of San Francisco, the nice “good guy”, and the fast pace and I vote for more books by Brian Freeman.
I have read and loved all the other series by Brian Freeman so decided to read the Frost Easton series. I was not disappointed! Just when you think everything is wrapped up there is the twist I’ve come to expect. Freeman keeps you engaged from page 1. 5 stars is not enough to rate his books. A must read for mystery and psychological thriller fans.
Entertaining with good characters, just a wee bit predictable.
Book source ~ Kindle First
San Francisco Homicide Inspector, Frost Easton, is getting some really weird murders happening lately and he has yet to figure out their connection. By digging deeper into the murdered women’s backgrounds he finally happens across a link between his victims, a link that leads him to psychiatrist Francesca Stein who provides a controversial therapy to help people with their fears and terrifying memories. When the Night Bird contacts them both to taunt them about the deaths and more to come, Easton and Stein rush to discover who the killer is before anyone else dies.
I love a good serial killer story and while this one kept me guessing until the end I found I had some issues with it. The characters are a little stiff and hard to get to know. All of the secondary characters are cardboard cut outs put in to prop up the story. They have zero depth. The murders are a little too conveniently done, but since I enjoy a good puzzle I pretty much let that slide. Frost continually harps on his sister’s death. I know it was traumatic, but it was like beating a horse after it’s dead. I got it the first and even the second time he mentions it. Every time after that? Repetition is not a friend. While I like Frost just fine, I did not like Francesca. Running off to do her own investigation of a serial killer? What a dipshit. And putting up with her sister? Pu-lease. I’d have told that skank to fuck off a long time ago, sister or not. Anyway, not a fan of Francesca. My favorite character, as it should always be, is the cat named Shack. Best part about this book, really. Still, despite all of this crap, I did still enjoy it. I’m not sure what that says about me, but I don’t give a shit.
Very intense mystery. Keeps you reading.
Interesting serial killer mystery novel dealing with the thorny issue of replaced memory.
Enjoyed the book very much and would like to read other books by this author
Loved this book! I would recommend to my friends!
Unusually good story, hard to put down. Now I want to read the next Frost Easton book 2.
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.
This mystery, psychological thriller. There were plots and twists that are completely unique. My overall impression of the book was that it was good. This is a first time author for me. I won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Grabbed me on page one, which is unusual for me. Excellent use of location.
The mind can be a scary place. And memories can be scary and confusing…..like two eye witnesses telling two different statements. Is one lying?? Or can two people have different memories of one event?
First of all, I adore Frost and his cat Shack. The author does an exceptional job portraying the victims, the police, the families……and the feel of living in San Francisco..the energy, food, music and you can feel the fog….moist, thick and scary.
This is so well plotted out and you care deeply for Frost and Lucy and even Frankie as the story unfolds with moral questions about memories….is it better to forget bad ones or learn to deal even as they change the person you are.
Twists and turns but the truth is there right in plain sight! Not red herrings, but the truth……but you don’t see it or remember it. Memories, we can make them, we can change them, we can try and forget them.
Such depth in the characters, Darren, Todd, Herb, Pam and Jason…..each one becomes a real person. You hope for love, friendship not death and fear.
Frankie tries to remove/change memories, but her patients are killing themselves instead of improving. WHY?? Heck of a read !!! I miss Frost and his cat already.
I couldn’t put it down!
I have thought about this book and talked about it with friends months later. It has stuck with me. I truly enjoyed it! Will definitely add this author to my favorites.