The hunt for a killer in San Francisco becomes a dizzying game of cat and mouse in a thrilling novel of psychological suspense.“Lombard is your Moriarty, Frost. Taking him down will be the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done.”San Francisco homicide detective Frost Easton hadn’t seen his estranged friend Denny in years. Not until he dies in Frost’s arms uttering a final inexplicable word: … final inexplicable word: Lombard. Denny appears to be the latest victim in a string of murders linked by a distinctive clue: the painting of a spiraled snake near the crime scenes. Is it the work of a serial killer? Or is Denny’s death more twisted and personal?
To find the answer, Frost reaches into a nest of vipers—San Francisco’s shady elite—where the whispered name of Lombard is just one secret. Now, drawn into a cat-and-mouse game with an enemy who knows his every move, Frost finds there is no one he can trust. And somewhere down the crooked streets of the city, Frost’s cunning adversary is coiled and ready to strike again.
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“The Crooked Street” is the third installment in Frost Easton series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’d say out of all three this one was the darkest and the most nail-biting one because this time Inspector Easton isn’t facing just one criminal but the entire net of assassins all working for one man, a mysterious Lombard, who is as dangerous an adversary as they come. What I appreciated the most about this particular installment was the sense of mistrust dominating almost every scene and which only seemed to grow as Frost made progress with his investigation. Lombard appeared to have eyes even in the police department itself; the unshakable Herb and his street network, which Frost could always rely on, is intimidated by that criminal mastermind. Will Inspector Easton follow the insistent advice to drop it or will he stick to his “Boy Scout honor” and proceed to play a dangerous game that may cost him his very life? Read and you’ll find out. Gritty and unputdownable. Highly recommended to all fans of the genre!
Far-reaching plot, with a lot of surprises along the way. Also had a great ending. Loved the cat!
The twists and turns in this book nearly left me with whiplash. The paintings of snakes found near a dozen bodies over time keeps the intrigue going–as does one murder after another. Freeman writes so well, weaving the SF setting into the action and creating a likable, cat-loving hero in Frost Easton. Two aspects of this book keep me from rating it with 5 stars. One, I do NOT believe real humans can withstand the kind of physical abuse portrayed in this novel–and in most others of this genre as well as TV shows in the same category. Second, the ending surprised me at one level and left me laughing on another. The author messed with my head. He’s done it in three other books I’ve read, but with more finesse. Overall, read it for a fast-paced, deftly plotted escape.
Remember the expression, “just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.” Words to live by in this book.
Loved, loved this book! Ten stars!!
First of all, the flavor of San Francisco, then there is boy scout cop Ford Easton and the cat living alone in a beautiful home. His brother Duane, a chef with a food truck, and deep love for his brother. They both live for their jobs and look out for each other. Tabby is Duane’s girlfriend from the second book.
You can read this as a stand alone, but really read the other books for a real feel of the brothers. Either way, an old friend, Denny, shows up at Easton’s home dying….says one word, Lombard. And the race begins as more people are found dead by suicide, drugs, or accidents but all with a painted snake on a wall in the area.
Easton sends out feelers for the word Lombard through his close friend Herb. Herb is an old time hippie but well known in the art world. Herb is a delight in each book.
Secrets keep you safe, talk and you’re dead. Denny tried via his cell phone to find certain people that had been on his boat and they are missing or dead. A private investigator helps Easton in his quest as does a cop…but who to trust becomes the pivotal question. Even the chief of police and his cop/driver are a bit iffy to Easton. One thing is clear, everyone is scared and the case goes way up the chain of command to maybe a mayor or higher.
Lots of evidence follows lots of deaths and to trust your life with Hayden, Cyrus, Fox or even a friend becomes just problematic.
The ending shocked me to the core! I never ever expected it, heck, I am still taking it all in.
I could not stop reading this as the atmosphere and action became more chilling. You feel the cold and the fear as Easton walks around at night and you suck in your breath as a car passes….you are there.
No graphic deaths or gore as this author takes you into a scary place and your imagination does the rest. Seriously, read this book and if you are not blown away at the end, you are a better person than I am
Mr. Freeman can write! His many twists and turns keep you guessing. The ending was quite the shocker. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
3.5
Brian Freeman brings his characters to life. Suspense and action packed. Hard to put down.
Once again just when you think you have all of the answers another twist comes to light. Brian Freeman was a solid character with Frost Eastman. If it was not for oblgations getting in the way I could have read this in one sitting. Now I have to wait for #4 in the series!