We had to be getting closer to the truth, and yet I felt as if we were farther away than we’d ever been from finding the answers.
Brian Freeman
The Deep, Deep Snow
Format:
Audiobook
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Deputy Shelby Lake was abandoned as a baby, saved by a stranger who found her in the freezing cold. Now, years later, a young boy is missing—and Shelby is the one who must rescue a child.
The only evidence of what happened to ten-year-old Jeremiah Sloan is a bicycle left behind on a lonely road. After a desperate search fails to locate him, the close bonds of Shelby’s home town begin to fray under the weight of accusations and suspicion. Everyone around her is keeping secrets. Her adoptive father, her best friend, her best friend’s young daughter—they all have something to hide. Even Shelby is concealing a mistake that could jeopardize her career and her future.
Unearthing the lies of the people in Jeremiah’s life doesn’t get the police and the FBI any closer to finding him. As time passes and the case grows cold, Shelby worries that the mystery will stay buried forever under the deep, deep snow.
But even the deepest snow melts in the spring.
When a tantalizing clue finally comes to light, Shelby must confront the darkest lie of all. Exposing the truth about Jeremiah will leave no one’s life untouched—including her own.
Point of view:
1st person. Entirely from Shelby’s perspective.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
What a great listen. So many layers, twists & turns. I loved how interesting and entertaining the world building was – the townspeople, the history, interpersonal relationships. Shelby, as the central character, is a flawed and complex person. Small town life is impervious to “that would never happen in real life” which allows Freeman a great deal of latitude in the investigative process as well as the experiences of his characters. (Having grown up in a small town, I can assure you they are actually very realistic.) This is in some ways a drama as much as a police case.
The problem with reviews for mystery/thrillers is that I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but still want to convey what an enjoyable listen this was. I can say that I was enthralled from beginning to end.
Narration:
This was my first time listening to January LaVoy and she has rocketed up my list of narrators to listen to more of. Voices, personalities, and all the emotions. I was so easy to get completely absorbed into the story. Perfection.
Content Warnings (possible spoilers):
death of a child, dementia of main character, orphan, alcoholism, infidelity
About the author:
Brian Freeman writes psychological thrillers that have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. His novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards, and his novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award. His novel THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original.
He is particularly known for the “you are there” sense of place in his novels, from dead-of-winter Minnesota to the tropical storms of Florida. He scouts real-life locales for all of his books and brings to life dramatic settings such as Duluth, San Francisco, Tampa, Las Vegas, and Door County, Wisconsin. “Nobody writes weather like Brian Freeman,” says one reviewer.
Brian has lived in Minnesota for more than 35 years with his wife, Marcia, who is his partner in life and in the book business. They both stay closely connected to Brian’s readers.
You can connect with Brian Freeman here:
About the narrator:
An Audiofile Magazine “Golden Voice” since May 2019, January has an extensive body of work in both narration and commercial voiceover. With hundreds of audiobook titles to her credit, she has received more than thirty Earphones Awards, eighteen Audie Award nominations (including seven wins), and was named Publishers Weekly’s “Audiobook Narrator of the Year” for 2013. Her voice has been heard in national campaigns for dozens of products, and she shares a 2020 Grammy nomination with Meryl Streep and the cast of the Charlotte’s Web audiobook, in which she plays the title role of Charlotte.
You can connect with January LaVoy here:
My Favorite Quotes
That was how we all thought it would go. The boy would be back in his mother’s arms by nightfall. But we were all wrong. – The Deep, Deep Snow by @bfreemanbooks #Audiobook narrated by @justjanuary #Mystery #Thriller #Drama #Suspense
Tweet
That was a lie. I knew it was a lie. But I didn’t say a word. – The Deep, Deep Snow by @bfreemanbooks #Audiobook narrated by @justjanuary #Mystery #Thriller #Drama #Suspense
Tweet
People lie. They lie about everything. They lie to protect themselves. They lie even when their child’s life hangs in the balance. – The Deep, Deep Snow by @bfreemanbooks #Audiobook narrated by @justjanuary #Mystery #Thriller #Drama #Suspense
Tweet
We had to be getting closer to the truth, and yet I felt as if we were farther away than we’d ever been from finding the answers. – The Deep, Deep Snow by @bfreemanbooks #Audiobook narrated by @justjanuary #Mystery #Thriller #Drama #Suspense
Tweet
Rellim Reads 