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Ted Tayler
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Strange Beginnings: A Cold Case Murder Mystery Series (The Freeman Files Book 13) Kindle Edition

by Ted Tayler (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 220 ratings

In the shadows of Wiltshire, a dark truth waits to be uncovered.

Marion Reeves seemed to lead an ordinary life until her brutal murder in 2011. Stabbed in her car on a busy industrial estate, her case baffled detectives and was left unsolved. Years later, Gus Freeman and his team are determined to find the truth.

As they follow the trail, they uncover startling revelations about Marion’s double life—a history of troubled relationships, a blackmail plot, and ties to a shadowy group known for its dangerous and scandalous exploits. Missing money and gaps in the evidence deepen the mystery, leading the team into a labyrinth of lies, betrayal, and unanswered questions.

Was Marion silenced to protect a dark secret, or was her death a tragic consequence of a dangerous liaison?

Strange Beginnings is a chilling cold-case mystery that explores hidden lives, dark secrets and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Praise for Strange Beginnings:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Wonderfully written.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This book was exceptional, with a great ending that I couldn’t see coming.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ You’ll never want to put it down.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Excellent.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What a story.

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  1. Book 13 of 24
    The Freeman Files
  2. Print length
    251 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    May 11, 2021
  5. File size
    3.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

The Freeman Files
Buried secrets, cold cases.
He's back to dig them up.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Clark is a professional actor and voice-over artist who lives in New York City with his beautiful family. American born, Roger moved to Ireland as a youth and graduated from the University of Glamorgan in Wales. He has performed in over forty-five countries. His first venture in audio narration was as a child, helping his father record local newspapers for the blind and visually impaired.

Ted Tayler is the author of the Freeman Files and Phoenix series of mystery novels and two stand-alone novels. He lives in West Wiltshire, England, where many of his stories are based.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094RBDQSZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vinci Books (May 11, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 11, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 251 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 220 ratings

About the author

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Ted Tayler

Ted Tayler

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Ted Tayler is the international best-selling indie author of the Freeman Files and Phoenix series. Ted lives in the English West country, where his stories are based. He was born in 1945 and has been married to Lynne since 1971. They have three children and four grandchildren.

His thought-provoking mysteries appeal to readers of Sally Rigby, Joy Ellis, Pauline Rowson, and Faith Martin. His action-packed thrillers are a must for fans of Mark Dawson and J C Ryan.

Gus Freeman’s cold case investigations are carried out with reasoned deduction rather than bursts of frantic action. In each of the 24 books, unsolved murders are accompanied by romance, humour, and country life. The core message in the 12 Phoenix novels is that criminals should pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the current system fails to deliver the correct punishment, so Phoenix helps redress the balance.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
220 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another magnificent cold case!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Strange Beginnings by Ted Tayler is a remarkable story. I have read the other books in this series, as well as other stories from Tayler. This author has a great imagination and I'm glad it's being shared with stories. It's an other Freeman Files story, and Gus and his team are faced with the impossible. It's wonderfully written, and there are so many twists to their investigation, that it seems there are more questions than answers. Tayler weaves the story well, especially with Gus at the helm. It is always a joy to read this author's stories. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller. What an enjoyable journey. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. This story captures the reader's attention at chapter 1. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. Strange Beginnings is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
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  • P. Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Cut Above!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. Tayler has continued to write mysteries that have many twists an turns in them. He always introduces the killer to the reader in the original interviews, however, the reader must pay attention to the information discovered. Then Gus always works out the inconsistent stories told by the suspects and the reader finds out sometimes on the last page! Enjoyable reading and thinking at the same time! Cannot wait for the next mystery!
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  • Regina Davis-Sowers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Series
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful series of cold cases. I have liked them from the first until this one. Gus Freeman and his team have such excellent camaraderie, and reading of their lives as they work diligently to solve these cases adds to the pleasure of reading them. This book was exceptional, with a great ending that I couldn't have seen coming. Great job, Mr. Tayler.
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  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Another awesome story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’m addicted to this Freeman Files Series. Great story, characters, and it moves along quite nicely. You’ll never want to put it down till the end. Cannot wait till Book 14!
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  • GWilosTnT
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a story
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The office banter; the tossing of coins to select who goes out to do interviews; all these quirky little things make for a unique way to tell a story.
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  • Ann Patterson
    3.0 out of 5 stars Strange Beginnings
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Gus and his crew investigate another cold case which involves a woman who was murdered in her car. Gus' crew's personal lives are barely mentioned in this book.
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  • Book Lover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another book I could not put down
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021
    This is book 13 in the Freeman file and I still have not figured out the killer until he/she is revealed. The book are so well written and keep me in suspense until the last page. Gus Freeman is a retired detective,who is brought back to look into cold case. This case has a women killed in her car in broad daylight and no one saw anything. I love the characters and cannot wait until I start book14.
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  • Sheri A. Wilkinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good murder mystery.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2021
    Strange Beginnings: The Freeman Files Series: Book 13 Ted Tayler

    Gus Freeman and his crew investigate the cold case of Marion Reeves. She was stabbed in her car back in 2011. The wealthy have secrets and will do anything to keep them hidden until Gus opens this intense cold case.

    With engaging dialog, detailed plot (which) moves at a steady pace, I was engrossed from the first page. The suspect list grows as secrets are revealed in the page turning thrilling murder mystery. Overall I found Strange Beginnings: The Freeman Files Series: Book 13 enjoyable and recommend to those who enjoy murder/mystery.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • jokom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth waiting waiting for
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoy the Freeman files, good fairly complex stories, great characters with believable emotions and quick to read. Thank you to Ted Tayler the author.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable episode
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent episode of this very readable series.
    Another triumph for the endearing Gus Freeman.
    What a pleasure to read.
    Report

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