Pressure Point (The Freeman Files Series) (Freeman Files, 3)

This is a solid start to a crime series built around cold cases and a likeable, world-weary lead detective. Gus Freeman is an interesting protagonist, shaped by grief and retirement, and the concept of a small Crime Review Team revisiting unsolved murders is a strong hook.

Across Fatal Decision, Last Orders, and Pressure Point, the cases themselves are intriguing and grounded, with a clear sense of place and procedure. I especially appreciated the team dynamic—each member brings something different to the table, and there’s a good mix of experience, youth, and personality.

That said, while the ideas are strong, the execution didn’t always fully land for me. The pacing can be uneven, and some characters and emotional beats feel underdeveloped, especially given the heavy subject matter. With such compelling victims and cases, I found myself wanting deeper exploration and more tension in places.

✨ Overall: An enjoyable, easy crime read with a good premise and recurring cast, but one that doesn’t quite reach its full potential yet.