On an ordinary autumn day in London, Matthew Farraday disappears from his primary school. Soon, his face is plastered in every newspaper and news program. But the police have exhausted every lead and crumb of evidence. Enter Frieda Klein, a psychotherapist who spends her days listening to her patients describe their troubled lives and her sleepless nights walking the streets of London. When her new patient describes a fantasy where he has a son matching the description of Matthew Farraday, Frieda breaks confidentiality and takes her concerns to the police. Soon, she finds herself entangled in the case that will change her life forever.

The eight-book series follows Frieda through several years as this first case haunts her every step. No matter how many cases she solves, it always comes back to the Matthew Farraday case. While every book in the series is fantastic, it’s Frieda and her band of friends that keep us coming back for more. Through every twist and turn, Frieda grows to rely on the people around her.

As I reread the series, I began to realize how much foreshadowing and complex plot French includes throughout these novels. One of Klein’s greatest loves is London geography, which shows up from the start. She especially loves London’s many rivers, which end up playing a huge role later in the series. Frieda is an endlessly fascinating character, and her many secrets are revealed slowly, making you want to pick up the next book immediately.

Great writing happens in every genre, and the Frieda Klein series is a prime example of well-plotted mystery/thriller novels that have characters at their heart. For me, late fall and early winter will always be Frieda Klein season.