Pre-order
1
of
1
One True Friend
A Cold Case Murder Mystery Series
Series: The Freeman Files
Brief Description
How well do we really know the ones we love? When Katherine Alford vanished after a mysterious phone call, her family's world was shattered. Found dead near Marlborough, the devoted mother and grandmother left behind a trail of unanswered questions. Now, Detective Gus Freeman's Crime Review...
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
29th
September 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "One True Friend" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
One True Friend
$2799
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Not All Toys Are For Children - Gift Ideas For Fathers Day
Toys aren't just for kids! Dads can enjoy playing with toys just as much as...
New Releases to add to your TBR this week (18th August)
Lizzy is here rounding up all the new releases of the week - Fiction, Non-Fiction,...
5 Things Lizzy Learned About Romance Writers
Lizzy went along to the New Zealand Romance Writers Convention and learned lots about why...
Book Briefing - 18th August
Here's this week's book briefing - a round up of all the news and updates...
Sarah J. Maas Reveals ACOTAR 6 & 7 Covers and Titles
Sarah J. Maas has revealed the titles and covers of the next two A Court...
See moreShe had the perfect life. Until someone ended it. Detective Inspector Gus Freeman reopens the cold case of a devoted mother found strangled in her car-a murder once dismissed as senseless and without motive. But as his team digs deeper, cracks appear in the woman's carefully curated life, revealing affairs, secrets, and lies. Whatever she was hiding, it didn't die with her
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
How well do we really know the ones we love?
When Katherine Alford vanished after a mysterious phone call, her family's world was shattered. Found dead near Marlborough, the devoted mother and grandmother left behind a trail of unanswered questions. Now, Detective Gus Freeman's Crime Review Team is digging into the cold case, and what they find shatters the image of Katherine's quiet life.
With a flawed initial investigation and new evidence emerging, the team uncovers a hidden side to Katherine—one filled with secrets, strained relationships, and a betrayal that changes everything. What if the person Katherine trusted most was the one who betrayed her?
One True Friend is an emotional and captivating cold-case thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page.
Praise for One True Friend:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An absolutely pleasurable read.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Brilliant.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I couldn't put it down.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Truly gripping.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Highly recommend.
Series: The Freeman Files
View all-
Pre-orderFatal Decision
He thought he'd left his life as a detective behind. But the past has a deadly way of catching up. Three years after losing his wife, retired DI Gus Freeman is drawn back into the force to lead a new cold case unit. His first investigation: the brutal murder of Daphne Tolliver, a widow killed during her morning walk through...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Genuine Mistake
Was it a tragic accident, or a calculated murder? When Gerry Hogan was murdered on his doorstep, his family and friends were left reeling. A successful businessman with a spotless reputation, his death seemed both shocking and senseless. Years later, when Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team reopen the case, they uncover more questions than answers. Missing clues and...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
All Things Bright
The truth is hidden beneath the surface. Will Gus Freeman find it? When thirteen-year-old Stacey Read disappeared from her Wiltshire home, the small community was torn apart. Ten days later, her lifeless body was found in a canal, but the case went cold. Now, retired detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team are determined to bring the truth to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Morning Murder
A missing colleague. A team in crisis. And a case that refuses to stay buried. Burnham-on-Sea is supposed to be a quiet stop for Gus Freeman's team to wrap up a cold case, but the investigation soon spirals into a dark web of interconnected crimes. As they dig deeper into the murders of Tammie Kenyon and Imogen Henderson, Gus uncovers...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Normal November
What lies beneath the surface of an ordinary November night? In November 2016, Richard Chaloner's life was brutally cut short. A respected garage owner and newlywed, he was gunned down in what appeared to be a tragic robbery. The case went cold, leaving unanswered questions and a killer still at large. Now, years later, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Barking Mad
A cold case. A deadly secret. The search for answers begins. In May 2015, Mark Malone, a much-loved pet shop owner, was shot dead in cold blood. The case went unsolved, leaving his community shattered and his murder shrouded in mystery. Years later, Detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team reopen the investigation, determined to bring his killer to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Buried Secrets
A deadly run, a life of lies and a web of secrets waiting to unravel. When Alan Duncan is murdered during his weekly run, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team face one of their most challenging cases yet. Alan's relationship with his girlfriend, Maddy Mills, seemed perfect on the surface, but as the team digs deeper, they uncover troubling...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Creature Discomforts
A family that won't talk. A detective who won't give up. Grant Burnside, the ruthless leader of a violent gang, was gunned down in 2014, but his murder remains unsolved. Detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team take on the case, determined to crack the secrets surrounding the Burnside family. Now under the leadership of Grant's son, Gary, the...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Deadly Formula
One bullet, countless secrets, and a formula that could destroy everything. Fourteen years ago, brilliant research scientist Dr. Ian McGuire was murdered in his home with a single shotgun blast. The investigation stalled with no leads, no suspects, and no motive. Now Detective Gus Freeman and his team are uncovering the shocking truth behind McGuire's death. At the heart of...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Dead Reckoning
A farm, a murder and a trail that leads to dark truths. Wealthy landowner Kendal Guthrie was no stranger to controversy. Found dead in suspicious circumstances on his remote farm, his death was dismissed as a tragic accident. But years later, Gus Freeman and his team discover evidence that paints a very different picture. With motives ranging from revenge to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Final Deal
A team member kidnapped and a cold case that refuses to stay buried. When DI Suzie Ferris vanishes after a cyber-crime course, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team face a formidable adversary—a ruthless former undercover officer, Ricky Gardiner, entangled in a web of corruption. As the team digs deeper, they unearth sinister connections within the police force to a...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Gathering Clouds
A double murder haunts a city—and one man pursues the solution. The brutal murders of John Crees and Mandy Howard shattered the peace of Salisbury, but the case has remained unsolved for years. Now, Detective Gus Freeman, who once served in the city, has returned to uncover the truth. But as Freeman digs deeper, he faces mounting resistance from those...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781036705046
Publisher: Vinci Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 17 July 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vinci Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 256
About the Author
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.
Also by Ted Tayler
View all-
Pre-order
Fatal Decision
He thought he'd left his life as a detective behind. But the past has a deadly way of catching up. Three years after losing his wife, retired DI Gus Freeman is drawn back into the force to lead a new cold case unit. His first investigation: the brutal murder of Daphne Tolliver, a widow killed during her morning walk through...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Genuine Mistake
Was it a tragic accident, or a calculated murder? When Gerry Hogan was murdered on his doorstep, his family and friends were left reeling. A successful businessman with a spotless reputation, his death seemed both shocking and senseless. Years later, when Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team reopen the case, they uncover more questions than answers. Missing clues and...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
All Things Bright
The truth is hidden beneath the surface. Will Gus Freeman find it? When thirteen-year-old Stacey Read disappeared from her Wiltshire home, the small community was torn apart. Ten days later, her lifeless body was found in a canal, but the case went cold. Now, retired detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team are determined to bring the truth to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Morning Murder
A missing colleague. A team in crisis. And a case that refuses to stay buried. Burnham-on-Sea is supposed to be a quiet stop for Gus Freeman's team to wrap up a cold case, but the investigation soon spirals into a dark web of interconnected crimes. As they dig deeper into the murders of Tammie Kenyon and Imogen Henderson, Gus uncovers...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
A Normal November
What lies beneath the surface of an ordinary November night? In November 2016, Richard Chaloner's life was brutally cut short. A respected garage owner and newlywed, he was gunned down in what appeared to be a tragic robbery. The case went cold, leaving unanswered questions and a killer still at large. Now, years later, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Barking Mad
A cold case. A deadly secret. The search for answers begins. In May 2015, Mark Malone, a much-loved pet shop owner, was shot dead in cold blood. The case went unsolved, leaving his community shattered and his murder shrouded in mystery. Years later, Detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team reopen the investigation, determined to bring his killer to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Buried Secrets
A deadly run, a life of lies and a web of secrets waiting to unravel. When Alan Duncan is murdered during his weekly run, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team face one of their most challenging cases yet. Alan's relationship with his girlfriend, Maddy Mills, seemed perfect on the surface, but as the team digs deeper, they uncover troubling...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Creature Discomforts
A family that won't talk. A detective who won't give up. Grant Burnside, the ruthless leader of a violent gang, was gunned down in 2014, but his murder remains unsolved. Detective Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team take on the case, determined to crack the secrets surrounding the Burnside family. Now under the leadership of Grant's son, Gary, the...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Deadly Formula
One bullet, countless secrets, and a formula that could destroy everything. Fourteen years ago, brilliant research scientist Dr. Ian McGuire was murdered in his home with a single shotgun blast. The investigation stalled with no leads, no suspects, and no motive. Now Detective Gus Freeman and his team are uncovering the shocking truth behind McGuire's death. At the heart of...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Dead Reckoning
A farm, a murder and a trail that leads to dark truths. Wealthy landowner Kendal Guthrie was no stranger to controversy. Found dead in suspicious circumstances on his remote farm, his death was dismissed as a tragic accident. But years later, Gus Freeman and his team discover evidence that paints a very different picture. With motives ranging from revenge to...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Final Deal
A team member kidnapped and a cold case that refuses to stay buried. When DI Suzie Ferris vanishes after a cyber-crime course, Gus Freeman and his Crime Review Team face a formidable adversary—a ruthless former undercover officer, Ricky Gardiner, entangled in a web of corruption. As the team digs deeper, they unearth sinister connections within the police force to a...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-order
Gathering Clouds
A double murder haunts a city—and one man pursues the solution. The brutal murders of John Crees and Mandy Howard shattered the peace of Salisbury, but the case has remained unsolved for years. Now, Detective Gus Freeman, who once served in the city, has returned to uncover the truth. But as Freeman digs deeper, he faces mounting resistance from those...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order
More from Crime & Thriller
View all-
New ReleaseDying Days
Award-winning writer delivers a pulse-pounding espionage thriller. Missing soldiers, MI6 secrets and European partisans collide in a deadly game where the lines between lies and reality are fast disintegrating. In the dying days of the Second World War, a new conflict is about to ignite. May, 1945: After fighting to liberate Europe from the Nazis, Tito's Yugoslav Army and Allied...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3699Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to WinNew ReleaseThe Country Road Murders
From the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a pulse-pounding thriller about justice, vengeance and the roads that lead us home. No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades — LEE CHILD Cross Rivers is the kind of small town where everyone knows your name – and your secrets. Silas Tucker...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Every Lake
Scary stories are fun... until your life becomes one. When Alice was fifteen, her father killed Mia Heywood in their lakefront cottage before vanishing into the trees. At least that's what the locals think happened. Over a decade later, Alice has lost her job as a journalist, she's going through an expensive divorce and she desperately needs to sell the...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips late August -
New Release
Nautilus
The follow-up to the bestselling novel The Turing Protocol. Nautilus is a machine with the astonishing power to send messages eight weeks back in time. Its users must follow a set of protocols established by its inventor, Alan Turing, including that it can only be used by a descendant of his family, and only to avert global disasters. But what...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3699Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
Cold River
The sensational new novel from the author of the bestselling thriller, The Creeper, winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction 2025. Deep in the mountains, secrets grow deadly... Detective Constable Sally White knows how easily hikers can go missing in Victoria's high country. But there's something about the disappearance of Louis Taylor, a young man lost up...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to WinNew ReleaseIt Could Have Been Her
PREPARE TO BE HOOKED: The no. 1 Sunday Times and MULTI-million-copy bestselling author is back with a brand-new spine tingling thriller. It was the night she almost died. Jane Trevally, newly divorced and feeling a little lost, agrees to accompany a man she doesn't know to his house in the darkest corner of Hampstead Heath. She's offered a drink, goes in, and...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to Win26 Beauties
The twenty-sixth thrilling novel in the globally bestselling Women's Murder Club series. Beautiful young women are disappearing by the dozen. A celebration is cut short when a concerned father crashes Detective Inspector Lindsay Boxer's party. His daughter is missing - and she's not the only one. DI Lindsay Boxer has been tracking a chilling pattern: a Jane Doe washed ashore,...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
The Secrets We Hide
The stunning new North Falls thriller by the bestselling author of We Are All Guilty Here 'Quite simply, Karin Slaughter is the best of us' Dervla McTiernan Welcome back to North Falls -- a small town with big secrets. The house at 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other in the quiet, residential street. But rumours are rife about the Vickery...Paperback$3099Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to WinThe Parkwood Murders
They came for an escape, but can they escape a killer? Detective Nicola Bridge returns in another gripping and immersive mystery For its loyal guests, Parkwood Holiday Village in west Dorset is a haven- woodland walks, a tranquil lake, service around the clock. Until, just after midsummer, a body is found floating in the swimming pool. Detective Nicola Bridge, exhausted...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips mid September -
13% offHope Rises
'BALDACCI IS STILL PEERLESS' - THE SUNDAY TIMES REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD . . . Walter Nash, working under the alias of Dillon Hope, is on the road to revenge after becoming an informant for the FBI against a global criminal operation headed up by Victoria Steers. Steers has ripped everything Nash held dear away from him....Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Slash
A year after a brutal shootout left her lover dead, ex-police sergeant Honey Chalmers is a hot mess, drinking too much and eating too little, working casual gigs for a shady firm of private investigators — while holding conversations with a ghost. A desperate father asks her to investigate his missing son — a double-murder suspect last seen during the...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
A River Red With Blood
The players call it the Game, and its aim is simple: to abduct and kill a stranger without getting caught. They're very good at it. They've been playing it for a long time. And they can keep playing as long as everyone sticks to the rules: No Killing Close to Home and No Killing Outside the Game. But those rules...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Crime & Thriller lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
