Free Download Marketing Strategy

I'm trying out a new marketing and book promotion strategy ( at least new for me ). For a limited time I'm offering free downloads of the first book in my "Reeshard and The Great Parish Swamp" series. Hopefully enough downloads will create a positive buzz about the book. We all know recommendations through word of mouth is a great promotion technique. I'm testing this out to see if it really might create a stir of followers looking to grab the second book right after as well as get some honest reviews for free. Free downloads are available at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/222277 if anyone is interested.  I'd really like a little input also to see what others think of this type of marketing technique being used.