I think I’ve found a new author to binge read!
by Sandra Brown
Published by: Grand Central
Publication date: August 19th 2014
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. By the time her husband Jeff, miffed over a recent argument, reports her missing, the trail has grown cold. Literally. Fog and ice encapsulate the mountainous wilderness and paralyze the search for her.
While police suspect Jeff of “instant divorce,” Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won’t even tell her his name. She’s determined to escape him, and willing to take any risks necessary to survive.
Unexpectedly, however, the two have a dangerous encounter with people who adhere to a code of justice all their own. At the center of the dispute is a desperate young woman whom Emory can’t turn her back on, even if it means breaking the law.
As her husband’s deception is revealed, and the FBI closes in on her captor, Emory begins to wonder if the man with no name is, in fact, her rescuer.
There are so many twists and turns, so many times that we don’t know what is actually going on with a character even when we’re seeing things from his or her point-of-view–I was just amazed by Ms. Brown’s ability to keep so much from the reader. I actually started the book over again as soon as I finished it, just to be sure I hadn’t missed clues earlier on. Surely she must have given something away at some point?
Nope. Not once.
The second read-through had me even more impressed with the way Ms. Brown told the story. The truths, half-truths, and red herrings are just so skillfully woven into the narrative. I constantly marveled at how she didn’t lie to the reader, but she sure as heck didn’t give us one iota of information before she was good and ready to. (Much like our hero, actually. While her ability amazed me, though, his tendency to not even give a simple explanation once in a while when he could have done so easily would have driven me completely bonkers. Emory has far more patience than I, fortunately.)
Poor Emory–the reader definitely knows exactly how she feels, not knowing what is going on or who is truly on her side from moment to moment.
And the man in the cabin? What. A. Hero. At least, I (much like Emory–well, eventually, anyway) really, really wanted him to be the hero–but I wasn’t at all sure for a good 85% of the book how Ms. Brown would be able to pull it off convincingly.
She does. But I can’t say anything else, because…spoilers.
If you enjoy a good and plot-twisty romantic suspense, definitely give Mean Streak as try. You won’t be sorry you did.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review–and then went out an bought the audio version anyway. 😉
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including DEADLINE(2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), & HELLO, DARKNESS (2003).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program “PM Magazine.”
In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Awesome review, Becky! I Love it when the multiple POV is used to build up the mystery like that while still giving us unpredictable twists! I really need to give this one a try!
nice review
i enjoyed the review and synopsis
I really enjoyed your reviews. Sandra Brown is one of my favorite authors.
Becky…thanks for the great review and for being a part of the blog tour for MEAN STREAK!
I read this book when it came out and loved it! Thank you for the blog tour.
Thanks for the review, I love Sandra Brown books.
Can’t wait to read it!
It was so good!!
I have a feeling she’s going to be one of mine too 🙂
I definitely recommend! (In case the review didn’t make it clear ;))