Thursday 9 October 2014

Review: Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: August 19th 2014
My rating:  5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository  

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755773-better-homes-and-hauntings
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.



My Thoughts:
Mean Streak was my first reading experience by Sandra Brown, but it won’t be my last. It was a cleverly crafted mystery with plenty of suspense, danger, twists and turns, and a very sexy romance!  I think it’s best to go in with just the barest of facts and relish the mystery and revelations as they come.

Dr. Emory Charbonneau is training for a marathon and goes on a strenuous mountain trail, gets knocked out and wakes up in a stranger’s cabin without any knowledge of how she got there. The stranger is kind and cares for Emory, but he’s not forthcoming at all.  She has no idea if he means her any harm, but she’s definitely on guard because things do not add up.  Will he let her go once she’s well enough?  Is he hiding from something like the law and does he have more sinister plans for her?  There is a raw masculine quality to this him that excites and scares Emory.

Every feminine urge had sprung to life, and it wasn’t just the long dormancy that had made her sexual desire so acute. It was him.

In the mean time, Emory’s husband, Jeff waits to sound the alarm after she goes missing, and this raises suspicions and questions.  They were not on the best of terms when Emory walked out the door, but does that make him guilty of anything?

Oh, this mystery was so addictive and well crafted!  I’m a huge mystery fan and I’ve read so many that it’s hard to pull one over on me, but I was surprised several times!  Loved these twists and turns! I was even surprised with the culprit, but looking back it was a well supported conclusion, I just didn’t see it. I hate it when an author reveals the offender and it comes as a shock because no foundation was laid. Not the case here, and I was in awe of Sandra Brown’s plotting!

As for the romance, it was delicious and sensual, and I won’t say much more than that! Oh, my!

“If I’d had to, I would have wrapped you in bailing wire and carried you off. Because I’d rather see you shy away from me, rather see you cringing with fright and mistrust like you are now, rather see you any other way except dead.”
It wasn’t poetry, but it was profound. Her heart expanded with emotion.

This is a definite recommend!
 


16 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sounds really romantic and the mystery sounds like it's well written! I haven't read anything by Sandra Brown, but I most definitely will after reading this review.
Lovely review, Rachel!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see someone else liked this! I loved the story, the romance ... though unconventional was very steamy. Sandra Brown has written some great books!

Anonymous said...

I love that you enjoyed this one! I used to read a lot of Sandra Brown in my younger days, and this was the first one I read by her in many years. I was so glad I picked it up - it's fantastic! Glad you liked it, and great review! :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

Love seeing that five star rating. I haven't read anything by Brown, but I am going to see if can get an audiobook at the old library now after reading this review!

Nerdy Procrastinator said...

I haven't read Brown in ages, but reviews of this book have been popping up everywhere! Perhaps I should take a tour down old Sandra Brown re-reads. :)

Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger

brandileigh2003 said...

The addictive mystery sounds great and I love the cover

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

Ooh, definitely creepy, waking up in a stranger's cabin with no knowledge of how you got there. I really do enjoy a good Sandra Brown -- been too long since I read one!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Awesome review, Rachel. I love a book that can keep me guessing. I've never read anything by this author either, but I probably should.

Keertana said...

Woah, five stars is always high praise and particularly for a mystery novel, I feel. I haven't read a single Sandra Brown novel though I know she's quite popular. So glad to see you loved this, Rachel--I'll definitely need to check it out. It's so rare that a mystery really keeps me guessing so I always gravitate towards those. They're the absolute BEST kind of reads and so very rewarding by the end too. Gorgeous review, as always, dear!(:

Crina @Reading Addict said...

This sounds so good and I'm in love with the cover. I'm not a fan of this genre but maybe I'll check this out. Glad to hear your thoughts and happy reading! :)

Jenny said...

Danger, suspense AND a very sexy romance? SOLD RACHEL!!! I'm so on board for this book and can't wait to see what's going on with Emory and Jeff's marriage, and what's going to develop between Emory and the guy who took her. Fabulous review!

Emma said...

Oh, you torture me on your last comment of the review, delicious and sensual romance, yummy! I do love myself a good mystery, but I just don't give them much of a try nowadays. But I think you have me totally sold on this book, Sandra Brown is very popular where I work. Great review, Rachel! :)

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

I love mysteries as well. This is definitely on my list now, though I have a feeling I'm going to get creeped out by this book like I was with Gone Girl.(Though that book was awesome as well)

Joy said...

I was really stunned by the eventual reveal. But the brilliant characteristic of Sandra Brown's writing is that how layered her mysteries are. And even with a a whole slew of puzzles she offers in her books, everything somehow works. It's really something else.

glad you enjoyed this one! I did, too. I can't wait to see what you think of her other books.

Maji Bookshelf said...

wow.. this sounds like such a good mystery read!! Perfect read for Halloween! and ooh sexy romance xD First time I hear about this book, so thanks for putting it on my radar!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I'll have to get hold of a copy of this one! This sounds SO GOOD!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...