Mean Streak by Sandra Brown Published by Grand Central Publishing
Published on August 19th 2014
Genres: Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 409
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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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.
I haven’t read a suspense novel in ages and this was the perfect book to get me excited about the genre again. So many twists and turns! I absolutely loved it!
I’m going to keep the information about the book fairly brief, because not knowing what to expect is half the fun with this type of read. I didn’t read many reviews before going into this, just looked over ratings and I’m so glad because I had no idea where the story would lead me in the end.
Dr. Emory Charbonneau is an esteemed pediatrician, a philanthropist, and is very wealthy. She’s been married for a few years but their relationship is a bit rocky at the moment. When training for an upcoming marathon gives her the opportunity to get away into the treacherous mountains of North Carolina for a couple days, Emory jumps at the chance, ignoring her husbands concern.
Emory wakes up in a stranger’s home, with a head injury and no recollection about what happened or how she got there. The man taking care of her is a complete mystery. He’s cryptic and broody and won’t give Emory any information about who he is. His actions and reluctance to answer even the simplest of questions about himself leave Emory wondering what his intentions are and if he saved her or if he’s the one who is putting her in danger. I loved his character and was dying to find out even the smallest bit of information about him!
His casual dismissal of her situation astounded her. It frightened her. It also made her mad as hell.
…
“You never told me your name.”
“That’s right,” he said. “And I won’t.”
This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. After reading the synopsis, I felt fairly certain about where things would end up in the end, but I had no idea. The story has so much more going on than just Emory being secluded with a secretive stranger in harsh conditions. There is some romance there, but it’s secondary to the suspense aspect. With that said, I loved how everything played out. The danger and sexual tension was addicting and even though it was subtle, it was enough to keep the romance lover in me thoroughly satisfied.
He kissed her like he meant it, like this kiss was going to be the last thing he ever did on earth, and he was going to do it right, thoroughly, and leave nothing wanting.
The story is so layered and many characters come into play that I hadn’t anticipated. It is told in third person and we see what is happening from multiple angles including Emory, her husband, the police investigating her disappearance, and someone from our stranger’s past and even knowing what everyone is thinking at different points, really nothing is as it seems. A few things I guessed, but there were MANY things that I didn’t and I loved that this could surprise me the way it did. I stayed up until 5am to finish this, even knowing I’d be getting up with an infant shortly after and it was definitely worth it! I loved how everything played out, with one exception. View Spoiler » I can over look that one thing because there was SO much going on in the story and it wasn’t focused on just one twist or mystery.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. This was my first Sandra Brown novel and it was so smart and well written. I can’t wait to try some of her other books because I am completely impressed with this one!
4.5 stars
About Sandra Brown
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.
Wonderful review, Brenna! I love suspense books in general and this one sounds awesomely intense with the person amount of romance! The multiple perspectives often works great to build up and unravel the mystery, too!
Cover looks very nice great job book looks very interesting as well.
I really enjoyed this one too! Thanks for hosting :))
Sandra Brown writes some of the best romantic suspense books that keep readers on the edge of their seat!
Interesting synopsis and I love that cover. I’ve only read Lethal and Low Pressure, but I loved both books. Thanks for the chance! And sorry I can’t follow Sandra on twitter, but I’m maxed out.
Brenna…so glad you enjoyed MEAN STREAK and thank you for being a part of our blog tour!
Sandra writes the best suspence books. I love them! I own some of her hard copies and I already got my mum hooked on them :) Briliant!
It’s nearly impossible to find experienced people for this subject,
however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks