Title: Mean Streak: Preview
Author: Sandra Brown
First published July 1, 2014
66 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.08
Overview
Sandra Brown’s gripping novel, Mean Streak, explores the age-old question of whether the end justifies the means in a heart-pounding story of survival. Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a marathon runner and pediatrician, disappears while driving on a mountain road in North Carolina.
Her husband, Jeff, reports her missing, but the search grows cold due to the icy and foggy weather. Meanwhile, Emory wakes up with a head injury and finds herself held captive by a man who refuses to reveal his name.
She is determined to escape, but when they encounter a group of people with their own sense of justice, Emory finds herself caught in the middle of a dangerous situation. As Emory’s husband’s secrets are exposed and the FBI closes in on her captor, she begins to wonder if the man who has been holding her captive is actually her rescuer.
With Sandra Brown’s signature suspense and storytelling, Mean Streak is a thrilling novel about love, deception, and the choices we make to survive.
About the Author
Meet Sandra Brown, the accomplished author of more than 60 New York Times bestsellers. Some of her most popular works include STING, FRICTION, MEAN STREAK, DEADLINE, LOW PRESSURE, and LETHAL.
Since starting her writing career in 1981, Brown has published over 70 novels and sold over 80 million copies worldwide. Her work has been translated into more than 30 languages, making her a global literary sensation.
In 2009, Brown switched gears from romantic suspense to write Rainwater, a critically acclaimed historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression. This powerful and moving story explores themes of honor and sacrifice.
Beyond her impressive list of literary accomplishments, Brown has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University and named Thriller Master for 2008 by the International Thriller Writer’s Association.
Brown was also the recipient of the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America.
Editoral Review
Sandra Brown’s Mean Streak is a thrilling suspense novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Brown, a New York Times bestselling author, has written over 80 novels in her career, and Mean Streak is a prime example of her talent for crafting engaging and suspenseful stories.
The novel follows Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a successful pediatrician and marathon runner who disappears while on a solo run in the North Carolina mountains. When she wakes up in a remote cabin with a head injury, she finds herself in the care of a man who claims to be her husband.
As she tries to piece together what happened to her, she realizes that she may not be able to trust anyone, including herself.
Brown’s writing is gripping and fast-paced, with short chapters that keep the tension high. She expertly weaves together multiple storylines and perspectives, building suspense and keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The setting of the North Carolina mountains is vividly described and adds to the sense of isolation and danger that permeates the novel.
The characters in Mean Streak are well-developed and complex, particularly Dr. Charbonneau. Brown does an excellent job of portraying her as a strong and capable woman who is forced to confront her own vulnerabilities and fears.
The other characters, including the mysterious man who claims to be her husband, are equally intriguing and add depth to the story.
One of the strengths of Mean Streak is its exploration of themes such as trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves and those they love. Brown also touches on issues of race and class, particularly in the character of the man who claims to be Dr. Charbonneau’s husband.
While Mean Streak is a well-crafted and engaging novel, it does have some flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with some sections feeling slow or repetitive.
Additionally, some of the plot twists and turns may feel predictable to readers familiar with the suspense genre.
Overall, Mean Streak is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. Brown’s writing is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making for an enjoyable reading experience.
While it may not be groundbreaking in terms of plot or style, it is a solid addition to Brown’s body of work.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
