We all know the feeling of being worn down by stress and wanting a quiet escape. If books are your quiet escape, don’t hesitate to lose yourself in Sandra Brown’s newest novel “Mean Streak.” Brown can be considered a reliable go-to author when you’re looking for a captivating story to entertain your mind. Her newest thriller is the epitome of this rule.
Dr. Emory Charbonneau is a runner. Her husband Jeff is miffed about her weekend-long trip in the mountains to train for a marathon, but she goes anyway to escape the tension if nothing else. Her running goals are derailed in the middle of her trek by the ominous threat of a gathering snowstorm, and the immediate threat when she somehow hits her head and blacks out.
Emory wakes up hours later in a warm cabin with a violent concussion and a mysterious man who refuses to reveal anything about himself, even his name. Her panic escalates when he doesn’t allow her to leave, giving her little reason to trust him. The more questions he refuses to answer, the more suspicious she becomes of his motives, especially when faced with the idea that her concussion may not have been an accident.
The strength in this novel comes from the mystery and doubt that Brown crafts around her characters. None of the characters are fully fleshed out and exposed for readers, and it feels as if they each have a part of themselves that they try desperately to hide.
For example, the man who takes care of Emory while she is recovering from her concussion is shrouded in darkness. Throughout most of the book, his name and entire history isn’t revealed to any of the characters or to the reader.
Being able to spin a mystery novel based on a mystery man doesn’t seem like an easy feat, but Brown accomplishes it. She is careful with how she writes her characters so they aren’t predictable. They all have spaces for doubt, blame and suspicion, all feelings that readers rely on to create theories and solve the mystery. Brown’s characters are the perfect level of untrustworthy.
“Mean Streak” throws readers into the story immediately, not wasting any time with background and pleasantries. This allows for the story to build from a place of already heightened excitement. The story twists and turns multiple times, and it’s always surprising.
Brown loves to keep secrets, so readers have to be aware that they never have the full story at any point in the novel, leaving plenty of room for the unexpected to be exploited.
Once you’ve read enough of Brown’s numerous mystery novels, it becomes easier to understand the type of formula she utilizes in her stories in order to predict what will happen. However, readers are never disappointed. Even if they can predict part of the ultimate plot, there is always room for surprise and doubt whether the prediction is right or wrong.
“Mean Streak” is the embodiment of a suspenseful mystery, but don’t be afraid to pick it up and get involved as Emory fights until the very end.
