Meh - Only Ok if You Like Cheese

There are some elements that I find unforgivable in a mystery. This one had just about all of them. I have a policy -- I don't care how far along I am in a book, if the villain ends up getting a long, drawn out scene during which they haughtily explain their entire crime, motives and methods whilst giving the captured hero/heroine time to stall for an escape, I will immediately stop reading. That's one of the most cliche', cheesy, overused devices a mystery writer can use.

I'm no prude. But I hate when my mysteries are interrupted by 20 minute long, horribly described sex scenes, of which there were at least 3. Waste of my time. If I wanted to hear about her huskily whispering his name while he thrusts, I'd go get a Romance novel or watch a porno. Poorly written overkill, most of which is irrelevant to the plot. Just the reader know where it's headed and let them imagine the rest. I don't need to know that it sent him over the edge to **** inside her, thanks.

The overt misdirection in order to force uninspired twists is another tactic that irks me. The author beats you over the head with transparent attempts to throw you off the scent, only to later get to the big reveal that is so lackluster that it's laughable. And she does it over and over. She uses totally unbelievable dialogue in order to set these twists up, so it's pretty obvious what she's trying to do. Lazy, sloppy and flat out cringeworthy.

Those are just the 3 worst things about the book. I will not be reading another of hers. Too formulaic.

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503 people found this helpful

Ms. Brown's book far exceeds usual quality.

What made the experience of listening to Mean Streak the most enjoyable?

As with any audio book the book may succeed or fail largely on the talent of the narrator. In this instance the narration is exceptional. The narrator gives each character a somewhat unique sounding voice without crossing the line where it sounds corny and unrealistic. There is just enough of a difference so as to enable identification of the character. The characters voice is also in line with how the author portrays the characters. While this is the first time I have listened to Jonathon Davis narrate a book, it will not be the last. I plan to search the lists to see what other books he has been involved with in providing narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was the male lead who remains nameless for the first half of the book. His behavior and character are a result of former traumatic experiences. The author does an excellent job of developing his character within the plot.

Which scene was your favorite?

Initially it is unclear wheter the male lead is a criminal or a good samaritan. My favorite scene is the one where he befriends the neighbors viscous and abused fog, who he later rescues.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The compassion the male lead demonstrated for the abused dog and for the15 year old girl who was raped by her degenerative brothers were the moments I found particularly compelling. His kindness and care of the 15 year old was clear evidence of his real character which until that point was uncertain,

Any additional comments?

This book was far better written than any of Ms . Brown's earlier works and I would highly recommend it.

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126 people found this helpful

A romance novel masquerading as suspense

What did you like best about Mean Streak? What did you like least?

The book moves at a good pace and the narration is excellent but at the end of the day this is a romance novel with contrived conflict.

Would you be willing to try another book from Sandra Brown? Why or why not?

I really enjoyed Lethal and I have read 2 other SB books. Lethal is, by far, the best of the 4. All the others are just OK. The characters are cliche and the story line predictable. I'm probably done with Sandra Brown.

What does Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jonathan Davis is an excellent narrator and could make any book worth listening to.

Was Mean Streak worth the listening time?

It was a fine light read. For me it's mindless beach reading. Read it, be entertained and then move on. Nothing deep going on in this book.

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82 people found this helpful

A was pleasantly surprised

Where does Mean Streak rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was good. I did not feel like I wasted a credit.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

At chapter 26, I wanted to listen and find out everyone's secrets.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis – was your favorite?

Jonathan Davis did a good job. I can not pinpoint one favorite character he did.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think the scene where the hero and the heroine went to help the neighbor girl, Lisa, was a scene that moved me.

Any additional comments?

I used to read Sandra Brown while in college back in the 90s. I have not picked up a Sandra book since then. I felt that they became too predictable and too fluff. However, I started to notice the reviews about Mean Streak. That there was a possible romance mixed in with some suspense and a twist. There was all of that and more until the end. I took a chance and got the audio since I had a lot of tedious stuff to do before the Thanksgiving holiday and I usually listen to the audiobooks to get me lost and not think about cleaning toilets or floors.
Anyway, at first it took me a little bit to get used to the narrator, but at the end I thought he did a great job. I think I will be looking for more books read by Jonathan Davis. The book is written in several POVs and Jonathan Davis did a great job changing the voices.

And the point on the various POVs, I usually hate when an author does that but Sandra Brown did a great job not giving anything away. I was always left wondering what “the guy in the cabin” secrets were and if he was in fact the one out to harm her. I found myself by chapter 28 trying to find things to do around the house or sitting in the car a little bit longer just so I could listen to the book.

Emery is pediatrician who likes to do marathons. She trains by running on long wooded trails. During one trail something happens and she wakes up in a strange man’s cabin with a slight concussion. He will not give her his name or any information and she is not allowed to leave. From there we learn about everything that is happening while Emery is held.
This book actually made me want to read another one by Sandra Brown after no touching a book by her in 20 years. I liked it. If you are looking for a nice suspense with some twists, then I think you will enjoy this one. I did not feel like I wasted my money.

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77 people found this helpful

Groan Worthy-

So. This book starts out very interestingly but turns out anything but. First of all, the dialogue is ridiculous. These are educated but normal people. The say things like "we had a quarrel" over and over. And other weird things that people don't use in everyday conversation. And every character does it. Eye roll.
The next is the story line continuation. Let's just say it gets ridiculous very, very quickly. I don't know of many women who, one and a half days after being taken captive, that would be sexually aroused by her captor. Yeah, no.
Then there are the sex scenes. I would literally say out loud "Oh my God, are you kidding me?" I'm not a fan of cheesy. If you like things like "I'm going to kiss you until I can't breathe", then by all means, you'll like this part.
The twist was decent but it was hard to care after the ridiculous dialogue and sex scenes. I just wanted to be out out of my misery.
The narrator was mostly good although in parts he lost a character's voice and just spoke in his own.

Skip this one.

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51 people found this helpful

A Good Listen!

This is my first Sandra Brown read/listen. I was thoroughly entertained! The story had a good bit of mystery. A man helps and injured woman who is at first unconscious but when she comes awake you don't know if the man is being kind and helpful to the injured woman out of the goodness of his heart or does he have ulterior motives. He won't tell her anything about himself, not even his name and the fog has the roads socked-in so he can't drive her to the hospital. Is he glad about the fog? is he wanted by the police? It is difficult to write a review without giving away too much... I understand that this writer previously wrote romance novels. I liked how she was able to weave in some romantic scenes which was hot and sexy but kept the scenes brief. I thought the ending was great for the story... there was mystery right up to the very end.

Jonathan Davis is on my short list of favorite narrators..... he did an wonderful job with the "hill-billy" characters.

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46 people found this helpful

WOW

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't stop listening and listened everywhere I could throughout the day until the end at 4am in the morning!

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33 people found this helpful

Best Audible purchase yet

What made the experience of listening to Mean Streak the most enjoyable?

Oh my gosh the narrator....unbelievably sexy. His voice plus the unexpected twists and motives each of the characters have just makes this an amazing package.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mean Streak?

When he appears on the patio and the first love scene

What does Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He completely brings the mystery man to life with that deep, sexy voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Watch Your Back.

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30 people found this helpful

Highly recommend if you like Mystery & Romance

I love a good mystery but sprinkle in some romance and I'm hooked! This was a great mystery/suspense novel with an ending I didn't see coming. I thought I had it all figured out in the very beginning but I was completely wrong. I love it when a book surprises me, especially when it's a great story with a fantastic narrator.

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25 people found this helpful

REVENGE

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great start that kept me involved throughout. You will find several twists that come out of left field that made this novel (listening) page turning.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Doc, and the man with NO name (have to listen folks, the other character is powerful which we don't get a name until towards the end...

What does Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great character separation voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If it were possible, this is a page turner. Each character brought multiple surprises throughout this book making it that much more interesting.

Any additional comments?

Would love to see a follow up with the same characters...

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25 people found this helpful