Review: Smash Cut

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When millionaire Paul Wheeler is murdered, his family retains renowned lawyer Derek Mitchell to defend the victim’s nephew Creighton—although the police have not charged the young man with the crime. Wheeler’s mistress Julie Rutledge, who is also a suspect, believes that Creighton is the killer despite his rock-solid alibi, and she’ll do almost anything in her quest to prove his guilt—even ruin Derek’s career. But as Derek learns of Creighton’s darker side, especially his bizarre fascination with movie murders, the more he agrees with Julie’s suspicion. The clock ticks down to a shocking ending as Derek and Julie join forces to find the truth. Has Creighton begun re-enacting cinema’s goriest scenes and, if so, who will be his unwilling co-stars? They won’t know until the final Smash Cut.

Genre: romantic suspense

Publishing date: November 2011 (for the Kindle edition; the original is from 2009)

Mature content: yes

Review: This is one of Sandra Brown's older romantic suspense books, and I believe the characters are not as well developed as in some of her later books. The romance between Derek and Julie also lacks a bit of credibility - there's a lot of lust, but it's difficult to translate that lust into love. Even at the end, when they seem to be planning a future together, there's not a single mention of love.

Still, it's very much worth reading just for the thrill of it. Sandra Brown is a master at throwing unexpected twists and turns at you, and even if I was prepared for some of them, others I totally did not see coming, so the plot is very well structured.

It may not be Sandra Brown's best, but it will certainly account for a few well spent hours. Recommended.

Happy readings,