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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I've read some fantastic books from this author, and it's disappointing that 'She Can Scream' isn't one of them.
Brooke, the main character, stood out for me. She portrayed a strong female lead and her commitment to protecting other women was commendable. Yet, in her fervor, she tiptoed that thin line between dedication and obsession.
While I understood Brooke's motives, I can't entirely agree with all her choices. And I understood why Luke went along with it all even if I didn’t like it. That’s fine, sometimes we have to let people get involved with the investigation for them to find closure. But taking risks like visiting people you suspect without informing the police is just something I’ll never agree with, a recurring trope in crime fiction that often doesn't sit well with me.
Regarding the victims, particularly Halie, there's a blend of frustration and sympathy. And I’m not one for victim blaming but why would halie go out to meet some boy in the dead of the night when she knows a man is out there targeting young women related to her mum in some way. She might not have thought it but I imagine she should have been too scared to even think of going to meet a boy, especially with the lurking threat in the background.
Speaking of victim blaming. Luke was a victim himself yet he blamed himself for what happened to his assistant. I didn’t really understand it or why but I guess that’s just how it is sometimes. And the narrative involving Luke's history as a victim and his battle with PTSD felt severely underexplored. His somewhat miraculous improvement through interactions with Brooke didn't seem convincing considering the gravity of PTSD. I’m just not too sure that’s how ptsd works.
Then there’s the matter of the rapist/killer. I won’t say I expected who it was but i won’t lie that was shocked. I should have been, yet I was disappointed if anything. It just felt a bit lackluster to me. The scenario didn't fit the ideal portrayal of a small-town crime mystery. And this is the problem with some small town crime fiction. The way the killer is revealed should essentially be so well down we wont even have a chance of questioning it. Yet I questioned everything about this one.
Firstly, why was he just running his mouth to Brooke and telling her how he did everything without her even asking? You can say he wanted to brag but that’s not what it felt like. If anything it was stupid. He didn’t feel like a serial killer at all but an amateur. Secondly, why did he have to be the one connected to Brooke’s roommate. I mean come one. If it were to be that way, it should have been better portrayed. Again it felt half assed. And lastly, why did it have to be him?? I mean really? It could have been anyone but him. Because if it were to be someone in his position, it should have been portrayed better than that.
Maybe I am criticizing this book too much even after knowing it’s one of the first books the author wrote in her carrier. But it’s essentially because of that I am criticizing it and while critiquing, I do consider her growth in subsequent books. I've seen the improvement in her recent writing style, and although this book wasn't my favorite, I still appreciate the author's progress and look forward to her future works. I just wished I enjoyed this book as much as I did the others.
Brooke, the main character, stood out for me. She portrayed a strong female lead and her commitment to protecting other women was commendable. Yet, in her fervor, she tiptoed that thin line between dedication and obsession.
While I understood Brooke's motives, I can't entirely agree with all her choices. And I understood why Luke went along with it all even if I didn’t like it. That’s fine, sometimes we have to let people get involved with the investigation for them to find closure. But taking risks like visiting people you suspect without informing the police is just something I’ll never agree with, a recurring trope in crime fiction that often doesn't sit well with me.
Regarding the victims, particularly Halie, there's a blend of frustration and sympathy. And I’m not one for victim blaming but why would halie go out to meet some boy in the dead of the night when she knows a man is out there targeting young women related to her mum in some way. She might not have thought it but I imagine she should have been too scared to even think of going to meet a boy, especially with the lurking threat in the background.
Speaking of victim blaming. Luke was a victim himself yet he blamed himself for what happened to his assistant. I didn’t really understand it or why but I guess that’s just how it is sometimes. And the narrative involving Luke's history as a victim and his battle with PTSD felt severely underexplored. His somewhat miraculous improvement through interactions with Brooke didn't seem convincing considering the gravity of PTSD. I’m just not too sure that’s how ptsd works.
Then there’s the matter of the rapist/killer. I won’t say I expected who it was but i won’t lie that was shocked. I should have been, yet I was disappointed if anything. It just felt a bit lackluster to me. The scenario didn't fit the ideal portrayal of a small-town crime mystery. And this is the problem with some small town crime fiction. The way the killer is revealed should essentially be so well down we wont even have a chance of questioning it. Yet I questioned everything about this one.
Firstly, why was he just running his mouth to Brooke and telling her how he did everything without her even asking? You can say he wanted to brag but that’s not what it felt like. If anything it was stupid. He didn’t feel like a serial killer at all but an amateur. Secondly, why did he have to be the one connected to Brooke’s roommate. I mean come one. If it were to be that way, it should have been better portrayed. Again it felt half assed. And lastly, why did it have to be him?? I mean really? It could have been anyone but him. Because if it were to be someone in his position, it should have been portrayed better than that.
Maybe I am criticizing this book too much even after knowing it’s one of the first books the author wrote in her carrier. But it’s essentially because of that I am criticizing it and while critiquing, I do consider her growth in subsequent books. I've seen the improvement in her recent writing style, and although this book wasn't my favorite, I still appreciate the author's progress and look forward to her future works. I just wished I enjoyed this book as much as I did the others.
this series gets better and better with every book. This was by far the best one of the series for two reasons.
1. I had no idea who the killer was, I never even suspected and when it came out it was a complete shock to me.
2. I really enjoyed the explosive storyline and suspense especially in this one.
Bruck Davenport is a single mother and high school teacher, she also teaches young girls self defence after her room mate was murdered while they were at college together. she has never got over it, when she interrupts a killing in progress in the woods and saves a young woman's life the killer then decides to start targeting her. She soon figures out that the killer seems to be targeting the young women by there online activity and decides to try catching the killer. Her brother's best friend Computer expert Luke Holloway might just be the best person to help.
Luke Holaway is in Westbury visiting his grand mother while he recovers from an explosion in the philapeans that killed his assistant. When Wayd asks him to take care of Bruck until he goes back to New York he knows he's unable to refuse despite his own guilt. Luke and Bruck must race against time to help the police track the killer before he gets to her.
1. I had no idea who the killer was, I never even suspected and when it came out it was a complete shock to me.
2. I really enjoyed the explosive storyline and suspense especially in this one.
Bruck Davenport is a single mother and high school teacher, she also teaches young girls self defence after her room mate was murdered while they were at college together. she has never got over it, when she interrupts a killing in progress in the woods and saves a young woman's life the killer then decides to start targeting her. She soon figures out that the killer seems to be targeting the young women by there online activity and decides to try catching the killer. Her brother's best friend Computer expert Luke Holloway might just be the best person to help.
Luke Holaway is in Westbury visiting his grand mother while he recovers from an explosion in the philapeans that killed his assistant. When Wayd asks him to take care of Bruck until he goes back to New York he knows he's unable to refuse despite his own guilt. Luke and Bruck must race against time to help the police track the killer before he gets to her.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Full Review posted on Book Lovin' Mamas
I know I am going to have a hard time typing up this review without crying because She Can Scream was a very emotional book and the storyline alone should have people in twisted knots after they read this book. Melinda Leigh gives us a story that makes people realize that not everything should be posted online and you should be very weary on adding people to your social networks sites.
Melinda Leigh did a fabulous job from beginning to end, building up the suspense of the story and having us trying to figure out, who the killer is and what his real motives were. I was not expecting the person at the end to be the killer. Melinda Leigh threw me off on this book.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to romantic suspense readers out there and fans of Melinda Leigh’s books. You will need some tissues though, and you may not look at your computer or social networks the same way.
I know I am going to have a hard time typing up this review without crying because She Can Scream was a very emotional book and the storyline alone should have people in twisted knots after they read this book. Melinda Leigh gives us a story that makes people realize that not everything should be posted online and you should be very weary on adding people to your social networks sites.
Melinda Leigh did a fabulous job from beginning to end, building up the suspense of the story and having us trying to figure out, who the killer is and what his real motives were. I was not expecting the person at the end to be the killer. Melinda Leigh threw me off on this book.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to romantic suspense readers out there and fans of Melinda Leigh’s books. You will need some tissues though, and you may not look at your computer or social networks the same way.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good grief! wgat have i just read?!I enjoy reading this, and I can assure you... We READER did not see that coming!!! damn I always felt confident I know the busted, but I don't😒
Sadly, this was another disappointing entry in this series for me. Don't get me wrong, I loved the suspense plot, as it kept me totally clueless about the perpetrator and even the ultimate victim until the very end, but the romance angle just didn't work for me.
Luke came across as a weaker hero, content to stand aside and let someone else take the lead. His skill set was somewhat useful, and I could see him in the city's employ somehow, but I also didn't connect well with him. I think he took the death of his assistant a little too hard, and used it as too much of a crutch.
Brooke I could relate to, having done a stint as a single mom myself. That being said, I hated how much she pushed Luke away due to her guilt over her college roommate's death. Even the reason for her guilt was completely stupid! She was essentially letting that murder run her entire life!
As I mentioned before, the suspense plot was awesome! I had no clue about the killer, and their malice really showed in each scene where they were featured. I could feel the victim's fear and trauma, so in that the book was very well written. Hopefully, the last two books in the series will be better!
Luke came across as a weaker hero, content to stand aside and let someone else take the lead. His skill set was somewhat useful, and I could see him in the city's employ somehow, but I also didn't connect well with him. I think he took the death of his assistant a little too hard, and used it as too much of a crutch.
Brooke I could relate to, having done a stint as a single mom myself. That being said, I hated how much she pushed Luke away due to her guilt over her college roommate's death. Even the reason for her guilt was completely stupid! She was essentially letting that murder run her entire life!
As I mentioned before, the suspense plot was awesome! I had no clue about the killer, and their malice really showed in each scene where they were featured. I could feel the victim's fear and trauma, so in that the book was very well written. Hopefully, the last two books in the series will be better!
Brooke Davenport never forgot finding her friend murdered. She has lived her life advocating for safety, when her effort is finally put to a test rescuing a woman who is being attacked. Brooke has no idea that she has attracted the interest of a serial killer. As a single mother she knows she could use help protecting her children and now that her brother has been called to duty, his best friend Luke Holloway steps in.
Luke has been trying to move past a terrorist attack that leaves him haunted. With flashbacks occurring and Brooke's safety in question, Luke has to put the past behind him in order to protect the woman who is quickly becoming a huge piece of his future, if he is willing to accept it.
Intriguing story, I was guessing who was the killer the whole way through. I thought Brooke was fascinating character, she is tough but vulnerable as well. I also appreciated that the story delves into both Brooke's and Luke's past and how they are still hindered by elements of it. Fantastic read.
Luke has been trying to move past a terrorist attack that leaves him haunted. With flashbacks occurring and Brooke's safety in question, Luke has to put the past behind him in order to protect the woman who is quickly becoming a huge piece of his future, if he is willing to accept it.
Intriguing story, I was guessing who was the killer the whole way through. I thought Brooke was fascinating character, she is tough but vulnerable as well. I also appreciated that the story delves into both Brooke's and Luke's past and how they are still hindered by elements of it. Fantastic read.
I didn't realize when I won this book as a first-reads that it also fell into the "romance" category. I love thriller/suspense stories, but I'm not a fan of romance. That said, Leigh is an excellent author and with the exception of the "quivering thighs" sections of the book, the rest of it was appropriately suspenseful and interesting. I didn't find the big "reveal" of the murder to be a surprise at all---in fact, I had him pegged during the first 1/3 of the book. If you are a fan of romance and thrillers, you will enjoy this book.
Full Review posted on Book Lovin' Mamas
I know I am going to have a hard time typing up this review without crying because She Can Scream was a very emotional book and the storyline alone should have people in twisted knots after they read this book. Melinda Leigh gives us a story that makes people realize that not everything should be posted online and you should be very weary on adding people to your social networks sites.
Melinda Leigh did a fabulous job from beginning to end, building up the suspense of the story and having us trying to figure out, who the killer is and what his real motives were. I was not expecting the person at the end to be the killer. Melinda Leigh threw me off on this book.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to romantic suspense readers out there and fans of Melinda Leigh’s books. You will need some tissues though, and you may not look at your computer or social networks the same way.
I know I am going to have a hard time typing up this review without crying because She Can Scream was a very emotional book and the storyline alone should have people in twisted knots after they read this book. Melinda Leigh gives us a story that makes people realize that not everything should be posted online and you should be very weary on adding people to your social networks sites.
Melinda Leigh did a fabulous job from beginning to end, building up the suspense of the story and having us trying to figure out, who the killer is and what his real motives were. I was not expecting the person at the end to be the killer. Melinda Leigh threw me off on this book.
I give this book 5 full moons and highly recommend it to romantic suspense readers out there and fans of Melinda Leigh’s books. You will need some tissues though, and you may not look at your computer or social networks the same way.
This is the third book in the "She Can" series. I loved the first two and I liked this one. All of the books feature characters with physical and emotional damage and you genuinely care about what they been through and want them to deal with it so they can have a full life. I liked Luke and Brooke but I felt that they did not achieve the same level of growth that I saw in the other books. I did not figure out who the bad guy was this time. And, I found the crime very relevant in today's world.