Friday, April 24, 2026

Review - Bloodlust

Title:
  Bloodlust

Author:  Sandra Brown
Genre:   Romantic Suspense
Series:  Blood #2
Publisher:   Grand Central Publishing
Format:  Trade Paperback ARC
No. of Pages:  432
Date of Publication:  March 17, 2026
My Rating:  5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and has since attributed her murder two men: Roland Malone and the unidentified mastermind of the crime known only as Oz. Malone, a ruthless executioner and drug dealer who fronts as a restaurant owner, neutralizes so cleanly that he doesn’t leave a trace. And he performs his handiwork at the biddings of Oz, the faceless kingpin of a drug trafficking operation whose name alone evokes terror.

Obsessively vowing to avenge his late wife’s murder, Mitch has been on a downward spiral, jeopardizing his closest relationships and drinking excessively to numb his pain. After going one step too far, Detective John Bowie, his former best friend and now his boss, has forced Mitch to get therapy to sort himself out.

Dr. Dylan Reede is immediately empathetic to the pain she senses beneath Mitch’s cavalier attitude and wisecracking. She’s determined to make the most of his mandated sessions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office, Dylan finds it a struggle to maintain the professional and personal boundaries that keep her own tragic past at a safe distance.

As Mitch begins to close in on Oz and Malone’s operation, they’re prepared to stop him by any means necessary. And when it’s revealed that Dylan might hold the key to bringing them to justice, Mitch and Dylan’s irresistible attraction to each other may not only compromise both of them professionally, but place them in Oz’s bullseye.


MY THOUGHTS:

Detective Mitch Haskell is skating dangerously close to becoming a law unto himself. Still reeling from the loss of his wife two years earlier, he is convinced that at least one man is responsible - Roland Malone, a ruthless and calculating criminal. There’s also a shadowy accomplice known only as Oz. Together, they execute their crimes with chilling precision, leaving no trace behind. But Mitch is relentless, determined to find the slightest crack in their façade and finally bring justice to his wife’s murder.

Unsurprisingly, Mitch’s obsession has begun to take its toll. Pushing the boundaries of both law and sanity, he’s ordered into therapy by his boss, Detective John Bowie. Enter Dr. Dylan Reese. What begins as a professional relationship quickly becomes something far more complicated, as Dylan is drawn into Mitch’s dangerous pursuit - both emotionally and professionally. Their connection blurs ethical lines, adding another layer of tension to an already high-stakes investigation.

Fans of the series will appreciate the return of John Bowie, the protagonist from the first book, whose presence adds continuity and depth. Sandra Brown once again delivers a gripping mix of suspense and romance, balancing pulse-pounding danger with an emotionally charged relationship. Whether it’s the hunt for elusive killers or the undeniable chemistry between Mitch and Dylan, Bloodlust is an engaging, fast-paced read that leaves you eager for the next installment.

I want to express my gratitude to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE (2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 


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