Thursday, September 12, 2013

ARC Review: She Can Scream by Melinda Leigh

She Can Scream
Author: Melinda Leigh
Publication: Montlake Romance (September 17, 2013)

Description: In one moment, high school teacher and single mother Brooke Davenport interrupts a vicious assault, saves a young woman’s life, and attracts the attention of a serial killer.

Sixteen years ago, Brooke lost her roommate to a brutal murder. Now she teaches women’s self-defense, still trying to heal from the guilt and grief that plague her. Convinced the predator knows his victims and is stalking his prey online, she is determined to find him before he strikes again. Her brother’s friend, Luke has the computer expertise to help. But Brooke’s unexpected desire for Luke complicates her investigation, and her fixation with the case provokes a deadly reaction from the killer.

Injured in terrorist bombing overseas, computer expert Luke Holloway is still haunted by flashbacks of his young assistant’s death in the explosion. But Luke can’t refuse the request of a deployed friend to look after his sister, Brooke. Taking on responsibility for Brooke’s safety threatens Luke’s tenuous recovery, especially after he develops feelings for her that transcend a promise to a friend. When Brooke saves a young girl from a brutal assault and becomes a killer’s obsession, Luke vows to protect her at all costs.

My Thoughts: Brooke Davenport is a math teacher and divorced mother of two teenagers. She also teaches a self-defense class for young woman to help assuage the guilt she feels regarding the murder of her college roommate. She is suffering from survivor's guilt regarding Karen's death. When she answers screams and save another young woman from being kidnapped and killed, she becomes the focus of the killer and also obsessed with finding out who the killer is.

Luke Holloway is suffering from survivor guilt too. He is a computer security expert who was in an explosion in Manila and watched his young colleague die. He carried her down many flights of stairs despite his own burns and other injuries but she didn't survive. Now Luke is dealing with nightmares and other fears. When his best friend asks him to look after his sister Brooke while he is deployed overseas, he agrees but he hadn't bargained with trying to save her from a serial killer. 

Brooke and Luke had also not bargained on falling in love but, through the course of the dangers they face, they do. 

Even though the serial killer has chapters where he is the viewpoint character, Ms. Leigh had me completely fooled about who the killer was. I fell for the red herrings she threw out and was very surprised to learn the truth.

The story was well-written and filled with suspense. I recommend it.

Favorite Quote:
"Thanks for the help." Brooke smiled at Tony, then turned and hobbled outside. Please don't follow. Ack. He was right behind her. Lord, he was harder to get rid of than lice in a kindergarten class. 
I got this ARC through the Amazon Vine program. You can buy your copy here.

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