Sandra Brown - Smash Cut

The murder of Paul Wheeler has all the elements of a blockbuster: family rivalries, incalculable wealth, and a prominent man dying in the arms of his beautiful mistress. It's a case that could earn Derek Mitchell even greater star power. When the Wheeler family approaches him about defending Creighton Wheeler for his uncle's murder - even before he's charged - he jumps at the chance.
But Derek soon discovers that Julie will stop at nothing to secure justice for Paul - and that includes preventing Derek from defending Creighton. Infuriated, Derek realizes that his hands have been tied in a way that could not only cost him the case, but ruin his entire career.

Although Creighton has a rock-solid alibi, Julie is convinced that he is responsible for Paul's murder. But the homicide detectives have another theory. Caught in several lies, and keeping secrets from Derek and the police, Julie is suspected of casting blame on Creighton to cover her own crime. Meanwhile, Derek fears he's once again being duped ... yet he burns with jealousy when he thinks of Julie with her late lover.
But the more Derek learns about Creighton and his darker side, the more he doubts the young man's innocence.
And hiding in a squalid motel under an assumed name is the one man, a career criminal, a killer, who knows the truth.
The clock ticks down toward a shocking ending as Derek and Julie seek to learn whether Creighton's fascination with movie murders is merely a bizarre hobby or depravity. Has he begun reenacting cinema's goriest scenes ... and, if so, who will be his unwitting costars ?

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The books cover description should be called a major spoiler because it almost tells the story in just a few sentences. I'm glad when I got the book I didn't read the description before otherwise I might have been tempted to not read the book at all.
Luckily the description, even if read, doesn't take away that Smash Cut is an exciting thriller to read.
Just when I thought how great the author had hidden the killer's identity (with hints it might not be the suspect you have in mind) she plain let me know by telling me. At first I was shocked and disappointed but afterwards it made perfectly sense and didn't bother the suspense in the least.

I probably won't go back in time to read Brown's older novels but will keep an eye on new publications.

Rating:
Visit Sandra Brown.

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1 edition (August 11, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416563083
ISBN-13: 978-1416563082