The Crush Mass Market Paperback – September 1, 2003

THE CRUSH by Sandra Brown ranks as one of her best. The two main characters were developed well and quickly brought to life through Brown’s genius. The story begins with Dr. Rennie Newton, a brilliant and beautiful surgeon, performing her civic duty as foreperson on a jury that acquits a well known and life-long contract killer, Ricky Lozada. Days after the trial ended, Dr. Newton’s colleague and fellow surgeon, Dr. Lee Howell, is found murdered in the hospital parking lot. Doctors Newton and Howell had been in competition for the job as chief of surgery at the hospital. An undercurrent builds against Dr. Newton as the person somehow responsible for the demise of Dr. Howell. During Lozada’s trial he had become obsessed with foreperson, Dr. Rennie Newton. Following his acquittal, he stalked her, showered her with dozens of unwanted roses, phone calls and scary love notes. Fort Worth PD detective, Oren Wesley, suspects Dr. Newton’s involvement in the Howell murder and asks former detective, Wick Threadgill, who is on temporary suspension, to come back to Fort Worth and assist him in solving Dr. Howell’s murder. Wesley also suspects Lozada is involved in Howell’s murder. Wick has good reason to return in that Lozada is suspected of murdering his brother, Joe, a FWPD detective months earlier. Wick Threadgill soon becomes romantically involved with Dr. Rennie Newton. This complicates and impedes the FWPD’s pursuit of the case. Without giving away the twists and turns and the excitement that comes with each page, I will say only that I very much enjoyed the narrative and the characters who I hope Sandra Brown chooses to use again in a follow up sequel. It is not a complicated story and has few participants but you will enjoy the mystery and the romance for its simplicity and intrigue. I give the book a 5-star rating.

Very lengthy. Shorter would be better. Story was very good. Just when you think you've reached the end of the book something else happens.

There are plenty of reviews that can give an idea of the story itself, so I'm going to skip that. What I will say is Sandra Brown has a great talent at writing a story that you just can't put down. Her stories are just amazing, suspenseful page turners.Sure, some things are a bit predictable in some stories- this one included. I do love her characters and their stories, and the way she writes the flow of the story. I was hooked very quickly into this story and struggled to put it down, even to sleep.Sandra brown is an amazing author, and I've yet to find a book from her that I haven't enjoyed. If you are looking for a good read, pick this up!

Really enjoy all of her books!Big fan!!

Sandra Brown has done it again! I have read many of her books and enjoyed every one. The one thing I like about her books is that she doesn't have a 'cookie cutter' method of writing. Each one has its own personality. In 'the Crush' she has captured her characters personalities so you can visualize them clearly. You may come to think of them as friends or foes. It has an interesting plot with a few twists to keep you interested. All in all an enjoyable read.Snazzy

My issue was mostly with the "Good Guys" in the male department. Usually Brown keeps them way less sleazy than this. No one is perfect and some flaws show dynamic facets of character, but there is a TON of victim blaming, past the point of normal suspicion. Entitled behavior towards Rennie and her privacy and past, despite who she clearly is in the present. Wick acts almost predatory himself in a lot of situations and throws tantrums like a child when he's not getting his way...big turn off. Buy the time I was getting to the last 100 pages, I felt somewhat violated for Rennie and hoped she ended up just turning him down flat and carrying on her life without him. She could do way better. Wesley is over the top in his discrimination towards her the entire time. It's ridiculous. Rennie sounds like if she really had anyone in her life who cared about her, they would be advocating some serious therapy sessions. She has too much guilt that turns into self destructive behavior as an adult. It's kind of hard to get past all of that in the reading.

I don't have any negative thoughts. This book kept me enthused wondering how the ending would pan out. It was everything I knew it would be. The writer always leaves things up in the air and then bam!

Even though this book is a little dated, the story was great. Hot headed rogue cop meets damaged doctor. Sandra Brown always delivers.

love her books

A marvellous read. I enjoyed every word. Though I could guess the ending, it was the 'how' that kept me going.

A different story from other books I have read from the author. Take the raunch out of it and it could be a decent crime thriller to read. Both together makes it a good read.

Nice read

Don't read this book if you have to get up early the next morning. You won't want to put it down. It is a great read as all her other novels are. Have fun reading.