Bloodlust by Sandra Brown: Review

I was excited to read Blood Moon last year, a story that introduced us to Bowie, a character featured in this book. While some of the characters cross over, the book can be read as a stand alone.

This one is masterfully developed and the characters stand out! Check out my thoughts below.

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Bloodlust by Sandra Brown
Publisher: ‎ Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: ‎ March 17, 2026
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1538743027

OVERVIEW:
Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and, since, has attributed her murder to 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 with her, regardless of his reluctance and attempted distractions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office—seeing straight through her aloof exterior and getting under her skin in unprecedented ways—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.

Bloodlust by Sandra Brown Review

If you follow my reviews, then you know I love a good police procedural story, and this one is ranking high on my list for must-reads this year.

Brown has done it again with a fabulous story that is intricately woven with imagery and incredible detail. Plus, she added a love interest and some spicy romance. I am here for it all! Such a perfect blend and balance throughout the book.

This murder mystery is a police procedural with some bad guys you know and others you do not. There are characters you will love and some you will hate. The author expertly develops a story that is one part shockingly incredulous and one part highly emotional, especially when it comes to the main character, Mitch. Oh, I love his devious mind!

The suspense ramps up the further we dive into the murder plot, and the ending brings an awesome twist only Brown can deliver. Bloodlust is an outstanding story that will definitely be on my re-read list and my Best Of list this year!

5 STARS!!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links included. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review, but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest, and your opinions may differ.