Tough Customer

A Novel

By: Sandra Brown

Narrated by: Victor Slezak

Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Colleagues, friends, and lovers know Dodge Hanley as a private investigator who doesn't let rules get in his way—in his private life as well as his professional one. If he breaks a heart, or bends the law in order to catch a criminal, he does so without hesitation or apology.

That's why he's the first person Caroline King—who after a 30-year separation continues to haunt his dreams—asks for help when a deranged stalker attempts to murder their daughter...the daughter Dodge has never met. He has a whole bagful of grudging excuses for wishing to ignore Caroline's call, and one compelling reason to drop everything and fly down to Texas: guilt.

Dodge's mind may be a haze of disturbing memories and bad decisions, but he arrives in Houston knowing with perfect clarity that his daughter, Berry, is in danger. She has become the object of desire of a co-worker, a madman and genius with a penchant for puzzles and games who has spent the past year making Berry's life hell, and who now has vowed to kill her.

Dodge joins forces with local deputy sheriff Ski Nyland, but the alarming situation goes from bad to worse when the stalker begins to claim other victims and leaves an ominous trail of clues as he lethally works his way toward Berry. Sensing the killer drawing nearer, Dodge, who's survived vicious criminals and his own self-destructive impulses, realizes that this time he's in for the fight of his life.

From acclaimed best-selling author Sandra Brown, Tough Customer is a heart-pounding tale about obsession and murder, the fragile nature of relationships, and, possibly, second chances.

©2010 Sandra Brown Management Ltd. All rights reserved. (P)2010 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Really like Sandra Brown

I almost didn't buy this book because of the one review written when I purchased it. But I love Sandra Brown, and I'm glad I disregarded the review and gave the book a try. While I agree that it isn't her best novel, and that it was a little slow in the beginning, there were unexpected twists later in the book that kept me interested. I especially sympathized with Dodge and Caroline in the choices they made and lived with for 30 years. If you're a fan of Brown, I wouldn't call Tough Customer a wasted credit.

Not her best - but it is Sandra Brown

I always look for new releases by Sandra Brown, so I came across this one. I would always choose one of her novels. I went with it despite the negative reviews. It was entertaining, but definitely all over the place! Too many subplots. When I thought I was winding up the book, I was surprised to see that I had 3 hours left! A bit formulaic, but entertaining enough. Lots of Sandra Brown signature moments. I wouldn't put it at the top of your list, but when you need a new read, I wouldn't pass it up because of the reviews.

Suspenseful and Engaging

Any additional comments?

Great suspense with a dash of romance novel. Dodge Henley's true love and the one who got away, Caroline asks for his help after a 30 year absence. Dodge now starts to develop a relationship with the daughter he has not seen since her birth. Throw in a whack job stalker determined to murder Dodge's daughter Berry, and Dodge's vow to protect the love of his life and his daughter makes for quite a thrilling and suspenseful novel.

Great book

awesome read or listen. I loved the twists and turns as well as the surprises. great narrator too!

Just finished Tough Customer by Sandra Brown

As usual Sandra Brown delivers an excellent read. Loved it! And love Victor Slezak. He can read to me anytime.

"Sue Me"

Would you listen to Tough Customer again? Why?

yes, I did listen twice, as I missed some good parts the first time. S.B. writes a mystery, so you can miss some clues if you are multi-tasking.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes, as this has a bit of a thriller in the story.

Which character – as performed by Victor Slezak – was your favorite?

Victor Slezak and S.B. books are an automatic download for me. I own all of this reads on downloads/MP3 of Ms Browns. He is the best of the SB readers. I just wish Audible would get White Hot in full length. This is my all time fave of SB with Victor stealing the show!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, and that is why I missed some clues.

Any additional comments?

Check out V.S. reads of S.B. You will not be disappointed.

Read smash cut first. Good read.

I liked the book quite a bit. You should read smash cut first. Shares the same characters. It is a romance but the story line is good. starts off slow but picks up to a good story.

Excellent book

This book had a great story line & kept me engaged from beginning to the end.

entertaining with a nice twist

first brown book. felt like she went a little overboard with the machismo but the story was good.

Mediocre

Why do all Sandra Brown’s male, main characters have a bad southern accent, when narrated by Victor Slezak? Annoying and distracting.