Dead Even
by Mariah Stewart
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mariah StewartEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-08-03
ISBN: 0345463943
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of Dead Even
Book Review: A good finish!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not really sure what the "even" has to do with anything, but this is the third book in the "Dead" series by Mariah Stewart, following "Dead Wrong" and "Dead Certain". It's helpful to read the books in order, but for the most part, the books stand on their own as well.
Convicted stalker Archer Lowell has just been released from prison. His earnest desire to stay clean and not do anything that will ever send him back. But Archer is weak, immature and ignorant. And he was foolish enough to come up with a `hypothetical' what-if game one day when he found himself locked in a room with 2 other prisoners: "What if you could do anything - anything at all - and not get caught?" It turns into a "Strangers on a Train" you-kill-mine-and-I'll-kill-yours thing. Only problem, one of those two guys, Curtis Channing, decided to make it real and, when released, tried to complete one of the other's murder list. Channing ended up dead. Then, the second guy, Vince Giordano, was released, and decided his honor was at stake, so he took on Archer's list. Giordano ended up back in prison. Now, Archer is out, and decides he wants to stay out. He reasons there's no one to make him go after Channing's list, since one's dead and the other's in jail. He reasons incorrectly. Did I mention Archer's not very smart? Giordano wants to make sure Archer follows through, so he gets one of his buddies, Burt, to ride herd on Archer to follow through on the last murder list. Archer's choices are kill or be killed, and he's just too stupid to know what to do.
It's an interesting twist. Of course, the FBI has figured out the whole game by the end of "Dead Certain" but they can't arrest Lowell unless he actually tries to follow through. Based on their previous interviews with him and a current meeting after his prison release, they conclude that he's too ignorant and without the resources to attempt the murders. However, Archer's ignorance is too much to be believed at times - it borders on spoof at times. How is possible that such a person could actually do the killing? And while the story walks us through it, it's never fully convincing. And yet, there is something really compelling about Lowell's character - will he actually pull it off, or is he doomed? At first, I was dubious about Giordano's insistence that Lowell do his part, but it is consistent with his character as Stewart has developed it - an evil control freak.
On the other hand, I really do like Miranda Cahill as the heroine. This is the great thing about series - the author gets the chance to develop characters over the course of a couple books and by the time they move from supporting character to the role of hero/heroine, you know them. Such is the case with Miranda - we know she likes junk food, she's gorgeous, and has a twin sister, Portia. And we know she has history with Will Fletcher, whom we've also met before in "Until Dark".
Overall, the story is a good read. In fact, I've re-read it several times, always remembering it as `not so great' and then really enjoying it when I read it. I like Stewart's books - they have more weight than a basic romance, but they're not too intense as suspense thriller.
For those who have read the whole series, there's a sub-plot that brings some closure to Mara Douglas' story (from "Dead Wrong"). I would guess that might be a bit distracting to those who pick up "Dead Even" without having read the first two, but Stewart weaves this sub-plot into the story to bring about a big finish to the whole series. (There is a fourth "Dead" title - "Dead End" - which is related by the characters, and explores Annie McCall's story, to which we were introduced in "Dead Wrong", but the `strangers on a train' murder list story is concluded in this book, "Dead Even".)
Summary of Dead Even
Three devious prisoners vow murderous revenge.Now the third is free.
FBI Special Agent Miranda Cahill has always played by the rules: always maintain a respectful professionalism, and never mix business with pleasure. Except when it comes to fellow agent Will Fletcher. Their on-again, off-again relationship has left painful scars even he has never seen.
Now, a series of murders has the two agents racing to outwit a killer before he can strike again. Miranda and Will know that lives depend on identifying intended victims and tracking them down before the killer does. But as they begin to unravel this homicidal agenda, it becomes clear that Miranda may be the last and final target in a twisted game. With the clock ticking, time is running out on a killer who is determined to cross Miranda?s name off his hit list . . . permanently.
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