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Amos Carver #2
Dead List
KILL OR BE KILLED
Amos Carver is just minding his own business when a woman falls to her death right around the corner from where he's working.
At first it seems like a senseless tragedy. An accident. Carver can't help but investigate. When he does, he realizes this was no ordinary woman. She was a trained killer. And she was looking for him.
There's a contract on Carver's head. But who's behind it? The Brazilians? His former government unit, Scion? The military company, Breakstone?
Running isn't an option. If they tracked him to his new city, they can track him anywhere. Some problems are best met head on. Especially when the prey is a trained killer himself. The game becomes survival of the fittest.
But it doesn't matter how many assassins Carver kills if he can't find out who's funding them. It's a simple numbers game. They'll keep coming. Carver will get tired and eventually slip up. Then a bullet or a blade will put him six feet under.
Carver will have to stay in the shadows. Strike when he can. Find allies if possible. Follow the trail of money and bodies to the top.
And cut the head off the snake.
Amos Carver is just minding his own business when a woman falls to her death right around the corner from where he's working.
At first it seems like a senseless tragedy. An accident. Carver can't help but investigate. When he does, he realizes this was no ordinary woman. She was a trained killer. And she was looking for him.
There's a contract on Carver's head. But who's behind it? The Brazilians? His former government unit, Scion? The military company, Breakstone?
Running isn't an option. If they tracked him to his new city, they can track him anywhere. Some problems are best met head on. Especially when the prey is a trained killer himself. The game becomes survival of the fittest.
But it doesn't matter how many assassins Carver kills if he can't find out who's funding them. It's a simple numbers game. They'll keep coming. Carver will get tired and eventually slip up. Then a bullet or a blade will put him six feet under.
Carver will have to stay in the shadows. Strike when he can. Find allies if possible. Follow the trail of money and bodies to the top.
And cut the head off the snake.
- GenresThriller
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2023
About the author
John Corwin
105 books584 followersJohn Corwin is the bestselling author of the Overworld Chronicles.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 6, 2024
Really. 2.5.
This was a nutso read. A competent editor could of fixed many of the problems the horrible segues between scenes and plot lines.
Too bad. Buried in this sloppy mess of a story was an interesting novel. But sweet Jesus. The actual story telling was cringey.
I liked the first book in the series and dismissed the sloppiness, but this novel was mediocre at best. A Little Caesars pizza in the world of pizzas.
This was a nutso read. A competent editor could of fixed many of the problems the horrible segues between scenes and plot lines.
Too bad. Buried in this sloppy mess of a story was an interesting novel. But sweet Jesus. The actual story telling was cringey.
I liked the first book in the series and dismissed the sloppiness, but this novel was mediocre at best. A Little Caesars pizza in the world of pizzas.
April 28, 2026
2.5
Giving it 3* for an ending of my liking. Other than that, the writing style was off, it was missing substance - or something else.
Giving it 3* for an ending of my liking. Other than that, the writing style was off, it was missing substance - or something else.
April 27, 2025
Carver is in big trouble, so he's got the enemy right were he wants them!
Dead List was tedious at times because of the threads leading to multiple people, places and agencies! As part of the story telling, the backstories were either dragged out or confusingly thin!
When everyone is out to kill you, from every group you ever engaged, the enemy list is unyielding! Add in hired assassin's and the plotline is excessive!
If you work through these impediments early in the plotline, then about halfway through the book, the story is fantastic!
While not as good as book one, Deadl Before Dawn, you'll probably like this one if you can hang with it!
Dead List was tedious at times because of the threads leading to multiple people, places and agencies! As part of the story telling, the backstories were either dragged out or confusingly thin!
When everyone is out to kill you, from every group you ever engaged, the enemy list is unyielding! Add in hired assassin's and the plotline is excessive!
If you work through these impediments early in the plotline, then about halfway through the book, the story is fantastic!
While not as good as book one, Deadl Before Dawn, you'll probably like this one if you can hang with it!
June 1, 2023
Well, John Corwin did it again. He hooked me from the very first sentence. 'A body hurtled downward.' How could I not dive in to see what happened after reading this?
Amos Carver has tried to move on from Morganville (check out Dead Before Dawn, the first book in this series - it's excellent). He has moved on, has a new identity and a low-key job that suits him and pays him enough to keep him going. But Morganville still haunts him. Some of the players involved want to use him and some want him dead. Carver is reluctantly pulled back into an entangled mess of an investigation in an attempt to stay alive. Seriously, this was a very good story, well-written and well-paced. The author makes the pleasant assumption that his readers are intelligent and planted nuggets of information throughout the story that turn out to be important; giving the reader some 'lightbulb' moments. I don't normally read thrillers, but am captivated by this character and series and highly recommend this one. It can be read standalone, but if you pick up the first book, you'll get the backstory on this one.
Amos Carver has tried to move on from Morganville (check out Dead Before Dawn, the first book in this series - it's excellent). He has moved on, has a new identity and a low-key job that suits him and pays him enough to keep him going. But Morganville still haunts him. Some of the players involved want to use him and some want him dead. Carver is reluctantly pulled back into an entangled mess of an investigation in an attempt to stay alive. Seriously, this was a very good story, well-written and well-paced. The author makes the pleasant assumption that his readers are intelligent and planted nuggets of information throughout the story that turn out to be important; giving the reader some 'lightbulb' moments. I don't normally read thrillers, but am captivated by this character and series and highly recommend this one. It can be read standalone, but if you pick up the first book, you'll get the backstory on this one.
May 7, 2024
Greatly enjoyed this book! Intriguing, great characters and storyline. Ending kept me in suspense with my stomach in a twist. One thing bothered me though. As with the first book in this series, a woman gets involved. But in this book the woman is a reporter and Carver tells her everything about his life!!! She’s a news reporter!!! Carver would NEVER tell anyone, especially a reporter, his life story! Ok, but my main point is, in both the first and second book: Carver meets woman, woman is a part of the plot but leeches onto Carver. Carver gets laid - hey, kudos to him! But that part of the storyline is becoming a bit redundant. I saw it coming in the second book! Getting bored with it!
I will say, kudos to Mr. Corwin for not going into explicit details of Carver’s sexual encounters! I greatly appreciate that about this author!
Good work Mr. Corwin. I enjoy your Carver books. But the women involvement is becoming so predictable.
I will say, kudos to Mr. Corwin for not going into explicit details of Carver’s sexual encounters! I greatly appreciate that about this author!
Good work Mr. Corwin. I enjoy your Carver books. But the women involvement is becoming so predictable.
October 29, 2023
Not As Good As the First Book
This story has a lot of moving parts. I found myself using the X-ray often to keep up with all the characters being thrown at me, yet it was still confusing at times.
The first book had more impulsive action than this one. Carver was a killing machine in book one, this one involved more detective work and planning; a slow burn to be sure. And after watching the two main characters try to unravel the mystery, the final unveiling seemed anticlimactic.
As I was reading this book I saw a third edition had dropped. I was excited about that and looked forward to digging into it when I finished this book. But the ending here was so 'meh', I didn't have the same level of anticipation for book three. Of course, I'm still going to read it!
This story has a lot of moving parts. I found myself using the X-ray often to keep up with all the characters being thrown at me, yet it was still confusing at times.
The first book had more impulsive action than this one. Carver was a killing machine in book one, this one involved more detective work and planning; a slow burn to be sure. And after watching the two main characters try to unravel the mystery, the final unveiling seemed anticlimactic.
As I was reading this book I saw a third edition had dropped. I was excited about that and looked forward to digging into it when I finished this book. But the ending here was so 'meh', I didn't have the same level of anticipation for book three. Of course, I'm still going to read it!
June 24, 2023
I’ve read everything John Corwin has written. Most of his books have a paranormal element and are a lot of fun. This is more of a military thriller so it’s a completely different type of book and isn’t what I normally read. With that said, it was quite a page turner with lots of excitement and well developed characters.
This is the second book in the series and picks up where the first left off. We learn more about the character, get some answers about what happened in the first, and of course, there is lots of action. I enjoyed this one even more than the first.
This is the second book in the series and picks up where the first left off. We learn more about the character, get some answers about what happened in the first, and of course, there is lots of action. I enjoyed this one even more than the first.
June 21, 2025
Go with the review by Sleepless dated 4-27-25.
I would add however, that the Breakstone Corp from book one (or their assassins) are after Carver after he slipped away from the carnage he wrought in that book. The reason, a reporter senses there was more to the story there, tries to locate Carver and inadvertently sets off a series of events putting Carver, herself & a few others on a kill list.
It's not about revenge but more about Breakstone and monetary gain.
Another violent kill them before they kill me.
I would add however, that the Breakstone Corp from book one (or their assassins) are after Carver after he slipped away from the carnage he wrought in that book. The reason, a reporter senses there was more to the story there, tries to locate Carver and inadvertently sets off a series of events putting Carver, herself & a few others on a kill list.
It's not about revenge but more about Breakstone and monetary gain.
Another violent kill them before they kill me.
October 1, 2023
Kill or be killed
Carver can’t catch a break. He’s in Miami relaxing on the beach with a new identity and working the night club scene as a bouncer, but somehow someone has found his true identity. Are they here to do him harm? Well a woman has just fallen to her death in a dumpster outside his club at the same time someone is asking about “Carver”. From there it gets crazy good as Corwin takes you on a twisted path thru devious people and their plans to tie up loose ends.
Carver can’t catch a break. He’s in Miami relaxing on the beach with a new identity and working the night club scene as a bouncer, but somehow someone has found his true identity. Are they here to do him harm? Well a woman has just fallen to her death in a dumpster outside his club at the same time someone is asking about “Carver”. From there it gets crazy good as Corwin takes you on a twisted path thru devious people and their plans to tie up loose ends.
May 24, 2025
When a trained assassin dies right in front of him, Amos Carver realizes he’s the real target and there’s a price on his head. Now, he’s trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse against an endless wave of killers. With no safe haven, Carver must fight back, uncovering a conspiracy that goes deeper than he imagined. Gritty, intense, and packed with relentless action, Kill or Be Killed is a white knuckle ride from start to finish.
February 16, 2024
I enjoyed this, his second read on Amos Carver. This guy is about as exciting as a box or rocks when it comes to interpersonal relationships. You could sleep through his life…at least the first two books. Maybe, in the third Carver will come to life @nd start missing what he’s missed. I hope. It’s a good read, entertainin, even intriguing. So, go for it…read!
March 20, 2025
Vigilante Justice with a Twist!
Great character Development of a disgraced black ops assassin trying to set things strait,all while his enemies have their own assassins trying to. Kill him. South Florida provides a great setting with all its own twists and turns! Truly a great entertaining, suspenseful read!
Great character Development of a disgraced black ops assassin trying to set things strait,all while his enemies have their own assassins trying to. Kill him. South Florida provides a great setting with all its own twists and turns! Truly a great entertaining, suspenseful read!
October 18, 2025
Good read- not as good as the first
I liked this follow to the first book. While the story was good I felt this installment was not as tightly written as the first. There were a couple of plot points that seemed ridiculous. Still, if you could overlook a bit of cheesy dialogue and the loose plot points, it’s worth a read.
I liked this follow to the first book. While the story was good I felt this installment was not as tightly written as the first. There were a couple of plot points that seemed ridiculous. Still, if you could overlook a bit of cheesy dialogue and the loose plot points, it’s worth a read.
May 23, 2023
better than the first
Well I finished Dead List and in my opinion it’s better than the first. It’s action packed, suspenseful, and just a pleasure to read. John Corwin I hope you’ll continue this series. It may not be your normal genre but you are good at it.
Well I finished Dead List and in my opinion it’s better than the first. It’s action packed, suspenseful, and just a pleasure to read. John Corwin I hope you’ll continue this series. It may not be your normal genre but you are good at it.
August 26, 2024
Better than the first
Amos Carvery had me hooked in Book 1
He reeled me in good and proper in Book 2.
A great story and a clever series of plots within plots.
Left me rather worried about the security services worldwide... Got me thinking. Seriously!
Amos Carvery had me hooked in Book 1
He reeled me in good and proper in Book 2.
A great story and a clever series of plots within plots.
Left me rather worried about the security services worldwide... Got me thinking. Seriously!
February 8, 2025
Dead List
An exciting book about secret political twisty killing, money laundering, underworld dealings with a hero who just wants peace. It was really captivating. Will watch for the next book.
An exciting book about secret political twisty killing, money laundering, underworld dealings with a hero who just wants peace. It was really captivating. Will watch for the next book.
April 2, 2025
When powerful companies operate unchecked ....!
Carved has his work cut out for him. He doesn't know who he can trust and he must act fast.
He has one thing going for him: anonymity.
Carved has his work cut out for him. He doesn't know who he can trust and he must act fast.
He has one thing going for him: anonymity.
September 1, 2023
good read
September 4, 2023
Caver just wants to be left alone with his demons.
February 4, 2024
Even better than the first!
A very good read! Five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty.
A very good read! Five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty.
May 11, 2024
dead list book 2
This book is written similar to Jack reacher and Jack widow books. Is still fun to read. Will go to next in series.
This book is written similar to Jack reacher and Jack widow books. Is still fun to read. Will go to next in series.
August 19, 2024
Not as good as the first book, a bit anti climatic in my opinion.
October 20, 2024
Excellent
Very good book. fast paced, exciting and well written. Gives a glimpse of what power and revenge can motivate someone to do.
Very good book. fast paced, exciting and well written. Gives a glimpse of what power and revenge can motivate someone to do.
December 18, 2024
The Bad Guys
It was finally going to be over but would it? When Carved was involved who could tell! It seems to finish but perhaps not completely!
It was finally going to be over but would it? When Carved was involved who could tell! It seems to finish but perhaps not completely!
January 16, 2025
good
Another good story, like book one Carver was still very good at what he does and he doesn’t get bashed about then get back up like some over the top characters do .
Another good story, like book one Carver was still very good at what he does and he doesn’t get bashed about then get back up like some over the top characters do .
February 6, 2025
Dead List
Such a ring of truth of what may be happening today. Such a riveting storyline. I'll have to pick up the next one in the series soon.
Such a ring of truth of what may be happening today. Such a riveting storyline. I'll have to pick up the next one in the series soon.
May 30, 2025
Dead List
The second story was well written and had a captivating story line. It still remained me of a Reacher novel, but it was worth reading.
The second story was well written and had a captivating story line. It still remained me of a Reacher novel, but it was worth reading.
August 1, 2025
Great book
I enjoy all John Corwin's books. Plan on reading all future Amos Carver books. Vigilante mystery action thriller books are great reading.
I enjoy all John Corwin's books. Plan on reading all future Amos Carver books. Vigilante mystery action thriller books are great reading.
August 26, 2025
fantastic
What a great read books 1and 2 are could not recommend them enough kept me thinking what will happen next
What a great read books 1and 2 are could not recommend them enough kept me thinking what will happen next
October 4, 2025
Great read and storyline
Excellent plot twists. Great action and super storyline. Really kept your interest throughout the book. Looking forward to what's next.
Excellent plot twists. Great action and super storyline. Really kept your interest throughout the book. Looking forward to what's next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews