Last Breath

Last #3

by Mariah Stewart

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes a novel of sexy romantic suspense for fans of Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, and Karen Robards.

You’ve taken your Last Look. You’ve spoken your Last Words. Now prepare to surrender your Last Breath in this tour de force of suspense, romance, and action.

As renowned archaeologist Dr. Daria McGowan readies the most important project of her career–a University museum exhibit showcasing the priceless artifacts her great-grandfather unearthed a century earlier in the Middle East–she makes a shocking discovery: many of the most significant pieces have vanished. Panicked, Daria turns to the FBI.

Solving the mystery is an assignment that Connor Shields is more than happy to accept: Daria is the same intriguing blonde archaeologist he’s had on his mind since their paths first crossed two years ago. Working together to track down the stolen artifacts, Daria and Connor discover a trail of bodies–collectors who have met brutal, bizarre ends at the hands of a killer whose murderous methods are based on the rituals of an ancient civilization.

Amid rumors of a curse and mounting pressure from both the FBI and the University, Daria and Connor race to unmask their enemy and unravel a mystery stretching across oceans and centuries. All the while, an ingenious murderer follows a sinister plan to gather the coveted antiquities and one last acquisition–Daria.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 2007

About the author

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of forty-one novels and three novellas and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal. She is a RITA finalist in romantic suspense and the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO Award for excellence in women's fiction, and a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine. A three-time winner of the Golden Leaf Award presented by the New Jersey Romance Writers, Stewart was recently awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award (which placed her in their Hall of Fame along with former recipients Nora Roberts and Mary Jo Putney — very excellent company, indeed!)

After having written seven contemporary romance novels, Stewart found true happiness writing murder and mayhem. She considers herself one lucky son of a gun to have landed the best job in the world: getting paid for making up stories. At home. In sweats and J. Crew flip flops. Could life be sweeter?

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone told me this was really authored by someone else, I'd be inclined to believe them. It had a different beginning, and a different feel throughout. I've read a lot of Stewart and know she has the talent to do this, so I'll not claim it was someone else.

This balanced just about everything well. The archaeology, the characters, the murders, and the "romance" (every one of her FBI books has to have romance, whether you want it or not. One place I really did not like it--too much detail, but for the most part it wasn't in the way of the book).

Besides the balance, I liked the characters and the situation didn't seemed as contrived. The deaths were of a different nature than most of her work.

Some could claim it left a couple stories open at the end, well, at least one. I'm fine with that. She may inject it in a future book, since she uses the same FBI pool in each of her FBI books.

I enjoyed it a lot. I usually give three to everything unless they are very good, then they get four. I contemplated a five for this one briefly. It worked well for me.

[Dianne Retzlaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, who done it read. Often I skim the acknowledgements at the end of a book but liked Mariah’s quality of allowing winners of charitable auctions the naming rights to a character. Brilliant marketing idea!

[Mojca · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a renowned archaeologist, Dr. Daria McGowan is invited to prepare an exhibit of priceless artifacts unearthed a century ago by her great-grandfather.

As she starts cataloging the artifacts, she makes a shocking discovery. Some are missing. With her back against the wall, she calls the FBI, actually an FBI agent, Special Agent Connor Shields, she's met a few months back in Morocco...And he is more than happy to accept, since she's been "haunting" his dreams ever since their (one and only) encounter.

Now, working together, Connor and Daria are quickly swamped by dead bodies of the collectors who used to own the stolen artifacts, and the two race against the clock to unmask the murderer, find the stolen loot and keep Daria safe.



A romantic suspense my patootie!
It was neither romantic nor suspenseful. I was bored to tears by the end of the first chapter and not even a "beautiful man" FBI agent could spark my interest.

The story was severely hampered by the boring, and extremely repetitive details of the ancient city of Shandihar, its culture, history, religion, and the blood-thirsty wench that was the goddess Erishkegal. Additional hampering was brought forth by the terrible and somewhat amateurish narration. I felt like I was reading something written down by an eighth-grader (no offense to all the eighth-graders).

*deep sigh*

So, the suspense was lacking - the book was so boring, I didn't care whodunit, I just wanted it to END ALREADY!
The romance was something you could find only in a laboratory under a very good microscope. The two seemed more like life-long friends than two adults apparently pining for each-other. And when they finally did the deed, it was so short and unspecific... *snore*

Yeah, this is another one of those sleeping-pill-substitutes.

[Gerry Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this old book up at a used book store. I won't deny Stewart is a master storyteller. She really knows how to construct a mystery too. The only reason I took away a star here is the romance. It was such an afterthought that I got irritated. Yes, there was an attraction. The FBI agent, who for some inexplicable reason goes all over the world, falls for the renowned archaeologist who is at the local college to put her late great grandfather's finds on display. When gruesome murders start to happen, he's right there to take over the investigation. Their blossoming love story is not very satisfying. My favorite relationship in the book is with the dog they find at a crime scene. Love Sweet Thing. But then I'm a sucker for a dog. Interesting artifacts, villains, etc. But don't jump in if you want a lot of romance.

[Marion · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was such a bore i only got 3/4 of the way through before giving up. the characters were 2 dimensional and not in the least engaging. they were stuck up and stuffy and made the poorest choices known to man. situations and reactions were totally unbelievable. the 2 stars are only because the book might not be as bad as i think, maybe i was just having an off day.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the others in the series. Honestly I was more bored than anything. I liked Daria and I liked Connor but together they were lame (and not together at all really). The mystery didn't intrigue me and neither did the investigation. Just blah.

[Danella Virtue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book about an archaeology family with suspense and love and murder! Not my usual genre but a fun read!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very weak 3. I HATED THIS STORY LINE. I had a lot more expectations for Connors story.

[Sandy Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until 1970, when the UNESCO convention addressed international trade of cultural property, it was common for people to plunder tombs and other sites in the Middle East for mummies and other artifacts for personal enjoyment or museums in their countries. In October 1908, Alistair McGowan writes a letter to his wife that he has found the long-missing town of Shandihar on a hill in Asia Minor. An archeological find worth millions. He photographs, crates, and ships the treasures to Howe University in Pennsylvania. They are stored away while the appropriate facility can be built - and subsequently forgotten. In 2007, Dr. Daria McGowan, great granddaughter of Alistair, is contacted by the University to leave her dig-site in Northwestern Iran and come help set up a display of the priceless antiquities. Soon after she starts the inventory Daria finds several pieces missing and contacts Connor Shields, an FBI agent she'd met through a friend, a year or so ago, to help her. Although not his field, John Mancini (his boss) lets me do so. As they search for the missing pieces, mutilated bodies of their owners start piling up and it seems an ancient curse is upon those who have messed with the goddess's grave.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time read of Mariah Stewart but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the mystery around the female main character who is an archaeologist, and discovers missing artifacts with a curse, or so it seems. Lots of suspense and surprises. The ONLY part that bothers me about so many novels is they always throw in a romance - and an extremely unlikely romance. What are the chances that a 30 something archaeologist who has been out in the field for years, hooks up with the hunky, virile, oh and single, no kids, FBI agent? Extremely unlikely. I didn't realize this was book 3 so I have to wonder if the first 2 have any unlikely romances in them. They book was quality enough without having to add that smutz ! I notice a lot of female mystery writers do that. Regardless, it was a good read.... and one that made me check the locks on my windows.

[Linda Fast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Daria McGowan has arrived at Benjamin Howe College for an appointment with its administrator. Daria's great grandfather had been funded by the college and had found a lost city on a dig in the Middle East. The college wants Daria to put together a display of her great grandfather's artifacts which had been in crates for close to 100 years.
As Daria begins to go through the crates she finds there are missing pieces according to her great grandfather's list. She then contacts FBI Agent Connor Shields. As they track down the missing pieces that have ended up in collectors' personal collections they find that the people have been murdered. They then begin to investigate the mystery of the missing pieces.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some treasures are not meant to be found. Some treasures were never meant to be seen under glass in museums. Some treasures are said to be cursed. And finding the treasures of a goddess and lost city could get you killed.

A likable, quick, and entertaining read from Mariah Stewart about stolen antiquities and murder. Maybe Last Breath was a little forced in the romance department and maybe a little too flat on the characters, but I was entertained. My mom read it in one sitting. Needless to say, she was also entertained. Oh, but the dog, Sweet Thing, was perfection.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book of the series, a famous archaeologist, Dr. Daria McGowan, gets an invitation she can't pass up...a chance to put her great-grandfather's findings of a buried city into a museum exhibit. But she discovers that some of the pieces are missing. When were they taken? Who took them? Why are people who owned these pieces dead? She calls on Conner Shields, an FBI guy, she met in Italy. It took me a little time to get into the story, action-wise, but it moved right along at the end.

[Christie Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Breath

I love a good mystery and the bond between the main characters was phenomenal. The murders and the artifact thefts from the university campus. Calling in the only FBI Agent she knew. Oh how I love Daria and Connor. They just popped out of the book and latched onto my heart.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories based on archaeology and Last Breath does not disappoint. 100 years after their discovery, artifacts of a lost city are being curated for exhibition when some are found missing and mysterious deaths occur. The main characters are a bit wooden but the story is engaging.

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun thriller with a historical fiction twist. Not her best, not or worst, but overall still enjoyable.
While it lists the book as Book 3, really they don't have to be read in any order. Some of the characters are from previous books, but could be read without knowing that.

[Jason Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was okay. Writing style was a little too basic for me but others may enjoy it. Had been on my list for years so glad to have finally gotten through it. I'd quote the first paragraph of Chapter 25 as an effective anecdote for the absolute cheesiness of this book, lol.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good idea for a plot, but I think Mariah Stewart repeated the history too many times in the beginning. It took away from the flow of the story.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I look for in a book--interesting, engaging, with nothing too graphic or scary. I will definitely read more. Mild swearing, one brief sex scene.

[Sue Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[james r. kot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I would recommend this book, sorry it came to an end. Looking forward to reading another book by Mariah Stewart!

[M Kathy Sidaway]

very enjoyable series from Mariah Stewart
loved the characters, setting and story.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series.

[Harold Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read.

[Cynthia Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series

Read the series and it was amazing. I've enjoyed each book and will definitely read more of her books. Thanks

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one might be my favorite of the series

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not enough mystery for me

[Hope Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. I was surprised by the ending & liked the characters. Definitely would recommend.

[Kathy]

Couldn't get into it

[TL Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh it was okay. I figured out "who done it" before the reveal.