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Amos Carver #8
Dead To Rights
DEADLY RITES
When Carver finds out that Rich Polaski, a man he served with in the SEALS, is on an NSA watch list, he goes to warn him out of a sense of duty.
He arrives in the small town of Bickham, Illinois, a spotless town with almost zero crime, no chain stores, and an aesthetic from a time long past.
That's because the local police run the town like it's their own little kingdom. They take what they want, and no one stops them.
Rich is their latest victim. They used civil forfeiture to take his home and fifty thousand dollars he'd been saving for surgery. But apparently, that wasn't enough. Carver finds out they also plan to take his life.
Carver's arrival stirs up the hornet's nest and puts him on a collision course with the local constabulary. It's a dangerous game, but that's nothing new to him. They're about to find out the hard way that the stakes just got higher.
And the next thing forfeited might be their lives.
When Carver finds out that Rich Polaski, a man he served with in the SEALS, is on an NSA watch list, he goes to warn him out of a sense of duty.
He arrives in the small town of Bickham, Illinois, a spotless town with almost zero crime, no chain stores, and an aesthetic from a time long past.
That's because the local police run the town like it's their own little kingdom. They take what they want, and no one stops them.
Rich is their latest victim. They used civil forfeiture to take his home and fifty thousand dollars he'd been saving for surgery. But apparently, that wasn't enough. Carver finds out they also plan to take his life.
Carver's arrival stirs up the hornet's nest and puts him on a collision course with the local constabulary. It's a dangerous game, but that's nothing new to him. They're about to find out the hard way that the stakes just got higher.
And the next thing forfeited might be their lives.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2025
About the author
John Corwin
102 books580 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 31, 2025
Way too complicated
Springs everything on you and then tries to tie everything together in the last 25 pages. Also, a lot of the motivations aren't credible. Also, scopolamine doesn't really work like that.
Springs everything on you and then tries to tie everything together in the last 25 pages. Also, a lot of the motivations aren't credible. Also, scopolamine doesn't really work like that.
April 9, 2026
not Corwin’s best work
Devoured the first seven (all 4 and 5 stars) but this one was clunky and bogged down with spy craft and over the top scheming. Corwin’s bad guys were well done, per usual, but the collateral characters came off almost as unlikable as the antagonists; a bunch of self focused whiny primadonnas with chips on their shoulder. I was hoping Rich would get killed off sooner or later but, instead, had to endure that self loathing little ingrate for entire book. Would highly recommend the first seven but skip this one for sure.
Devoured the first seven (all 4 and 5 stars) but this one was clunky and bogged down with spy craft and over the top scheming. Corwin’s bad guys were well done, per usual, but the collateral characters came off almost as unlikable as the antagonists; a bunch of self focused whiny primadonnas with chips on their shoulder. I was hoping Rich would get killed off sooner or later but, instead, had to endure that self loathing little ingrate for entire book. Would highly recommend the first seven but skip this one for sure.
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August 7, 20262 Stars
I am new to the Amos Carver fictional universe. I read books 1 & 2 recently because I am a Reacher/Child fan. So was looking for a similar book/character. And Carver fits the bill...loosely. But I am not looking for a carbon copy. The first two books were alright.
Since I can't seem to read books in order, I skipped to book 8. I think that was a mistake. I did not enjoy it at all. I made myself finish it. My disliked stemmed mostly due to not liking any of the characters: specifically Rich, Nadia, Tom , or Alicia. Pretty much in that order. Of course the villains too. But you're supposed to hate them.
Now, I don't necessarily have to love or even like the main/side characters in the books I read. I can be neutral. But when I start to have an active dislike for them, it starts to become some hard reading. I have to have something I can get behind though, whether that's a character or a worthwhile cause, an injustice that needs to be put right, good/honest people that need to be saved--something. And there wasn't much here. Aside from the villains need to be brought down. But that wasn't even the main goal here.
Carver did not even feel that role for me. His main purpose was to help/save Rich and get him some money he needed for an operation. (See more on Rich below.) Since Carver is still new to me, I am still trying to figure his character out. (Though there does not seem to be much to figure out. He doesn't seem particularly deep or nuanced.)
This book gave three POVs: Carver, Rich (grumble) and Nadia. I disliked Rich almost from the start. However, I tried to be empathic. It became clear to me that Rich was probably always a jerk. And one who only felt right when he had a gun in his hand and was going after someone. His animosity towards Carver was mostly (though not totally) unjustified. So that did not help his likeability. He was a winer and felt sorry for himself. Pretty self-centered. Lastly he was a deadbeat dad. There was no indication that he thought or cared about his kids. I did not understand why Carver put up with his nonsense. I thought Nadia was okay at first but she later revealed herself to be no better than Rich. They deserved each other. I couldn't care less for either of them. Both her and Rich were very easily radicalized. But that was probably a plot device. It had to happen quickly.
Anyway, besides all this the book was a bit depressing. Most everyone was a bad character. Actually not 'just' bad but evil. some psychotic. The only nice character was the waitress . One reviewer mention that this was a one off book and 1-7 were better. So after a break, maybe I will go back and pick back up at book3 and read through 7. Not sure right now.
CONTENT:
Intimacy: Yes, but all totally back door.
Violence: Yes.
Language: In the few Carver books I have read, the cursing is low to mid-range.
I am new to the Amos Carver fictional universe. I read books 1 & 2 recently because I am a Reacher/Child fan. So was looking for a similar book/character. And Carver fits the bill...loosely. But I am not looking for a carbon copy. The first two books were alright.
Since I can't seem to read books in order, I skipped to book 8. I think that was a mistake. I did not enjoy it at all. I made myself finish it. My disliked stemmed mostly due to not liking any of the characters: specifically Rich, Nadia, Tom , or Alicia. Pretty much in that order. Of course the villains too. But you're supposed to hate them.
Now, I don't necessarily have to love or even like the main/side characters in the books I read. I can be neutral. But when I start to have an active dislike for them, it starts to become some hard reading. I have to have something I can get behind though, whether that's a character or a worthwhile cause, an injustice that needs to be put right, good/honest people that need to be saved--something. And there wasn't much here. Aside from the villains need to be brought down. But that wasn't even the main goal here.
Carver did not even feel that role for me. His main purpose was to help/save Rich and get him some money he needed for an operation. (See more on Rich below.) Since Carver is still new to me, I am still trying to figure his character out. (Though there does not seem to be much to figure out. He doesn't seem particularly deep or nuanced.)
This book gave three POVs: Carver, Rich (grumble) and Nadia. I disliked Rich almost from the start. However, I tried to be empathic. It became clear to me that Rich was probably always a jerk. And one who only felt right when he had a gun in his hand and was going after someone. His animosity towards Carver was mostly (though not totally) unjustified. So that did not help his likeability. He was a winer and felt sorry for himself. Pretty self-centered. Lastly he was a deadbeat dad. There was no indication that he thought or cared about his kids. I did not understand why Carver put up with his nonsense. I thought Nadia was okay at first but she later revealed herself to be no better than Rich. They deserved each other. I couldn't care less for either of them. Both her and Rich were very easily radicalized. But that was probably a plot device. It had to happen quickly.
Anyway, besides all this the book was a bit depressing. Most everyone was a bad character. Actually not 'just' bad but evil. some psychotic. The only nice character was the waitress . One reviewer mention that this was a one off book and 1-7 were better. So after a break, maybe I will go back and pick back up at book3 and read through 7. Not sure right now.
CONTENT:
Intimacy: Yes, but all totally back door.
Violence: Yes.
Language: In the few Carver books I have read, the cursing is low to mid-range.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
This book starts out with a bang, which seems to be the signature riff of this author. Carver comes to town to warn a brother-in-arms that he is on a Government watch list. Even though Carver and Rich Polaski don't get along, due to how Rich's military career ended, Carver felt like it was his duty to give Rich a warning. But Carver is too late. When he arrives in town, he finds that Rich's house and all he owned has been taken from him. That's not all he finds; there are crooked cops, questionable aid shelters, a hit man, and then - Jericho comes to town! No spoilers here, but there is so much going on, so many threads weaving together. I could not see that ending coming at all! This book kept me from adulting for most of a day, as I hated to put it down. If you like thrillers, be sure to grab this one. Better yet, start the whole series, the first one, Dead Before Dawn, is what hooked me in, and each book gets better!
September 9, 2025
Carver's finally back at the beach but he's being watched. Someone (from the NSA) is supposedly bringing a message from his friend Liana that a he & a buddy (Rich Polaski) from the Seals are on a watch list.
He's got to warn him -so he's off to Illinois to the beautific town of Bickham -a place with no crime, no box stores and some seriously weird vibes. Turns out the entire place is corrupt and the cops take whatever they want from whomever they want (but usually there's a reason).
Carver's sure Polaski doesn't want to see him but he feels obligated anyway. The storyline gets a bit complicated- there's the corrupt cops/town council & then another faction led by Carver's former Scion team member Jericho who has his own agenda and he needs to outwit them all.
It's a bit better than a few of the earlier books, a 3.25 for me.
He's got to warn him -so he's off to Illinois to the beautific town of Bickham -a place with no crime, no box stores and some seriously weird vibes. Turns out the entire place is corrupt and the cops take whatever they want from whomever they want (but usually there's a reason).
Carver's sure Polaski doesn't want to see him but he feels obligated anyway. The storyline gets a bit complicated- there's the corrupt cops/town council & then another faction led by Carver's former Scion team member Jericho who has his own agenda and he needs to outwit them all.
It's a bit better than a few of the earlier books, a 3.25 for me.
April 12, 2025
better and better
Well written and fast paced as usual. This book does shed some light on the disgraceful way our veterans are treated. Instead of honoring these women and men we casually cast them aside with little relief and or help for serious, serious problems. Shame on this country
Well written and fast paced as usual. This book does shed some light on the disgraceful way our veterans are treated. Instead of honoring these women and men we casually cast them aside with little relief and or help for serious, serious problems. Shame on this country
April 2, 2025
One of the Best Thriller Seies you can read!
You never where any of the Amos Carver Series is going to go. This one was exceptional. The storylines
keep you engaged in all of the fast paced action. Amos Carver is a one man wrecking crew.
You never where any of the Amos Carver Series is going to go. This one was exceptional. The storylines
keep you engaged in all of the fast paced action. Amos Carver is a one man wrecking crew.
January 30, 2026
Carver sets off from Myrtle Beach to warn one of his SEAL teammates about something and ends up in a small town of bent policemen. He also sees a Scion member whom he thought was long dead. It’s a chaotic ride to the finish.
March 26, 2026
Really enjoyed this one
This installment is probably the best one after the first. I love the corrupt cops angle, more conspiracy, a couple of unexpected twists, and lots of killing, and of course the deadpan super dry Carver humor. Enjoy!
This installment is probably the best one after the first. I love the corrupt cops angle, more conspiracy, a couple of unexpected twists, and lots of killing, and of course the deadpan super dry Carver humor. Enjoy!
March 29, 2025
Great book. Great series
Another entertaining book. I read it all in one go.. Keep them coming. This one was a little different than the other ones but in a good way.
Another entertaining book. I read it all in one go.. Keep them coming. This one was a little different than the other ones but in a good way.
April 3, 2025
good read
May 16, 2025
love this series!
Amos Carver isn’t a traditional hero but he is one. Action, espionage, justice, good versus evil - this book has it all!
Amos Carver isn’t a traditional hero but he is one. Action, espionage, justice, good versus evil - this book has it all!
May 22, 2025
Kept me guessing
Dead to Rights was a fun read. I figured out some of the subplots, but many were a surprise. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Dead to Rights was a fun read. I figured out some of the subplots, but many were a surprise. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 24, 2025
good
I don’t think this book is as good as the last one, it seems slow and not much action, I was waiting for something to happen but it only seemed to happen near the end
I don’t think this book is as good as the last one, it seems slow and not much action, I was waiting for something to happen but it only seemed to happen near the end
May 30, 2025
I like the book it was interesting and fast paced. I would have like it more if the book stood mor we on its own instead of never ending and now it relies on the next book to find some kind ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews