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Dead #3
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.
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.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 3, 2004
123 people are currently reading
864 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Stewart
88 books1,528 followersMariah 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?
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?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 5, 2013
Dead Even finishes up the stories of the "game". When three prisoners are unexpectedly put in a room together, Archer Lowell, at 19, is the youngest and most inexperienced of the three. To make himself look tougher, he starts talking tough with the other two men. The first man, Vince, is well known for having killed his wife and children. The second man, Curtis has the look of a killer. Both men scare the hell out of Archer. He asks the two men, if they could have a free pass to take out anyone, who would they eliminate. Making sure everyone is aware it's just talk, just a game to pass the time, the three each give up three names.
Curtis, being the first of them released, decides to play for real. He takes Vince's list. When Vince's conviction is overturned an he is released, he takes on Archers list, continuing the game. Now that Archer has served his time and is free once again, its his duty to see that Curtis' list is completed. But with no one to check up on him, he decides to settle in and just live his life as clean as he can. Forget all about the game. Until Vince sends a man to insure Archer does what he is obligated to do. Eliminate Curtis' three people.
FBI agents Miranda Cahill and Will Fletcher have a professional and a personnel history together. A love, hate, on again, off again relationship. The last thing Miranda wants is to be partnered up with Will again. But she will sucked it up and be a professional. After all they have a killer to catch. One Archer Lowell. The FBI knows Archer is the third man in the game. They just need to watch him, and wait for him to make his move. They have a pretty good idea who his first victim should be, and he gives them a clue who victim number two most likely is. But the profilers all agree, Archer Lowell is to scared to actually kill anyone. Until the first man is found dead, and Archer is missing.
During the investigation, an idea surfaces on who the third intended victim is. It's Miranda. She had interviewed Curtis several years earlier in connection with a string of murders. Apparently, she made an impression on him.
When Will learns this, his mind is made up. To get to Miranda, they'll have to go through him.
In a side story, we get a peek at a couple from an earlier book, who finally find what they've been looking for. For better or worse.
I have fallen in love with the way this author develops her characters. These stories are more romancy than thriller. But there is still plenty of tension involved in the story. Each book can be read as a stand alone novel. You are given plenty of information about the back stories, you won't feel lost. I would, however, recommend reading the others in the series for the complete story. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Curtis, being the first of them released, decides to play for real. He takes Vince's list. When Vince's conviction is overturned an he is released, he takes on Archers list, continuing the game. Now that Archer has served his time and is free once again, its his duty to see that Curtis' list is completed. But with no one to check up on him, he decides to settle in and just live his life as clean as he can. Forget all about the game. Until Vince sends a man to insure Archer does what he is obligated to do. Eliminate Curtis' three people.
FBI agents Miranda Cahill and Will Fletcher have a professional and a personnel history together. A love, hate, on again, off again relationship. The last thing Miranda wants is to be partnered up with Will again. But she will sucked it up and be a professional. After all they have a killer to catch. One Archer Lowell. The FBI knows Archer is the third man in the game. They just need to watch him, and wait for him to make his move. They have a pretty good idea who his first victim should be, and he gives them a clue who victim number two most likely is. But the profilers all agree, Archer Lowell is to scared to actually kill anyone. Until the first man is found dead, and Archer is missing.
During the investigation, an idea surfaces on who the third intended victim is. It's Miranda. She had interviewed Curtis several years earlier in connection with a string of murders. Apparently, she made an impression on him.
When Will learns this, his mind is made up. To get to Miranda, they'll have to go through him.
In a side story, we get a peek at a couple from an earlier book, who finally find what they've been looking for. For better or worse.
I have fallen in love with the way this author develops her characters. These stories are more romancy than thriller. But there is still plenty of tension involved in the story. Each book can be read as a stand alone novel. You are given plenty of information about the back stories, you won't feel lost. I would, however, recommend reading the others in the series for the complete story. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
June 29, 2016
4.5 Stars
March 30, 2025
Definitely enjoyed this book. The suspense has been the best I think and the interconnection is great
October 21, 2016
Third in this series and for me it was my least favorite. I did not like the jumping back and forth between the rescue of Julianne and the Archer Lowell storylines - although the ending did bring them together. To me it seemed to detract from the overall action. I will be finishing up this series since I'm already 3 into it. The set-up, a homage to the move Strangers on a Train, was clever but it was a little cumbersome by this 3rd part. The author had to do some plot jumps to keep this up and it was evident that the story suffered a little. For the most part it was good if predictable.
April 3, 2009
Once again, I would not call this a romantic suspense novel - just suspense. Very well written and enjoyable, just no romance. In fact, I think this one had less romance than the first two books in this series. So reader beware, if you are looking for a book with romance, this is not for you. If you want to enjoy a well wrtten, myster/suspense novel - enjoy!
July 30, 2011
made an "okay" car book!
November 7, 2018
Not much romance. No sex. No mystery. Some suspense. It was an interesting enough read, but failed to deliver on Miranda and Will's story.
February 9, 2018
The third in a trilogy (based around the concept of the movie "Strangers on a Train") where three inmates--each in for a different reason--who meet in a holding room at the courthouse one morning develop a plan where they will each kill three people for one of the other inmates.
This third one follows the release of the third, and last, prisoner--and the last 3 victims on the list.
It is much different from the first two and had a very different feel from the others--almost more romance than psychological thriller (like the first one, "Dead Wrong") or murder mystery (like the second, "Dead Certain) was. By now, the FBI and police from the first two books have figured out the "Strangers on a Train" scenario and from the moment the third prisoner is released, two FBI agents are sent to visit him. And these two agents happen to be on-again, off-again lovers. And one of them--they are, at first, unaware--is also on the killer's list.
This book, unfortunately, was written a bit sloppier than the first two in the beginning and would have been more difficult to follow had I not read the first two right before it. The author did not develop the characters as well, as if running on the presumption that the reader had already read the other books. In addition, there is a secondary plot line that involves characters that appeared only in the first book, "Dead Wrong".
Still worth reading, but not as well written, or easy to follow, if you haven't read the others. But if you have read the others, it is a nice wrap-up to the trilogy.
This third one follows the release of the third, and last, prisoner--and the last 3 victims on the list.
It is much different from the first two and had a very different feel from the others--almost more romance than psychological thriller (like the first one, "Dead Wrong") or murder mystery (like the second, "Dead Certain) was. By now, the FBI and police from the first two books have figured out the "Strangers on a Train" scenario and from the moment the third prisoner is released, two FBI agents are sent to visit him. And these two agents happen to be on-again, off-again lovers. And one of them--they are, at first, unaware--is also on the killer's list.
This book, unfortunately, was written a bit sloppier than the first two in the beginning and would have been more difficult to follow had I not read the first two right before it. The author did not develop the characters as well, as if running on the presumption that the reader had already read the other books. In addition, there is a secondary plot line that involves characters that appeared only in the first book, "Dead Wrong".
Still worth reading, but not as well written, or easy to follow, if you haven't read the others. But if you have read the others, it is a nice wrap-up to the trilogy.
February 26, 2025
Dead Even
There was two stories going on in this book. Poor Archer caught a bad deal the day he got placed in a room with two murders. One a serial killer who'd had an innocence about him, but had never been caught. Just in way over his head and forced to do something he'd never wanted to do.
Then go straight to the compound of Rev. Prescott in Wyoming. Whoo boy. Pedofiles and sex offenders galore. Julianne was one lucky little girl. Her father was a very bad man, but at least he'd protected her from the men in the compound.. Then Genna Snow to the rescue as she'd hurried the girl back home to her mother who'd been looking for her daughter for 7 years after her father had abducted the girl at 5 years old. Lots going on but definitely a good read if you like crime, drama, and romance.
There was two stories going on in this book. Poor Archer caught a bad deal the day he got placed in a room with two murders. One a serial killer who'd had an innocence about him, but had never been caught. Just in way over his head and forced to do something he'd never wanted to do.
Then go straight to the compound of Rev. Prescott in Wyoming. Whoo boy. Pedofiles and sex offenders galore. Julianne was one lucky little girl. Her father was a very bad man, but at least he'd protected her from the men in the compound.. Then Genna Snow to the rescue as she'd hurried the girl back home to her mother who'd been looking for her daughter for 7 years after her father had abducted the girl at 5 years old. Lots going on but definitely a good read if you like crime, drama, and romance.
June 25, 2019
Misterinya tidak ada karena penjahatnya sudah ketahuan di awal cerita. Lebih ketahuan lagi jika membacanya urut dari buku 1 dan jeda antara buku 2 dan 3 tidak jauh. Yang lebih seru malah pencarian Julianne-anak Mara (buku 1) yang dibawa kabur mantan suaminya selama tujuh tahun dan menyelundupkan keluar dari sekte yang dipimpin seorang pendeta/mucikari anak. Sayangnya di epilog tidak tuntas bagaimana Julianne menerima kebohongan ayahnya dan hubungannya dengan Mara. Romansa antara Marinda dan Will biasaaa saja.
2,8🌟
2,8🌟
April 17, 2019
I liked this story enough to get 3.5 stars. The third of the series it gave the old Hitchcock film: "Strangers on a Train" a new life. Three stories come of that film's strange contract of two people killing he others' person that was a problem. In these books, three criminals make that deal with each one killing three people for the other. I liked the chase and personal experiences of the agents in charge of these cases.
July 6, 2020
Fast paced suspense!
Another great book in the Dead Series.
FBI agents tracking the third man in a game of, you kill mine, I'll kill yours scenario.
Another dead body, who will be the next target?
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering if and when the third man will be caught.
Only issue, wished the book was on audible.
Another great book in the Dead Series.
FBI agents tracking the third man in a game of, you kill mine, I'll kill yours scenario.
Another dead body, who will be the next target?
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering if and when the third man will be caught.
Only issue, wished the book was on audible.
May 27, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this book in the series. Similiar to its predecessors, while it's helpful to read them in order, it's not required to enjoy the book. Good thriller novel. Stewart's characters are relatable and engaging.
March 23, 2020
enjoyed this 3rd book in series
fun knowing characters from other stories
plus I am reading all four books together which is nice to have stories fresh in my mind
this one I did get a little nervous that they would get the 3rd one on the list
fun knowing characters from other stories
plus I am reading all four books together which is nice to have stories fresh in my mind
this one I did get a little nervous that they would get the 3rd one on the list
May 5, 2018
A great continuation... Still loving the characters and want to see more...
January 9, 2019
It was hard to put this book down, even when I needed to go to bed!
December 18, 2019
I couldn't figure out why it seemed so familiar at first. It's the third in a series. I'd read the first awhile ago. Not bad story. I like the twist.
June 18, 2020
I liked it but am happy the series is over.
August 30, 2022
I was surprised by this book. Overall 4 stars. I liked the 2 different stories.
April 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book and actually enjoyed the 2nd and 3rd ones even more than the first. Even though you know the killer, the author sucks you in and I love how the books are intertwined.
February 17, 2024
Very Surprising
This is the third book in the series and brings a lot of questions answered from
the first 2 books
This is the third book in the series and brings a lot of questions answered from
the first 2 books
March 13, 2024
Great book…. I only wish we could’ve learned what happened to Mara and Julianne and what the outcome
of Prescott and Douglas were
of Prescott and Douglas were
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
Really good suspense series.
May 6, 2017
Good. Books
These books have so many twists and turns just as you think one thing another come along to stymie you. Loved the ones Ive read so far. Buckle up for a bumpy ride and turbulance!
These books have so many twists and turns just as you think one thing another come along to stymie you. Loved the ones Ive read so far. Buckle up for a bumpy ride and turbulance!
January 1, 2024
Should have read Dead Certain and Dead wrong first.
December 30, 2010
This is the third in the series of four. She has several trilogies and tetralogies (maybe a few singles also). This is the second of her series I've read. I've enjoyed all of them so far and expect to continue through each of them.
In a previous review, I scoffed at finding these books about serial killers and murderers in the romance section of one of the libraries I use (they're in fiction, as they should be, in the other two libraries). As the symmetry of the universe would have it, this book had a solid "romance" line in it. It did not get in the way of the story, but it got a lot of attention. This is romance in the "we have feelings" category and not pages of sex. (BTW, she is a romance author, so I understand the library's confusion. But she has at least three series and three stand-alones that are "FBI" and not romance--this is one of them.)
Since the first book of this series implied a trilogy (evident from the prologue, reinforced by the ending), I wasn't sure how it became a tetralogy. Having read this third one, I'm still not sure how the fourth will play out, as the "obvious" story lines have already completed.
As with her others, the book moves quickly and I don't like breaking away to do things, oh, like live life. I thought the "general" ending was good, the way it came together. I thought the "very" ending was clever. Even with the obvious clue of what comes next, book four could go in several directions. We'll see.
In a previous review, I scoffed at finding these books about serial killers and murderers in the romance section of one of the libraries I use (they're in fiction, as they should be, in the other two libraries). As the symmetry of the universe would have it, this book had a solid "romance" line in it. It did not get in the way of the story, but it got a lot of attention. This is romance in the "we have feelings" category and not pages of sex. (BTW, she is a romance author, so I understand the library's confusion. But she has at least three series and three stand-alones that are "FBI" and not romance--this is one of them.)
Since the first book of this series implied a trilogy (evident from the prologue, reinforced by the ending), I wasn't sure how it became a tetralogy. Having read this third one, I'm still not sure how the fourth will play out, as the "obvious" story lines have already completed.
As with her others, the book moves quickly and I don't like breaking away to do things, oh, like live life. I thought the "general" ending was good, the way it came together. I thought the "very" ending was clever. Even with the obvious clue of what comes next, book four could go in several directions. We'll see.
April 25, 2013
Dead Even was a confusing ring. It's supposed to follow Will and Miranda, two agents from the FBI, as they try to track down Archer Lowell. They've figured out that he, along with two other prisoners, made a Strangers On A Train kind of deal where they'd each kill 3 people for another. The problem in this situation is, they have no idea who the intended victims are. And an interesting twist: they can't keep Lowell in custody for it, because he hasn't committed the crimes yet. This should have been really interesting to read about. I would've found it so intriguing if that had been the angle this went in.
Instead, a second completely unrelated crime was added to this book. Genna Snow and John Mancini (from Voices Carry) are also FBI agents, working on a kidnapping and child prostitution ring case. This also would have been interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't well executed.
Completely different crimes, completely different people involved on all levels (criminals, victims, FBI agents and local police). Too many names to figure out who's who all the time. And made worse by not even separating the two by changing chapters. The only differentiation we were given between stories was the change of a paragraph. A PARAGRAPH. It left me confused more than once.
All in all, this could have been a good book but it just fell short. Too bad.
Instead, a second completely unrelated crime was added to this book. Genna Snow and John Mancini (from Voices Carry) are also FBI agents, working on a kidnapping and child prostitution ring case. This also would have been interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't well executed.
Completely different crimes, completely different people involved on all levels (criminals, victims, FBI agents and local police). Too many names to figure out who's who all the time. And made worse by not even separating the two by changing chapters. The only differentiation we were given between stories was the change of a paragraph. A PARAGRAPH. It left me confused more than once.
All in all, this could have been a good book but it just fell short. Too bad.
August 20, 2015
An easy, quick read with likable characters. Two different stories in one novel that intermingle together at the end. It would have been much better if the author had concentrated on just one story. I've read some of the novels that came before and after this one. They are all about the same as far as the ranking.
However, just too many coincidences or rather unlikely scenarios. First we have Mara Douglas, who just happened to be one of the people that Vinnie Giordano wanted killed for taking his children away. Her sister just happens to be an FBI agent. And on top of that, her husband kidnapped her daughter and ran away to join a cult that the FBI is investigating. Then there was Amanda, whom Archer Lowell wanted killed. Her brother, Evan, just happens to be a detective. So why do all of the intended murder victims have a connection to FBI or law enforcement? I guess to set the stage for all of the FBI and their mates to interact with each other.
It also does not make sense that Vinnie would pay Burt to make sure that Channing's intended victims were murdered. Why would he care? Channing was dead and his own choices were already taken care of by Channing, or at least some of them.
However, just too many coincidences or rather unlikely scenarios. First we have Mara Douglas, who just happened to be one of the people that Vinnie Giordano wanted killed for taking his children away. Her sister just happens to be an FBI agent. And on top of that, her husband kidnapped her daughter and ran away to join a cult that the FBI is investigating. Then there was Amanda, whom Archer Lowell wanted killed. Her brother, Evan, just happens to be a detective. So why do all of the intended murder victims have a connection to FBI or law enforcement? I guess to set the stage for all of the FBI and their mates to interact with each other.
It also does not make sense that Vinnie would pay Burt to make sure that Channing's intended victims were murdered. Why would he care? Channing was dead and his own choices were already taken care of by Channing, or at least some of them.
January 11, 2017
this book was disappointing, it was recommended to me by a shop keeper at my local used book store when I asked for any good romantic suspense. she claimed it was very good. I am hoping she just pointed to the wrong one...
absolutely no romance and even less suspense. there was three different plots throughout the book and yes they ended up interweaving but it still was bland and in my opinion boring.
too much information on minute details and not enough during the action scenes, example of when there is a shooting it skips from the guy being shot to "Cahil walked over to the body" she is the heroine FBI agent and it doesn't even describe her hearing the shot or any such detail! she just magically appeared outside by the body...
it took me over a week to finish, which is a long time for me, I can usually finish in about 2-3 days of evening reading.
I can't say that I enjoyed it or would recommend it but I also bought another book in the series at the same time so I hope that one is better.
absolutely no romance and even less suspense. there was three different plots throughout the book and yes they ended up interweaving but it still was bland and in my opinion boring.
too much information on minute details and not enough during the action scenes, example of when there is a shooting it skips from the guy being shot to "Cahil walked over to the body" she is the heroine FBI agent and it doesn't even describe her hearing the shot or any such detail! she just magically appeared outside by the body...
it took me over a week to finish, which is a long time for me, I can usually finish in about 2-3 days of evening reading.
I can't say that I enjoyed it or would recommend it but I also bought another book in the series at the same time so I hope that one is better.
April 10, 2009
This is the last book in the "triology". The first two were "Dead Wrong" & "Dead Certain". EXCELLENT!!
"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 his 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."
"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 his 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."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews