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Dead #2
Dead Certain
Three devious prisoners vow murderous revenge. Now the second is free.
With her stalker captured, antiques dealer Amanda Crosby can finally sleep at night. Having worked hard to put the nightmare behind her, Amanda has vowed to never be a victim again. But when her business partner, Derek England, is found with a bullet through the back of his head just hours after she left an incriminating message on his voice mail, Amanda finds herself in danger of becoming a victim of another sort.
All the evidence points to Amanda as Derek's killer, and Chief of Police Sean Mercer is building the case against her. But when another of her colleagues is found brutally murdered, it's obvious that someone other than Amanda is behind the killings. Suddenly Amanda is a target once again, as a diabolical killer circles ever closer -- and the only thing that stands between her and becoming the third and final victim is the man who had tried to put her behind bars...
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Mariah Stewart's Dead Even.
With her stalker captured, antiques dealer Amanda Crosby can finally sleep at night. Having worked hard to put the nightmare behind her, Amanda has vowed to never be a victim again. But when her business partner, Derek England, is found with a bullet through the back of his head just hours after she left an incriminating message on his voice mail, Amanda finds herself in danger of becoming a victim of another sort.
All the evidence points to Amanda as Derek's killer, and Chief of Police Sean Mercer is building the case against her. But when another of her colleagues is found brutally murdered, it's obvious that someone other than Amanda is behind the killings. Suddenly Amanda is a target once again, as a diabolical killer circles ever closer -- and the only thing that stands between her and becoming the third and final victim is the man who had tried to put her behind bars...
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Mariah Stewart's Dead Even.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 29, 2004
241 people are currently reading
1275 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Stewart
89 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 80 reviews
September 13, 2020
This is a page-turner even though the killer is no surprise. The author still hooked me in with her writing style.
June 6, 2016
Being that I was reeled into this series due to the premise and the summary blurbs, I decided to give Mariah Stewart’s Dead series a second chance to appeal to me. The first book didn’t do well. Knowing what to expect, I adjusted my mindset a little bit and went into Dead Certain with other expectations (which, I admit, may not be very fair to Dead Wrong, but that’s how I roll).
I’m not certain that the read was a much better experience than I had had with the first book, but it was definitely a bit more tolerable. Knowing that this book is not anymore a romantic suspense than it is a crime thriller or murder mystery helps me tamp down my expectations. It’s more of a “The Day in the Life of a Non-Paid Hitman and a Glimpse of his Victims’ Lives” type of thing. When you know who the killer is, who his targets are, and why he’s killing in the first place, it really DOES take the excitement out of a crime thriller.
But I made my attempt not to pre-judge based on the impression I got from the first book.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t banish the fact that the writing does not flow well and the narrative and dialogue still feels unnatural. And there is still too much going on. The writing is still decent and could be solid -- some scenes and some of the monologues feel realistic enough... and has its own charm.
But there is still entirely too much information being offered in random scenes about the killer, the victims, even side characters, and none of it helps to strengthen the main story. A lot of scenes that seem to demand an emotional impact of some kind just feels awkwardly force; like we're trying to inject more side tangents to give our characters more depth. Instead, it all felt like filler material you’d expect to find when watching a television series and the producers couldn’t think of what to air for that night’s episode. Sometimes those side tangents are fun. But in this case, they were fairly boring; almost out of place. I admit, I felt the need to fast-forward a few times during the book (though I did not do so, for whatever reason I can’t understand).
The only thing still keeping me from dropping the series completely is due to the fact that the third book will tie into the conclusion of the series: the third prisoner keeping his end of the bargain to kill his hit list of people, as promised. A slight twist is thrown into the end of Dead Certain that makes you wonder how the rest of the story will play out.
Will Archer Lowell hold up his end of the game and kill for his fellow prison-mate? I’m going to admit, as reluctant as I am to open up that last book, I’m also kind of curious to see how things will end. I might be having one of those, “Why do I hate myself?” moments.
One thing I do appreciate is that the characters are a little better developed than the characters in Dead Wrong had been. Greer Kennedy, the big sister, was quite the character, even if she was just a supporting one.
I’m not certain that the read was a much better experience than I had had with the first book, but it was definitely a bit more tolerable. Knowing that this book is not anymore a romantic suspense than it is a crime thriller or murder mystery helps me tamp down my expectations. It’s more of a “The Day in the Life of a Non-Paid Hitman and a Glimpse of his Victims’ Lives” type of thing. When you know who the killer is, who his targets are, and why he’s killing in the first place, it really DOES take the excitement out of a crime thriller.
But I made my attempt not to pre-judge based on the impression I got from the first book.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t banish the fact that the writing does not flow well and the narrative and dialogue still feels unnatural. And there is still too much going on. The writing is still decent and could be solid -- some scenes and some of the monologues feel realistic enough... and has its own charm.
But there is still entirely too much information being offered in random scenes about the killer, the victims, even side characters, and none of it helps to strengthen the main story. A lot of scenes that seem to demand an emotional impact of some kind just feels awkwardly force; like we're trying to inject more side tangents to give our characters more depth. Instead, it all felt like filler material you’d expect to find when watching a television series and the producers couldn’t think of what to air for that night’s episode. Sometimes those side tangents are fun. But in this case, they were fairly boring; almost out of place. I admit, I felt the need to fast-forward a few times during the book (though I did not do so, for whatever reason I can’t understand).
The only thing still keeping me from dropping the series completely is due to the fact that the third book will tie into the conclusion of the series: the third prisoner keeping his end of the bargain to kill his hit list of people, as promised. A slight twist is thrown into the end of Dead Certain that makes you wonder how the rest of the story will play out.
Will Archer Lowell hold up his end of the game and kill for his fellow prison-mate? I’m going to admit, as reluctant as I am to open up that last book, I’m also kind of curious to see how things will end. I might be having one of those, “Why do I hate myself?” moments.
One thing I do appreciate is that the characters are a little better developed than the characters in Dead Wrong had been. Greer Kennedy, the big sister, was quite the character, even if she was just a supporting one.
May 11, 2022
I do not have enough good things to say about this book and Mariah Stewart as an author! I was hooked from the first chapter and was immediately invested in the characters. I only wish I had read the first book in the Dead series prior to this one, I was given this book in a bundle from a family member and picked it up blindly one day. I will likely go back and read the first one, and now I’m also on the hunt for the third.
What I found most refreshing about the writing it that, while you follow certain characters, each chapter is not necessarily from that character’s point of view. I think too many books I’ve been reading lately have had this writing style and it makes it difficult to get through the book if you do t particularly care for certain characters.
I would definitely recommend this book!
What I found most refreshing about the writing it that, while you follow certain characters, each chapter is not necessarily from that character’s point of view. I think too many books I’ve been reading lately have had this writing style and it makes it difficult to get through the book if you do t particularly care for certain characters.
I would definitely recommend this book!
July 22, 2024
The second killer has been released and is now free to do his part of the revenge plot. Amanda Crosby, once a victim of a stalker who beat her after some time of stalking, finds herself a suspect in her friends murder, and then the possible victim yet again.
I love how the cops don't know right away what's going on. There's a whole process and, sometimes, it leads them in the wrong direction. Makes it feel more real.
I think the ending really sets up for the third book nicely and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
I love how the cops don't know right away what's going on. There's a whole process and, sometimes, it leads them in the wrong direction. Makes it feel more real.
I think the ending really sets up for the third book nicely and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
August 25, 2018
Το διάβασα σε ελληνική μετάφραση με τίτλο "Λάθος κίνηση" από τις εκδόσεις plaza. Pageturner!!!
July 8, 2022
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; JULY 7, 2022
Narrator: Teri Schnaubelt
Patricia Highsmith's Strangers On A Train is such a well-known book I am surprised any author would borrow the idea of strangers, not on a train this time but in prison, exchanging hits. This dampened any excitement I might have had for this standalone romantic suspense.
But this turned out not to be a standalone because while one killer is caught the ending felt unfinished. What happened to the other killer/killers? There was so much extraneous detail packed into the book that I had a hard time getting a feel of the three prisoners who made that pact. They got overwhelmed by the rest of the book that I never quite knew which one was stalking Amanda until near the end. Throughout most of the book, the police and the FBI have no clue as to why Amanda's business partner, Derek, was killed and also her friend at the neighboring shop/office. It is only due to a chance incident occurring towards the end that the stalker/killer was caught.
While there is a romance between Amanda and Sean, the town's chief of police, it develops only late in the book - thank God - and stays very much in the background so if you're like me and hate the lovey-dovey stuff interfering with the suspense thread, this is a big plus.
I felt the story was not at all well-told but was a whole bunch of different bits and pieces of the plot thrown together, shaken and stirred. I was not happy to realise the story does not end with this book and I will have to listen to the next two to conclude the series. However, now that I know who the characters are and which killer was caught here, the next two books might fare better.
I like Teri Schnaubelt's narration. She does male voices well and that's an exception for me as I far prefer male narrators.
Narrator: Teri Schnaubelt
Patricia Highsmith's Strangers On A Train is such a well-known book I am surprised any author would borrow the idea of strangers, not on a train this time but in prison, exchanging hits. This dampened any excitement I might have had for this standalone romantic suspense.
But this turned out not to be a standalone because while one killer is caught the ending felt unfinished. What happened to the other killer/killers? There was so much extraneous detail packed into the book that I had a hard time getting a feel of the three prisoners who made that pact. They got overwhelmed by the rest of the book that I never quite knew which one was stalking Amanda until near the end. Throughout most of the book, the police and the FBI have no clue as to why Amanda's business partner, Derek, was killed and also her friend at the neighboring shop/office. It is only due to a chance incident occurring towards the end that the stalker/killer was caught.
While there is a romance between Amanda and Sean, the town's chief of police, it develops only late in the book - thank God - and stays very much in the background so if you're like me and hate the lovey-dovey stuff interfering with the suspense thread, this is a big plus.
I felt the story was not at all well-told but was a whole bunch of different bits and pieces of the plot thrown together, shaken and stirred. I was not happy to realise the story does not end with this book and I will have to listen to the next two to conclude the series. However, now that I know who the characters are and which killer was caught here, the next two books might fare better.
I like Teri Schnaubelt's narration. She does male voices well and that's an exception for me as I far prefer male narrators.
October 25, 2018
Amanda Crosby is furious with her business partner Derek England. Amanda and Derek have an antique shop and Derek has bought a questionable piece while out of the country. Amanda insists that Derek come over to her house upon his return so they can work out the mess he has created with his purchase. Unfortunately, Derek never makes it to Amanda's house-on his way there someone has put a bullet in his head. Due to the incriminating phone messages and conversations with friends, the police figure Amanda as his killer. However, after a friend who has a business next to her is also murdered, the police realize she's not the killer. It's no secret who the real killer is to the reader-3 men in prison make a pact to kill 3 people who they hate for each other (straight out of Strangers on a Train). One of the men is in prison for stalking Amanda. The only question is how many people will die before the police realize what is going on.
February 8, 2018
The second 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 second one follows the release of the second prisoner--and the next 3 victims on the list. It is not as much "serial killer" as the first one, but almost more of a murder mystery, and again, you will find a return of familiar names in both the inmates and the "good guys" in this second book.
It was my second favorite of the three (the first--Dead Wrong) being my favorite. A great and fast-paced story and falls perfectly in line with the first. Again, it was great to read all three of the books in a row to keep the flow going.
This second one follows the release of the second prisoner--and the next 3 victims on the list. It is not as much "serial killer" as the first one, but almost more of a murder mystery, and again, you will find a return of familiar names in both the inmates and the "good guys" in this second book.
It was my second favorite of the three (the first--Dead Wrong) being my favorite. A great and fast-paced story and falls perfectly in line with the first. Again, it was great to read all three of the books in a row to keep the flow going.
June 11, 2019
Tiga orang penjahat bertemu di satu sel dan membuat satu permainan. Ketika mereka keluar penjara mereka akan bertukar mangsa untuk dibunuh. Karena Vince keluar lebih dulu, maka Vince akan membunuh tiga orang yang ada di daftar Archer. Archer sendiri ditahan karena menguntit dan menganiaya seorang wanita bernama Amanda yang dianggapnya menghianati cintanya. Vince sendiri sudah tau bahwa Archer ini delusional soal Amanda tetapi tetap saja dia membunuh Derek (mitra bisnis Amanda) dan Marian (pemilik toko antik sebelah galeri Amanda). Jadi penjahatnya sih sudah tertebak dari awal. Di akhir cerita agak menggantung ya, karena dua penjahat yang lain masih belum jelas dimana. Ini romance-nya agak sedikit kalah porsinya sama kriminalnya.
3🌟
3🌟
October 7, 2017
Disappointingly un-thrilling
This second in a series serial killer novel was s letdown. The main characters were simple, one-dimensional and predictable. The killer's motive was known all along, so there was no drama. Additionally, the killer was inept. The final capture scene was a non-event. The set-up for book 3 doesn't promise much better, but I already downloaded it to my Kindle, so I'll give it a go.
This second in a series serial killer novel was s letdown. The main characters were simple, one-dimensional and predictable. The killer's motive was known all along, so there was no drama. Additionally, the killer was inept. The final capture scene was a non-event. The set-up for book 3 doesn't promise much better, but I already downloaded it to my Kindle, so I'll give it a go.
June 29, 2018
Amanda's stalker is in prison, so she is safe. Yet when the murders of two very close friends, her business partner and another shopkeeper, only have a connection to her, she is under suspicion by the police. And then, she begins getting the calls with no one speaking and the single rose, elements her stalker had used previously. Amanda decides, with the help of her policeman brother and the local chief of police, to fight back.
May 21, 2019
Amanda Crosby is the owner of an antique store along with her partner Derek England. She feels that her life has returned to a peaceful existence since her stalker is behind bars and she can concentrate on running her business until her partner turns up dead. She then becomes a suspect in his murder. Another antique dealer turns up dead who had the store next to Amanda's as well as being a good friend of hers. The local law figures that Amanda may also be a target.
September 14, 2022
The description of this 3-book series seemed promising. The reality was slightly short of the mark. I knew from the beginning who the bad guys were and who their targets were. I knew the love interests and who would end up in jail or dead. Not a lot of mystery and other than the basics, not much character development. The plot parallels with a popular movie were interesting but fizzled with predictability. Not sure if I’ll make it to book 3.
June 21, 2023
This is a suspenseful story. Stewart tells it through both the victim and the criminal. And yet, even knowing who the bad guy is and why he's doing what he's doing, the story and characters draw you in and keep you turning pages to see how it all comes out in the end. There's really just a dash of romance thrown in as Amanda and Sean gradually go from adversaries to friends to the possibility of something more.
August 15, 2024
So so good! An old series and now I am scrambling to find the rest. Three criminals meet by chance in prison hatch a plan to kill the people that wronged them but to switch victims so they wouldn’t be caught. When one of the men was released he went after an antiques dealer who had helped send her stalker to jail. When her friends begin to be murdered all signs point to her but something is not quite right…
April 7, 2019
This is the second of this series called; Dead. And once again I like the book, but the capture of the bad guy was a let down. I think I had the same problem with the first book. I just think that this author needs just a little more imagination to end these books with a bigger bang. Still, it was a good one.
February 9, 2018
A quick and easy mystery novel. While this is book 2, the author does a good job giving you an understanding of book one. You don't need to read book one to read this one. Some characters cross over.
June 8, 2018
Great read!
As usual, this was a real edge of your seat read. Plan on staying up all night as you begin #2 of a four part series. And then, be ready to jump into the next book and hold on for your life!
As usual, this was a real edge of your seat read. Plan on staying up all night as you begin #2 of a four part series. And then, be ready to jump into the next book and hold on for your life!
February 25, 2025
Dead Certain
Well that was a good one. I really enjoyed Sean and Amanda's story and toss in ole Vince Giordano and you got a really fun and entertaining story. Crime dramas for the win.
Well that was a good one. I really enjoyed Sean and Amanda's story and toss in ole Vince Giordano and you got a really fun and entertaining story. Crime dramas for the win.
May 4, 2018
A good continuation. Not much on the suspense as you know in the beginning who the killer is, but still good.
July 13, 2018
Ανευρο και σαχλο. Ελαφρύ σαν Αρλεκιν.
November 4, 2018
Not much romance. Not much suspense. But a good read all the same.
December 21, 2018
Couldn't put it down.
January 16, 2019
3.5 stars
Read
June 2, 2019Entertaining thriller which is a three-way twist on Strangers on a Train.
December 14, 2019
An OK read - not up to the standard of some of Stewart's other series books.
March 21, 2020
good murder mystery
June 8, 2020
I’m loving the series. Can’t wait for #3
January 4, 2022
First book that I've read by Mariah. Well written. Look forward to the others in the series.
November 5, 2022
3.75 Stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews