Customer Reviews

Better Off Dead

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoed Sawyer's previous title, Ladykiller, and snapped up her latest, Better Off Dead, as soon as I read the blurb that it was set in Hawaii. I found this an exciting, fast-paced read. Lots of exhilarating moments and the dialogue made me turn page after page with anticipation.

I loved that Devon (or Samantha) had no TSTL moments unlike many romantic suspense heroines and there were no long, tedious struggles over whether she should sleep with Chad or not. Her hesitation was natural and to be expected and I found her romance developing nicely despite the tension of being on a WITSEC program.

That said, I do have a few quibbles - the editing in Sawyer's books leave room for much improvement! The grammer was terrible in some places and there were almost word-for-word repetition of phrases. This is not the first time I've noticed it in Sawyer's books. I've, in the past, come across incorrect names for things she describes - for example, she calls the wrap a "pashima" instead of "pashmina" several times in one of her previous books. The ending was so rushed and neatly tied up that it became not only unbelievable but an anti-climax. The way the redhead secret agent's part was written in was also unconvincing. She may be getting her own book but I felt she still ought to have been given more time and attention to make her role in the plot less incredible seeing as she played a major, albeit short, part in the ending.

I'll definitely read the next Sawyer book - I love these action romantic suspense plots and Sawyer is one of my auto-buys. I find her improving over the last few years and the only title I did not like was the soap opera-ish Every Waking Moment. I'm slso keeping my fingers crossed that the editing will improve and that Sawyer will not have to rush the ending after giving us such a great read from the start.

Meryl Sawyer never disappoints, and this book is no exception.

The only problem I had with the book was that the ending seemed to be slapped together quickly. The story took over 300 pages to tell, and then the ending, which wasn't very suspensful, was wrapped up in about three pages.

Also, Ms. Sawyer should probably find herself a new editor. There were a lot of errors in this book...spelling, grammar and consistency (i.e. on one page the man is named Nate Albert, and on the next he's Nate Albertson).

Usually, I enjoy Meryl Sawyer's books, but this time it feels like she tried too hard. Especially at the end. It just felt like she ran out of time on her deadline and had to think up a quick ending. I gave it 3 stars because it does feel like a classic Meryl Sawyer read, but it just didn't have that extra oomph that she usually has.

I loved this book! The action never stopped and the twists and turns in the plot kept me reading. Just when Devon thought she was safe something would happen and she'd be on he run again. As always in a Sawyer novel the heroine and hero were people you'd like to know. The pacing was fast and the dialogue natural sounding. There was a good blend of romance and suspense. Don't miss this one!

I had to MAKE myself keep reading this book, it was that bad. The plot wasn't the problem. Someone else could have made this story really take off. The things I had a hard time with were the numerous grammatical errors, the left-out words, and the fact that she obviously didn't read back to herself what she was writing. For instance, on one page you have Chad leaving the devise he's checking out for the government in the trunk of his car, then on the next page he miraculously has it with him. I usually don't get nitpicky over spelling and such, but when it becomes the norm rather than the exception, I gotta speak up. The author also wastes page after page describing things and situations that detract from, rather than support the story. The romance between Chad and Devon seemed contrived. The one love scene that was described was rushed and left me feeling flat about the whole thing. If you want to read this book anyway, do yourself a favor and either borrow it from a friend or check it out at the library.

This is my first Meryl Sawyer book and I am thrilled to have found her. I love thrillers, and the romance was exciting too. I could not put the book down. I loaned it to my Mom, insisted she return it to me. Normally I'm done; I'm done. Was it perfect? No, some was not real believable, or jumpy, but it was totally enjoyable. given the chance to do so I would have given it 4 1/2 stars for imperfections, but the enjoyment factor did not waver. Can't wait for another book from her.

This book was pretty good. It's the first time I read a book from her, but the end kind of just stops. It's like she had to stop the story right there and couldn't elaborate on the ending, which was pretty disappointing. But besides that it was good.

Director of Security at Obelisk Enterprises Brock Hardesty feels he finally found Samantha Robbins; thinking she can run but can't hide he sends a hit squad to kill the woman hidden by the Witness Protection Program. However, somehow she escapes Brock's goons.

Defense Advanced Research Agency employee Archer Dawson goes outside DOD to hire Chad Langston to test a new thermo detection device because the Fed knows there is a leak of top secret information within the department. Chad agrees to test the device for the next six months from his home in Hawaii.

Chad meets Samantha who obtains a wedding planner job as Devon Summers. He realizes she is hiding something and in constant fear, but cannot ignore how attracted he is to her. Samantha feels the same way, but fears any relationships having just lost one due to her entry in the Witness Protection Program and not trusting anyone except her "handler". Brock is still looking for her and he has access to top secret need to know sensitive information that no one else does or knows even exist.

BETTER OFF DEAD is an exhilarating romantic suspense that takes off from the moment that Brock's goons locate Samantha in New Mexico while at the same time Chad works an assignment in the Bahamas; the tale never slows down until the final altercation. The story line is action-packed yet contains realistic characters and provides insight on the impact of joining the Witness Protection Program while the romance between Chad and Samantha is deftly handled inside the thriller plot. Fans will clamor for a sequel starring an intriguing undercover female agent, key to the climax.

Harriet Klausner