Dead Certain [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Mariah Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 2004

A New York Times Bestseller

With her stalker captured, antiques dealer Amanda Crosby can finally sleep at night. Working hard to put the nightmare behind her, Amanda vows never to be a victim again. But when her business partner is murdered just hours after she left an incriminating message on his voice mail, Amanda finds herself in danger of becoming a victim of another sort.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

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. . . . --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Mariah Stewart is the bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas. A RITA finalist for romantic suspense, she is the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO (Reviewers International) Awards honoring excellence in women’s fiction, a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine, and a three-time recipient of the Golden Leaf Award for contemporary romance. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband, two daughters, and two rambunctious golden retrievers in a century-old Victorian home. She is a member of the Valley Forge Romance Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, and the Romance Writers of America. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 447 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing; 1 edition (December 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587248174
• ISBN-13: 978-1587248177
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,449,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mariah Stewart is the bestselling author of ten novels and three novellas. A RITA finalist for romantic suspense, she is the recipient of the Award of Excellence for contemporary romance, a RIO (Reviewers International) Award honoring excellence in women's fiction, a Reviewers Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine, and a two-time recipient of the Golden Leaf Award for contemporary romance. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives amidst the rolling hills of Chester County, PA, with her husband, one geriatric gold retriever and one rambunctious mixed breed rescue dog. She's currently neglecting her garden and working on her next book. In past lives, she's been a teacher and an insurance executive, but firmly believes she's found the perfect job: sitting in her sunny office in old sweats and J. Crew flip flops, making up stories and the characters who live in them, and getting paid for it. Could life be sweeter?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, January 23, 2005

By 

Hippolytos (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dead Certain (Mass Market Paperback)

SUMMARY: Her stalker/assailant now safely in jail, antiquities-expert Amanda Crosby has put her life back together and, in the process, has discovered an independence heretofore unknown: she has earned her black belt in tae kwon do, publicly speaks about the necessity of stalker awareness, and even has a column in the local newspaper. As her life is coming together, her business partner and best friend, Derek England, makes a move that could potentially destroy their antiques shop. Angry and frustrated, Amanda makes some innocuous threats...and is later horrified when they come true. Amanda find herself the primary suspect, but as the bodies continue to drop, it becomes apparent that Amanda herself is the real target.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT: Amanda Crosby is the most well-rounded and believable heroine of Stewart's trilogy. She's smart, independent, and decisive, but also vulnerable and thoughtful. Chief Sean Mercer is an admirable love interest, with his own tragic past. Two people alone in the world, finding each other in a time of great peril...trite, but extremely effective. Villainous Vince Giordano is also the most frightening criminal of this trilogy in that there is no real etiology ascribed to his evil; he just is evil.

WHY YOU WON'T: Honestly, I can't think of any real reason why you won't enjoy this novel, assuming you enjoy this genre. The action sequences are able, as are the romance sequences. The characters are well-written and enjoyable. The conclusion is very satisfactory.

BOTTOM LINE: The second and best installment in Stewart's trilogy. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable police procedural romance, June 30, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Certain (Mass Market Paperback)

Archer Lowell, Curtis Alan Channing, and Vince Giordano share a jail-holding cell waiting for the law to process them when all hell breaks loose as someone escapes custody. To pass time while the complex is totally shut down, the trio discusses why they are here when the conversation turns to who would they like to kill. They agree that to be successful they would have to exchange victims like the Hitchcock and DeVito movies did.

Amanda Crosby is angry with her business partner Derek England because he purchased an illegal stolen Iranian goblet that they will have to return. Amanda leaves a voice message on Derek's server that she will kill him. Derek agrees to meet Amanda, but he never arrives at her home.

The next day Broeder, Delaware Police Chief Sean Mercer informs Amanda that Derek was murdered, she is a suspect because of the voice message and that the victim apparently knew the killer. However, Sean becomes concerned that someone is stalking Amanda and is made to look like imprisoned Archer Lowell is dong it. When her neighbor is killed, Sean is DEAD CERTAIN that that someone with insider information on the Lowell stalking is plotting Amanda's destruction.

The second murderer-switch tale is an enjoyable police procedural romance starring a fine cop, a beleaguered heroine, and a fully developed support cast including two vile villains (one in prison and one as his surrogate killer). The story line moves quickly forward as the proxy killer causes havoc in which evidence points towards Amanda or Archer. Fans will appreciate this solid tale and look forward to the final member of the unholy trio doing his damage.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, July 24, 2004

By 

Elaine C McTyer "avid reader" (Dawson, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Certain (Mass Market Paperback)

If you read DEAD WRONG you have some idea of the plot behind, DEAD CERTAIN. Both were good books.

When three cons meet in a room at a court house, they discuss the possibility of swapping victims. In DEAD WRONG Curtis Channing takes on the three people Vince Giordano wanted dead. Now Vince is out of prison on a technicallity and he goes after the three people Lowell Archer wants dead.

The action is fast moving and I enjoyed seeing what Vince was thinking about.

Amanda Crosby's partner is murdered first. Because of a message she left on his answering machine she is the chief suspect. Sean Mercer the chief of police is building a case against her until her best friend is murdered. He realizes someone is out to get Amanda.

If you read DEAD WRONG first you will recognize Amanda's brother, Evan Crosby as the police detective from that book. Finding a connection between Vince and Archer proves to be nearly impossible, but Sean is convinced there is one.

This was an exciting book and I look forward to the last one DEAD EVEN.

An interesting plot and exciting adventure. I enjoyed it.