Rating: 
Summary: different from the tenth justice... and better
Review: After the Tenth Justice, I couldn't wait to read Meltzer's next novel. I was not disappointed. Meltzer has truly grown as an author. His characters more developed, the plot finely crafted, the predicaments more suspenseful. I couln't put this book down. The best read of the summer, like the Titanic... on paper...with lawyers...and no icebergs. GET THIS BOOK!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Predictable, Unimaginative, and Disappointing
Review: Don't waste your time.The Tenth Justice began Meltzer's career with a bang. Dead Even had reduced it to a fizzle. Dead Even was poorly written and probably not even a viable situation. The characters were one-dimensional. How could this even happen???
Rating:
Summary: My gut instinct said "don't buy this!" unfortunately, I did
Review: I enjoyed most of the tenth justice, so I was pretty excited to read this. I hesitated after reading the flap copy because the concept really irritated me--beyond farfetched and seemingly designed with a movie in mind, but I gave in on a rainy Saturday. This book is crap. It reminds me of another disappointing second book, Reaper by Ben Mezrich. Both books are very shallow, and read like summarized movie scenes--or sound bytes, all flash and no substance. The absolute low point came near the end, with the ridiculous grand finale which never could have happened. I think Brad should read a few more good books--he makes Grisham seem like Hemingway or Fitzgerald in comparison with this poor effort. I too, am suspect of many of these 5 star reviews. Curious how they read rather like back of the book raves, isn't it? Save your money, rent the movie when it goes to the video stores!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: The snappy dialogue was still there, but it didn't seem to move the story along at all. The "bad guys" were caricatures of good villains. It's such a shame he bothered publishing this.
Rating:
Summary: Not the quality of The Tenth Justice
Review: After reading The Tenth Justice, I was eager to buy and read this book. It was a let down. Meltzer never finished developing the female character, although the husband came off very well. I noticed a bit of the same in The Tenth Justice, but thought perhaps it worked with the story. This story, however, just never seemed to form. It just wandered.....
Rating:
Summary: A lousy read!
Review: Almost impossible to believe the same author wrote THE TENTH JUSTICE! Acts 1 and 2 were readable, but Act 3 is a disaster. Whoever was the author's Editor should read Philip Margolin's, William Bernhardt's, Steve Martini's and Robert Tanenbaum's novels and William Diehl's PRIMAL FEAR and learn how to craft legal thrillers. This novel now heads my list of the most disappointing novels I have read this year!
Rating:
Summary: Big surprise these lawyers can't make partner
Review: Save your money. A big disapointment after the "Tenth Justice"
Rating:
Summary: This book is hopelessly inept.
Review: I listened to this book on tape. And as narrated by Judith Ivey it was all I could do to keep from pulling off the road to control my frustration at hearing what has to be the most amateurish thriller I have ever read (heard). Part of the problem may have been the way the narrator interpreted the characters but again, as is, every single character in the book is totally implausible and absolutely unlikable. Sarah, whom you have to root for if your going to enjoy this book, is so petulant for most of the story that I kept thinking, wouldn't it be nice for all of us who invested in this book if she would just be eliminated early on so we could get on to a John Sanford or a James Lee Burke. It is amazing how mesmerizing the book becomes simply by it's sheer implausibility. For the first time in a long time I have finally heard a book that makes John Grisham actually seem like an accomplished writer. My only regret is that you don't have minus stars to award books because I would have given "Dead Even" a minus 10 on a scale of minus one to ten.
Rating:
Summary: as stodgy as two-week old birthday cake
Review: this book plods on mechanically, betraying the author's lack of talent for creative writing or his laziness (or both); the characters are superficial and caricatural -- the story implausible, full of convenient (for the author) shortcuts and ultimately plain boring. is brad kidding? this deserves to be his last effort.
Rating:
Summary: Tried too hard
Review: I enjoyed Meltzer's first novel about the Supreme Court so I was looking forward to his second effort. What a letdown. He tries to be too evenhanded with his main characters, married lawyers on opposite sides in a messy case. He won't allow us to dislaike either character. The villains are cruel but the reader cannot relate as the mystery is built around not who but why, so we learn along with the legal halfwits. Meltzer should considerletting the reader in on the motive so that they can enjoy the ride. Meltzer, please try again.
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