Dead Even

Rating:
Summary: iNTERESTING PREMISE--POORLY EXECUTED
Review: The characters were totally unbelievable and rather unlikable. In the right hands the plot could've been clever. These were not the right hands. The lack of tension was remarkable. One didn't care about Sara or Jared's fates. For Sarah to start an office flirtation at that point in the narration was simply not plausible. Death threats aimed at her loved ones, new job, career in jeopardy, multiple murders, and Sara has time to be attracted to a co-worker! Talk about straining credulity... Grisham needn't lose any sleep!

Rating:
Summary: Very good fast paced and intriging!Grisham look out!
Review: I found this book very good. The action was fast paced, and the clues were cleverly hidden at all times.The only point I found a little far fetched was that these criminals could intimidate a lawyer and a prosecutor so easily. It kind of insulted my intelligence.These were suypposed to be 2 smart people and although it is a great work of fiction, there should be some paralellism with real life situations. But all in all a great book and a good read, I couldn't put it down as the action and suspense kept me going! I look forward to Brad's next book!

Rating:
Summary: WOW!! Can't wait to read more of his work
Review: To tell you the truth: I belong to a book club. One month I didn't send in the reply card, so I got 2 books that I didn't order and I almost sent them back. But I figured that I might as well give the books a try. For the past few years I have read mostly works by 2 authors. And while those authors are fantastic, I wasn't opening myself up to the works of other authors. To do that would make me miss out on some very great writing. I am so glad that I didn't send Brad Meltzer's Dead Even back. It is a great book. I felt like I was caught up in the middle of it. It didn't even matter that I know very little about law. The author describes it all in a way that is very easy to undstand. He had a way of describing all the details so that I felt like I was somehow involved in the story. I will definitely have to check out some more of his work.

Rating:
Summary: Full Court Press (pardon the pun)
Review: First book of author that I have read. Finished it in two days, could not put it down. We often hear the story of plot twists, etc. This book has it all and is very plausible. Great book. Looking for more. Read it NOW!!

Rating:
Summary: Still die trying to finish the pages and chapters
Review: "The Tenth Justice" and now, "Dead Even", I've tried very hard to read along and finish these two pathetically written, but definitely successfually marketed books to make my stupidly wasted money worth! I swear that I am still die trying so far, cuz I have an unsalvageable "once bought, got to finish it" habit. But after tried so hard and so long with this guy's two books, I'm really wondering if I could use this opportunity to kill and replace it with basic but never wrong "Once Bitten Twice Shy" lesson. During my next trying, I would bring these two books to a park on a windy day, and let the wind decide which page or chapter should I read.

Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down - page turner!
Review: I have now read the Tenth Justice and Dead Even. I really enjoyed Dead Even as much as the Tenth Justice. I rarely get into books lately due to lack of time, and I've got to say everyone should read these books! I get so caught up in the stories that I don't want to stop reading until I can barely stay awake! You need to pick up a copy of Dead Even soon!!

Rating:
Summary: Sophmoric novel from an immature X generation apologist
Review: The Tenth Justice had a neat concept but was flawed with inane dialogue and 20 something characters that were all momma's boys. I bought Dead Even thinking that a second novel would be a more mature effort. But in the first few pages we have Sara Tate, Columbia Law School graduate calling her legal assistant "amigo" on the first day. While the concept of husband and wife being on opposite sides of a case is potentially interesting, some of the stuff they do even lawyers wouldn't do in real life. Meltzer is 0 for 2 as far as I'm concerned and novelists unlike baseball strike out with me after two strikes.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth it
Review: While I enjoyed "The Tenth Justice", I found this latest novel by Brad Meltzer boring and unconvincing. Meltzer takes the easy way out on several occasions - for example, instead of detailing Sara's closing arguments to the Grand Jury, Meltzer justs states that she was brillant. How she got the indictment is beyond me. Also, how was Conrad involved in the scheme, and why wasn't that explained? I won't be passing this one on to any of my friends.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I decided to read this book after seeing the author on a talk show; even though it sounded only moderately interesting, the premise sounded intriguing. So I started out with fairly low expectations and still was disappointed. The writing lacks any spark of creativity, the characters are cliched, the plot is predictable, and the dialog is banal. I read it as quickly as I could, hoping it would improve. It didn't. Even the characters' legal expertise is questionable, as basic issues that are common knowledge must be laboriously explained by one supposedly experienced lawyer to another. I suggest that if anyone is determined to read this book, they borrow it from a friend or go to their local library. Save your money for something better.

Rating:
Summary: Grade school writing at adult prices
Review: It is quite obvious that many of the readers who've submitted reviews have read very little, if any, real "literature" in their lives. But even by popcorn book standards, DEAD EVEN is dreadfully ill-conceived and executed. It is truly an insult to compare Meltzer to Grisham or Turow or Baldecchi. These writers, albeit not Steinbeck, at least have a grasp on basic principles of writing such as character development, structure, and story. Much like the equally juvenile TENTH JUSTICE before it, Meltzer's writing and the thought processes behind it is painfully inadequate. That of course unless, these novels were meant for elementary school students rather than even semi-well read adults.