Dead Even

(This is a review of the 13 disc CD version.) Took this with us to pass the time on a long 1500 mile car trek. A legal thriller, it was a choice appealing to all of the car's occupants. The narrator was excellent. Would have loved to rank the book higher. But there were too many unintentionally hilarious moments where we found ourselves laughing at the ridiculousness of the main characters' behavior. The plot device (wife prosecutor v. husband defense attorney) was strained and both characters' angst overwrought and leaving us feeling less than sympathetic to their woes. Meltzer's pacing is great and he definitely held our interest. Other reviewers feel this is a lesser work compared to other books. Based on this, I'll definitely read show more more from Melzer. show less

One doesn't usually think of Brad Meltzer as a crime fiction writer and I still don't. The gimmick, two lawyer spouses pitted against each other, didn't really work well for me. There were many characters but just two that were the main characters, many others rotated around and were confusing. The main character, Sara, was too sensitive; her husband refused to communicate with her, to protect her. Not believable, even among scum sucking lawyers. Most of the dialogue was awfully corny. Not a good result from Meltzer; stick with historical fiction.

Meltzer's first book - The Tenth Justice - was one of my all time favorites. This second one is another goodie. Sara Tate got screwed over by her big time law firm and ended up getting fired. She looked for a new job for months and finally got one in the DA's office. Meanwhile her husband's law career soared as everything he touched did. But her first case nearly broken them both. It's a simple burglary but he's representing the defendant and, it turns out, there's nothing simple about the crime at all. Meltzer is a great story teller and I hope his publisher has his third book on the presses right now.

Meltzer's Dead Even has all of the drama and suspense you could ask for in a legal thriller, and an intricate enough plot that readers are kept guessing at every turn. From the beginning, the characters are so engaging that this is a difficult book to put down, and any reader who enjoys a legal thriller should find themselves not just tearing through this work, but immediately searching out more work from Meltzer. Certainly, that's what I'll be doing.

Recommended.

I found 'Dead Even' quite the opposite - rather lumpy in fact. I found it hard to believe that once it became clear that the case in question was more than a simple burglary, that husband and wife lawyers would still be allowed to face each other across the courtroom. New prosecutor Sarah, who was the most interesting character, appeared to have amazing luck, picking up a seasoned assistant and one of the department's best as a mentor within the first day or so at her new job. However hubby Jared was so wet - it must have been a case of opposites attract. Most of the dialogue was awfully corny, yet I did enjoy the plot for the most part.

After reading "The First Counsel" I wrote in my review that I'd be particularly interested if he (Brad Meltzer) can illuminate another thriller beyond 'the district' (Washington, D.C.). Well, once again Brad Meltzer did not disappoint. The setting for "Dead Even" is New York, New York. There are moments that it has the grit of the streets of New York and then there are a few moments that one wishes that he would have used the setting even more effectively. But that said, it's a welcome addition for any reader that enjoys the drama of trial preparation and the court room setting itself.

Like a couple of reviewers said this book was written with a gimmick and there are some situations that lack plausibility. With that being said. One comment to dissuade those who would down grade and enjoyable thriller/mystery; as bizarre as life often can be, in many good stories one has to make a leap of faith and accept the premise. Enjoy the journey and don't worry about the vehicle.

Didn't find this as strong as his first book and glad I read it out of order otherwise might now have started following Brad Metzler's novels. What I did find was a rather enjoyable story that did get one's mind twisted with the twists and turns and create the necessary paranoia to be effective until the end. Wish the writing was a little strong and the show more story flow better but with most writers I read for pleasure and enjoyment which this satisfied. Would recommend it for Brad Metzler's followers and anyone who wanted a fun mystery/thriller read. show less