Robert Mallon has lived for ten quiet years in affluent Santa Barbara, California, when an encounter on a beach with a mysterious young woman shatters his peaceful, carefully constructed life. Despite Mallon's desperate attempts, he loses her and becomes obsessed with discovering why. He hires detective Lydia Marks to uncover the secrets of this stranger's life, and what they learn propels them into a terrifying world of sinister secrets and deadly hatreds.
Targeting Mallon is the master hunter Parish, a man with an expert understanding of evil who preys on rich people's desires for dominance and revenge. Mallon is drawn into a lethal struggle with this deadly adversary—and then another, and another, and another.
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"An engaging read, where Perry doesn't bog you down with police minutiae. Maybe I've just read an excess of thrillers and willing to allow certain author lapses (the ones mentioned in the low rated reviews) to keep me from harping over needless drivel?"
— Leon (4 out of 5 stars)
Perry succeeds with Dead Aim on all fronts. It's both chilling and absorbing, the right mix in a thriller.
— The New York Daily News“There are probably only half a dozen suspense writers alive who can be depended upon to deliver high-voltage shocks; vivid, sympathetic characters; and compelling narratives each time they publish. Thomas Perry is one of them.”
— Stephen King“Thomas Perry is, quite simply, brilliant. And as each book comes out he becomes more so.”
— Robert B. Parker“Perry succeeds with Dead Aim on all fronts. It’s both chilling and absorbing, the right mix in a thriller.”
— New York Daily News“Smart, funny, and nasty; it will grab you and not let go.”
— Washington Post“Kramer keeps pace, lending controlled voices to the characters. Dead Aim is a worthy psychological chase.”
— AudioFile“Totally engrossing and believable…Unending suspense and a shocking denouement.”
— Library Journal" Chilling concept. Well written. "
— Natalie, 1/7/2014" I like Thomas Perry, but this is not one of his better efforts. The plot is just too fantastic to be believed, but is topped by an even more unbelievable ending. "
— Scott, 12/14/2013" This novel is slow and long at the beginning. The ending rescues and saves it.. 7 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 12/13/2013" This was heading into 4-star territory, right up until the end, which left way too many loose ends, not to mention dead bodies, for my taste. But a really interesting idea, and well-written. "
— Andrea, 11/24/2013" One of the least credible endings I've ever encountered. The mild-mannered construction company CEO sneaks into the complex where the professional killers are entrenched in the vague hope of "finding evidence against them" and ends up killing them all, one by one. You've got to be kidding me. "
— David, 9/10/2013" I breezed through this, my second Perry book. Really enjoyed this story about a training camp for hit men. "
— Erik, 8/24/2013" A bit more 'procedural' than some other Perry's (I just didn't connect to the main character as much as some of his others). "
— Veach, 7/31/2013" Perry never fails - great suspense, can't put it down. Definitely recommend as reading-candy! "
— Cari, 7/23/2013" Another good thriller by Thomas Perry. "
— Pat, 6/23/2013" Definitely worth reading if you like Perry (he's a favorite of mine), though not in the highest tier of his works (The Butcher's Boy and the sequel Sleeping Dogs are still tops IMO). Interesting plot angles, but some holes/improbabilities. "
— Tom, 3/9/2013" I found this one when I was going through the library and re-reading all of my Thomas Perry favorites. It's a great cat and mouse game of suspense and thrills. "
— Carol, 2/8/2013" Story built well but the ending was very predictable. "
— Chris, 1/25/2013" Perry does it again. I found the ending a little contrived, but love to watch the story play out none the less. I actually saved this for a vacation on the coast read. "
— Mike, 12/30/2012" meh, its okay. It's not too bad. I read Pursuit and I liked his style, so I got another one (Dead Aim) from the library. Started it, lost it, paid the fine, found it, tried to return it, couldn't now I'm reading it. Its a nominal mystery thriller. "
— Asad, 12/30/2012" Love this author. His Jane Whitefield series is excellent. I like his stand alone stories almost as much. This one was very entertaining. Perry loves a good 'manhunt' themed premise. I guess his readers do, too. "
— Kimberly, 9/20/2012" Great book until a somewhat weak/disappointing ending "
— John, 5/15/2012" This is one of Perry's earlier books. Very interesting to see the genesis of the characters he uses in later books, as well as the plot structure. Made me want to write some more. "
— Kathy, 12/3/2011" Vary good book im sold can't wait to start reading another of his good title.. "
— Max, 8/12/2011" This one needs a lot less talk and a lot more action. The characters fret, worry and over think everything. I'm worn out! "
— Kathy, 7/31/2011" I'm currently on a roll reading books by Thomas Perry. I thoroughly enjoyed DEAD AIM. I like his books with "people plots" much better than those that involve the Mafia. "
— Lois, 7/20/2011" Another good thriller by Thomas Perry. "
— Pat, 11/9/2010" This one needs a lot less talk and a lot more action. The characters fret, worry and over think everything. I'm worn out! "
— Kathy, 6/14/2010" Perry does it again. I found the ending a little contrived, but love to watch the story play out none the less. I actually saved this for a vacation on the coast read. "
— Mike, 3/23/2010" meh, its okay. It's not too bad. I read Pursuit and I liked his style, so I got another one (Dead Aim) from the library. Started it, lost it, paid the fine, found it, tried to return it, couldn't now I'm reading it. Its a nominal mystery thriller. "
— Asad, 12/3/2009" I breezed through this, my second Perry book. Really enjoyed this story about a training camp for hit men. "
— Erik, 1/7/2009" I found this one when I was going through the library and re-reading all of my Thomas Perry favorites. It's a great cat and mouse game of suspense and thrills. "
— Carol, 12/31/2008" A bit more 'procedural' than some other Perry's (I just didn't connect to the main character as much as some of his others). "
— Veach, 10/16/2008Thomas Perry is the bestselling author of over twenty novels, including The Butcher’s Boy, which won the Edgar Award, and Metzger’s Dog, which was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. He received a BA degree from Cornell University and a PhD in English from the University of Rochester.
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.