Last Breath (Last #3; John Mancini #14) By Mariah Stewart

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes a novel of sexy romantic suspense for fans of Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, and Karen Robards.

You’ve taken your Last Look. You’ve spoken your Last Words. Now prepare to surrender your Last Breath in this tour de force of suspense, romance, and action.

As renowned archaeologist Dr. Daria McGowan readies the most important project of her careerâ€"a University museum exhibit showcasing the priceless artifacts her great-grandfather unearthed a century earlier in the Middle Eastâ€"she makes a shocking discovery: many of the most significant pieces have vanished. Panicked, Daria turns to the FBI.

Solving the mystery is an assignment that Connor Shields is more than happy to accept: Daria is the same intriguing blonde archaeologist he’s had on his mind since their paths first crossed two years ago. Working together to track down the stolen artifacts, Daria and Connor discover a trail of bodiesâ€"collectors who have met brutal, bizarre ends at the hands of a killer whose murderous methods are based on the rituals of an ancient civilization.

Amid rumors of a curse and mounting pressure from both the FBI and the University, Daria and Connor race to unmask their enemy and unravel a mystery stretching across oceans and centuries. All the while, an ingenious murderer follows a sinister plan to gather the coveted antiquities and one last acquisitionâ€"Daria.


From the Hardcover edition. Last Breath (Last #3; John Mancini #14)

As a renowned archaeologist, Dr. Daria McGowan is invited to prepare an exhibit of priceless artifacts unearthed a century ago by her great-grandfather.

As she starts cataloging the artifacts, she makes a shocking discovery. Some are missing. With her back against the wall, she calls the FBI, actually an FBI agent, Special Agent Connor Shields, she's met a few months back in Morocco...And he is more than happy to accept, since she's been haunting his dreams ever since their (one and only) encounter.

Now, working together, Connor and Daria are quickly swamped by dead bodies of the collectors who used to own the stolen artifacts, and the two race against the clock to unmask the murderer, find the stolen loot and keep Daria safe.



A romantic suspense my patootie!
It was neither romantic nor suspenseful. I was bored to tears by the end of the first chapter and not even a beautiful man FBI agent could spark my interest.

The story was severely hampered by the boring, and extremely repetitive details of the ancient city of Shandihar, its culture, history, religion, and the blood-thirsty wench that was the goddess Erishkegal. Additional hampering was brought forth by the terrible and somewhat amateurish narration. I felt like I was reading something written down by an eighth-grader (no offense to all the eighth-graders).

*deep sigh*

So, the suspense was lacking - the book was so boring, I didn't care whodunit, I just wanted it to END ALREADY!
The romance was something you could find only in a laboratory under a very good microscope. The two seemed more like life-long friends than two adults apparently pining for each-other. And when they finally did the deed, it was so short and unspecific... *snore*

Yeah, this is another one of those sleeping-pill-substitutes. Mystery Thrillers, Romance If someone told me this was really authored by someone else, I'd be inclined to believe them. It had a different beginning, and a different feel throughout. I've read a lot of Stewart and know she has the talent to do this, so I'll not claim it was someone else.

This balanced just about everything well. The archaeology, the characters, the murders, and the romance (every one of her FBI books has to have romance, whether you want it or not. One place I really did not like it--too much detail, but for the most part it wasn't in the way of the book).

Besides the balance, I liked the characters and the situation didn't seemed as contrived. The deaths were of a different nature than most of her work.

Some could claim it left a couple stories open at the end, well, at least one. I'm fine with that. She may inject it in a future book, since she uses the same FBI pool in each of her FBI books.

I enjoyed it a lot. I usually give three to everything unless they are very good, then they get four. I contemplated a five for this one briefly. It worked well for me. Mystery Thrillers, Romance First time read of Mariah Stewart but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the mystery around the female main character who is an archaeologist, and discovers missing artifacts with a curse, or so it seems. Lots of suspense and surprises. The ONLY part that bothers me about so many novels is they always throw in a romance - and an extremely unlikely romance. What are the chances that a 30 something archaeologist who has been out in the field for years, hooks up with the hunky, virile, oh and single, no kids, FBI agent? Extremely unlikely. I didn't realize this was book 3 so I have to wonder if the first 2 have any unlikely romances in them. They book was quality enough without having to add that smutz ! I notice a lot of female mystery writers do that. Regardless, it was a good read.... and one that made me check the locks on my windows. English I picked this old book up at a used book store. I won't deny Stewart is a master storyteller. She really knows how to construct a mystery too. The only reason I took away a star here is the romance. It was such an afterthought that I got irritated. Yes, there was an attraction. The FBI agent, who for some inexplicable reason goes all over the world, falls for the renowned archaeologist who is at the local college to put her late great grandfather's finds on display. When gruesome murders start to happen, he's right there to take over the investigation. Their blossoming love story is not very satisfying. My favorite relationship in the book is with the dog they find at a crime scene. Love Sweet Thing. But then I'm a sucker for a dog. Interesting artifacts, villains, etc. But don't jump in if you want a lot of romance. Mariah Stewart This was an enjoyable book about an archaeology family with suspense and love and murder! Not my usual genre but a fun read! Mystery Thrillers, Romance

Some treasures are not meant to be found. Some treasures were never meant to be seen under glass in museums. Some treasures are said to be cursed. And finding the treasures of a goddess and lost city could get you killed.

A likable, quick, and entertaining read from Mariah Stewart about stolen antiquities and murder. Maybe Last Breath was a little forced in the romance department and maybe a little too flat on the characters, but I was entertained. My mom read it in one sitting. Needless to say, she was also entertained. Oh, but the dog, Sweet Thing, was perfection. 281 A good idea for a plot, but I think Mariah Stewart repeated the history too many times in the beginning. It took away from the flow of the story. Last Breath (Last #3; John Mancini #14) Exactly what I look for in a book--interesting, engaging, with nothing too graphic or scary. I will definitely read more. Mild swearing, one brief sex scene. Hardcover I love stories based on archaeology and Last Breath does not disappoint. 100 years after their discovery, artifacts of a lost city are being curated for exhibition when some are found missing and mysterious deaths occur. The main characters are a bit wooden but the story is engaging. English A fun thriller with a historical fiction twist. Not her best, not or worst, but overall still enjoyable.
While it lists the book as Book 3, really they don't have to be read in any order. Some of the characters are from previous books, but could be read without knowing that. 9780345492241