Dead Air

Author: Mary L. Hamilton
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Release Date: October 1, 2022
Publisher: Blue Mist Books

Kit Squires never imagined her husband capable of murder. Did her own ultimatum drive him to it? A year after losing his job as a local radio host, Jeff stubbornly clings to the hope of being re-hired and refuses to take any other job. But Kit can’t support the family alone on what she makes as a physical therapist. And their bank account is streaking toward the danger zone, much like her respect for Jeff. Desperate, Kit demands that he get a job or move out.

Then gunshots blast across the airwaves of Jeff’s former show. And in the dead air that follows, Kit recognizes the voice in his troubling last words.

Torn between believing the overwhelming evidence against Jeff or trusting the character of the man she thought she knew, Kit’s choice puts her at odds with their son, Bryce. One of them has to be wrong…which means the killer might still be out there.

---

Reviewer: Elisha Varela

I loved the way the mystery unfolded. I liked the way I was able to guess who actually did it while the author slowly confirmed each and every one of my suspicions. 

I loved Kit’s son, Bryce. His character was amazing. His loyalty to his father, Jeff, was admirable and endearing. I also loved that Bryce could make friends with a certain character, especially under circumstances I won’t reveal. 

I really liked the private Christian school setting. I used to attend a private Christian school, and everything that the author wrote about actually happens. 

Also, is it even possible to love a character after just six chapters? Because I definitely loved Jeff’s character. 

Anyway, the only thing I did not like was how the author explained the fighting scenes. I was lost 99.99% of the time. Lost in the sense that I couldn’t picture what was happening. Aside from that, the book was still super good. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

---

---

Reviewer: Timothy McKay

I'm a sucker for whodunnit thrillers. I like stories that make me suspicious, stories that make me question right up to the end. Dead Air by Mary Hamilton kept me hooked and curious, and I think readers will agree it's a tough book to put down. It also packs a heavy emotional punch. Half of the story makes you feel the gut-wrenching reality of a family left behind by violent tragedy. In real life, when the prime suspect of a crime is your own husband or father, scenes don't unfold like an action movie. You're hurt, you're confused, you're ostracized, and the scene doesn't skip ahead to weeks or months later when the mystery starts to unfurl.

Kit Squires, the heroine of the story, is a savvy physical therapist thrown into the deep without a lifeline. Her son Bryce, who believes his father is innocent, becomes more distant and difficult as the story develops. I found his character more compelling. The high school drama brought on by the story's events made me cringe with recognition. Injustice and cruelty can take sharp form in the cesspool of teen angst. And small-town gossip takes that to a whole other level. 

Kit, I enjoyed too, with one exception. She's a compassionate and very bright person, a skilled physical therapist with a knack for creative solutions to her patient's problems. So why does she take so long to piece together obvious conclusions in the story? On several occasions, she witnesses suspicious behaviour or voices important questions then puts them in the back of her mind for later. Much later. I found it hard to believe a grieving wife and mother looking for answers, even just for closure, would so easily put off digging for the truth. My guess is this was intended to flesh out other aspects of the story, but it caused me to lose interest in our protagonist.

That said, I was hooked even when I started to guess what was coming. Mary Hamilton still had quite a few surprises tucked away for me, and her writing was just too satisfying to let up. I loved how invested I felt in the family's struggles, and once the action really begins, it never stops. Well worth the read!

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

---

---

Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Kit is aghast when she hears shots fired while listening to the local radio station. She thinks she hears her husband call her name then...DEAD AIR.

This new-to-me author took me on quite a ride to unravel the circumstance surrounding this mystery where people are not what they seem. Through tragedy, Ms. Hamilton takes us on a journey of strengthening faith and unlikely friendships. She showed forgiveness when it was thought impossible. She also has a descriptive way with words and gave me a peek into what a physical therapist does. Her characterization of teens was conveyed very well. She put Kit through the wringer and added danger and suspense to the mix.

This an exciting, interesting, well-written novel to add to your reading list.

The author provided a complimentary copy of this book through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Kristina Hall

Characters: Kit and her son, Bryce, were both sympathetic, flawed characters. They struggled with grief in different yet realistic ways. I enjoyed seeing them grow throughout the story.

Language: One use of p*ssed. There were also a couple of times when I couldn't tell if the characters were praying or using God's name in a flippant manner.

Plot: Plenty of twists and suspenseful moments kept me reading right along.

Romance: Clean. Dead Air didn't contain a romance plot. While I definitely appreciate books with clean romance plots or subplots, I also enjoy reading novels without romance sometimes. And those are hard to find in Christian fiction.

Theme: Dead Air featured themes of family, grief, trust, and truth.

Writing: Mary L. Hamilton's clear, smooth writing style worked great for this novel.

Overall: Dead Air was an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and mysteries.

Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews. My opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

---