Dead Air: A Novel

Dead Air #1

by Bob Larson

Wes Bryant is forced to act when he learns that a young girl who called his radio show may have been kidnapped by a secret cult

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Religion

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Bob Larson is an American radio and television evangelist, and a pastor of Spiritual Freedom Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Larson has authored numerous books critical of rock music and Satanism.

Reviews

[CGregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, easy-to-read, controversial and very descriptive read. A story that, based on true events, tried to cover some very disturbing events, in great detail, of occult behavior. I struggled to put the book down. I read this book more quickly than any other of recent encounter. There were several typographical errors but they escaped me as my interest in the next possible turn of events took priority. The story held my attention at times even after I put the book down to rest.

I rate this book merely on the course as to how well it kept me, the plot, and it's characters. The characters did not seem to irritate me, as most do in everybook I've read. Their actions seemed rational when faced with the events they were. I did enjoy the read although I was highly uncomfortable with many of the graphic images portrayed there in.

[Kittie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Filthy. Absolute tabloid level fear mongering and trash in the guise of a "taken from real life" fiction.

The doesn't even straddle a line, it full on plummets over it into a soiled abyss of graphic and disturbing explanations of satanic ritual abuse. It sounds cruel to say, but when I first read this book I felt as though the author was getting pleasure from these detailed scenes.

I can't rate it more than one star because by the end of the book I wanted to scream/vomit.

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably effective thriller, fuelled by the Satanic Panic hysteria that Larson helped whip up.

[Sue Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading the paperback in 1992, and the cover had a microphone dripping blood. That image upset me then and it still sticks with me today. Although I can't say as much for the content. I've re-read it recently and found it to be a lot more trite than I remember it being, mainly the dialogue. So I thought I'd rate it 4 but ended up settling on a 3. It's not the worst book ever, but not as good as I recall it being. I think, at the time, it was quite shocking, especially to the Christian community. I remember around the same time Larson was on the radio heavily denouncing the Dracula film which Coppola had directed that same year. He accused it of being Satanic and various other things I cannot now remember. It was an interesting point in time to say the least, and this book certainly takes me back to that era.

[Deanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

ridiculous book-author tries to instill fear to the reader by horrific real-life scenarios. it's like bob larson got a bunch of disturbing details/facts and put them all together in this book. filthy.

[M & N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although this book was based on facts, I was not prepared for the chain of events that took place in this book. I realize there are evil things that happen in this world, especially to other people...and kids. However, I don't recall when I read the back of the book of what it was about that would be as horrid as it turned out to be. I'm not the type of person that likes to watch rated R movies if there are drugs, violence, and sex in them, why in the world would I want to read about it? I realize the auther has a reason for publishing this book to expose these type of evil doings but I most definitely will not read any more of this author's books. Why did I not just put the book down? God will lead you in strange paths to learn about things to help you understand things later in life, which this did happen in regards to this book. I also didn't want to start something and not finish it either.

Thumbs down all the way!

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. This was trash I wouldn't even shred to put in the dogs kennel as bedding. This panders to fear, stereotypes and looks so closely at child victimization in a way that seems more voyeuristic show than displaying any real empathy. It's just another form of straw man "take down" of the "evil satanists" and viscous new age people. *YAWN* I've met some people that this sort of book would lump into the "bad guys" that have been more Christian towards me than some church members. So yeah I do believe there is good versus evil going on, I just think that the lines are not nearly as clear as this so-called author would like to think and I think that some of the worst evil is on the "church side".

I have to disclose that the book was one of the few that has really disturbed me so take my review with a grain of salt, I did NOT read the whole thing so maybe there was some purpose to it or some redemptive quality later on... I just couldn't bear to try to find it myself.

[Hayasakite · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book for a dollar at Goodwill based on the title catching my eye. I’m a big fan of radio and a thriller of a radio host catching a missing girl, sounds easy enough. What I didn’t expect was the read the most horrific and pure evil content I’ve ever experienced. This book is not for the faint of heart and I’m not sure really who it appeals to. I believe that there are these psychopaths out there understand wanting to bring awareness to it, but I question the manner in the way Larson does it. I think that you could have easily had this same story without the extremely graphic content. I understand not sugar coating abuse and evil, however I don’t feel like the descriptions ever added to the story or plot and seemed to be there just for shock factor (which I suppose is fitting for the profession of Wes). All it accomplished was putting demonic imagery in my mind. I realize that God is all power and can overcome this and to be aware of the evil of the world but I don’t think the book needed to be so graphic with such little pay off. Like I said I’m a sucker for radio so I’ll give it a star for revolving around it and the book was also an easy read and a page turner, however it was rudimentarily written at best and littered with typos and inconsistencies. Also the ending was so anti climatic. My understanding is there are sequels but there’s no satisfying end or aftermath to this grotesque tale and you’re left sitting there empty, sick and pissed off wanting to confront your local municipality leaders of any suspected cult activity. I would have given it a three if the ending was better but I don’t think I would recommend this book to anyone unless you’re super into the occult and even then I think you should be committed if you consider this book a pleasure read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in May of 1991, I completed Dead Air shortly after its release.

Unlike many of the younger reviewers of this novel, I had already been a fan of Bob Larson’s call-in radio program. I remember the evening a call came in on live radio upon which much of this book is predicated. A young girl called asking for help, stating her family was involved in satanic worship and she wanted help. Shortly thereafter, the girl’s mother got on the phone.

When I read this book, all of those memories came flooding back. Shortly thereafter my family moved to another city, where the local station did not carry this program. But I am a witness, at least in part, that some of the events described in this book are events that I heard on the live radio broadcast.

[Calle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Satanic ritual abuse was a popular moral panic in the 1980s and radio evangelist Bob Larson seems to be a self-proclaimed expert on the subject. This novel (ghost written by one of his staff) takes satanic rutial abuse very seriously. The book is a quick read and kept my interest but the whole story felt very silly and impossible to take seriously. The heroes often behaved very irrationally, which is always annoying. I also don't think I've ever seen so many typos in a book before. Read it only if you, like me, occasionally like to read really bad over-the-top Christian fiction. If I were to disregard all its flaws it would've got 3 stars for entertainment value.

[Fay Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first I enjoyed this book' it was an intriguing scenario. Although the writing was not very good which makes it hard for me to read it, the story was interesting. But then I got into the 'nitty gritty' and it was just too much. I never leave a book unfinished so I read on until the end, but I really wish I had not. There was much too much detail that did not need to be in this book. Not much shocks me but this kind of did. There should be a warning of some kind. I have no idea where I got this book but it will not be in my house for long.

[sam proctor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful. Bad writing, unrealistic plot, yet somehow unnerving. I treasure books. I never throw them or even give them away. Except this book. I trashed it as soon as I'd finished, even though it was painful to finish. I didn't enjoy it at all or even think of it as realistic, yet I couldn't wait to get it out of my room. Unfortunately, I think the author chose too big of a topic for his first book.

[Carrie Chernove · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book.

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extreme evil and a lot of religion with an abrupt end.

[Travis Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good book but at times can be heart breaking

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

picked up this book at a book sale because it sounded right up my ally. it didnt quite make it for me though. first off i dont like reading about hurting kids. it didnt get crazy to the point that you couldnt finish it but it dose talk about a little girl getting molested. second off the it tended to stay with the god aspect of things instead of talking about the occult. theirs nothing wrong with that but i love the occult and would have liked to read more into that side of things. the last thing i didnt like was the ending, very rushed and unrealistic. so now lets talk about the book...... wes is a talk radio host of his show "talk about town". he takes calls from people in the small Indianna town about all the things that go on . anything from farming, new laws, and town business. wes has gotten use to his life as a lonely, divorced single man, who rarely talks to his daughter or many friends. while at work one day on air wes gets a call from a little girl . she tells wes her names is Jenifer and he sounds nice. jenifer gos on to say she needs a friend and someone to talk to. when wes says he will be her friend and ask what she wants to talk about. jenifer replies, the people who hurt me and then hangs up. wes is truly bothered by this. having no way to find out where she is or if its even true. wes has to let it go. that is until the next time she calls. over the next few times jenifer calls. wes gets a little more and more clues untill he is sure he can find her.what wes dosent know. is that these cluses will not only lead him down one rabbit hole. but include him in this evil mixed up society. wes must put aside everything hes formed himself to be to save this girl and the ones closest to him.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

One wonders what the title has to do with a story, this was in broadcasting, Howard was late, Gabby, wonders where, then noticed back door opened. No it has been a break in and the body of Howard, and Rober injured. Studio is sound proof so no one heard shot, all are suspects.
I have enjoyed all of Robins books and this one readers will enjoy. It has all the twists, and good defined characters, as you figure out the motive.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

[josey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. The beginning was slow. It took about 8 chapters to finally pick up, but stick with it! It's worth it! Bob Larson does such a good job at connecting you to his characters. Hannah was my favorite. I felt like I could visually see each character. This story is sick and twisted & revolting. I didn't know until the very end that it is based on actual events. Oh my gosh, I can't imagine someone actually going through such experiences!

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can say with certainty this book is not worth reading. It was chalk full of grammar, spelling and punctuation errors (sometimes four to a page) making it even harder to read. The story felt like it lacked a proper plot, it had so much that was not necessary and was lacking bits that were necessary. It was incredibly dramatic, over done and poorly written. Not to mention it ends incredibly abruptly, to the point I thought it was missing pages. There is a note in the back of the book stating it's based on true events and I very much hope that isn't true, otherwise Bob Larson did a massive injustice and huge insult to those impacted.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

i re read this for nostalgic purposes and had to push aside that’s it’s a christian book. wild how everything changes when you grow up. has the typical satanic panic issues and while the subject matter is very serious this just would never play out this way in real life and the ending wasn’t satisfying. will be re reading the second part abaddon, just to see how that also aged.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very disturbing scenes in here. Made even more by the fact they are (supposedly) based on real events! I was hoping for a more clear ending, but otherwise enjoyed it!

[Sandra Priestino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It ended abruptly however

[Chelsie Hermsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say the story was unbelievable but the note at the end says it was based on real life

[Taylor Roberds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best non King horror novel I’ve read

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book.

[Kristine Bromberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child of the satanic panic, I read this as satire. I know at the time of publication, this was meant to be a cautionary tale. However, it was entertaining to read Dead Air in the current decade—reflecting on how bonkers the rumors were during the 80’s.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another high school read. I remember this being unexpectedly dark. I was told it was really good, so I picked it up at my library. Wow. The sudden shift as the story kicks off and the ensuing drama and mystery that unfolds is well done. It keeps up the tension and thriller aspects, keeps you engaged. A well-done Christian thriller.

[Lacy Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's weird actually because I don't usually like this kind of book. Actually, I never do. Yeah, it's not for everybody. It is definitely very graphic and Gory. It gives you such a feeling of shock and horror that you just can't describe or find in any scary story. I feel like I should be disgusted with this book but in all honesty, I found this book to be a horrifyingly frank telling of the bloody truth of our messed up world. I became so incredibly immersed in it that it has very nearly become the cause of nightmares.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i tired reading this a while back when i owned the book, not sure what had happen to it but never got to finish it. but in all it was a well fast paced book. it starts with a frightening call to a radio station and goes on a wild ride from there. i didn't want to stop reading this book. it kept going and so many hidden secrets were being revealed left and right. sure it had flaws too, and wasn't the best i've read, but i still enjoyed it.

[Jo Franz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out and recently reread it. Though it may be too graphic for some, from my knowledge the author and radio show host knows his stuff--this is not overblown or out of left field fiction. Such things do happen and they do happen NOW and may happen near you. The county we live in used to be a stronghold of Satan's with many covens. Churches are spreading the Gospel and darkness is having to flee, but I know they continue to exist here.