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Dead Air
Three can keep a secret, but only if two are dead.
No one knows that better than Kaitlyn Ashe, who has been running from a childhood secret her whole life. Until now. Crowned the top-rated radio DJ in Philadelphia, she is finally ready to settle down with her fiancé and new friends who know nothing about her past. When a sudden flood of anonymous letters threatens her seemingly charmed life, she realizes that someone out there knows. But who? As the threatening letters escalate, Kaitlyn’s life spirals toward a reunion in the one place she’d hoped to never visit again: The Shallows. Isn’t her secret buried with the dead?
From the Philadelphia skyline to the rural suburbs of New Jersey, Dead Air weaves a suspenseful tale of past misdeeds and present malice as Kaitlyn plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a mysterious killer who will stop at nothing to get revenge.
No one knows that better than Kaitlyn Ashe, who has been running from a childhood secret her whole life. Until now. Crowned the top-rated radio DJ in Philadelphia, she is finally ready to settle down with her fiancé and new friends who know nothing about her past. When a sudden flood of anonymous letters threatens her seemingly charmed life, she realizes that someone out there knows. But who? As the threatening letters escalate, Kaitlyn’s life spirals toward a reunion in the one place she’d hoped to never visit again: The Shallows. Isn’t her secret buried with the dead?
From the Philadelphia skyline to the rural suburbs of New Jersey, Dead Air weaves a suspenseful tale of past misdeeds and present malice as Kaitlyn plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with a mysterious killer who will stop at nothing to get revenge.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2020
2 people are currently reading
2247 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bradley
9 books121 followersBorn and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley spent years in radio broadcasting in New Jersey and West Virginia. He has been “up and down the dial,” working as an on air radio personality, promotions director and even program director – all jobs that provided a wealth of fond, enduring, and sometimes scandalous moments. Some of them make it into his suspense novels. Particularly into his first, the supernatural thriller Sirens in the Night (2015), which was called a “smart, terrifying, heartbreaking” and “compelling read,” and his third, Dead Air (2020), a “phenomenal read” that will “make you look over your shoulder the moment night falls.”
Michael’s day job as an IT professional has taken him on frequent travels throughout the US and Europe. On his travels he’s met many people from diverse backgrounds, and he is grateful to all of them, as many of their quirks and habits also make it into his novels, albeit in clandestine and anonymous ways.
When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Or he reads to get inspired by writers such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Leslies Charteris, Simon Brett, Lisa Unger, and Ian Fleming. Michael is a member of Pennwriters and Mystery Writers of America, and he serves as the technical assistant to the director of ITW’s Pitch Fest and ConsultFest for the annual ThrillerFest conference. Michael lives in Delaware with his wife Diane and their two furry four-legged “kids,” Preaya and Willie.
Michael’s day job as an IT professional has taken him on frequent travels throughout the US and Europe. On his travels he’s met many people from diverse backgrounds, and he is grateful to all of them, as many of their quirks and habits also make it into his novels, albeit in clandestine and anonymous ways.
When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Or he reads to get inspired by writers such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Leslies Charteris, Simon Brett, Lisa Unger, and Ian Fleming. Michael is a member of Pennwriters and Mystery Writers of America, and he serves as the technical assistant to the director of ITW’s Pitch Fest and ConsultFest for the annual ThrillerFest conference. Michael lives in Delaware with his wife Diane and their two furry four-legged “kids,” Preaya and Willie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
September 4, 2020
Kaitlyn is a late-night radio DJ in Philadelphia. She loves her new job, her new boyfriend. Well, let’s just say her whole new life! But there’s someone from her past that won’t let Kaitlyn move on.
This book just didn’t work for me. The premise was one that has been done repeatedly, providing little originality.
Some of the actions of the characters were so unbelievable, it was a struggle to continue.
I listened to the audio version of this book but sadly the narrator's tone was somewhat flat, unable to pump any life into the story-line..
This was not a good fit for me, hope it will work better for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing, LLC for an ARC to listen to🎧 and review
This book just didn’t work for me. The premise was one that has been done repeatedly, providing little originality.
Some of the actions of the characters were so unbelievable, it was a struggle to continue.
I listened to the audio version of this book but sadly the narrator's tone was somewhat flat, unable to pump any life into the story-line..
This was not a good fit for me, hope it will work better for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and CamCat Publishing, LLC for an ARC to listen to🎧 and review
June 8, 2020
Laura, a popular radio DJ in Philadelphia, has a secret she has been keeping since she was sixteen years old. Now in her early thirties, she is ready to settle down, having let Brad into her life. But she has a stalker, who is sending her threatening letters. Brad knows something is wrong, presses her to tell him what is bothering her, but Laura is determined to never speak about what happened all those years ago. Sadly, her stalker turns deadly and Laura's life comes crashing down, as she had always expected it would.
I could not relate to Laura's motivation (or lack of motivation), at all. Her secret, from all those years ago, didn't need to be kept a secret and it certainly didn't need to taint her life forever, if only she had let authorities know what had happened. And in the present, it made no sense that Laura was so unwilling to let her fiance know what was going on, it made no sense that she wouldn't contact the police until things escalated, so I had trouble caring about her when she refused to tell the police what she knew about her past and how it could be connected to the stalker. And sadly, the stalker was all too obvious to this reader and felt like it should have been obvious to Laura.
Thank you to CamCat Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
I could not relate to Laura's motivation (or lack of motivation), at all. Her secret, from all those years ago, didn't need to be kept a secret and it certainly didn't need to taint her life forever, if only she had let authorities know what had happened. And in the present, it made no sense that Laura was so unwilling to let her fiance know what was going on, it made no sense that she wouldn't contact the police until things escalated, so I had trouble caring about her when she refused to tell the police what she knew about her past and how it could be connected to the stalker. And sadly, the stalker was all too obvious to this reader and felt like it should have been obvious to Laura.
Thank you to CamCat Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 11, 2020
Kaitlyn has been a DJ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the last few years and she is happier than she's ever been in the past decade since that one fateful night that killed a part of her and it is a dark secret of her past that she has never told to anyone not even her therapist who helped her get through those early years of heartache and trauma. Suddenly she is getting cryptic letters sent to her job and finally her home. Who knows her dark secrets from years ago, the only person who was there has been dead for more than ten years or was there another witness? But why now? Who is stalking and terrorizing this nighttime DJ and what do they know and want from Kaitlyn?
This was a very interesting and captivating mystery, thriller. The problem for me was I read this before it went to editing and it took a long time to read due to pre-publishing errors. Aside from those issues it was a terrific story and fun to learn about Philadelphia, Pa. and the ins' and outs of a nighttime disc jockey.
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this story a rating of 3 Mysterious 🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
This was a very interesting and captivating mystery, thriller. The problem for me was I read this before it went to editing and it took a long time to read due to pre-publishing errors. Aside from those issues it was a terrific story and fun to learn about Philadelphia, Pa. and the ins' and outs of a nighttime disc jockey.
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this story a rating of 3 Mysterious 🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
September 4, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Audio book version.
Laura is a dedication radio host on a popular radio station and has been receiving letters from someone hinting to a past she wants to keep hidden involving something that happened at 'the shallows'. Laura doesn't want to tell her fiance or the police about her past nor why she has changed her name.
I guessed who the stalker was from the first few chapters and was correct in my assumption. I had high hopes for this book but was disappointed. I still can't understand why Laura kept all what happened a secret from the police and her fiance as what it turns out to be wasn't worth her not telling them.
The narrator was lovely to listen to and did a fantastic voice audio of the book, but the book wasn't as great as I expected it to be.
Audio book version.
Laura is a dedication radio host on a popular radio station and has been receiving letters from someone hinting to a past she wants to keep hidden involving something that happened at 'the shallows'. Laura doesn't want to tell her fiance or the police about her past nor why she has changed her name.
I guessed who the stalker was from the first few chapters and was correct in my assumption. I had high hopes for this book but was disappointed. I still can't understand why Laura kept all what happened a secret from the police and her fiance as what it turns out to be wasn't worth her not telling them.
The narrator was lovely to listen to and did a fantastic voice audio of the book, but the book wasn't as great as I expected it to be.
August 11, 2020
3.75 stars rounded up to 4 stars for Goodreads.
Full review to come!
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Camcat Books , IBPA and Michael Bradley for providing me with an audio book in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come!
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Camcat Books , IBPA and Michael Bradley for providing me with an audio book in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2020
Kaitlyn worked hard to get to the top of the heap in Philadelphia’s radio DJ world. She also worked hard at erasing her past and burying it deep beneath a name change and geographic distance. Was time on her side? Had she finally left that fateful night behind her? And then the letters started and people were dying, but how could she reveal the one thing that could be tying everything together without incriminating herself? Has she become her own worst enemy or is there someone out there even more dangerous, on a mission to open the wounds of the past with a rusty scalpel and a few perfectly placed horrors?
Michael Bradley’s DEAD AIR is a rapid-fire tale of suspense that has one woman running the gauntlet of fear and deceit. What really happened in the shallows? Who else knows the truth and why have they waited so long to exact their revenge? Hang on tight as this one rounds the bend and all is revealed.
Well written, gripping and hair raising at times, the clues will lead you to the mystery monster, but not until Michael Bradley is ready and even then, he will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Camcat Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Camcat Books (June 9, 2020)
Language: English
Genre: Suspense
Hardcover: 278 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Michael Bradley’s DEAD AIR is a rapid-fire tale of suspense that has one woman running the gauntlet of fear and deceit. What really happened in the shallows? Who else knows the truth and why have they waited so long to exact their revenge? Hang on tight as this one rounds the bend and all is revealed.
Well written, gripping and hair raising at times, the clues will lead you to the mystery monster, but not until Michael Bradley is ready and even then, he will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Camcat Books! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Camcat Books (June 9, 2020)
Language: English
Genre: Suspense
Hardcover: 278 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 22, 2020
Kaitlyn is a radio DJ in Philadelphia. She has a great job, successful boyfriend and a new motorcycle. She beings receiving threatening letters from “The Shallows”. Someone is trying to dredge up the past and ruin the new life she has worked so hard to build. This one is compulsively readable. I did figure out early on who the antagonist was but it didn’t detract from the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and CamCat Publishing for the arc.
Thanks to Netgalley and CamCat Publishing for the arc.
November 17, 2020
Dead Air so much promise and yet fell flat at every turn of the page. I was actually very excited to read this one. A secret, revenge promised and action aplenty. However, the reality was very much different. The writing was ok, but I found it places it tripped itself up. The story struggled to keep my attention but also seemed to have the power to get me extremely angry. There was a plot development at around 40% that nearly made me give up, it’s not what I thought should happen to the character or where the natural progression of the narrative should have been.
Dead Air follows our protagonist, Kaitlyn who is a late-night DJ host, presenting a love song dedication show. She’s finally at a point in her life where she feels that she can put down some roots, after spending her professional career going from city to city and job to job. She’s chosen her home on the outskirts of Philadelphia. She’s got a boyfriend that she wants to settle with and her career is going from strength to strength. The only thing holding her back is a secret that stays at the back of her mind, but something will allow that box to be unlocked…
Dead Air had a premise that unfortunately has been done to death and it lacked any depth of originality. If there was something that made it stand out it would have done far better, in my opinion anyway. The actions of some of the characters were so unbelievable that turning every page after that was entirely a struggle. This doesn’t happen often to me, but I did consider DNF’ing this book, but I wanted to give it a chance.
I also wanted to point out that the overall narration didn’t work out for me, at all. The author seemed to struggle to write female characters with any iota of class or dignity. It felt like it was edging up on the creep metre. I know where the author was trying to take the story, but the lack of reliable characterisation and actions instantly turned me off. The biggest pitfall of them all was the unbelievably obvious clues left to who the culprit was. It just passed off the protagonist, Kaitlyn as unbelievably stupid. Not a great look for this story.
I’d like to thank Netgalley and Camcat Books for the opportunity to review Dead Air and provide an honest review.
Dead Air follows our protagonist, Kaitlyn who is a late-night DJ host, presenting a love song dedication show. She’s finally at a point in her life where she feels that she can put down some roots, after spending her professional career going from city to city and job to job. She’s chosen her home on the outskirts of Philadelphia. She’s got a boyfriend that she wants to settle with and her career is going from strength to strength. The only thing holding her back is a secret that stays at the back of her mind, but something will allow that box to be unlocked…
Dead Air had a premise that unfortunately has been done to death and it lacked any depth of originality. If there was something that made it stand out it would have done far better, in my opinion anyway. The actions of some of the characters were so unbelievable that turning every page after that was entirely a struggle. This doesn’t happen often to me, but I did consider DNF’ing this book, but I wanted to give it a chance.
I also wanted to point out that the overall narration didn’t work out for me, at all. The author seemed to struggle to write female characters with any iota of class or dignity. It felt like it was edging up on the creep metre. I know where the author was trying to take the story, but the lack of reliable characterisation and actions instantly turned me off. The biggest pitfall of them all was the unbelievably obvious clues left to who the culprit was. It just passed off the protagonist, Kaitlyn as unbelievably stupid. Not a great look for this story.
I’d like to thank Netgalley and Camcat Books for the opportunity to review Dead Air and provide an honest review.
March 15, 2020
An incredibly fast-paced, highly readable thriller withs loads of plot to unravel. Just when you think you get a handle on what's going on, another layer of the story is peeled away and you realize you have NO IDEA. The ending is rewarding, and you'll feel all the little threads Bradley dropped throughout the book finally come together. Absolutely would recommend for any thriller lover out there.
(Bonus, the main character is a radio DJ and it's super fun to glimpse a bit of the behind-the-scenes of what radio DJs do!)
(Bonus, the main character is a radio DJ and it's super fun to glimpse a bit of the behind-the-scenes of what radio DJs do!)
July 7, 2020
The first half of the novel sucked me right in and I couldn't put it down. Once I got to the half way point I kinda figured everything out and I thought some weird things happened that kind of ruined it for me. I don't understand why Kaitlyn needed to hide what happened in the Shallows, it made me not care about her and get annoyed of her real quick. Overall this was a solid and quick read.
Thank you netgalley and to the publisher for an arc!
Thank you netgalley and to the publisher for an arc!
Read
June 9, 2020NO REVIEW FORTHCOMING. DID NOT FINISH DUE TO EXCESSIVE ERRORS IN EDITING.
September 12, 2020
I enjoyed the narration, my first audio book from NetGalley. The twists and turns had me on pins and needles.
December 3, 2020
In Philadelphia, Kaitlyn Ashe is the highest rated nighttime DJ. She has been receiving threatening letters. Readers are immediately told there are secrets in her past. Some kind of anniversary is coming up and the letters are reminding her that her past is catching up with her. Her stalker is watching. There is a nearby case of the GBT murderer who is killing gay, bisexual and transgender men.
The story contains a creepy stalker who narrates some chapters. My brain was firing pretty well and I spotted the numerous clues as to who the stalker was so I figured it out early. I wondered if the author intended readers to figure it out soon because it was so obvious. I didn't care for Kaitlyn and couldn't find a good reason for her hiding the truth from everyone, including her fiancee and the cops.
My favorite character was Rodney even though he was too compassionate for a cop. I was confused about why the GBT murderer was even in the story because there were no details, only a resolution. I would have liked a lot more on the serial killer but that's because I love to read about them.
The story contains a creepy stalker who narrates some chapters. My brain was firing pretty well and I spotted the numerous clues as to who the stalker was so I figured it out early. I wondered if the author intended readers to figure it out soon because it was so obvious. I didn't care for Kaitlyn and couldn't find a good reason for her hiding the truth from everyone, including her fiancee and the cops.
My favorite character was Rodney even though he was too compassionate for a cop. I was confused about why the GBT murderer was even in the story because there were no details, only a resolution. I would have liked a lot more on the serial killer but that's because I love to read about them.
August 26, 2020
Thank you #netgalley for the ALC of the book.
Kaitlyn Ashe is a successful radio jockey. She has a show that is one of Philly’s best. But she also has a secret. She was someone who ran from her past, and assumed a whole new identity in the process, and the very past comes knocking, slow at first, then very insistent. It encroaches into her life, almost kills her, but then escalades to killing people she cared about. All because of something that had happened 16 years back. She comes face to face with her past, and has to relive it through what her stalker puts her through, until the ultimate showdown.
The book progressed slow in the start, meandering to the past but never quite addressing what and how and why it had happened. And that is answered only towards the end. Would you suspect the culprit... yes. There were obvious signs and it wasnt like the reveal was a a shocker.
The narrative was split between that of Kaitlyn, the said culprit and also was shared by Rodney, the investigating officer. I wasnt keen on the personal life aspect thrown into the mix, and was certainly notok with how things went one night after all the talk of how Rodney saw her and felt about her.
The ending was ok. And the actual cause, past and the whole shabbang made sense but did not exactly justify why she was always on the run...
Kaitlyn Ashe is a successful radio jockey. She has a show that is one of Philly’s best. But she also has a secret. She was someone who ran from her past, and assumed a whole new identity in the process, and the very past comes knocking, slow at first, then very insistent. It encroaches into her life, almost kills her, but then escalades to killing people she cared about. All because of something that had happened 16 years back. She comes face to face with her past, and has to relive it through what her stalker puts her through, until the ultimate showdown.
The book progressed slow in the start, meandering to the past but never quite addressing what and how and why it had happened. And that is answered only towards the end. Would you suspect the culprit... yes. There were obvious signs and it wasnt like the reveal was a a shocker.
The narrative was split between that of Kaitlyn, the said culprit and also was shared by Rodney, the investigating officer. I wasnt keen on the personal life aspect thrown into the mix, and was certainly notok with how things went one night after all the talk of how Rodney saw her and felt about her.
The ending was ok. And the actual cause, past and the whole shabbang made sense but did not exactly justify why she was always on the run...
August 31, 2020
This was an interesting mystery with maybe a little too much going on in the plot. It's mainly a story about an even radio host who does an easy listening and request evening shift. She starts receiving odd messages - demanding she play certain songs and implying she needs to remember what happened in the Shallows. Slowly you learn what that means, why it means so much and what's really going on.
It's told from three perspectives - officer trying to figure out the mystery of the threats and the main character receiving them and, finally, the person who is sending them. But all three of these people have other things going on in their lives. Even though this was short, it felt a bit bogged down with the minutia of day to day life - other cases, showering, eating breakfast. Listening was a bit slow in certain areas but all in all, an intriguing mystery that I did enjoy.
It's told from three perspectives - officer trying to figure out the mystery of the threats and the main character receiving them and, finally, the person who is sending them. But all three of these people have other things going on in their lives. Even though this was short, it felt a bit bogged down with the minutia of day to day life - other cases, showering, eating breakfast. Listening was a bit slow in certain areas but all in all, an intriguing mystery that I did enjoy.
September 2, 2020
You know how with most thrillers you will be guessing until the end who the "bad guy" is? Well with this book you get the POV of the "bad guy" from the beginning, you just don't know who it is. Then about 50% in you know who the "bad guy" is and you are on pins and needles waiting for them to figure it out. Knowing who the bad guy is does not take away from the suspense/thrill from this book at all. I really loved it!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free audiobook for review!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free audiobook for review!
May 30, 2022
I really enjoyed Dead Air by Michael Bradley. This was a great psychological thriller.
In Philadelphia, Kaitlyn Ashe's life is going well for her. She is a popular DJ, has a great life.
Until she starts getting threatening letters. We learn that Kaitylyn has secrets in her past that still haunt her.
There is someone that is killing gay, bisexual and transgender men.
I found it interesting that some chapters were narrated by a stalker type characters.
This was such an interesting thriller. I enjoyed unpacking the different clues and this book kept me on the edge of my seat.
In Philadelphia, Kaitlyn Ashe's life is going well for her. She is a popular DJ, has a great life.
Until she starts getting threatening letters. We learn that Kaitylyn has secrets in her past that still haunt her.
There is someone that is killing gay, bisexual and transgender men.
I found it interesting that some chapters were narrated by a stalker type characters.
This was such an interesting thriller. I enjoyed unpacking the different clues and this book kept me on the edge of my seat.
June 16, 2022
This ending! I enjoyed this propulsive thriller and loved the backdrop of radio broadcasting setting - and now I get the brilliant title of this suspenseful stalker thriller! I was hooked with how Kaitlyn’s past is colliding with her present and the mystery is so exciting it was so hard to put this book down, and found myself picking this up at every chance possible. As a thriller reader I am always fascinated at the twists and turns the novel takes and this one was amazing.
November 20, 2020
The premise of this book is great. A radio dj trying to escape her past when it comes back to bite her. There was a lot of suspense and action, but there were a lot of times when I got really frustrated with Kaitlyn and Rodney. There were so many things that pointed to who the big baddie was and they both completely overlooked them. Sometimes I just wanted to smack them. I thought the narrator was ok, but not the best that I've heard.
August 6, 2020
This book was just ok for me.
Laura is a popular Dj that has been holding onto a secret for 16 years, that to me didn’t seem like that much of a secret. I was confused as to why she wouldn’t tell her fiancé about her past or even the fact that she had legally changed her name to Katlyn. A cat and mouse game with a killer who wanted revenge that did leave me guessing yes who was behind it and that kept me listening. But also left me confused as to why she wouldn’t tell the police what the shallows were and why it was so important to her and her past.
Thanks to net galley and cam cat publishing for this audiobook
Laura is a popular Dj that has been holding onto a secret for 16 years, that to me didn’t seem like that much of a secret. I was confused as to why she wouldn’t tell her fiancé about her past or even the fact that she had legally changed her name to Katlyn. A cat and mouse game with a killer who wanted revenge that did leave me guessing yes who was behind it and that kept me listening. But also left me confused as to why she wouldn’t tell the police what the shallows were and why it was so important to her and her past.
Thanks to net galley and cam cat publishing for this audiobook
June 8, 2022
Just when things are good the past comes back to haunt Radio DJ Kaitlyn Ashe. Kaitlyn has been running from her past and secrets and now anonymous letters show up. Someone knows. But who?. This was a fast read and I love stories where the past comes knocking on your door. A a great summer suspense to put in your beach bag. I enjoyed.
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
August 15, 2020
Dead Air is a thrilling book. Katelyn is a radio host. She has secrets from her past. Katelyn is getting threatening letters. Who is ending them? Well Katelyn’s past come back and haunt her.?
#netgalley
#netgalley
August 18, 2020
The story grabbed me initially and I wanted to know what happened in The Shallows. As I read on, I figured out a lot of things, including the antagonist, however, it didn't spoil the story. Kaitlyn got on my nerves real fast and I didn't care about her, this did taint the story for me
April 24, 2020
Kaitlyn Ashe put in a lot of hard work and late nights to become the top rated radio DJ in Philadelphia - but no one knows her past, or so she thought. Kaitlyn has been running from a secret since high school and someone waited until she was finally happy to put down roots with her fiance to dredge her secrets up from the darkness. Anonymous letters that just increase in frequency as time goes one threaten the life Kaitlyn has worked for in addition to her sanity.
Someone knows her darkest secret but Kaitlyn was positive no one else was there. It becomes increasingly clear that the events that transpired at The Shallows will never resolve until she confronts them head on but how do you confront the dead?
It's weird reading a book about a fictitious character that shares a name with a person in real life that you know.
Dead Air alternates between a first person point of view for the stalker while Kaitlyn and Rodney's chapters are in third. I've never read a book with that kind of setup before, it was interesting and it actually worked out good. Michael Bradley writing two criminals into the plot of the novel kept things interesting. I really like this book, it was really fast paced with good character building until about halfway through. I knew who the stalker and the strangler were around at that point. I kept going just to see how it all played out and if the conclusions I drew were accurate but I was disappointed with knowing the identities of the culprits. I was also a little underwhelmed with the reason Kaitlyn refused to share the events of her past with anyone - even the officers assigned to her case.
The procedure of the police in this book drove me a little nuts. The stalker worrying about a wig they lost in a tussle versus chain-smoking literally everywhere was almost comical. If they were so meticulous regarding everything else then WHY would they just leave cigarette butts all over the place? I could see caring less if the stalker field-stripped them but just leaving them? Not so much. It's also highly unlikely for an officer to give their own secondary firearm to anyone. I could go on but honestly these were the big two for me.
I would partially recommend this book - on one hand it is a fast paced suspense/thriller with good characters and plot but on the other hand it was entirely to easy to figure out. I would like to thank NetGalley and CamCat Publishing for providing an advance copy of Dead Air to read in exchange for an honest opinion.
Someone knows her darkest secret but Kaitlyn was positive no one else was there. It becomes increasingly clear that the events that transpired at The Shallows will never resolve until she confronts them head on but how do you confront the dead?
It's weird reading a book about a fictitious character that shares a name with a person in real life that you know.
Dead Air alternates between a first person point of view for the stalker while Kaitlyn and Rodney's chapters are in third. I've never read a book with that kind of setup before, it was interesting and it actually worked out good. Michael Bradley writing two criminals into the plot of the novel kept things interesting. I really like this book, it was really fast paced with good character building until about halfway through. I knew who the stalker and the strangler were around at that point. I kept going just to see how it all played out and if the conclusions I drew were accurate but I was disappointed with knowing the identities of the culprits. I was also a little underwhelmed with the reason Kaitlyn refused to share the events of her past with anyone - even the officers assigned to her case.
The procedure of the police in this book drove me a little nuts. The stalker worrying about a wig they lost in a tussle versus chain-smoking literally everywhere was almost comical. If they were so meticulous regarding everything else then WHY would they just leave cigarette butts all over the place? I could see caring less if the stalker field-stripped them but just leaving them? Not so much. It's also highly unlikely for an officer to give their own secondary firearm to anyone. I could go on but honestly these were the big two for me.
I would partially recommend this book - on one hand it is a fast paced suspense/thriller with good characters and plot but on the other hand it was entirely to easy to figure out. I would like to thank NetGalley and CamCat Publishing for providing an advance copy of Dead Air to read in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 18, 2020
DJ Kaitlyn Ashe knows there is nothing worse than Dead Air, but as the top-rated DJ in Philadelphia, she is too professional for that. Unfortunately, her success seems to have caught the attention of someone, someone who knows her secrets that she thought buried in the past along with her name. She keeps getting requests that imply secret knowledge and then the increasingly threatening letters and eventually real jeopardy.
Investigating this are two detectives, Rodney Shapiro and his partner Julie Lewis. After an attack on Kaitlyn with a car and a murder, they develop conflicting theories of the case and Shapiro struggles with his partner who thinks he is being unprofessional.
I enjoyed Dead Air a lot, perhaps more than it deserved. Since being sick with COVID, my reading has fallen through the floor. I fall asleep within a few pages. When I read Dead Air I read from start to finish. I have not done that for months. So it wins points for keeping me awake and concerned about the people in it.
There are inexplicable plot points. Kaitlyn’s secrecy is just weird. It’s not like there is some deep, dark secret in the past that could be used against her in any real way. Her secrets only matter because she wants them kept secret. What we learn is so anticlimactic given her fear, it’s brings the reader to a juddering halt. She was terrified of that? Then there is the true unprofessionalism of the investigators. You know someone is lying about their past and you don’t ask?
But, in spite of all these flaws, I really liked it. I care what happened to Kaitlyn even if she was a ninny. I like Rodney even if he detected by the seat of his pants. I cared what happened.
I received an e-galley of Dead Air from the publisher through NetGalley.
Dead Air at CamCat Books
Michael Bradleyauthor site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Investigating this are two detectives, Rodney Shapiro and his partner Julie Lewis. After an attack on Kaitlyn with a car and a murder, they develop conflicting theories of the case and Shapiro struggles with his partner who thinks he is being unprofessional.
I enjoyed Dead Air a lot, perhaps more than it deserved. Since being sick with COVID, my reading has fallen through the floor. I fall asleep within a few pages. When I read Dead Air I read from start to finish. I have not done that for months. So it wins points for keeping me awake and concerned about the people in it.
There are inexplicable plot points. Kaitlyn’s secrecy is just weird. It’s not like there is some deep, dark secret in the past that could be used against her in any real way. Her secrets only matter because she wants them kept secret. What we learn is so anticlimactic given her fear, it’s brings the reader to a juddering halt. She was terrified of that? Then there is the true unprofessionalism of the investigators. You know someone is lying about their past and you don’t ask?
But, in spite of all these flaws, I really liked it. I care what happened to Kaitlyn even if she was a ninny. I like Rodney even if he detected by the seat of his pants. I cared what happened.
I received an e-galley of Dead Air from the publisher through NetGalley.
Dead Air at CamCat Books
Michael Bradleyauthor site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
July 6, 2022
Michael Bradley and I worked on security together at a recent conference, and I picked up his book Dead Air on the strength of how much fun it was to work together and his sense of humour. Dead Air is my favourite kind of who-dunnit with multiple red herrings and a continual cat and mouse game of who the killer is. Even though part of the book is from the point of view of the killer, it isn't until the end (okay that may be obvious) that we are finally able to understand who the killer truly is. The ending was both unexpected and completely satisfying, which of course is the best kind of ending for a suspense novel.
I also liked the fact that Kaitlyn Ashe works as a radio show host, since I love seeing into new worlds and some of the details of how those worlds work. Since Michael worked in broadcasting in a previous career, his rendering of the world of radio is bang on, and I really enjoyed it.
I recommend DEAD AIR for anyone who likes a gripping, suspenseful read and being in the point of view of the killer.
I also liked the fact that Kaitlyn Ashe works as a radio show host, since I love seeing into new worlds and some of the details of how those worlds work. Since Michael worked in broadcasting in a previous career, his rendering of the world of radio is bang on, and I really enjoyed it.
I recommend DEAD AIR for anyone who likes a gripping, suspenseful read and being in the point of view of the killer.
February 14, 2021
Someone is stalking a radio presenter because of past events, events that she wants to keep hidden from everyone, and that she thinks no one should know about. Why? What happened?
This story is revealed well as the stalking goes up several levels, and tension is built. A fun and enjoyable read with plenty of tension, and a good ending which involved an interesting twist. This worked well as an audiobook, although not the most engaging of narrators.
Happy to recommend this book on balance. I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review. 3.5 Stars
This story is revealed well as the stalking goes up several levels, and tension is built. A fun and enjoyable read with plenty of tension, and a good ending which involved an interesting twist. This worked well as an audiobook, although not the most engaging of narrators.
Happy to recommend this book on balance. I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book to me for an open and honest review. 3.5 Stars
June 6, 2022
When your past comes back to haunt you...
Kaitlyn's a very successful radio DJ whose life is settling down after running away from her past for sixteen years. Well, she didn't run far enough. Now she's getting letters in her inbox from someone who knows who she really is and what she's done. When the threat comes to her home she decides to get the police involved but still can't share her secret with them or even her fiance. How far will she go to keep her past hidden? How far will the letter writer go to get revenge?
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I found this one to be an interesting read. The 'who' character was easy to figure out but knowing that didn't detract from the suspense and tension the story creates. I can't say there is anything groundbreaking or new but the way the story is told held my attention and my need to know how things turned out. If you're looking for a quick, easy thriller to take you away for a bit, I recommend you give this one a try.
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Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
Kaitlyn's a very successful radio DJ whose life is settling down after running away from her past for sixteen years. Well, she didn't run far enough. Now she's getting letters in her inbox from someone who knows who she really is and what she's done. When the threat comes to her home she decides to get the police involved but still can't share her secret with them or even her fiance. How far will she go to keep her past hidden? How far will the letter writer go to get revenge?
.
I found this one to be an interesting read. The 'who' character was easy to figure out but knowing that didn't detract from the suspense and tension the story creates. I can't say there is anything groundbreaking or new but the way the story is told held my attention and my need to know how things turned out. If you're looking for a quick, easy thriller to take you away for a bit, I recommend you give this one a try.
.
Thank you to the author, CamCat Books and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
September 5, 2020
Disclaimer: An Audiobook ARC was provided via The Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
I have been loving trying new mystery/thrillers on audiobooks - making me use the time I was spending on chores/mundane stuff to actually useful while listening to the audiobooks!
Dead Air is the latest audiobook to join my list of books I listened to on this format - a mystery/thriller told in multiple POVs from the victim as well as the perpetrator and the detective investigating the case - it should have been an intriguing and unputdownable read, but somehow the MC is unlikeable at times, and the plot is predictable at best.
Laura, a mini celebrity; a DJ at a local Radio station has been receiving threatening notes for a few weeks now, hinting that her secret, one she has kept for most of her adult life. She is finally content with her life - a good job that she loves; a boyfriend she is in love with and a life that she loves living.
But like I said Laura as an MC is quite hard to like - as a reader, I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t be frank with her boyfriend, why she wouldn’t be honest with the detective who are just trying to protect her from a stalker - and even knowing the EXACT reason why she was being g stalked and threatened; it became all the more irritating that she wouldn’t share her past.
I really was excited to read this one - but sadly it did fall short of my expectations.
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon |
I have been loving trying new mystery/thrillers on audiobooks - making me use the time I was spending on chores/mundane stuff to actually useful while listening to the audiobooks!
Dead Air is the latest audiobook to join my list of books I listened to on this format - a mystery/thriller told in multiple POVs from the victim as well as the perpetrator and the detective investigating the case - it should have been an intriguing and unputdownable read, but somehow the MC is unlikeable at times, and the plot is predictable at best.
Laura, a mini celebrity; a DJ at a local Radio station has been receiving threatening notes for a few weeks now, hinting that her secret, one she has kept for most of her adult life. She is finally content with her life - a good job that she loves; a boyfriend she is in love with and a life that she loves living.
But like I said Laura as an MC is quite hard to like - as a reader, I couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t be frank with her boyfriend, why she wouldn’t be honest with the detective who are just trying to protect her from a stalker - and even knowing the EXACT reason why she was being g stalked and threatened; it became all the more irritating that she wouldn’t share her past.
I really was excited to read this one - but sadly it did fall short of my expectations.
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon |
May 3, 2021
3.5 stars
I had high hopes for Dead Air and predominately this was a good audiobook. I liked the plot and the narration but I wasn't grabbed and drawn into the story. I would not discount listening to this again in the future to see if the plot engages me more. I believe that this may have been a case of right book, wrong time.
I had high hopes for Dead Air and predominately this was a good audiobook. I liked the plot and the narration but I wasn't grabbed and drawn into the story. I would not discount listening to this again in the future to see if the plot engages me more. I believe that this may have been a case of right book, wrong time.
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