Dead Silence

by Ron Handberg

Needing a major story to improve his personal ratings, investigative journalist Alex Collier is determined to solve a fifteen-year-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of three young boys and is plunged into a world of dishonesty, betrayal, and deeply-guarded secrets where he must fight for his life

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nancy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book today! Having grown up in the Twin Cities, I was fascinated by the Minnesota details. The details and descriptions of the characters immediately grabbed me. I recommend this mystery, especially if you have family and like intrigue. Enjoy!

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a steamy July afternoon in 1983, three young boys run gleefully from their front yard to the nearby park and down the bluff to the edge of the Mississippi River. They do not return home ever again.
Fifteen years later, top television anchor, Alex Collier scans a memory item, the disappearance, on this date, of those three Hathaway sons. The story mildly intrigues him. Now readers, introduced to Collier’s co-anchor on the news team, are drawn inside the routine workings of a major station news operation. The author, with vast and varied experience in such operations, is careful to avoid relying on the technical details of such an operation to move the story forward.
Rather, Handberg relies on the interpersonal relationships, decisions and routines of the people who spend their time researching, writing, taping and presenting the daily television news to help move the story forward. It’s an interesting and sometimes tension-filled situation, but the story really focuses on the three missing boys. Collier decides to use his star-clout to get the station to in effect reopen the case.
Careful logical moves, rather than sudden insightful intuition guides Collier and his young co-anchor to the people, many long retired who were involved in the original case, including the still distraught, still seeking answers, parents of the boys.
The novel is rooted in reality and makes good use of the unusual and often exotic internal scenes in a big-time television operation, the evolving life of officials and ordinary citizens, some of whom have moved on, retired or left the Twin Cities. Mysterious threatening phone calls, possible deliberate hit and run and new murder all populate this novel as the clues mount, incidents occur and Collier persists against mounting resistance and tension.
The physical presence of the cities and rural Minnesota are inserted judicially with logical and useful influence on the trajectory of this story. The narrative rhythm is appropriate and although the novel is long, it is a well-paced read that will capture the imagination and attention of anyone interested in missing person cases.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written page turner

[shuurei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot literally bring down the book. It was a page turner to me. The very story is unique to me. I admire the tenacity of the parents of these lost children especially the news anchor. The development of the story was good and the revelation of the incidents. However, the ending was bland.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was ok, the story was really good, definitely kept me interested and I couldn't put it down. The ending fell little flat. Overall a good, quick read.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story bringing to light the tragedy and heartache of missing children. Interesting perspective from the news media angle. First read of a Ron Handberg novel. Like his character development and his writing style.

[Alison Solberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read. It was true crime-like and it was set in my home state of Minnesota. It progressed quickly and effortlessly. Not a book I would’ve normally picked but glad I did.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1983, the three Hathaway brothers – Jed, 8, Matt, 6 and Andrew, 4 – disappeared along the banks of the Mississippi. Two of the boys baseball caps were found, but not other sign of the boys, including their bodies is every recovered. Authorities believe the boys drowned, but their mother never loses hope that they are still alive.

Anchorman Alex Collier’s career as the top anchorman at a Twin Cities television station is being threatened and he is trying to re-exam what he really wants to do with his career. It’s the 15th anniversary of the boys disappearance and a former news reporter encourages him to open the case and do some investigative reporting on the case.

Alex convinces the station to let him pursue the story and a reward is offered for information. His investigation leads him down paths that were previously not explored by the authorities and endanger not just him, but his girlfriend and the family of the boys, who now have two elementary school-age daughters.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s very well written and is based on a true story that happened in Minnesota in 1951 when the three young sons of Betty and Kenneth Klein disappeared. They have yet to be found and their parents continue to hope that they might still be alive

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Minnesota writer

Fifteen years ago, the Hathaway brothers--Jed, 8, Matt, 6, and Danny, 4--disappeared along the banks of the Mississippi River. Except for the baseball caps they'd been wearing, the boys vanished without a trace. After an extensive investigation, the police ruled the brothers had drowned. Their mother believed otherwise. Convinced they were stolen, she still insists they are alive.

Investigative journalist Alex Collier, anchorman of the Twin Cities' leading late news, is determined to reopen the case. Though he needs a big exclusive to boost his personal ratings, he wants to help the boys' family even more. As he plunges headlong into the past, Alex stumbles deep into a mysterious labyrinth of corruption, secrecy, and lies--a story far bigger and deadlier than he ever imagined. Now the experienced reporter isn't just risking his career.his life is on the line, too.

[Kim Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

From beginning to end, this book was a fantastic mystery!!! Three young boys--Jed, Mathew, Andrew Hathaway--disappear fifteen years ago along the banks of the Mississippi River while playing at the park. Journalist and anchorman Alex Collier reopens the case and is determined to find out what happened to these boys.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handberg's prose improves with each novel. The story is loosely based on the Klein brothers' disappearance. It was fun to read all of his 'CCO connections and Minnesota references. As a former reporter, the newsroom management characters were spot on.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is set in Minnesota, I think that was partly the draw. I enjoy reading "investigation" stories and this one was good!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough story, based on a true story of three brothers who disappeared.....but well written and interesting to follow. Another new author for me.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

S.L.O.W start. It took a good 125, 150 pages to get into it but, when it did, I couldn't stop reading. Good ending but I would have liked more explanation.