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Dead Air: A Waco Mystery
Jeff wasn’t the same man Kit Squires had married, but was he capable of murder?
A year has passed since he lost his job as a radio host, yet he stubbornly clings to the hope of being rehired and begs Kit to be patient for a little longer. But her physical therapy earnings alone can’t support the family, and their bank account is streaking toward the danger zone—much like her marriage. Desperate, Kit issues an ultimatum—get a job or move out.
Then gunshots blast across the airwaves of Jeff’s former show. And in the dead air that follows, he utters some troubling last words. He had no reason to be at the station. Was this why he’d asked for “just a little more time?”
Torn between believing the evidence against Jeff or trusting the integrity of the man she thought she knew, Kit’s choice puts her at odds with her son, Bryce. One of them has to be wrong and that could have fatal consequences.
Was the evidence lying or had she been fooled by Jeff all along? That’s the question Kit must answer in Dead Air: A Waco Mystery, a novel about a family in crisis and the importance of character.
A year has passed since he lost his job as a radio host, yet he stubbornly clings to the hope of being rehired and begs Kit to be patient for a little longer. But her physical therapy earnings alone can’t support the family, and their bank account is streaking toward the danger zone—much like her marriage. Desperate, Kit issues an ultimatum—get a job or move out.
Then gunshots blast across the airwaves of Jeff’s former show. And in the dead air that follows, he utters some troubling last words. He had no reason to be at the station. Was this why he’d asked for “just a little more time?”
Torn between believing the evidence against Jeff or trusting the integrity of the man she thought she knew, Kit’s choice puts her at odds with her son, Bryce. One of them has to be wrong and that could have fatal consequences.
Was the evidence lying or had she been fooled by Jeff all along? That’s the question Kit must answer in Dead Air: A Waco Mystery, a novel about a family in crisis and the importance of character.
- GenresMystery
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
About the author
Mary L. Hamilton
6 books72 followersAuthor Mary L. Hamilton grew up at a youth camp in southeastern Wisconsin, much like the setting for her Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series. Her experiences during twenty years of living at the camp, as well as people she knew there, inspired many of the events and situations in her novels.
Mary began her writing career with articles for inspirational magazines and church take-home papers. She also wrote a Christmas play entitled Homespun Angel before she turned to writing novels.
Mary also writes adult mystery/suspense novels under the pen name M L Hamilton.
Although a native of Wisconsin, Mary has lived most of her adult life in Texas where she met and married her husband and raised three children. But while her feet may be in Texas, a large part of her heart will always be in Wisconsin.
Mary began her writing career with articles for inspirational magazines and church take-home papers. She also wrote a Christmas play entitled Homespun Angel before she turned to writing novels.
Mary also writes adult mystery/suspense novels under the pen name M L Hamilton.
Although a native of Wisconsin, Mary has lived most of her adult life in Texas where she met and married her husband and raised three children. But while her feet may be in Texas, a large part of her heart will always be in Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 29, 2023
Won in a giveaway.... good one
November 20, 2022
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 over the course of the story.
Language: One use of p*ssed. There were also a couple of times where 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 free from the author through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed 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.
Language: One use of p*ssed. There were also a couple of times where 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 free from the author through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed 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.
November 22, 2022
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 where 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 in the mix.
An exciting, interesting, well-written novel to add to your reading list.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
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 where 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 in the mix.
An exciting, interesting, well-written novel to add to your reading list.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
October 27, 2022
Frustrated that her unemployed husband won’t accept less than his dream job, Kit Squires gives him an ultimatum. While listening to the radio station he used to deejay on, she hears gunshots and his voice. She rushes to the station to be stopped by officers. Soon her husband Jeff becomes a prime suspect in a murder investigation.
Kit and Jeff’s son, Bryce, a senior in high school, and his sister Maddie refuse to believe their father murdered anyone. Hints throughout the story show the reader Jeff’s integrity, yet Kit heard his voice on the radio. She wrestles with what she knows about Jeff and what she heard.
Dead Air takes lies Kit believes and blinds her to the truth. Somehow the wounds of her childhood cause her to believe the worst in someone she should not question—her husband. Mary Hamilton takes a time of upheaval in their life and casts doubt in Kit’s mind despite the known character traits. One might wonder how can this happen, but it does when people are under a lot of stress and let the fears overtake their thinking.
Well-thought-out clues help the sleuth reader dig into the case alongside the police and Bryce. Eventually, the suspense comes with Kit trying to figure out who the murderer is.
The danger keeps the reader on the edge of her seat. We want to know why. We want to know how. Excellent story. I highly recommend it for adults and older teens.
Kit and Jeff’s son, Bryce, a senior in high school, and his sister Maddie refuse to believe their father murdered anyone. Hints throughout the story show the reader Jeff’s integrity, yet Kit heard his voice on the radio. She wrestles with what she knows about Jeff and what she heard.
Dead Air takes lies Kit believes and blinds her to the truth. Somehow the wounds of her childhood cause her to believe the worst in someone she should not question—her husband. Mary Hamilton takes a time of upheaval in their life and casts doubt in Kit’s mind despite the known character traits. One might wonder how can this happen, but it does when people are under a lot of stress and let the fears overtake their thinking.
Well-thought-out clues help the sleuth reader dig into the case alongside the police and Bryce. Eventually, the suspense comes with Kit trying to figure out who the murderer is.
The danger keeps the reader on the edge of her seat. We want to know why. We want to know how. Excellent story. I highly recommend it for adults and older teens.
October 21, 2022
I enjoyed every bit of Dead Air. It’s an intriguing, suspenseful mystery that doesn’t neglect the deeper themes of family, tragedy, justice, and faith. Although Kit, the main character, isn’t perfect, she captures your sympathy as she deals with the aftermath of her husband’s death and tries to uncover the truth. The plot twists kept me guessing about what would happen all the way to the satisfying conclusion.
I appreciated how realistic everything was … everything from Kit’s, Bryce’s, and Maddie’s grieving emotions, to their involvement with solving the crime, to the local flavor of the Waco area. It was also interesting to have two different point-of-view characters, Kit and her son, Bryce. It takes a special touch to depict teenage boys realistically, and I feel Mary Hamilton nailed it with Bryce.
If you enjoy a character-driven mystery thriller, I think you’ll love Dead Air!
*I received an ARC.
I appreciated how realistic everything was … everything from Kit’s, Bryce’s, and Maddie’s grieving emotions, to their involvement with solving the crime, to the local flavor of the Waco area. It was also interesting to have two different point-of-view characters, Kit and her son, Bryce. It takes a special touch to depict teenage boys realistically, and I feel Mary Hamilton nailed it with Bryce.
If you enjoy a character-driven mystery thriller, I think you’ll love Dead Air!
*I received an ARC.
March 6, 2023
Fantastic story and a wild ride! I loved it! Couldn’t put it down.
October 14, 2022
Suspenseful! I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Hamilton’s writing and how she crafted this story. The action and suspense throughout the book kept me turning the page and not wanting to put it down. The main characters came alive and I found myself wanting to encourage them along as they tried to figure out this mystery. (I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
February 2, 2024
I loved this book! The author included wonderful Christian messages at just the right times, and her characters captured my heart. I found myself identifying with all of them and relating to their flaws. I can't wait to read more books from this stellar author!
April 21, 2023
Excellent Read
This is a page turner! Christian themes are woven into the mystery, but not at all in a preachy way. The story shares realistic character imperfections that we all carry, which makes the characters relatable.I was hoping that the private school in the beginning would make an appearance at the end of the book, but that didn’t make the book any less enjoyable. Highly recommend Dead Air!
This is a page turner! Christian themes are woven into the mystery, but not at all in a preachy way. The story shares realistic character imperfections that we all carry, which makes the characters relatable.I was hoping that the private school in the beginning would make an appearance at the end of the book, but that didn’t make the book any less enjoyable. Highly recommend Dead Air!
April 11, 2023
great testimony
The story was great. Mary stayed true to the characters. Also she didn’t leave any gaps in the timeline. It could have developed the testimonies a little more.
The story was great. Mary stayed true to the characters. Also she didn’t leave any gaps in the timeline. It could have developed the testimonies a little more.
October 8, 2022
Mary Hamilton’s latest novel, Dead Air, is a suspenseful contemporary story set in the Texas town of Waco. Kit and her husband, Jeff, have been struggling financially since Jeff lost his job at the radio station a year ago. Kit works long hours to make ends meet as an in-home physical therapist and worries about their two teenage children, while Jeff hangs on to the hope of getting his old job back. Finally, Kit gives Jeff an ultimatum: find a job or get out.
Everything takes a turn when Kit tunes in to a radio program and hears gunshots at the station, then Jeff’s voice. Suddenly, she and her family are involved in the unthinkable. As they each deal with the tragedy and try to learn the truth, relationships suffer, tempers flare, and Kit questions everything she thought she knew about her husband.
As the story takes a series of twists, more and more questions surface regarding what really happened at the radio station and who was behind it. I bit a few nails as I turned the pages, all the way to the last hair-raising chase through the back roads of Waco and the unexpected final standoff.
Dead Air is suspenseful storytelling at its best! (I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Everything takes a turn when Kit tunes in to a radio program and hears gunshots at the station, then Jeff’s voice. Suddenly, she and her family are involved in the unthinkable. As they each deal with the tragedy and try to learn the truth, relationships suffer, tempers flare, and Kit questions everything she thought she knew about her husband.
As the story takes a series of twists, more and more questions surface regarding what really happened at the radio station and who was behind it. I bit a few nails as I turned the pages, all the way to the last hair-raising chase through the back roads of Waco and the unexpected final standoff.
Dead Air is suspenseful storytelling at its best! (I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
April 27, 2024
A riveting mystery that sweeps the reader up in a roller coaster of emotions along with Kit Spires. Kit questions if it is possible to love and hate her deceased husband at the same time? Evidence indicates Jeff, her husband, killed two people in cold blood and seriously injured one more before turning the gun on himself. How could he do that and leave her and their children to deal with the aftermath? She and her children wrestle with disbelief, grief, anger, shame, and guilt. To make matters worse, Kit learns Jeff withdrew the majority of their savings not long before the shooting. The family faces the judging eyes of those around them while trying to come to grips with the loss of their husband/father and the heinous crime everyone believes he committed. The realistic characters pull at my heart strings. Hang on to your seats and read the story to find out how it ends.
February 28, 2023
I enjoyed losing track of time and being fully absorbed in this book.
Dead Air is more than a “who-done-it” murder mystery. Hamilton gives the characters depth and unfolds a family’s struggles with grief.
After a year of being the sole bread winner, Kit demands her unemployed husband, Jeff, stop waiting for the dream job he expects to get. Her ultimatum is that Jeff must settle for a different job or move out. However, life spins out of control for Kit and her two teens when he is found dead. Not only must they navigate their loss, but they face hard consequences when Jeff accused of murder.
It’s a believable story and well-crafted mystery.
February 26, 2024
This was my first experience with this author. Wow! I was a little hesitant partway through the story because I wasn’t sure which way it was going to go. I wondered if it was going to roll into church bashing but I was pleased with how it turned out. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I was riveted to the story. I didn’t want to put it down. The writing style flows well and the characters were very realistic, as was the main character’s doubts and concerns. It was so well written! I will definitely look out for more of this author’s work and I highly recommend this one. It was excellent.
October 6, 2022
Dead Air by May L. Hamilton is an engaging mystery. The main character Kit is very authentic as she deals with the tragedy of a shooting and the conflict of her husband’s involvement. The story is well-crafted and the characters’ personalities and relationships are such that I felt like I knew them all personally. The book will keep you reading, revealing surprising twists. I highly recommend Dead Air.
I had the opportunity to read an ARC, advance reader copy.
I had the opportunity to read an ARC, advance reader copy.
October 13, 2022
A high-stakes mystery, Dead Air entices readers to turn pages from start to finish. I enjoyed how both adult and teenage enemies became friends in the midst of tough circumstances. This story is a reminder to live each day without regrets. While Hamilton weaves a somewhat predictable plot, she leads the reader through a maze of unexpected twists and turns along the way. Seatbelt suspense, anyone?
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I expected a twisty thriller but I got so much more than some twists and turns. This was an unexpected story about family, grief, trusting your instincts, faith, and so so much more.
This book had me in its clutches from the beginning and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something that toes the line between thriller/mystery/drama. It was tense but also had these heartwarming moments that really pulled everything together.
This book had me in its clutches from the beginning and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something that toes the line between thriller/mystery/drama. It was tense but also had these heartwarming moments that really pulled everything together.
December 7, 2023
Great mystery books are usually nail-biters and tummy grippers, and I found Mary Hamilton’s Dead Air: A Waco Mystery to be just that. Half way through the book, I was on the edge of my sofa. For the last few chapters, I stayed up late to finish this mystery! Hamilton’s talent for plot and characters to dance around with so many details surrounding Kit’s family, with subtle hints along the way to solve the mystery, yet maintaining suspense, is exceptional.
October 7, 2022
Dead Air is a can't-put-down read. After finishing Mary's book, I have recommended it countless times. I love the suspense, which kept me turning the pages. It's believable as if it came from a headline in today's newspaper. Don't miss this one. FANTASTIC!!!
I received it as an ARC copy.
I received it as an ARC copy.
April 21, 2023
Very grateful to have won this as a Goodreads giveaway! However, this was a very predictable, somewhat boring story. I finished, but thought about not finishing more than once, as I was certain I knew how it would end and I was correct.
April 24, 2023
I received this book for free as part of a Goodreads Giveaway, I finished the book quickly but found the story to be predictable and it felt that it was longer than it needed to be. I still enjoyed the book and considered it an easy read.
May 21, 2023
Easy reading and for a change not a lot of violence for a good mystery. The only thing is that I knew almost immediately who the bad guy was but it really did not spoil the ending. I will definitely read more of Mary's books.
June 5, 2023
I feel bad for leaving 2 stars but I could not get into this. 😫 slow and too many things happening. Also I didn’t like the main character which didn’t help my enthusiasm for this book… I finished 90% and couldn’t get myself to go on since I knew the killer.
July 18, 2023
Good book, kept me engaged the entire time. But I definitely knew who the bad guy was from early on and I wish it was not as obvious. And the ending was okay, I think I expected more from the ending. But in general a very nice and easy read.
May 11, 2023
I loved the suspense and the plot in this book.
July 23, 2024
I could stop reading this book! Hamilton has woven a great mystery, with well defined characters, vivid settings, and a plausible plot. I could feel Kit's frustrationg with her out-of-work husband. I could sense Jeff's shame at being jobless for a year. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews