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Talk Radio Mystery #1
Dead Air
The first in an original new series.
When a psychologist hits Florida's airwaves, there's no telling who she's reaching...
...and there's no telling who wants to reach back.
Maggie left her Manhattan practice for sunny Cypress Grove, Florida. where she hosts a talk radio show on WYME, parceling out psychological wisdom between interviews with guests, commercial readings and turns on the news floor. All the local lunatics appear to love her show.
Well, maybe not all of them. She receives threats on her phone lines while interviewing New Age guru Sanjay Gingii. When he turns up dead, Maggie's roommate Lark comes under suspicion by an annoying--and gorgeous--detective. Maggie not only has to prove Lark's innocence, she must find out who's made more than one attempt on her life.
When a psychologist hits Florida's airwaves, there's no telling who she's reaching...
...and there's no telling who wants to reach back.
Maggie left her Manhattan practice for sunny Cypress Grove, Florida. where she hosts a talk radio show on WYME, parceling out psychological wisdom between interviews with guests, commercial readings and turns on the news floor. All the local lunatics appear to love her show.
Well, maybe not all of them. She receives threats on her phone lines while interviewing New Age guru Sanjay Gingii. When he turns up dead, Maggie's roommate Lark comes under suspicion by an annoying--and gorgeous--detective. Maggie not only has to prove Lark's innocence, she must find out who's made more than one attempt on her life.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2009
22 people are currently reading
1199 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kennedy
148 books330 followersMary Kennedy is a national best-selling novelist and a licensed psychologist on the east coast. She has written 37 young adult novels and has a new adult mystery series with Penguin, The Talk Radio Mysteries.The first title, DEATH IS BAD KARMA was released in January 2010, and the second release, REEL MURDER, is available now. She has spoken at over 100 schools, libraries and writers' conferences all over the country. She received a grant and award for "artistic excellence in fiction" from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Please visit her online at http://www.marykennedy.net. And be sure to visit Killer Characters--it's a fun site where cozy mystery writers blog as their characters! www.killercharacters.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 30, 2019
This was a very enjoyable first entry in the series. I liked the characters and the setting. I enjoyed the writing style and the mystery was good. Looking forward to reading more in the series. #readforkimberly
June 24, 2010
This is the very first in my Talk Radio Mysteries for Penguin. My agent pitched and sold it as "Frasier meets Murder She Wrote"-it's about a radio talk show host (think Frasier) who solves a murder in every book (think Murder She Wrote). And I was lucky enough to get a cover quote from Donald Bain, who writes the Murder She Wrote series from Penguin. You can read more at my website www.marykennedy.net
May 23, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Talk radio is all my husband listens to but I don’t think he has ever tuned in to a program like “On the Couch with Maggie Walsh.” She gets some very unusual callers. First time and long time callers call in to talk about a variety of topics. She even has special guests like the controversial Guru Sanjay Gingii. He has his followers but he also has his enemies. Maggie has even received a threat at the station to scare her from having him on the show. Shortly after appearing on her show the guru is found dead in his hotel room. Maggie is surprised when the police show up at her door, but they are not there for her, they are there for her roommate, Lark. What that’s crazy! Lark wouldn’t kill anyone or would she???
Mary Kennedy introduces us to a variety of characters. Maggie, of course, who seems to be a very intelligent woman but not a lot of common sense at times, which was funny in a book, wouldn’t be so funny in real life. Her roommate Lark has a past and Maggie finds out she didn’t know her as well as she thought. Her producer, Vera Mae Atkins, is a hoot, the first chapter is just the start of radio romp. The guru’s followers, staff, and exes make for a large pool of suspects. Maggie’s mom, Lola was my favorite character. She wanted to help Maggie investigate and she was crazy funny. Maggie is also trying to impress a certain detective which adds to the fun.
The radio show theme was unique for me. It did remind of the Frasier television show, his relationship with Roz was very similar to Maggie and Vera, only with a dead body added. The behind the scenes complete with a foreign receptionist who is learning English to a pompous sports announcer all blended together to make this a very interesting read.
The mystery plot was full of twists including the final one that was a total surprise. I was sure I had it all figured out and you guessed it, wrong again.
This was a good debut for this series. I want to see how these characters evolve in the next 2 books, Reel Murder and Stay Tuned for Murder.
Talk radio is all my husband listens to but I don’t think he has ever tuned in to a program like “On the Couch with Maggie Walsh.” She gets some very unusual callers. First time and long time callers call in to talk about a variety of topics. She even has special guests like the controversial Guru Sanjay Gingii. He has his followers but he also has his enemies. Maggie has even received a threat at the station to scare her from having him on the show. Shortly after appearing on her show the guru is found dead in his hotel room. Maggie is surprised when the police show up at her door, but they are not there for her, they are there for her roommate, Lark. What that’s crazy! Lark wouldn’t kill anyone or would she???
Mary Kennedy introduces us to a variety of characters. Maggie, of course, who seems to be a very intelligent woman but not a lot of common sense at times, which was funny in a book, wouldn’t be so funny in real life. Her roommate Lark has a past and Maggie finds out she didn’t know her as well as she thought. Her producer, Vera Mae Atkins, is a hoot, the first chapter is just the start of radio romp. The guru’s followers, staff, and exes make for a large pool of suspects. Maggie’s mom, Lola was my favorite character. She wanted to help Maggie investigate and she was crazy funny. Maggie is also trying to impress a certain detective which adds to the fun.
The radio show theme was unique for me. It did remind of the Frasier television show, his relationship with Roz was very similar to Maggie and Vera, only with a dead body added. The behind the scenes complete with a foreign receptionist who is learning English to a pompous sports announcer all blended together to make this a very interesting read.
The mystery plot was full of twists including the final one that was a total surprise. I was sure I had it all figured out and you guessed it, wrong again.
This was a good debut for this series. I want to see how these characters evolve in the next 2 books, Reel Murder and Stay Tuned for Murder.
January 16, 2018
Dead Air by Mary Kennedy was a fun cozy mystery read that hooked me from the first page. Maggie Walsh, a clinical psychologist, has moved to Cypress Grove, FL to start a new life away from New York winters. Her talk show on WYME radio station, On the Couch with Maggie Walsh, is popular with the residents. Her callers cover a wide variety of people and personalities.
Ms. Kennedy provides a descriptive narrative that allows the reader to be in the story as Maggie takes calls at the studio, meets a handsome detective, and begins sleuthing to discover a murderer. A swift plot with plenty of suspects and twists to keep the reader guessing. Vera Mae and Lola were some of the best secondary characters that I have read this year. Their dialogue and antics made me laugh out loud often throughout the book. A fun read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Ms. Kennedy provides a descriptive narrative that allows the reader to be in the story as Maggie takes calls at the studio, meets a handsome detective, and begins sleuthing to discover a murderer. A swift plot with plenty of suspects and twists to keep the reader guessing. Vera Mae and Lola were some of the best secondary characters that I have read this year. Their dialogue and antics made me laugh out loud often throughout the book. A fun read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
July 15, 2015
This was a great murder mystery! The plot, characters, setting and theme blended very well. Maggie is a psychologist with her own radio show in a small Florida town. One of her radio guests is murdered and her roommate is the key suspect. While trying to clear Lark, we get to meet many characters including her actress mother. Not only is Maggie trying to help Lark, she want to impress the detective on the case. This leads to assault, break-ins and adventures with her funny and wacky mother. I enjoyed this read because the radio show tie-in was different, the characters were a fun bunch to meet and the plot was a surprisingly twisted ending. A must try for cozy or murder fans.
January 10, 2021
Laugh out loud funny, who done it that keeps the reader guessing.
February 6, 2015
This is what happens when you randomly pick something up off the shelf at the used book store, hoping for a new cozy that you'll be into.
The premise was fine. The writing...eh. The "heroine" is annoying as hell. I expect a certain amount of professionalism from a psychologist. I also expect a certain amount of intelligence. Maggie's lacking in both. She blunders her way through life and frankly I wouldn't trust her to advise me on my lunch choice, much less life choices.
I like to consider myself fairly well read. There aren't many things that come up in books that I really just have no idea what they're talking about. But there were several in here. I can't remember all of them, but one was a reference to an area of NY. I only know that's what they were referring to because I Googled it. There were also continuity errors. In the beginning, Lark tells Maggie how she ran into this guru guy in the lobby of the hotel and followed him up to his room. Later, when *slight spoiler* Maggie's mom somehow hypnotizes her, she walks her through meeting him and in THIS version she knocks on his door and meets him there.
And don't even get me started on the giant asshat police guy. Ug.
So, yeah. No thanks. I'll pass on any more of this series.
The premise was fine. The writing...eh. The "heroine" is annoying as hell. I expect a certain amount of professionalism from a psychologist. I also expect a certain amount of intelligence. Maggie's lacking in both. She blunders her way through life and frankly I wouldn't trust her to advise me on my lunch choice, much less life choices.
I like to consider myself fairly well read. There aren't many things that come up in books that I really just have no idea what they're talking about. But there were several in here. I can't remember all of them, but one was a reference to an area of NY. I only know that's what they were referring to because I Googled it. There were also continuity errors. In the beginning, Lark tells Maggie how she ran into this guru guy in the lobby of the hotel and followed him up to his room. Later, when *slight spoiler* Maggie's mom somehow hypnotizes her, she walks her through meeting him and in THIS version she knocks on his door and meets him there.
And don't even get me started on the giant asshat police guy. Ug.
So, yeah. No thanks. I'll pass on any more of this series.
November 21, 2018
Maggie is a radio talk show host who was once a psychologist. Now, she has a roommate and her mother and that's about it in her life. But when some New Age guru shows up at the radio station to be a guest, then ends up murdered the next day, and Maggie's roommate is the prime suspect, Maggie decides to take matters into her own hands.
Now, she will do whatever it takes to find the real killer, and make sure her friend stays free.
This book was okay. I was a little bit annoyed with Maggie throughout the book, and I had a hard time really feeling connected to her, but other than that it was a nice mystery and interesting side characters.
I'm not sure that I will read more in this series, but this was a nice cozy mystery to pass th time with.
Now, she will do whatever it takes to find the real killer, and make sure her friend stays free.
This book was okay. I was a little bit annoyed with Maggie throughout the book, and I had a hard time really feeling connected to her, but other than that it was a nice mystery and interesting side characters.
I'm not sure that I will read more in this series, but this was a nice cozy mystery to pass th time with.
December 25, 2015
Maggie Walsh has a Radio Talk Show and she lives in Cypress Grove FL.Guru Sanyay Ginjii does a Radio interview with Maggie he is later found dead in his hotel room. Maggie knew from the moment she met him he was a fake. He had ton's of followers though so it will be hard to figure out who killed him and why?W hen Maggie's roommate Lark is placed at the scene of the crime it appears she is the only suspect the police have, With the clock ticking down and the police building a strong case against Lark. Maggie decides to investigate and try to solve the crime! Does she succeed and save Lark from a life sentence? I don't give spoilers so you'll have to read the book to find out.
October 17, 2016
When a guest on psychologist Maggie Walsh's talk show ends up murdered, police have her roommate as the number one suspect. Maggie, along with her aging ingenue mother do some investigating on their own. This is the first book in the Talk Radio cozy mystery series and I really liked it. It helps that I used to be an on-air personality, which is why it grabbed my interest! Maggie makes a good sleuth and her mother is just hysterical. I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series!
September 2, 2018
Snooze. ZZZZZZZZZ. It took me forever to finish this b/c I decided I'd rather do things like stare blankly at the ceiling than read this book. Thank goodness I'm done!
January 23, 2024
Fought thru my book slump & tried really hard to finish this sleeping pill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
In Dead Air by Mary Kennedy, Maggie has recently left her psychology practice to move to a small town in Florida and host a radio call-in show called On the Couch with Maggie Walsh. One day Maggie has a guest on her show, a New Age leader who calls himself Guru Sanjay. He is holding a conference about his teachings, drawing hoards of people to the hotel near the radio station. But then the next morning, Maggie gets word that Guru Sanjay is dead. But worse, within minutes, the police show up at Maggie's door with questions; her roommate is the number one suspect in his murder. Because Maggie is certain that Lark is innocent and that the police won't look beyond Lark, Maggie determines to find the killer herself.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
December 5, 2020
Dead Air (Talk Radio Mystery, #1) by Mary Kennedy
Maggie is a Psychologist living in Florida. She has a talk radio show,where she helps people with their problems. When a prominent guest Sanjay Ginjii ends up dead, it is clear he was murdered. It does not take long for her friend and roommate Lark to be the number one suspect. Maggie starts to investigate to clear her friend, and solve the mystery.
A fast paced cozy murder mystery with a classic who-done-it style. The suspect list grows as secrets are revealed. Plenty of twists and turns with a splash of humor fit well into the story. Maggie is very likable, as well as her eccentric out spoken mother. Lark is likable too. Overall I found Dead Air enjoyable and feel those who like a a good cozy murder/mystery will enjoy it as well.
Maggie is a Psychologist living in Florida. She has a talk radio show,where she helps people with their problems. When a prominent guest Sanjay Ginjii ends up dead, it is clear he was murdered. It does not take long for her friend and roommate Lark to be the number one suspect. Maggie starts to investigate to clear her friend, and solve the mystery.
A fast paced cozy murder mystery with a classic who-done-it style. The suspect list grows as secrets are revealed. Plenty of twists and turns with a splash of humor fit well into the story. Maggie is very likable, as well as her eccentric out spoken mother. Lark is likable too. Overall I found Dead Air enjoyable and feel those who like a a good cozy murder/mystery will enjoy it as well.
December 11, 2017
Dr. Maggie Walsh, a New York psychologist, has recently moved to Florida after she accepted a job at a radio station. Maggie has a radio call-in show called On the Couch with Dr. Maggie Walsh. She has a very quirky group of callers that call in to discuss their troubles on a variety of topics. Occasionally she will have a special guest to interview and discussion topics to do with psychology. One of these guests was Guru Sanjay, he was in town to host a retreat. Guru Sanjay was a popular author and public speaker but he had some controversial, almost cult leader type ideas. Guru Sanjay had his loyal follower but he also had a lot of enemies. Shortly after appearing on Dr. Maggie’s show Guru Sanjay was found dead in his hotel room. Maggie’s roommate Lark, a huge fan of the Guru’s, was spotted shortly before his death talking to him in his hotel lobby. Once evidence was found of Lark having been in the Guru’s hotel room she became the prime suspect in his murder. Dr. Maggie with the help of her actress mother is determined to clear Lark’s name.
Author Mary Kennedy introduces us to a variety of lovable quirky characters. Maggie an intelligent well-educated doctor of psychology but she sometimes lacks confidence and common sense. Her mother is an actress that is determined to become a star seem self-absorbed, but in time of need, she is there for Maggie and Lark. These are just two examples of the wonderful characters in the book. These characters like real people have great qualities as well flaws; these flaws make them seem more realistic. The mystery has great pace and several twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I was completely surprised at who the murder was in the end.
This is the first in the series but actually my second book. I really enjoyed seeing how these characters began which helped me get to know the characters better. This is a great start to the series, I would recommend this one to cozy mystery fans looking for a cozy with a little humor.
I was provided with an ARC of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Author Mary Kennedy introduces us to a variety of lovable quirky characters. Maggie an intelligent well-educated doctor of psychology but she sometimes lacks confidence and common sense. Her mother is an actress that is determined to become a star seem self-absorbed, but in time of need, she is there for Maggie and Lark. These are just two examples of the wonderful characters in the book. These characters like real people have great qualities as well flaws; these flaws make them seem more realistic. The mystery has great pace and several twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I was completely surprised at who the murder was in the end.
This is the first in the series but actually my second book. I really enjoyed seeing how these characters began which helped me get to know the characters better. This is a great start to the series, I would recommend this one to cozy mystery fans looking for a cozy with a little humor.
I was provided with an ARC of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 12, 2018
Around the Year in 52 Books 2018 Reading Challenge. A book with a link to 1/4 elements: Air.
The main character is a psychologist who does a radio talk show in Cypress Grove, Florida. This book is jammed full of pop culture references to the point that it was almost annoying. I didn't particularly care for the characters and I didn't believe the "relationship" between the main character and the detective. One BIG editing problem for me was that the author made a point of the book signed by the Guru that had been personalized, BUT never did explain HOW Ray got that book! Are there no copy editors in the industry? I find such errors all the time!
The main character is a psychologist who does a radio talk show in Cypress Grove, Florida. This book is jammed full of pop culture references to the point that it was almost annoying. I didn't particularly care for the characters and I didn't believe the "relationship" between the main character and the detective. One BIG editing problem for me was that the author made a point of the book signed by the Guru that had been personalized, BUT never did explain HOW Ray got that book! Are there no copy editors in the industry? I find such errors all the time!
August 1, 2018
I needed this book, as a refreshing palate cleanser. And even if it's a light read, it manages to be insightful and oh-so-witty. Dr. Maggie Walsh is working at a Florida radio station, where she puts her psychology background to good use by answering listeners' question and interviewing a wide range of 'experts.' One of them Guru Sanjay Gingii, a new age guru in town for a conference with his followers, who Maggie immediately pegs as a sociopath.
But he is not the villain in this story. Fortunately, he gets unceremoniously discarded, I meant killed, the next day.
Unfortunately, Dr. Maggie's roommate the delicate blonde Lark, who literally can't hurt a fly (a girl who owns a pug can never be a killer, no way) is the primary suspect after being the last one who's seen the charlatan alive.
I love how loyal and sure of her friend's innocence Dr. Maggie is, she throws herself into the investigation, confident she will cleare her friend's name. Dr. Maggie is astute, curious and proceeds with a can-do attitude that a lot of female protagonist in recent crime fiction lack. The ace up the sleeve is Dr. Maggie's mom Lola, and older but still aspiring actress, bouncing around on eternal optimism and joie de vivre. The two of them set on the course trying to discover the real killer, and with the victim being awful, that means having tons of options.
There's a lot of laughs, a hint of romance, some action, and lots of pop references. It is written in a concise, fresh style, that flows. It's as breezy, frizzy, colorful and promising ( it's part one of a series) as a fragrant Florida night.
But he is not the villain in this story. Fortunately, he gets unceremoniously discarded, I meant killed, the next day.
Unfortunately, Dr. Maggie's roommate the delicate blonde Lark, who literally can't hurt a fly (a girl who owns a pug can never be a killer, no way) is the primary suspect after being the last one who's seen the charlatan alive.
I love how loyal and sure of her friend's innocence Dr. Maggie is, she throws herself into the investigation, confident she will cleare her friend's name. Dr. Maggie is astute, curious and proceeds with a can-do attitude that a lot of female protagonist in recent crime fiction lack. The ace up the sleeve is Dr. Maggie's mom Lola, and older but still aspiring actress, bouncing around on eternal optimism and joie de vivre. The two of them set on the course trying to discover the real killer, and with the victim being awful, that means having tons of options.
There's a lot of laughs, a hint of romance, some action, and lots of pop references. It is written in a concise, fresh style, that flows. It's as breezy, frizzy, colorful and promising ( it's part one of a series) as a fragrant Florida night.
July 22, 2018
A fun read with a great protagonist, great concept and potentially interesting supporting characters. My one criticism is that those supporting characters need more fleshing out. With the exception of Maggie's mother, you really don't get a sense of the rest. BUT... I see HUGE potential in this series, and the writing is very good. I fully intend to continue with the series.
January 9, 2018
Enjoyable
I liked the protagonist and the story. Not a fan of the romantic palpitations (no sex Involved, just quickening pulses) but they were easily overlooked. I ill read the next book.
I liked the protagonist and the story. Not a fan of the romantic palpitations (no sex Involved, just quickening pulses) but they were easily overlooked. I ill read the next book.
May 24, 2018
Interesting new series
A cleverly plotted mystery with interesting characters make for an enjoyable beginning to a new cozy series. I look forward to more adventures "on the couch" with Dr. Maggie and to more visits from her delightful mother.
A cleverly plotted mystery with interesting characters make for an enjoyable beginning to a new cozy series. I look forward to more adventures "on the couch" with Dr. Maggie and to more visits from her delightful mother.
July 30, 2018
This is the first book in the series about psychologist with a radio programme in Florida who also tries to solve a murder to help a friend.
It was a good enough read but an amateur detective who has a mother as a side-kick does stretch the imagination.
It was a good enough read but an amateur detective who has a mother as a side-kick does stretch the imagination.
June 6, 2019
I just could not get into this book. It was slow and the characters were flat and boring. I actually could not finish it. I got halfway through and honestly didn’t care who the murderer was at that point. I will not be reading the rest of the series. Very disappointing.
January 19, 2020
I came upon this series completely by accident. I clicked on the wrong book. However I decided to give the book a chance and I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
May 25, 2025
FUN!
How have I not known about this series? It’s a fabulous fun mystery, and almost, I say almost, makes me like Florida…lol. Other than a couple of grammar errors, the writing and plotting are excellent, and the cast of characters are wonderful.
How have I not known about this series? It’s a fabulous fun mystery, and almost, I say almost, makes me like Florida…lol. Other than a couple of grammar errors, the writing and plotting are excellent, and the cast of characters are wonderful.
May 14, 2018
this read will keep you going until the end. lots of interesting characters.
January 8, 2019
Book was written eight years ago but I had to DNF it when I read the line about trumplethinskin's nice little wife Melania.
March 11, 2019
The plot was fine and the characters interesting but I was having problems getting into the story. Normally I would finish such a book in 2 days.
June 15, 2022
A fun, fast-paced read. Can't wait to see what Maggie and crew get up to next.
March 11, 2010
Dead Air - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
"Bomb, Bomb! Ohmigod. We'd just gotten a bomb threat. My thoughts scurried through my head like a manic squirrel as I tried to deal with the reality of the threat. Was it a joke? Was it serious? And if there was really a bomb, where was it? Would there be time to evacuate the station? Should I dial 911 or alert the switchboard first? Or the station manager? Was there some procedure I was supposed to follow? I looked over at Vera Mae, and now her eyes were ballooning, her mouth open, frozen in horror like the subject of one of those Edvard Munch paintings. I thought about my mother and my friends and the fact that I was way too young to be blasted to kingdom come. And then an explosion rocked WYME and suddenly I didn't have to think anymore.'
Maggie left her Manhattan practice as a psychologist to take a spot as a radio psychologist in Cypress Grove, Florida. Her show consists mainly of call-ins with an occasional guest speaker. Maggie's upcoming guest, the famous Guru Sanjay Gingii, has become the talk of the town. Guru Sanjay is highly respected by his followers and the anticipation of Cypress Grove being honored with his presence has starting bring the crazies out of the woodworks. And one of these crazies makes a call to station with a bomb threat.
After the air has been cleared and the station employees are allowed back inside the building, Maggie holds her interview with Sanjay. But later when Sanjay turns up dead, the police go straight to Maggie looking for her roommate Lark. It then becomes Maggie along with the help of her mother Lola to clear Lark and find the real killer, of which there are many suspects to choose from.. ex-wife, ex-girlfriends, ex-partners, ex-friends and on and on.
Mary Kennedy has given her readers humor with a touch of murder in her book Dead Air. As I met each character/suspect I assured myself that I had this story "figured out." I knew who murdered Sanjay. Then
the next character came into play and proved me wrong making me believe that this character must be the murderer. This went on throughout the book. Dead Air is a book that will truly hold you in suspense until the end.
Penguin
313 pages
January, 2010
"Bomb, Bomb! Ohmigod. We'd just gotten a bomb threat. My thoughts scurried through my head like a manic squirrel as I tried to deal with the reality of the threat. Was it a joke? Was it serious? And if there was really a bomb, where was it? Would there be time to evacuate the station? Should I dial 911 or alert the switchboard first? Or the station manager? Was there some procedure I was supposed to follow? I looked over at Vera Mae, and now her eyes were ballooning, her mouth open, frozen in horror like the subject of one of those Edvard Munch paintings. I thought about my mother and my friends and the fact that I was way too young to be blasted to kingdom come. And then an explosion rocked WYME and suddenly I didn't have to think anymore.'
Maggie left her Manhattan practice as a psychologist to take a spot as a radio psychologist in Cypress Grove, Florida. Her show consists mainly of call-ins with an occasional guest speaker. Maggie's upcoming guest, the famous Guru Sanjay Gingii, has become the talk of the town. Guru Sanjay is highly respected by his followers and the anticipation of Cypress Grove being honored with his presence has starting bring the crazies out of the woodworks. And one of these crazies makes a call to station with a bomb threat.
After the air has been cleared and the station employees are allowed back inside the building, Maggie holds her interview with Sanjay. But later when Sanjay turns up dead, the police go straight to Maggie looking for her roommate Lark. It then becomes Maggie along with the help of her mother Lola to clear Lark and find the real killer, of which there are many suspects to choose from.. ex-wife, ex-girlfriends, ex-partners, ex-friends and on and on.
Mary Kennedy has given her readers humor with a touch of murder in her book Dead Air. As I met each character/suspect I assured myself that I had this story "figured out." I knew who murdered Sanjay. Then
the next character came into play and proved me wrong making me believe that this character must be the murderer. This went on throughout the book. Dead Air is a book that will truly hold you in suspense until the end.
Penguin
313 pages
January, 2010
July 19, 2015
I was a bit unsure about this book when I dove into it. The back summary sounded ok, but nothing super fantastic. Plus it seemed to have an odd spin on it. Usually the amateur sleuth is a different kind of character than Maggie is in this book. Maggie is a radio show psychologist who starts sleuthing when her latest guest star on her show is found murdered and the only suspect seems to be Maggie good friend and roommate, Lark. Maggie decides she just can't sit back and watch a woman she knows just had to be innocent be put away for murder. How can she help? What will she do to help? How can she possibly think straight or sound like she knows what she's talking about with a super sexy hunk as the lead detective? Does she really know Lark like she thinks she does?
As I said, I was unsure, but as the book got going I found it quite the enjoyable read. It had a new spin on the characters than the "normal" mystery characters. I just loved every character, even the ones that were not very nice characters. Each was just so well developed and played out by the author, Kennedy. I think my favorites we're Maggie and her mother, Lola. They were just hilarious! They just did their sleuthing like they really knew what they were doing, but really we're just "winging" it along the way. Lark was a good character for me too. She was just so mysterious. I felt like a lot of the characters that were suspects on Maggie's list were portrayed that way, mysterious and filled with wonder. I also loved the writing by Kennedy. She kept the pace moving right along and was very descriptive of things and developed the characters through all that amazingly. I was a bit surprised to find only one plot for the most part in this book. It was very well played out and had more than enough development to keep it going right up to the end though, so it worked out great for this book. I know I was on the edge of my who done it seat until the very end.
I'm not sure I will seek out the whole series that this book kicks off, but it was a good read and I'm glad I decided to read it. I do have the next book in the series, so I will definitely be reading that book. I say this was a good book over all to pick up and sleuth along with.
4/5 Stars
As I said, I was unsure, but as the book got going I found it quite the enjoyable read. It had a new spin on the characters than the "normal" mystery characters. I just loved every character, even the ones that were not very nice characters. Each was just so well developed and played out by the author, Kennedy. I think my favorites we're Maggie and her mother, Lola. They were just hilarious! They just did their sleuthing like they really knew what they were doing, but really we're just "winging" it along the way. Lark was a good character for me too. She was just so mysterious. I felt like a lot of the characters that were suspects on Maggie's list were portrayed that way, mysterious and filled with wonder. I also loved the writing by Kennedy. She kept the pace moving right along and was very descriptive of things and developed the characters through all that amazingly. I was a bit surprised to find only one plot for the most part in this book. It was very well played out and had more than enough development to keep it going right up to the end though, so it worked out great for this book. I know I was on the edge of my who done it seat until the very end.
I'm not sure I will seek out the whole series that this book kicks off, but it was a good read and I'm glad I decided to read it. I do have the next book in the series, so I will definitely be reading that book. I say this was a good book over all to pick up and sleuth along with.
4/5 Stars
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