Customer Reviews

Dead Air

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Dr. Hallie Mara is a molecular geneticist. Reed Kincaid works in advertizing. They are together and watch in horror as Kyle, Reed's brother, dies from an unexplained and sudden cardiac arrest "SCD". But before he dies, Kyle informs them that he has been poisoned and that "many will die Friday." A thorough autopsy is done with all types of poisons tested for. The results claim that there was no poison. Therefore, no police investigation. Hallie and Reed begin their own investigation. Once they have evidence and present it, the police and federal authorities take charge, but it is too late.

It becomes clear that they must stop a brilliant, driven psychopath who is poised to exterminate sixty thousand innocent people in ten unidentified US cities on Friday. Yet no one knows what type of poison will be used, where it will be used, or how it will be distributed.

***** Here is fair warning for all readers with tender hearts. The killer within this novel tortures animals. He also kills animals and children. If you cannot handle such a realistic madman, avoid this book. If you decide to read anyway, do not bother complaining to the author or this reviewer. You were warned.

As the two main characters investigate and learn about the poison, the reader is shown the horrible potential of biochemical weapons. The author, Mike Brogan, shows what COULD someday happen with this devastating work of fiction. As the reader, I had to keep reminding myself that this was fiction. The author made it all so realistic that my mind refused to look at some of what was happening in the story. It kept shying away. I had to force myself to return and reread pages. By doing so, I overlooked nothing. The author's lesson hit home and that lesson is terrifying! Highly recommended reading. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Mike Brogan spent most of his professional life in advertising, but as an English major, he always kept a dream of writing in the back of his mind. When he penned his first novel, BUSINESS TO KILL FOR, he spent the time needed to research writing skills and it showed. He garnered an award from WRITER'S DIGEST. DEAD AIR is his second novel, and he uses the news of the day as his subject...terrorism. What's scarier than sarin gas? Not much.

Dr. Hallie Mara, a promising young M.D., has just met the love of her life in the person of Reed Kincaid. When Reed's older brother, Kyle, calls with a strange cough and a desperate plea to talk to a doctor, Reed invites him over to help him out. Unfortunately Kyle dies before telling his story, but he does warn Reed that many will be killed the following Friday:

"Kyle's eyes, pink and wild, locked on Reed's. His brother's face turned scarlet as he gasped for air. Reed held his trembling shoulders as Hallie ran in and unbuttoned his collar. Kyle opened his mouth, attempted to form words. Reed leaned in to listen 'Poisoned...me...' 'Who?' 'K-kill many Friday.... S-stop him....'"

DEAD AIR picks up the reader from the first chapter and leads us on a chase that leads down blind alleys; near drownings; insane scientists; mobsters chasing the characters; and near misses. The plot is compelling; the action non-stop. As in real life, what needs to work doesn't, and the heroes are constantly desperate. Characterization is well developed, and the tale is finely honed.

Brogan has an innate sense of how to pull in the reader. He also knows what scares us, and so DEAD AIR is sort of a LORD OF THE RINGS of thrillers. One can't turn the pages fast enough, and the story ends all too soon. It is no wonder that Mike Brogan was recognized by the respected WRITER'S DIGEST. He's got what it takes. DEAD AIR is a real barn-burner!

FLIGHT OF AQUAVIT Anthony Bidulka Insomniac Press, 192 Spadina Ave., Suite 403, Toronto, ON, CAN M5T 2C2 ISBN: 1-894663-75-6 $15.95-U.S./$9.95 UK/$21.95 CAN/$22.95 AUST

Participating in academic, accounting, fashion, farming, and food services has made Anthony Bidulka a well-rounded character who also enjoys parties, reading, and traveling. He hails from Saskatoon, CAN and, judging from his acknowledgments, has, as he puts it, "an amazing network of supporters." A writers dream, indubitably.

Private Detective Russell Quant, erstwhile policeman, dog lover, and gay male replete with a Ukrainian mother who has come for Christmas with her cooking accouterments and cute accent, is warned off from a case before it even spans his radar. A friend of a friend has been receiving threats from someone calling themselves "Loverboy," who threatens to unmask a superficially happily married businessman who has had encounters with gay men. A blackmail note appeared in the envelope of Quant's client as he was about to receive a business award. Quant's task is to find Loverboy before the money is due. The question is, whether or not to pay the money or to turn Quant loose to uncover the blackmailer:

"'Loverboy has made a convincing case for himself in very few words. He wants to be compensated for something he knows and I want to hide. Pretty classic case of blackmail, I suppose.' I couldn't argue with him there. 'I guess I've always unconsciously expected this day would come - it's time to pay the piper.'"

Russell Quant chases around, trying to accommodate his mother's Christmas visit, while giving his lesbian friend whose breast cancer foists another dog upon his home, even while he is constantly being tailed, spied upon, and finally kidnaped.

Bidulka manages to spin a compelling detective story with colorful characters, hilarious situations, and touching relationships. His first person style of writing is perfect for this extremely entertaining tale. When Bidulka isn't focusing on the puzzling case and the people who seem intent upon stopping him in his tracks, he is either showing the reader the ups and downs of the gay lifestyle and how it fits into the general scheme of things. But most touching is his halting relationship with his mother that blossoms into genuine love as the two delve into the very nature of their relationship. A quality achievement from a first time author. Bravo!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

I bought this book because the author was local and doing a book signing. This book was terrible. It was unrealistic, poorly written, and I was amazed it got past any editor's desk. I felt conned into buying it because the author was a decent sales person. I'm only writing this review to counteract the few five star reviews that it has received and does not deserve. Don't waste your time or money on this novel.

In this second suspense thriller by Mike Brogan, Hallie Mara, a young woman doctor, and her friend Reed stumble onto a psychopathic plot to kill many thousands of Americans based on particular consumer habits of theirs. But with no firm evidence, the police give no credibility to their warning. Left to their own devices and despite the danger they put themselves in, the two plucky and innovative protagonists feel compelled to try to break up the scheme to save the countless innocent lives. As the reader tries to solve the specifics of the diabolic, vengeful plot along with them, Hallie and Reed become deeply involved in a detective search following the clues and harrowing, like-threatening action.
While working in Europe at one time, author Mike Brogan experienced terrorism lurking just under the surface of normality when a bomb exploded near where he was living. Also, he has received a Writer's Digest award for his previous novel, a suspense thriller titled "Business to Kill For." Readers of popular, action-filled fiction with intriguing plot lines will look forward to his next book.