Customer Reviews

Dead Air: A Novel

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

...this is just the first one that's been marketed as such. Larson's "expertise" on the occult is such that even those who share his point of view deride him as a kook. But you must admit, he spins a good, if inconsistent, yarn.

This book is still in print because it is at least competent. I had the dubious pleasure of reading some of Dead Air in rough draft, and can say that Larson is incapable of writing a novel by himself. The book itself (and the ghostwriting controversy which ensued) precipitated two separate lawsuits, involving Muriel Olson and Lori Boespflug, who can fairly be said (especially, upon reviewing Larson's anemic later efforts) to be the substantive authors.
Protagonist Wes Bryant is Bob Larson, as he wants the world to see him. Ex-wife Polly appears to be first wife Kathy (whom Bob dumped unceremoniously after 23 years of marriage), and his new wife Laura (roughly 17 years Bob's junior) gradually became Annette. Boespflug was blunt in admitting that that was what Larson wanted, and for those in the know, it is painfully obvious.
In a 1993 World magazine expose of Larson, Boespflug told reporter Jay Grelen that she fabricated many of the colorful details of this "fiction based on fact" novel entirely from whole cloth. And given Larson's documented penchant for fabrication himself, this seems to be a veritable certainty.

After reading the laudatory reviews given by gullible Christians to this hacks books, I am forced to say that Barnum was right. Larson is a clever hustler with a line of patter who has succeeded in enriching himself by scaring a lot of well- meaning Christians. In fact, given all off his sucess in publicizing Satanism, and in making Evangelicals look stupid, one is forced to ask a question. Is it possible that Larson, himself, is a secret member of Laveys Church of Satan? Think about it . To ask a question that the followers of ole scratch are found of asking, Cui Bono? Joseph.

The book is horrible, the writing was bad, characters were undeveloped, cheesy and simple. Im also one of those who appreciates a bad read from time to time (not sure anyone understands what I mean by that, oh well). Super quick read.

I thought this book would be a quick-reading suspense. It was a quick read, but it was more horror than suspense. The details in this book are far more graphic than most novels I read that aren't published as Christian fiction. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is easily scared or for young people.

Other than that, I found a lot of things unbelievable in this novel. For example, the protagonist had things go to smoothly for him overall. (He kidnaps a woman from a hospital and no one stops him; he holds hostages at a radio station and no one arrests him.) Even the events that don't relate to cult members don't seem true to life.

If you're interested in story lines featuring Satanic cults, you might like it. Otherwise, I'd steer clear.

Bob Larson might be the "author" of this book for copyright purposes, but that's about it. Dead Air was, in effect, the scandal that brought him down.
Protagonist Wes Bryant IS Bob Larson -- at least as he would like the world to see him. Once you understand that fact, you get a frightening look into what passes for the man's soul.

This book opens up to a small town radio personality, Wes Bryant, with the usual flaws of our society. Divorced, no active family life, alone in an apertment at age 34 and no forseeable future plans.

He is quickly thrust into a situation where he witnesses a satanic ritual right in his home town. As the plot unfolds, Wes finds that many people who he sees regularly are involved with a cult that has enveloped his community. His struggle to save a young girl and her mother from abuse makes this story a gripping tale that you won't be able to put down.

My hat's off to Mr. Larson. I am not a huge reader, although I am trying to read more these days, but I have never been so compelled by a fictional story before. The author's end note states that the stories in the novel are based on acutal evetns. That is enough to make your blood boil. If you like graphic descriptions and true-to-life horror, pick up this book. I am looing forward to reading its sequal, Abaddon.

This book was pulled from the shelves in a number of Christian bookstores in Ohio. As a result, former Bob-backer, Margo Hamilton called and pleaded with one manager to not pull the book. His response: "It is shameful for us to discuss what the evil do in private," (Eph. 5), let alone provide graphic descriptions of Mr. Larson's imagination; although he claims the book is based on alleged fact." Needless to say, the book is still off of the shelves. If you're looking for horror, stick with Stephen King. If you're looking for Christian novels, try Peretti. If you're looking for theologically sound literature, stay away from Larson.

This book, a largely contrived assault on Satanism, was not written by Bob Larson. It was actually written by an ex-employee named Lori Boespflug. A letter by Bob's attorney to Bob warning of potential liability to Lori clearly shows the facts.

Wes Bryant is a talk show host in the small town of Clarion, Indiana. One day, a young girl named Jennifer calls his talk show and says she's held captive by some evil people. Wes decide to try to find her and uncovers a sinister secret society engaging in satanic ritual abuse.

Satanic ritual abuse was a popular moral panic in the 1980s and radio evangelist Bob Larson seems to be a self-proclaimed expert on the subject. This novel (ghost written by one of his staff) takes satanic rutial abuse very seriously. The book is a quick read and kept my interest but the whole story felt very silly and impossible to take seriously. The heroes often behaved very irrationally, which is always annoying. I also don't think I've ever seen so many typos in a book before. Read it only if you like me occasionally like to read really bad over-the-top Christian fiction. If I were to disregard all its flaws it would've got 3 stars for entertainment value.