A security officer who has more than a hint of private investigator about him. This was the first beck novel I’d Read. Good storyline. Thanks for the opportunity to read

This was a fast paced thriller. I particularly liked the main character Beck. This is the first book I’ve read by Cliff Protzman and it won’t be the last. The story went at a good pace and kept me hook until the end.

Thank you #net galley for the opportunity to read this book.

A mystery with some grit, I loved the radio station. I've always been fond of them, and I've been in some. I have family who's worked in them. I didn't find the book to be seriously lacking in any area and it was a well-paced read. "Beck" as he is called was a pretty good character and as a debut book, this one works for me!

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

The owner of a Pittsburgh security company investigates the death of his boyhood friend. The answer will wind through the radio industry, city politics, and sex as he pursues justice for his friend.


This book is like a beautiful stranger you see on the other side of the room. Everything you see is your ideal of perfection. Then they open their mouth.


Sigh.


"Dead Air" is a murder mystery. I love those.



It's set in the radio industry where I spent twenty years of my professional life. It shat in my hat many times over those years, but I still love it.



The action takes place in and around Pittsburgh. My home town. There's even a scene in the bar where my Bachelor party was held.


It was love at first sight.


Unfortunately, the writing doesn't live up to my hopes. Protzman tends to overwrite. You'll know every detail of the clothing worn by every character. You'll know every item of every meal they eat. My love for the Steel City is second to none, but I have to wonder if he is on the payroll of the city's Board of Tourism.


Oh, and I really hope he's getting sponsorship dollars from IC Light.


Seriously.


IC Light.


It feels like there is a good story here. Weaving the city into the story is a great idea. It's great and underappreciated. But it begins to feel like this is an entry in a "How many places around Pittsburgh can you include?" contest. You know you've gone over the edge when I decide I've had quite enough Pittsburgh, thank you very much.



There are other shortcomings as well. The characters are thin. Our protagonist has the sex drive of a hormone crazed fifteen year old. If an attractive woman walks by him, he can't focus any more. And most of the characters around him seem to be in the same place.



Clearly intended to be the first book in a series, the writing will need to take some serious strides if I'm going to read the next installment.


But I'm letting my heart lead my head this time.



"Dead Air" hits the shelves this fall.


Why You Will Like It - Some good action and interesting concepts. Old home week for Yinzers.


Rating - *** Worth A Look

Dead Air is an impressive debut for author Cliff Protzman. I was immediately drawn into this story full force when the main character Glenn Beckert gets a call that his friend Richie has been murdered at Z-rock, Richie's radio station. Beckert's security firm, Blue Water, provides security services for the radio station and his employee was on site when the murder occurred.

The setting is one of the main characters. I grew up around Pittsburgh and the sense of place and the landmarks and 'vibe' is absolutely spot on. There are numerous mentions of local landmarks and reading this book took me right back there.

The book is deftly plotted and definitely doesn't read like a debut novel in any way. The characterizations are well written and the dialogue is pitch perfect.

I would call it modern noir; gritty but also upbeat and surprisingly humorous. The secondary characters are vibrant and really well written, especially love interest Irene who is smart and beautiful and a good counterpoint for Beckert. The clues are all there in the narrative and the denouement is well paced, exciting and satisfying.

I'm really looking forward to more novels from this author.

321 pages, available in ebook and paperback formats.

Five stars, doesn't get better than this.