She Treads Softly: Dead Ringer

Friday, October 30, 2026

Dead Ringer

Dead Ringer by John W. Mefford
11/19/26; 339 pages
Book Whisperer
Book 8 of Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon

Dead Ringer by John W. Mefford is a highly recommended investigative thriller. This is the eighth book in the Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon series but it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel. This outing focuses on two different investigations.

Austin Horizon Investigations consists of private investigators Alex Troutt, former FBI agent, and Ozzie Novak, former defense attorney, along with some assistance by Alex's son, Luke, 22. Ozzy's twin sister, Ivy Nash, has her own PI firm, ECHO, with her partner Cristina, which focuses on finding lost children. When Ivy drops off her son Miguel, 12, for Luke to watch while she's on a case, Alex has the time to help her. They are looking for Vince, 11, who was playing in the park when he disappeared. Vince and his mother Kyla Robinson are now living with her fiance wealthy real estate developer Simon Wilcher. At the same time Ozzie is called by insurance claim adjuster Nancy Lee to look into a painting stolen from the home of wealthy couple Keith and Angela. He has his college aged daughter Mackenzie help him in the investigation, while his 11-year-old daughter Charlotte, spends quality time with Luke and Miguel.

The well-written narrative switches smoothly between the two cases through chapters from the point-of-view of Alex, Ivy, and Ozzie. As they uncover clues in both of the cases, the tension rises quickly, especially in the case of Vince. While they are investigating, the focus is initially on a mysterious van at the park. Kyla's ex-husband, Vince, is also causing trouble as he rages and tries to cause trouble while Kayla is spiraling. Ivy also seems to be increasingly having problems, which leads to a shocking disclosure. The phone calls they've had haven't demanded a ransom - yet. The missing painting case is not as tension packed, but it does present a mystery. Both of the cases come to a satisfying conclusion, although one outcome was predictable early on.

There is a whole lot of information given at the beginning to help readers new to the series follow who's who and how everyone is connected. This serves to catch readers up on some additional character development and background before the two cases really take off. All of these characters have been through a plethora of traumatic experiences. The dialogue between them is well done and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the humorous scenes with Luke, Miguel, and Charlotte having a great time together getting prepared for Christmas in their own way.

Dead Ringer is a great choice for those who enjoy investigative thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Book Whisperer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

No comments:

Post a Comment

John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.