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Watching: Volume 1, The Garden Museum Heist
"Watching is an immersive and thoroughly-engaging time travel by flashback story with Cold Case meets Medium vs. the mob vibes. Levin has crafted an intricate and believable thriller that pulls you in and drags you from page to page. You can't help but keep reading." –Lena Gibson, author of The Edge of Life
After watching a documentary about a 50-year-old unsolved crime, an otherwise ordinary guy finds himself both blessed and burdened by the ability to travel through time and space, but not in the physical sense, and only as it may relate to that unsolved crime.
Braving the debilitating physical effects of his space time continuum journeys, he faces 1970s Mob bosses and their cronies, and murder and deceit, from both sides of the law. Determined to solve the crime and find the long lost art, and buoyed by the still unclaimed $5,000,000 reward, he has to come up with a means of convincing the FBI that his information is valid, without being locked up himself.
Join him and his wife, Adrian, and FBI Special Agent Starling Hebert, who has her own personal reasons for helping, as they try to unravel the reasons behind this new-found ability and return the stolen masterpieces.
After watching a documentary about a 50-year-old unsolved crime, an otherwise ordinary guy finds himself both blessed and burdened by the ability to travel through time and space, but not in the physical sense, and only as it may relate to that unsolved crime.
Braving the debilitating physical effects of his space time continuum journeys, he faces 1970s Mob bosses and their cronies, and murder and deceit, from both sides of the law. Determined to solve the crime and find the long lost art, and buoyed by the still unclaimed $5,000,000 reward, he has to come up with a means of convincing the FBI that his information is valid, without being locked up himself.
Join him and his wife, Adrian, and FBI Special Agent Starling Hebert, who has her own personal reasons for helping, as they try to unravel the reasons behind this new-found ability and return the stolen masterpieces.
250 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 1, 2024
I want to start by saying this isn’t a bad book, and a 3 star rating for me means it’s an okay book, so I’m going to tell you why. I was sent this novel by the author as a gift and I promised an honest review on here as well as on my TikTok platform.
This book has a really good concept, but wasn’t as well constructed as I was hoping for. Spelling and grammar seem to not have been edited and there is a lot of run on sentences throughout. The chapters can be really long which makes the flow for me much slower. The human interactions didn’t feel complex or accurate to true human communication. The language in it had a lot of swear words. I am a Marine and use “bad language” a lot and this felt like too much even for me. The female FBI agent investigating feels very unprofessional, as well as the doctor who’s altering medical equipment on her own. As an example: The main character tries to tell the FBI agent about his experience of “watching” and her response is “f*ck you I hope you are having a good laugh! and I’m in the FBI and I’ll be looking for you.” The main character and his wife seem to do all the actual FBI work while the FBI agent just does things completely out of protocol the entire time and then feels mad when people aren’t respecting her. I feel as if the characters as a whole just accept this odd phenomenon with little to no coaxing or proof in any way other than what he types up after each dream. I don’t believe I even knew the characters name or his profession until a good portion into the book when he pretended to do the job he actually did.
There were a lot of positives with this novel as well. Other than his language the main character was like-able, the concept of the heist and how each character fits together were well constructed, and the lack of law enforcement protocol and dirty cops were accurate to the time frame being portrayed. I loved the medical knowledge and how this author laid out each steps as to how the brain and parts of the body work in relation to what they were dealing with. I like that the FBI agent feels like she cares deeply about her job. Around page 138 her personality begins to shine while interviewing an old agent who was formerly on the case. Her professionalism I called into character in the negatives section was redeemed for me in this scene. It was written very well! The ending cleaned up all loose ends but was a bit abrupt.
I think this author has enormous potential and I would definitely be interested in helping beta reading before publishing in the future! I believe all reviews are meant to be constructive and not “mean.” I think with a little character outlining and a solid plot line in the beginning stages of writing would really make this author one to look out for! Cool ideas and I’m excited to see further work in the future!
This book has a really good concept, but wasn’t as well constructed as I was hoping for. Spelling and grammar seem to not have been edited and there is a lot of run on sentences throughout. The chapters can be really long which makes the flow for me much slower. The human interactions didn’t feel complex or accurate to true human communication. The language in it had a lot of swear words. I am a Marine and use “bad language” a lot and this felt like too much even for me. The female FBI agent investigating feels very unprofessional, as well as the doctor who’s altering medical equipment on her own. As an example: The main character tries to tell the FBI agent about his experience of “watching” and her response is “f*ck you I hope you are having a good laugh! and I’m in the FBI and I’ll be looking for you.” The main character and his wife seem to do all the actual FBI work while the FBI agent just does things completely out of protocol the entire time and then feels mad when people aren’t respecting her. I feel as if the characters as a whole just accept this odd phenomenon with little to no coaxing or proof in any way other than what he types up after each dream. I don’t believe I even knew the characters name or his profession until a good portion into the book when he pretended to do the job he actually did.
There were a lot of positives with this novel as well. Other than his language the main character was like-able, the concept of the heist and how each character fits together were well constructed, and the lack of law enforcement protocol and dirty cops were accurate to the time frame being portrayed. I loved the medical knowledge and how this author laid out each steps as to how the brain and parts of the body work in relation to what they were dealing with. I like that the FBI agent feels like she cares deeply about her job. Around page 138 her personality begins to shine while interviewing an old agent who was formerly on the case. Her professionalism I called into character in the negatives section was redeemed for me in this scene. It was written very well! The ending cleaned up all loose ends but was a bit abrupt.
I think this author has enormous potential and I would definitely be interested in helping beta reading before publishing in the future! I believe all reviews are meant to be constructive and not “mean.” I think with a little character outlining and a solid plot line in the beginning stages of writing would really make this author one to look out for! Cool ideas and I’m excited to see further work in the future!
June 12, 2023
Contrary to some other reviews, I found it quite easy to put down and not pick up again. The story itself had promise and originality - a man suddenly becomes able to see through time, and witnesses details of a connected series of past crimes - but the execution fell short for me. Also, as a matter of personal taste, it was more violent than I was prepared for. When I see "heist" I think "clever theft," not "multiple gang murders, including innocent bystanders".
The prose is often not smooth, and mundane details are overexplained.
There are sections in present tense, set in the past, and sections in past tense, set in the present; this isn't as confusing as it sounds, and is a good choice by the author, because the present-tense sections, representing the viewpoint character having an intense experience of viewing another time, give a greater sense of immediacy and immersion. However, in the pre-publication version I received via Netgalley for review, the author frequently - and I mean frequently - messes up the tense, dropping into past tense in the present-tense sections and vice versa. Maybe relics of a revision? In any case, an extremely basic thing to get wrong, and I found it constantly distracting.
The prose is often not smooth, and mundane details are overexplained.
There are sections in present tense, set in the past, and sections in past tense, set in the present; this isn't as confusing as it sounds, and is a good choice by the author, because the present-tense sections, representing the viewpoint character having an intense experience of viewing another time, give a greater sense of immediacy and immersion. However, in the pre-publication version I received via Netgalley for review, the author frequently - and I mean frequently - messes up the tense, dropping into past tense in the present-tense sections and vice versa. Maybe relics of a revision? In any case, an extremely basic thing to get wrong, and I found it constantly distracting.
June 17, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up! This had me hooked from the start, and was unlike anything I've ever read... already looking forward to the sequel!!
August 27, 2023
This is a solid time travel mystery with an engaging plot and interesting characters. Many mystery fans will enjoy this one.
Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!
Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!
December 15, 2023
I’m Speechless!
Okay, WOW! I don’t typically read this genre (a heist story with an inkling of sci-fi), but this book absolutely blew me away! The book did start a little slow, but once you get into it and know what’s going on, you’re in for a treat!
Levin’s prose and other elements of his writing style were fantastic. The book was incredibly well-written, had excellent character development, and the author kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
If you’re looking for a heist book with a unique style of time travel (and when I say unique, I mean UNIQUE—in a good way), this book is for you!
Okay, WOW! I don’t typically read this genre (a heist story with an inkling of sci-fi), but this book absolutely blew me away! The book did start a little slow, but once you get into it and know what’s going on, you’re in for a treat!
Levin’s prose and other elements of his writing style were fantastic. The book was incredibly well-written, had excellent character development, and the author kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
If you’re looking for a heist book with a unique style of time travel (and when I say unique, I mean UNIQUE—in a good way), this book is for you!
June 12, 2023
“When the Universe decides to f**k with you, watch out!”
Watching – A Different Kind of Time Travel – promises exactly what it says in the title: a fresh spin on an old premise, a fresh voice in the mystery genre (or should that be mystery sci-fi?), and a fresh combination of genres that – on paper - shouldn’t belong together. But Jeffrey Jay Levin does such an engaging job of blending time travel, crime thriller, and detective novel that the end result is a fast-paced mystery that keeps getting deeper with every page.
The action starts from page one, with Josh Lowenstein thrown out of his everyday life into a world of psychic visions, centered around a mob scene torn straight from a Sopranos script. From there, Levin weaves a story that bounces across time and space, from the heart of the Mob at the height of the power to the inner workings of the FBI in the modern age. Josh makes for a snarky, self-aware protagonist (with a great taste in pop culture), but most importantly, as a guy given to do what’s right with the new visions he’s experiencing. A high art theft adds a touch of class to the whole affair, but danger is never too far away – when the mafia are involved, even cold cases can turn deadly.
Levin is clearly an author who enjoys his pop culture, and there are some enjoyable references to spot throughout the book. But more than that, Levin’s been able to pick up on some of the best parts of his inspirations (the homey feel of a diner in a Scorsese movie, the pressing paranoia of the X-Files, the never-let-them-see-you-bleed attitude of classic noir) and add them to his writing. His world, and his characters, feel real, and lived in, even as you recognize them.
Watching – A Different Kind of Time Travel – is definitely a high-concept affair. Readers who aren’t willing to suspend their disbelief for the sake of fun might struggle with the novel. But anyone looking for a mystery adventure with a psychic twist should definitely add Watching to their bookshelf.
Watching – A Different Kind of Time Travel – promises exactly what it says in the title: a fresh spin on an old premise, a fresh voice in the mystery genre (or should that be mystery sci-fi?), and a fresh combination of genres that – on paper - shouldn’t belong together. But Jeffrey Jay Levin does such an engaging job of blending time travel, crime thriller, and detective novel that the end result is a fast-paced mystery that keeps getting deeper with every page.
The action starts from page one, with Josh Lowenstein thrown out of his everyday life into a world of psychic visions, centered around a mob scene torn straight from a Sopranos script. From there, Levin weaves a story that bounces across time and space, from the heart of the Mob at the height of the power to the inner workings of the FBI in the modern age. Josh makes for a snarky, self-aware protagonist (with a great taste in pop culture), but most importantly, as a guy given to do what’s right with the new visions he’s experiencing. A high art theft adds a touch of class to the whole affair, but danger is never too far away – when the mafia are involved, even cold cases can turn deadly.
Levin is clearly an author who enjoys his pop culture, and there are some enjoyable references to spot throughout the book. But more than that, Levin’s been able to pick up on some of the best parts of his inspirations (the homey feel of a diner in a Scorsese movie, the pressing paranoia of the X-Files, the never-let-them-see-you-bleed attitude of classic noir) and add them to his writing. His world, and his characters, feel real, and lived in, even as you recognize them.
Watching – A Different Kind of Time Travel – is definitely a high-concept affair. Readers who aren’t willing to suspend their disbelief for the sake of fun might struggle with the novel. But anyone looking for a mystery adventure with a psychic twist should definitely add Watching to their bookshelf.
July 17, 2023
He's done something notable with this one!
If you loved Netflix's "Money Heist” and are fascinated by stories about robberies that feature the "unknown" and "unexplained" you'll thoroughly enjoy this. I've read a ton of robbery and mystery stories and this MIX OF THE TWO is one of the most unique I've ever encountered.
It begins with a rare literary opening where we have this protagonist that we're told has visions of an art heist. However, these visions transport either the consciousness of the protagonist or his actual person/being (I am still contemplating which one was traveling in time) into a different time period and give him clues about the heist. Now immediately when you read this you will feel as if the story may be splitting into a different genre, since of course the main premise of the story is about an art heist which is typically a thriller genre. But don't let that stop you from finishing this gem.
This book is a palate cleanser as the storyline is so unlike others of the same genre. The author does an excellent job of balancing sci-fi, mystery, and thriller so that everything ties up nicely. As a screenwriter with twenty years of experience, I'd say this story has the potential to be made into a screenplay or TV show. This is because this author uses suspense and surprise to keep the reader engaged until the very end. The story is a flawless blend of action, mystery, and thriller, and the ending is satisfying and unexpected. I was thoroughly impressed.
April 26, 2025
An interesting premise and story about time-travel via “watching.”
A true-crime documentary incites “visions/watching” sessions for MC Josh. Images somewhat cause him to flash/seize, and he is soon witnessing events and following leads of an art museum heist in Boston 1970….though he physically remains in present day.
He soon reaches out to the FBI that he has information about the crime. With the assistance of ART Crime FBI Agent Starling “Star” Herbert and his wife, Adrian, they try to find more clues through Josh’s watching to locate the perpetrators and most importantly find the stolen art!!
Enjoyed the partnership of Josh, his wife, Adrian, and FBI Agent Herbert. Loved the play with her name, Starling, and the Silence of the Lambs’ link.
Fun to follow along with the clues Josh is witness too in the watchings, and how they tax his body. And the link between his ability and another character’s past.
Nice twists and connections.
Of course Josh tried to be a hero, or a “Jewish ninja,” venturing out for more information.
Part crime-show mystery, mob-ties, and unsolved 70s art heist.
Enjoyable read.
A true-crime documentary incites “visions/watching” sessions for MC Josh. Images somewhat cause him to flash/seize, and he is soon witnessing events and following leads of an art museum heist in Boston 1970….though he physically remains in present day.
He soon reaches out to the FBI that he has information about the crime. With the assistance of ART Crime FBI Agent Starling “Star” Herbert and his wife, Adrian, they try to find more clues through Josh’s watching to locate the perpetrators and most importantly find the stolen art!!
Enjoyed the partnership of Josh, his wife, Adrian, and FBI Agent Herbert. Loved the play with her name, Starling, and the Silence of the Lambs’ link.
Fun to follow along with the clues Josh is witness too in the watchings, and how they tax his body. And the link between his ability and another character’s past.
Nice twists and connections.
Of course Josh tried to be a hero, or a “Jewish ninja,” venturing out for more information.
Part crime-show mystery, mob-ties, and unsolved 70s art heist.
Enjoyable read.
November 27, 2024
I write mystery/suspense novels and toyed with the idea of incorporating the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft in Boston into my storyline. Did a lot of research, learned a ton, and am still fascinated by the robbery. But I never used it in my book. Imagine my surprise to find Jeffrey Jay Levin's spec fiction book "Watching" with the words "The Garden Museum Heist" luring me in. I'm so glad I ditched my idea because I wouldn't have been able to "give an author's nod" to the notorious caper anywhere close to the fashion in which Levin does!
"Watching" blends mystery and speculative fiction, centering on Joshua Lowenstein, an ordinary man who discovers an ability to explore an unsolved crime across time and space. Dodging 1970s mobsters and navigating both legal and personal stakes, Josh dives into a decades-old art heist with the help of his wife and a determined FBI agent. Levin deftly weaves suspense, intrigue, and a wee bit o' the fantastical into an addictive tale of justice, resilience, and redemption. Yep--once I started, I couldn't stop. Read this book in a day.
"Watching" blends mystery and speculative fiction, centering on Joshua Lowenstein, an ordinary man who discovers an ability to explore an unsolved crime across time and space. Dodging 1970s mobsters and navigating both legal and personal stakes, Josh dives into a decades-old art heist with the help of his wife and a determined FBI agent. Levin deftly weaves suspense, intrigue, and a wee bit o' the fantastical into an addictive tale of justice, resilience, and redemption. Yep--once I started, I couldn't stop. Read this book in a day.
April 9, 2026
I was pleasantly surprised by the new take and point of view on walking into yesterday or tomorrow, aka time travel. Jeffrey Levin allows us to envision and experience the behind the scenes events that are uniquely woven into this heist mystery through Josh's time travel events which come in many different forms. From dreams to flash backs, Levin makes us realize that these moments are more than JUST what we think they are. They are moments that allow us to see more clearly into the past, to discover what truths were hidden, and in this case, to solve a mystery.
A great read that should not be overlooked.
A great read that should not be overlooked.
July 16, 2023
Watching is such a good book! This is not the type of book I usually read, but the author had me from the beginning. The story was so interesting with many twists and turns. With the author's great character development, I really felt that I personally knew everyone. His attention to detail regarding the time traveling destination, along with the trials and tribulations the main character endured was impressive. I felt like I was there! This was definitely a "can't put it down" book! Can't wait until the next adventure!
July 18, 2023
The book took a little time to get into as the writing style is a little different to what I'm used to, but once I adjusted and got a few chapters in, I found I couldn't put it down. This is a crime/mystery book with a paranormal twist. The main character develops the ability to mentally time travel and finds himself a witness to the aftermath of a crime.
This was a nice piece of lighter reading that doesn't take itself too seriously. A fun engaging story and look forward to more stories involving these characters.
This was a nice piece of lighter reading that doesn't take itself too seriously. A fun engaging story and look forward to more stories involving these characters.
December 19, 2025
Watching: Volume 1 is an immersive, fast-paced read that balances high concept time travel, crime, and mystery. The narrative structure, coupled with a unique psychic time travel mechanism, makes it stand out in its genre. It’s easy to see why readers praise its originality and can’t put it down. The story flows naturally, the characters are compelling, and the blend of historical crime and speculative elements is both creative and well-executed. I can confidently say it delivers a strong setup for the next installment, and the reader is left eager for Volume 2.
December 19, 2025
Josh is relatable and flawed, yet determined, which makes him easy to root for. The partnership between Josh, his wife Adrian, and FBI Agent Starling Hebert adds layers to the story. Their interactions feel authentic, with realistic dialogue that balances tension, humor, and strategic problem-solving. I especially liked how Starling’s personal motivation strengthens her connection to the case and adds moral complexity.
December 19, 2025
Beyond the plot mechanics, the story invests in the emotional stakes of the characters. Josh’s physical suffering from watching, the moral dilemmas he faces in convincing the FBI, and the personal risks he takes to retrieve the stolen art all create tension and empathy. Adrian and Starling’s emotional arcs add depth, making it not just a heist thriller but a story about perseverance, courage, and human connection.
December 20, 2025
Basing the mystery around a notorious art heist gives the story instant credibility and intrigue. The stolen art isn’t just a MacGuffin it represents greed, power, and long-standing corruption. The mix of historical crime facts with speculative fiction makes the narrative feel grounded while still allowing creative freedom. It’s easy to see why readers interested in true crime are drawn into the story.
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December 20, 2025The book successfully balances crime thriller, cold-case procedural, speculative fiction, and light psychological horror without letting one genre overwhelm the others. The mob scenes feel gritty and dangerous, the investigative elements feel methodical, and the time-travel aspect remains mysterious rather than over-explained. That restraint keeps the pacing tight and the story accessible even to non–sci-fi readers.
March 10, 2023
I received an Advance Reader Copy. Watching is an immersive and thoroughly engaging time travel by flashback story with Cold Case meets Medium vs. the mob vibes. Levin has crafted an intricate and believable thriller that pulls you in and drags you from page to page. You can't help but keep reading.
March 11, 2023
If you’re looking for a page turner from a new original voice, check out Watching! Called “a different kind of time travel” for a surprising reason. Imagine how a plot from one time era could be uncovered now, and then see how this author accomplishes just that.
We can only hope that this series goes on as promised.
We can only hope that this series goes on as promised.
June 18, 2023
'Watching" by Jeffrey Jay Levin grabs your interest on page one. You won't want to put it down until all of the puzzle pieces fit together. The characters are very real, people you might know in your everyday life, and they are particularly caring in their interactions. I highly recommend this book. It is a great read.
July 17, 2023
Interesting and new way clever way to solve a crime.
I loved reading this mystery heist thriller novel with its great characters and stories within stories. A real fun and interesting page turner with personal sense of humor coming through. Looking forward to reading more of them over the coming years.
I loved reading this mystery heist thriller novel with its great characters and stories within stories. A real fun and interesting page turner with personal sense of humor coming through. Looking forward to reading more of them over the coming years.
July 19, 2023
Fabulous read!
Watching has an intriguing story that crosses many genres. Everyone who reads this book is glued to the pages, start to finish. Characters you instantly care about and mysteries to unwind will keep you spellbound. I highly recommend Watching and hope to see much more from this author.
Watching has an intriguing story that crosses many genres. Everyone who reads this book is glued to the pages, start to finish. Characters you instantly care about and mysteries to unwind will keep you spellbound. I highly recommend Watching and hope to see much more from this author.
November 20, 2023
The author takes you on a trip of a lifetime! It is so hard to describe this as "Time Travel", so I tell everyone you have to read it. It was such a fun read and so different. Jay, I cannot wait for your next book and trying hard to understand why your book is not included in the vote for 2023!! This book is a clear winner!
December 19, 2025
The way Josh experiences time through “watching” rather than physical travel is a fresh and compelling take on time travel. It creates high stakes because his visions are physically taxing, and the reader feels the intensity of each session. I found this approach far more engaging than traditional sci-fi mechanics it makes the time travel feel personal, immediate, and dangerous.
December 19, 2025
The book hooks immediately and maintains suspense throughout. From the first documentary that triggers Josh’s visions to the complex 1970s Mob underworld, the pacing keeps the reader turning pages. I appreciated how the tension ramps up naturally, with each watching session revealing more about the heist while also taxing Josh physically and emotionally.
December 19, 2025
Levin’s depiction of 1970s Boston and the Mob is detailed and believable. The heist, the criminal players, and the law enforcement interactions feel grounded, and it’s clear a lot of research went into crafting this setting. The historical context enhances the stakes of the narrative and gives the story authenticity.
December 19, 2025
The blend of a cold case, FBI involvement, and Mob-era crime works seamlessly. Each clue Josh uncovers through his visions adds a new layer to the investigation. I was impressed by the way Levin structured the mystery so that it’s challenging but solvable, keeping the reader engaged without becoming convoluted.
December 19, 2025
I really enjoyed the humor interspersed throughout the narrative. The dialogue feels natural and often lightens moments of extreme tension, making the characters feel human and the story approachable. The mix of witty banter and suspenseful scenes keeps the reading experience balanced and highly engaging.
December 20, 2025
Josh works well as a protagonist because he isn’t a trained agent, detective, or academic. He’s reactive at first, confused, skeptical, and physically overwhelmed by what’s happening to him. That grounding makes the supernatural element more believable and keeps the story anchored in realism rather than drifting into pure sci-fi fantasy.
December 20, 2025
One of the strongest aspects of the book is that Josh’s ability comes with real costs. The seizures, physical exhaustion, and risk to his health give weight to every decision he makes. The “watching” sessions feel dangerous, not convenient, which raises tension and keeps the reader worried about how far he can push himself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews