Dead at Midnight

Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon #3

by John W. Mefford

Caught up in a world of privilege…

…three attention-seeking women have a special admirer.

Who is pursuing them?

Alex, a long-time Austin private investigator, is barely able to function. She's paralyzed by the fear of being charged for a crime she didn't commit. And the unease that someone very powerful could tip the scales whenever he desires.

What's his endgame?

While Alex reluctantly investigates a missing woman, Ozzie is pulled into another missing-person investigation, this one a teen. Evidence is scant in both cases, and the emotional turbulence from the desperate families only creates more challenges.

Is there a thread that connects the missing women?

When an echo from the past reverberates like a giant gong, Alex's life flashes before her eyes—and it's a race to save not only her family name but the lives of three women.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2025

About the author

Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, #2 bestselling author on Barnes and Noble, and a Readers' Favorite Gold Medal winner.

John W. Mefford has been writing his debut novel since he first entered the work force almost thirty years ago, although he never put words on paper until 2009. Once he started writing, however, he couldn't stop. Many readers ask John from where he gets his ideas. Well, he's a veteran of the corporate rat-race, a former journalist, and he's always been an astute observer of human and social behavior. On top of that, he's really good at embellishing.

A member of International Thriller Writers, John writes novels full of electrifying suspense -- the same types of books he has loved to read since before he could shave.

Learn more about John at www.JohnWMefford.com

Let's connect! Follow John on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JohnWMeffordAuthor

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

People were missing, and people were dead. Young women, ketamine and drug dealers. Suddenly Alex & Ozzie's investigative lives were totally disrupted, and they were both on different cases. Alex was struggling after their last case, the paranoia had her in its grip. But she wouldn't tell Ozzie what her problem was, or anyone else. Her explosion point was constantly close, even with her son Luke.

Ozzie's search for teen, Luna was full on. He could see the parents' distress and he knew he needed to find her. But was she still alive? And what did Michael have to do with Luna? Meanwhile, Ozzie met up with a drug king pin, but didn't get a lot from him. And Alex was trying to locate a missing Marlene - were the cases connected? They both knew ketamine was involved, deeply.

Dead at Midnight is #3 in the Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon series by John W. Mefford and it was another intense and gritty episode in the series. The ending gave me the horrors Mr Mefford!! Ozzie and Alex are brilliant characters, though I hope Alex can pull through her heartache soon. I'm thoroughly enjoying this series, and can't wait for #4. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon, book #3

Mr. Mefford has never been in better shape when he thought about this one. Sending Alex on the case of a missing woman while Ozzie is pulled into a teen gone missing. The two families are desperate only adding more challenge as our charismatic duo and soon they see themselves on the tail a serial killer.

Mr. Mefford where do you get all that imagination to give us a fresh story book after book. Kudo to you. As always, brilliantly writing to pull you into the mystery and captive till the very end, never a dull moment from start to finish.

The story revolves around addiction especially involving ketamine and ketamine parties. The effects on the person and family are devastating and are well describe. Through the excellent narrative the story is not shy to have Alex and Ozzie facing personal ups and downs in their lives while staying focused on finding the two women before they fall prey to the serial killer that had mutilate others in the past.

Great read

Thank you, Mr. Mefford, and keep the good work.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex, a long-time Austin private investigator, and retired FBI agent is not her usual self, confident, kick ass go getter. She is being threatened to be accused of a crime she did not do. And the unease that someone very powerful could tip the scales whenever he has the urge. While Alex reluctantly investigates a missing woman, Ozzie is pulled into another missing-person investigation, this one a teen. Is it possible there is a thread that connects the missing women?
Lots of susspence and action and edge of you seat reading.

[Errol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as an ARC. Mefford's development of Alex and Ozzie over the years has been nothing short of remarkable. This latest edition of the Austin underworld is well worth reading. I do suggest reading where and when there are no distractions.
Errol Adler

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great entertainment. John Mefford doesn't stop entertaining! There are two young girls missing and a lunatic roaming the streets with a hatchet. Believe me, Alex gets her chance with him too. A great addition to this series. Highly recommended!

[T. Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy Alex is really stressing. She’s having a hard time keeping focus. To much going on. Ozzie having his own problems. Good storyline as always characters are interesting.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about Action!!! Dead at Midnight is full of it, All the way through!! Alex and Ozzie are searching for two missing women. Then there’s a serial killer. Also, Ozzie and Alex have their own personal issues to deal with. A great read! Read it!!

[John Mefford]

Dear Reader,

I'm honored that you've chosen to read my new book, DEAD AT MIDNIGHT. The initial concept for this book came to me in a short period of time. That's when I dug in and did the deep research, compiling more than two hundred notes and factoids that could be used in the novel. I then sat back and assessed all the pieces to the puzzle.

I was missing something. Something that would not only cement the entire story, but make it explode off the pages.

I can't share the exact epiphany—no spoilers here—but it hit me like a lightning bolt. The new angle literally opened a door for me, and the words rushed through my fingers like a violent and unpredictable white water rapids.

I can't wait for you to read Alex's gripping journey in this novel. The weight of the world is on her shoulders. But she could never be prepared for what is about to hit her.

And we shouldn't forget about Ozzie. The ending might be the most stunning twist I've written. Given this is my 55th novel, that's saying something.

I hope you find a cool space and enjoy DEAD AT MIDNIGHT.

Best,
John W. Mefford, Author

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like in Book 2, again you know that the characters are going to be in big trouble before you even begin. Incredibly, as the story draws you in, you experience Alex being drawn down into the depths of despair and depression, actually beginning to destroy her entire life. Unless she can pull herself out, she is finished. As for Ozzie, he remains a steady force in her life even though Alex appears to have thrown him out of it. Crazy stuff. The team (or now former team) take on two cases of missing persons, each going in opposition directions in their searches for clues. As the cases evolve, we are drawn into the world of drugs, in this case ketamine and ketamine parties. Young, old, all are involved and the story seems to spin out of control, especially with an insane killer running around chopping up his victims. Another exciting and mind blowing story with non-stop ups and downs which don’t stop until the very last paragraph which is actually a shocker. Highly recommend and looking forward to the next.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this author for many years. His books never disappoint me and I was so excited when he started this new series with two of my favorite characters Alex and Ozzie. This third book really had me on the edge of my seat since it was a page turner. There was a lot going on and it was so current with what’s going on in our country today. Alex and Ozzie are investigating two women and ketamine has a lot to do with each of them. The different things each of them go through during the investigation is riveting and I really wonder where the author gets these ideas. The storyline is great, the characters are well written and I think it would make a great movie. Another great book by the author.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my what a wild ride for Alex and Ozzie. Missing persons,  drugs, murder,  and family conflict make for a great page turning read.

Alex is still struggling with past events which is compounded when she discovers information about her family tree. The result is,  she is not her normal kick as self which could be detrimental to her health. 

I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling it for you.  I highly recommend this fast paced action packed read. 

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon series. So many twists and turns. This is an edge of your seat mystery that kept me gripped in the drama. Aside from the case, Ozzie and Alex have personal issues to deal with. It’s an action packed page turner.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, there were two cases, and they seem to be tearing apart Alex and Ozzie. But why? Then the two cases. Neither one making much sense. But with a twist things become clearer, but has the damage already been done for Alex and Ozzie? I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

the good stuff is very, very good; the bad stuff is equally horrific

A demented killer is on the loose, a teen is missing, and an heir seeks his sister, who has disappeared.

Oddly, all these disparate matters hang together by a single, deadly thread.

[Mike Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great time continuing the saga of Alex and Ozzie, fast moving action will make sure you don’t get bored.