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Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon #4
As Good as Dead
A ghost from the past. A deadline that could kill them all.
Ozzie is barely holding his life together when a desperate plea forces him into a case that reopens scars he thought were long buried. But what begins as a simple search for a missing girl, quickly unravels into a brutal conspiracy.
The sins of yesterday are still waiting to collect.
Every clue pulls Ozzie deeper into the nightmare, and when two hired killers deliver a warning, he knows the only way out is through blood. But the price of truth may be higher than he can pay.
Ozzie isn’t the only one hunting. His partner Alex is digging too deep into a billion-dollar AI startup, and someone wants her silenced before she uncovers the truth.
Could there be a connection between their two cases?
As the countdown ticks toward an unthinkable ultimatum, Ozzie and Alex must risk everything—because if they fail, the next bodies on the slab could be their own.
If you crave adrenaline-fueled stories with razor-sharp twists, AS GOOD AS DEAD will leave you breathless.
Get it now.
Ozzie is barely holding his life together when a desperate plea forces him into a case that reopens scars he thought were long buried. But what begins as a simple search for a missing girl, quickly unravels into a brutal conspiracy.
The sins of yesterday are still waiting to collect.
Every clue pulls Ozzie deeper into the nightmare, and when two hired killers deliver a warning, he knows the only way out is through blood. But the price of truth may be higher than he can pay.
Ozzie isn’t the only one hunting. His partner Alex is digging too deep into a billion-dollar AI startup, and someone wants her silenced before she uncovers the truth.
Could there be a connection between their two cases?
As the countdown ticks toward an unthinkable ultimatum, Ozzie and Alex must risk everything—because if they fail, the next bodies on the slab could be their own.
If you crave adrenaline-fueled stories with razor-sharp twists, AS GOOD AS DEAD will leave you breathless.
Get it now.
288 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2025
8 people are currently reading
4344 people want to read
About the author
John W. Mefford
77 books401 followersAmazon #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
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
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 2, 2025
As Good as Dead
by John W. Mefford is the fourth book in the Alex and Ozzie: Dark Horizon series and the first one that I have read by this author. The author brings suspense, danger, action, mysteries, and investigations to Austin, Texas and San Francisco, California.
Ozzie Novak is in a personal crisis when a desperate plea from a mother convinces him to take a case looking for a missing girl in San Francisco. When he is threatened, things deteriorate. But Ozzie isn’t the only one working a case under a deadline. His private investigator partner and older sister Alex is doing employee background checks for the Chief Executive Officer of a billion-dollar artificial intelligence start-up that is nearing its initial public offering. Someone wants her silenced before she uncovers the truth.
Ozzie is good at thinking on his feet, but lately he’s been having panic attacks and has become addicted to a controlled substance to try to control them. He’s been covering up his issues and lying about what’s wrong to everyone, including his wife and two daughters. Alex Troutt is an ex-FBI agent, with 2 children. The youngest, Luke, is 21 and still lives at home. Alex is observant and focused. She’s also helping Luke to learn about private investigating.
The story switches points of view (and locations) between Ozzie and Alex. At first, it’s hard to see how the two cases fit together in the same book. However, as the story unfolds, there are clues as to what is happening. The story has good characterization and solid mysteries, along with a twist or two. There is an ever-present threat looming whether you’re in San Francisco or Austin, making this a thrilling read.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, suspenseful, and entertaining read that will keep readers rapidly turning the pages. Themes include murder, addiction, panic attacks, family, greed, power, lies, secrets, and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check out the series.
The author provided a complimentary copy digital copy of this novel via Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was November 13, 2025.
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My 4.06 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Ozzie Novak is in a personal crisis when a desperate plea from a mother convinces him to take a case looking for a missing girl in San Francisco. When he is threatened, things deteriorate. But Ozzie isn’t the only one working a case under a deadline. His private investigator partner and older sister Alex is doing employee background checks for the Chief Executive Officer of a billion-dollar artificial intelligence start-up that is nearing its initial public offering. Someone wants her silenced before she uncovers the truth.
Ozzie is good at thinking on his feet, but lately he’s been having panic attacks and has become addicted to a controlled substance to try to control them. He’s been covering up his issues and lying about what’s wrong to everyone, including his wife and two daughters. Alex Troutt is an ex-FBI agent, with 2 children. The youngest, Luke, is 21 and still lives at home. Alex is observant and focused. She’s also helping Luke to learn about private investigating.
The story switches points of view (and locations) between Ozzie and Alex. At first, it’s hard to see how the two cases fit together in the same book. However, as the story unfolds, there are clues as to what is happening. The story has good characterization and solid mysteries, along with a twist or two. There is an ever-present threat looming whether you’re in San Francisco or Austin, making this a thrilling read.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, suspenseful, and entertaining read that will keep readers rapidly turning the pages. Themes include murder, addiction, panic attacks, family, greed, power, lies, secrets, and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check out the series.
The author provided a complimentary copy digital copy of this novel via Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was November 13, 2025.
----------------------------------
My 4.06 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
December 1, 2025
4.5★s
As Ozzie headed for San Francisco to search for a missing girl, his sister Alex, assisted by her son Luke, were working another case in Austin, Texas. Checking out staff from a particular firm, they came across an anomaly. And Alex knew the boss of the company was right to have concerns. Meanwhile in San Francisco, Ozzie was hitting one brick wall after another - and his nerves were jittery at best. When he met ex FBI agent, Genevieve, and she offered to help him, things improved rapidly. But what they uncovered was brutal. Ozzie was in danger of his life but his ultimatum was horrendous. When he arrived back in Austin, Alex and Luke were happy to see him - but not to hear what had happened. Were their two cases somehow connected? Would they all escape with their lives?
As Good as Dead is the 4th in the Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon series by John W. Mefford and it was once again, gritty and intense, fast paced and electric. With excellent characters, a plot with plenty of twists and turns, corruption, drugs, secrets and lies, it has everything to keep the thriller reader turning the pages. I would recommend starting the series from the beginning for the character growth, especially. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
As Ozzie headed for San Francisco to search for a missing girl, his sister Alex, assisted by her son Luke, were working another case in Austin, Texas. Checking out staff from a particular firm, they came across an anomaly. And Alex knew the boss of the company was right to have concerns. Meanwhile in San Francisco, Ozzie was hitting one brick wall after another - and his nerves were jittery at best. When he met ex FBI agent, Genevieve, and she offered to help him, things improved rapidly. But what they uncovered was brutal. Ozzie was in danger of his life but his ultimatum was horrendous. When he arrived back in Austin, Alex and Luke were happy to see him - but not to hear what had happened. Were their two cases somehow connected? Would they all escape with their lives?
As Good as Dead is the 4th in the Alex & Ozzie: Dark Horizon series by John W. Mefford and it was once again, gritty and intense, fast paced and electric. With excellent characters, a plot with plenty of twists and turns, corruption, drugs, secrets and lies, it has everything to keep the thriller reader turning the pages. I would recommend starting the series from the beginning for the character growth, especially. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
December 24, 2025
Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon #4
Mr. Mefford has given Ozzie his protagonist a totally different outlook and has turned him into someone haunted and barely holding his life together. Ozzie has become an addict to ketamine. I hate what the author did to him. I loved the way Ozzie was before but admit Mr. Mefford redeemed himself by giving us a very exciting book to pass time with.
The story begins as a simple search for a missing girl that quickly unravels into a brutal conspiracy. Ozzie is pull into a nightmare when two hired killers deliver a warning ….All the while Alex is digging into an AI startup deeply spooking someone and now they are out to get her. Are the two cases connected?
Up to us, the readers, to find out…enjoy.
This story never takes a breather Ozzie and Alex seemed to have opposite opinions and budding heads all the time, a deferent and interesting spin to their relationship. Along the way what is in store for us are surprises and captivating twists and turns and questionable situations. The plot in this latest is by far more active than the previous stories: more bruises and cuts and no easy feat to get out of trouble and to make sure Daphne, the missing girl, is found in one piece.
We also have the presence of recurring characters to light up the mystery.
“As Good as Dead” is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story I couldn’t stop flipping the pages till the very end…I wanted badly to find out what would happen to Ozzie.
My final words: great job Mr. Mefford keep up the good work
Mr. Mefford has given Ozzie his protagonist a totally different outlook and has turned him into someone haunted and barely holding his life together. Ozzie has become an addict to ketamine. I hate what the author did to him. I loved the way Ozzie was before but admit Mr. Mefford redeemed himself by giving us a very exciting book to pass time with.
The story begins as a simple search for a missing girl that quickly unravels into a brutal conspiracy. Ozzie is pull into a nightmare when two hired killers deliver a warning ….All the while Alex is digging into an AI startup deeply spooking someone and now they are out to get her. Are the two cases connected?
Up to us, the readers, to find out…enjoy.
This story never takes a breather Ozzie and Alex seemed to have opposite opinions and budding heads all the time, a deferent and interesting spin to their relationship. Along the way what is in store for us are surprises and captivating twists and turns and questionable situations. The plot in this latest is by far more active than the previous stories: more bruises and cuts and no easy feat to get out of trouble and to make sure Daphne, the missing girl, is found in one piece.
We also have the presence of recurring characters to light up the mystery.
“As Good as Dead” is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story I couldn’t stop flipping the pages till the very end…I wanted badly to find out what would happen to Ozzie.
My final words: great job Mr. Mefford keep up the good work
November 21, 2025
Ozzie is struggling with life. While I didn't see Ozzie struggling this way, I like the way Mr. Mefford wrote it. I don't like that he developed a drug addiction. I do however like how he struggles with it and how he works to hopefully overcome it.
Alex's soon who is trying to find his way in the world is helping Alex in the business. It is great to see Luke growing up
There is a lot going on in this book but the plot is well woven. There are lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the page.
Alex's soon who is trying to find his way in the world is helping Alex in the business. It is great to see Luke growing up
There is a lot going on in this book but the plot is well woven. There are lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the page.
November 5, 2025
Ozzie and Alex have gotten themselves in a bind. It would be better if it was the same bind. They’ve got bad guys coming out of the wood work. Ozzie is off fighting his battle while Alex and Luke are fighting theirs. Kidnapping and killings going on. I enjoyed this book. Characters are always interesting.
Currently reading
October 23, 202510/23/25 - We're only three weeks away from the release of AS GOOD AS DEAD, my latest Alex & Ozzie Thriller.
Writing thriller novels is something I rarely thought much about...until I read The Firm by John Grisham. A curiosity ignited inside me about how to create a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story, where you can't stop turning the pages to find out what happens to the main character.
AS GOOD AS DEAD, the fourth novel in the Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon series, is the book I've wanted to write for my entire career.
And in just three weeks, you get to read it.
https://mybook.to/DHAsGoodAsDead
----------------
I'll be sharing some excerpts from my upcoming new thriller, AS GOOD AS DEAD (due out 11.13.25): https://mybook.to/DHAsGoodAsDead
Maybe I should listen to Alex and cut the cord on taking Jessica’s case. Doing background checks was repetitive, if not boring work. But maybe I could use that time to chill out, live a calmer existence, and ween myself from…outside elements.
But I also knew walking away from the case would devastate Jessica.
“Hey, Ozzie. Are you home?”
It was Nicole. Shit. I wiped my face with a hand towel and turned. There she was at the bathroom door, and I jumped a bit.
“Jesus, you don’t have to sneak up on me.”
She frowned. “What are you doing?”
I made a dramatic turn of my head into the bathroom. “Pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
“You’re in one of those moods again, I see.”
“Whatever, Nicole. I’m just trying to—” I’d just spotted the ketamine vial on top of the dresser.
She rolled her eyes and turned in that direction.
“Hold up,” I said.
She looked back at me. “What now?”
“Did you feed the dogs?”
“I left early for a meeting. Did you not do that either?”
“Sorry.”
She sighed. “I need to get another pair of pumps. I broke a heel when I stepped into a grate on the sidewalk.” She continued turning toward the dresser.
I groaned like I’d been shot and dropped to one knee. Nicole quickly turned and knelt next to me, placed her hand on my back. “What happened, Oz? Are you okay?”
I took a few heavy breaths for dramatic effect. “Just a little something going on,” I said, tapping my chest.
“Your heart? Oh God, are you having a heart attack?”
“Of course not. I’m fine. Just give me a second to catch my breath.”
She rubbed my back. “Does your heart still hurt?”
A couple more dramatic inhales and exhales, then I smiled. “I’m good. Thanks.” I lifted to my feet.
“You seem really stressed, Oz. You’re short with me and the kids. I’ve never seen you this stressed. Is a new case doing this to you?”
“That’s it. I just took on a new case. A woman showed up at the house this morning when I was about to take Charlie to school. Her daughter is missing, and she’s really upset.” I told her how Jessica knew my dad.
“A referral from two decades ago? That’s bizarre,” she said. “Just try to separate the professional from the personal, okay? And by the way, Charlie likes to be called Charlotte now.”
I did a double take. “Where are you getting this from?”
“She told me last night at bedtime. She’s interested in boys now.”
“What about soccer, though?”
Nicole giggled and placed her hand on my chest. “She’s not quitting soccer, Oz. Don’t freak out.
She’s growing up. Let’s just give her some space.” She kissed my cheek and left the room.
Talk about a close call. I grabbed the vial off the dresser, slipped it in my pocket, then opened one of the many PI apps to which we subscribed and did a search on Daphne Maxwell. I found four in Travis County. Two were over the age of fifty, one was thirty, and one was twenty-two, Megan’s age. The twenty-two-year-old lived in Daffan. That was my destination.
My acting routine had worked on Nicole. My wife. My best friend. My lover.
My lies.
I wondered if there was anything I wouldn’t do to protect my secrets.
Writing thriller novels is something I rarely thought much about...until I read The Firm by John Grisham. A curiosity ignited inside me about how to create a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story, where you can't stop turning the pages to find out what happens to the main character.
AS GOOD AS DEAD, the fourth novel in the Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon series, is the book I've wanted to write for my entire career.
And in just three weeks, you get to read it.
https://mybook.to/DHAsGoodAsDead
----------------
I'll be sharing some excerpts from my upcoming new thriller, AS GOOD AS DEAD (due out 11.13.25): https://mybook.to/DHAsGoodAsDead
Maybe I should listen to Alex and cut the cord on taking Jessica’s case. Doing background checks was repetitive, if not boring work. But maybe I could use that time to chill out, live a calmer existence, and ween myself from…outside elements.
But I also knew walking away from the case would devastate Jessica.
“Hey, Ozzie. Are you home?”
It was Nicole. Shit. I wiped my face with a hand towel and turned. There she was at the bathroom door, and I jumped a bit.
“Jesus, you don’t have to sneak up on me.”
She frowned. “What are you doing?”
I made a dramatic turn of my head into the bathroom. “Pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
“You’re in one of those moods again, I see.”
“Whatever, Nicole. I’m just trying to—” I’d just spotted the ketamine vial on top of the dresser.
She rolled her eyes and turned in that direction.
“Hold up,” I said.
She looked back at me. “What now?”
“Did you feed the dogs?”
“I left early for a meeting. Did you not do that either?”
“Sorry.”
She sighed. “I need to get another pair of pumps. I broke a heel when I stepped into a grate on the sidewalk.” She continued turning toward the dresser.
I groaned like I’d been shot and dropped to one knee. Nicole quickly turned and knelt next to me, placed her hand on my back. “What happened, Oz? Are you okay?”
I took a few heavy breaths for dramatic effect. “Just a little something going on,” I said, tapping my chest.
“Your heart? Oh God, are you having a heart attack?”
“Of course not. I’m fine. Just give me a second to catch my breath.”
She rubbed my back. “Does your heart still hurt?”
A couple more dramatic inhales and exhales, then I smiled. “I’m good. Thanks.” I lifted to my feet.
“You seem really stressed, Oz. You’re short with me and the kids. I’ve never seen you this stressed. Is a new case doing this to you?”
“That’s it. I just took on a new case. A woman showed up at the house this morning when I was about to take Charlie to school. Her daughter is missing, and she’s really upset.” I told her how Jessica knew my dad.
“A referral from two decades ago? That’s bizarre,” she said. “Just try to separate the professional from the personal, okay? And by the way, Charlie likes to be called Charlotte now.”
I did a double take. “Where are you getting this from?”
“She told me last night at bedtime. She’s interested in boys now.”
“What about soccer, though?”
Nicole giggled and placed her hand on my chest. “She’s not quitting soccer, Oz. Don’t freak out.
She’s growing up. Let’s just give her some space.” She kissed my cheek and left the room.
Talk about a close call. I grabbed the vial off the dresser, slipped it in my pocket, then opened one of the many PI apps to which we subscribed and did a search on Daphne Maxwell. I found four in Travis County. Two were over the age of fifty, one was thirty, and one was twenty-two, Megan’s age. The twenty-two-year-old lived in Daffan. That was my destination.
My acting routine had worked on Nicole. My wife. My best friend. My lover.
My lies.
I wondered if there was anything I wouldn’t do to protect my secrets.
November 6, 2025
Amazing start to an amazing next story in this series. Ozzie is in big trouble and refuses to be helped by anyone but a drug dealer he met in the last book. Thankfully, Alex has now pulled herself together after Brad disappeared. Even though she knows she still has big problems with a local drug lord, she is able to take on what seems to be a standard job for the PI firm - doing background checks on employees of a tech company going public in 30 days. When she reaches out to Ozzie to work with her, he is distant, unusually unavailable. Eventually he lets Alex know that he has independently taken on a missing girl case for a friend of his father’s and won’t be available to help her with the business. This is a very different take on Alex and Ozzie relationship, taking on the feel of the, up to this point, what could be total destruction of the brother-sister business collaboration and personal relationship. Highly recommend this next story in this series and just wonder where it can go from here. Will they survive this? As usual, this author’s stories are dynamite and leave you wanting more.
November 17, 2025
The author hit it out of the park again with this book in the series. I feel like a broken record when I review his books, but they are all so good. This one was fast paced, great characters, great storyline, and I didn’t want to put it down. The tag team of Ozzie and Alex works great and, in this book, they each were working on something else, they ended up being connected. It also dealt with some serious issues Ozzie was dealing with. Just read the book, it’s great.
November 25, 2025
how generational ills land on future generations….
An old client of Ozzie’s dad comes to Ozzie to find her daughter, as Alex works on background checks for a new client, while trying to keep her friend Katie from intensifying her budding romance with the crooked entrepreneur, Colin.
An old client of Ozzie’s dad comes to Ozzie to find her daughter, as Alex works on background checks for a new client, while trying to keep her friend Katie from intensifying her budding romance with the crooked entrepreneur, Colin.
November 13, 2025
Ozzie and Alex have a knack for getting in too deep on cases, and this story is no exception. While each is working a different case, they somehow both end up in danger. Two cases, only one outcome—but will it be the one they’re hoping for? I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 15, 2025
This is book four in the Alex & Ozzie, Dark Horizon series. Ozzie and Alex are investigating two separate cases but, could they be related? So much mystery and suspense and so many questions. This is a thrilling roller coaster ride that will keep you turning pages.
November 14, 2025
This was the first John Medford that I have read. Now I want to read all his other books. This is a great thriller with lots of action.
November 22, 2025
Surprises are in store! In an interesting twist, Ozzie and Alex seem to start working against each other. I found it a very interesting situation. This is a very intricately woven plot. There is a lot going on for both the PI's. Ozzie gets in the way of himself sometimes, but he manages to escape without losing too much skin. As a matter of fact, he ends up with more! More bruises, scrapes, cuts and gouges! I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am so glad I was able to get an ARC copy for an early read and review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews