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Midnight Owl
When the dismembered body of a young woman is found Detectives Joe Leverette and Philip Marsden are assigned the case. After investigating the Port Huron, Michigan area where the six body parts were found there’s a twist in the The murderer goes after each individual who found the parts, one by one.
Leverette becomes interested in one of the women, Carole Sage, a sensitive, but because of the case he’s not able to take it any further. Everyone on the police force sees his infatuation, but Carole does not.
Each of the six witnesses has a dream about the murderer removing the particular body part they found the night. They are startled awake and hear an owl hoot three times. None of them want to reveal their dream to the detectives.
Carole sees the actual murder and each murder as it happens to the witnesses. The police chief, Billingsley, understands her ‘gift’ and sets up a sting to catch him. It fails and they have to regroup to think of something else. Two witnesses are dead and they don’t want a third to die.
This books is for 18+ due to the violence.
Leverette becomes interested in one of the women, Carole Sage, a sensitive, but because of the case he’s not able to take it any further. Everyone on the police force sees his infatuation, but Carole does not.
Each of the six witnesses has a dream about the murderer removing the particular body part they found the night. They are startled awake and hear an owl hoot three times. None of them want to reveal their dream to the detectives.
Carole sees the actual murder and each murder as it happens to the witnesses. The police chief, Billingsley, understands her ‘gift’ and sets up a sting to catch him. It fails and they have to regroup to think of something else. Two witnesses are dead and they don’t want a third to die.
This books is for 18+ due to the violence.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2015
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Viv Drewa
15 books47 followersViv Drewa is a Michigan native who has enjoyed reading and writing since 1963. Though she studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan her passion has always been writing.
She had been awarded third place for her nonfiction short story about her grandfather's escape from Poland. Later, she rewrote this story and was published in the "Polish American Journal" as ""From the Pages of Grandfather's Life" and has republished it on Amazon.com as a short story.
Viv took creative and journalism courses to help in her transition to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. She worked as an intern for Port Huron's 'The Times Herald", and also wrote, edited and did the layout or the Blue Water Multiple Sclerosis newsletter "Thumb Prints."
She also teaches sewing to physically and mentally challenged adults. A cause close to her heart.
Viv, her husband Bob and their cat Princess, live in Fort Gratiot, Michigan.
Viv also writes a blog for ShareTV.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2016
Great mystery thriller. When first a leg is discovered in the park by Amy Lang, then more body parts show up, the police know they have a demented killer on their hands.Then parts of another body start showing up. Detectives Leverette and Marsden know something strange is going on, but they have only scratched the surface is this suspense filled novel that has a touch of the supernatural and is going to have readers clinging to the pages. For me this was a quick read, but maybe that was because I couldn't put it down. Great job and I have a feeling book 2 is going to be a must have.
February 15, 2016
What a thriller! My only disappointment was that I must read the next book for a conclusion. Some will find the graphic descriptions unpleasant, but please don't let that get in the way of the story. The opening will pull you into the novel and I promise you will not read the rest of it in the dark!!
I write mystery novels, and this is an outstanding offering. I recommend it and can't wait for the follow-up.
I write mystery novels, and this is an outstanding offering. I recommend it and can't wait for the follow-up.
June 12, 2017
This book is the perfect mystery thriller. A serial killer is on the loose. He decapitates his victims and scatters their remains. He sends notes to the police, taunting them.
Carole is a sensitive, and she sees things foretelling the killer's next move. However, neither she nor the police ever seem to get ahead. Will the sadistic murderer ever be caught, or will he continue claiming victims?
This book had a grip on me from the moment I started reading. As the story went along, I became more and more engrossed, and tried to predict what would happen next. However, I could never figure it out. The plot changes were perfect, keeping me on my toes and guessing throughout the story. This book ends with a giant cliffhanger. I can't wait for Part Two!
Carole is a sensitive, and she sees things foretelling the killer's next move. However, neither she nor the police ever seem to get ahead. Will the sadistic murderer ever be caught, or will he continue claiming victims?
This book had a grip on me from the moment I started reading. As the story went along, I became more and more engrossed, and tried to predict what would happen next. However, I could never figure it out. The plot changes were perfect, keeping me on my toes and guessing throughout the story. This book ends with a giant cliffhanger. I can't wait for Part Two!
May 15, 2016
Midnight Owl is the first book in the Joe Leverette Mystery Series. Don’t get too comfortable because the book starts off with a real bang. The action erupts on page one as a young woman is stalked. We, the readers, get to watch her death by dismemberment. That’s right, dismemberment. So if you’re looking for a sweet little murder mystery with a Miss Marple lookalike pottering around, think again. This is not it. The body is cut into six parts, and these parts are found by six individuals, completely unrelated to each other or the victim. The problem is, each ‘witness’ has had a horrible dream involving seeing the criminal kill the young woman. The body part they dream about is the one they find. They awaken to the sound of an owl hooting three times. Naturally, they don’t tell the police this because they’d be thought mad or even suspects. An even bigger problem is the killer is now going after these ‘witnesses’ and he manages to kill two. Detective Joe Leverette, who is assigned to the case, finds himself (hesitantly) attracted to one of the witnesses, Carole Sage, who is a ‘sensitive,’ meaning she can see the original murder and the murders of the two witnesses. The police sting set up to catch the killer fails, but is Carole next on his list?
Well, put aside your chores because you’ll just read and read and read (as I did) until you fall off the edge of the cliff. There’s no cliff-hanger in the conventional sense. The book ends with the reader going, “Oh no, don’t end now!” I’m a bit of a cosy mystery fan so this one had my hair standing on end. I love things that are slightly paranormal, but not outside the bounds of what could happen. I found the idea of the dreams and Carole’s psychic abilities fascinating. I also found the fact that the chief of police accepted her help in this regard quite refreshing. I wonder how many times a psychic has pointed out the location of a body to the police.
The book is quite graphic, but when you consider some novels and television series that make sure the reader/viewer is awash in blood and gore, I didn’t think this level of action overstepped the bounds. Murder, after all, is a bloody business and to commit cold, premediated murder, one has to be a particularly horrible person. I was disappointed that the book ended so abruptly, literally at the moment critique, but I have it on good authority that the author is writing furiously to continue the tale. I’m dying to know who the killer is, why the ‘witnesses’ had dreams, what’s the meaning of the owl hooting, so I’m eagerly waiting for the next in the series. I didn’t feel I got to know as much about Joe Leverette as I’d have liked, but that’s what sequels are for, and I hope the author expands on his character and back story. I’m also rooting for a romance between him and Carole. If you’re a murder mystery or detective thriller fan, you’ll love this book. Five stars.
Well, put aside your chores because you’ll just read and read and read (as I did) until you fall off the edge of the cliff. There’s no cliff-hanger in the conventional sense. The book ends with the reader going, “Oh no, don’t end now!” I’m a bit of a cosy mystery fan so this one had my hair standing on end. I love things that are slightly paranormal, but not outside the bounds of what could happen. I found the idea of the dreams and Carole’s psychic abilities fascinating. I also found the fact that the chief of police accepted her help in this regard quite refreshing. I wonder how many times a psychic has pointed out the location of a body to the police.
The book is quite graphic, but when you consider some novels and television series that make sure the reader/viewer is awash in blood and gore, I didn’t think this level of action overstepped the bounds. Murder, after all, is a bloody business and to commit cold, premediated murder, one has to be a particularly horrible person. I was disappointed that the book ended so abruptly, literally at the moment critique, but I have it on good authority that the author is writing furiously to continue the tale. I’m dying to know who the killer is, why the ‘witnesses’ had dreams, what’s the meaning of the owl hooting, so I’m eagerly waiting for the next in the series. I didn’t feel I got to know as much about Joe Leverette as I’d have liked, but that’s what sequels are for, and I hope the author expands on his character and back story. I’m also rooting for a romance between him and Carole. If you’re a murder mystery or detective thriller fan, you’ll love this book. Five stars.
April 17, 2016
Midnight Owl (A Joe Leverette Mystery Book 1) - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir Laugh Repeat: Think With Your Taste Buds: A Book and A Dish
"Who's there?" she called out in a trembling voice that didn't sound like her own. The light behind the door went out and the squeaking door opened slowly. A man stood there and looked at her. He was wearing a total-body rain suit, surgical cap and mask. Only his eyes were visible. "Hello, Heather," he said in a calm voice. "What do you want? Why are you doing this? Who are you?" she blurted out. "Now, now. I'm here to take you on an adventure. One that will allow you to pay for all the misery you've caused to a lot of people," he said with his calm voice. "I'm going to make sure you'll never hurt anyone again." He turned and reached for a pile of what looked like fabric straps from the table. They were four strips. He began applying one of them to each of her limbs, tightly, like a tourniquet, a few inches below her torso.
Later... "I was walking my dog and he got upset. He pulled me over there," Amy said, and with a shaky finger, pointed to the black mass at the shore. "When I got to it, I saw it was a woman's leg."
Amy was just one of the unfortunate who had her day destroyed with the finding of a body part. Throughout the day others would discover the remains of what would turn out to be a woman which had been mutilated with her body parts being placed in garbage bags and dropped off at various places. All of the finders were strangers to each other yet they all had one thing in common... a dream.
If you like suspense, this book will throw it out to you with page 1. I don't believe I've ever read a book that began as deadly as this one did. I don't believe I've ever read a book that caught me up in the story with the 1st page. This book did both. It kept me in suspense to the very end. I had no idea who the killer, or should I say mutilator, was. And I'll not reveal any information that might give you a clue. I will tell you that you are in for a total surprise at the end. Now I can't wait to read book #2 in this series to see what will happen next and how Author Viv Drewa will entice me into waiting on the edge of my seat for book #3.
"Who's there?" she called out in a trembling voice that didn't sound like her own. The light behind the door went out and the squeaking door opened slowly. A man stood there and looked at her. He was wearing a total-body rain suit, surgical cap and mask. Only his eyes were visible. "Hello, Heather," he said in a calm voice. "What do you want? Why are you doing this? Who are you?" she blurted out. "Now, now. I'm here to take you on an adventure. One that will allow you to pay for all the misery you've caused to a lot of people," he said with his calm voice. "I'm going to make sure you'll never hurt anyone again." He turned and reached for a pile of what looked like fabric straps from the table. They were four strips. He began applying one of them to each of her limbs, tightly, like a tourniquet, a few inches below her torso.
Later... "I was walking my dog and he got upset. He pulled me over there," Amy said, and with a shaky finger, pointed to the black mass at the shore. "When I got to it, I saw it was a woman's leg."
Amy was just one of the unfortunate who had her day destroyed with the finding of a body part. Throughout the day others would discover the remains of what would turn out to be a woman which had been mutilated with her body parts being placed in garbage bags and dropped off at various places. All of the finders were strangers to each other yet they all had one thing in common... a dream.
If you like suspense, this book will throw it out to you with page 1. I don't believe I've ever read a book that began as deadly as this one did. I don't believe I've ever read a book that caught me up in the story with the 1st page. This book did both. It kept me in suspense to the very end. I had no idea who the killer, or should I say mutilator, was. And I'll not reveal any information that might give you a clue. I will tell you that you are in for a total surprise at the end. Now I can't wait to read book #2 in this series to see what will happen next and how Author Viv Drewa will entice me into waiting on the edge of my seat for book #3.
December 14, 2015
Dreams and nightmares that come true
This mystery/suspense opens with a grisly murder that was nearly too graphic for me. I’m hardly squeamish but the scene threatened to give me nightmares. It obviously did provide nightmares for the six witnesses who found body parts the next day.
In the book’s description, the author warns that this book is for readers over 18, and I agree. I found the police procedures believable as the team works through horrific crime scenes. I felt compassion for detectives, Joe Leverette and Pete Marsden, as their personal stories unfold. Marsden’s past makes it difficult to view dismembered bodies, while Joe has a hard time relating to people. I also liked the “sensitive” witness Carol Sage, hoping that she and Joe might develop a relationship. I definitely wanted to learn more about the killer as the story unfolded.
The novel is well-written and suspenseful, but readers should be prepared to read two books to learn the whole story. Part one introduces the crime, the witnesses, the investigators and how they work to solve the case. Part two will undoubtedly provide readers with answers not delivered in part one. If you enjoy police procedurals and don’t get squeamish about gory scenes, take a look at this two-part book.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This mystery/suspense opens with a grisly murder that was nearly too graphic for me. I’m hardly squeamish but the scene threatened to give me nightmares. It obviously did provide nightmares for the six witnesses who found body parts the next day.
In the book’s description, the author warns that this book is for readers over 18, and I agree. I found the police procedures believable as the team works through horrific crime scenes. I felt compassion for detectives, Joe Leverette and Pete Marsden, as their personal stories unfold. Marsden’s past makes it difficult to view dismembered bodies, while Joe has a hard time relating to people. I also liked the “sensitive” witness Carol Sage, hoping that she and Joe might develop a relationship. I definitely wanted to learn more about the killer as the story unfolded.
The novel is well-written and suspenseful, but readers should be prepared to read two books to learn the whole story. Part one introduces the crime, the witnesses, the investigators and how they work to solve the case. Part two will undoubtedly provide readers with answers not delivered in part one. If you enjoy police procedurals and don’t get squeamish about gory scenes, take a look at this two-part book.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2016
MIDNIGHT OWL VIV DREWA
The owl hoots at midnight. This signifies a murder waiting for a place to happen. Body parts have been found around town discarded in a grisly fashion. It is up to Joe Leverette, Phil Marsden and the CSI team to find out who the original victim is as well as preventing further murders.
The story, while of a grisly nature is well written. Ms. Drewa has painted a picture that may leave the readers shaking in their slippers and wanting to sleep with a light on. It is suspenseful and fast paced. You may have a hard time putting this one down once you pick it up! I give Midnight Owl five hoots and recommend it to mystery lovers everywhere
The owl hoots at midnight. This signifies a murder waiting for a place to happen. Body parts have been found around town discarded in a grisly fashion. It is up to Joe Leverette, Phil Marsden and the CSI team to find out who the original victim is as well as preventing further murders.
The story, while of a grisly nature is well written. Ms. Drewa has painted a picture that may leave the readers shaking in their slippers and wanting to sleep with a light on. It is suspenseful and fast paced. You may have a hard time putting this one down once you pick it up! I give Midnight Owl five hoots and recommend it to mystery lovers everywhere
December 25, 2015
This highly suspenseful, well-written murder mystery opens with a grizzly, horrific murder that gives nightmares to several people not related to the murder in any way. Likable, believable characters draw the reader into the nightmare, while the baffled but competent police work feverishly to stop the killer before he kills again. I highly recommend this book. Ms. Drewa, write faster!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews