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.

Described as a time travel mystery, Watching manages to put an entirely new spin on the time travel genre. Our modern-day narrator does not physically travel back in time, but rather he mentally watches past events unfold around him. More than just a dream, these visions of the past reveal a juicy art heist story that slowly and excitingly unravels to reveal the involvement of underhanded 70’s mobsters.

A story of murder, backstabbing, and priceless works of art comes to life through the sleuthing of our narrator, his wife, and an FBI Special Agent. Together they work to solve a decades-old mystery full of twists and turns that are so fun to read about. Author Jeffrey Jay Levin creates an engaging storyline that captivates in the style of the National Treasure movies. Levine compels the reader to uncover the mystery page after page, creating a thoroughly enjoyable thirst to reach the end as soon as possible.

Watching: Volume 1, The Garden Museum Heist (A Different Type of Time Travel) delivers on its promise to stand out as a unique entry into the thriller genre, and the ride crafted by Levin is a truly unforgettable one.

4.0/5 STARS

“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.