Terry M. West ‘Dead Aware’ Review

Written by: Myra Gabor

Dunlavey has no first name.  He exists in this moment, except for a brief flashback.  He is a private investigator who specializes in bizarre cases. The action takes place mostly in Manhattan, where the police call him in when they need help with a case that looks like Satanism or ritual killings.

The flashback takes him to New Orleans, where his then lover was a voodoo priestess.  Through her magic and incantations, she opens his third eye, which allows him to see those who died, as well as demons and wraiths. He regards this as a curse, even though he uses it to help the police solve murders.

The latest round of grisly murders involves homeless people, who are cut into, eviscerated, all limbs amputated, stuffed with straw and then sewn back together.  Dunlavey takes it all in his usual stride, which means drugs, alcohol and rough sex.  And playing Russian roulette.

Dunlavey knows that the killer must be someone close to him because he starts getting taunting phone calls from someone who knows his personal history well. The deaths come closer to home when those few people Dunlavey cares about are murdered in the same way, which seriously narrows the list of suspects.

As Dunlavey becomes afraid, the spirits that mock him grow bolder and begin to interact with him, actually hurting him.  He meets a blind woman on the street who tells him that even without eyes, those who have the third eye will always see the dead and the demons.  She can, even though she is not just blind, she is without eyes. She tells him to be brave and stand up to them or the spirits will overcome him.

Dunlavey must find his courage and stop the use of the drugs and alcohol in order to figure out who the killer is.  For me, it’s someone I suspected and then dismissed.

The story is presented as a screenplay.  It was a fast read and an interesting one.  I can see it being turned into a made-for-television movie.

Order it here.

Rating: 4/5