The Key to Midnight
Published: 1979
Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Leigh Nichols)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Dean Koontz's suspense-horror thriller The Key to Midnight was published under the pen name Leigh Nichols. It is regarded as Koontz's first commercial triumph. This is one of Koontz's early works; however, he has lately significantly updated it. And that was a lot of fun. I loved the characters, enjoyed the twists, and finished the book.
I read this book in three days! So many twists. Never a disappointment from this author. Dean Koontz at his finest. The Key to Midnight is one of those works that was published a long time ago yet has been rewritten multiple times. I believe I read both the most recent and the earlier versions. However, I don't believe it altered my thinking about anything.
Koontz's imaginative writing evokes vivid imagery and keeps you on the edge of your seat. He never fails to astonish me. This narrative grabs your interest from the first page and doesn't let go until the very last.
While this was unusual for Mr. Koontz, which makes sense given that it is one of his earliest works, it is certainly worth reading. It has it all: suspense, intrigue, romance, yeasts, and turns.
If you're searching for the supernatural, look elsewhere; he didn't need it. This novel pulls you from the first page and keeps you wondering throughout.
I adore Dean Koontz's works, and The Key to Midnight is no exception! The government, the conspiracy, and spies, and how readily they may penetrate our lives. The city descriptions make you want to visit Kyoto, and I truly wish I could try the food!!
The Japanese setting is fantastic, the tempo and pitch are ideal, and the afterword informs us that this is an upgraded/edited edition. I've read practically all of this author's books at least twice, and now I'll be reading them three times since I'm reviewing them all.
Many of the Forewords in the volumes describe his early struggles with genre mixing and convincing publishing houses to let him trust his instincts and allow his writing style to emerge naturally without a lot of rule-following. I enjoy this author since his novels cover a wide range of topics. Congratulations, Mr. Koontz for another great novel!
There were various instances in the novel where Dean Koontz just went off on a tangent on cuisine, settings, and so on. Yes, the description is good, but leave some room for the imagination. For some readers, all he actually did was detract from the primary tale, but I believe that done right, this is not a terrible thing.
One notable novelist who writes in this style is Stephen King. Clive Cussler uses this a lot, and it makes me angry at times while I'm reading his works, but I can't stop reading even if I don't like the usage of phrases like; what was served or what was on the table, and what was the recipe for that soup. Some of these authors get away with it because the main book and tale are excellent, and we, the readers, read without stopping.
Mr. Koontz didn't create any supporting characters, except from the distractions in the descriptions. They were more present, but they had little bearing on the overall tale. The plot revolved entirely around Alex and Joanna. This work suffers from a severe absence of supporting characters. Again, I must remind readers that I have read numerous books with only a few characters that were excellent, therefore it does not matter if a plot lacks supporting characters.
There was a point in the narrative where it became clear that there was a massive conspiracy at work. As I already stated, I believe I read one of the later editions of the book and an older version as well. That, I feel, aided the overall tale. I'm not sure how this conspiracy worked in the first edition. The twists and turns were quite beneficial.
I enjoyed the characters, how they grew and became genuine, how the present Russian situation gives credibility to the narrative, and how the storyline always surprised me along the way. I'll recommend it to my book group and encourage others to read it.
Final Thoughts
I've stated it several times in this review, and it's true: you'll read it straight through and won't put it down until the conclusion, so make sure you have enough time to complete it.
I usually read ten or so books at a time to avoid boredom and to be able to read a lot of books in a short period of time, but every now and then a book comes along that I can't put down and I just keep reading it until it's finished, and during that time I ignore all other books that I'm reading, and this is truly one of those nonstop read books.
Sometimes it felt like he made it up as he went along rather than having a storyline before he started, but this is due to the spontaneity of the action and the fast-paced incidents.
I like this method and use it while writing my own works; I have a concept and a plot outline in mind, but everything happens on the spot and in the flow. I occasionally have to rewrite a few lines or a portion of the narrative, but I enjoy the overall result. I wish I could disclose my pen names so that readers may get a sense of what I write, but I can't because it is a copywrite concern and a private issue that I do not want to modify because I am a very private person. Maybe eventually I'll open up about who I really am, but for now, I'm content with my solitude.
Dean Koontz normally works in a distinct genre. Things that go bump in the night will turn into monsters, and the golden retriever will be an intelligent ally in addressing the matter. Where was that dog in this book?
In this fantastic work, the main characters face actual peril and relentless action. They live by using their wits and inherent intellect. The finale came as a complete surprise. Do not read this late at night, as you should with all of his works!
This novel kept me up and later engaged, believing I knew where the author was leading me only to be taken aback by another fantastic story twist. An intriguing and enjoyable book! He is the master at setting the scene, making you feel as though you are part of the action, and leaving you wanting more.
Synopsis
“Joanna Rand left the U.S. ten years ago to sing in a Japanese nightclub. Ever since, she’s been haunted by the same horrifying nightmare. Each time she awakens, she feels violated, used, and scared. The only man who can help her is Alex Hunter. Ten years ago, he saw her picture in the papers as a senator’s daughter who’d disappeared. Now he has to bring her memories back to her—memories of a past more terrifying than they dreamed possible…”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Alex Hunter, Bad Guys, Edge Of Your Seat, Great Read, Joanna Rand, Koontz Books, Leigh Nichols, Odd Thomas, Page Turner, Twists And Turns, Years Ago
Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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1 comment:
This sound like an interesting thriller. Since finishing One Door Away from Heaven I am look for another Dean Koontz book.
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