One Door Away from Heaven Review

One Door Away from Heaven

Published: 2001

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Action, Adventure, Conspiracy, Fiction, First Contact, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

One Door Away from Heaven Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's work One Door Away From Heaven is a best-selling novel. Koontz has woven the tales of a super-intelligent handicapped girl living with a drug-addicted mother and evil Step Father, a down-on-her-luck woman living next door with her eccentric Aunt Gen, a hardened and grief-stricken PI and his elegant client, and, of course, a shape-shifting Alien hell bent on healing the World.

This tail is woven by Koontz's incomparable descriptive language, which at times resembles poetry. His abiding affection for his late Golden Retriever appears as a reoccurring topic of the spiritual relationship between people and their dogs. Despite being slightly less intelligent than humans, dogs retain an innocence that allows them to sense our Creator's Playful Presence.

All of this sets the stage for a dramatic struggle between Good and Evil. Even though I was reading this work for the second time, I found it just as exciting. I wholeheartedly suggest this for a pleasurable experience.

Even though I am an unflinching admirer of Dean Koontz and everything he has done, one of my all-time favorite Dean Koontz novels is still "Watchers," and another that may be too much for casual readers is "From the Corner of His Eye."

I have digital editions and audio versions of practically all of the books I buy, but I still enjoy turning pages, smelling the paper, and touching a book. When reading in bed, I want to feel the weight of the book, which reminds me to stay alert or the book will smack me in the face. And I know that having the book in hand would make it a lot simpler to revisit certain favorites.

I remembered why it's one of my all-time favorite stories. I fell in love with the main and supporting protagonists once more.

The main character in the narrative is a little child who is endearing from the start. He's in grave danger, and when I reread portions of it, I find myself holding my breath. I still grin and feel hopeful when he presents himself in his natural form.

The issue is that science fiction has always been my favorite reading genre. I took a risk by departing from that genre, and Mr. Koontz guided me. 

Thank goodness he's written so many novels, because I'll never let go, and I've evolved a lot over time, and I adore practically all the types and genres except straight porn or phony filler sequences that are worthless and aren't a real part of a plot.

Wonderful tale. The characters are believable and sympathetic. Leilani, who is nine years old, is extremely powerful and intellectual. Her mother is the vilest slime you can think of. And her stepfather is a psychopath. The folks she meets, Mickey and Geneva, are exceedingly good-hearted and sincere, despite their poverty. 

The alien explains "good" and assists, Leilani. However, there are alien horrors that must be avoided at all costs. Dean Koontz at his finest. The language and descriptions are so beautiful that you can't help but have a revelation.

I thoroughly loved this Koontz thriller. It alternated chapters between four characters: a ten-year-old boy whose mother was murdered and who is now alone and on the run; a nine-or ten-year-old girl with a drug addict mother and an evil stepfather; a young woman determined to save the girl from an evil fate; and a private detective who appears at the beginning and then reappears near the end. I enjoyed the characters, didn't mind the alternative chapters, and thought the action was exciting and well-paced.

I think there was too much unnecessary description, which some readers may simply skim over, but I still enjoyed it and don't think skimming it is necessary, and a lot of amusing and likable comedy, but again, someone with a lot of exposure to this type of writing may find it overdone. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant read.

If I hadn't read this book, I would have assumed that it was bad based on the opinions of my reader friends, but that was not the case, and I recommend that everyone read it. Don't let others discourage you from purchasing and reading this fantastic novel. 

Such endearing characters, and it immediately plunges you into an enormous journey! Curtis at the truck stop counter made me laugh out loud, and it's very difficult to get me to smile, much alone laugh out loud. I've never encountered a Koontz novel that was unreadable.

I'd want to express that I'm not sure what to say about this book! It has left me speechless. It's one of the greatest books I've read in a long time. It was fantastic. It's one of those novels that you don't want to finish and despise when it does. Then you'll go back and read it again. 

The characters are so real that you find yourself identifying with them. Curtis is fleeing from beings bent on destroying our Earth. Curtis has been dispatched to save us, and they are pursuing him throughout the nation. 

The FBI then becomes involved since they are looking for the drug cartels. Curtis must keep moving to avoid being caught. 

The last twenty minutes of this book are like racing down a steep slope with your brake lines severed. You can practically hear the clock ticking, resulting in a whizzing conclusion. Plenty of tension, plenty of intrinsic comedy, maybe a little too descriptive for some readers' liking.

Final Thoughts

This is a gorgeous, exhilarating, incredibly incisive picture of the horrifying reality of evil, and frequently a quite hilarious book. 

Those of us who are paralyzed have a special reason to appreciate this book and to thank Mr. Koontz for writing it. It's difficult for me to beat the character of Einstein in "Watchers," but I believe Mr. Koontz almost succeeds with his creation of Leilani. 

I'm not sure I'd want to know somebody who didn't enjoy this book. But don't judge me if I discuss these two characters since they are both amazing to me, even if they aren't the same; I'm simply comparing the writing from both works.

Although this book is a little older than some, it is a fantastic Sci-Fi action drama. There are no spoilers here, so simply pick it up. This book's characters are unrivaled. If you like Dean Koontz, you'll appreciate this. 

In all of his novels, he has a terrific way of uplifting the neglected and forgotten, but he truly outdoes himself here. In our stories, we admire heroic dogs, and no one does it better than Dean Koontz.

I could never give this tale justice since there are so many individuals involved. If you're a Dean Koontz fan and haven't read it, you're losing out on one of his greatest. It gives you a wonderful sensation and offers you hope for the future. 

He's a master of words. I sometimes have to look up the definition; therefore I've enhanced my vocabulary, as practically all of his novels do.

Synopsis

This synopsis is from the Audiobook version

“In a dusty trailer park on the far edge of the California dream, Michelina wants to change the direction of her troubled life but can't find her way. When a new family settles into the rental trailer next door, Micky meets the young girl who will change her forever.

Despite her deformed left leg and withered left hand, nine-year-old Leilani Klonk radiates a buoyant and indomitable spirit that inspires Micky. Beneath Leilani's effervescence, however, Micky comes to sense a quiet desperation that the girl dares not express. Leilani's mother is little more than a child herself, and her stepfather, Preston Maddoc, is educated but threatening. Slowly, ever more troubling details emerge in Leilani's conversations with Micky. Most chilling is Micky's discovery that Leilani had an older brother, also disabled, who vanished after Maddoc took him into the woods one night and is now "gone to the stars".

While the child-protection bureaucracy gives Micky the runaround, the Maddoc family slips away into the night. So Micky sets out across America to find them: for the first time living for something bigger than herself. One Door Away from Heaven is an incandescent mix of suspense and humor, fear and wonder, a story of redemption and timeless wisdom that will have listeners cheering.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Aunt Geneva, Away From Heaven, Corner Of His Eye, Curtis Hammond, Door Away, False Memory, Koontz Books, Leilani Klonk, Old Yeller, Preston Maddoc

Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here
https://rebrand.ly/One-Door-Away-from-Heaven-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial
https://rebrand.ly/One-Door-Away-from-Heaven-Audible

Mr. Murder (1998) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Mr-Murder-1998-R

Hideaway (1995) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Hideaway-1995-R

Phantoms (1998) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)
https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lightning Review

Lightning

Published: 1988

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Contemporary, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Literary, Literature, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Time Travel

Check the summary of this book here:

Lightning Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's book Lightning was published in 1988. A new Afterword by the author discusses editorial dynamics in a 2003 edition. A storm hit the night Laura Shane was born, and the weather was unusual in a way that people would remember for years. The blond-haired man who emerged out of nowhere to save Laura from catastrophe was even more mysterious. And I had a feeling it will be a time travel novel that I will enjoy because I am a sucker for everything "time travel."

Dean Koontz's work with his Odd Thomas series was fantastic, and I thoroughly appreciated those works. Lightning shares several of the same qualities of that series, including outstanding characters, a tight, fast-paced storyline, edge-of-your-seat intensity, and, mercifully, a happy ending. 

In fact, the suspense was often so intense that I had to put the book down for a few moments to collect my breath. Even though one of my favorite characters died, this book was everything I love about this genre. I won't say who died or why, but I believe this story had a happy conclusion for me, which may not be the case for other readers because it is a decision that each reader has.

Here's a breakdown of how time travel works in this novel; I loved some of the concepts, but I don't want to see that type of difficult system in genuine time travel. I believe it is and will be feasible to time travel in some form, and I am confident it is still occurring. If you study and investigate a little, you will discover numerous incidents that will verify my point. Try searching or Googling "Mandela Effect" and you'll be shocked by what you find.

The Nazi time machine is described in the novel as looking like a tunnel; when the necessary mathematical calculations are performed, the machine is set, and the traveler walks inside and vanishes, reappearing with some degree of precision at the physical and temporal place chosen. To make time travel operate, there are a lot of unique elements and physics.

The fictitious world lends credence to the argument that nature will not allow a contradiction, even meeting oneself, to exist. Furthermore, time can only be traveled towards the future to avoid the "Back to the Future" syndrome of preventing one's own existence by previous deeds. 

The energy utilized to travel across time affects the natural environment upon arriving at the desired period and location, resulting in tremendous inexplicable lightning storms (thus the title of the book). The return from the future to the present does not result in a lightning storm.

Regardless of how long the traveler spends at his destination, he will have spent precisely 11 minutes (Something similar was used in Stephen King's 11/22/63, but I do not consider it a copy or stolen idea) when he returns to his own time stream (through a push-button mechanism often disguised in a belt buckle). 

Changes done at one moment in time will have an effect on all future occurrences originating from that timeline; nevertheless, only the traveler will be aware that anything has changed because his own past has not been affected. 

As previously established, a time traveler cannot return to a temporal location he has already visited (even if it is to a different physical location), because he will technically still be there, creating a contradiction.

Now, regarding that thinking cap: there is one part of this book that made me believe that I should be taking notes from time to time, and that aspect is time travel and the physics that allow it to happen, according to this author. To be honest, I had to reread a number of portions to ensure that I understood everything. This is not a critique; rather, it is a beautiful aspect of a really pleasant work. I'd rather do some rereading to comprehend anything than rush through something that resembles literary fluff.

Another thing I did was read the author's Afterword at the conclusion of the book. I loved his insights into the writer's world and the types of against-the-grain efforts he frequently had to do to publish works that pleased both him and his fans. 

Not all novels can easily get high stars, ratings, or points, but I felt this book to be worth every point on every point. 

Chris, Danny, Laura, Stefan, and Thelma are all characters I grew to care about, and I admire Mr. Koontz's efforts in developing them. If you read the evaluations, you'll notice that I admire your perseverance in sticking to your convictions and writing the kinds of novels you enjoy.

This tale piques your interest right away and continues to surprise you throughout the journey. What a fantastic book, full of adventure, mystery, and tension, as well as terrific comedy that readers will not only enjoy but also appreciate. The plot takes an unexpected turn that you won't soon forget.

It was incredibly thrilling for me. There's amazing scientific complexity mixed in with various romantic narratives, humor and sarcasm, and Dean Koontz's unique ability to explain things so beautifully that you can imagine the sights in your head almost as if they were movies. I can't recommend this book enough. You will be surprised, riveted, and hooked the entire time.

Final Thoughts

This is a lighthearted and engaging tale with a unique take on the time-travel genre. Dean Koontz immerses us in Laura Shane's world. We observe that someone continues intruding in her life at critical junctures. We have no clue why or how this happened. Finally, we discover that her mystery benefactor is not from our era, but his real location is a great surprise.

This is also an alternate history novel. Ironically, this book was published in 1989, thus events a few years later and the demise of the Soviet Union would reveal history reverting to the pattern with which he concludes this book.

This was a very interesting novel that was well worth the money, as Koontz is always. His stories are often more complex than you think. I've now finished all of his series and have been rewarded with his quick wit, superb story-telling, and works that I will read again and again. Loved returning to "Lightning," pick it up. Excellent reading!

Dean Koontz demonstrates his command of his distinct genre of literature once more. This time, the protagonist is a woman, and sadly there is no dog in this novel. His point of view is constantly new and fascinating. Suspenseful and fascinating, this novel is recommended for Koontz aficionados and anyone interested in trying his work for the first time.

Synopsis

“#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz’s brilliantly thrilling novel of suspense.

In the midst of a raging blizzard, lightning struck on the night Laura Shane was born. And a mysterious blond-haired stranger showed up just in time to save her from dying.

Years later, in the wake of another storm, Laura will be saved again. For someone is watching over her. Is he the guardian angel he seems? The devil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond all time and space?

“A gripping novel…fast-paced and satisfying.”—People”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Edge Of Your Seat, Guardian Angel, Koontz Books, Laura Shane, Page Turner, Twists And Turns, Years Ago

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Lightning-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Lightning-Audible

Phantoms (1998) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Shadowfires Review

Shadowfires

Published: 1987

Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Leigh Nichols)

Genre: Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Horror, Literary, Literature, Suspense, Thriller, Zombie

Check the summary of this book here:

Shadowfires Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz wrote the novel Shadowfires. It was Koontz's effort at a conventional horror novel, initially released as Shadow Fires under the pseudonym Leigh Nichols, and recounts the story of a young lady who becomes a widow following a traffic accident while in the process of divorcing her husband of seven years. However, her husband's body quickly vanishes from the mortuary, and more victims are discovered, horrifically murdered. Rachael and her significant other, Ben Shadway, discover a secret too horrific for anybody to accept, pursued by forces out to silence and destroy them.

The concept is fantastic. What if someone discovered the key to immortality, but it came at a horrible cost? Imagine that individual is hell-bent on murdering you. Because this person cannot die, I may say that a Terminator is pursuing you. 

With such an intriguing idea, it's difficult to believe Koontz couldn't hit a home run. Fortunately, he did, and it was, in my judgment, a huge success. 

A modern-day Frankenstein with a few modifications: No graveyards had to be disturbed because Dr. Frankenstein and Frankenstein were the same person. 

The novel started slowly, but once it got going, it was nonstop till the conclusion. It's a horror story, but it's more fun than disturbing. Because it was a fiction, some of the blood and gore had less of an impression on me.

This is another fantastic novel by Koontz. He has a talent for constructing a gripping story with a remarkable command of terminology that transports me into the action. 

I look forward to the Afterword as much as I enjoy reading the narrative. The Afterword is like a nice dessert or a superb brandy after the adrenaline ride of the book. Dean Koontz is not only a talented mystery writer; he is also a tremendously humorous man, and the Afterword always makes me laugh! I am eagerly anticipating the next stop on my adventure!

If you read it after playing the Resident Evil games, you'll get an idea of how I felt or thought while reading it, and in some cases, I was thinking of Terminators T-800 and T-1000, despite the fact that this book has nothing to do with the movies or the game, and no, this guy isn't a zombie, but I included it in the zombie genre because of the style and reanimation of the main villain. I mentioned Resident Evil because of the transformations or mutations the villain has to go through.

This was a fantastic novel, as is typical of Dean Koontz, the sort that keeps you up at night turning the pages. I enjoy the mix of genres, which includes science fiction, mystery, suspense, horror, and a touch of romance.

This author has a gift for creating intense suspense through interesting character interactions. You are given a front-row ticket to Eric's universe, where you are pushed and tugged. At first, he is everything you want in a villain, but as the game unfolds and you discover more about his past, understanding gives way to conflicted emotions. Dean Koontz is an exceptional storyteller. Absolutely amazing.

The point of view switched back and forth a lot without any gap or other signal, but given the writing style – even that wasn't off-putting.

As I finish the last of Shadowfires, Mr. Koontz is adding to my anxiety-induced sleeplessness once more. It's always a delight to start a Dean Koontz horror story, and I fret over the fates of the characters throughout the few time it takes me to finish even the longest novel. His excellent narrative has kept me a fan for decades. Thank you so much, Mr. Koontz; please keep them coming. I'm not sure how I missed this.

Near the end of Shadowfires, I became so engaged in the novel that I was not able to sleep all night because I couldn't put it down. It's a frightening, but not excessively graphic, book that captures your attention and won't let go! 

Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors; I've read and appreciated nearly all of his books. He is the only author who has kept me up all night reading because I couldn't get enough of the narrative until it was finished. 

I've suggested all of his books to countless friends and family members, including my niece and my nephew, who is a huge admirer of Stephen King. He has now become a huge fan of Koontz's work also.

Dean Koontz is outstanding. I like how he begins with reality as it is, then moves on to places where reality shifts into something new. He makes me think, which is why I keep coming to his stories.

I'm sure readers will be on the lookout for something to use as a weapon! Some of it featured Koontz's run-on descriptions, but what really stood out was his amazing ability to build pictures with words. Sometimes he's horrifying, but let's face it, that's why we read him!!!

This is a well-crafted investigation of the margins of reality that we believe we understand...but do we? As he weaves this yarn, one is reminded that this seemingly strange scenario may well be the reality after all...the genetic twists and turns only help to heighten the readers' expectations...a satisfying read for sure.

Final Thoughts

The narrative was intriguing, and I could tell it was from his earlier work. The characters were engaging, albeit some were less developed than others, and the ending was a little sudden.

I thoroughly loved this book and found it difficult to put down. I now have a new rule that I only start a Dean Koontz novel on a Friday night so that I can finish it without interfering with work from too many late nights. 

Dean Koontz is one of the only authors whose novels frequently keep me awake rather than assisting my mind to "turn off" from work as an assistance to sleeping.

This one kept my interest from start to finish over numerous late nights in 2 and 3 hour chunks. It's well worth reading.

The plot appeared to be a little artificial at first. The tale and each character grew complex as it progressed, and you're fascinated.

As with many of his previous works, this one becomes quicker and faster as it progresses. It doesn't take long to become emotionally engaged.

I would strongly suggest this book to everyone who enjoys a narrative of man's arrogance and astonishing capacity to screw things up because he doesn't see the implications of his experimenting clearly and just does it because he can, regardless of whether he should or not.

Synopsis

“A haunting hair-raiser resurrected with a NEW recording and NEW narrator.

“His prose mesmerizes…Koontz consistently hits the bull’s-eye.” –Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rachel's request for a quick and clean divorce enraged her husband. She’d never seen Eric so angry, so consumed by pure and terrifying hatred. Then, in the heat of the moment, Eric was killed in a traffic accident. Shocked and relieved, Rachel had nothing left to fear. Until Eric's body disappeared from the morgue—and suddenly, Rachel is being stalked by someone who looks just like her dead husband.

©1987 Nkui, Inc. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Edge Of Your Seat, Eric Leben, Garbage Truck, Hard To Put, Koontz Books, Leigh Nichols, Love Dean, Main Characters, Odd Thomas, Recommend This Book

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Shadowfires-Audible

Phantoms (1998) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Strangers Review

Strangers

Published: 1986

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: American, Conspiracy, Depression, Fiction, First Contact, Horror, Literary, Mental Health, Psychological, Science Fiction, Superhero, Suspense, Teen, Thriller, Young Adult

Check the summary of this book here:

Strangers Summary

The Review

Strangers is a novel written by Dean Koontz that was nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (1987). Best Novel nominee for the British Fantasy Award (1987). In 2018, it was revealed that a Strangers adaptation is in the works at Fox for a one-hour drama written by Criminal Minds creator Jeff Davis. Fox and Sony Pictures Television are collaborating on the project. But I'm not sure if it's been made or not; please let me know if it's already on the air.

I read this book for the first time in high school and had no idea who Dean Koontz was, but it had such an impression on me that anytime I thought of this author, this was the first book I remembered and the one of his many that I would label my favorite. It was well-written enough that it stuck with me and took me a long time to read a second time, but I always kept a copy on hand in case I needed to. It's because I'm a voracious reader and try not to sell any of my books unless they're really crap or I'm not interested in them.

I'm still impressed by the amazement, wonder, and hopefulness this book inspires in me, and after reading Koontz's newly added afterword, I understand why: this was his first passion project, and it shows. Dean Koontz is a major favorite of mine, and I've been reading his books for a long time. I was already aware of his concepts after learning that the films Demon Seed and Fun House were partially based on his writings.

I liked how he effectively combined a wide range of character styles. Eventually, he leaves us with the eternal quandary of religious belief against atheism – and here I disagree with a few friend readers. Is there a God who is bigger than we can imagine? Or... does the Universe sort of run itself and there is no such thing as a Creator?

One of my new discoveries in this book was his tributes to fellow writers Tim Powers, James Blalock, and Stephen King. Knowing he is friends with and used to be writing partner with Powers and Blalock makes these tributes to them especially endearing, plus they are all favorites of mine, and I hope that because he mentioned them, more people discovered these other, equally talented writers as well. I will always have a copy of this book in my collection and read it with great pleasure.

I know that some of Koontz's works are not enjoyed by all readers for various reasons, but in my view, it is all about the hype, and even if his books are fantastic, people expect greatness all the time, which is impossible. 

But this novel had me completely engrossed. As is often the case, Koontz begins with amazing speed, great ideas, and likable, well-rounded characters, only to lose momentum and imagination near the end, and it is essentially the same thing that readers are confused about because it is great, but to readers, it feels bad or not good enough because it was this great author who was supposed to give thousand-star story every time. This is without a doubt one of his greatest books. But it is only my view.

The plot was fast-paced and a great page-turner. The characters' backstories were wonderfully fleshed out and made you care about what happened to them. I truly liked this book till the finish.

Colonel Falkirk played the stereotypical nasty guy. He was the book's Snidely Whiplash, all wooden and two-dimensional. He was so ludicrous and out of control that I couldn't imagine anyone would have listened to him or followed him in any manner.

I had the impression that Koontz wrote a lengthy novel and then his editor told him, "It's too long, tie it up." Because the finish seemed a little abrupt for me, but it is something I usually always think of with amazing stories.

For non-readers, the book is rather extensive and begins by explaining the recent back-story of each individual in the book who begins suffering panic episodes, as well as what those terrors are and how they try to deal with them.

The first half of the novel is extremely riveting, with the reader hanging on every "page" to see how the protagonists deal with their life-destroying terrors.

The second part of the novel focuses on the events that surround each character as they are all unconsciously brought together where this trip began, and what occurs as they gradually piece together the circumstances of that incident.

The book is excellent, and it is one of Dean Koontz's finer works.

Final Thoughts

I only had the paperback and hardcover versions of this book, but I now have the kindle and audible versions as well, as I do with all of my favorite novels and writers' works. 

A terrific early fiction from Dean Koontz that has nothing to do with mass murderers or tracking homicides... I get much too much of it by watching television.

This is a really well-written and edited narrative about many strangers who are eventually bonded by the sharing of a life-changing incident... You should read it if you haven't already. If you've already read it, enjoy the pleasure of reliving a terrific narrative.

This was a great case of reading for me. The tension was so intense that I couldn't put the book down. I was wondering how he was going to tie all those ties and people together at the end, but he did.

This is science fiction, which I enjoy when it's excellent. I liked this one because of the happy conclusion. Koontz has a remarkable flair for characterization and writes better than many award winners, but that will never be acknowledged in the realm of high literature!! 

His manner is effortless. And, unlike many of my reading friends, I did not find the book to be overly long. Yes, the author went on and on in certain places, but it was still nice.

It is so brilliantly written, and the characters are so realistic, that I feel as if they are old friends with whom I like spending time now and then! 

I know Mr. Koontz doesn't write sequels unless they are planned from the start, but I would be first in line to buy a Strangers sequel! I'd like to know what happens to Dom and Ginger, Jack, Jorga and Marcie, Brendan and Parker, and so on. What are George and Rita's reactions? 

If the government cooperates in the release of information, or if they continue to try to maintain the secret, (and what is their justification for their treatment of US citizens!) Oh, there's so much I'd like to know!

Synopsis

““The plot twists ingeniously...an engaging, often chilling book.”—The New York Times Book Review

A writer in California. A doctor in Boston. A motel owner and his employee in Nevada. A priest in Chicago. A robber in New York. A little girl in Las Vegas. They’re a handful of people from across the country, living through eerie variations of the same nightmare.

A dark memory is calling out to them. And soon they will be drawn together, deep in the heart of a sprawling desert, where the terrifying truth awaits...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Character Development, Edge Of Your Seat, Ever Read, Hard To Put, Highly Recommend, Koontz Books, Main Characters, Page Turner, Tranquility Motel

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Strangers-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Strangers-Audible

Phantoms (1998) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/Phantoms-1998-R

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

https://rebrand.ly/The-Servants-Of-Twilight-1991-R

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The House of Thunder Review

The House of Thunder

Published: 1982

Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Leigh Nichols)

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

The House of Thunder Summary

The Review

The House of Thunder is a novel written by best-selling novelist Dean Koontz that was first published under the pen name Leigh Nichols. Few authors write as well as Dean Koontz and Stephen King about unexplained supernatural phenomena. These novels are so well-written and convincing that you almost believe there must be some element of reality in what the author wrote, and you wonder whether he has ever encountered similar occurrences in his personal life or the lives of individuals he knows.

I just forgot about it the first time I purchased it, and I've had this book on my shelf for years and hadn't gotten around to reading it until I realized I hadn't. Yes, it may happen to many avid readers who buy books in bulk, and sometimes a book by a renowned author is pushed to the back or overlooked, as happened with this book. But, at the very least, I was gripped from the start and thoroughly loved every minute of this psychological thriller.

There are some passages of this book that will make your mouth dry and your spine coil with anxiety, and these parts are enough to earn this book excellent marks and recommendations. 

A well-executed film can get a large number of admirers, but I found no film adaptation of this book, or I missed it, and I would be grateful if anybody knows and tells me anything about this issue, since there is no film adaptation of this book to my knowledge.

A gripping story with several twists and turns. When the final storyline is revealed, it is far from what was anticipated. To avoid giving away the ending, suffice it to say it is rather shocking. Dean Koontz is at his best, and the reason he is regarded as a great storyteller.

This novel has some surprising twists and turns. I mean, seriously messed up!! You'll notice things that aren't quite right as you read, but you'll never guess who the evil person is.

If you're seeking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and won't let you put it down. That's what it is!

From start to finish, this is a non-stop thriller. Dean Koontz has created another masterpiece.

Even having a juvenile style, the author's work is effective. A fantastic story! Koontz at his very best! The plot flows well and quickly, keeping you flipping pages late into the night! Author's previous tale-telling is exemplified here.

This may be a tremendous delight for Koontz fans and even people who have never heard of him if that's even conceivable. This is one of his older works, which I like; his glory days in tale world were something to savor. 

When things start to emerge in The House of Thunder, I adore how it truly screws with the reader's psyche. I read this story many years ago and it becomes great and spooky and brings in the thrills. I still remember this story warmly, even after so many years, and I just listened to the audio version; perhaps I'll read it again sometime, but not soon.

I've always enjoyed Dean Koontz's books, and it's possible that I've grown accustomed to his wonderful descriptive writing style and riveting "impossible to put down" tension. 

However, I was underwhelmed with The House Of Thunder until I realized that Koontz had initially released it in 1982 under the pen name Leigh Nichols. So, while it is still a decent read for one of his earlier works, I would want to see him rewrite it with his more mature writing style all these years later.

This is a scary narrative, a proper thriller that builds gradually to create suspense and impact. I appreciated how nothing was obvious, even to me as an avid reader; the author kept me wondering until the very end.

Now, I wasn't a big lover of the conclusion, but that's just my opinion and has nothing to do with how the narrative was written or anything. I planned the tale to continue on the same path, but it altered, which some may like and some will dislike. I didn't care for it, but I can understand why others might.

I've always enjoyed stories that are completed with a big 'twist.' This one just blew my mind. I really recommend that everyone read this one.

Final Thoughts

I can't believe I overlooked this earlier Dean Koontz novel! However, it still reads quite nicely. I've revisited a number of his other novels from the 1980s, and they're much more antiquated now that he gets so technical in his writing. This one, on the other hand, had me wondering till the very end! Excellent.

It took a moment to get into the book, and it appears like Koontz had a page restriction or something on this one since he completed it so quickly, despite the fact that it is not a small book, and I remembered The Mask because this book gave me the same feeling when I finished reading it. 

In a nutshell, I thought it was too short. I won't give anything away, but if you've read Koontz's Key to Midnight, you'll notice numerous parallels to this work.

I loved it and would suggest it to lovers of Dean Koontz. This one appealed to me since it is a true story.

This is a sleep dunker, something I read all night and continued reading the next day in a foggy vision because I was exhausted but happy and reworking the tale in my brain. So, if you want to remain up till 3 a.m., go ahead.

You're continuously trying to figure out what's going on and, if she isn't insane, who is behind it. Of course, I'm not going to ruin the surprise by revealing anything. 

That being said, I can honestly say that I did not anticipate the perpetrator to be who he was. I was hesitant at first because the first paragraph directly beneath "Chapter 1" was "The year was 1980 - an ancient period, so long ago and far away...", but I can honestly say that I liked the book and hope that anybody who enjoys thrillers and mysteries does as well!

Would I suggest The House Of Thunder? Yes, but not to introduce you to Koontz. It's an excellent novel with some great scary moments. 

I suggest it to long-time Koontz fans. It was nice to have only one character's point of view and a less detailed description, like in The Voice Of The Night.

Synopsis

“In a cavern called The House of Thunder, Susan Thornton watched in terror as her lover died a brutal death in a college hazing. And in the following four years, the four young men who participated in that grim fraternity rite likewise died violently. Or did they?

Twelve years later, Susan wakes in a hospital bed. Apparently involved in a fatal accident, she is suffering from amnesia. She does't remember who she is or why she is there. All she knows is that her convalescence is unfolding into a fearful nightmare - and that the faces that surround her, pretending loving care, are those of the four men involved in that murder years ago.

Have the dead come back to life? Or has Susan plunged into the abyss of madness? With the help of her neuro-surgeon, Susan desperately clings to her sanity while fighting to uncover who or what could be stalking her.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Car Accident, Cold War, Ever Read, Leigh Nichols, Susan Thornton, Susan Thorton, Twists And Turns, Wakes Up In A Hospital, Years Ago

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/The-House-of-Thunder-Audible

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Night Chills Review

Night Chills

Published: 1976

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Action, Adventure, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller 

Check the summary of this book here:

Night Chills Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's suspense horror thriller Night Chills is a must-read for fans of the genre. The copyright for an early Dean Koontz piece described as reprinted in the 1980s is really 1976. Going back that far was a lot of fun because I had never read this one till a few years ago. The novel is definitely written in a new, more detailed style, demonstrating his stylistic progression. I miss the more straightforward manner apparent in this book. This one is obviously darker and maybe scarier since the likelihood of it happening is greater than witnessing anything magical or evil bursting out of a wall or another reality similar to what is happening in our world right now.

The premise relies around subliminal mind control, which has already been used. It's never been accomplished this well before.

A word of warning. Throughout, there is explicit violence and offensiveness. If you find it a turnoff, you might want to pass on this; if you don't mind it, the novel is an earlier written winner.

This novel makes you wonder what if...vas in, what if we had total control over other people and could force them to do our bidding, even if it meant they had to die to do so. You'll be on the verge of a nervous breakdown till the very end! Basically, it is the fundamental idea of this story, and I am repeating myself in this review, but that is how it is, and I am not ashamed of it.

I couldn't put this book down! It's filled with tension, drama, mystery, and even actual possibilities! I can nearly connect to that in the way our governments are pushing these Covid 19 immunizations, what if there is a chemical in it that persuaded us! Or a chip that is basically everywhere these days, such as in our phones. 

Actually, there are a plethora of options and things that can be done with it. What I understand about the case is that the immunizations never worked.

They know we all watch a lot of TV, so it would be simple to embed subliminal messages in us if we had some type of controlling agent in our bodies, such as bees and queen bees. And that is what I found in this novel and the message it sent me, but it all depends on how you interpret it. 

One last thing is that we are all capable of deciding for ourselves and doing what is best for us without being forced by anyone who is only trying to make money by weaponizing every new invention that can be used for the good of humanity, or simply reading this kind of book as it is supposed to be and that is just fiction but as always the ultimate choice is yours.

This book was a pleasure to read. It used to be on the list of prohibited books since it was banned a long time ago. A lot of the text is antiquated in some ways due to the year it was written. Nonetheless, I found it really intriguing. 

Some portions may have been uncomfortable, but they were vital to demonstrate to the reader how subliminal messaging can truly affect someone. 

After all, so much is possible, but it forces you to be cautious while watching advertising and not fall for the hype. To cut a long tale short, if you have an open mind and are not afraid to explore controversial concepts, this is a fantastic book to read.

This was a reread for this review, and I felt so good and realized how accurate these authors were when depicting the future or technology because most of it is basically happening in our lifetime. Few authors are worth revisiting, but Dean Koontz is one of them. Thank you for providing us with so many hours of entertainment!

Excellent insight into how power can corrupt and devour even the most upright. Be damned, morals. In the appropriate ways, it's dark and scary.

Dean Koontz at his most terrifying. One thing about Koontz's terrifying is that it is realistic. Except for the human type, there are no monsters. And those are the scariest of all. 

Subliminal messaging and mind control is at the heart of this novel. Is it true, and do they work? The answer, at least in this book and, I believe, in the actual world, is emphatical yes. If the second part of this gets written these days, I believe it will be titled Night Chills 2: Covid 19.

This book is highly worth reading. I adore all of Koontz's books, so I may seem a little prejudiced, but I always give honest evaluations, and this was a really good one. It brought me back in time and made me reconsider. 

How accurate he was about technology becoming a major problem when it wasn't when I was a youngster; I always thought there had to be more out there. It was a very satisfying read; I disliked some of it but enjoyed the majority of it. 

Definitely worth the money. I hope this has helped one of you, readers, decide whether or not to read this. It's just fantastic.

Final Thoughts

After plowing through Koontz's new works, returning to the old was a breath of fresh air. Great storyline and I appreciated how he explained things for simpletons. As with all of his other works, this one is a must-read.

The book seems to corroborate the basic concept of Big Brother interfering with our thoughts and attempting to control the populace by any means necessary. I recall thinking that it was a horror story simply because it seemed plausible.

I recommend this book if you want something frightening but not slasher gruesome monster stuff. Even today, it's uncomfortable, yet it's a great read!

This book, in my opinion, is outstanding. I enjoy books that make me think about real-life issues rather than merely transporting me to a magical world. 

I couldn't put this book down since it was so engrossing. I went to school talking about this book, and many of my classmates knew about it! They even requested to borrow it, but I learned the hard way not to do so and never gave my books away after losing a lot as a child. 

This novel was gory, but it was also intriguing... At the end of the novel, I almost burst into tears (it is a spoiler). 

I must agree that the first few pages were sluggish, but it picked up speed after that. A true recommended treasure that can open our eyes to what is going on around us.

Synopsis

“#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz unleashes a contagion on a small Maine town—one that triggers the darkest desires of the soul.

Designed by top scientists and unleashed in a monstrous conspiracy, night chills are seizing the men and women of Black River—driving them to acts of rape and murder. The nightmare is real. And death is the only cure...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Black River, Character Development, Koontz Books, Mind Control, Ogden Salsbury, Small Town, Stephen King, Subliminal Advertising, Subliminal Messages, Town Of Black

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Night-Chills-Kindle

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Saint Odd Review

Saint Odd

Published: 13, January 2015

Author: Dean Koontz

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Literary, Mystery, Paranormal, Psychic, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Urban

Book 7 of 7: Odd Thomas

Check the summary of this book here:

Saint Odd Summary

The Review

Dean Koontz's Saint Odd is the seventh and final suspense novel in his Odd Thomas series. Bantam Books first published the book on January 13, 2015. In 2015, Saint Odd received the Goodreads Choice Award for Horror. Odd Thomas is without a doubt one of the most charming and enduring characters in the modern horror/thriller/paranormal genre—and Dean Koontz has handled Odd's story as wonderfully in this book as he has in previous novels in the series. I did notice fewer "treasures" in this one—those unexpected tidbits and twists of language that take you off guard when you reach them. There are fewer gems in this book, but those that are there shine even brighter because of their rarity.

This is the seventh book in the Odd Thomas series (eighth if you include Odd interlude as a separate part), and it addresses the same issues that have been discussed throughout the majority of the series: the fight between Good and Evil. Odd Thomas, a former fry cook, is tasked with preventing a satanic sect from carrying out a sinister scheme and must race against time and the forces of evil to do it.

I listed eight books, but it becomes a little more confusing when you include "Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever," but it's only a 38-page novella, so I'm not considering it among the main novels; nonetheless, I'll review it in a few days.

Then there are three graphic novels that might be added to this list that are all prequels to the main Odd Thomas story, but I'll go into each one separately later.

The novel has a lot of positive things going for it, the primary one being that it eliminates all of the more sophisticated features of the recent books: there is no dimension jumping, no parallel worlds, no horrific monsters, and no alternative demonic Odd Thomas doppelgangers. 

This book's evil is certainly human, which is a nice return to what made this series so fantastic in the first place. 

Odd is also as lovely, humble, and valiant as ever, and it's always a pleasure to read about his exploits. 

Finally, this novel feels like a sort of reunion, with Odd returning to Pico Mundo, Chief Porter, and Ozzie Boone. This adds a nice fullness to the plot.

The next few lines may include a few minor spoilers for people who have never read the preceding book in the series, so only read if you are currently on the sixth book. And yes, some of the little details from this book are included as well, so if you don't want to know anything from this volume, simply skip to Final Thoughts.

I believe the book contains certain irritating peculiarities that a frequent reader may notice, although they are not as awful as they sound:

The first one that comes to me is that one of the main draws of the book series is Odd's ability to see the lingering dead, but that component of his character is completely absent from the novel. 

Ghosts emerge, although their appearance is fleeting and irrelevant to the plot, and they may have just gone unnoticed. 

In reality, there is a misuse of psychic magnetism, which serves as a deus ex machina to move the tale along and get Odd where he needs to go, but it is a power he possesses and employs. And I believe it is what he should do whenever he needs it.

The second is that it appears Dean Koontz was unsure what to do with Annamaria, one of the important supporting characters in the previous books, thus she was essentially disregarded for the duration of the book. 

There's no conclusion, no explanation for all of her secrets, why she's always pregnant, or why she opted to join Odd in the first place. There are just confusing faux explanations that don't actually explain anything at all, which is terribly frustrating given that this is the final book of the series, but I still hope it has a purpose and Dean Koontz will someday bring back this series with a bang and give us all the answers.

The third point to make is that, while Odd does manage to resolve the immediate threat he is facing, it doesn't really do anything in the big scheme of things. He doesn't truly deal a fatal blow to the Evil group he's after; he only halts their present strategy. 

Nothing prevents them from trying again next month. Is Odd's final journey truly going to be that? Deeply Odd's events, on the other hand, are perhaps far more upsetting, demonstrating that it was not the series' last novel.

Fourth, the ending is surely kind of disappointing for the final book in the Odd Thomas series. We are told that there is a continuous battle between forces of good and evil, and Odd is only a soldier in this conflict, fighting with numerous other invisible heroes. 

Odd's exploits are finally done, and we know how the conflict will go on without him. In fact, the ending of Odd's tale isn't even really related to the plot of the book; it's as if there was a desire to make this the final book, so a series ending chapter was added, whereas otherwise there would've been an eighth book, which I still believe will happen and we will read the next book someday in the future.

Final Thoughts

Odd Thomas has been a favorite of mine from the first book. If you haven't read any of them yet, do yourself a favor and do it right now.

If you're a fan of Odd, as I and many others are, you'll like this last episode of the series. By the conclusion, you'll both love and despise Dean Koontz. 

I've read practically everything he's written, and this is most likely his masterpiece. It's unusual for me to be sad in the midst of such grief and still be filled with hope and pleasure, but that's exactly what this narrative has done for me. 

And I've been sad, and I'm still sad as I type this. I was overcome with emotion by the beauty of what I read and the way it penetrated my heart and thoughts.

The characters in this novel shimmer and radiate, as they do in all of Koontz's writing. They've matured over the course of the series, and while the finale was fixed in stone on a macro scale, the circumstances around it were fluid enough to allow for some very imaginative details. 

Even though I knew how it would end, I was nearly taken aback when it did. I hoped for something else—something more. I really want to say that I'm not sure what was "missing" from this ending—so it's subtle that I can't even tell you what it was. But I know what it is: the sadness of knowing that I will miss Odd, and the beauty of the finale, which will undoubtedly make many readers cry.

Finally, I wish I could read more of this, and I am confident that all readers who will read this series will feel the same way. Really great and highly recommended novel and series.

Synopsis

The synopsis below is from the audio version of this book.

“From "one of the master storytellers of this or any age" (The Tampa Tribune) comes the stunning final adventure of "one of the most remarkable and appealing characters in current fiction" (The Virginian-Pilot) - as #1 New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz brings the unforgettable odyssey of Odd Thomas to its dazzling conclusion.

Odd Thomas is back where it all started…because the time has come to finish it. Since he left his simple life in the small town of Pico Mundo, California, his journey has taken him to places strange and wonderful, mysterious and terrifying. Across the land, in the company of mortals and spirits alike, he has known kindness and cruelty, felt love and loss, saved lives and taken them - as he's borne witness to humanity's greatest good and darkest evil. Again and again, he has gone where he must and done what he had to do - for better or worse - with his courage and devotion sorely tested, and his soul forever changed. Every triumph has been hard won. Each sacrifice has taken its toll.

Now, whatever destiny drives him has finally steered his steps home, where those he cares for most surround him, the memory of his tragically lost true love haunts him, and one last challenge - vast and dreadful - awaits him. For Odd Thomas, born to serve a purpose far greater than himself, the wandering is done. Only the reckoning remains.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Final Book, Fitting End, Fry Cook, Great Series, Last Book, Loose Ends, Pico Mundo, Sad To See, See It End, Sorry To See, Thomas Series, Together Forever

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Kindle

Free With Free Audible Trial

https://rebrand.ly/Saint-Odd-Audible

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -