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Showing posts with label Serial Killer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Serial Killer. Show all posts

Hideaway Review

Dean Koontz, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Hideaway

Published: 1992
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Hideaway is a novel by horror writer Dean Koontz that was released in 1992 by Putnam. It is a supernatural thriller centered on Hatch Harrison, an antique dealer who establishes a psychic link with a serial murderer after a car accident renders him clinically dead for more than eighty minutes.

This was a highly engaging novel that I thoroughly loved. The epilogue was amusing but not shocking. I find it amusing that individuals would see this as an attack on their beliefs. It is not religious teaching; it is entertainment, and as such, it is a success!!!!!! 

I can't express how much I like Dean Koontz's works. Each novel is a fantastic read. As much as I enjoy reading the novels, I look forward to reading the "Afterword" that follows each time. The content is so fascinating that it would be ideal if the editors just published a single source that had only the Afterword(s) from each novel.

This is definitely a slow burner. A lot of time is spent getting to know the characters before the final act begins and the book abruptly ends. I loved it and wished it would continue; Hideaway was entertaining, but Watchers remains my favorite.

In my effort to re-read Dean Koontz's works, this was one of the "oldies" that I purchased for my Kindle. One of the benefits of reading after a long time is that I can re-read a book without actually remembering the plot when I start reading again.

Hideaway is not one of my top favorite Koontz books. On the bright side, Koontz emphasizes the importance of family being there for one another and sticking up for what is right. 

However, I could not perceive the power in the characters that I have come to expect from his works. The reason I don't consider this book among my top great novels isn't because of the author or the tale; it's because of a character, and I don't like her. Otherwise, the book is fantastic, and if I don't think about that character, this book becomes one of my top great books.

One of the good elements was how Hatch's death and resurrection transformed the Harrisons' marriage bond and helped them accept the death of their son five years before. Hatch and Lindsey even decide to share their newfound love of life by adopting a special-needs kid.

When the kid (Regina) first meets the Harrisons, she tries everything she can to make them not want to adopt her, exaggerating her disability and repeatedly referring to herself as a "cripple," but the reader knows she is everything but that, and this was one of my favorite sequences in the novel.

However, once Regina returns home with the Harrisons, her character doesn't truly grow, and she appears to play the part of the helpless kid.

This book began off fast, dragging the reader into the plot, then it slowed and you may want to put it down, but don't because around halfway through, maybe a few chapters before that point, it starts to consolidate into a great story, and then it becomes good. 

The thrill that Koontz had captured in the opening few chapters had returned. Overall, I'm delighted I completed the book. It turned out to be an enjoyable book. The finale, though, was classic Koontz. I would suggest this book if you have the patience to get over the first third because it is well worth it.

The antagonist in this tale did not appeal to me. Koontz gave us his wicked side while never making him appear to be a "genuine" person. Because he is pure evil and feels unreal, but believe me, I have seen people worse than him in real life and he is 100% genuine.

I still loved the book, but I wouldn't suggest it as a first read for someone interested in Dean Koontz's work. Start with Watchers, Lightning, Phantoms or, better still, the Odd Thomas series.

In 1995, it was adapted into a film starring Jeff Goldblum, Christine Lahti, Alicia Silverstone, and Jeremy Sisto.

Brett Leonard turned the story into a feature movie. Koontz apparently was so dissatisfied with the picture that he attempted to have his name removed from the credits.


Final Thoughts

I realized that this book can be described in completely two different ways, so in the review section, I talked about other readers or my friends who did not get the actual meaning behind the story and thought it was slow, but in this section about Final Thoughts, I will talk about exactly what I and others like me thought of this book.

Once again, it's exciting, eerie, and tinged with the uncanny. The only thing missing was a dog, which would have completed the novel's perfection as a Dean Koontz book. 

Excellent book. I enjoyed rereading it. I felt really bad and sad when I completed it since, as usual, I want to read a long novel if I like a couple of the characters.

Hideaway is a superbly written, fast-paced mystery. It describes the depth of good and the essence of evil in great detail. 

Koontz incorporates a lot of the supernatural, allowing readers to broaden their perspectives and go deep into their own souls as they ponder the strong ideas portrayed here. 

Finally, the book reveals the strength of love and innocence, God's hand watching over the pure of heart, and the unavoidable reality that evil cannot defeat light. This book was highly engaging, well-written, and very fulfilling to me.

Dean Koontz has a knack for creating characters that you fall in love with. It is quite simple to imagine who and what they are in the narrative. 

The author has an intriguing way of contrasting good against evil in a very realistic manner. This is not a lighthearted book; rather, it is dark and suspenseful. Some of the characters in this novel did not grow on me but Dean Koontz has created yet another masterpiece.

It's a spellbinding story and it is still one of my favorite Koontz stories. This book is terrifying, captivating, and amazing; it's comparable to a Stephen King story in that you're not sure you want to turn the page because you're not sure you want to know what happens next, but you must!


Synopsis

“Strange visions plague a man after he survives a near-death experience in this chilling thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

Surviving a car accident on a snowy mountain road is miraculous for Lindsey Harrison, but even more so for her husband, Hatch, who was clinically dead for eighty minutes.

After experimental procedures bring Hatch back to life, he awakens with the terrifying feeling that something is it out there. But it soon becomes apparent that the evil stalking Hatch is within him—a dark force of murderous rage that hides within us all...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Abandoned Amusement, Agatha Dominik, Agatha Hanczakowski, Alfred Molina, Alicia Silverstone, Amusement Park, Back To Hell, Back To Life, Brett Leonard, Brought Back, Car Accident, Christine Lahti, Gimel Everett, Hatch And Lindsey, Hatch Harrison, Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Sisto, Jerry A. Baerwitz, Jerry Baerwitz, Koontz Fan, Rae Dawn Chong, Tristar Pictures


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Hideaway (1995) (R)

Phantoms (1998) (R)

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

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Whispers Review

Dean Koontz, Adult, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Parenting, psychological, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Whispers

Published: April 1980
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Adult, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Parenting, psychological, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Whispers is a suspense thriller. It was the first of Koontz's novels to reach the New York Times Best Seller list, and it is largely regarded as the book that launched his career as a best-selling novelist. The novel was also turned into a film of the same name in 1990. The film was bizarre. Unlike the book. I like the book, but it terrified me. The film was simply bizarre. The acting was mediocre. It lacked belief, emotion, and realism. They could have done so much better than the finished outcome. Still, the film was passable. Unfortunately, the youngster in the film performed poorly. But then, so were the grownups, and even the bugs were bad actors. 

Despite being scheduled for a theatrical release, the picture was released direct to video in the United States via Live Home Video. In 2012, the film was re-released on DVD under the label Scorpion. I've included a link to the movie at the conclusion of the review, but it may not be available in all countries, so double-check the information on the website you'll arrive at after clicking the link.

Unfortunately, I cannot suggest it to young readers since numerous extended adult paragraphs, scenes, and explanatory passages, particularly in the second half, make for difficult reading.

Though if like me, you enjoy being a witness to the development of a good writer into a great one, and you enjoy the intimacy of that experience, even if it is shared with millions of other readers, you should read "Whispers." The narrative is fascinating intellectually, but the clumsy language makes it less pleasant than many other Koontz stories.

It's not a good introduction for anyone who hasn’t yet learned to enjoy the fantastic rides that his later works provide. I'd want to see a revised and re-edited edition of the book. 

The narrative line is highly intriguing, and the two major protagonists were beautifully done. However, the conversation and explicit scenes had me practically shouting to myself as to why Koontz was writing such ridiculous dialect and too detailed adult material that was characterized as a cheap paperback one would buy in an adult book store. 

Regardless of how original and intriguing the narrative was, these two factors seriously undermined the work. Perhaps the author was doing it for the purpose of the plot, as an experiment, or simply to attract new readers to his novels. I'm not sure, but I believe it hurts more when someone is unable to publicly discuss a book, even if it was excellent, but, it contained adult content.

However, even after saying these things, I must state that they are solely meant for novice readers and/or non-fans; otherwise, it was a fantastic work for fans and readers who enjoy reading large volumes.

Hilary struck me as a fairly strong character. She understands what she wants and how to care for herself, but this is also her weakness.

Minor imperfections were there, but they did not detract from the action. The ancient mansion was situated on a somewhat inaccessible position, so how did they transport workers and goods up there? 

Regardless of Katherine's intricate narrative, in a small town, there would always be one or two nosy neighbors with suspicions, and there would have to be some chatter. 

I'm also not certain that an experienced detective would have allowed himself and two civilians to stroll into a potentially violent scenario or enter a property where there was possible evidence in a live crime investigation, even only to air it out.

Nonetheless, these did not distract from the story's overall suspense. It was a suspense novel, not a study of police procedures or actual crime.

It was amusing, if readers viewed the movie first, the novel will fill up many gaps. and many aspects from the film that brought the tale together.

It's not as fantastic as some of Koontz's later works like my favorites The Key To Midnight and Intensity, but it's still highly fascinating, twisted, dark, strange, and intriguing.

Dean Koontz has us on the edge of our seats, chewing our nails yet again. The suspense builds until I can't take it anymore. Nonetheless, he manages to construct a villain who is so shattered that I end up feeling sad for him.

The first third of the book moved slowly and took me a few days to finish. When it finally began moving, it accelerated. The narrative was fairly predictable, and I recognized how everything was going to play out around the time the speed picked up. 

Even though it was predictable, it kept my attention to the conclusion. There was too much explicit content for my tastes, but that's just my opinion. I don't like romance in thrillers, but this was far too graphic for me, and if I wanted that, I'd read a corny romance novel. As previously stated, I still recommend this book.


Final Thoughts

Only a few authors, like Dean Koontz, can make you sympathize with a nasty serial murderer. Everyone has a history, and for many people, child abuse had a role in shaping who they are. A variation on the divided personality.

Only around three pages into the narrative did it start to get very interesting! Needless to say, this was not your typical stalker tale!!! It began with a more spooky and sci-fi vibe and quickly took off! This one's storyline was right up there with the greatest! This was fantastic and, after all, classic Koontz! It did take a couple of chapters for things to pick up, which is NOT usual of Koontz! 

He usually has you hooked inside the first two pages! "What's going on here?" I kept asking myself throughout the story. What is he up to? 

He was creating an odd, bizarre, and captivating plot. This one is both innovative and intriguing. This is classic Koontz, who, as his admirers know, is extraordinary!!!! 

So, what can I say about this book that is appropriate? To begin with, it boasts one of the finest villains I've ever read about. He's not just psychotic and nasty, but in the end, you understand he's also a victim. You genuinely feel bad for him.

The other characters are equally excellent. They're all of them. It's unusual not to dislike a single character in a novel.

The narrative follows. Simply said, it's a fantastic narrative. Very nicely told and written. Add in a fantastic cast of characters, and you have one heck of a novel.

I've read practically everything Koontz has written, and this is by far one of his greatest. The others, Shattered and Watchers, were not awful; in fact, they were pretty good as well, but not on the same level as this magnificent work. Simply said, this is a must-read.


Synopsis

“#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz “pulls out all the stops” (Publishers Weekly) in this haunting psychological thriller...

For thirty-five years, Bruno Frye has lived in the shadow of the adopted mother who made his heart beat with constant fear. And even though she died five years ago, the whispers still haunt him in the dark...enough to make him kill—and kill again.

Hilary Thomas is one of his intended victims. And she’s about to learn that even death can’t keep a bad man down...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bruno Frye, Don Carmody, Douglas Jackson, Edge Of My Seat, Even Though, Ever Read, Filmrise, Great Book, Hilary Thomas, Jean Leclerc, John Dunning, Koontz Books, Main Characters, Second Time, Victoria Tennant, Well Written, Years Ago


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Whispers (1990) (R)

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The Vision Review

Dean Koontz, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Murder, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

The Vision

Published: 1977
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Murder, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's novel The Vision is a horror mystery. Suspense, anticipation, intrigue, and mystique are all synonyms for suspense. Dean Koontz is at his most creative. His works are usually simple to read and keep you turning the pages, and this one is no exception. It was rather nice for such an early effort. You can see where later efforts that were far more sophisticated came from. I hope Mr. Koontz will return to the early subjects that drew me in as a reader. It appealed to me. What I enjoyed best was that I thought I knew how it would end and that it was predictable but nice... only to discover that it wasn't that predictable and was better than expected... and wonderfully written. 

I just find Koontz to be an entertaining read in general. The Vision is still a lot of fun and distinctly Dean Koontz. It begins slowly and builds to a thrilling finale in the second half.

Koontz's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, and he always ties up the ends without leaving you with a million questions.

Even while there is an epic surprise in the novel that will make you think about life in a different manner, it was one you could see coming from miles away and I genuinely felt it nearly from the start. There were just too many red herrings in the book to mention. They were there the moment you read them. The only reason I'm not labeling this as a major blunder is because of this amazing twist, which some readers may miss, making it an epic twist for them.

Except for the obviousness of who the killer is, the plot is how it should be and is the greatest portion of the book here. I'm not going to give too much away because of the surprise, but just know that this is the finest tale he's written so far. The storytelling of Dean Koontz's writing career was already strong at the time, but it improved over the years.

You can tell this is one of Koontz's earlier works since it's a little predictable, bordering on clichéd at moments. Despite this, I absolutely loved the book. It's short for a Koontz novel and pretty fast-paced, making it a quick read. 

I was very confident I figured out whodunit inside the first 100 pages, but the (why) was considerably more difficult. Overall, I believe this novel has enough twists and turns to keep most readers entertained.

I am a fan of almost anything written, even murder mysteries with class that are well written, and this one, in my view, is a fantastic mystery that includes both class and writing.

For the most part, I adore Koontz's novels. For me, this one was a touch too predictable. But it had me guessing on the evil guy a number of times. If you were unfamiliar with Koontz's writings, I believe you would have enjoyed it more and it would not have been as predictable. 

Also, the thing I generally adore about his novels, which is his amazing ability to develop his characters, was mildly absent in this one and the reason for this is that I read a lot and sometimes forget that I am trying to keep my standards very high, which is not good for a new author. 

When readers start to keep very high standards and very high hopes, we forget we need to give chance and keep our expectations at a level so we can actually enjoy the books and help the authors by encouraging them.

However, I believe it is more true of his older novels. The Vision was an easy read. And a generally nice plot. It just doesn't have the same depth as his latest work, which is my fave. But still it's well worth reading.

The problem with this book is that it gradually reveals to the reader who the primary villain is, but in cryptic ways, and if you read a lot of books, you will discover who it is. In murder stories, there are basically two styles: one in which the reader knows who the culprit is from the start, and one in which it is completely hidden until the last few pages...but this book is neither of the two because it never tells us who it is and instead gives us hints and we can guess who it is, which is why many readers disliked it.

Yes, it appears that a new author wrote this novel and it worked out well, but when you learn that the author is Dean Koontz, you may be disappointed, but keep in mind that it was one of his early works and it is not as horrible as you believe or hear about it. 

I truly loved this novel in both the book and audio version, and if you give it a chance, I am confident you will appreciate it as well. Aside from that, it's a fantastic mystery and thriller novel! It's also a short and simple read.


Final Thoughts

You turn the pages, anticipating the conclusion, which is once again concealed in a different chapter. Koontz is a true master. He understands how to interact with his readers. It's not his finest novel, but when it comes to best books, everyone has an opinion. 

The Vision kept me engaged for a long time. A necessity for Dean Koontz's admirers - a method for strangers to see what this man is capable of doing to your evenings.

With her tremendous ESP talents and fearless nature, I fell in love with Mary immediately. Max is the ideal match for her, with his powerful arms and even deeper feelings for her. 

The narrative unfolds quickly and provides a terrific trip. It was nearly difficult to put it down to sleep. This is a must-read for every mystery/thriller aficionado. Congratulations, Mr. Koontz for writing this amazing story.

When the storyline slowed down, the characters maintained my attention. I enjoyed the concepts offered and loved the talks that brought the heroine's problems forward.

The Vision is a typical Koontz novel, and that is what I appreciate most about his work. He keeps the reader guessing until the very end when he discloses the true perpetrator, who is not at all who the reader (not myself) suspects. 

The Vision, like many of his stories, has a happy conclusion. I would strongly suggest this book to anyone who likes Dean Koontz's work.


Synopsis

"In this terrifying novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz reveals the darkness in a woman's mind—and the killer lurking there...

Mary Bergen aids the police in solving crimes, those that have happened and those that are about to. Now this gifted clairvoyant is using her psychic gift to help track a serial killer. But something terrible from Mary's past has been invading her dreams and she is haunted by the sound of leathery wings. The killer knows secrets even she has locked away. Knows about the torture she was administered at the hands of a psycho when she was a little girl. And he is coming for her next."


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bad Guy, Edge Of Your Seat, Even Though, Good Read, Koontz At His Best, Koontz Books, Koontz Earlier, Love Dean, Mary Bergen, Serial Killer, Twists And Turns


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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The Face of Fear Review

Dean Koontz, Brian Coffey, American, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

The Face of Fear

Published: 1977
Author: Dean Koontz (Written as Brian Coffey)
Genre: American, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's The Face of Fear is a suspense horror book. It was first released under the alias Brian Coffey. As a fan, I expected horror, but this narrative shocked me. It appeals to me and I would recommend it to others as well. I think his writing style is fantastic, and if you've never read Dean Koontz, you should start now. I'm not sure when he started including moral beliefs in his writings, but I like it.

If the primary characters in Koontz's recent works are a couple, they are appealing and smart, and the banter between them is enjoyable. The couple in this novel is like that—perhaps this is when Koontz began writing his characters in this manner. The novel moves quickly since there is a lot of action.

The title of this novel tells you exactly what to expect: terror, suspense, raging emotions, and surprising storyline twists and turns. Add to that the fact that the novel was written by Dean Koontz, a well-known thriller author, and you will not be disappointed from the first page.

In any event, the narrative is as credible as it can be in this genre, conveyed with compelling clarity of detail.

In this novel, Koontz outlines the novel's psychological and philosophical notion, around which the plot evolves: the mistaken sense of superiority, which motivates some to commit the most heinous crime - murder, resorting to physical and psychological punishment.

Narcissism and an overinflated ego are well-known psychological phenomena. Many people, far more than the ordinary mind would guess, endure the weight for the rest of their lives. 

However, the vast majority of them are not criminals. Only when paired with an insatiable need for illusory fame and a deeply buried inferiority mentality does this tendency turn them into monsters. 

To mention a few, consider the assassinations of Martin Luther King, John Lennon, and John F. Kennedy, as well as the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. 

However, many people have been killed indiscriminately for no other purpose than to make a statement. Torture and humiliation of their victims serve as more evidence of their power and superiority. This is a thriller about them.

I really like this book, and I'm bringing it out there right now. But there was one component of the novel that really bothered me. It got going quickly, and the tempo was fantastic. Then, when the action did take up and the killer was hunting Graham, the novel just turned sluggish. 

Fair warning, it slowed down a lot, but it was on purpose by the author, in my view, to generate tension and dread, but others may not feel the same way as me, and when I said it impacted me, it was for the same reason; otherwise, I enjoyed that slow portion. 

There is one aspect of the book's slowness that isn't as unpleasant because it aids in figuring out the ending. What appeared to be a side character turned out to be the one who figured out what was going on. 

In the vein of Ducky from NCIS, he worked as a medical examiner. The goal of the scene is to start the audience wondering about what may be going on for the rest of the book. 

Everything Koontz did in terms of explanation. He went into great detail, which regrettably delayed everything down. Now, sure, that is the book's ugliness, but it is also its finest feature. Because not everyone is a mountain climber, it was only natural for him to explain everything that was going on. Nobody would have known what he was saying if he hadn't explained it. That is why it was significant and seemed a little sluggish.

All this book did was make me want to go mountain climbing someday. I like this book a lot, possibly more than most people would.

As usual, it drew me in from the first page. It went off as a nice narrative. On the stairs, there are far too many cat and mouse situations as well as climbing. Sometimes I had to go back a page or two to make sure I was on the appropriate page, but this was due to my own lack of attention.

Graham and Connie's plight deepens with each page. We follow them through a vast, gloomy office building, where we discover them rappelling down vertical walls from the forty-first story and solving seemingly insurmountable problems.

A blend of sophisticated psychological analysis, philosophical themes, and nail-biting suspense distinguishes this work and places it among the finest modern thrillers. I wish I could give it full marks, but I know some readers may object due to the sluggish speed, even if it was necessary and had to be employed for various explanatory purposes.

The narrative was turned into a two-hour television film of the same name, which was broadcast on CBS on September 30, 1990. Lee Horsley played Graham Harris, Pam Dawber played Connie Weaver, Kevin Conroy (voice of Batman) played the Butcher, Bob Balaban and William Sadler. Farhad Mann directed it, while Dean Koontz and Alan Jay Glueckman wrote the teleplay. I was unable to locate a safe and reliable source for this film; if I do, I will post it on this page.


Final Thoughts

Even decades later, this is a fantastic story. Our hero must confront this sick individual with his wits and conquer his anxiety as he and his girlfriend are trailed in a desolate office building. There was no electricity, no phone, just his climbing abilities and luck, and one pretty cruel madman with a pistol who refused to give up. 

I just had to stay up late to see what happened. Interesting climbing method explanation and a good feeling of location, New York City in a snowstorm. 

Some of the characterizations were lackluster, but the ending twist gives some spice. You'll be flicking through the pages, hanging on the same imaginary ledge as the hero, hoping for a happy conclusion.

This is one of Dean Koontz's early works, and it's startlingly clean, clear, and plain for him. While it is true that it lacks the twists and turns and tremendous depth of his imagination shown in his recent works, I believe he is being too harsh on it. 

This was far superior to 99 percent of the generic garbage written nowadays. It just falls far short of his more recent masterpieces. I genuinely loved it, but not to the extent that his new material would have you up all night reading page after page.

To be fair, I appreciate the frequent paranormal/mystical elements. This book is light on paranormal elements but heavy on heart-pounding suspense. It is wonderfully written, and I would enthusiastically suggest it to others.


Synopsis

“For one man, facing his own murder is not as terrifying as surviving it in this blistering novel of suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

A brutal killer known as “The Butcher” is stalking women in New York City. When the police enlist the help of clairvoyant Graham Harris, the horrifying images of the Butcher’s crimes replay in Harris’s mind—sometimes even at the moment they are happening. Then he sees the most terrifying vision of all—that of his own murder.

Harris and his girlfriend soon find themselves trapped on the fortieth floor of a deserted office building. The guards have been killed, the elevators shut down, and the stairways blocked. The only way out is to climb down the sheer face of the building. Otherwise they'll become the Butcher’s next victims.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alan Jay Glueckman, Bob Balaban, CBS, Connie Weaver, Edge Of My Seat, High Rise, Lee Horsley, Main Characters, Mountain Climber, New York, Office Building, Pam Dawber, Serial Killer, The Butcher, Twists And Turns, William Sadler, Years Ago, York City


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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Intensity Review

Dean Koontz, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Intensity

Published: Nov 1995 (UK) - Jan 1996 (US)
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Intensity is a best-selling work. According to Koontz, he created the novel to challenge the popularly accepted belief that thrillers must have intervals of low action to keep the pace moving, instead deciding to maintain the tension high throughout the novel and continuing from crisis to conflict without moments of relieved stress.

The title "Intensity" is accurate, and this novel is Intense from start to finish. Chyna Shepherd is one of my favorite female heroines, second only to Lillith from Octavia Butler's "Lillith's Brood" series, which I also suggest if you enjoy a strong female lead and science fiction. 

I've probably read it twice, once in audio and once in print. It's the type of book you can read once a year and appreciate it just as much each time. If you're a fan of Koontz, you won't be disappointed. You will not be disappointed if you appreciate suspense. If you like thrillers, you won't... well, you get the idea. I seriously encourage you to read the first 25 pages of this book, after which you will be unable to put it down.

The adversary is a result of existential nihilism whose life ambition is fulfilling his "reptilian" cravings, whereas the protagonist is a classic moralist who sees a world of human responsibility, hope, and meaning. 

I could go on about symbolism and irony, but I don't want to give anything away. I try not to include these connotations or my ideas, such as talking about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein's Monster and stating that he is a victim rather than a monster or a villain, but I find that I start talking or typing and my hands just keep typing, much like one of my favorite authors Stephen King. I understand that some people find it uninteresting, but others enjoy it and want to learn more and compare their own opinions and judgments on a book and its content.

This has to be one of the scariest, most terrifying, most evil books I've ever read. If I could, I'd give it 1000 points or stars! The plot captivated me from the start, and I remained in Koontz's grasp until the shocking conclusion!

My only qualm was Chyna's inability to keep her distance. I wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her on several instances! Some of her decisions were just absurd. But I doubt we'd have had such an exciting narrative without them, would we?

I'm sick of the stubborn heroine who believes no one else can fix problems and puts herself and others in jeopardy. There were a few possibilities she passed up. I get it; if she'd been completely reasonable, there wouldn't have been much of a tale left. I simply hope that our trusted authors would steer clear of this sort of heroin but as I mention before an author has to introduce characters like that or the story will die and not move even one page.

Aside from that, it's still a 1000 star, as you'd expect from Dean Koontz. It can't be anything less than well-thought-out, well-written, and unrelenting. Even though the novels are unrelated, this reminds me of Velocity. If you haven't read Velocity, you should since I like it better.

This book has a very good rating in my opinion. I went into this book with extremely high expectations, which were fulfilled and exceeded. I was promised a terrifying, gut-wrenching, emotional read, and I got it. 

This novel does an excellent job of conveying the emotions of the characters and frequently shifts perspectives. You spend two-thirds of the book with Chyna and the other third with Vess, for example. 

This explains why the decisions of the characters are so accurate since I can understand their mental processes. Some books fail to achieve this by having characters make spontaneous judgments that I am expected to accept as a reader. This novel does not allow for a ridiculous narrative and never leaves you wondering why a character would do something. 

Although this is one of the finest novels I've ever read, I have a few minor quibbles. To begin with, the author can go into these extensive description sessions with our characters at various moments in the narrative. For example, Chyna enters an automobile that appears only once in the whole novel. The author then describes the automobile for three to five minutes of reading time. 

Don't get me wrong, I love descriptive writing, but this book pushed it to a whole new level several times. This, along with a few other minor problems, is all I have to say about this book. This is a must-read for me, and one of the greatest books by this author I've read.

I strongly advise everybody who can get their hands on it to read it. It will captivate you for hours on end and make you fearfully check behind your back. I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a scary and suspenseful journey. This book is not for the faint of heart and is intended for a more adult audience. Overall, this is one of the finest books I've ever read, and the intensity is real.

In 1997, Intensity was converted into a two-part TV movie that was broadcast on the Fox Network in the United States. Molly Parker, John C. McGinley, and Tori Paul appeared in it.

Several moviegoers pointed out strong parallels between the plots of High Tension and Intensity. When asked about the parallels at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004, director Alexandre Aja said that he had read the novel and was aware of them. 

According to his website, Koontz was aware of the parallel but would not sue "because he regarded the picture so puerile, repulsive, and intellectually bankrupt that he didn't want the association with it that would certainly arise if he filed a case against the filmmaker." 

I was unable to obtain a decent and trustworthy source for paid movie downloads or online sales, but as soon as I do, I will include the links on this page. If anyone has a source, please share it with me.


Final Thoughts

I had a great time reading about Vess. He was the maniacal serial murderer who was torturing Chyna. His character was one of the most intriguing aspects of the novel for me, and he kept the book in my hands.

The topic in the book isn't precisely realistic, but it depicted the thoughts and sentiments I would have if I were in the same circumstance.

 I feel like the main character in a lot of stories makes terrible judgments that I would never make, but Chyna is a really good decision-maker in this narrative. The characters are also fairly trustworthy. She had a difficult background, and that upbringing might sometimes hold her back in adulthood. This may be incredibly relatable to someone who has had a similar childhood.

It's neither the best nor worst narrative I've ever read and it depends on who is reading, but it's interesting and gets the message through.

One of the most captivating novels I've ever read! It keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way to the finish. The writing is fantastic, the characters are wonderfully developed, and the action will take your breath away. The author does an excellent job of providing the reader with a realistic and often horrifying image of events.

This narrative will take you by the soul and twist and pull at your basic beliefs till you want to scream.... or stop the adventure... but you can't. Then the trek downhill begins again..... And this time it will terrify the heck out of you.

This is how I would characterize the book in a nutshell; it was really nicely written. Suspenseful and heavy. Captivating main characters—you won't be able to put it down, even if your stomach is tightened and you need to take a break from the book to breathe. Simply awesome!


Synopsis

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This ebook edition contains a special preview of Dean Koontz’s The Silent Corner.

Past midnight, Chyna Shepard, twenty-six, gazes out a moonlit window, unable to sleep on her first night in the Napa Valley home of her best friend’s family. Instinct proves reliable. A murderous sociopath, Edgler Foreman Vess, has entered the house, intent on killing everyone inside. A self-proclaimed “homicidal adventurer,” Vess lives only to satisfy all appetites as they arise, to immerse himself in sensation, to live without fear, remorse, or limits, to live with intensity. Chyna is trapped in his deadly orbit.

Chyna is a survivor, toughened by a lifelong struggle for safety and self-respect. Now she will be tested as never before. At first her sole aim is to get out alive—until, by chance, she learns the identity of Vess’s next intended victim, a faraway innocent only she can save. Driven by a newly discovered thirst for meaning beyond mere self-preservation, Chyna musters every inner resource she has to save an endangered girl . . . as moment by moment, the terrifying threat of Edgler Foreman Vess intensifies.


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alexandre Aja, Bad Guy, Chyna Shepard, Chyna Shepherd, Edge Of Your Seat, Edgler Foreman, Edgler Vess, Ever Read, Fast Paced, Fox Network, Hard To Put, John C. McGinley, Koontz Books, Molly Parker, Page Turner, Serial Killer, Tori Paul, Years Ago


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

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Black House Review

Stephen King, Peter Straub, American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

Black House

Published: 15, September 2001
Genre: American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards
Book 2 of 3: Talisman (The third book has not yet been published.)

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King and Peter Straub collaborated on the horror book Black House, the sequel to The Talisman. This is one of Stephen King's multiple novels that connect up with the Dark Tower series, which also includes Hearts in Atlantis and Insomnia. Black House was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. The novel is set in Straub's hometown of Wisconsin, rather than King's favorite setting of Maine. The town of French Landing is a fictitious version of Lacrosse County, Wisconsin. Centralia is also named after the adjacent tiny town of Centerville, Wisconsin.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven.

As far as I know, one more book in this series is in the works, but neither of the two authors has offered a time or date for release. 

I was scared it would be too terrifying or too dull — I have read practically all of Stephen King's works over the years and was concerned that they were all starting to sound the same. 

But, despite certain unpleasant features, it was a really engaging novel, and no, I never get tired of reading Stephen King, and his works do not all seem the same.

I'm sure reading the first book, The Talisman, will help you comprehend this one, but if you haven't, don't worry; you'll still like this one. 

The novel has various references to the previous one, yet the plot stands well on its own. It also makes allusions to places and events from The Talisman's Dark Tower series, which helps to comprehend this one. 

It is not required. But, once again, I recommend reading them all, especially the first book in this series, The Talisman.

Peter Straub and Stephen King, what a fantastic arrangement. They blend flawlessly and provide a narrative line that is both interesting and enthralling no matter how many times I read it. 

I could go on and on about the excellent character development, imagery, and the way the book has its own distinct atmosphere. To be absolutely honest and upfront, I read literature in this category only for the sake of entertainment. 

If the book morphs in my mind's eye from words to images, if I can visualize the characters so well that I literally care about them, and if I am both delighted with the ending and unhappy that it finished, then I am a very happy customer!

"The Talisman," an epic masterpiece saga. The reader can sense the banter and friendliness between King and Straub in the descriptions and character development in these stories because of the way they are written.

Black House is more than merely a continuation of Jack's quest in The Talisman. It's also a look at the evil that can infiltrate a tiny community, as well as the unusual heroes that arise from such devastation. 

This is one of the themes that make Stephen King and Peter Straub such excellent storytellers. Both are masters of character development and their use of tiny, seemingly idyllic communities as the background for the war between good and evil is what gives this narrative credibility.

The cleverness of this novel is that there is no quest this time, nor is it merely about the now-grown-up Jack Sawyer. 

Black House is as much a novel about a tiny community in trouble as it is about the conclusion that reaches out like the limbs of a tree into Stephen King's Dark Tower series. 

Once again, the characters are so well-developed that I felt profound emotions for each of them, as well as for the enigmatic Tower that lurks in the shadows, leaving a scary image in the reader's imagination. 

The conclusion of Black House is both rewarding and devastating, leaving me curious about what happens next.

The narrative takes place around twenty years after the events of The Talisman. Jack Sawyer is a retired LAPD investigator who now lives in the little community of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has mostly forgotten his childhood escapades.

Stephen King has a continuous story theme that runs across several of his stories like an undercurrent. 

The image of the Dark Tower and Roland the The Gunslinger are notions that he returns to, sometimes explicitly as in the Dark Tower novels, sometimes subtly as in The Black House. 

The finale of this work is based in part on the legend of the Tower, which adds another strand of mystery to the topic while also illuminating others.

Here I am about to mention something that is essentially for those who are going to read this novel as if it were the same as the quest in the previous book, but it is not, and as a result, some readers may not like it, so here goes... 

Stephen King and Peter Straub are back with the Black House, a sequel to their previous work The Talisman. 

You don't have to have read the first novel to appreciate this one. Indeed, it may be better if you haven't read the previous book because it was a normal fantasy adventure and its sheer plainness may lead you to think negatively of the Black House, which would be a shame because this new work is a work of genius.


Final Thoughts

The title is a play on the title of Charles Dickens's work Bleak House. This is done on purpose. The book is stylistically similar to Dickens' work, and even the complicated storyline has Dickensian reverberations. 

The writers make no attempt to conceal their link; the book is full of outright nods to Bleak House, and at one point, one of the characters even spends some time reading that novel aloud to one of the other characters, who is blind. I adore these small details - it's merely a game, but it adds depth and freshness that I adore.

Black House is one of Stephen King and Peter Straub's best stories, and this Audiobook is delivered by Frank Muller, who was without a doubt the best voice in Audiobook before his unfortunate accident a few years ago.

Black House is a sort of sequel to the novel Talisman, and it has many of the same villains. The Crimson King, who appears in Insomnia and the Dark Tower series, is just as terrifying. 

The Black House was a literal "black house," and it was here in the Talisman that Jack fought one of his most courageous fights. 

Because of the relationship with the villain and who he or she is representing, I believe I can call it another branch of the Dark Tower series.


Synopsis

“From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of The Talisman, “an intelligent…suspenseful page-turner” (The Wall Street Journal) from “two master craftsmen, each at the top of his game” (The Washington Post).

Twenty years ago, a boy named Jack Sawyer traveled to a parallel universe called the Territories to save his mother and her Territories “Twinner” from an agonizing death that would have brought cataclysm to the other world. Now Jack is a retired Los Angeles homicide detective living in the nearly nonexistent hamlet of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has no recollection of his adventures in the Territories, and was compelled to leave the police force when an odd, happenstance event threatened to awaken those memories.

When a series of gruesome murders occur in western Wisconsin that are reminiscent of those committed several decades ago by a madman named Albert Fish, the killer is dubbed “The Fishman,” and Jack’s buddy, the local chief of police, begs Jack to help the inexperienced force find him. But are these new killings merely the work of a disturbed individual, or has a mysterious and malignant force been unleashed in this quiet town? What causes Jack’s inexplicable waking dreams—if that is what they are—of robins’ eggs and red feathers? It’s almost as if someone is trying to tell him something. As this cryptic message becomes increasingly impossible to ignore, Jack is drawn back to the Territories and to his own hidden past, where he may find the soul-strength to enter a terrifying house at the end of a deserted tract of forest, there to encounter the obscene and ferocious evils sheltered within it.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Crimson King, French Landing, Hearts In Atlantis, Jack Sawyer, King And Peter, King And Straub, Sequel To The Talisman, Serial Killer


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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