The Husband by Dean Koontz

Advantages: fast paced, great read, imaginative, interesting characters and plot
Disadvantages: it's over too quick!

...This is a fantastic read, one of my favourite Dean Koontz books and possibly even one of my favourite thriller books of all time. An ordinary guy, Mitch Rafferty, gets a call from his wife whilst he is at work, she has been abducted and her kidnappers demand a two million dollar ransom for her safe return, but of course Mitch does not have that kind of money, however the kidnappers know a place where he can get it. Through desperation of trying to get his loved one back Mitch is lead on an unforgettable journey. This novel is so fast paced that you can't stop yourself from read more and more, Mitch's character is so endearing and you instantly feel sympathy for him, allowing you to relate better to this book than to many other thrillers. Although a slightly clichéd storyline of ordinary guy versus pschopathic villain, Koontz does it...

CLDbizz 11.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Husband - Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz - Icebound

Advantages: Good thriller that's worth a read
Disadvantages: Not his usual horror story

...I got this book from my local library as i spend quite a bit of time travelling on the train now and need something to do, and books are soooooo expensive when you read them in like two days. So whilst browsing the shelfs in the library i'm looking at the Koontz books and most of them i've read, but not this one so i get it on loan. This book was not what i was expecting and is totally different to what i know and respect Dean koontz for. I like Dean koontz for his horror stories that make Steven Kings look weak, but are not as good as Richard Laymon (if you haven't read any of his, do so you will not be disappointed!!!), however this book is totally different but not in a bad way. It is more of a thriller book than a horror, but still a damn good read and at times difficult to put down. The basic story is that a widespread drought is...

markyeadon 10.07.2007 (19.07.2007) · Read review
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Review of Icebound - Dean Koontz

My heart belongs to him, once more! Dean Koontz Relentless

Advantages: Pace, characters, thrill.
Disadvantages: Not long enough

...I have always been a Koontz fan. I read my first novel at nine years old, and have read everything in print, from this bestselling novelist. However in recent years I have felt his work has lacked heart, direction, and 'meat'. The stories were always exciting and fast paced, don't get me wrong, but they seemed so formulaic. It was as if he had re-read some of his earlier work and morphed them into one book, with no depth to the characters (unusual for Dean) and I have to admit, after reading 'Your heart Belongs to Me' I began to question whether it was time for Dean to put down his well used pen and retire in the Californian sunshine. Then Relentless appeared in print, and made me consider the fact that Dean may never be ready to stop telling stories. Nor am I ready for him to stop. The characters are loveable, and of course, once...

alaynasmummy 21.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Relentless - Dean Koontz

The Husband - Dean Koontz

Advantages: Easy to read
Disadvantages: Disappointing end with many unanswered questions

...Set, as are a lot of Koontz's books, in California. The main characters are a predictably very happily married, financially comfortable, young couple who both had past's that were either bizarre or that included loss. A "love will conquer all, strength that was previously unknown can be found in the most adverse time" kind of storyline. The story starts with Mitch working on a flowerbed on a warm Californian day. He receives a phone call from his wife, Holly, and his life is abruptly turned upside-down as she cries out after being hit and a male voice takes over the call. Holly has been kidnapped and the ransom is set at two million dollars. Mitch owns his small gardening company and whilst he has some savings and equity, it is nowhere near two million dollars. The kidnapper assures him he will find the money and promises Mitch...

EmmaJay101 30.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of The Husband - Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz - Brother Odd book review

Advantages: Thrilling, Gripping, Fantastic Plot
Disadvantages: Quite a saddening book in parts

...I have recently just finished reading Dean Koontz's 'Brother Odd'. Because it is a book set in a monastery I assumed it was not going to interest me because I have never been to a monastery or met a monk. However in his usual manner Dean Koontz dragged me in and showed me something new and amazing whilst enriching my knowledge of something new. [ There will be no spoilers in this review ] - Characters - The characters in the book are excellent and provide a much needed humour to balance the terror in the book. Dean Koontz even manages to weave in a tiny bit of political humour with 'As dangerous as a woman with a knife, a man with a gun or a U.S Senator with an idea.' His dry sense of humour makes me actually laugh out loud whilst reading the book. I got some strange looks from parents and colleagues There is a character...

Autumn1991 26.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Brother Odd - Dean Koontz

"Dragon Tears" by Dean Koontz

Advantages: Great Theme and Characters
Disadvantages: Pacing and Ending are Slow and Bland

..."Dragon Tears" is not a novel for the timid. Neither is it for those searching for an easy read. You see, this horror novel by Dean Koontz, is slow paced and at times difficult to focus on. In it, you do find great and somewhat poetically descriptive writing. Yet sadly, the author concentrates too much on description and ultimately leaves us wondering why we should read on. Now, by no means is this novel void of anything good for it holds creative and intriguing characters. The thing is, it would have been nice to receive a story that went some were? rather than just ending up at a dead end. Dragon Tears is a story of five people: all attempting to find some way of surviving the deadly harassment of a being with powers who is seeking to make them dead by dawn. It all begins as delightful Tuesday in the life of cops Harry Lyon...

zenmachado 18.12.2005 · Read review
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Review of Dragon Tears - Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz " Watchers"

Advantages: Superb read,
Disadvantages: none!!

...I read Watchers quite a while ago bit it still sticks in my mind whenever I think of a decent book. I have read a few Dean Koontz books and I believe this to be one of his better reads. Some books make the jump to film I do not think they could make watchers into an enjoyable film because its incredibly unbelievable but whilst reading books that doesn't matter because your imagination runs wild. My imagination went mad when I read this book and I couldn't put the book down until I had completed it and when I finished it I felt almost empty its a feeling only finishing a really good book can give you. The characters in the book consist of Travis Cornell a pretty normal bloke who has become depressed whilst he's walking around the American wilderness trying to recover his lost youth. He stumbles upon a beautiful Golden Retriever who...

jamesdaviesmv7557 18.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of Watchers - Dean Koontz

Dean R Koontz-Phantoms

Advantages: Brilliant fast and creeping story
Disadvantages: Sudden end

...This is the first Koontz book I ever read and it lead to an obsession with his books that has lasted 13 years and one that I fully expect to last for as long as he keeps publishing. The story grabs the readers attention immediately, 2 short, brief screams and a young deputy , bored and lonely on the nightshift, suddenly discovering he is no longer alone and bored. The story switches to Doctor Jenny Paige and her young sister Lisa arriving in the small, silent town of Snowfield, California and discovering that the usually quiet town appears dead. Further investigation leads to the discovery that the entire population is dead, from no visible means and in some cases no means of entry. They eventually make contact with the outside world and the sheriffs department and various experts gather in the now quarantined town to discover...

EmmaJay101 02.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Phantoms - Dean Koontz

Demon Seed by Dean Koontz

Advantages: addictive style of writing - you cant put it down!! short book (under 200 pages)
Disadvantages: Fluency of book not so good at times - repetitive phrases throughout, gets annoying!

...Demon Seed is a science fiction novel by Dean Koontz - the story is about a divorced 30 something woman called Susan, who lives in a large mansion alone in the country - due to being abused by her Father and also her ex-husband, she has a state of the art security system installed in the house - voice controlled lights, heating, electrical appliences, security camera's inside and out, electronic metal shutters for all the windows. Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Dr. Alex Harris, has just completed his project, called Adam 2, which is the first independant thinking computer in the world - the most intelligent computer ever created! What he didn't know was that Adam 2 was capable of feelings, needs, love & lust! Adam 2 manages to take control of Susan's security system in her house, and watches her, day & night, every day falling deeper in...

sterpen83 27.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of Demon Seed - Dean Koontz

Sole Survivor by Dean Koontz

Advantages: Probably Dean Koontz best
Disadvantages: Slow going in the middle

...thickens and hurtles towards an unpredictable climax. I have to say I?m no big Dean Koontz fan but this is one of the better books of his I have read. £7.99 form WH Smiths it?s a bargain Thumbs UP...

kungfuclown 26.02.2004 · Read review
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Review of Sole Survivor - Dean Koontz