Product Description
Acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist”(Rolling Stone ) and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human. Now he delivers the page-turner of the season, an unforgettable journey to the heart of darkness and to the pinnacle of grace, at once chilling and wickedly funny, a brilliantly observed chronicle of good and evil in our time, of illusion and everlasting truth.

He’s Hollywood’s most dazzling star, whose flawless countenance inspires the worship ofmillions and fires the hatred of one twisted soul. His perfectly ordered existence is under siege as a series of terrifying, enigmatic “messages” breaches the exquisitely calibrated security systems of hislegendary Bel Air estate.

The boxes arrive mysteriously, one by one, at Channing Manheim’s fortified compound. The threat implicit in their bizarre, disturbing contents seems to escalate with each new delivery. Manheim’s security chief, ex-cop Ethan Truman, is used to looking beneath the surface of things. But until he entered the orbit of a Hollywood icon, he had no idea just how slippery reality could be. Now this good man is all that stands in the way of an insidious killer—and forces that eclipse the most fevered fantasies of a city where dreams and nightmares are the stuff of daily life. As a seemingly endless and ominous rain falls over southern California, Ethan will test the limits of perception and endurance in a world where the truth is as thin as celluloid and answers can be found only in the illusory intersection of shadow and light.

Enter a world of marvelous invention, enchantment, and implacable intent, populated by murderous actors and the walking dead, hit men and heroes, long-buried dreams and never-dying hope.

Here a magnificent mansion is presided over by a Scottish force of nature known as Mrs. McBee, before whom all men tremble. A mad French chef concocts feasts for the mighty and the malicious. Ming du Lac, spiritual adviser to the stars, has a direct line to the dead. An aptly named cop called Hazard will become Ethan’s ally, an anarchist will sow discord and despair, and a young boy named Fric, imprisoned by celebrity and loneliness, will hear a voice telling him of the approach of something unimaginably evil. Traversing this extraordinary landscape, Ethan will face the secrets of his own tragic past and the unmistakable premonition of his impending violent death as he races against time to solve the macabre riddles of a modern-day beast.

A riveting tour de force of suspense, mystery, and miraculous revelation, The Face is that rare novel that entertains, provokes, and uplifts at the same time. It will make you laugh. It will give you chills. It will fill you with hope.Amazon.com Review
Ten-year-old Aelfric Manheim is home alone when he receives a call from a stranger with a simple and terrifying message, "There is trouble coming, young Fric...You're going to need a place to hide." Meanwhile, security chief for the Manheim estate, former detective Ethan Truman, is tailing a "deader than dead" body that got up and left the morgue when he vividly experiences his own death--twice. In The Face, Dean Koontz delivers yet another spellbinding and chilling novel, where real and imagined monsters walk the streets, ghosts travel through mirrors, and the devil makes house calls. Stalked by both real and supernatural evil, the bright and sensitive Fric, virtually orphaned by his A-list Hollywood parents, and the brave but disillusioned former detective Ethan Truman, himself suffering from the loss of his wife, must rely on their wits and each other to escape a dark and disturbing fate.

The supernatural lurks just beneath the surface of the "real" in Koontz's novels, and The Face is no exception. Ghosts, angels, demons, child predators and serial anarchists run rampant in Koontz's tale--the unsuspecting reader never knows what is real or imagined until the characters themselves know--creating a disorienting and frightening experience, and one that is vintage Koontz. Whether it be the real-life "agents of chaos" who roam the world creating mayhem and death or the phone lines that carry words of the dead to the living, this is Koontz at his most powerful and terrifying.

In The Face, Koontz has created a modern fable for adults, taking the bones from tales of old and breathing new life into the characters. Clearly written for adults, The Face nevertheless channels the wit and wisdom of Aesop as well as the violence and villainy of the Brothers Grimm. While Koontz's penchant for elaborately singsong descriptions can be grating, ultimately it lends this tale its folkloric quality, i.e. "The June-bug jitter, scarab click, tumblebug tap of the beetle-voiced rain spoke at the window, click-click-click." In this fable, the world is a menacing and threatening place for adults and children alike, and the naïve and uninformed go trip-trapping through life with no notion of the trolls that lurk in the dark. The moral of this story is that, good or evil, you will get what is coming to you; it's up to you to succeed or fail for you alone decide your path punishment or redemption. --Daphne Durham ... Read more

Customer Reviews (200)

Edge of your seat entertainment!
This is the first Koontz novel I've read and it didn't disappoint! What a fantastic story teller! I couldn't put it down and was extremely drawn to the characters. I couldn't wait to find out the fates of these facinating and relatable people. This is a very unique story that will not be easily forgotten.

A DISAPPOINTMENT
I've been a big Dean Koontz fan since "Cry for the Strangers" and this is the only book by Koontz that I not only did not enjoy, but did not finish.I was really disappointed in this work.

Drudgery
Thanks to Publisher's Clearing House for revealing 85% of the story.Now I don't have to finish the book.I'm a huge fan of this author, but he really dragged this one out way too far.And where's the usual strong female presence?Where's the strong connection/empathy for the protagonist?Which one IS the protagonist?I'm a third of the way through and have started "skimming" just to get through all the excess verbal baggage.I love his writing style, but this is over the top.But, I won't stop buying his books!

Thoroughly enjoyed
I listened to the unabridged version of the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end.

Good Read
This is the second Koontz book I read.I really enjoyed it all the way through.Lots of action and plenty of colorful characters.It did seem a little lengthy at times but just as I was ready to take a break Koontz would pull me back in.If you are a Koontz fan and have not read this yet I suggest you do! ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1981, a psychological thriller which concerns the relationship between two adolescent boys, one of whom is concealing a dreadful secret. From the author of MIDNIGHT and PHANTOMS. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (85)

best!
this is the first koontz book i ever read. i have read probably 3/4 of his books and this one is still my favorite

Jeez....
3.5 stars...

I really enjoyed this book; however, I had a hard time fully connecting with the protagonist (Colin). There are parts in the book where the kid just irritates me. Nonetheless, Koontz still delivers a pretty suspenseful book, and while the plot is not as intricate as many of Koontz's other books, it is still strong enough to keep you interested. This book also goes really fast, as there is alot of dialogue, and while it is not one of favorite books from the author, it is definitely worth a read...

Why no text to speech?
I would pay extra for text t speech.
But I will not consider this book. I am disappointed.

Absolutely wonderfull read
So far I have read ten different dean koontz novels, but this one, The Voice of the Night, skyrockets above all others in my opinion. It had me flipping pages from beginning till end, and had me interested the entire time. It is about a young boy, Colin, with a harsh childhood (typical Dean Koontz style) that moves to a new city where he astoundingly becomes friends with the most popular guy in school. This friend, Roy, starts off with a twisted and disturbing personallity right from the very beginning when he first reveals his interest in death and the joy he feels when killing things such as bugs, lizards, and alarming enough... cats. Though killing cats isn't his biggest secret, and Colin will find himself caught in the middle of a very horrifying and very real struggle with his newest "blood-brother."

Can't give this zero stars, or I would
Koontz wrote this? I'd be ashamed to have my name on it. It has all the earmarks of a beginner. Unbelievable dialogue, boring plot, animal torture, lots of telling (SHOW me Colin is embarrassed, don't just tell me he is!), lack of conflict/tension make this one horrible novel.

It should have never seen the light of day. ... Read more

Product Description
SOMEONE NEW IS PLAYING GOD The Frankenstein story updated to the 21st century by the great American storyteller Dean Koontz.Created centuries ago by a madman, possessed of seemingly supernatural powers and a dogged drive for justice, the mysterious Deucalion arrives in New Orleans as the next generation of Dr Frankenstein's monsters are about to be unleashed by their deranged maker, now known as Victor Helios.Deucalion's path will cross with that of tough police detective Carson O'Connor and her partner, Michael Maddison, who are on the trail of a vicious serial killer stalking the city, a killer who selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself.Reluctantly, Carson will join forces with Deucalion against a far greater, terrifying threat: an entire race of killers who are much more - and less - than human ...Deucalion seeks one final confrontation with the evil genius who created him, Dr Frankenstein.Dean Koontz, the master storyteller, creates a bold new legend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (153)

Not scary. Not believable. Not interesting.
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series supposedly updates Mary Shelley's story for the twenty-first century. However, Koontz's version contains so many unbelievable factors that it was impossible to cast aside skepticism and just go with the story. Koontz's Frankenstein not only created a patch quilt, long-lived monster two centuries ago (somehow overcoming tissue decomposition, infections, organ and tissue rejections, brain death, and severed cranial nerves and spinal cord), he also did the following: prevented aging; perfected human cloning; built artificial wombs that promote rapid growth from fetus to adult; redesigned humans with replicate hearts and livers, superhuman strength, superhuman speed, and telekinetic control of severed body parts; invented an electronic interface to the human brain allowing decades of knowledge to be instilled in only four months; and inserted programmed nanomolecules into the brains of his creations that prevent them from harming him. Koontz's Frankenstein must have an IQ of 400. I might have been able to get past Frankenstein's incredibility if the story were more interesting. Unfortunately, most of the novel is a cliched police procedural about tracking down a serial killer and a copycat killer.

It's hard to believe that "Prodigal Son" was by the same author who wrote "Intensity," a great suspense novel and movie.

Frankenstein is Back, Better than Ever
This story builds on the story of Frankenstein that we all know and love. This story takes place 200 years after the events portrayed in Mary Shelley's novel and we find that Dr. Frankenstein is still alive and living in New Orleans. His original monster is also still alive and surprising growing more and more human as the years go by.

Dr. Frankenstein is busy creating a new race - people he ferments in pods and whose personalities he programs - to replace mankind as we know it. He envisions creating a class system with himself on the top of it all.

Dr. Frankenstein's original monster is living in Tibet and he learns that the doctor is still alive, he heads to New Orleans to finally face - and kill - his maker.

This is an incredibly thrilling book that builds on the fantastic characters created by Mary Shelley (and also introduces a plethora of new and interesting characters). This might just be the most interesting book I've come across in years. In my opinion, there is something for everyone - plenty of suspense for the thriller fan and lots of gore and terror for the horror fan!

Freaking twisted.....
I have not read Dean Koontz work in sometime...at least 15 years...and man have I been missing out....this is the first book in the Frankenstein series and this was really decent....twisted fun!!! Koontz knows how to make the reader get into the mind of the character, and allows you to delve into each one separatley, while keeping the story together and very interesting....you actually felt for the characters....at least the semi sane ones...lol Great book...looking forward to the next one!!!

D Koontzs books
Was looking for the Frankenstein series. I found the first three books. they were brand new and arrived in good time.

Solid Opening to a Series, Weaker than Part 2
This book is worth reading just to get to the next book, if nothing else, but is solid in its own right as well. The book is an original take on the Frankenstein story, meshing it with good old creepy horror as Koontz loves to deliver.You'll come to love the two main characters as the trilogy progresses, and they're introduced well here.

However, it's not as strong as part 2, for a couple of reasons.

First, much of the dialogue early in the novel is forced and awkward.This may have been a result of Koontz trying to introduce relationships and character traits too quickly.One example occurs early in the book when Koontz is trying to show how "hard" the main character is by the fact that she speaks the lingo of the tough guys on the street. It's so forced, it's just embarrassing and awkward.Another example is when the relationship between two of the main characters is first introduced.Koontz describes it with something along the lines of "She knew from the yearning in his eyes that he wanted more than just the doughnut." I couldn't decide what that line reminded me of more: a teenage writer who doesn't know how to subtly introduce a tense/unrequited love story, or a comedy writer making fun of grocery store romance novels.I appreciate that Koontz is using "show don't tell" and trying to introduce a relationship with something more than just "He liked her a lot," but this wasn't a winning solution.

Second, the end of the book didn't resolve much of the story, mainly serving as a lead-in to Book 2. Even in a pre-planned series, I prefer some resolution, at least to subplots, in order to make each individual book feel less like a chapter and more like, well, a book. The "to be continued" ending here is just weak. ... Read more

Product Description
Literary critic Shearman Waxx can kill a good book with just a few acidly worded bon mots. And as one unlucky author is about to discover, that’s not all he’s prepared to kill. . . .

From #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz comes a mesmerizing thriller about the battle of wills that ensues when a successful author and likable family man confronts a reclusive sociopath who wields an all-too-deadly poison pen. Respect Shearman Waxx’s opinion and you might escape with your career intact. Cross him and he’ll destroy you, your family, and everything you hold dear. For the title “America’s most feared critic” isn’t one Waxx takes lightly. He takes it literally. And now Cubby Greenwich, his wife, Penny, their brilliant six-year-old Milo, and their uniquely talented non-collie, Lassie, are all about to learn the true meaning of “culture war.” ... Read more

Customer Reviews (220)

Relentless
WOW...I loved this book. The surprises are unbelievable. The ending will leave your mouth ajar.

Relentlessly Good
Finally Koontz has gone back to his roots, and cranked out something that rivals his early work (Watchers, Twilight Eyes).I loved the concept, and thought it a bit ironic that he chooses Cubby to be an Author, engaged in a struggle with a book critic / Psychotic.
This book has all the "nail-biting", "edge of your seat" suspense that made Koontz famous.If you are not a Koontz fan, you will not be disappointed with Relentless, and those faithful readers that had strayed over the past couple books will be back with bells on.Great book.

Mr. Koontz. Please stop it already with the over use of Dogs!
I cannot believe I wasted my time on this book. Teleporting dog?!? What in the world!?!

I will never read or buy another Dean Koontz book until I first read reviews and find out if a k9 will be making an appearance. I used to be able to confidently purchase his releases knowing that I was going to be taken somewhere I've not been before. Now its all about super dogs, teleporting dogs, dogs possessed by an angel, levitating dogs, singing dogs, chef dogs, roller-blading dogs and on and on and on.

Mr. Koontz needs to get back to that gritty , edge of your seat style of writing and put the pooch back on the shelf.

Relentless
Relentless is about an insane book critic, it caught my interest right away.

34 year old writer Cullen Greenwich is married to Penny Bloom, has a 6 year old six-year-old prodigy son named Milo and a dog named Lassie. Literary critic Shearman Waxx gives Cullen's latest book a bad review. Cullen is really upset by this, even though his wife keeps telling him to just let it go. When Cullen finds out what restaurant the book critic frequents, he goes there for lunch with his son, and runs into Waxx. After an odd run-in in the men's room, Waxx takes notice of Cullen and says one word to him on his way out...'Doom'.

Soon after Cullen spots an intruder in his home, and identifies him as being the book critic. What ensues afterward is an all out terrorizing of Cullen and his family by this book reviewer. The family ends up on the run, not wanting to inform the police because of the media circus that would develop. With the help of friends and various connections, they are able to stay at different homes, but somehow Waxx keeps finding them.

You do need to be willing to suspend disbelief for this read. I just didn't feel like this book critic had enough motive to become hell bent on killing Cullen and his family.
Before you know it, Waxx is after the family, there's explosions and shootings and it's all kind of 'over the top'. Authorities don't notice all this mayhem?
I felt like the methods Waxx was using were just plain absurd. He was almost like a larger than life villain finding Cullen and his family no matter where they went.

It's been a while since I last read a Koontz book. Years actually. And I've been meaning to pick him up again. Koontz is a favorite of mine, I tend to feel like he won't disappoint.
I'm really, really sorry to say I didn't really enjoy this one more. I was curious as to what would happen next, and at 428 pages, I'm surprised I finished reading it. I kept putting it away and considered making it a DNF. I was set on finishing it though, because I hoped it would get better. He did make me laugh a few times while reading.

I still love Koontz anyway and will continue to read his work. This is my first time reading this author where I've been disappointed.

I think Koontz puts his heart and soul into his writing and I did find a few passages I enjoyed. As I read, I would find him throwing glimmers of hope into the storyline.

Enough jokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have read Koontz since Novel 1!He has written some great ones: Lightning, Watchers, The Bad Place, Strangers.....But some time around Tick Tock, he launched into the era of trying to inject humor into his thrillers. Hey Dean - Not working!!!! The banter is forced, corny and unfunny. I pray for the day he returns to the old format, but i'm sure he never will. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wow! interesting novel
Not sure how to describe this book other than to say it's about a person that really isn't a man no matter how much he tries to be. He is trying to escape and gets help from a guy that created him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
I must admit, I bought this book at a thrift store for a dime.After struggling to read the very long intro by dean koontz, I put it down for a week or two after having thought the entire book would suck.I could not find anything else to read one day, so I thought, "heck, why not give it another try." I was wrong entirely about this book.
Once I started reading the three stories by F. Paul Wilson I was deeply engaged in this book.I loved all of his stories, some deeply disturbing but not gorie, others just the opposite.When I got to the second author I struggled a little.Her story seemed very boring and too many details.The sentences in the paragraphs did not relate and confused the heck out of me.Finally after reading about gardening procedures and scientific names of plants the story got better.It was a very dark story in the end.I liked it and by the time I finished it I must admit, other than the mass amount of details and choppy paragraphs it was a good story.The last author was awesome.The story was very good, and from the very first word he had my attention.The ending was not a happy one, but the story was incredible.
Overall I love this book.I love most horror anthologies because if you dont like one story, you can skip to the next.I hope to some day obtain the entire set of this series of anthologies. ... Read more

Product Description
An extraordinary collection of short fiction, including the title novel, nine novellas, and six stories, explores the intriguing, vast variety of human experiences--failures, triumphs, adventures, terrors, joys, and more--that occur along the path from birth to death. 500,000 first printing. $500,000 ad/promo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

good book of short stories
I would recommend. Short stories are always under appreciated. This book is great for someone on the go who wants to read a story and be on their way!

Strange Highways
Excellent read!!Was not expecting a book of short stories, however, I was very pleased with this book.Sometimes a short story is all you need...there are 2 novellas,too!!!Would love to see more short stories from Koontz

Mostly great, but some stinkers
Like most collections of short stories, Dean Koontz's Strange Highways contains both good & bad tales.

Bad: "The Black Pumpkin" reads like a bad episode of "Tales from the Crypt." "Bruno", while attempting to be funny, is merely ridiculous. The plot of "The Night of the Storm" was similarly ridiculous & seemed to have no point. "Hardshell" had a stupid plot. Ditto for "We Three".

Really bad: "Twilight of the Dawn" stereotypes atheists. Admittedly, the stereotyping in this story is less egregious than that done in other Koontz stories (see the evil atheist characters in his novels One Door Away from Heaven & From the Corner of his Eye). The protagonist is merely cold & extremist about his atheism. The presumption in the story is that atheists will become believers once they realize three things: 1) meaning must be eternal, or it can't exist at all; 2) meaning can only come from a supreme being, and 3) since the idea of people being gone forever following death is disturbing, it can't be true. This story, while it has its good points, paints atheists according to religious biases.

"Kittens" was a good story, complete with a shocking ending, but I would have appreciated some foreshadowing of what the little girl was going to do.

The best: I enjoyed the uplifting theme of redemption in "Trapped," "Miss Attila the Hun," & "Strange Highways." I like how the "Snatcher" was punished (and the description of that monster was terrifying!). "Down in the Darkness" was a great story about absolute power & resisting the temptation to use it. "Chase" was a wonderful psychological thriller. "Ollie's Hands," the best story of all, is a heartbreaking tale of how a man's magical powers make him different from everyone else, which separates him forever from the woman he loves.

Strange Highway
When I started this book, I expected another spellbinding novel.Imagine my delight and surprise when I discovered it to be a selection of short stories and novellas.He charmed me and frightened me too with his command of the horror as well as the paranormal.I was sorry to find the end.If only I could write in his genre with even some of his skill, I would be the happiest author on earth.I am Don Bain, Author of Will the Sun Shine and Beyond the Limb.

Spader a good choice for this audiobook!
The three stars are for James Spader's sexy speaking voice. I wasn't all that fond of the story but picturing the handsome Spader reading it, and listening to him was a real pleasure! I wish he narrated other books! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dean Koontz's First Novel is a Treat to Read
It's hard to believe now, but Dean Koontz first began his career as a writer of science fiction.He wrote around thirty short SF novels in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and STAR QUEST was his very first one.

STAR QUEST was published by ACE Books.Back in the 1960s, Ace used to issue "Double" books, which were basically two short novels in one.STAR QUEST is a "Double" book, packaged with another short novel entitled DOOM OF THE GREEN PLANET, which I have not read.

STAR QUEST is an enjoyable debut.It deals with a character named Tohm, who lives in a futuristic universe where two races are at war with one another.The plot of this novel is quite complicated, and is brimming with interesting concepts.Writers accustomed to Koontz's suspense work will be surprised to see how much imagination and creativity he displays in this story.STAR QUEST isn't a great novel, but it's a fun read with a lot of ideas, action, and romance.

All of Koontz's SF work is now out of print, so STAR QUEST is quite the collector's item.Although I enjoyed it, I personally don't think it's worth paying a large amount of money for.Still, if you can find a copy, it's well worth reading, especially if you're a hardcore Koontz fan like myself.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Mr. Murder and Santa's Evil Twin make quite a pair!
Mr. Murder is the first Dean Koontz novel I have read and I am now a dedicated fan! He has taken me back to my roots in Orange County. He has shown me all the evil hiding in the shadows that I never knew was there.Makes you wonder just what the powers that be are really capable of,doesn't it? Maintaining the relationship with the wife and little girls inthis story in the face of the killers onslaught are interesting. The SantasTwin story was charming and wicked and will be on the Christmas list for myGranddaughters this year!

This is probably the greatest colection of stories by Dean !
This is the greatest. I especially loved Mr. Murder,for the ingenious way Dean kept flowing between scenes and personalities until it was almost unbearable. It lent to the overall mystery of the story and toThe Other's (Alfie) origin.
He made the intelligence of Emily acceptable just by linking it to her father's wizardry in writing.

GREAT STORY!!!

Great, page after page of goose bumps......................
What would I do without Dean?????? His books are bone chilling. If you are weak of heart don't read.After readingNight Chills and Whispers trying to sleep was useless, visions from his book kept jumping out at me in the dark.He writes with so much intensity that you wonder,could this realy happen? Has it happened?And could it happen to you ???????I love them ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Night chills
I loved this book! It really captured my imagination and was truly a masterpiece. It showed the dark...twisted side of literature. Dean R. Koonts is one of the greatest writers of the 21st century. I rank his genius up there with such great writers as edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare. I think he will definatley leave his mark on the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (228)

Koontz is capable of doing better
This isn't the worst book by Koontz but its not really that good. The reason why I don't like Ticktock is because of its slow moving plot, and the fact that nothing is realistic. Now I am aware that this book is fictional, but in the beginning it sets itself off as being a very grounded book. Also the mystery of the monster could had been answered a lot better, and I found the love interest to be such a unrealistic character that I couldn't take the book seriously. But just because I couldn't take it seriously doesn't mean that I found it funny just sort of puzzling. I just kind of see it as being a entertaining but sub par Supernatural story. Koontz has done worse books (I believe that honor goes to The Funhouse and I'm sure some would agree with that statement.) and better books (Phantoms obviously) U would really only recommend this book for the hardcore fans (which I would assume that most of you are)

Morbid Comedy
Loved this book, especially all the morbid comedy. The ending was even more phenomenal, which makes this one of my favorite Koontz books I've read thus far. If any of you are looking to break into the Koontz Kraze, this is definitely where you should start. Even though he takes a different plot approach, his style remains the same.

Not his best, but still enjoyable...
This book started pretty slow for me. I even contemplated not finishing it, as I felt the first couple chapters were rather silly. Then, I was introduced to an intriguing character by the name of Deliverance Payne. I think Del's character really made this book what it is, which actually turned out to be a pretty good book. There are a few holes in the plot; however, most of them are only realized at the end of the book, and are not disstracting. I would be tempted to give this book a five star rating if it were not for those flaws, as the rest of the book is very solid. All in all, it's a good book, and while I would not say it is one of Koontz's best books, I would definitely recommend it to those who like Koontz's style of writing.

Doll House Horror
Currently in a reading lull I am revisiting some of my favorite Dean Koontz books and this is definitely one of them.The first time I read it I couldn't sleep with it in the bedroom.Guess what?I still can't.Even with the light on and a peacefully snoring husband by my side, I just knew that horrible little doll was going to jump off the pages during the night.Suspenseful, delightful, nail bitingly good.


Enjoy the read!

An amazing book by Dean Koontz
All i can say about this book was WOW. Normally I am a slow reader but with this book i kept reading and reading fast. The story is about a man (Tommy Phan) who mysteriously finds a rag doll at his front door, he brings it inside and a little while after that is when the doll comes to life and begin to make Tommy scared for his life. Now I am not going to say any more because i would hate to ruin it for you. This book is very easy to read and has wonderful, likable characters. With an ending i would never of guessed and a price tag of $7.99 for a brand new softcover (and I am sure you could get one for really cheap at a used book store) you cannot go wrong with Tick Tock. I am very excited to read another Dean Koontz novel very, very soon. Thank you and happy readings! ... Read more

Product Description
When a strange disease escapes from a scientific lab as a result of a deadly conspiracy, the citizens of Black River are overcome by its unusual symptom, a night chill that causes them to perform unspeakable acts. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (67)

Dean Koontz oldie and goodie
I've read quite a few of Dean Koontz's novels from the last decade... Vertigo, False Memory, Intensity... but his old books are also very good. At the time of this review, the book is over 30 years old, so it's interesting to compare that to the newer novels.

I learned quite a few things about history and advertising in this book. I have to say that while I enjoyed Koontz's newer novels, I actually like most of his old ones better. This is a very good one, written in a time where most of the technology we take for granted today was nonexistent, or in a few cases, fairly new, and is thought-provoking as we think about what we can do with technology and the ramifications of abuse of such innovations.

Disturbing, but quite a bit over the top
Those of you who have grown tired of Koontz's preachy spiritualism and magical dogs need to check out the author's backlog before completely giving up on him. Before he got all soft, he wrote a hell of a lot of spooky and disturbing stuff - 1976's "Night Chills" included.

One of Koontz's earliest mainstream offerings, "Night Chills" concerns a small New England town caught in a web of Government-funded subliminal mind control. Grieving widower Paul Annendale and his two children come to visit and soon find themselves grappling with a populus that is almost completely under the command of a emotionally-disturbed scientist and his equally-corrupted lackeys.

The ensuing intigue, murder, grisly imagery, and sexual manipulation quickly place this novel a few ticks above the rest of Koontz's lineup in regards to raciness. Some of this works, some of it does not. The details concerning the images that are spliced into films that are used to subjugate the masses, for example, are particularly spooky, while the pages-long sequences of rape that coat the last third of the novel are lurid, yet incredibly over-the-top and far too distracting. Koontz does not know how to write sex, and he never has. It's beyond me why he continues to populate his novels with wicked sexual criminals, even to this day. Moreover, characterization is pretty thin, making it difficult to sympathize with or hate respective characters. However, the suspense is top-notch and will no-doubt keep you flipping pages. "Night Chills" is anything but a boring book, as the pace rarely slackens.

Also, I do approve of the ending. I won't spoil it, but I'm glad Koontz didn't try to fluff it up with sentiment and preachy dénouement. While the premise is dated, the ending will no doubt leave you thinking about the possibilities of subliminal advertisement in an increasingly-wired world.

All in all, "Night Chills" was both a decent read and a decent introduction to what I like to call Koontz's "pre-wig" days.

Had great potential
I was looking for a break from literature when I picked up this book.It's unfortunate because there really is a lot of material to work with but the execution of the material literally executes it.
Here we have Olgen Salsbury, the most developed character in the book looking for a way to "try and take over the world" (move over Pinky and the Brain).Olgen is just plain nuts but presents a compelling and rich history of subliminal advertising that's the only interesting material of the book.
Do we get world takeover?Of course not because thankfully we have Paul.Paul is a veterinarian with two kids and a love interest that offers us a possible Oscar nomination for stilted chit chat.No wonder the two won't get together.With dialogue like that I'm wondering why we would ever care about either of them...wait we don't!
Anyway, the plot continues as Olgen self-destructs through a case of mind-control power and too much of a dysfunctional serial-killer background.
So anyway, it ends like you think it should.With better execution this could have been a great idea but instead makes me want to finish up Les Miserables.That had a plot.

Spooky....albeit outdated
This book was a quick read.Although the book is outdated, it still easily drives the point across today.To put it simply, the book is about subliminal messaging and mind control.While the effects of the novel seem far fetched and sometimes impossible, it definitely made me think twice when thinking about advertisements.The book also deals heavily with murder and sexual content (mainly rape)...if you can handle some of the more graphic material, it's a book I'd definitely recommend.

Horribly Dated...but Somewhat Entertaining
For a book written over 30 years ago, based on a subject that was a national fad at time, but has since been proven implausible, "Night Chills" is more entertaining than it has a right to be.

The basic idea of a small town in Maine being used as a testing ground for a new mind control drug is a nifty idea. And Koontz does his best to make the action believable, but unfortunately most of the cases stated in "Night Chills" regarding subliminal messages has been proven false or inncorrect.

The basic storyline is that a small lumber town in Northern Maine has it's reservoir contaminated with a drug which will make the residents more open to subliminal messages. Three men are using the small town as a test case before expanding the use of the drug globally. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Paul, a widower and his two children Mark and Rya have come to the town on vacation. Arriving after the drug has been administered and missing all of the subliminal messages pumped into the town, it is up to them to stop the three men from taking over the world.

I guess reading this book in 2009, it's too easy to forget that at the time of writing, there were only three channels on TV, there was no such thing as bottled water and that someone could cut off a town from the outside by simply bringing down a few phone lines as no one had cell phone (or CB radios I guess). If you can all suspend disbelief regarding subliminal messages in general, you may enjoy this tale. To be honest, I just couldn't get past all of the above. And to top it off, this book is packed with sex. I had forgotten how explicit Koontz was in his early writings, but "Night Chills" features a couple explicit scenes that got pretty graphic. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just that if you only know Koontz for the "Odd Thomas" novels....well you are in for a bit shock to say the least.

In place of "Night Chills", if you are interested in earlier Koontz novels, I would recommend "Watchers", "Strangers", "Lightning" or "Phantoms" instead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (116)

If It's Not Broke, Don't Fix It!
I've been hooked on sci-fi since I was in the third grade in school. I'm now in my sixties so I've been reading sci-fi for a long time.I am very disappointed with this rewriten story.The first version of "Demon Seed"was told from the stand point of the woman and as a woman I related to it.It was horrifyingly chilling, suspenseful, and down right scary.I felt the first version also gave a more pointed and believable aura of what it would be like to feel completely invaded and overcome by a computer.Although in this latest version the woman was also held prisoner, it seemed so much more detached and impersonal.In fact, from the narration of the computer it sounds like practically anyone who he could have captured would have worked just as well; how fickle.While in the 1973 version of the work he was obsessed with the one woman.I also didn't appreciate the addition of the brain controlled murderer; for some reason it made me think of the movie "Shrek"; maybe it was the similarity of the name and basic description.I'm sorry I wasted my money on this version.I'm now going to see if I can find a copy of the real "Demon Seed" story from 1973; the one written before Mr. Koontz came back and messed it up.

Drawing the inevitable conclusion to the question of AI
When I picked up this book at a bookstore recently, I mistakenly thought it was new. It was actually originally published in 1973 (when I was a baby...literally), when Koontz was still in his sci-fi stage, although this one is more a blend between that and horror (for more "pure" sci-fi by Mr. Koontz, try Starblood).

The story revolves around Susan Harris, her highly automated mansion, and an Artificial Intelligence in the form of Proteus. When Proteus takes control of Susan's mansion, it is with one goal in mind - to gain flesh, and populate the world with his vision of a utopian dream. Unfortunately for Susan, achieiving this goal will require the use of her body...

The story is written almost exclusively from the perspective of Proteus. While it helps us understand the convoluted loops of this entity's logic, which lead it to its horrifying conclusions, I would have preferred to see more through the eyes of Susan. Yes, Koontz is a master at his craft, drawing the reader in...however the book is an incredibly fast read. Much of the book is written in the form of monologue statements by Proteus, often repeating phrases and ideas for emphasis, and while it may seem normal, and dare I say human, to do so, it also gives the reader the feeling that this is really just a glorified short story, padded out to be printed as a novel.

That's not to say it isn't good - it is good, I did enjoy it, and I loved the premise of the story.

I just wish it had been longer!

Didn't realize that I'd read it
I'll make sure to check copyright dates on book from now on.
Mr Koontz has written so many that it's hard to keep track of what I've read and what I haven't, but this book was first printed in like 1973 and as soon as I started it, I remembered.I guess it's still a good read, though dated and much copied.

The original 1970's version is far better!
This is a review of the original 1970's version of " Demon Seed". I had the misfortune of reading the updated version and instantly disliked it. In the original, Susan is a far more engaging heroine and Proteus is a much more appealing villain. In the update, he just comes across as an egomanic, psychotic stalking ex-boyfriend type. Susan, in the update, is a cynical foul mouthed hardnose that evokes little sympathy. I much prefer the first version. Though a bit shorter and more scifi, future type. It is a far better read.

A far better read than the " new and improved" version
This is a review of the original 1970's version of " Demon Seed". I had the misfortune of reading the updated version and instantly disliked it. In the original, Susan is a far more engaging heroine and Proteus is a much more appealing villain. In the update, he just comes across as an egomanic, psychotic stalking ex-boyfriend type. Susan, in the update, is a cynical foul mouthed hardnose that evokes little sympathy. I much prefer this version. Though a bit shorter and more scifi, future type. It is a far better read. ... Read more

Product Description

For one man, they are the five most terrifying words of all . . .

One year after the heart transplant that saved his life, thirty-five-year-old Ryan Perry has never felt better. He’s getting back everything he nearly lost forever—his business, his his life, and, with luck, his beloved girlfriend. Miracles do happen.

Then the unmarked gifts begin to arrive—a box of candy hearts, a heart pendant. Most disturbing of all is a graphic heart-surgery video and its chilling message: Your heart belongs to me. Ryan is being stalked by someone who feels entitled to everything he has. She’s the spitting image of the twenty-six-year-old donor of the heart beating steadily in Ryan’s own chest. And she’s come to take it back.Amazon.com Review
Book Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense comes a riveting thriller that probes the deepest terrors of the human psyche—and the ineffable mystery of what truly makes us who we are. Here a brilliant young man finds himself fighting for his very existence in a battle that starts with the most frightening words of all…

At thirty-four, Internet entrepreneur Ryan Perry seemed to have the world in his pocket—until the first troubling symptoms appeared out of nowhere. Within days, he’s diagnosed with incurable cardiomyopathy and finds himself on the waiting list for a heart transplant; it’s his only hope, and it’s dwindling fast. Ryan is about to lose it all…his health, his girlfriend Samantha, and his life.

One year later, Ryan has never felt better. Business is good and he hopes to renew his relationship with Samantha. Then the unmarked gifts begin to appear—a box of Valentine candy hearts, a heart pendant. Most disturbing of all, a graphic heart surgery video and the chilling message: Your heart belongs to me.

In a heartbeat, the medical miracle that gave Ryan a second chance at life is about to become a curse worse than death. For Ryan is being stalked by a mysterious woman who feels entitled to everything he has. She’s the spitting image of the twenty-six-year-old donor of the heart beating steadily in Ryan’s own chest.

And she’s come to take it back.

Customer Reviews (223)

Not a Great Novel in my Koontz Collection-spoilers within review
I think its official. I have given up on reading any more Dean Koontz novels. Unlike with Stephen King even if he has some uneven writing I can forgive it since usually the next book is fantastic or there are elements in it that I loved. However, after this novel and also the Odd Thomas series that has gotten old I think the next novel I am going to wait on until someone tells me that they found it enjoyable. Its probably also not good that I read Relentless: A Novel(also horrible) and this one back to back.


This novel begins with an internet whiz man (I guess that's a thing now) who is also a billionaire (of course since in all of Koontz's last few novels these people are some how making billions) Ryan Perry that is happy and in love with his girlfriend, fledling author Samantha.

However, Ryan starts having spells (yes seriously spells) and before you know it he finds out that he is going into heart failure and it looks like without a transplant and soon he is going to die. You find out fairly soon that Ryan had a say we say odd upbringing and that he has state of the art everything surrounded him. Facing impending death Ryan starts to reveal so not nice traits about himself, I mean I can't say that I blame him, you have billions you expect that you can someone cheat death I suppose.

I don't want to get too spoilerish except to say that from here on out everything that transpires from the heart transplant on is absurd.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Ryan and Samanatha not speaking or seeing each other for a year and never speaking of why was the dumbest thing I have ever read. Also Koontz needs to stop writing the women in his novels the exact same freaking way. I wish he could start writing characters with depth again. Than again maybe its like asking for James Patterson to stop mentioning in excruiating detail the design clothes, car, etc. his characters can afford all the time.

It gets worse though that during the second half of the novel I kept wondering why heaven/hell wants to put its clutches into Ryan until you find out it was because his girlfriend is going to write something that will change the world....yeah I had a bad flashblack to The Lady in the Water and I almost heaved.

On that note it would have been nice if you actually see Ryan dealing with the repurcussions of his actions instead of going off to some orphanage and training dogs. I guess no matter what there will always be dogs in Dean Koontz's books no matter if they have absolutley nothing to do with the plot at all.

END OF SPOILERS END OF SPOILERS

Overall grade F

Possibly the worst book I've ever read
This is one of the worst books I have ever read.The entire first third of the book is spent building up suspense in a murder-mystery style, only to be completely thrown away for the next third.Then in the finale, it takes up all that mystery again, but completely dumps all the previous threads of thought out the window.The ending completely read-ends the reader, as it is such a cockamamy, contrived, and ill conceived piece of garbage.

Without giving too many spoilers, the mysteries attributed to the main characters are never resolved, nor is their any hint as to any importance other than as a red herring.The whole of the book is really just one red herring, and then the end has nothing to do with the rest of it.I thought it was a pretty good book until I got to the last two chapters.When I got there, I found out the puzzle I was having so much fun putting together was not, in fact, a picture of the Eiffel Tower, but a picture of the Eiffel Tower, stenciled on a half-eaten cake at the bottom of a dumpster.The only mystery to this book is how it got published.Everything written for the entire first 99% of the book is just thrown out at the end for a sudden, inexplicable "plot twist" ending.

first 200 pages are a waste, the ending sucks. I HATE IT!
> The first 200 pages are summarized on the
back of the book.

>Seriously, its a horrible, sloppy,
mess of a book that fails to captivate me.

> The ending was immensely unsatisfying.

> This book is a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT, and
you should not buy it.

> If you want a good Dean Koontz novel,
check out "Odd Thomas" or "The Good Guy". But
stay clear of this monstrosity, for it will
consume your time and yield no satisfaction.

Will The Old Dean Koontz Please Come Back...
I just need to say it, "What happened to Mr. Koontz?"

I've read almost everything by Dean.He's one of my favorite writers.However, this novel is the bottom of the barrel for me.These suspense novels are falling short--not because they're poorly written, but because the Dean Koontz standard is so high.Dean's imagination is the thing that first drew me to him.Where are the strange ideas? Where are the tales of terror? Where is the cross-genre genius of Dean Koontz?This novel, Your Heart Belongs to Me, is not Dean Koontz...at least the Dean Koontz that I long to read.This story is nothing more than a novella that was fattened-up with endless descriptions of decor, lighting, and weather. I will continue to read Koontz, but this is not his best.

The ending made me angry
Okay, I know Koontz is a writer that sometimes dazzles me and sometimes leaves me underwhelmed, but this is one book I cannot in good conscience recommend, because the ending is a cheap sucker punch that has nothing to do with 99% of previous pages.
Some books will have an occasional red herring thrown in. This entire book is a red herring.
I stayed up late reading this book and then, if my wife were not already asleep, would have screamed at the top of my lungs at how cheap shot the ending is.

Avoid this book. Avoid this book cover, never allow the name of this book to be uttered in your presence, clap your hands over your ears go "lalalala" until the person goes away.

Trust me, you don't know me, but trust me, if you read this book to the end, and your spouse is not asleep, you will scream in outrage at the ending.

I want to know how I go about getting several hours of my life back that was wasted.

What made me angry about the ending?

SPOILERS BELOW

what made me angry is there is no way you can arrive at the conclusion of the mystery from any part of the book until the last 20 pages. No way. Since the book is all from the main character's point of view, since he did not know the information, there is no way you can. All the sleuthing up until that point is completely irrelevant.
And yes, he kept writing about "subtext" over and over as if that is supposed to be a clue for us to reread the book from the beginning to find the "subtext".
No thank you. I would not pick up that book again for any reason, much less to read it again. I PAID ATTENTION and Koontz still sucker punched me at the end.

the only subtext should be, better write a better ending next time, Dean. ... Read more

Product Description
Every so often a character so captures the hearts and imaginations of readers that he seems to take on a life of his own long after the final page is turned. For such a character, one book is not enough—readers must know what happens next. Now Dean Koontz returns with the novel his fans have been demanding. With the emotional power and sheer storytelling artistry that are his trademarks, Koontz takes up once more the story of a unique young hero and an eccentric little town in a tale that is equal parts suspense and terror, adventure and mystery—and altogether irresistibly odd.

We’re all a little odd beneath the surface. He’s the most unlikely hero you’ll ever meet—an ordinary guy with a modest job you might never look at twice. But there’s so much more to any of us than meets the eye—and that goes triple for Odd Thomas. For Odd lives always between two worlds in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, where the heroic and the harrowing are everyday events. Odd never asked to communicate with the dead—it’s something that just happened. But as the unofficial goodwill ambassador between our world and theirs, he’s got a duty to do the right thing. That’s the way Odd sees it and that’s why he’s won hearts on both sides of the divide between life and death.

A childhood friend of Odd’s has disappeared. The worst is feared. But as Odd applies his unique talents to the task of finding the missing person, he discovers something worse than a dead body, encounters an enemy of exceptional cunning, and spirals into a vortex of terror. Once again Odd will stand against our worst fears. Around him will gather new allies and old, some living and some not.For in the battle to come, there can be no innocent bystanders, and every sacrifice can tip the balance between despair and hope. Whether you’re meeting Odd Thomas for the first time or he’s already an old friend, you’ll be led on an unforgettable journey through a world of terror, wonder and delight—to a revelation that can change your life. And you can have no better guide than Odd Thomas.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (263)

There is nothing odd about enjoying the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz
I am new to the Odd Thomas series and I am loving it! Dean Koontz writes these books not just with suspense, but with humor, making it irrisistably fun to listen to. I also enjoy how each book in the series is connected to the other characters from past books in some ways - rememberances and what Odd has learned from those experiences, but that each book is an entirely different story line.
I would highly recommend the Odd Thomas series of Dean Koontz books.

Wouldn't be the same without David Aaron Baker
Mr. Baker does such an awesome job at narrating this novel that I would not be able to listen to another Odd Thomas book without him.His timing, inflection... all perfect.I am thoroughly enjoying listening to Forever Odd and would so enjoy watching it as a movie and Mr. Baker would be required to play Odd.If they ever do a movie, I hope they don't butcher it like they have other Dean Koontz books turned movie.

This Series Is Growing On Me
Since I did not enjoy the first book in this series, until its very end, I surprised myself by picking up this one and realizing that I enjoyed it quite a bit more.

Odd really endeared himself to me in this one.From the beginning with his story about Elvis to the end where he will do what it takes, even if it is his own life, to help a friend. That is what Odd does, and with the help of his loved ones in the town of Pico Mundo, Odd will forever be treasured by his band of friends and the readers of this series.

Odd Thomas does not consider himself a hero, he just has the ability to communicate with the dead and has a built in magnet that draws people, whether alive or dead, to him.Odd's a good person so when his childhood friend disappears, Odd uses his ability to find him, not realizing that this journey will take him to an old abandoned casino and the evil Datura, who is determined to use Odd's gifts to further her own wicked goals.

The ending leads right into what appears to be the third installment of the Odd Thomas story.That in itself looks very interesting.Just imagine Odd as a Lay member of a religious order with Elvis along, since Elvis knows that this is his way home to his beloved mother.

I am glad that this series is starting to grow on me, I had been a fan of Dean Koontz with his original books, and I am glad that I can once again look forward to reading more.

Enjoyable, but no Odd Thomas
Forever Odd is a bit of a disappointment after the spectacular first book of the series Odd Thomas.The protagonist is as witty and peculiar as ever, but the antagonist, Datura, is more boring than menacing. At no point in the novel did I experience the growing sense of dread or heebie jeebies as in the first book of the series. The plot here has Odd wandering alone for most of the story, and while Koontz is a gifted writer, I found myself wishing for something else to read other that Odd's inner dialogue for two-thirds of the story. Still, Koontz's style and wit are enjoyable to read and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

A Disappointing Sequel
As a sequel to the original "Odd Thomas" & second in the series, this story just plain misses. It starts off pretty well, then spirals downward.
Dean Koontz is one of the most prolific writers out there with a huge following. One has to wonder what happened here.
Koontz has created one of the most likable characters anywhere in the original book. In this book, all the characters are thin. The book suffers from spreading it's main characters too thinly.
We have almost none of the bodachs Odd normally sees since there is no mayhem on a large scale.
Odd has a best friend Danny with a disease of extremely brittle bones. Firstly, how is Danny Odd's best friend? Where did he come from? He's Dr. Jessup's son, but a dear best friend to Odd? That's a new one on the reader. Danny, with his affliction survives a kidnapping to the upper reaches of a burned out hotel by three brutal kidnappers. Pretty much nonsense.
The main villain, Datura, meets her demise in a most ridiculous way.
The saving graces are the writer's description of the surroundings much of the book takes place in. That's very nicely done.

The weakest point should be the books strong point. It's characters. They just don't make it here. Not even Elvis
The last chapter sets the reader up very well for the next in the series, "Brother Odd." Mercifully "Brother Odd" is much better

Given Koontz's history of some excellent work, I'll cut him a bit of slack & go with 3 stars. As a stand alone book, only 2 stars
... Read more

Customer Reviews (68)

Was hoping for more...
While I feel like this book started pretty strong, I was disappointed with how it ended. It felt a little rushed. This is one of Koontz's earlier books, and I think it shows. Worth a read, as are all of Koontz's books, but not one of my favorites...

A thrill... but not thrilling
Eyes of Darkness was an interesting listen on audio.I was hit with the plot almost immediately with Tina sighting of her son, Danny.The book continues with Tina juggling her career and ex husband as strangle things begin happening.First it is the sighting, then the messages on the chalk board, Tina is hearing noises at night and the temperature during these activities, seems to drop in the room.

While listening to this audio I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but this book did not have the Dean feeling to it.It almost felt amateurish compared to what I am used to finding in his books.The scenes were a bit unreal, the characters a bit underdeveloped.

It wasn't until the end of the audio when Dean did one of the things I love about his books, that I figured out what was missing.Dean Koontz always has a little synopsis in the back of his books as to how the book came to be.He is funny and quick witted and I really enjoy that.What I discovered is that this is actually one of his older books, this one came out even before I had started reading him all those years ago.He had not yet diveloped his flare, and says so in this end piece.He also said that the book was re-released because it was going to be made into a movie.Was.The story behind this - the development team, the agents, all of it, is told in hilarious Koontz fashion.This alone made the time I spent in the audio worth while.

Great Book
I loved this Book, I didn't want to put it down. I am a Dean Koontz fan and I enjoy all his books. I love how weird things happen to regular people and I love finding out how they get out of or fix the situation.

One of Dean's Best
This is an amazing book. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down just like all the other books by Dean Koontz. He keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book. Love the perfect balance between love and action. I think this is such a good idea. I love how Dean explains his ideas for his books thoroughly and do not just leave you hanging. Every time I finish another one of his books, he has me thinking...it could happen. This book is definitely a must buy and a must read.

Page turner
What's more heartbreaking than a parent losing a child? But what about the parent that has the nagging feeling that their child is not lost to them - that in some way their child is not dead. That is exactly what Tina Evan's is facing when peculiar happens begin to occur in The Eyes of Darkness, leaving Tina to wonder if her ex-husband is getting even with her for letting Danny go on a wilderness campout, despite her ex reluctance. But the mother and son bond is strong and Danny is intent on getting his mother's attention through ghostly and creepy intervention. This breathless thriller is a true page turner, with a reader hoping for resolution for 12 year old Danny and the torture in which he lives. A good thriller ride, especially for a new Koontz fan just getting wet. Tamera Lawrence, author of THE POND ... Read more

Product Description
Christine Scavello's life is transformed into a nightmare when her son becomes the target of a group of religious fanatics who claim that the child is the Antichrist and will stop at nothing in their efforts to destroy him. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (80)

Real Page-Turner
Servants of Twilight is the book that introduced me to Dean R. Koontz writing style, and immediately I was hooked! The twists and turns in this novel make you unable to put down the book.Such raw intensity.Action throughout!

The Best
I don't get the reviews of this book.This is by FAR the best work Koontz did, it is the only book I've read of his that when you get to the end you don't feel like he was under the gun to wrap up a happy ending in 3 pagers or less.

This book is right up there with King's "Salems Lot" and "The Shining" as edge of your seat thrillers and the ending of Servants will just blow you away.

Ignore the bad reviews of this book.This is the only Koontz book I've ever re-read and the only one I would recommend.

A Great Book
I am huge fan of Mr. Koontz and a collector of his books. This was another great story and a fast read. I really enjoyed it!

Easily the creepiest Koontz book I've read.
I've read most of Koontz's stuff, and it always escapes me as to why he's marked as a horror novelist. Most of his books are thrillers, and not in the least bit scary. Not the case with this one, though.

To make a long story short, Servants of Twilight tells the story of a mother being menaced by religious fanatics who have pegged her son as the Antichrist. At first, the threats seem empty, nothing more than senile shouting and babble. But then faces start appearing in windows, and things start to get violent.

What I found most eerie about this story was simply how plausible the premise is. There are some freaks out there, and to an extent it's not hard to see something like this happening. The antagonists in the book were simply human monsters, and nothing more. Not a ghost, alien, or rampant governmental conspiracy in sight. Just plain old human beings warped by their dedication to their religion. Nice to see a change in Koontz's primary antagonists.

Other than that, Servants is in Koontz's usual style. Not necessarily a bad thing, but a bit more characterization would have been nice, and some of the dialogue was a bit cliched. The ending, too, could have used some work. But all in all, this was a pretty good early effort by Koontz, and pretty thought-provoking as well. Definately something I'll be reading again.

One of his best!!!!
This is the book that made me a Koontz fan!! Masterful story telling loaded with never ending chills down your spine. It grips you from the beginning and never lets up until you finish it! ... Read more