Some of his books are harder to read than others as he lets his love for language overtake the story itself. Although I�ve been disappointed with a number of his latest offerings and have moved him to my paperbook rather than immediate buy list, II still consider myself a Koontz fan something my straining bookshelves will bare witness too.
My favourites among his books would probably be Strangers or From the Corner of his Eye. Though Dragon Tears, Cold Fire and Midnight are also up for consideration.
The most comprehensive list of Koontz books and facts I've seen is the FAQ of the Koontz newsgrp and the work of Luke Croll
Whilst clearly giving his support for the use of animals in research Koontz uses the fear of genetic science for this novel. Scientific experimentation can result in wonderful things including the cure to many diseases. On the other hand because we can do something doesn�t mean we should.
In contrast to modern liberated females Nora Devon is the victim of an overbearing aunt and practically agoraphobic. Her role is to bring a childlike wonder to the book. Freed from her cage as surely as the Benedyal experiments have escaped theirs. Through Nora we can see the world as a place of many wonders to compare with the manipulations of the scientists and the warped assassin.
The assassin is chilling but in many ways superfluous to the main story.
This is a book for animal lovers and will be a hit with anyone who has ever talked to their dog. Questioning the delight of herds of high IQ Retrievers is likely heresy and looking to deep into the books lesson. Genetically altered animals are a re-occurring theme in Koontz books and this experimental body or offshoots of it, shows up in other books namely The Snow series.
For me as I said earlier it�s the Outsider that pulls at the heartstrings. There is a special poignancy to this horrific killer by design treasuring his pretty sweet papers and Mickey memorabilia, unable to chose a peaceable path. Koontz manages to both convey the horror of this abomination while inducing a great sense pity and shame in the scientists lack of principle. It is this show of depth that impressed me most about Koontz.
Brought together by the threat of death the group of characters find reason to live. His way of drawing the reader into the lives of a range of characters then bringing them together is a particular talent of Koontz. The monster of the piece was suitably chilling to the point that the you could get past continued social commentary provided by (NAME).
The whole �Ode to Elvis� crime at the beginning did challenge my suspension of belief on the re-read, first time round it barely made impact.
There's a strong message here on parenting and social responsibility. We see the mother learning to fight for the sake of her child. The drunk sobering up. The cop with her encyclopedia knowledge of disasters and human degragation learning about her family. A look at the murderer's mother makes us ask whether with a better influence he could have been a miracle child or if she was right and her child was always destained to be evil, a judgement on her own lifestyle choices.
This books shows Koontz obsession with eyes! Neither first, nor last of his villains to harvest them.
The dog of the piece is Woofer, a great pov character and one of my favourite Koontz dogs, suprisingly not a retriever.
Psychic visions, sinister murderers and scaling buildings to dodge bullets!
I got the strong feeling this was a Koontz that would actually work as a film, and although I�ve not seen it I hear there is a passable film version in existence.
Liked the play of Nietzsche and Blake the way any words can be twisted to pander to a particular philosophy.
Detective Ira Preduski is a Columbus clone apologetic scruff with a sharp brain and hiding a healthy self-regard. Every time he appears I had to fight the image of Peter Falk, but then I�ve always liked Falk! Koontz resisted continuing the similarities by adding the dog.
A quick entertaining read I enjoyed it, though it doesn�t really stand out in anyway.
Psychic on the case of brutal murders dealing with family antagonism and nursing dark memories of past injuries.
Chilling conclusion as the murderer is revealed.
Wicka-Wicka, wicka-wicka!