The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz

 

The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk #1) by Dean Koontz, 434 p.

CW: Sexual assault

"These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demand: find the truth, no matter what.

People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important—so terrifying—that they will exterminate anyone in their way.

But all their power and viciousness may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless—and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love." --Goodreads blurb

This came recommended to me and even though I read Koontz in my teens and swore I'd never read it again (TOO scary for me!), my friend said this series wasn't horror. It was an immersive thriller with an interesting storyline. In the vein of lots of big-name, bestselling author, the chapters were very short and the writing was simplistic and easy to follow. I will definitely be continuing on with the series. 

Night Chills by Dean Koontz

 

Night Chills by Dean Koontz - 369 pages

The fever is spreading. Seizing the men and women of Black River. Plaguing them with night chills. Driving them to violent acts of rape and murder.

The fever is spreading. Designed by top scientists, and unleashed in a monstrous conspiracy - its deadly spell can unlock the most frightening potential of the human mind.

The fever is spreading. The nightmare is real. And death is the only cure.

This book was just ok.  This is my first by this author and I had heard his earlier ones were better.  While this book didn't wow me, but I did finish it to see what happens.  I guess I had expected more, but it seemed to focus on one creepy, rapey scientist and his warped desires.  I wasn't a huge fan but will try another of his books.

The Night Window by Dean Koontz

 (Jane Hawk #5)

432 pages / 15 hrs, 2 mins

"Groundbreaking, wholly involving, eerily prescient and terrifyingly topical, Dean Koontz's Jane Hawk series sets a new standard for contemporary thrillers. Since her sensational debut in The Silent Corner, readers have been riveted by Jane Hawk's resolute quest to take down the influential architects of an accelerating operation to control every level of society via an army of mind-altered citizens. At first, only Jane stood against the "Arcadian" conspirators, but slowly others have emerged to stand with her, even as there are troubling signs that the "adjusted" people are beginning to spin viciously out of control. Now, in the thrilling, climactic showdown that will decide America's future, Jane will require all her resources--and more--as she confronts those at the malevolent, impregnable center of power."  --from the publisher

Wow! Koontz is a tremendous writer and this story was enthralling. This is the final installment of the series, and it ended well. It has more gore and grit than my typical read, but I think he balances that with intelligent dialogue and heartwarming characters. I give it four out of five stars.

The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz

 580 pages / 14 hrs, 58 mins

(Jane Hawk #4)

"She was one of the FBI’s top agents until she became the nation’s most-wanted fugitive. Now Jane Hawk may be all that stands between a free nation and its enslavement by a powerful secret society’s terrifying mind-control technology. She couldn’t save her husband, or the others whose lives have been destroyed, but equipped with superior tactical and survival skills—and the fury born of a broken heart and a hunger for justice—Jane has struck major blows against the insidious cabal.

"But Jane’s enemies are about to hit back hard. If their best operatives can’t outrun her, they mean to bring her running to them, using her five-year-old son as bait. Jane knows there’s no underestimating their capabilities, but she must battle her way back across the country to the remote shelter where her boy is safely hidden . . . for now. As she moves resolutely forward, new threats begin to emerge: a growing number of brain-altered victims driven hopelessly, violently insane. With the madness spreading like a virus, the war between Jane and her enemies will become a fight for all their lives—against the lethal terror unleashed from behind the forbidden door." --from the publisher

Another strong installment of this thrilling series. Koontz is a bit more graphic than I prefer, but he is such a good writer! I give this one four out of five stars.

Velocity by Dean Koontz

 

Velocity by Dean Koontz - 334 pages

"If you don’t take this note to the police . . . I will kill a lovely blond schoolteacher. . . . If you do . . . I will instead kill an elderly woman active in charity work. You have six hours to decide. The choice is yours.

The typewritten note under his windshield seems like just a sick joke. But in less than twenty-four hours, Billy Wiles, an ordinary, hardworking guy, is about to see his life take on the speed of a nightmare. Because a young blond schoolteacher is murdered—and now Billy has another note. And another deadline. This time he knows it’s no joke. He’s racing a killer faster than evil itself. And Billy must accept his terrifying challenge: The choice is yours." - Amazon

Ok y'all, listen.  For watever reason, I've always heard that you're either a Dean Koontz fan OR a Stephen King fan.  And I am very firmly in the King camp.  

And then. I heard an excellent review of this book on the Currently Reading podcast, and when I stumbled upon it in a used book shop, I took it as a sign.  I thought, perhaps I'll try it out.  If I don't like it, no one will ever have to know I read a Dean Koontz book.

But then. Dear Lord, I could NOT put this book down.  I mean, look at that premise!  How could you possibly make that choice?! I was hooked from the start, and pretty sure I suffered whiplash from the twists and turns here.  King will forever be my favorite, but here I am, totally recommending y'all try out this Dean Koontz book.  

The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz

 (Jane Hawk #3)

491 pages / 15 hrs, 37 mins

"'I could be dead tomorrow. Or something worse than dead.' Jane Hawk knows she may be living on borrowed time. But as long as she's breathing, she'll never cease her one-woman war against the terrifying conspiracy that threatens the freedom--and free will--of millions. Battling the strange epidemic of murder-suicides that claimed Jane's husband, and is escalating across the country, has made the rogue FBI agent a wanted fugitive, relentlessly hunted not only by the government but by the secret cabal behind the plot. Deploying every resource their malign nexus of power and technology commands, Jane's enemies are determined to see her dead . . . or make her wish she was. Jane's ruthless pursuers can't stop her from drawing a bead on her prey: a cunning man with connections in high places, a twisted soul of unspeakable depths with an army of professional killers on call. Propelled by her righteous fury and implacable insistence on justice, Jane will make her way from southern California to the snow-swept slopes of Lake Tahoe to confront head-on the lethal forces arrayed against her. But nothing can prepare her for the chilling truth that awaits when she descends the crooked staircase to the dark and dreadful place where her long nightmare was born."  --from the publisher

The writing is excellent, but this installment of the series is very dark. I will probably continue on, but I definitely need a break. I give it four out of five stars for the writing and two out of five for the darkness.

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz

 (Jane Hawk #2)

710 pages / 16 hrs, 45mins

"Jane Hawk--fiction's most relentless, resourceful, stunning new heroine--continues her battle against a murderous conspiracy in the riveting sequel to The Silent Corner.

"'No time to delay. Do what you were born to do. Fame will be yours when you do this.'

"These are the words that ring in the mind of mild-mannered, beloved schoolteacher Cora Gundersun--just before she takes her own life, and many others', in a shocking act of carnage. When the disturbing contents of her secret journal are discovered, it seems certain that she must have been insane. But Jane Hawk knows better.

"In the wake of her husband's inexplicable suicide--and the equally mysterious deaths of scores of other exemplary individuals--Jane picks up the trail of a secret cabal of powerful players who think themselves above the law and beyond punishment. But the ruthless people bent on hijacking America's future for their own monstrous ends never banked on a highly trained FBI agent willing to go rogue--and become the nation's most wanted fugitive--in order to derail their insidious plans to gain absolute power with a terrifying technological breakthrough."  --from the publisher

Excellent in every way. What a talented writer! I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz
(Jane Hawk #1)
434 pages / 14 hrs, 26 mins

" 'I very much need to be dead.'

"These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for--but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demand: find the truth, no matter what.

"People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important--so terrifying--that they will exterminate anyone in their way."
--from the publisher

The book has a unique and futuristic story line that kept me engaged.  Of course it is well written because Dean Koontz!  Great thriller with wonderful characters.  My only complaint is the story is not complete.  I like books in series, but prefer each book to have its own ending.

The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz

The Forbidden Door
A Jane Hawk Novel
by  Dean Koontz
466 pages












She was one of the FBI’s top agents until she became the nation’s most-wanted fugitive. Now Jane Hawk may be all that stands between a free nation and its enslavement by a powerful secret society’s terrifying mind-control technology. She couldn’t save her husband, or the others whose lives have been destroyed, but equipped with superior tactical and survival skills—and the fury born of a broken heart and a hunger for justice—Jane has struck major blows against the insidious cabal.

But Jane’s enemies are about to hit back hard. If their best operatives can’t outrun her, they mean to bring her running to them, using her five-year-old son as bait. Jane knows there’s no underestimating their capabilities, but she must battle her way back across the country to the remote shelter where her boy is safely hidden . . . for now. As she moves resolutely forward, new threats begin to emerge: a growing number of brain-altered victims driven hopelessly, violently insane. With the madness spreading like a virus, the war between Jane and her enemies will become a fight for all their lives—against the lethal terror unleashed from behind the forbidden door.

I listened to the audio version of this book read by Elisabeth S. Rodgers, which I enjoyed a lot.

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz

The Whispering Room
A Jane Hawk Novel
by Dean Koontz
513 pages











'Do what you were born to do'

These are the words that ring in the mind of a beloved teacher as she drives a car full of burning gasoline into a hotel. The police believe she was insane, but rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk knows the truth.

In the wake of many similar inexplicable suicides, including that of her husband, Jane picks up the trail of a secret cabal of formidable players who are bent on obtaining world power.

Now Jane has become an unstoppable predator. Those she is hunting will have nowhere to run when her shadow falls across them.

I enjoyed listening to the audio of this book narrated by Elisabeth Rogers

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz

The Silent Corner: A Novel of Suspense
(Jane Hawk #1)
by  Dean Koontz
452 pages

“I very much need to be dead.”

These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demand: find the truth, no matter what.

People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important—so terrifying—that they will exterminate anyone in their way.

I listened to the audio version of this book which was narrated by Elisabeth Rodgers and enjoyed it very much.

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Volume 2 by Dean Koontz and Chuck Dixon

Dean Koont's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Volume 2 by Dean Koontz and Chuck Dixon, Illustrated by Scott Cohn & Tom Seeley, 128 pages

The horror continues in Volume 2.  Detectives O'Conner and Maddison dig deeper into the life of Victor Helios and Victor's wife, Erika discovers her husband's dark hidden secrets of creating the perfect race.

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Volume 1 by Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Volume 1 by Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson, Illustrated by Chuck Dixon, 144 pages

A serial killer is on the loose in New Orleans. But, what detectives Carson O'Connor and Michael Maddison have to worry about is a lot more than a serial killer.  A man named Victor Helios is creating a race of perfect people from the parts of dead people.

Deeply Odd: an Odd Thomas Novel by Dean Koontz

Deeply Odd: an Odd Thomas Novel by Dean Koontz

Large Print edition published 2013, 471 pages

Odd Thomas needed a few pair of socks and a new pair of jeans. While walking to the store Odd Thomas was passed by an eighteen-wheel ProStar+ with a black trailer carrying no corporate logo. Odd Thomas could feel that something inside the vehicle was extremely evil, and the image it formed in his mind was the future brutal murder of three little children.

The truck pulled into a supermarket parking lot and stopped. As Odd Thomas approached the truck the driver of the truck offered to neuter Odd Thomas using a .45 caliber pistol equipped with a silencer.

Buying socks and jeans will have to wait...

In Odd We Trust Created by Dean Koontz

In Odd We Trust Created by Dean Koontz

written by Queenie Chan and Dean Koontz, Illustrations by Queenie Chan text and illustrations copyright 2008, 204 pages.

Here we find Odd Thomas and his girl friend Stormy Llewellyn helping the police find a killer who is stalking Sherry Sheldon. Sherry and Stormy grew up in the same orphanage, so their relationship is very close. This stalker has already killed a small boy and has threatened four other children. Odd and Stormy have to find this killer and protect Sherry and the children.

This Odd Thomas graphic novel is one of the first graphic novels I have ever read, so I am new to the style. The graphic novel is an interesting format, it reminds me somewhat of the comic books of my youth. This episode fits into the series before the first novel written in 2003, even though this episode was written in 2008.

If you like Dean Koontz and Odd Thomas, or even graphic novels in general, this is a book to try.