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 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 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.