Product Description
Book club edition. Based on a screenplay by Larry Block. Owen West is a previous pseudonym of Dean Koontz. ... Read more

Product Description
“Meet a young man named Odd . . . who helps the dead get even."

From the infinite imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes the suspenseful graphic-novel debut of a natural-born hero with a supernatural twist.

Odd Thomas is a regular nineteen-year-old with an unusual gift: the ability to see the lingering spirits of the dead. To Odd, it’s not such a big deal. And most folks in sleepy Pico Mundo, California, are much more interested in the irresistible pancakes Odd whips up at the local diner. Still, communing with the dead can be useful. Because while some spirits only want a little company . . . others want justice.

When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability–plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him–is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who’s always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (98)

Odd strikes out
This is not worth the time.Odd is too a great character to be treated like this.

HUGELY disappointing
Why would you begin a great series of novels, build a certain fan base around it, and then jump into the series midstream and change it all up for a totally different audience?! Was soooo looking forward to Odd's next adventure. This is BEYOND disappointment. You need to FIRE whoever talked you into this blunder, Dean. Go ahead and start a new series with new characters for comic lovers if you must, but finish Odd's story with traditional novels for those of us who've come to love Odd and still prefer to READ. Again...HUGELY disappointing.

It's a comic book!
It's a comic book!!! I love Odd Thomas books, and purchased this one not realizing it was a COMIC BOOK!I suppose the term "graphic novel" did not register with me. I would never have purchased it had I known! I went from elation at having received my latest Dean Koontz "Odd Thomas" book to deflation and disappointment upon realizing it was a COMIC BOOK!!! The sellers should make it unmistakably clear that the buyer is purchasing a COMIC BOOK!!

in odd we trust
I did not know it was a comic book ,not my kid of reading I was looking for a novel

Way too silly.
Just not what I expected. I have enjoyed the Odd books, but did not expect a silly comic book, silly story line too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (96)

Disappointed
This book, written in the style of Alister MacLean, is unlike anything else Dean Koontz has published.While it is well written, I find myself missing what I read Dean Koontz books for - suspense, deep characterizations, and the compelling need to keep turning the pages all night long.Wish I'd paid more attention to the descriptions before I bought this one.

Yawn!
This book was better than Ambien. It was very predictable and not at all what I expected from such a great storyteller.

Pretty Interesting
I liked the story. It contained a lot of information on ice and glacier type stuff, which I love learning about. I wish Dean Koontz would write more novels like this. I'm rather tired of the serial killer/detective style books that everyone is selling these days.

I am always amazed by Dean Koontz
Icebound was definitly a walk off the beaten path for Dean Koontz but he carried it off in style. I loved the charactors and the tension. I got the book Christmas eve and finished it Christmas night. A definite "have to" for Koontz fans everywhere.

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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Muy bueno
Excelente libro, el mejor que he leído de Dean Koontz. Muy buena trama, muy bien llevada, aunque de repente se vuelve un poquito exagerada, aunque no deja de ser ciencia ficción.
Altamente recomendable, definitivamente te atrapa desde el inicio.

Emocionante
Este fue el primer libro que leí de Dean Koontz y me dejó un buen sabor de boca. Realmente tiene una trama muy emocionante y mantiene al lector inmerso en la lectura. Realmente un libro muy recomendable, el mejor de Dean Koontz que he leido hasta el momento. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Interesting idea
In this early novel, Koontz describes a world which has been conquered by an alien race, the naoli.The differences between the two races erupted into war after they met in space and found they were unable to communicate effectively.

As the story begins, Hulann, a naoli, is digging through the ruins of an American city when he discovers a man child hiding in the basement of a building.The boy saves his life and Hulann tells him to run away and he won't turn him in.The boy won't go; he's been injured and can't go very far.A friendship develops, as surprising to both of them as it is dangerous.

Published in 1970, Koontz's future as a best selling author is foreshadowed.The premise is interesting and the story stirring.Fans of Koontz will enjoy this hard to find science fiction story.

Early book shows future writing style.
When this books was republished in 1992.Dean Koontz wrote an introduction as to what was happening in the world in 1969 when he was writing this story.Many of the fears and concerns he had about the world in general are similar to what some of the characters are feeling.This book is pure science fiction, but shows the action and suspense that Dean Koontz is famous for today.In the story, Earth has been overtaken by a race of aliens called the naoli, lizard-like creatures.Most humans have been killed in the war, but some are alive in hiding.The naoli believe that the humans must all be exterminated and any humans that are discovered are instantly killed.Hulaan is a naoli archeologist.While sifting through the catacombs of a Boston library, he is saved by a human boy.The boy Leo is wounded from a recent skirmish and unable to flee.Reluctantly, Hulaan leaves the boy alive.Soon another naoli discovers Hulaan's secret and labels him a traitor.Hulaan flees, taking the boy with him.As they run for their lives, they discover that the war was based on a terrible misunderstanding.Desparately, they try to inform others while they fight for their lives.Even if you are not a fan of science fiction, you will appreciate the writing style and the character development that Dean Koontz is known for.

Reviewed in the Dean Koontz Companion
Any Koontz reader should know:According to The Dean Koontz Companion it is one of the best of the author's straight science fiction novels - written when he was 23&24. It is set after an alien invasion that wipedout all but a handful of human beings. Was re-issued in 1992 by CharnelHouse.The author will heavily revise the novel changing ...... and hopesto re-issue in paperback approx 1996/97. ... Read more

Product Description
Only a handful of fictional characters are recognized by first name alone. Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas is one such literary hero who has come alive in readers’ imaginations as he explores the greatest mysteries of this world and the next with his inimitable wit, heart, and quiet gallantry. Now Koontz follows Odd as he is drawn onward, to a destiny he cannot imagine. Haunted by dreams of an all-encompassing red tide, Odd is pulled inexorably to the sea, to a small California coastal town where nothing is as it seems….Amazon.com Review
Amazon Exclusive Essay: Destiny and Odd Hours

Odd Thomas came to me as a gift, the entire first chapter of his first book having poured out of me as I was in the middle of writing The Face. I wrote it by hand, though I never work that way, and I never hesitated to think what should come next. He was fully-realized in my mind from the moment I began to write in that lined legal tablet. With other stories and characters, I can identify the source of the inspiration, but not with Oddie and his books. He just suddenly was. When I write about him, his narrative voice is so clear to me that I almost hear him in my head.

For those among you who long have thought that I should be institutionalized, just relax: I said I almost hear him.

Many times over the years, I said I would never write an open-ended series. Then along came Oddie, and he proved me wrong. Or so I thought. As I wrote the first chapter of Odd Hours, the fourth featuring my fry-cook hero, I realized that this was not an open-ended series, after all, but that it would conclude with six or seven novels. I now think seven.

I suddenly saw the end point of his journey, the arc of it to the final book, and I was stunned. Beginning with this fourth story, the stakes were being raised dramatically; Oddie was going to face far more physical and moral danger than previously; and he was going to mature toward the fulfillment of a destiny that I had not seen coming until that moment.

Initially, I tried to argue myself out of the direction that Odd Hours was taking. I didn't believe that the first three books had put down a sufficient foundation to support the formidable architecture that I saw rising from it in the next three or four novels.

When I began to reread the first three books, however, I quickly discovered that I had unconsciously paved the road that the series was now taking. I had thought I was writing a series with an overall theme about the power and beauty of humility. Indeed I was, but it was also something more than that; and Oddie's ultimate destiny will not be merely purification to a state of absolute humility, but will be that and something else I find quite wonderful.

What lies ahead will be a challenge to write--or perhaps not. The character of Odd Thomas was a gift to me, and now I see that the entire architecture of a seven-book series was another gift that came to me complete on the same day Oddie arrived, although I needed time to recognize it.

This world is a place of wonder, and life is a mysterious enterprise; but nothing in all my years has been more mysterious than Odd Thomas's origins and my compulsion to write about him.

-- Dean Koontz

Customer Reviews (270)

Odd
A little stranger than the previous - it is getting weirder out there and I don't like that aa much. But the book is still great.

Love the Odd guy!
Love everything Odd!Hear they're gonna' make a movie based on his character!Koontz is fantastic and Odd is even better!!

4th & Weakest of the Odd Thomas Series
Odd Thomas has to be one of the most likable characters created by Dean Koontz or any other author for that matter. Unfortunately, it seems Odd may have run his course & the series is out of steam.
Mr. Koontz has in the past number of years changed his writing style, which is not a problem. He's still excellent. As weak as this book is, the writing is still top notch.
The problem for me arises from a very improbable story line & some characters that are so underdeveloped one wonders why they were included in the book.
Picture, if you will, Odd out of his fry cook element in Pico Mundo, Ca. He now is charged with saving four U.S. cities from nuclear holocausts from a handful of madmen. Odd, of course, saves the day. Preposterous compared to the first three novels which were all good.
If one had not read this series in order, he/she would be greatly lost reading this book.
Sadly it does leave Odd Thomas open for a 5th book. Mr. Koontz, I beg of you, please retire Odd Thomas after this travesty. This book does not do your literary talent any justice at all.

Odd Hours,By Dean Koontz
I love Dean Koontz and he has finally written a SERIES!I highly recommend the Odd Thomas series. Odd Hours is book four. Odd Thomas Series (Volumes 1-4)
The books are entertaining, sometimes funny, suspenseful, and imagintive. You will fall in love with Odd as a little brother, son, friend, or fry-cook.

Fun read, but start with Odd Thomas if you're new to this series
Odd Hours is perhaps the most serious Odd Thomas adventure yet.It certainly is the most morally ambiguous and wierd novel of the series.Koontz's skill as an author saves what could easily become a messy and boring story in less gifted hands.Odd Thomas is as droll and virtuous as ever, but his minimalistic character is deepened through actions that are both heroic and ruthless.I'm ambivalent about this change of character, which gives the novel a somber and serious tone (in my opinion not exactly "Odd Thomas like.") The plot, much like the others in this series, does not drive the novel.To keep the pages turning, Koontz introduces another couple of vivid secondary characters (Birdy, Hutch), some deeply introspective and beautful first-person commentary, and brilliant comic dialogue. I also find Koontz's premise, employed here and in the other novels in this series, that there can exist both unadulterated evil and pure good, refreshing and compelling.

The book does have its faults though.Annamaria's character seemed nearly unnecessary; her significance (and nature) left me perplexed. The supernatural menace aluded to (i.e. the porch chair and storm drain incidents) were left undeveloped and their meaning unresolved.And, The Voice just didn't compare to The King.

Despite these complaints, I cannot give the novel anything less than 4 stars (I would get a 4.5 if that was an option).This story was fun to read from cover to cover and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys unique and well-written fiction.


... Read more

Customer Reviews (224)

scary
Wow, how scary can you get? Book 2 of the Wild Series, Wild Justice

Mr. Koontz kept the pages turning,
which is why I gave this book five stars. If I were "grading" on plot and believability I might take off a star or two. Other reviewers have mentioned the shaky plot points. I only care that I couldn't put the book (actually my iTouch running the Kindle app) down. The author casually mentions things early on that don't get explained until the end, and I wanted to find out the "big picture". The action is pretty intense too.

A good read.

Good concept - poor execution
What started as an interesting concept devolved into a tv-movie-of-the-week episode. Disappointing. As happens on occasion with a Koontz book, he seems to lose interest in his original concept and gets sloppy wrapping up an ending. The whole premise for the main storyline (a women being targeted for execution by a professional killer), is so ridiculously unbelievable that it's a huge letdown. Don't waste your time with this one. Koontz does have many other books which are so much better.

Koontz fans, don't bother. Total retread & rip off.
If I could give this minus stars, I would. I feel cheated of my time and money. If you are a big Koontz fan, you will recognize the creepy psycho killer who thinks himself a special, superior, entitled being who likes to randomly torment and kill perfect strangers, not just his original targets. You will recognize the plucky, emotionally-damaged hero with issues that will surface but be resolved now that he has met the right girl and the plucky, emotionally-damaged heroine with issues that will surface but be resolved now that she has met the right guy.Behind the evil lurks shadowy, utterly ruthless bureaucrats who aren't psycho, exactly, but who feel that they are special, superior, entitled beings who have the right to remake the world the way they see fit, etc., etc.

The biggest difference between this and a number of his earlier books is that Koontz not only essentially re-used--with only an insultingly-little surface disguise-- character types, scenes, situations,and plot elements, but he didn't even worry about plausibility when he ended this one. The "conclusion" is ridiculous. It's as if he felt, "Well, I have churned out the requisite number of pages, guess I'll throw something in so I can stop." If you haven't read his earlier third person narratives, you might find the book entertaining for a while because you won't be in a constant state of deja vu, but you will definitely feel bored and cheated by the time you are approaching the end.

I can only assume his publishers expect a certain number of books within a period of time, and no one cares if he shamelessly recycles old ideas if he can't think of anything new. It is as if a less talented writer were asked to come up with an imitation of earlier Koontz books.

WORTH RE-READING
Recently picked up this book and after about 20 or so pages realized I had already read it a few years ago.It was good enough to read again so I did.

I am shocked at the bad reviews for this book--if it was good enough for me to read twice--it should be good enough for others to read once.Especially liked the interaction with Tim's mom. Also recommend "The Husband" by the same author. ... Read more

Product Description
Mystery writer Marty Stillwater finds his life and family threatened by a psychotic killer professing to be the real Marty Stillwater who embarks on a campaign to eliminate Marty and claim his family. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Watchers = Mr.Murder
I am new to Dean Koontz. The first book that I read was "Watchers". I then picked "Mr. Murder". Has anyone else noticed that one is merely a revision of the other? Koontz has simplyreplaced dogs with humans. Before I read another Koontz book, can anyonetell me whether Koontz tends to repeat himself in his other books?

Edge of your seat thriller...
This was a very enjoyable read, made even better by the narrator's excellent reading. It was suspenseful, creepy, and fast-paced.I'd recommend it.

Amazing
I loved it it was the first book by Dean Koontz i actually read and i loved it..I think it would make a cool movie tooo...I couldn't put it down..I usually hate reading..but my mom told me it was a great book so Iread it and loved it...

One of my favorites of his to date!
Dean Knootz has not let me down yet. I'm only disappointed I discovered him about a year ago. This man is brilliant! He makes writing look like figure skaters make ice skating look! I am making it my goal to meet this unually gifted man/writer! I looking forward to my reading career with so many of his books left! That and 2 younger kids, it should keep me busy for awhile! MR. MURDER is top of the line.

Oh yeah...Oh YEAH...OH...YEAH!
I need...I need...?I need...What was it?Another Dean Koontz book to read.I've read all of them.In this thriller Koontz "leads us to Stillwater", a pretty normal guy it turns out--for a change, Dean!Great interplay with his family.He winds another "can't put it down story", a very nice audio experience if you are working on the house or driving somewhere, I might add. Again, the villain is incredibly ghastly.Again the detail is a little TOO graphic.These conditions make you scream encouragement to the Stillwaters, "Go Marty, Go!".You are really scared of the villain.I wish I could write stories like this.The work and talent that went into this one must have blown out a few gobstoppers. ... Read more

Product Description

"In each little life we can see great truth and beauty,and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe."

DEAN KOONTZ thought he had everything he needed. A successful novelist with more than twenty #1 New York Times bestsellers to his credit, Dean had forged a career out of industry and imagination. He had been married to his high school sweetheart, Gerda, since the age of twenty, and together they had made a happy life for themselves in their Southern California home. It was the picture of peace and contentment. Then along came Trixie.

Dean had always wanted a dog--had even written several books in which dogs were featured. But not until Trixie was he truly open to the change that such a beautiful creature could bring about in him. Trixie had intelligence, a lack of vanity, and an uncanny knack for living in the present. And because she was joyful and direct as all dogs are, she put her heart into everything--from chasing tennis balls, to playing practical jokes, to protecting those she loved.

A retired service dog with Canine Companions for Independence, Trixie became an assistance dog of another kind. She taught Dean to trust his instincts, persuaded him to cut down to a fifty-hour work week, and, perhaps most important, renewed in him a sense of wonder that will remain with him for the rest of his life. She mended him in many ways.

Customer Reviews (101)

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog ; Bliss
These books are the "best of Koontz". They provide a package that together provides an insight into Dean's inner self, documents the origin of a change in writing that I nooticed since '98 and are perfect for holiday gifts for the persons that I treasure. The personal bonus for me was a response fron Dean when I wrote him. As I told him, : Trixie is my new Teacher". NBot just a book for "dog lovers" or golden retrevor devotees.

Great Book
This is a great book for dog people. Everyone will relate to part or all of it.

The love for a dog
Koontz has written an excellent tribute to his beloved golden retriever, Trixie.While those of us with dogs in our lives can feel the love for our canine family, Koontz is able to write about it in a way that makes us feel HIS love for HIS dog.
Trixie, a retired Canine Companion comes to live with Koontz and his wife after years of it being "just us two".Always a shocker, that first dog.Of course Trixie was not just any dog, and found her way into their hearts almost immediately.An immediate family member, she becomes their priority.
You will read this book with trepidation, because everyone knows how memoirs end.Don't let that get in the way of the enjoyment of reading about this family.Koontz is a prolific author who has a unique style.This shines through in this memoir.He has a self deprecating sense of humor and as you fill find by reading this book, a huge sense of devotion to those he loves.Trixie is an amazing dog, to be sure, but there are times when its a little over the top.One wonders if Koontz realizes other dog owners may feel the same about their dogs, or if he believes this to be impossible because of Trixie's extraordinary gifts.By the end, we realize Koontz will have the capacity to love again.Dogs do that for us. A good read for dog lovers.

A sweet little book
This is the story of how a beautiful dog transformed the lives of Dean Koontz and his wife. Trixie was a golden retriever who had been trained as a service dog but who had to retire because of an injury. She joins the Koontz household and becomes the "daughter." Occasionally Koontz seems a bit too besotted by Trixie, rather like a first-time parent whose baby is the one and only child ever to be so adorable. But in general, he tells his stories of Trixie's life with great charm.

It was interesting to learn about Koontz's background. He rose from a horrible childhood that might have debilitated someone else to become a great success. He married the loveof his life, his high-school sweetheart, Gerda, and from his account they are still blissfully happy many years later. They share a number of odd quirks (ironing the underwear? O-k-a-y-y-y-y....)but clearly could not have been better suited. The affection they share is obvious.

Koontz is especially known as an author of horror or suspense novels. Since I'm not a fan of those genres, I've never read him. But after "A Big Little Life," I have to give him a try. His writing is just amazing. He can take a thought that would come across as dreadful if written by someone with a less sure hand and make it sing. An example is his description of Gerda in high school: "Petite, graceful, beautiful, Gerda had a soft voice that made every word seem intimate and romantic. When she said, `Something is hanging from the end of your nose,' my heart soared."

If you're not a dog person, you might want to take a pass. But if you ARE, you'll want to give copies of this book to others who share your love of dogs.

A Dog Lovers Must Read
Amazon was awesome in getting the book to me in a timely fashion.To be honest, I read this book on my Kindle and thought it was so awesome I have ordered a total of three copies through Amazon to share with my friends.Buy it - read it - share it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (116)

First Koontz novel
Could not agree with Milo "gjm" more (see second page of reviews). Although the story line captures the imagination some of the writing is down right atrocious. The author often felt the need to 'explain' what he means which I found demeaning and I think if I had read "...it's the 90's" one more time I would have flung myself off the nearest bridge.He digresses, pontificates and includes trivia that has no place in the story. Had the novel been 300 pages instead of nearly 400 I suspect it would have been a tightly knit, less frustrating and more coherent novel. This was the first book that I have read by Koontz and will be the last which isa shame because I do see a great deal of merit in the book. However poor writing is to me like chalk across a blackboard.

The audio is awesome!
It has been a long time since I listened to this book, but the narrator absolutely MADE the book.Scared the socks off me and fascinated me at the same time.Now, I must say that I don't read many horror novels, but this one I really liked and enjoyed being scared.My favorite of Mr. Koontz' books is The Watchers, but this one is worth a listen as well.

DEAN KOONTZ, DRAGON TEARS
Almost finished with this novel & will start another Koontz novel next.Dragon Tears is excellent, with fascinating characters that are easy to like (except for the bad guy).Highly recommend it.

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.

Best Dean Koontz novels
Dean Koontz is one of my all-time favorite authors.
This novel is one of his best - and he has written so many great novels.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.This is my 3rd copy and I have read the story at least 6 times. ... Read more

Product Description
1972 Paperback. A Lancer Science Fiction Original. Never before published ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Okay, it's definetly different!
On the cover it says "The gene-tamperers produced two supermen-one a defiant mentalist, the other a defiant...God?"Makes you want to read it right?I saw it listed on an auction and ordered it right away.Here is my review: This book is 124 pages of strangeness.It is about gene tampering (typical), e.s.p. (typical), and the mysteries of creation (not typical).When I first got it in the mail I was disappointed with the length of the book.Well I shouldn't have been.There isn't much to the story but what is in those 124 pages is enough to boggle the mind and make you say " what the heck?"The "mysteries of creation" part of the book may make some people uncomfortable. I could tell that Koontz was still in the early stages of honing his writing style.It was pure science fiction while I find most Koontz books to be a chilling medley of science fiction and horror.And unlike any of his books from the last 2 decades, this book does not grab you from the beginning by the seat of the pants and keep you flying till the end.If you are a Koontz collector this is a must own as it was published very early in his career (1972).But if you're not a collector........I could recommend better.Here are a few (In the order in which I love them) Must Read Koontz books: Watchers, Dark Rivers of the Heart, Fear Nothing & Seize the Night,Whispers, Shadowfires, Phantoms, and Midnight.I have also heard Twilight Eyes, Lightning, and The Vision are excellent, but I haven't read them.........yet. ... Read more