frankie Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 I've never read a Dean Koontz novel in my life and have never even been particularly tempted to do so. Today though when I was in a charityshop I saw a Koontz novel and read the blurb and it sounded interesting. It was about a 'mad doctor' (?) who gagged and tied up this man who was in a motel room with his slightly autistic brother/son? There was also a woman whom the doctor also 'kidnapped'. Then he claimed that he's a target and some people are trying to get rid of them and hence his hostages are also in danger and need to stay in hiding. The hostages first suspect he's just a loon but soon enough they are beginning to wonder what the real deal is. Does anyone recognise this novel? What's the title (I forgot it =/... ), and is it any good? Should I read it? Quote
mountinsea Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 I enjoy the books that usually has a dog or other animal in the story but dont like his chase novels Quote
Mac Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 Frankie, I believe the novel you're talking about is The Bad Place, a cracking good read. As on previous posts in this thread, I'll say how much I enjoy Koontz' novels. He always seems to have me hooked immediately, but then, he's like a comfort blanket, I suppose. I grew up reading him from an early age and know his style (but it's been nice watching this style evolve!) Obviously, because of the volume of his works, some are better than others, but there have been a couple that have truly scared me. I still hold that he's a great one. Pip pip. Quote
~Andrea~ Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 there have been a couple that have truly scared me. Which ones Mac? I've only read two Koontz so far so it'd be good to look out for the cream Quote
Mac Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 Erm...The Mask, I think, was a really scary one; Sole Survivor properly freaked me out in places; From The Corner Of His Eye is one of my favourites - I've read that one twice! Ooh, and False Memory was quite disturbing also. These, you might like. Quote
Rawr Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 Any recs for Koontz that i should start with or try out? I have always been meaning to check some of his work out as he is quite well respected in the horror genre. Quote
Mac Posted January 9, 2010 Posted January 9, 2010 Any recs for Koontz that i should start with or try out? I have always been meaning to check some of his work out as he is quite well respected in the horror genre. See above, my friend. See above. Quote
frankie Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) Frankie, I believe the novel you're talking about is The Bad Place, a cracking good read. As on previous posts in this thread, I'll say how much I enjoy Koontz' novels. He always seems to have me hooked immediately, but then, he's like a comfort blanket, I suppose. I grew up reading him from an early age and know his style (but it's been nice watching this style evolve!) I read about The Bad Place and while it partly seems like it could be the book I'm talking about, it doesn't match in other ways. In your novel the main character seeks help from a couple and I get the impression that they're going to help willingly while in the book I was talking about he sort of kidnaps these two (random?) people who are not connected with each other. Edit: I googled 'Koontz' and 'autistic brother' and found a novel called "By the Light of the Moon" and this seems to be the one. Has anyone read it, is it any good? Edited January 10, 2010 by frankie Quote
~Andrea~ Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 Erm...The Mask, I think, was a really scary one; Sole Survivor properly freaked me out in places; From The Corner Of His Eye is one of my favourites - I've read that one twice! Ooh, and False Memory was quite disturbing also. These, you might like. Thanks Mac. I'll look out for them Quote
Mac Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 Edit: I googled 'Koontz' and 'autistic brother' and found a novel called "By the Light of the Moon" and this seems to be the one. Has anyone read it, is it any good? This is, as you say Frankie, the one. Yep, I've read it and, yep, it's very readable. You'll like it, I'm sure. Classic Koontz. Quote
BookJumper Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 ... there's also an autistic brother to the female cop in his Frankenstein books. Quote
Mac Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 ... there's also an autistic brother to the female cop in his Frankenstein books. Again, this is true. Giulia's excellent, isn't she? Quote
BookJumper Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 ... or it just so happens that the only 100 pages of Koontz I have ever read were at the beginning of Frankenstein 1: Prodigal Son since you mention it though, why yes, I am excellent. Quote
BigWords Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 I googled 'Koontz' and 'autistic brother' and found a novel called "By the Light of the Moon" and this seems to be the one. Has anyone read it, is it any good? That's one I read a while back, though I remember thinking at the time it wasn't the worst example of an 'origin story' (there is a substantial element of homage to mid-sixties Marvel Comics in the mix) but it lacked a certain something for me. I'm never sure if I'm too critical of Koontz, but I know that he can (and has) done much better. It's not his best, but there are moments that'll make you grin from ear to ear if you have a working knowledge of comic book characters or have seen the Incredible Hulk television series. Quote
lexiepiper Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 I'm reading The Taking atm, and enjoying it, although it gave me nightmares last night The alien stuff is quite freaky! Especially the reanimated dead body!! Quote
Mac Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 I'm currently enjoying his new one, Breathless. Some of his books have given me nightmares before - The Mask being one of them. Quote
jankensan Posted January 13, 2010 Posted January 13, 2010 I've only ever read one Dean Koontz book 'Life Expectancy'. I found it really hard to care about any of the characters. Do you think this is typical of his books or did I just choose a bad egg? Quote
lexiepiper Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Bad egg, I've read that one and didn't enjoy it nearly as much as some of his others Quote
Rawr Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 Erm...The Mask, I think, was a really scary one; Sole Survivor properly freaked me out in places; From The Corner Of His Eye is one of my favourites - I've read that one twice! Ooh, and False Memory was quite disturbing also. These, you might like. Noted Quote
jankensan Posted January 16, 2010 Posted January 16, 2010 Bad egg, I've read that one and didn't enjoy it nearly as much as some of his others I will have to try again with some of the recs from the thread then. I'm quite heartened that there may still be hope! Quote
ian Posted January 19, 2010 Posted January 19, 2010 Frankie - "By the light of the Moon" is brilliant! One of his best (in my humble opinion, of course) regards Ian Quote
Nicola Booth Posted January 25, 2010 Posted January 25, 2010 I used to love Dean Koontz books especially: - Strangers Watchers Intensity Quote
runner Posted February 2, 2010 Posted February 2, 2010 (edited) I love Fear Nothing but his later books... ie what he writes now all follow a similar formula and they are predictable and boring. I must admit I have never really liked him since he decided to adorn that wig some years ago :mrgreen:. Edited February 2, 2010 by BookJumper Quote
AndrewM Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 Just finished Odd Thomas, I'd give it a 3/5. Quote
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