I've seen threads get hijacked talking about Dean Koontz; for a while I've been thinking he deserves his own thread, especially after hearing some of the staff (most notably Matt and Debbie) read his books. If you haven't heard of him, don't worry (too much); I've heard him described as the most popular little-known author. That was 5 years ago or so, I'm not sure if it still stands. As far as suspense, Stephen King and John Grisham are both more widely known outside libraries and other reading communities, because motion picture adaptations of their work is more successful. Only a couple Koontz films can be called remotely decent, and are largely unknown. The TV movie The Servants of Twilight, although ending differently from the book, was not bad. And I sort of liked Hideaway, which featured Jeff Goldblum and Alicia Silverstone... but was still missed by most. Koontz ends up dissatisfied with movies based on his books, and for good reason.

Dean Koontz is probably the best example of why books cannot always be made into movies. You cannot always describe visual effects in words (though you can try -- it becomes too open to interpretation to approach accuracy), but it is much harder to describe the inner workings of the mind in a movie, and it's this spiritual aspect which gives Koontz's books their uniqueness, and makes film adaptations nearly impossible.

I started reading Koontz when I was 15, and very angry. A friend of mine told me that Lightning had some pretty heavy language and violence, so I picked up a copy. Though it wasn't as bad as my friend made it out to be, I enjoyed it immensely for other reasons. I had read before, including Stephen King, but it was usually for school, and I had never read a book that I really liked. I read two others, The Mask and Shadowfires, which weren't quite as good as Lightning but I later discovered were on par with most of his work -- pretty good. Shortly after, I found The House of Thunder, and I'm pretty sure it's after that one (which is still among my favorites) that I set out to read everything Koontz had published in paperback (I won't read a hardcover, it's too awkward). I accomplished that a few years ago, getting his new books as they came out or within a few months, depending on what else I'd be reading. As of now, I still have yet to acquire and read Frankenstein: Book Two, I'm reading The Taking, and I'm pretty sure Life Expectancy is coming soon.

I do have a clear favorite, From the Corner of His Eye, about a young boy who can phase in and out of our dimension, and a serial killer who wants him dead, over a sort of misunderstanding. It's a weird story, but very well written. I've read it twice and would read it again... I just need time between readings of the same book. The House of Thunder was my first real favorite Koontz book, and I still like it. I've read Midnight the most -- three times -- but it isn't really a favorite... just really good. Odd Thomas isn't a favorite, but it's quite unique. It's not the first time Koontz has written from the first-person, but Odd's (yes, that's his name) personality is simply priceless. Most of Koontz's books are good, and beyond the two favorites, it's hard to pick a third. Most of them are just that good. Only a couple I would say I have no opinion one way or the other on.

There are a few that I really do not like... I suppose that's inevitable, though. I just found Shattered, Twilight Eyes, and The Face of Fear to be boring and flat. The Vision offended me more than just about anything else I've read... not only was it boring like the other three, but at the end, it just had a horrible rape scene. And it's not like it's the only time perversion has found its way into a Koontz novel... Night Chills, The Voice of the Night, Whispers, and even Lightning had some pretty harsh stuff... but they were good books besides their obscenity. And nothing in them touch what happens in The Vision. I've read only two books that bothered me more. And despite the one before it being my favorite, and being followed by great books, I just didn't like One Door Away From Heaven, although my girlfriend and I decided (well, I decided, she agreed) to name our first daughter after one of the characters -- but only because it's a cool name, quite uncommon -- "Leilani".

I think the best way to read Koontz is to start with the early stuff and move forward. I would recommend against starting with the newer stuff and working backward, as a rule, because he seems to get better. First there's the really early stuff, which is pretty hit and miss. All mentioned in the above paragraph except One Door Away From Heaven is pretty old -- 1980s. The 1990s Koontz books, such as Dragon Tears, Mr. Murder, Intensity, etc., were a little tamer, a little more mature, but some of the stuff he's written in the last 5-6 years is simply amazing.

*gets a couple Koontz books for their lists of Koontz books*

Some highlights of Koontz's career: Whispers, The Voice of the Night, Strangers (800+ pages! and worth it), Night Chills, Midnight, The Mask, Lightning, The House of Thunder, The Bad Place, Intensity, Sole Survivor, False Memory, From the Corner of His Eye, By the Light of the Moon, Odd Thomas, and The Taking. I can practically guarantee you'll find those books enjoyable, and are all good places to start as any... if you see these at flea markets, swap meets, garage/yard/estate sales, or in used bookstores, they're worth their price and then some. (Of course, that's assuming that you, the reader of this post, would agree with me on what makes a book good.)


He's full of surprises, too. He's broken two "promises"... first, to never write a sequel. Fear Nothing is a sequel to Seize the Night and there's supposed to be a third one. The upcoming Forever Odd is most likely a sequel to Odd Thomas. The Frankenstein series. And that leads to the second, to never collaborate with another author... as he's done with the two Frankenstein books that are now out. I don't mind the sequels and collaborations, and I doubt many readers disagree with me there, it's just interesting to see how he's developed as a writer. And it's good to see that the really obscene stuff has all but disappeared. There's still things, from time to time, which will disturb you deeply (what the guy in the Firebird in the first chapter of Odd Thomas keeps in his pockets, for example), but it's not as bad as it was in a few of the older books, which I have to wonder if they weren't written for shock effect.


Often people compare Dean Koontz to Stephen King, and that isn't fair. Personally I prefer Koontz, but Koontz isn't horror. He's written a few books that wander into King territory, but the authors write very different material. It's hard to explain the differences; you'd have to read a few books by each author to understand. Read a few from my recommendations above, then read some of my favorite King books: Desperation, The Regulators (those two are a set, read one and then the other -- the order doesn't matter), and Needful Things, then come back here and try to put it into words. One author both King and Koontz (as well as myself) both enjoy, and who is kind of in the middle, is Bentley Little.

I've read most of Koontz books as well, I agree he is very good, and has only gotten better.

My favorite book so far, has been Life Expectancy. I also love Midnight, The Face, Watchers, Odd Thomas, Lighting, The Bad Place, From the Corner of His Eye, Velocity, The Taking and Tick Tock. The only book of his so far I haven't liked was Demon Seed, but it's one of his early early works.

As for comparing King to Koontz, shouldn't be done, they are two completely different artists, both with great catalogs of work, and both with the gift.

James you going for the Ned Kelly look there dude (Aussie bushranger with large beard).

Never really get the comparison between King and Koontz as they write in separate genres imho, or maybe sub genres would be a better term. Maybe a comparison to Michael Crichton would be more apt.

Liked "Strangers" and any number of his other books. One of those writers l buy on name alone, haven't been let down yet.

I just started Strangers today...

And I noticed on the back cover there's a quote by Stephen King "The Best novel he's written!"

I thought "Now that's got to be a great compliment, I mean someone like Stephen King, who is one of the most famous writers of all time is praising your book."

Especially in '86 when Dean wasn't as well known as he is now.

Just thought it was pretty cool.

Now you got me wanting to read some more *Turns around and grabs "Night Chills" from the bookshelve behind my desk* Will get into that this evening...

I love Koontz's recent work.

I just finished "From the corner of his eye" actually and although I found it a little hard to get started due to the constantly changing characters and stories - I eventually got into the stride of it and enjoyed it hugely.

My favourite to date is "Life Expectancy" with "Odd Thomas" following just behind. "Life Expectancy" was just so warmly written and you couldn't help but love the two main characters and almost wish you were in their world. Sure, they had a lot to deal with, what with insane clowns, etc - but their sense of family and pure strength of character made you admire them. I was quite sad to finish that book and could have read about them for years.

"Odd Thomas" is another that draws you into the main character(s) and make you care about them and their fate.

I recently read the first Frankenstein book and picked up the other on my recent US visit and will probably read that when I've finished 'Angels and Demons'.

Interesting, I would have taken you for a Terry Prachett man myself.

Velocity looks great by the previews I've read. Sadly, I'm waiting for paperback, so it'll be another year for me on that one.

Demon Seed was made into a movie (back in the late 70s or early 80s). Naturally and following tradition, it wasn't very good.

Strangers was a really good book... I find it hard to re-read, but it was great the first time through.

That may have been around the time Koontz gained a lot of speed. The same thing happened with author Bentley Little when King revealed in an interview that he was reading the new B.L. novel. Everyone had to see what Stephen King was reading.

Night Chills was good, but there's a lot of heavy stuff in it. Not for the faint of heart.

"I am the Key."

I absolutely loved 'Life Expectancy'. It was a fantastic book. I never wanted it to end!

I am sill trying to get myself otivated to read 'Odd Thomas' or 'The Taking'. Although I am just reading a Stephen King book called 'Four Past Midnight' which has short stories including 'Secret Garden, Secret Window' (of which I LOVE the film starring Johnny Depp)

You'll love Odd Thomas and The Taking. Odd Thomas (the character) is so bizarre and eccentric, and it's written in the first person. It's hard to describe how The Taking is written. Very detailed, very slow-paced, but good. Both are a treat to read.

I think paperbacks come out sooner in the UK. I know you guys can get The DaVinci Code in paperback... it's still hardcover only here. I imported mine from the UK because I dislike hardcovers that much... with importing fees, I essentially paid hardcover price for the paperback... but I found the paperback DVC to be of higher quality than any paperback I've seen here in the US... better paper, better binding... plus it was edited for UK English, so it was like a novelty in that regard, and a learning experience. (And it's why, from time to time, I'll accidentally use UK spelling. )

Odd Thomas is an awesome book, very thrilling on a what the heck is going on platform. It's very good for those who enjoy a bit of suspense on top of the weird with a dose of drama.

Oh yeah... and it completely owns The Sixth Sense. Forget about just seeing dead people... the first chapter really made me think of The Sixth Sense for some reason, but it went way beyond that.

Was wondering if that movie was based on the short story or the book (which l can't remember the name of) by Stephen King.

I think I will read Odd Thomas first then