On the outside, I try to project an image of having it all together. But underneath that, I'm kind of a disaster. Hence... the name of the site: GlossyVeneer. Author: Dean Koontz
Synopsis:
Odd Thomas, who narrates, is odd indeed: only 20, he works contentedly as a fry cook in a small fictional California town, despite a talent for writing. The reason for his lack of ambition? A much rarer talent: Odd sees and converses with ghosts, the lingering dead who have yet to pass on, a secret he has kept from nearly everyone but his girlfriend, an eccentric author friend and the local police chief, whom he occasionally helps solve terrible crimes. Odd also has the ability to see bodachs, malevolent spirits that feast on pain and whose presence signifies a likelihood of imminent violence. The proximity of bodachs to a weird-looking stranger in town, whom Odd dubs “Fungus Man,” alerts Odd that trouble is brewing; breaking into Fungus Man’s house, Odd discovers not only hundreds of bodachs but a shrine to serial killers that helps him deduce that somehow Fungus Man will wreak widespread havoc very soon-so Odd is caught in a classic race against time to deter catastrophe. As with Koontz’s best novels, this one features electrifying tension and suspense, plus a few walloping surprises. But Koontz fans know that the author has recently added humor to his arsenal of effects, and this thriller also stands out for its brilliant tightrope walk between the amusing and the macabre; one of the dead with whom Odd interacts frequently, for instance, is Elvis, still pining for his long-dead mother, Gladys. Above all, the story, like most great stories, runs on character-and here Koontz has created a hero whose honest, humble voice will resonate with many. In some recent books, Koontz has tended to overwrite, but not here: the narrative is as simple and clear as a newborn’s gaze. This is Koontz working at his pinnacle, providing terrific entertainment that deals seriously with some of the deepest themes of human existence: the nature of evil, the grip of fate and the power of love.
From Publisher’s Weekly
Thoughts:
I used to read a lot of Dean Koontz novels but got out of the habit, some of them just seemed so bizarre and dark I just quit reading them. But after a break I thought it might be time to come back to him, he’s been receiving some good reviews lately. I found this in the audiobook section at the library and thought it would be a good option and I could listen while doing some of my training. I’m glad I did, this was a really good book! Well written with an intriguing story and interesting characters. Apparently I’m not the only one that liked the character, there have been a couple more books written about the ‘Odd’ character since. I fully intend to read those as well now. The audiobook was nicely produced, the reader did subtle differences in voice inflections for characters, but nothing over-the-top. Overall this was well worth my time.
If you buy, follow this link:
Odd Thomas
