Rating: 
Summary: Strange and very moving...
Review: The novels of Dean Koontz are peculiar, macabre, at times downright horrific, though have that familiar atmosphere of the prosaic and everyday. He has that mysterious facility as a writer to create extremely strange circumstances and involve characters that would not normally find themselves in adventures far more exciting than a weekday trip to the shopping mall. His gift is to put normal people into abnormal situations and make it believable. Dean Koontz latest novel is a wonderful example of this particular gift. Mr. Odd Thomas is indeed one of the nicest characters you will meet in the world of fiction. The young man is humble, a talented fry cook, head over heels in love with his girlfriend, and his only ambition is to move on from frying eggs to selling new tires at the local tire store. By today's standards, he would be considered a first class loser in anyone's book. But there is something special about Odd Thomas, and that is the fact that he can see and communicate with the dead. As he explains in the narrative, sometimes the departed have a hard time moving on to the next world, whether it be because of unfinished business, a sentimental attachment to the living, or an unawareness of their deadness; Thomas is always there to help if his help is required. In fact he believes it is his moral duty to aid the dead, otherwise why would he have this gift in the first place? The plot unfolds when he spots a strange looking individual enter his place of work, the Pico Mundo Grille, and orders breakfast. Surrounding the stranger are bodachs, entities that appear like swimming shadows, which only manifest when death, chaos, blood and destruction will occur sometime in the future. Odd's sixth sense, including the swarm of bodachs, tells him that something is terribly wrong and he begins his investigation. What Odd discovers is chilling and continues to be chilling to the very last page. This novel more than illustrates Koontz cleverness for characterization. In a few lines of description and simple dialogue, his characters become visually real and familiar to the heart. It is almost as if you have met these people somewhere before but just can't place exactly where - or if you haven't met them, you'd like to. Odd Thomas is a wonderful piece of storytelling with some astute observations about the human condition and our culture in general. The story's ending is very moving for the obvious reasons. An excellent read.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit of satire
Review: Okay, I'll admit it. I read this book because the ghost of Elvis was supposed to be a character. Elvis doesn't get to do much. He doesn't even talk, so that's a big let down.
Odd Thomas, the protagonist, not only communes with Elvis but also sees many different dead people, including a potential mass murderer who has targeted Pico Mundo for a wholesale slaughter. When Odd first notices the man, he is alive but is being followed by strange creatures called bodachs, who portend violent atrocities. Later, he finds the man's body in his bathroom and this leads Odd on a wild chase to find the man's accomplices.
Most interesting for me was how Dean Koontz deals with suspension of disbelief. Although he is a short order cook and has no greater ambition than to work in a tire store, everyone in Pico Mundo respects Odd Thomas, including chief of police Wyatt Porter, who has learned from experience not to doubt Odd. So, if everyone in the story accepts what's happening as the status quo, why not the reader?
Being the cynic that I am, I was less than enthusiastic until Odd's parents are introduced towards the end of the book. Both of them are sociopathic. Odd's mother is especially menacing, threatening Odd with a gun when he asks her for help. I began to think that this might be a psychological mystery, until things reverted to form with a rather typical team of killers being revealed. They're introduced earlier in the book, but you'll never be able to pick them out. Believe me.
Another interesting and original element of the book was when Odd speculates that the bodachs might be creatures from the future whose "bodies" could not make the trip. A bit of satire, since they're enthralled by violence, just like we are.
Rating: 
Summary: A little slow in the middle
Review: Though overall I liked the book a lot, there were times in the middle of the book when I made myself keep reading because the book got hideously boring. This happened about two times. Other then that, I liked the book a lot. I especially liked the surprise ending. Considering the movie Dean Koontz stole the idea for this book from (Sixth Sense), it probably shouldn't have been a surprise. But it was.
Rating:
Summary: "Awesome"
Review: If you've read any Koontz book, you've read them all...Well, not really. This book was narrated by its main character, Odd Thomas. I'm sure you will love Odd. He basically lives the life of an orphan, though both his parents are still alive. He sees the walking dead, and senses the apparition of evil around him. Everybody in the town of Pico Mundo, California know and love Odd. Few however, know of his gift. Only his beautiful girlfriend, Stormy; the chief of police; his boss; and a few others, to different degrees, understand him. In this story, Odd delivers a murderer to the chief of police. Later he gets a bad vibe from a sleazy character (fungus man), who comes into the diner where he works. He knows that this dude brings trouble, so he follows the dark and twisted trail ahead. The villian in this book was not as terrifying as those in any of the other Koontz books I've read, yet he portrays pure evil. One thing I love about this book--it doesn't have the usual mushy happy-ever-after ending. In fact, the ending was fantastic. The only thing I find disappointing with this book, as with all of Koontz' books: He always ties up all the loose ends at the end of the book. Dean, let us assume, wonder, or wander. The pieces don't necessarily need to fit. On the positive side, your writing is poetic, and at times, prophetic. I look forward to your next book.
Rating:
Summary: Koontz is Back
Review: I have been a long time Dean Koontz fan. I've read just about every book, including some by his pseudonyms. Almost every book was a great read. I would close the book after the last page feeling both fulfilled and sad. Fulfilled because of a great story, sad because it was over. Lately, however, Koontz's books have been slipping. I think it began after Seize the Night. His books became harder to read and filled (and I mean filled) with metaphors and similes. And the ultra-sappy happy endings were very unlike the author. I didn't read The Face because of the bad reviews I heard. So, when Odd Thomas came out, I was reluctant but curious. Am I glad I picked this book up! The story was fast-paced and exciting. The subject (Odd sees dead people) may have been used before, but Koontz put his own special touch in there. The characters were vivid, especially Odd and Stormy. And the humor...Koontz has a gift when it comes to humor in his books. I literally laughed out loud more than once. Odd Thomas is classic Koontz. A great story, a quick read, funny, sad, scary, and moving.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Characters
Review: This is the best of Koontz's novels that I've read so far. It is relatively short where some of his other work is way too long. The protagonist, Odd Thomas, is a Good Samaritan with more than his share of quirks and special talents. Odd's insights are both wise and humorous. Koontz does his usual great job of developing each character while telling the story. The characters are people who you can really get into, even the dead ones. All of the characters - even the bad guys - are believable within the context of the story. I highly recommend this novel.
Rating:
Summary: New Twist on an Old Idea
Review: I have not been an avid Koontz reader, but the idea behind this novel intrigued me. I mean who isn't now attracted to the idea of, "I see dead people"?. I was pleasantly surprised at how Mr. Koontz turned that idea around and not only made fun of that line itself but managed to do something new with the idea. I agree that there were some slow parts. I felt the voice was hard to adjust to at first but I had to realize that it was intended to be a 20 year old male (which I am not). This is well worth a read, even in hardback :)
Rating:
Summary: A New Favorite!
Review: This novel is a must read for all Dean Koontz fans!
His new characters are truly intriguing and will keep the pages turning. Odd Thomas has a strangely mature view on the world for a twenty-year-old fry cook. This possibly stems from the world that he is a part of that others are not: the spiritual world. Odd Thomas sounds more mature than 20 and this took me a while to adjust to, but his sarcastic sense of humor amused me so much I just had to mark pages to remember some of Koontz's lines for later! The girlfriend of Odd Thomas is just as intriguing as a character. I read an earlier Amazon review critiquing her as a character because she has Odd "wrapped around her finger" and is overtly feminist. I applaud Koontz for creating a character so convincing as to upset a reader. One should not base the critique of a good book on the principles of one character.
I was thoroughly impressed with this first person account, all the way through the enthralling ending. I was torn between having tears in my eyes and smiling uncontrolably. I wanted to start the novel again immediately after turning the last page!
I am EAGERLY awaiting Koontz's promised sequel to this gripping storyline!
Rating:
Summary: Wow!!!!
Review: This is one truly "odd" book. Odd but great in that it's so different. Odd Thomas is a guy who does not live off his materialistic, narcissistic father's wealth. He is satisfied with a simple life as a fry cook (best in the county), aided by the complete acceptance and unconditional love of the prettiest girl in the county, who, like Odd, believes that copulation for people truly in love takes place only after marriage. Even when she gives in to her feelings, fearing he will die before they can consumate their love, he still holds out for marriage and promises to be there. Well, as you can see, Odd Thomas, even neglecting his unusual gift, indeed lives up to his name in view of present day morals. (Forgot to mention, he talks to dead people and saves folks). Hurrah for Odd Koontz! More writers should use their talents to present heros with good basic morals - maybe that is not such an Odd idea. A great read - pay attention and hang in there for the first 2/3 of the book, then hang onto your hat! I'm usually one for a bestseller like "Da Vinci Code" or "Bark of the Dogwood" but decided to try this one instead, and I'm glad I did!
Rating:
Summary: What the Eff?
Review: Now, I have not read the book, which is why i gave it a neutral rating. HOWEVER: Based on Amazon's synopsis, I am immediately appalled by the striking similarities between this book and a certain classic horror movie. No, not sixth sense. The Frighteners by Peter Jackson, starring Michael J. Fox. COME ON! IT'S THE SAME THING! I will read the book however.
| 
