Book Review: The Husband by Dean Koontz

This was my first time reading anything by Dean Koontz. My favorite authors are Iris Johansen and John Grisham. My son has been pushing me, and pushing me into giving Koontz a try, so I finally gave in. I figured I would try this book, after all- talking about a husband, now this ought to be interesting! How can I go wrong?!

The book started off with a bang, and I mean literally. I was shocked, a lot of writers, start off slow. Not this one, he gets you going with the husband, Mitch. He is a gardener. And he isn't rich at all, he does own his own business, but that is about it.

His wife Holly is a secretary at a local real estate office. She is also studying to become a Realtor. Presently Mitch and Holly don't have any children, but you learn later in the book, she just found out she was pregnant. Yes, they had been trying, and getting their hopes up. But every time, they were let down. So when Holly missed her period, nine days late, she bought a test, and keeps quiet.

As I was reading this, the name Holly made me remember the Die Hard Movies. And as you get farther into the book, Mitch does portray a Bruce Willis kind of character. He had his fill, he wanted his wife back, and that was that. Holly was kidnapped and held for ransom. And as you know, greed interferes within the kidnappers, and they start plucking one another off one by one. Mitch himself, accidentally kills one in the garage attic. Eventually only one is left, to Mitch, this makes everything easier. But he also knows, there is also a risk once the kidnappers are paid, that they could kill Holly, and or even him.

Once you get three quarters through the book, you don't want to put it down. It draws you in, and you can hardly wait for what will happen next. I don't really want to blow the whole story out of the water for you, the reader, but it is very interesting.

The one thing that I found really strange was how Mitch and his siblings were raised. I didn't like it, it wasn't right. It was a form of child abuse. I never heard of such ways, but because they are people who want to work within the so-called mind, I guess it makes sense. When you learn of their strange disciplinary ways, you will be dumbfounded. It is definitely original!!

The only thing that I particularly don't like about Koontz, is the very big words. I told my son this, and he responded with, "Mom, when you learn a new big word, where else are you gonna get to use it? So why not use it in your writings. Besides it will make the reader wiser." I agree, but disagree. Because I can't remember what the word was, but it dumb founded me. I didn't look it up, either, I read and re-read the sentence again, still couldn't figure it out, and went on. I like people to write where it is easy enough to understand. Yes, we all need to widen our vocabulary, but sometimes writers do go too far in the words.

This is why I like Iris Johansen. Most of her books are really easy to read, relate and understand. And when she does use big words, you can figure out what it is she is trying to say, or mean. Maybe, because she speaks of the field of study I am, I understand and relate to her better, though- I don't know.

On a scale from one to ten, though I do give this book a nine. It was very interesting, and nothing like I had suspected. I was impressed with the ending. As I was getting closer and closer to the end, I was hoping and hoping that Mitch and Holly would make it. And if you are anything like me, you imagine as you read, and I truly seen Holly from Die Hard, and Mitch as Bruce Willis. Those characters really seem to go along, and fit with this book. It is a book about love, survival, and how family will and can end up being your own worst enemy. This book would make for a good movie, and if it ever does become one, I will want to see it. (Even though I know they rearrange movies, not completely and totally following the books!)

Dean Koontz has written many best selling books, and manages to always stay on top with his writings. He lives in Southern California, and has a wife and a pet dog named Trixie. You can correspond with Koontz by writing to the following address:

Dean Koontz
P.O. Box 9529
Newport Beach, California
92658