Odd Hours by Dean Koontz: A Review

Dean Koontz has done it again. I've just finished reading "Odd Hours" the fourth but hopefully not last of the Odd Thomas novels. From the opening scenes at Magic Beach to the ending at... oh well, if you've been reading my reviews, by now you know I'm not going to give away any secrets, but I guarantee this book to get the full and undivided attention of all Odd Thomas fans.

Here in the Magic Beach setting we find our cookie baking hero is beset with a recurring nightmare. A nightmare that by all indications seems to be on the verge of coming true. Only Odd can prevent the terrible dream from transforming into deadly reality, but Odd himself just doesn't realize what the dream means. Or how to stop it. Then there's the Lady of the Bell.

Koontz seems to get more creative with each new Odd Thomas novel. Odd's powers are progressing, becoming stronger as he hones his skills, but at the same time he remains the very likable boy next door, just one that sees dead people. Koontz is adept at filling his tales with characters rich with the flavor of life, some so real you would swear you knew them. Then again, some are so dark, you're very glad you don't have to walk along in Odd's shoes through dark alleys or fog laden beaches at night. Boo is back. You'll also meet Lawrence "Hutch" Hutchison and make a visit to the Cottage of the Happy Monster. Bodachs remain as sinister as ever, lurking silently in the background. There is a repeat performance from the celebrity ghost first introduced in "Brother Odd". As always, for their own reasons, there are the lingering dead.

The careful reader is again well advised to look for little bits of wit hidden in the dialogue. I love the lines on global warming. Apparently Koontz doesn't like science with a political agenda. His comments on gorillas is equally amusing and yet thought provoking at the same time. Good one, Mr Koontz.

As good a story as "Odd Hours" proves to be, and it is probably the best yet of the series (albeit the original book had the beloved Stormy Llewellyn), I get the feeling that Dean Koontz has laid the groundwork at Magic Beach for something even grander. I thoroughly enjoyed "Odd Hours", but I'm anxiously awaiting book five. As should you. Meanwhile, be wary of redheads.