Kearsten says: Odd Thomas can see dead people, among other things, but when he discovers a disturbing plot, it's all he can do to keep himself from becoming one of the dead. Fast-paced, with a scary ending. Odd is a wonderfully compelling and sympathetic character. ( )

Personally, I loved this book. Dean Koontz is my favorite author. This novel was full of action, erie events, heart felt moments, love and suspence. I hated reading before i read a Dean Koontz book. I believe that out of all the books i have read by him so far, this is the best one. I plan to read all of the books that Dean Koontz writes. ( )

An Odd Encounter,
Dean Koontz was definitely firing on all cylinders when he wrote Odd Thomas. Stepping outside his usual multiple viewpoint, third person style, Koontz keeps this first person narrative lively by allowing the story to unfold through the eyes of the quirky but likeable character of Odd Thomas. In the beginning, I thought Koontz's actually naming the character "Odd" Odd Thomasa bit much, but as the plot pulled me in that didn't seem to matter. If you're a Koontz fan, you'll love this one. ( )

I'm new to Dean Koontz, and this is the first novel of his that I have read. I don't know about the quality of his other books, but this one did not disappoint by any stretch of the imagination.

It tells the story of a man named Odd Thomas who can see the dead. This is told from the first-person narrative of Odd Thomas himself, and this is excellent because Odd is a very likeable, funny character. The way Koontz narrates things from Odd's point of view allows a good deal of witty and amusing dialogue.

That said, before I opened this book and began to read it, there was the thought lingering in the back of my mind that this was going to be an unoriginal copy of M. Night Shyamalan's film The Sixth Sense, as it uses the same concept.

I was wrong.

Yes, it does use the same concept as Sixth Sense, but it takes the seed that Shyamalan planted, and makes an entirely different tree, to use an analogy. The dead that Odd sees can't talk. So naturally, communicating with them causes some difficulties for Odd throughout the novel. And hey, you didn't see the ghost of Elvis Presley in Sixth Sense, did you?

All-in-all, this book is not perfect. I'm not a big fan of Koontz's overall writing style and I much prefer Stephen King, but that tiny flaw should not stop you from reading this. It's a fun, good-paced, and entertaining novel that everyone can enjoy, no matter their age or tastes. ( )

Odd Thomas sees dead people and has strange psychic abilities. He might be odd but apparantly his girlfriend, Stormy, is gorgeous. His home town is inundated with evil shadows (bodocks) which spike his weird meter and sets Odd on a mission to find out what is going on. This is typical Dean Koontz - way out there but enjoyable nonetheless. I usually like Koontz's writing and this was no exception. Odd is a quirky guy but also loveable, caring and kind. There is a few murders in it but no really graphic details. Even the squeamish should be able to read this one. The ending is very sad and unexpected. Looking forward to the next book in the series. ( )

Odd Thomas was pretty aptly named. From his tragic and disconcerting childhood until his unique ability to see and touch ghosts, his life had always been odd. For months Odd had been having dreams of a bloody, terrifying event and now with the appearance of Fungus Man in his small town of Pico Mundo Odd knows the time has come and nothing will ever be the same again.

Part suspense/thriller, part horror, for me this book didn't settle comfortably into either category. Generally I appreciate ambiguity but it does make it hard to know what you're getting into. I did like the premise of a man being able to see and commune, if not necessarily communicate in so many words, with the ghosts around him. There were, however, a few drawbacks about the story I wasn't comfortable with. I'm not a huge fan of foreshadowing, of which there is quite a bit. There is also the matter of digression where you're moving along with the plot only to have Odd segue into past remembrances or boughts of trivia which, for me, took away from the pace of the book. I don't mind it to some extent, but these trips weren't just little offshoots, and would occasionally fill a few pages. The other issue is that everything here is black and white. Odd is a good guy, his many and varied friends are good guys. Everyone else is insane or evil, there really weren't many shades of gray. I sometimes felt Odd's voice and point of view was a little too preachy for my taste.

I do think that this book was well written and it was interesting so that I didn't feel inclined to skip anything, not even the offshoots from the plot. Insofar as ghost stories go, I would recommend this to fans of the genre. Personally, I do have another Koontz story in mind that I would like to read although I don't think I'll continue on with Odd's particular series. ( )

For approximately the first 140 pages of this book, I was beginning to wonder what all of the hubbub was about. Everyone seems to love this book and the entire Odd Series; it is the main reason I picked it up and read it. Now I am not saying that the story wasn’t mildly entertaining in the first half of the book, but it was just okay. It was about page 150 that I really became drawn into the story and really started relating to the characters.

Koontz is a master story teller and I am happy to report (after finishing the book) that he did not let us down with this book. This book has been reviewed on so many levels that I can’t add any worthwhile sentiments that haven’t already been expressed. All I can say is, if you haven’t read it ….. What are you waiting for? ( )

Dean Koontz has once again outdone himself. In Odd Thomas, he continues to show why he is one of the best writers of our time. The characters are relatable, the story is, while out there, still very believable, and, unlike some of his other books, a very fast read. This was one book (although this happens with just about every new book I read) I couldn’t put down.

Odd Thomas is about, well, Odd Thomas, a 20-year-old fry cook who lives in the fictional town of Pico Mundo in Southern California. He’s a pretty normal guy, one you wouldn’t give a second thought, except to ask for his pancake recipe. But there is one special thing about him. He can see the dead. This story is set as a memoir written by none other than Odd himself, about the tragedy that happened over the course of two summer days. He chases killers, psychopaths, and what could be the hounds of hell themselves, accompanied by his faithful companion, the ghost of Elvis. He does end up solving the mystery, catches the bad guy, etc, but at great personal cost.

Even from the start, I liked Odd. Dean Koontz does a great job of making his characters likeable, and the villains more despicable than the devil himself. You feel as though the story is one you’ve heard before, being retold by one of your closest friends. Even when a new character is introduced, you feel like you’ve known them forever. The story draws you in like you were actually there, watching the events of those two days unfold. You get upset whenever something happens to Odd or one of his friends, you cheer when he gets the bad guys, and you laugh at the eccentricities of his friends, both ethereal and corporeal.

I would recommend this book to anyone who’s read Dean Koontz before, although I know few Dean Koontz readers who have yet to read this book. I would also recommend it to, well, just about anyone. This book has mystery, drama, romance, action, and plenty of suspense. It is firmly seated in reality, but it has just a touch of the supernatural, and that is what really makes it shine. ( )

Summary:
Odd Thomas is a young man who has a secret power; he can see dead people and he also possesses a sixth sense about things in general. With this special power he helps ghosts avenge their deaths by bringing justice to them. He has helped a lot of people but he will not be able to help the person he loves the most.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books that Dean Koontz has ever written. I was moved to tears reading it. I have been reading Koontz on and off since the early 90's, and haven't been impressed with much that he's done in the last decade. This books reveals a new, improved Koontz. I couldn't put it down, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like the relationship between the main characters worked. It still has that trademark Koontz humor and quirkiness, but it's the intensity is more subtle and heartfelt. This is not one to miss. ( )

Odd Thomas can see dead people, among other things, but when he discovers a disturbing plot, it's all he can do to keep himself from becoming one of the dead. Fast-paced, with a scary ending. Odd is a wonderfully compelling and sympathetic character. ( )

My favorite Koontz book to date, and I've read plenty of them!! I think Odd is as unique a character as I've ever read. The book is quirky and funny and scary and sad. I love that he makes his living flippin jacks and can cruise with Elvis in his bosses borrowed car.....I'm completely jealous!!! Great read! ( )

The was the ever Dean Koontz book I’ve read.

It will not be my last.

I don’t have many serious regrets in my life, you know, the kind that keeps you up at night?

Well, this isn’t one of them.

But, for those that have me slapping myself upside the head as I say to myself, ‘What was I thinking?’ this one goes to the top of the list.

From experience, I usually don’t buy a book unless I can skim a few pages first. However, the three Koontz books I received were a gift and highly recommended by friends and fellow bloggers.

Koontz baits the hook expertly from the very beginning. It wasn’t until the last couple of pages in the first chapter that I realized what had transpired, and was left gasping, flipping back several pages to try and figure how and when the barb was set well and firm. I never saw it coming. It was then I knew I was in for one helluva read.

I really enjoyed how he introduces and develops the main character, Odd Thomas. I admire authors who can create such characters. The following was taken from the author's website about how Odd Thomas came about:

"When I wrote ODD THOMAS, the title character came to me fully formed, as if he were a real person whom I had known all my life. No character in any of my previous novels led me through his story with such grace, with his voice unfailingly strong in my mind's ear, making revelations about himself and his family that were surprising - even shocking in some instances - yet seemed inevitable to me the moment they were made."

"Other characters have endeared themselves to me - nearly always because of their humanity and their courage and their intellectual conviction. Never had one of them filled me with awe and with admiration, which it seems could be earned only by real people, never by fictional characters - but then along came Odd. By the time I finished ODD THOMAS, I knew Odd was on a journey unique to a character in contemporary fiction, a journey exploring the beauty of humility. Yes, these books are about the power of love and friendship. About the reality of evil."

This, for me, made reading the book even more meaningful: understanding that Koontz cared as much for Odd as I did.

I was never disappointed, even when reading the ending, knowing ahead of time what possibly awaited me. And yes, I admit it; I shed a tear or two. It was The Time Traveler’s Wife all over again. Even though I know what was going to happen – it still got to me.

The author’s style of writing is what I liked most. The banter between characters never ceased to bring a smile, a laugh, and even a solemn moment. In fact, I looked forward to seeing upcoming dialogue. This is how his characters became so alive to me and why I cared so much about all of them. (Except for the bad guys of course)

Told from the point of view of the protagonist in retrospect, the story recounts a series of events that happens over the course of a few days in a small California desert town. There are ghosts, demons, murders, and mayhem, but none of it was excessive or gratuitous - perfect for a horror wuss like me.

As I mentioned earlier, this was a book I could not put down and only did so because of the cold medicine I’m taking: great for getting a good night’s sleep, bad for trying to finish a really good book.

However as soon as I woke up this morning, I finished it and this review. I think this is a record for me.

That being said, there is no way I cannot give this book anything less than 5 Stars and hope the other two Odd Thomas books on my TBR shelves are as good a read as this one was. ( )

By far, this is one of my most favorite novels by Dean Koontz. With Odd Thomas, Koontz introduces us to the world of Odd Thomas, a young man whose life is anything but ordinary, as he sees the dead walk among us. From rides with Elvis to conversations with Stormy, Koontz draws us in and makes us feel for the Odd Thomas and the situations he finds himself in. By the end, I found myself totally engrossed with Odd, so much so that I wanted the happy ending and felt like I got punched when that wasn't his destiny... by far, one of Dean's greatest novels. Odd Thomas leaves me wanting more of Odd and his world. ( )

i really liked the book, it had alot of suspence in it, i was really mad when stormy was brought too odd in ashes! i was like, "yay! and they all live happily ever after!"...then my happiness just went KERSPLAT and i was like "what!" that is so bogus. stormy deserved to live, but i guess i saw it coming, the lover's sould mate almost always dies. >. ( )

Not the sort of book I ordinarily pick up - and definitely not the sort I would continue to read. But Odd is such a sweet and charming hero, I kept reading hoping for him to succeed. Luckily, there's lots more in this series. ( )

I am about 3/4 of the way thru the book and have greatly enjoyed it so far. ( )

Originally llisrten to in audio form, Odd Thomas reminds me what it's like to want the world to be a better place and expect the crawlies in the shadows. ( )

Odd Thomas has a gift or a curse - he can see the dead. This story is a mixture of mystery, sci-fi / religion (little) and horror, splashed with humor. I chuckled out loud more than once and I read a political book before going to sleep.

Odd Thomas moves fast with enough characters and their development to be interesting without dragging or becoming confusing.

I do not enjoy books with either an obvious or out of left field behind the fence ending. I enjoyed Odd Thomas. ( )

I don't usually like Dean Koontz's books. They are a style of horror writing that is fairly gruesome. However, the Odd Thomas books are different.

"My name is Odd Thomas. I live an unusual life.

Those two sentences came to Koontz complete and with an image of Odd Thomas himself. A disciplined writer, Koontz put these ideas aside until he finished the book he was writing at the time. I heard him talking about this on his podcast and was intrigued. I was intrigued even further when Koontz said that his fan mail for Odd Thomas far and away outstrips any other that he receives. He attributes it to the fact that Odd Thomas is completely humble. That interesting tidbit made me pick up Odd Thomas.

Odd Thomas is indeed completely humble and he also is striving as hard as possible to do the task assigned him in life. That task? He sees ghosts and helps convince them to move on to the next step. Odd isn't sure what awaits ghosts beyond this world but his girlfriend, Stormy, has a vision of an army of souls on some great mission in the next world. She calls this life "boot camp" and tells him that it is intended to toughed us up to serve in that army.

The ghosts aren't the main problem, however, although they do help him bring wrongdoers to justice, with the help of the town sheriff who is privy to Odd's secret. Odd also sees menacing shadows which he calls bodachs. The shadows themselves do no harm but they only show up around people who are going to be the victims of an extremely gruesome death. As the bodachs show up ahead of time this gives Odd an opportunity to try to figure out what tragedy is unfolding and to stop it. Along the way we also meet other inhabitant's of Odd's little town as well as his practically constant companion, Elvis, who is afraid to move on to the next world but likes keeping Odd company. ( )

I was surprised by this book, the other Dean Koontz books that I read back in college were darker and definitely more on the horror side than this one. Odd Thomas was definitely odd, but endearing & I really enjoyed the book. I will definitely read the rest of this series; I like the unpredictable way that Koontz writes and that he isn't afraid to kill off one of the main characters. ( )

Odd Thomas, a young man who can communicate with the dead recounts for us the suspenseful story of mysterious stranger who comes to the town of Pico Mundo with a murderous plan. At times, I felt the story was too long and wordy, but then again, it was written as if Odd were writing a memoir, so it made sense to include the humorous sidebars and excessive detail. Koontz builds a very in depth character, who is simple, yet complicated. There was not a lot of blood and gore, in fact the action and suspense is meted out in teeny tiny morsels and in the final few chapters we see some action. I really enjoyed the ending, what a sad but wonderful twist. The audiobook reader is good, he gave each character a distinct voice. But, his voice was ever so slightly annoying...but he did do a great job. ( )

It was a really entertaining one, and my expectation was not betrayed! As usual Koontz, there are unique, funny, charming, and strong women in the story, and they make you chuckle. They are always good contrasts with dark events to occur in his book. That's I like of Dean Koontz's book. I cannot wait to read the next one! ( )

Rated PG-13 Mild Sexual SituationsThe Odd Thomas series is one of my favorite Dean Koontz series. It is exciting, adventurous, and very quirky. It is very difficult not to love Odd Thomas. The end of this book made tears trickle down my face. ( )

Dead people don't talk, but they do communicate, and the person they choose
to reveal themselves to is 20 year old Odd Thomas, an otherwise unremarkable
short order fry cook in the small town of Pico Mundo in the Mojave desert.
Some want to simply annoy him, others enjoy the company of someone who
actually sees them, and once in a while, one will come along who wants Odd
to avenge their deaths. Besides ghosts and poltergeists, Odd also sees
bodachs, the name he uses for the dark shadowy entities that cluster around
to feed on human suffering, fear, and death. When a new face turns up in
the cafe where Odd works, a man who is literally surrounded by these
lurking, loathsome entities, Odd recognizes at once that this is a man who
is evil and intent upon wreaking havoc in peaceful Pico Mundo. Odd is
determined to figure out what evil this man has planned that has brought
literally thousands of bodachs to throng the streets and houses of Pico
Mundo.

I did really enjoy this book. It was a fun read, kept my attention, and held a surprise or two for me along the way. I liked Odd Thomas as a character and I have to give this book a 5. ( )