Darkness Under the Sun

It's been years since I've read a Dean Koontz book so I thought I would test the waters by reading one of his short stories. "Darkness Under the Sun" sheds light on childhood innocence and naivety and how it can be broken. Eleven year old Howie, a sad, laughed at, scarred little boy encounters the terrifying Mr. Blackwood on one of his afternoon adventures. Howie is at first terrified of the stranger's menacing and horrifying appearance, but soon begins to like the odd man because they seem to have much in common. Mr. Blackwood knows what it's like to be pitied and laughed at, the ugliness on the outside doesn't have to reflect what's on the inside (or so Howie thinks). Howie won't realize until it's too late just how sinister and evil show more this man is, but by then, what innocence he had will be long gone. A chilling tale, with a thoughtful conclusion. show less

This novella nestles nicely into the overall story of the novel "What the Night Knows" and I think enhances the story---giving it an even more emotional punch. I am aware that it was written to be a preface to the novel, but I felt it was more of an epilogue. Having read the novel first, I was able to appreciate this story of the genesis of the killer since I know where his madness eventually took him. Also, as the action in the novella both precedes and follows the action in the novel, it would have been a bit of a spoiler to me if I read the novel after this novella.

As far as the plot goes, without giving away any details, we learn of the beginnings of the murderous history of the killer in "What the Night Knows." More than that even, show more this story is about the delicate and ephemeral nature of innocence and how it can evaporate almost instantly upon contact with evil. Is it because we all, no matter how innocent, carry that seed of evil within us, only needing the right circumstance or pressures to cause it to grow? This novella also explores how once a door is opened, there is no telling what may pass through and how difficult it is to ever seal that gateway again. show less

This novella's beginning and middle has excellent suspense and makes me crave roast beef & swiss cheese sandwiches. Pure Evil! Koontz writes this adult/devil -child chase that has echoes of 'Night of the Hunter' (one of my favorite horror movies of ALL time). However, after the big ramp up and get away, the story slows and goes on forever, and ever, and ever. And finally, at long last NOTHING HAPPENS. But we all know, there is Darkness Under The Sun. (DUH) The novella is a sort of teaser for "What the Night Knows" which I will definitely be reading based on the excellence of the first half of the story.

I'm a horror fan. Richard Layman, Jack Ketchum, Steven King, Tim Lebbon and the list goes on. But I just want to say, no story I've read this year has reached out and grabbed me like this Novella from Dean Koontz. The pacing is rapid,, the suspence is chilling and although you know something's not right about Mr. Blackwood, it's not exactly what you thought. The perfect prequel to Dean's upcoming Novel "What the Night Know". I am so looking forward to this one.

Not a bad read once you realize it's a prequel! Creepy and suspenseful as Mr. Koontz is at his best :)

This was an excellent little read. A scary trip through the whole of Howie's life in a short novella.

When Howie meets Alton Turner Blackwood little did he know what havoc he would wreak upon the young boy's life. First, Blackwood targets Howie's Mum and sister but Howie arrives and saves them. However, he must make a choice of whether to protect his family or tell the police when Alton tells him they will be left alone if he keeps quiet. Howie makes his choice with devastating consequences

Darkness Under the Sun, by Dean Koonst, is a short novella that introduces, Alton Turner Blackwood, the brutal killer in his novel What the Night Knows, which was also published in 2010. The novella brings Blackwood to a small town where he terrorizes a teenaged boy. Unwittingly the boy precipitates a ruthless change in Blackwood’s murderous compulsion. Although Blackwood moves on quickly, he also leaves a lasting impact on the boy. It is an interesting little story.