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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERI see dead people. But then, by God, I do something about it. Odd Thomas never asked for his special ability. He’s just an ordinary guy trying to live a quiet life in the small desert town of Pico Mundo. Yet he feels an obligation to do right by his otherworldly confidants, and that’s why he’s won hearts on both sides of the divide between life and death. But when a childhood friend disappears, Odd discovers something worse than a dead body and embarks on a show more heart-stopping battle of will and wits with an enemy of exceptional cunning. In the hours to come there can be no innocent bystanders, and every sacrifice can tip the balance between despair and hope.
You’re invited on an unforgettable journey through a world of terror and transcendence to wonders beyond imagining. And you can have no better guide than Odd Thomas. show less
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Forever Odd is the second installment in Dean Koontz’s popular Odd Thomas series, continuing the journey of the humble and haunted protagonist who sees the dead and feels an obligation to help them find peace. In this book, Odd is pulled into another dangerous mystery when a childhood friend goes missing under suspicious circumstances, leading him into a confrontation with a cunning and unsettling new enemy.
While Forever Odd doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth or narrative strength of the first book, it still delivers a suspenseful, fast-paced read with Koontz’s signature blend of supernatural elements and psychological tension. The antagonist introduced here is eerie in her own right, and Odd’s loyalty and quiet bravery show more remain the emotional anchor of the story.
Odd’s use of creative, unorthodox thinking to navigate peril and protect others adds a thoughtful layer to the action, showcasing his resourcefulness and compassion. However, the plot does feel thinner compared to the first book, with less character development and a more narrow scope. Some readers may find the villain a bit over-the-top or the pacing uneven, but fans of the series will likely appreciate the continuation of Odd’s arc.
The book ends on a subtle cliffhanger, keeping readers curious about what lies ahead for Odd in future installments. Overall, while it may not be as impactful as Odd Thomas, Forever Odd is still a satisfying and atmospheric entry in the series, especially for those invested in its unusual, endearing hero. show less
While Forever Odd doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth or narrative strength of the first book, it still delivers a suspenseful, fast-paced read with Koontz’s signature blend of supernatural elements and psychological tension. The antagonist introduced here is eerie in her own right, and Odd’s loyalty and quiet bravery show more remain the emotional anchor of the story.
Odd’s use of creative, unorthodox thinking to navigate peril and protect others adds a thoughtful layer to the action, showcasing his resourcefulness and compassion. However, the plot does feel thinner compared to the first book, with less character development and a more narrow scope. Some readers may find the villain a bit over-the-top or the pacing uneven, but fans of the series will likely appreciate the continuation of Odd’s arc.
The book ends on a subtle cliffhanger, keeping readers curious about what lies ahead for Odd in future installments. Overall, while it may not be as impactful as Odd Thomas, Forever Odd is still a satisfying and atmospheric entry in the series, especially for those invested in its unusual, endearing hero. show less
I was an Odd fan – such a unique and fresh character. And his hometown was populated with such a great group of characters, all interesting in their own right, with a rare depth. The idea, the hook, for Odd’s powers was also new and interesting. Yes, a guy who sees dead people – but they can’t talk to him, and he feels a certain weight of responsibility to use the power, even if he regularly finds himself short of credentials for the things he finds himself doing. A self-aware and self-deprecating hero, and one with a true moral conscience. I was an Odd fan, right up until I finished the second book. The third book soured me almost completely. And the fourth book just mad me angry.
Given my feeling about these less than show more satisfying sequels, I’ve chosen to provide a single review of all three books. It’s appropriate both because I don’t want to waste more time or space than necessary and because my problems with the follow-on books are with them all.
I should have known there would be a drop-off in the stories at the conclusion of the first book, when Koontz killed Stormy, Odd’s girlfriend. That death was a declaration that Koontz did not intend for Odd to linger in his hometown with the wonderful group of people he’d created as a backdrop for Odd. While [Forever Odd] is set in Pico Mundo, California, Koontz isolates Odd from any of his friends in a flood channel underneath the city and surrounding desert and then in an abandoned and run down casino. At the end of the book, Odd declares that he is leaving town. [Brother Odd] picks up with Odd in an abbey in the high Sierra’s of California. When that adventure is complete, Odd makes like to return home but then again abandons one of his oldest friends and walks off into the sunset. [Odd Hours] makes it clear that Koontz has more global ideas for Odd, and this book seems to set up the framework for a larger, and more sinister, quest. While the book is set in a small coastal California town, the narrative and the new characters Koontz introduces suggest that Odd is at the center of storm that could blow him any which way.
On some level, Koontz’ precision and agility in creating interesting, deep characters is both a blessing and curse for these books. I wish I had listed the characters that Koontz has Odd run across who are abandoned in a few pages. I wanted to know more about these people and they seemed to have much more to say. And these quick hits pale in comparison to some of Odd’s original crew of friends, like Stormy, Chief Porter, and Little Ozzie. So, while I applaud Koontz’ skill – I am a Kootz fan and will remain so – I am a little peeved at him for abandoning Odd’s origins. The cynic in me can’t help but wonder if the direction of the books didn’t have something to do with the film adaptation of the first book. As the books progress, the plots seem to be more and more sensational and thriller-oriented, and Odd becomes more like Jack Ryan or Bond than he was ever imagined in the first book.
I was an Odd fan – I know I’m probably in the minority on this but now I’ll probably be reading the sequels now with a sick curiosity about how such a good idea could come apart.
Bottom Line: A good idea gone awry – sequels that can’t deliver on the promise.
3 bones!!!!! show less
Given my feeling about these less than show more satisfying sequels, I’ve chosen to provide a single review of all three books. It’s appropriate both because I don’t want to waste more time or space than necessary and because my problems with the follow-on books are with them all.
I should have known there would be a drop-off in the stories at the conclusion of the first book, when Koontz killed Stormy, Odd’s girlfriend. That death was a declaration that Koontz did not intend for Odd to linger in his hometown with the wonderful group of people he’d created as a backdrop for Odd. While [Forever Odd] is set in Pico Mundo, California, Koontz isolates Odd from any of his friends in a flood channel underneath the city and surrounding desert and then in an abandoned and run down casino. At the end of the book, Odd declares that he is leaving town. [Brother Odd] picks up with Odd in an abbey in the high Sierra’s of California. When that adventure is complete, Odd makes like to return home but then again abandons one of his oldest friends and walks off into the sunset. [Odd Hours] makes it clear that Koontz has more global ideas for Odd, and this book seems to set up the framework for a larger, and more sinister, quest. While the book is set in a small coastal California town, the narrative and the new characters Koontz introduces suggest that Odd is at the center of storm that could blow him any which way.
On some level, Koontz’ precision and agility in creating interesting, deep characters is both a blessing and curse for these books. I wish I had listed the characters that Koontz has Odd run across who are abandoned in a few pages. I wanted to know more about these people and they seemed to have much more to say. And these quick hits pale in comparison to some of Odd’s original crew of friends, like Stormy, Chief Porter, and Little Ozzie. So, while I applaud Koontz’ skill – I am a Kootz fan and will remain so – I am a little peeved at him for abandoning Odd’s origins. The cynic in me can’t help but wonder if the direction of the books didn’t have something to do with the film adaptation of the first book. As the books progress, the plots seem to be more and more sensational and thriller-oriented, and Odd becomes more like Jack Ryan or Bond than he was ever imagined in the first book.
I was an Odd fan – I know I’m probably in the minority on this but now I’ll probably be reading the sequels now with a sick curiosity about how such a good idea could come apart.
Bottom Line: A good idea gone awry – sequels that can’t deliver on the promise.
3 bones!!!!! show less
Odd Thomas sees ghosts. They draw him towards things, they haunt most of his waking days. He can interact with them to a degree but it's not reliable or predictable. When his friend Danny is kidnapped Odd goes in search of him. What he finds is a woman who believes that his power is greater than it is. Who wants power of her own, who is very scary.
As the story unfolds it's interesting to see how unquestioning belief in all that is said to be possible with the paranormal can cause problems. It causes serious problems with her but where the borderline is, is left up to the reader.
As the story unfolds it's interesting to see how unquestioning belief in all that is said to be possible with the paranormal can cause problems. It causes serious problems with her but where the borderline is, is left up to the reader.
The flesh on the nape of my neck did the crawly thing that it does so well. Some people say this is God's warning that the devil is near, but I've noticed I also experience it when someone serves me Brussels sprouts.
Odd Thomas, a young man living in a small desert town in California, has the power to see the lingering dead. When he is woken one night by the ghost of Dr. Jessup, his friend Danny's father. Going over to his house, he finds Dr Jessup dead and Danny missing. But this time danger threatens Odd himself rather than the whole town.
Odd Thomas, a young man living in a small desert town in California, has the power to see the lingering dead. When he is woken one night by the ghost of Dr. Jessup, his friend Danny's father. Going over to his house, he finds Dr Jessup dead and Danny missing. But this time danger threatens Odd himself rather than the whole town.
There is something endearing and interesting about the main character, though, and I do mean beyond his “special” paranormal abilities. A fry cook with occult skills is a unique character. Very noticeably Koontz makes Odd Thomas much wiser than he ought to be. Odd Thomas is likeable. You root for him because he is unlucky yet he seems to still be humble and honest and a generally good person.
The storyline in this one is a doozy, I am not sure it has believeable setup motives. It hinges on the bizarre – and I mean the really bizarre. So bizarre that its truly difficult to be horrified correctly. This novel is not for all readers. The dark twisted stuff is dark and twisted, no matter how Koontz balances it with wit. Still, Odd show more Thomas is an interesting character and worth reading a few novels for. show less
The storyline in this one is a doozy, I am not sure it has believeable setup motives. It hinges on the bizarre – and I mean the really bizarre. So bizarre that its truly difficult to be horrified correctly. This novel is not for all readers. The dark twisted stuff is dark and twisted, no matter how Koontz balances it with wit. Still, Odd show more Thomas is an interesting character and worth reading a few novels for. show less
Forever Odd is the second Odd Thomas novel by Dean Koontz and it is another very good one. The father of Odd’s good friend Danny Jessup is murdered and Danny is kidnapped. In addition to seeing and communicating with ghosts, Odd’s unique paranormal intuition enables him to track down and face the murderers/kidnappers alone in a burned-out casino resort outside of Pico Mundo CA. He endures an incredibly grueling, dangerous and ultimately violent struggle to try to save his friend from a villain that is “crazier than a syphilitic suicide bomber with mad-cow disease” and her equally evil and obedient male companions. Furthermore, he discovers that the murder and kidnapping were perpetrated specifically to lure Odd to the killers. show more Odd and the reader are pushed almost beyond hopelessness and belted with shocking twists of plot by this compelling story that urges the reader to consume it at a blazing pace. However, even while looking death in the eye, Odd is a fascinating character who reveals his most personal thoughts and feelings including self-deprecating attitudes and philosophical explanations about his fate. This is an Odd Thomas who has not recovered from the trauma he encountered in the first Odd Thomas novel. I highly recommend reading both Odd Thomas (#1) and Forever Odd (#2), for a richer understanding of the character. However, Forever Odd certainly stands as a complete and satisfying novel. show less
Somewhere in Dean Koontz's maturation as a writer, he has evolved from a writer of suspenseful horror fiction to something far greater. The literary elite may disagree, but this reader would confidently lay a page of this book side-by-side with a page from any of today's critically-acclaimed literary fiction and argue that the precision of word choice, and poetry of expression, would more than hold its own. So too would the thematic content of the book, particularly the case he makes for envy as man's original sin, as well as the redemptive power of stoicism and unwavering honesty that Odd displays in the face of intense emotional suffering.
The downside of Koontz's maturation is that fans of his older stuff may feel that the greater show more emphasis on character and theme in "Forever Odd" comes at the expense of plot, complexity and, well, overall creepiness. While this novel's plot could have been more developed, the horror octane is of an unquestionably high grade. Indeed the earthquake-and-fire-ravaged Indian casino that serves as the setting for much of the book generates a fright level that rivals the hotel in "The Shining." And the spooks (live, dead, and undead) who haunt it would hold their own against Mr. King's Overlook Hotel denizens.
So if you're looking to be scared, but without fear of being guilty of literary slumming, "Forever Odd" (and its predecessor "Odd Thomas") will serve you as well as anything since Edgar Allan Poe.
-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker" show less
The downside of Koontz's maturation is that fans of his older stuff may feel that the greater show more emphasis on character and theme in "Forever Odd" comes at the expense of plot, complexity and, well, overall creepiness. While this novel's plot could have been more developed, the horror octane is of an unquestionably high grade. Indeed the earthquake-and-fire-ravaged Indian casino that serves as the setting for much of the book generates a fright level that rivals the hotel in "The Shining." And the spooks (live, dead, and undead) who haunt it would hold their own against Mr. King's Overlook Hotel denizens.
So if you're looking to be scared, but without fear of being guilty of literary slumming, "Forever Odd" (and its predecessor "Odd Thomas") will serve you as well as anything since Edgar Allan Poe.
-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker" show less
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Dean Koontz was born on July 9, 1945 in Everett, Pennsylvania. He received a degree in education from Shippensburg State College in 1967. A former high school English teacher as well as a teacher-counselor with the Appalachian Poverty Program, he began writing as a child to escape an ugly home life caused by his alcoholic father. A prolific writer show more at a young age, he had sold a dozen novels by the age of 25. Early in his career, he wrote under numerous pen names including David Axton, Brian Coffey, K. R. Dwyer, Leigh Nichols, Richard Paige, and Owen West. He is best known for the books written under his own name, many of which are bestsellers, including Midnight, Cold Fire, The Bad Place, Hideaway, The Husband, Odd Hours, 77 Shadow Street, Innocence, The City, Saint Odd, and The Silent Corner. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Forever Odd
- Original title
- Forever Odd
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Odd Thomas; Chief Wyatt Porter; Danny Jessup; Little Ozzie; Elvis Presley (ghost)
- Important places
- Pico Mundo, California
- Epigraph
- Unearned suffering is redemptive.
-... (show all)--Martin Luther King, Jr.
Look at those hands, Oh God, those hands toiled to raise me.
&nbs... (show all)p; ---Elvis Presley at his mother's casket - Dedication
- This book is for Trixie, though she will never read it. On the most difficult days at the keyboard, when I despaired, she could always make me laugh. The words good dog are inadequate in her case. She is a good heart and a... (show all) kind soul, and an angel on four feet.
- First words
- Waking, I heard a warm wind strumming the loose screen at the open window, and I thought Stormy, but it was not.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Now, on with it.
- Original language*
- Amerikanisch
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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