Whispers

A reread for me. I enjoyed the book at first but, having read this previously, I ended up skimming parts. One thing I’ve noticed when re-reading some of this author’s books is they are very much of their time regarding the violence especially pertaining to women, not that it doesn’t portray women as strong independent characters. Perhaps this was the author’s intention at the time. Sadly, I seem to find some violence a second time around off-putting, and while the plot of this book seems mysteriously enticing, it’s one I resolved early in the read so the end presented few surprises. There are many better novels from Koontz.

Yet again, another good story by Koontz. I like the way he weaves a little romance into a very unromantic plot line. I find his characters to be well-written and there is enough basis in reality to keep the book from approaching the supernatural. I especially liked the way he drew the villain of the piece so that even when the reader hated him, there still was a tug of compassion.

3.5 stars

I preferred this one over Watchers, surprisingly.
Sometimes it grew a bit stale but the mystery here was hard to solve. I kept thinking twins, twins, twins, but that kept getting shot down. At the end I was wondering if there was actually going to be a supernatural element involved. The characters weren't as cheesy with their interaction and the ending with the unraveling of the villains motives were fascinating. What abuse! I do have an issue with some of the wrap up though. I get it about the abuse but would have liked to know a little more behind the madness the character got in regard to the vampire resurrection thing and the hatred of the mother. Sure any sane person would have hated the mother, but I felt more details show more could have been given at the end with that. Ending felt a little cut off because of it. Overall good stuff though, purely a suspense/thriller novel. Now the next Koontz book I read I don't want to be another serial killer book, need a break from that. show less

Whispers is a tight, psychological thriller where a Hollywood writer and director is attacked by a man in her house. She fends off the first attack with a gun and his second attack with a knife, killing him in the process. But Bruno Frye doesn’t want to stay dead. First, it starts with phone calls where the caller hangs up without speaking, and then it leads to another attack. Hillary, who much like Bruno, has her own childhood issues, starts a relationship with the detective on the case, and they have to delve into the mystery of Bruno Frye.

There was good and bad in this novel. The good: The writing is tight, and there is a good bit of tension in the novel. The story moves at a fast pace and is pretty compelling. I thought the show more characterization of Hillary and the two detectives in the story was pretty well done. The bad: the character of Bruno Frye is a bit of a mess, and this is where the good characterization ends. This has always been Dean Koontz’s Achilles Heel, creating realistic, believable, life-like villains. In pretty much all of his novels, the villains fall short of the mark. The other bad part is that when the mystery of Bruno is unveiled, it’s an utterly convoluted train-wreck. That part of the novel lacks any level of realism and hurt the novel. On balance, there was more good than bad. If I could give it three and a half stars, I would, but otherwise this rates three stars.

Carl Alves – author of Conjesero show less

I really enjoy Dean Koontz books. This one is ok, but it really doesn't compete with so many of his others. Watchers is amazing., try that one!

The start is a little rocky but Koontz eventually finds his stride. This book gives a nice and unexpected twist to a pretty common plot device and ends with an unforgettable scene that is sure to give every reader the creeps.

A beautiful screenwriter, Hilary Thomas, is confronted in her own home by an intruder named Bruno Frye. It seems that Mr. Frye has been stalking Ms. Thomas in the belief that Ms. Thomas is his long deceased mother, Katherine, who has ostensibly come back from the dead in order to kill him. He feels that he must kill her, before she kills him.

This is one of Dean Koontz really good early efforts. Readers who enjoy suspenseful novels will not be disappointed.