Dean R. Koontz

Approval Rate: 82%

82%Approval ratio

Reviews 50

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  • by

    edt4226d

    Mon Mar 08 2010

    I have to agree with Kid Icarus on this one. I've resisted reading Koontz for years, but a friend of mine is a pretty big fan, and at his urging, I'm reluctantly trying to wade through one of his recent works. It's tough going. I don't like to abandon a book once I start reading it, no matter how bad it is (which means I'm either a determined reader or a masochist), but I'm tempted with Koontz. I don't think Stephen King is any great writer, but, at his best, he's at least entertaining. Koontz isn't a good writer, and he isn't entertaining. Koontz is to horror what Jacqueline Susann was to drama. Maybe I've just picked a particularly bad Koontz novel, and haven't given him a fair shake. Unfortunately, there are so many good books out there to read, and only a limited number of hours in any given lifetime to read them in. If I ever do get through this particular Koontz novel (or even if I don't), I can guarantee that it will be the first and last thing by Koontz that I'll ever deign t... Read more

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    irishgit

    Mon Mar 08 2010

    A thoroughly mundane and mediocre writer who produces pablum that reads like he stole the plot of an old made for TV movie. Highly contrived, largely devoid of character development, primitive narrative stream and a large tin ear for dialogue.

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    kid_icarus

    Thu Mar 04 2010

    I have read a few Koontz novels and was never impressed. This kind of stuff reminds of like bad TV movies that would be made if the Sci-Fi channel and the Hallmark channel ever got together.

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    sineadnorton

    Sun Mar 01 2009

    When you buy a Dean Koontz book, you know what you are buying, a good thriller. Some of the earlier books are very gory, and some are predictable, but overall, a Koontz book is one that is hard to put down!

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    johnte

    Thu Jul 24 2008

    Koontz is brilliant, His novel The Watchers is still my favorite book to this day and will always be. He got me into reading and I will always support Dean Koontz.He has some great books and some books are just ok but when you write as many as he does they can't all be excellent.Overall a very solid writer and a great man.

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    teresag

    Thu Nov 01 2007

    I love the Odd Thomas books!!  His early works are a bit dry and TOO descriptive.  I think he has come into his own and as Patheral said, don't compare King and Koontz ~ definitely different writing styles.

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    castlebee

    Mon Sep 03 2007

    I read his books years ago, enjoyed them but don't recall much about them. I just recently picked up a paper back at the airport - one of the Odd Thomas series, finished it with relish and jumped into the next one immediately. I love ghost stories but I also enjoy having a chance to get to know the characters in both books and film and you are given that opportunity with Odd Thomas. As it turns out, he's also a character worth knowing. Purely without pretense, he has a sharp sense of irony and humor and gentle philosophical nature. No, it's not King - it's Koontz...two different guys two writing styles. I have enjoyed the work and see merit in both.

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    patheral

    Thu Mar 29 2007

    It always interests me when people compare Koontz to King, because their writing styles are so different when it comes to horror. Give Koontz credit for his own writing style.  He's pretty good.  Yeah, he does tend toward the formula writing, but that's okay because  he does great things with the formulas. I like the Odd Thomas novels.  Those are great!  And his story The Face, that was pretty good for the most part (a bit long).  There are some novels of his that right on put me to sleep, but so far, I've liked most of them.  Oh, and his website is pretty funny.  I've gotta admit, the man has a sense of humor.

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    primaxdonna

    Mon Feb 12 2007

    he's wonderful. strange highways is the best.

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    cablejockey

    Mon Feb 12 2007

    Excellent story teller. My favorites include, Watchers, Lightning, Twilight Eyes, Intensity, False Memory, Dark Rivers of the Heart and especially Strange Highways.

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    oscargamblesfr_o

    Tue Oct 31 2006

    I read a few books by this guy about 15 years ago. Average, readable, but not above the norm for this genre.

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    lets_tripp_man

    Fri Jan 27 2006

    im rating Koontz a flipping 5 you guys...i love all of his books...i don't know what you all are talking about...his book false memory...GREAT! i loved it..i read it almost 3 times!

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    tunkabean

    Wed Oct 05 2005

    I love him and his work! Captivating, memorable and well writen. He has his ups and downs with books and some are better than others, but overal he iz an excellent writer with some timeless pieces.

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    wilburwaterley

    Wed Sep 28 2005

    I used to read him when he first start with Midnight and other 'not to bad ' novels. But after 3 or 4 books, he really begain to bore me off. Always repeat your main story base is not a problem (lovecraft is good exemple of 'creating' a world and use it good for almost every books)but Koontz is so Fake. Each of his novels is like a hollywood movies and ending are so predictable of so stupid like the door to December. Lighining is the only readable novels and for the rest ..? At your own risk

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    tjgypsy2

    Wed Apr 20 2005

    I find Koontz to be a rather repetitive writer, for the most part. All of his stories follow the same formula, making most of the rather predictable. He can tell a good story, but it would be nice if he varied them a little. Watchers, Phantoms, and Whispers are probably his best books.

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    dreama

    Sat Mar 12 2005

    Is it just me or do the authors tend to borrow ideas from each other? I get the feeling they all read each other's books.

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    major_of_the_rotc

    Tue Feb 01 2005

    The Face was a gripping book, but its length was something to consider. To me, Koontz is on the same level with Stephen King, with his formulaic writing style, lengthy novels, and constant publishing of newer books. He is great at suspense, though, and pretty good at setting the tone.

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    frogger20190

    Fri Sep 17 2004

    He's been called a poor man's Stephen King, and has nearly as many books out. Definitely hit or miss with me. Intensity and the one about the psychotic kid (can't remember the name) are probably the best.

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    ansgard

    Thu Jun 03 2004

    His books are fascinating....really good books

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    ladyshark4534

    Wed May 26 2004

    He kept me latched onto the pages of Midnight wondering what was going to happen! He knows how to create suspense!

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    north_starr

    Wed May 12 2004

    Love his work! Like Stephen King but the action starts way sooner with Koontz. Ever notice in most of his older work there's a golden retriever somehow worked into the story??

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    pennyroyalty

    Thu Apr 01 2004

    I wanted to like Koontz, i really did, but the first book i picked up by him was Shadowland? (or was it Shadowfire?) (the one where the guy turns into a lizard) and it was so bad that i could never read anything else by him without thinking of that. (an analogy would be a person unfamiliar with Stephen King reading The Tommyknockers first!) So if you want to get into Koontz, i recommend that you try a different book first.

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    evileye

    Thu Mar 25 2004

    JUST READ HIS INTESNITY, & I LOVED IT!! THE BOOK DEEPLY DRAWS THE READER INTO THE STORY & TERROR OF THE STORY. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE OF HIS BOOKS!!

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    circusgirl1

    Sat Mar 20 2004

    Koontz' books are all the same, and they all suck. Intensity was the only passable one. His characters are terrible and I finally realized that I don't have to read another book about a super-intelligent dog or child genius again.

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    grover9

    Wed Feb 11 2004

    The Face is the most recent Koontz book I've read. It was excellent, up to his usually standards.

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    kolby1973

    Mon Sep 15 2003

    If you enjoy these type of books, then I highly recommend Dean R Koontz. He can scare the wits out of just anybody. And this man definately does his research before writing a novel. EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT. He is very underrated and deserves any award that comes his way. Keep up the good work Dean !

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    stanuzbeck

    Sat Sep 13 2003

    Sort of middle-of-the-road among horror writers. His books can be incredibly engaging and chilling, but they can also be sensationalistic crap (Night Chills for example, could have been a lot less pornographic - read it if you're the kind of person who wishes the Penthouse forum was a little more terrifying). He does have some neat ideas, but there are so many other authors I would rather read. I would recommend him to people just starting out reading horror novels, or to people who are sick of King.

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    astroboy

    Fri Aug 15 2003

    Koontz on a good day is King's equal,on a bad day he's at the level of a jr high student.Strangers,Phantom,and my favorite Twilight Eyes are topnotch.He seems to churn out every third book or so for a payday,much like a good actor doing a crappy movie.

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    rosemd

    Sun Jul 20 2003

    This guy is sick! I've read quite a few of his books and loved them all. I read "Intensity" about a year ago and I still get the heebie-jeebies when I think about it.

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    kahfess

    Fri Jul 18 2003

    Because I have not read any of this authors works but my friend seems to enjoy them, I am going to give this author a four.

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    president_x_d

    Wed Apr 23 2003

    Koontz can be a brilliant suspense writer when he wants to but too many of his books are average to above average. When he is on, he is ON - he can rivet you to your seat in superb novels like Intensity, False Memory, Watchers, Midnight and Phantoms. Other times he misses the mark. Koontz at his best writes like a heat-seeking missle.

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    alastor

    Tue Apr 22 2003

    While many may not agree, I believe that Koontz is the best there is, PERIOD. He tells his stories with a huge amount of description while letting your imagination also decribe the surroundings or the character or the situation. King and Rice also write with a lot of description, but leave little to the imagination. This is why Koontz is a better writer above all. He was the 2nd bestselling author in the year 2000, and that was above all forms of writing not just horror.

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    booklover21

    Mon Mar 17 2003

    Koontz is the best horror/mystery writer I ever read. Within the first couple of pages the action starts and keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Mr. Murder was the first one I read, and at times it was scary reading it at night by myself after everyone went to bed. That's how I rate a good murder mystery. If a book has the power to scare you enough to where you're looking over your shoulder, it's a good one. Koontz is definetly the BEST.

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    cedarrun

    Sat Dec 07 2002

    There is a difference between being prolific and being good. Koontz is very prolific, but he isn't very good. Somebody here said "wooden" and that is a good description. Microwave popcorn for the brain. Suitable for waiting for airplanes and while having your hair done or your oil cnanged but not much more.

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    kurmashott

    Fri Nov 29 2002

    Dean Koontz is the only author of books that i've kept on reading....his books i mean, HE IS the best author hands down, i love his stories...always new and interesting...weird and suspenseful..awesome...and if he can keep me interested..then he is awesome.....

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    shawshank393

    Mon Nov 04 2002

    Absolutely fantastic author. You won't find better, particularly Lightning, The Bad Place and From The Corner of His Eye.

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    chuck5012

    Sun Nov 03 2002

    I've read 90% of his work and thank you for the sweaty palms and nightmares, but WOW, what a read. Thank you, Mr. Koontz

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    sleepless

    Sat Oct 13 2001

    I have read about 22 of his books I really enjoyed them all. I have to take a break fron his books sometimes because ny dreams get too hairy.

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    ladymoonlight

    Mon Oct 08 2001

    In my opinion Koontz is a brilliant writer.I have read all of his books,including those written under his pseudonyms Deanna Dwyer,Coffey,Axton,West and KR Dwyer and nearly all are superb! I would put him in the same category as Graham Masterton. I feel that these two novelists are the two true masters of this genre.The prose is excellent and in my opinion no one can touch them,including King!All you Koontz fans out there, if you have not read Masterton go out now and buy one of his books, you won't be disappointed!!!

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    iamopinionated

    Sun Jul 15 2001

    Dean Koontz is definately talented. His books really give me the creeps some times. My favorite book of his is Watchers. Lightning was great too. The length of his books are good. I don't like reading a description of something for 50 pages, and I don't like having to spend hours reading 1000 pages to find out how Stephen King's books end (although Stephen King is an excellent author too). I really enjoy the mystery and horror of Koontz's novels. Stephen Spielburg really needs to make movies out of some of them.

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    mschieves1

    Tue Jul 03 2001

    I love Dean Koonz books,espeially "False Memories"!Thank You and keep intriguing us with your books.

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    maddmarxx

    Fri Jan 05 2001

    Dean Koontz has written over fifty books,and Ive read all three of them.

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    timmy3ad

    Thu Dec 21 2000

    Dry, dull, insipid horror writing, with wooden characters and childish plots. Have not enjoyed anything I've read by this author. Pants.

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    booklover50

    Sat Dec 02 2000

    If you don't like Dean Koontz, then you don't understand his writing. He is, by far, an awesome and outstanding writer. I first discovered him late one night with PHANTOMS. The first two chapters scared me so badly that I had to put down the book and turn on NICK AT NIGHT...and I have read horror all my life. He grabs you by the throat on the first page and doesn't let go until the last page. As a teacher of writing, I often read aloud to my students, excerpts from Koontz's books. It is probably the only time that I command complete silence in my classroom....

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    panick

    Fri Sep 22 2000

    Dean Koontz is, in my opinion, the best author of horror that I have ever read. Each book kept me hooked from start to finish, with the exception of Icebound, which was very 'un' Dean Koontz. It was as though he had tried a different style of writing and it does not suit him. I found it monotonous, and tiresome. Other than that, the rest of his books are absolutely fantastic! My own personal favorite is Intensity, (though the film does not do it justice). Why not make a film out of Night Chills? Compared with other authors, Dean Koontz does not over-state situations or over-describe things like scenery and people, but tells you all that you need to know to imagine the viewpoint, unlike Stephen King who writes 1500 page novels with 1000 pages of description and 500 pages of action.

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    moomin

    Fri Sep 15 2000

    A BRILLIANT WRITER AND STORY TELLER,HIS OBSERVATIONS OF THE BEST AND WORST OF HUMAN SPIRIT ENTHRALES ME.STRANGERS WAS MY FIRST BOOK AND KEPT ME RAPT FROM PAGE 1 SUPERNATURAL BUT BELIEVABLE,JUST.AREA 51....?. JAMES HERBET ALSO HOOKS ME,BUT IN A MORE EERIE AND DARK WAY.WEAVEWORLD IS JUST PURE GENIUS. BACK TO KOONZ...JUST LIKE ALL GOOD FEELGOOD MOVIES HE PUTS YOU RIGHT THERE IN THE SHOES OF THE GOOD OR RIGHTOUS ONE,SORT OF LIKE RELIGON WITHOUT ALL THE ABSTAINING OF THINGS YOU ENJOY.BY FAR MY FAVOURITE IS TWILIGHT EYES,A ME AGAINST THE WORLD KINDA BOOK.GOBLINS ARE AMOUNGST US BUT KEEP FIGHTING!!!

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    mlaw10436om

    Tue Sep 05 2000

    great stories but his in-depth descriptions are SOOOOOOO long winded ! Needs to cut back on this.

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    init10288om

    Wed Aug 30 2000

    The true Master of this genre ! This man gets sooo deep, he makes you wonder "this could really happen". Very good prose, a sense of humor most horror writers don't have. Very chilling work from this man, where does he get his ideas ?

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    meab10270om

    Tue Aug 29 2000

    Dean Koontz is my all-time favorite author. I love his books, and I save them to read over and over again. I'm always looking for new books from him, and now that I know the other names he has used as an author, i'm going to get those books too. His books make me laugh and cry. I can't put them down until I have read the whole book, then I have to stop and think about them for awhile. I really love them. Thanks to Mr. Koontz, or whoever he really is.

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    init9859om

    Fri Aug 25 2000

    took the public a while to realize what a master he is, but better late than never. I've known it for decades. Skip over Fear Nothing and it's sequel, Sieze the Night, these were written for the beach-mongers who want a simple, easy to read book. We true fans love his deep, twisted and intelligent work, like his newest, False Memory.