The Face

The basic plot: Someone is sending mysterious packages to the residence of Channing Manheim, the world's biggest movie star, who's been dubbed as "The Face" for his looks and onscreen magic. Ethan Truman, head of Manheim's security team tries to discover the source of the packages. As an ex-cop, Truman is used to many things, yet what he runs into - the walking dead, visions of his death, messages from beyond - amount to so much more than he's ever encountered.

Some people have mentioned that the book is too long. I'd tend to disagree. While it is a thick book (my paperback version was 649 pages), it does not feel long - Koontz writes fairly short chapters, and writes with such style that you are hooked almost from the first few pages. Once more, he displays his knack for switching between characters, each time maintaining or increasing the suspense another notch. In my eyes, a book is only long if the prose seems stretched out or boring, and neither applies to this gripping thriller.

Koontz again shows his skill at bringing characters to life and understanding them, if not always necessarily liking them.

This is easily one of his best books, and one which I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.

The one question to ask yourself while reading this book - does the title of the book really refer to the actor, Channing Manheim...or does it refer to someone/something else? :)

Dean Koontz has a knack for creating scenes down to the smallest detail, and character profiles that draw you into the deepest chambers of the character's minds. This is all wonderful, but it comes at a cost of bringing the action to a complete halt. In most of his books, Koontz manages to juggle both exposition and action while keeping the suspense rolling at breathtaking speed. In "The Face" however, the action was very often interrupted or slowed down by long paragraphs of description in the first three-quarters of the book.

Regardless, Koontz's prose and vivid imagery is delicious when read thoughtfully. As for plot, it was gripping from the start. While the story unfolds, you find yourself completely absorbed by the wonder of a series of bizzarre events. By the last third, you may cancel all appointments and chores for sake of soaking up the story to the very last word. Yes, it is that exciting. Why? In this particular novel, Koontz weaves together a tapestry of crime, suspense, drama, pshychology, humor, then seasons it well with extreme evil and extreme goodness.

Additionally, if you read any of his other books, you would know he has a tendency to lead you to believe in the supernatural only to delight (or disappoint) you with a scientific (or sci-fi) resolution. "The Face" applies the same technique, though more intensely, tying the loose ends most unexpectedly. This is the type of story that would likely remain memorable for a long time.

The title is odd as the title character never appears in the story....is only talked about, and not very flatteringly.....so you wouldn't want to meet him anyway. The story is about his lonely, bright, creative 10 year old son and the beleaguered ex-cop who fights to save his life from a villain sickeningly and vividly portrayed, a uniquely crafted psychopathic character who plans to kidnap and torture the boy to torment his father. His father employs the ex-cop to provide security for the home/grounds of "The Face" and his son....and several other eccentric characters. The cop is aided by a newly minted "guardian angel" hamstrung by peculiar limits to his abilities....not like any angel you've ever imagined....one whose own story creates an interesting mini-subplot....as does that of the cop's buddy "Hazard" who gets sucked by loyalty and curiosity into helping as well. Could not put this sucker down. And yes, it drags out at times and is filled with the many, many similes and metaphors Koontz is fond of, but you don't really mind. And his trademark wit and humor is laced throughout to make you laugh out loud while being terrified. It's an altogether very, very satisfying ride.

This is a sensational novel, one of Koontz's best. Koontz combines ideas he has used in former novels and those ideas now polished to perfection have been combined with sensational characters to make a superb thriller. Shadowfires (the living dead) and Lightning (time travel, guardian angels) are just two that you?ll remember while reading this masterpiece.
Ethan Truman a former detective is now head of security for the biggest and richest Hollywood star, Channing Manheim, also known by his adoring pubic as "the face". The face's son Aelfric (Fric) is rather neglected and lives an isolated life inside his father's massive mansion. One day he receives a phone call from a voice telling him to get ready, someone will come in a few days to kill him.
The face has enemies sending him packages in the mail with Ethan determined to find the source before the face returns home for Christmas. At the same time Ethan's childhood friend Dunny (ironically with his name was murdered in a bathroom) has died and his body seems to have walked out of the hospital morgue. Strange stuff starts happening to Ethan, he has visions of his death and swears he has seen Dunny. Is he going insane? He enlists the help of ex partner but still current cop Hazard (very similar to the character, Samson in James Patterson, Alex Cross novels) to help him find out the truth.
This is a sensational novel. One of Koontz's greatest masterpieces.

I cannot give Dean Koontz less than four stars as he's just a stand-out novelist without a doubt! ( Maybe "3.75" on this one....)
But this was close to one of my least favorites of the thirty or so that I have read of his. Great characters, good plot, but so very long and tedious in spots. Enjoyable though and I do think he's truly one brilliant all-knowing writer. By the way, just before this I had read Ashley Bell, his newest novel, which was 800 pages, but I did love it. You can try that one if you like long books!

Dean Kootz used to be my favortie author, Until I went back to read some of his earlier works. It seemed like it had become impossible to find any good books by this guy. I mean Li really lived the Books: Phantoms, Hideaway, From the Corner Of His Eye and Watchers, those are some of the best books ever written. It was when I went back to his older stuff like Whispers, Demon Seed, and Icebound that I began forget why I had liked him so much at first.

I found out why when I read one of his newer books, and that one has gotten me back on the Dean Koontz Bandwagon. The Face is the book that did it for me. In his older books the characters don't seem to has as much substance and likability (if that is a real word) as the ones in his newere books. I fell in love with all the characters within he first one hundred pages, and the only reason it took me that long was because at first I was looking at it like all those other horrible ones that I had read recently.

This one has a great story and many twists that the reader can't help but enjoy. This is a book with angels, demons, monsters, and a hotline to hell. Believe me it is a blast.

Oh yeah and remember never give a demon an invitation to join you (you will get it after you read the book.

Ethan Truman works as head of security for Channing Manheim, Hollywood's greatest personality in decades. Every movie the Face, as the media calls him, stars in turns to gold as soon as it hits the theaters. The Face's private life, however, leaves a lot to be desired. A year after his marriage to supermodel Fredericka Nielander, the Face was divorced and had gotten custody of their son, Aelfric, who is affectionately called Fric by Ethan and the large staff at Palazzo Rospo where the Face lives. Ten years old now, Fric lives largely on his own, with only the staff to care for him. He refers to his father as Ghost Dad and his mother as Nominal Mom; Fric doesn't have a good home life. Too bad he's just become #1 on a psychopathic killer's hit list. Only Ethan Truman, struggling through the death of his wife and his best friend, and a ghost of a chance stand between Fric and certain death.
Dean Koontz is actually a dean of suspense novels. He's written THE WATCHERS, PHANTOMS, WHISPERS, BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, LIGHTNING, FEAR NOTHING, and dozens of others. Every book he's written for years has hit the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller lists. Several of his books have been made into movies, but the books have always been stronger and capable of leaving a more lasting imprint. His work mixes strong elements of suspense, horror, and science fiction.
THE FACE offers an exciting storyline. Ethan Truman stands out as a good hero, a man who's been hurt by life and questions his ability to simply go on. Fric represents so much of today's children of successful, semi-successful, and busy parents merely trying to survive-the sarcastic and self-deprecating sense of humor, and the sharp loneliness. Cut wholly from anarchy, Corky Laputa spills across the pages like a spreading stain, going deeper and wider, cutting into the reader's ease of mind because he seems so real. Some of Koontz's best devices are the puzzles and clues that he spreads throughout his novels. There's always something to guess at, to attempt to figure out. The opening page gifts the readers with a love of mysteries with a clue that is definitely attention getting: an apple sewn together with black threads. Once the apple is cut open, Ethan finds an eyeball inside. Another facet of suspense writing that Koontz excels in is the ticking clock. As Laputa's intended kidnapping comes to light, the plot stays wound tight, and the course of the action spreads only over two days before Christmas.
Though the plot runs like a Swiss watch in timing, Koontz's actual work in the book runs a little long. His writing is elegant and beautiful, his metaphors and similes very descriptive. However, that slavish devotion to the written word sometimes creates stumbling places in the novel. The words sound good when read aloud, which sometimes seems necessary to get at the true meaning, but jar a reader trying desperately to get on with the story to find out what happens next. Also, when the puzzles do come together, they seem somewhat contrived (though not the apple one, which was truly clever) and Ethan's understanding of them comes at the proper eleventh hour to the story mechanics. Hazard Yancy, Ethan's interesting homicide detective friend and one-time partner, also kind of fades out toward the end even though he's got a colossal build-up at the beginning.
THE FACE definitely deserves the lazy days of summer. The story is driving enough, and the prose interesting enough, to spend hours with at the beach or curled up in a favorite reading spot. Readers wanting the combination of suspense, mystery, and deep characters will want to pick this book up. Koontz's prose is sharper than most, and his plots are always layers deep.

In "The Face", Koontz has overcome the past few clunkers to produce a riveting and uplifting story that is worth the weighty quantity of pages. Ethan Truman is working as the head of security for the wealthy and beloved actor Channing Manheim (aka The Face). We are drawn into the story as he puzzles over a series of packages, delivered anonymously to the estate, that are filled with odd objects and that seem to pose a veiled threat. Strange events continue to unfold as the story progresses. The estate's phone line dedicated to calls from the dead begins ringing. The Face's son Fric receives supernatural visits from a "mysterious caller" who warns of impending disaster. Truman's old friend Dunny seems to have returned from the dead. Truman experiences the most eerie foreshadowings of his own death. Cold blooded anarchist Corky Laputa, who plots to kidnap Fric as past of his master plan to destroy society, plants cruel seeds of destruction wheverever he goes. Truman's cop friend Hazard, enlisted to track down the source of the packages,is soon pulled into the bizarre happenings.
In typical Koontz fashion, the independent story lines converge on a race with the clock to prevent Fric's death. We are by turns horrified, mystified, amused, and uplifted as the story builds to an ending with a twist. Although Koontz tends to runs rampant in his use of metaphors, in "The Face" they are used to advantage to describe the continuous rain and gloom that foreshadow the dangers to come. We are introduced to a panoply of interesting characters, both those among The Face's staff and those in the seamy underside of the world outside it. We get to vicariously enjoy the trappings of an estate so huge and elegantly appointed that it boggles the mind. We feel empathy for Fric, ignored by his parents and filled with self-doubt about his worthiness as the son of superstars. It is interesting to note that Channing Manheim never makes an appearance in the book, even though he is the title character.
Although horror stories tend to wallow in darkness, Koontz adds touches of humor and hope that leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. If you enjoy vintage Koontz, such as "Strangers" and "Watchers", you will enjoy this book!

"The Face" is the nickname of Channing Manheim, Hollywood's #1 star. Typically self absorbed, he neglects his only son, the awkward yet simplistic Elfric; who is actually one of the main protagonists of Koontz's latest novel. "The Face" himself barely features, referred to by his son as "Ghost Dad", ditto his supermodel mother Freddy Nielander who is known as "Nominal Mom".
Ten year old Fric finds his life placed in danger when a series of packages containing objects which are both cryptic and frightening begin getting past security and making it to the Manheim estate. Stranger still, they are addressed to Fric. Matters get worse when he begins receiving nuisance phone calls, which only show up on his private line... but I don't have the heart to go further and spoil the fun. Nice guy that I am.
Yet again Koontz expertly juggles multiple storylines with three dimensional characters that are both compassionate and horrifying; and once more demonstrates his expansive understanding of the human condition. And of course, he blends in enough thrills and chills to keep even the most discerning reader flicking the pages into the wee hours of the morning.
THE FACE is a lot better than Koontz's previous book BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, which I had trouble getting into (Maybe because I found the comedienne who talked to her pot plant to be too off-the-wall). In my opinion this is probably his best work since DARK RIVERS OF THE HEART, and thankfully Koontz doesn't go into long rambling passages here as he did in FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE (which was still a very good book).
THE FACE is a great read and no doubt another surefire success for Koontz, but it would be great if he got back to basics; as some of his best and most effective works were the simpler, shorter books that could be read in one sitting like SHATTERED and THE VOICE OF THE NIGHT. That's my only complaint. THE FACE is one of the best books I've read so far this year.
Also there's a really neat jacket jacket photo of Dean and his extremely cute dog, Trixie. If your heart doesn't melt looking at that sweet little face, then you must be one of the biggest meanies on the planet. (I'm talking about Trixie. Not Dean!)

Yes, Dean Koontz's new novel, "The Face," is complex. But you aren't wanting to read a "Dr. Seus," now are you? You're wanting a thrill with a few twists and turns, with a few tricks up its sleeve. This is "The Face."
Ethan Truman was once a cop. Then the love of his life died, and he quit the force, to be hired on as a security consultant to Channing Manheim, "the Face" in modern cinema. Ethan thought it would be an easy job...until the boxes arrived. Each one was filled with some kind of riddle, something that made no sense, but implied a threat that was all too clear: Manheim had an admirer out there, one with deadly intentions.
It is not a police matter. For this reason, Ethan must solve it himself, with just a little bit of help from a few friends in the department. But as the mystery begins to slowly unravel, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary "overbearing fan." This is a man who is in tune with chaos, who wants to spread nothing but anarchy and disorder. He is just a man...but the forces he serves are more powerful than any human being could imagine...
Caught in the middle of this is Fric, a lonely boy who looks nothing like his superstar mother and father. He is a joke to them, ignored by everyone...a "little mouse." But Fric is smart, he is clever, and he is getting messages from a Mysterious Caller, saying that Moloch is coming, that Fric should find a secret hiding place where no one can find him...
This novel is a little bit more philisophical than what Koontz fans are used to. It pretty much comes right out and deals with the forces of Heaven and Hell. Aside from this preachiness, the novel really is a delite, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the last page is turned. And yes, Koontz is at his best when he is dealing with the supernatural!
Pick up "The Face" by Dean Koontz, because it's one thriller that cannot be missed. If you are a Koontz fan, you know what you're getting; if you're not yet a Koontz fan, try starting here. It will take you places you only dreamed of going.

Over the years, Dean Koontz has slightly shifted his deliverance and motivations for his work. Initially, Koontz was a crafty, intelligent suspense novelist who distributed tense, horrific stories in page-turners that brought the hairs up of his readers. Ever since his novels of the early 1990s, Koontz has made his obligation as a writer to not only present readers with a well-thought, enthralling story, but to use the story as the foundation for enlightenment and uplift.
His latest, "The Face" is perhaps his most spiritual, supernatural, and emotional novel to date. The title of the novel represents the ego and nickname of the most successful male super-actor to ever grace the earth, Channing Manheim, yet the plot has little or nothing to do with this character. Koontz uses Ethan Truman as the protagonist: a level-headed ex-cop who took the job of Head Security Supervisor of Manheim's gorgeous estate given his lack of interest in the force due to his wife's unsuccessful bout with cancer. When the Manheim estate receives unusual letters and gifts from an unknown sender, Truman begins the quest of determining the culprit, only to find himself in a battle against an enemy far worse than he ever expected. With the help of a former partner, Truman attempts to put aside his questions about the past, his personal doubts about his purpose in life, and ultimately what he believes in order to save the estate, and most importantly, Channing Manheim's ten-year old son from a chaotic terror.
"The Face" is beautifully written, poetic in its descriptions of the glamorous estate and the depiction of each character. Although some portions of the novel seem overdrawn and purposely thorough, Koontz seems to not only desire to create tales that are precise, but eloquent in style to each sentence and word. This novel is a vivid, horrifying account of how bad excessive evil can be, but also, in due course, that faith, love, and second chances can bring the good out of all of us.

Stephen King writes multiple works that fill 30 CDs in the audio version, and you want moe. "The Face" is 16 CDs where the story would have been more acceptable with 8. Blatent redundancy, multiple linquistically complex descriptors of people, events, thoughts, etc, where one clear and cogent descriptor would have not only sufficed, but would have been better. A decent story line, stretched to the maximum, and overwritten. It is my "entry" move into Koontz and I am afraid it is also gong to be my "exit" move.

One reviewer noted it was the best work of Koontz so far. If this is true, I am most tnankful that I did not read earlier works. His writing style reminds me of more than one bombastic professor lecturing in my undergrad classes in American Lit. And you ask why I gave it a "1"?

Dean Koontz, one of the most prolific "suspense" writers of our generation, sure knows his words..and he uses them copiously in his latest best-seller. The book is way too long and filled with too many flamboyant descriptions and attempts at satire..a little bit of the satire would have been enough, but the book reeks with it. Koontz has sabotaged this book with his "over-writing."
However, if you can strain through all the superflous flowery narrative, you'll find a great story and some strong characters in security chief Ethan; the precocious Frik; and the staunch detective, Hazard. The villain, Corky, is way over the top but deliciously evil, to say the least. Unlike most Koontz books, there is no strong female presence in this novel; and why, oh why, must EVERY hero have a dead wife or fiance haunting him? This must be the fifth book in a row that the poor hero is mourning his lost love. Koontz is a great writer overall and I've read almost all of his books, and they've all been meritorious in one way or another. Fans will like this, and the ending is sufficiently upbeat, considering all our heroes have to go through. It's interesting, too, how "The Face" of the title is not who you might think it is. Check out the last scene in the elevator.
All in all, it's a ponderous read, but I still recommend it---it's better than a lot of other pretentious [garbage] out there!

Oh, the joy...Oh, the frustration! I've read only two Koontz novels--yes, I'm an newbie--and they've had opposite effects on me. The first was great, until a comic-book ending; this book drags and drags until a wonderful finale.
"The Face" follows widower Ethan Truman as he unravels the strange events happening around the Bel Air mansion he protects. In the mansion, young Fric, son of a world famous movie-star, lives a solitary life that until now has seen little adventure. Together, Ethan and Fric will face the horrible schemes of an "agent of chaos," a professor with macabre hobbies--hobbies that include slow and torturous murder.
The story could be tightened into a 400 page ripsnorter, but instead we are treated to the flowery phrasing of Mr. Koontz. Sometimes beautiful and eerie, sometimes just plain ole boring and overwrought, the sentences never fail to head in the right direction. Eventually, the patient reader discovers the rewards of the final pages, where Koontz not only wraps his story in fable/allegory type images, he also proffers hope as though he truly believes...
It's this undergirding of destiny amidst chaos, of love amidst hate, that keeps Koontz's characters and plotting afloat. It's this sense of humanity and divine that will keep this reader coming back for more. (Even if I have to skim a paragraph here and there.)

The story centers around two key characters. The first is an ex-cop named Ethan Truman. He is now the chief of security for one of the most famous actors in the world today Charles "The Face" Manhiem. As of late, The Face has been receiving packages that point towards his death, filled with strange and unusual items. Ethan takes it upon himself to catch the person responsible. However, Ethan's life gets even more complicated when he begins to see an old friend walking around that is supposed to be dead, and the fact that his friend's body dissapeared from the morgue makes things even stranger. Now Ethan must solve two mysteries - the identity of the person who wants The Face dead, and if his friend is really alive or not. The other main character of the story is The Face's son Aelfric Manhiem. Ten year old Fric begins to receive strange phone calls on his private line telling him that he needs to find a place to hide because something evil is coming. At first, Fric things that it is a prank. However, as time goes on, the mysterious caller begins to describe what has Fric has done during the day, what different rooms of the house look like, etc.. As Fric begins to prepare for this mysterious evil force, Ethan becomes wrapped up in his own problems which puts both Ethan and Fric in danger of being victims of events that are somehow connected.
This book seriously impressed me. I have been a fan of Dean Koontz for many years, and I have read the majority of his books. That is why I had my doubts about this one. When an author produces so many fantastic books, you begin to wonder if it is only a matter of time before they run out of ideas, and The Face is one of Koontz's latest novels. As soon as I began reading this book, my doubts were put to rest. The book is extremely well written, and very suspenseful. It combines aspects of a mystery novel, with those of a chase novel. This makes the book very interesting, and will keep you glued to the pages. The story is somewhat complex though, because it is told from three different points of view - what's going on with Ethan, what's going on with Fric, and the killer who is behind the attack on The Face. However, Koontz's character development is so great in this book, that you will become equally captivated reading about each character. The personalities of Ethan, Fric, and the killer are very well established which makes you appreciate them all.
Overall, The Face is one of the best Dean Koontz books I have ever read. The book offers likeable and well developed characters, the perfect combination of a mystery and chase novel, and an unpredictable and satisfying ending. If you are a fan of Dean Koontz you should definately check this book out.

This novel is awesome. I was hooked from page one and found myslef not wanting to put this one down for a moment! Dont let the hefty 500+ pages put you off or scare you away...I promise that is will be some of the best material that you read this year!
We find ourselves thrust into the life of two very distinct and believable characters. Frick, the priveledged son of the most sought-after actor in Hollywoo; a boy that is all but forgotten by his famous parents and all but a prisoner in his father's huge estate. He is a boy who likes to read, delights in secret knowledge, and desperately wants to be noticed. Ethan, an ex-cop who is in charge of security at the mansion; haunted by his past and paralyzed by what his future might bring.
Together they must survive the coming onslaught and outwit a master anarchist who feeds on chaos and destruction. Ghastly clues will lead Ethan on a chase that will have him questioning his very sanity, while Frick must make sense of the chilling and cryptic phone calls that are meant for him alone.
In this novel, Koontz has given us a glimpse into the war that is continually brewing between Order and Chaos, Light and Darkness, Good and Evil. In this balet of human destinies, Koontz gets us to think about our lives and the seeds that we have sown on our travels through this world that we so obliviously inhabit.
The destiny that we carve out for ourselves in one that is built upon the bricks of others and the impact that we have on their lives everyday. Seemingly innocent acts of magic are everywhere and our unseen guardians work in the most mysterious of ways. In the end, redemption comes from our own hard won efforts and the destruction of many can be halted by an act so tiny that it might have gone unnoticed.
Mr Koontz filles this book with mystery, suspense, terror, humor, and most importantly- inspiration and insight. This book will make you think about your own life and those that have gone before you. Are our loved ones still looking out for us? Who are the bit players in the Eternal Struggle- and for which side to they cheer? More importantly- which side are you on? This book is full of heart and is truly one of the best pieces of literature that I have had the pleasure of reading in many years.
A masterfully plotted and extremely well-written novel, this book is a great addition to any library- be it personal or professional. Koontz is a master of his craft and proves, one again, why he is consistently on many a readers "must-have" lists.

This novel is awesome. I was hooked from page one and found myslef not wanting to put this one down for a moment! Dont let the hefty 500+ pages put you off or scare you away...I promise that is will be some of the best material that you read this year!
We find ourselves thrust into the life of two very distinct and believable characters. Frick, the priveledged son of the most sought-after actor in Hollywoo; a boy that is all but forgotten by his famous parents and all but a prisoner in his father's huge estate. He is a boy who likes to read, delights in secret knowledge, and desperately wants to be noticed. Ethan, an ex-cop who is in charge of security at the mansion; haunted by his past and paralyzed by what his future might bring.
Together they must survive the coming onslaught and outwit a master anarchist who feeds on chaos and destruction. Ghastly clues will lead Ethan on a chase that will have him questioning his very sanity, while Frick must make sense of the chilling and cryptic phone calls that are meant for him alone.
In this novel, Koontz has given us a glimpse into the war that is continually brewing between Order and Chaos, Light and Darkness, Good and Evil. In this balet of human destinies, Koontz gets us to think about our lives and the seeds that we have sown on our travels through this world that we so obliviously inhabit.
The destiny that we carve out for ourselves in one that is built upon the bricks of others and the impact that we have on their lives everyday. Seemingly innocent acts of magic are everywhere and our unseen guardians work in the most mysterious of ways. In the end, redemption comes from our own hard won efforts and the destruction of many can be halted by an act so tiny that it might have gone unnoticed.
Mr Koontz filles this book with mystery, suspense, terror, humor, and most importantly- inspiration and insight. This book will make you think about your own life and those that have gone before you. Are our loved ones still looking out for us? Who are the bit players in the Eternal Struggle- and for which side to they cheer? More importantly- which side are you on? This book is full of heart and is truly one of the best pieces of literature that I have had the pleasure of reading in many years.
A masterfully plotted and extremely well-written novel, this book is a great addition to any library- be it personal or professional. Koontz is a master of his craft and proves, one again, why he is consistently on many a readers "must-have" lists.

From the start, the stage is set for this unusual and original tale with the rain, pouring down incessantly over the city of angels. In fact, the grey, gloomy skies and rain are major characters in the book. (Koontz refers to them constantly, and to great effect) We have all the ingredients for the standard thriller genre: troubled and sensitive cops, a dazzling Hollywood star, an exceedingly intelligent and evil antagonist and the constant threat of doom, hanging over the reader like the sword of Pericles, ready to drop at any moment. But ~The Face~ gives us something more than the prototype: stereotypes are brilliantly combined with the paranormal. Throughout the reading, my rational mind continued to search for logical explanations for the many strange events that happen to the main characters. To my frustration, however, no rational answers came forth because, in most cases, there weren't any. This novel makes excellent reading because what you see in not always what you expect or get...
The strongest aspect about the writing itself is the author's skill for characterization. Even the apparent insignificant characters in the novel have certain depth, which invokes the feeling one gets when meeting someone casually for the first time. He devotes each chapter of the tale from the perspective of each major player, and we easily enter their minds, feel their thoughts and emotions. Particularly the ten year old boy, Fric, with his pubescent humor and loneliness...and, of course, the terrifying literature professor and his Deconstructive, post modern stance on the written word. As a ruthless anarchist, he could have no better or appropriate philosophy concerning literature. This guy is truly bad without being outlandishly comic-bookish, similar to many other serial killer types in the thriller market place. Corky Laputa is just plain wicked.
If you're expecting the stock-standard thriller with all the tired stereotypes, you'll be disappointed with this novel. Then again, it has all the successful ingrediants one might expect, but Koontz throws in an interesting wrench into the work, which makes the book refreshing and highly enjoyable.

I started reading Dean Koontz about halfway through his career. Since then, I have read everything he has written. It is amazing to see how much his craft has grown over the years. His characters are now fully developed and he no longer can be seen as an exclusively "horror" writer.
That being said, "The Face" is by far the best book I have read in a long time. Koontz took his time developing the characters and made the reader really connect with them. I liked how "Ghost Dad" was a "Ghost" Character whose presence was undeniable but who never actually "appeared" in the book.
Koontz did not feed answers to his readers and the result was that there were times that I wasn't sure what was going on but because his characters had me so engaged I was more than willing to wait and find out how it all worked out. The reader's confusion echoed the character's confusion so I believe it was completely appropriate.
The ending of the novel was spiritual without being cheesy. Truly moving.
One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Dean Koontz certainly has changed. I wish I could point my finger to the exact novel it happened. One day, it just seemed the transformation took place, and Dean Koontz became a completely different author. If you are a Koontz fan, you will notice the dramatic change in his style of writing in the last five years or so. He said he does not care what the critics think, but my question is "Why Dean, why?" Your fans miss you....please come back. Now don't misunderstand me, it is not that he has turned into a bad writer, (I can think of some good current novels, "The Light of the Moon" and "From the Corner of his Eye") Yet it seemed that sometime after "Intensity" (the last superb Koontz novel) he just has not been up to par. "The Face" is another sub-par performance from a very talented author.

The story opens in third person with the main focus on an ex-cop named Ethan. Ethan is one of the people hired on security to protect the mansion of The Face. Who is The Face? you might ask. Well, he is a big time movie celebrity, one of the country's biggest. Interestingly enough, we never learn more than that about him. He does not even make a guest appearance in the novel named after him, (although later, another meaning of the novel's title could be interpreted). Anyway, Ethan begins receiving these disturbing passages from an unknown, such as needles in apples, black boxes, etc. Ethan, having no clue what this all means, goes to his friend Hazard to help. Hazard is a detective on the police force. In the meantime, The Face's son Fric, who is nine years old, begins receiving telephone calls from a mysterious caller that can see everything Fric is up to. By the way, Fric is only nine years old, yet Koontz has him thinking thoughts that are only abstract enough for a teenager to conjure up. The novel also lets us know, almost from the beginning who the "bad guy" is. He is obviously the one sending the weird packages to The Face. His name is Corky, the best character (in terms of originality in the novel). He is a college professor/killer who has a goal to kidnap Fric. Corky is an anarchist, and believes the only order in the world is disorder.

There are other subplots floating around in this story. One of them is Ethan's friend, Dunny, who dies at the beginning of the story, then comes back to life. He is dead, but still owns his body which is found missing at the local morgue. He can walk though mirrors and turn into things, but he is not a spirit. Explain that if you dare. He becomes a sort of guardian angel for Ethan. Ethan, meanwhile, is having visions of his own death. At the same time, he is searching for his friend Dunny, and trying to unravel the mystery of the packages sent to the Face. The rest of the story is the buildup to the night Corky is going to attempt a kidnapping of the world's most famous movie actor's son. (Fric) Of course you have a ton of other stuff going on, but that is really the core of the novel.

The strongest passages in The Face involve Fric and the mysterious caller. Fric has to look for a place all over the mansion to hide because "he is coming" warns the mysterious caller. These passages are tense and well written. Another highlight is the killer Corky. He comes so close to making this a good novel all on his own. He is one of Koontz's very best villains, smart and original.

The book has its fair share of problems. One problem is the descriptive style. I love colorful vocabulary if it adds to the novel, not just in there to be showy. It seems that Koontz is just trying to show off how much he knows, rather than let the description just flow, like he did so well in his earlier novels. Another problem is how lifeless the main character Ethan is. The scenes with him and Hazard are particularly bad, with one cheesy remark after another. Fric is good, but Koontz makes the mistake of him being only nine years old. He acts more like he is thirteen. I did like the tense climax at the end of the novel, and I even liked the supernatural element Koontz throws in here. I could not stand the ten or fifteen pages after the climax was over. This portion should be destroyed and have the novel end around page 630. The very end is borderline ridiculous and confusing. The beginning drags. Yet, the middle of the novel can be very entertaining at times, I can't argue that.

If you are a die hard Koontz fan you will probably like it. Other readers can pass on this one. If you really want to see what Koontz is all about, dive into his older classics. I recommend "Cold Fire and Lightning." That is Koontz at his very best. "The Face", can go next to all your "oh it was okay" books on your bookshelf that will no doubt gather up the most dust in the future.

Grade: C+

BE PREPARED for a marvelous story, full of clever wordplay, stunning images, clever plot twists, violent action sequences, thought provoking occurences, riddles to be solved, weird occurrences and even weirder characters. This is typical Dean Koontz, a simple story told in a leisurely convoluted way that invariably incorporates some elements of the supernatural or extrahuman powers. The mood is set almost immediately, you will soon be hooked by the story and the images which the lush verbiage provkes or you will rapidly conclude that it is a verbose waste of your time with a plot too unbelievable to warrant your interest. This is about good versus evil, the vanity and frailty of human beings and the redemptive power of love, but it is also a classic thriller. It reads incredibly rapidly for a book of over six hundred pages, the images evoked and the language used are so clear and enjoyable that that I found it difficult to put the book down. I consider the mood that it evokes and the impression that it leaves with the reader a stunning achievement.
The story is very straightforward, and the fact that the narrative is told from the multiple viewpoints of the major participants works well in this case. Channing Mannheim is THE FACE, the most famous Hollywood star of the era and wealthy beyond measure. His Bel Air estate includes the magnificent Palazzo Respo (whose wonderful translation is known only to his son and the readers of this book). During Channing's brief marriage to supermodel Freddie Nielander they had a son Aelfric (Fric) who resides with a huge and wonderfully described staff on the estate as Channing films his hugely successful movies and Freddie pursues her career. Ethan Truman is the estate's security chief, whose job includes anticipating all possible threats to the compound and its residents as well as overseeing Channing's personal safety. While Channing is on location for his next film (the only appearance by the face is at the end of the book), mysterious and theartening packages arrive anonymously at the compound. As Ethan tries both to puzzle out their meaning and track down the sender, he finds it increasingly hard to separate reality from illusion.
The remaining cast is gradually assembled, including the strange Rolf Reynard, whose whole existence is a study in black and white, and Corky Laputa, master of chaos and perhaps one of the few incarnations of pure evil in Ethan's experience. Hazard Yancey, Ethan's old partner who is still on the force gets entangled in the case and provides a resource that allows Ethan to obtain some help and also maintain his belief in his own sanity. Ethan seems to be facing impending doom, and perhaps not even the help of the walking dead (or the appearance of guardian angels) can avert the tragic sequence of events that seems to unfold with a seeming inevitableness.
What made this book so enjoyable for me were four interrelated elements: first, the character development, which is especially wonderful with regard to Fric; second, the sophisticated messages implicit in many of the characters, especially Corky; third, the philosophical discussion of the most basic metaphysical issues such as the meaning of life, hope, love, truth and reality as well as the space-time continuum; and last, the wonderful use of language. Hopefully, the following examples will provide sufficient illustration
"Premonition. Precognition. Psychic Vision. Clairvoyance. The TWILIGHT ZONE DICTIONARY turned its own pages in the library of his mind, but no possibility that it presented to him seemed to explain his experience." (Ethan)
"Every palace and every work of art is only dust as yet unrealized, and time is the patient wind that will wither it all away. Nevertheless, men and women ... hope, against all evidence, that their lives have meaning and that in their talents lies a purpose larger than themselves." (Duncan Whistler)
So, I highly recommend this book, whose incredibly enthralling and entertaining message is that our hope is indeed not without foundation, and that love and friendship are perhaps the eternal verities rather than chaos and entropy.

Just kidding. Can someone please explain the point of this book to me? Or, more importantly, why did I waste my time reading it? Like all bad Koontz books, the story could probably have been adequately told in about 1/3 as many pages as there were in this book. Also, many aspects of the plot could have been completely eliminated as they are pointless and uninteresting. The story itself has no real direction or purpose. The main character, Ethan, has a guardian angel, Duncan, who used to be a friend/acquaintance before he became a bad guy. Ethan works as a security specialist for a big movie star and lives at his employer's estate in Bel Aire with the staff and the movie star's kid. There is a lunatic named Corky running around who takes pleasure in causing as much chaos as he can and wants to kidnap & torture said kid. There are miscellaneous bad guys that Corky consults from time to time. There are phone messages from dead people.

Did this plot evolve from a dart board lined with story ideas followed by a drunken game of darts? What the hell is all of this nonsense and why do I keep reading Dean Koontz books?

I gave this book an extra star because he didn't mention cleaning up dog turds after your pet and there was not a character that was specifically described as an evil genius. Corky is evil and he is a college professor; however, we cannot conclude that he is a genius. Koontz must hate or fear professors because he certainly does portray them as evil in a lot of his novels.

Read "Odd Thomas" instead because it's really much better than this mess.

One wild ride indeed by Dean Koontz. He includes everything but the kitchen sink in this thriller! It is easy to figure out why there are people out there that consider Koontz one of the best!

I can imagine being the person of Ethan Truman, and sometimes feeling the anxiety. But then you think also of what it might be like to Fric. Koontz throws a lot of stuff together. From Broadway roses, to Jewish food, maybe even a dead body here and there, right? I enjoyed the NO FEAR attitude of Hazard Yancy. Corky Luputa made kind of an obnoxious villain, yet a worthy opponent.

While it kept my attention, it was easy at times to put down. However, near the ending, it goes nuts, and you find yourself saying, "He did it again." So, all in all, Koontz does not disappoint. He thrills us, entertains us, and for some people, he actually inspires us. No harm done there.

For those as myself who were getting increasingly disenchanted with Koontz and the supernatural, aliens with supernatural powers, or people injected with serums to give them supernatural powers, The Face is a great change of pace. Channing Manheim, superstar actor, and nicknamed "The Face" for his dashing good looks is on location again for his next film, leaving his 10-year old son Fric in a life of loneliness and isolation yet again.
Retired detective and chief of security for the Manheim estate is Ethan Truman who must deal with his own "death" while he becomes increasingly aware of Fric's dysfunctional life, a life forced on him simply because of his father. Ethan tries to gain the acceptance of Fric, but is kept at an arms distance.
Along the way, we meet Corky Laputa, a devotee to evil, chaos, destruction, and anarchy who practices what he believes and whose master plan includes total ruination of The Face. And the best way to ruin the face...to kill Fric. Thus begins the race against time as we see Corky's path of destruction, Fric's vain attempts to keep one step ahead of a mysterious killer, and Ethan's quest for Fric's acceptance and friendship, while not realizing the danger that lies ahead.
I thoroughly enjoyed this change of pace from Koontz. The departure from the supernatural was refreshing and the pace of the book was maintained from beginning to end (unlike many of Koontz' other fares).

I've been reading Koontz since he started out... okay, true, I only read the Sci Fi Stuff more recently, but still. I was a big fan. But then his books started getting tiresome in their sameness. This one was different. The gleeful evil of Corky gave us some dark humor and the relationships between the other characters were caring and true. ONe thing that I've become annoyed with in Koontz books is the absolutely having no clue what's going on until the end. This continued here, but the story was good enough not to irritate me too much.
I listened to the unabridged audiobook, rather than reading this story and my review includes the information that this edition was an enjoyable listen. The narrator brought life to the characters and delivered the story with skill and at an enjoyable tempo. He got a few pronunciations wrong, but otherwise, it was a great listen.
This one was hard to wait for the rest as I arrived home or at work. The story stayed on my mind until I could get back to it. I recommend this one.

This is probably my favorite Dean Koontz novel, which is saying a lot since I read almost everything he has ever done.
This is definitely a very scary book, but it's more like a psychic mystery suspense novel.
The Face, a rich movie star with a son whom he basically ignores, is being stalked by a bizarre, Clive Barker-type, freak serial killer who sends his "idol" the most insane "gifts" I can imagine (apples filled with human eyes, etc.)
I won't give away the ending, but it is a cool twist.
I think the son, Fric, a magical, intelligent child, is really the most interesting character. I'm not sure that was Koontz's intention, but for me, Fric was the protagonist. The villain, Corey, is second. The Face himself is, for me, very underdeveloped. Perhaps that was intentional, but I don't think so.

Honest to goodness, that is a quote from "The Face," and, if that one is not enough to curl your toenails, rest assured, there are plenty more all throughout the book that are just as mind-numbing. Dean Koontz is a very successful author, and he became so because he used to write good books, from his heart, and he used to care about his fans. He has said in recent interviews that he doesn't care what critics think, because these days everyone is a critic, and he'll write whatever and however he feels. Well, I personally believe he has his facts backwards because these days, it appears his very specific writing is trying to impress the critics, with absolutely no regards for his longtime fans. I'm here to tell ya, no true fan of Koontz can stomach those "pregnant clouds giving birth" phrases, and why would this very successful and intelligent man do a complete about face and start writing like a different author. His last 6 books or so seems like the work of a man who's trying desperately to seek acceptance in an elusive literary circle.....and we all know, that circle really isn't worth being in anyway. It's fine if a person wants to expand and improve, but Koontz is basically babbling like a madman, coming off to his loyal fans as a writer who's losing it....and then he has the nerve to state he doesn't care what anyone thinks. Obviously he does, but, it's the wrong crowd he's caring about. My response is this: Mr. Koontz, please come back to your fans, the ones who appreciate what a fine storyteller you used to be. Forget all this metaphysical, spiritual, ridiculous metaphors and massive pop culture references you are drowning in....and dragging your true fans with you. Come back Dean, come back.

Koontz's other recent novels have streched my patience due to their weak stories, bland characters and overall poor editing but I don't have the same criticisms about The Face. The Face is a return to form that very effectively covers some new territory.
The story spans just a few days before Christmas in modern California and is balanced with a genuine borderline character, neither saintly nor demonic, who gives this novel an extra dimension.
I enjoyed the unpredictable plot so I don't want to spoil it for anyone. It's consistently suspenseful with philosophical angles that seem more naturally derived, as well as more fully developed than in other Koontz novels.
If you appreciate Dean Koontz at his best, you'll enjoy The Face.

This book is one of Koontz' best. The beginning was a little slow to take off, but I was hooked around page 50 or so, and could barely keep from flipping to the end to see how it all ended. What impressed me most about this book was the outstanding ending, with more than one of those twists that many authors try to put into a book, but here they are all successful.
Channing Mannheim is the highest paid actor in the world. Handsome to the point where he is called "The Face," he lives a life style that none of us can imagine. Surrounded constantly by bodyguards, servants, and various hangers-on, he is the epitome of the rich and famous. While Channing is mentioned frequently throughout the book, we meet this world-famous man personally but once. However, we lack not for principal characters. The most important are Aelfric (who likes to be called Fric) Mannheim, Channing's 10-year-old and somewhat normal son, Ethan Truman, a former police officer, now head of Channing's security and married to the late Hannah Truman, Corky Laputa, anarchist extraordinaire, and Dunny Whistler, once (and perhaps always) Ethan's best friend, though turned to a life of crime before he died.
While these four characters are the focus of the multiple chapters, Koontz does his very best to complicate the story by introducing a host of secondary characters. The characters are described in sufficient depth to enhance your understanding of the personalities of the principal characters, and while the complexity of the story challenges the ability to keep track of who's who, in general I was able to stay on top of what was happening in the story.
With all these characters running about, there must be an interesting story here, and there is. To describe the happenings in detail would give away too much, so I offer a flavor. The reader quickly finds out that Corky has a good acquaintance by the name of Rolf Reynard. Rolf is supposed to be leaving mysterious packages at the estate of Channing Mannheim, but he makes a big mistake and Mannheim's security spots him on camera. Let the weirdness begin.
We are quickly lured into a world inhabited by some of the strangest, and often some of the most chilling, people and events of any Koontz book. A man walks from a mirror. Anarchists plot to sow disorder on the world by killing and trying to cause racial unrest and unrest in general. Any opportunity to increase anger by one neighbor toward another is taken. We also discover that these anarchists have an evil in them that may be more responsible for their enjoyment of chaos than a dislike for order. Dead men may walk. A central character is killed, or is he? We come face to face with unspeakable evil. We meet ultimate good. Koontz has managed to cram a lot into 600 pages of reading pleasure.
Koontz has a history of unsatisfying endings. This book is proof that when Koontz comes up with a good ending, it can be a great ending. While I had predicted portions of the ending, much of it, including most of the key aspects, was a total surprise. Portions of the last part of the book were worthy of James Bond. I suspect that this book would make an excellent movie. I plan to go see it, as it inevitably will become a movie.
Koontz has written all types of books, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, thrillers, and just plain weird books. This book is a supernatural horror story, and a very good one. While the action is steady and paced versus a roller coaster ride, it is like the long, long climb to the top of a single steep hill. While the wait can seem endless, the drop at the end is worth it. Fans of Koontz will find this to be one of Koontz' best. Fans of horror novels will enjoy the novel ending. Excellent reading here!

Don't listen to the other garbage in the reviews. This book rocks. It made my heart race and want more. I will say this is not a book Koontz writes often, and probably hasn't written before, this book has every thing but a recipe for choclate brownies. Koontz never writes the same book time and time again, because if he isn't entertaining himself, he isn't entertaining his fans. It would get boring writing the same kind of plot every day for 60-80 hours a week. Everyone on the review board that i have read who doesn't like this book gives away some of the book, now the book isn't going to be fun for another person who knows something that is 3oo pages into the book. So to all the people who want a good read, a guarneted page turner, read Dean Koontz's THE FACE. It may seem confusing, but Koontz being Koontz will fill you in every page you turn. You will find your self having fun, laughing, reading until two in the morning. You will find your self falling of the edge of your seat and having to climb up on your chair, but just ten more pages into the book you notice your on the floor, but you won't care, because you will have THE FACE in your hands, and you won't be able to take your eyes off of it. You will find your self biting off someone's hand for trying to get you into bed. This book is a must read for anyone who loves suspense, and likes to be scared out of their pants.

As an early fan of Koontz' work (Watchers, etc), I've been somewhat disappointed with his more recent novels. It was only after my sister recommended "The Face" that I read this fantastic book. I commented many times throughout to my sister that "The Face" felt as if someone other than Koontz had written it. With an incredibly developed set of characters, a methodically-paced plot, and all the classic Koontz supernatural elements, "The Face" is one helluva read!
To write a book in which the title character is seen only through the eyes of all the peripheral characters seems a daunting task, but not in the hand of the master of supernatural fiction. With excellent pacing and a brilliant storyline, "The Face" goes down on my list of best Koontz books ever.

I have had a love/hate relationship with Koontz's books. There have been a few I liked alot, and a few I couldn't stand, but The Face is one I couldn't put down. I found myself reading it every chance i got.
Aelfric Manheim is the son of a famous actor who is loved and adored by many. Fric lives a priveledged life but is starving for the attention all kids desire. He soon gains attention he doesn't want!
Without giving any of the story away, I have to say there were moments when I had goosebumps on my arms. I also found I was breathing heavy out of fear. This is the best book Mr. Koontz has ever written. You come to love Fric and find yourself rooting for him. It's like watching a horror film on T.V. and screaming for the hero not to open the door. I was drained by the time I got to the last page.
If you are looking for a book to make your heart beat faster and your pulse race, then i highly recommend this book.

Having lost (in the physical sense) all but one member of my family, Mr Koontz's special imagination has given me a rest from the sadness by considering new possibilities of where & whatever my loved ones may be up to now?????? Keep messing with those agents/publishers/whatever they are Mr Koontz. It works.
Someday, I would truly love to know the TRUE & ORIGINAL TITLES of your books (bet I would like them much more than what would supposedly "sell better"??).

First, I agree that it is not appropriate or intellectually honest, actually, to review a book that one has not finished. But those folks did tell us that fact -- so you can take the reviews for what they are worth. I thought this book was just great. The plot was intriguing; I cared a lot about the characters. I loved the way it all fell together at the end. I enjoy Stephen King, but I prefer Koonz. He seems to have a view of the universe that is a bit more "redeemed," so to speak. There are truly good people, capable of great sacrifice and love. If you enjoy Koonz's books, most folks would also enjoy this one. And the end was just great.

It was an excellent mix of mystery, the supernatural, a bit of humor, and suspense, with a very evil villain you will love to despise. The character of Fric is my favorite--so poignant, funny, and tough. Fantastic work, Mr. Koontz!

Koontz will never be accused of literature but who cares? Koontz does two things very, very well. First, he is simply a good storyteller. He ceates little slices of life, strings them together in such a way to squeeze every last drop of drama out of them, adds a touch of the Twilight Zone and the result is a book that you can't stop reading any more than you can stop watching the magician saw the lady in half. Second, he instills in the reader a healthy respect for the nobility of human life. This is a horror novel, I guess, but it is a very life affirming horror novel. This is not his best work but it is hugely entertaining. I doubt that the ending left a dry eye in the house.
P.S. Did Koontz sell his soul to the Devil? Doesn't he sleep? Did he clone himself? How the heck does he publish so much so frequently?

This is a story involving the supernatural. Good versus evil. It is a long story (a little over 600 pages), but the writing is so good and the story so consistently interesting, the time spent reading this book just flies by. I haven't read any of Koontz's books for quite some time because they were beginning to seem too much alike to me. This one, however, struck me as fresh and original. I liked the characters, especially Ethan Truman, the ex-cop and head of security for Channing Manheim the famous actor who is called The Face. I thought it curious that The Face was chosen for the title because he had very little to do with the story. I'm glad I gave Dean Koontz another chance to entertain me. He did just that.

The book starts promisingly with a series of clues dumped onto a celebrity lawn by a stalker, but quickly turns into a supernatural extravaganza. This is typical Koontz - so no over-the-top blood and guts - but you get deranged anarchists that kidnap and starve people to death. And then there's the guardian angels that reverse time whenever the main character gets himself killed.

My favorite parts of the entire book are when people unexpectedly place a phone call to hell. Seriously creepy. But unfortunately there's only two times this happens, and it's never expanded on.

The ending is great, and definitely ties up the whole story in a satisfying way. The Face is not my favorite Koontz novel (first read Odd Thomas, The Good Guy, The Husband, or Life Expectancy), but this book is a solid suspense/horror fiction novel.

This book started a little slow, with characters similar to those in other books by Koontz. Twists and turns abound, leading the reader in one direction and then the other. Koontz' descriptive writing style is one of a kind, almost like he becomes the characters. The evil "Corky Laputa" is a villian equally vicious as any of Koontz' constructed villians. Even though this book does end happily (oops, I hope I didn't ruin it for you), it does not contain the mushy-happily ever after feeling many of his books leave one with. Many times throughout this book, I found myself hypnotized by the reality. I raced through this book, and had a tough time putting it down.

Rather than write a plot synopsis in my review (which can be gleaned elsewhere), I will simply say that I consider "The Face" to be one of Dean Koontz' finest works. And that is saying a lot. I considered "One Door Away From Heaven" to be perhaps his best work a couple of years ago, and this is fully the equal of that. The prose is beautiful, the characters are sharply drawn and likable, there is enough humor and suspense to make the book marvellously entertaining, and the ending is superb. This is truly another masterpiece from Koontz, and I will go so far as to say that I think that Mr. Koontz, a hundred years or so from now, will be recognized as one of the great novelists of the late 20th and early to mid 21st century. Forget Stephen King -- compared to Koontz, he's a hack. VERY highly recommended!

I was surprised to find Koontz publishing another novel shortly after By Light of the Moon, but it was not a disappointment. Although I found the beginning to be a bit slow and he tended to be very wordy with the adjectives I found the plot to be great. There was suspense and mystery and the paranormal all in one, and it was well done. Koontz really gets into the characters heads that really helps to make the story feel a bit more real. You can get an idea of what it is about from other reviews the from above but I would definitely read this if you like Koontz, and if you haven't read him try with this book. I also highly recommend BY Light of the Moon, Watchers, and Tick Tock if you are looking for a shorter more humorous read.

I was surprised to find Koontz publishing another novel shortly after By Light of the Moon, but it was not a disappointment. Although I found the beginning to be a bit slow and he tended to be very wordy with the adjectives I found the plot to be great. There was suspense and mystery and the paranormal all in one, and it was well done. Koontz really gets into the characters heads that really helps to make the story feel a bit more real. You can get an idea of what it is about from other reviews the from above but I would definitely read this if you like Koontz, and if you haven't read him try with this book. I also highly recommend BY Light of the Moon, Watchers, and Tick Tock if you are looking for a shorter more humorous read.

Frightfully good read, with a plot so tight you may not catch a breath. Sussuration and other delights abound in this terrifying tale. No one writes horror or a happy supernaturally ever after like the master Dean Koontz.

I can see how some reviewers dislike the length of the novel and how Koontz uses language to the extreme.
However, the story is so wonderful that it outshines any flaws in writing (which I personally had no problems with).
Koontz creates a plethora of characters in this book that are all interesting, even the side characters who take up only a few pages of the story. Ethan, Fric, Hazard, and Corky are all people that will stick in my memory for some time. Even Channing, who never really makes an appearance in the novel, is a strong and memorable character.
The story is powerful and uplifting. The ending, which I will not spoil, is as inspirational, thrilling, and satisfying as any other of Koontz' great works.
I recommed this to any Koontz fan. And like many of Koontz' books, you don't even have to be a fan of his to enjoy them. The Face is no exception.

a surprisingly good effort for koontz! i'm accustomed to either skimming his novels in a day or two, or simply dismissing them after 100 pages, while i lingered over this book. writing was much better than usual, although a little heavy on the metaphoric descriptions of ubiquitous wind and rain; and i did spend some time wondering how and why some dude was conjuring himself out of mirrors and loose newspapers. the main character, ethan, is believable and interesting, and the plot doesn't totally flag at the end. a suspenseful read that's uncharacteristically meaty for koontz.

Dean Koontz never, ever fails to deliver a fast paced page turning adventure! Awesome read!! I will ready ANYTHING by him!! He gets you by the first page and pulls you in! I have read every book he has written and I can honestly say he is one of my two favorite authors!!

Mr. Koontz has finally suceeded in attempting to become Stephen King... at least in page count. This book throws useless description, weak metaphor, and as many polysyllabic words as he can cram into an overdrawn and weak mess. I found myself struggling to complete a chapter. Some of the characters are interesting, but as find yourself skipping whole pages and then just skipping to the end, you wonder, "why did I pick up this book in the first place?"

Koontz thinks he knows how to write kids, and some of the lines are funny... but most of his characterizations are just weak. If Mr. Koontz can succumb to his editor's requests to cut out the excessive detail, the annoying and poorly constructed similes, and the maudlin attempts at sympathy... then indeed, maybe he will pick up some of Stephen King's other talents instead of just spewing verbiage.

This book is predictable and skippable.

Unlike much of Koontz' recent works, this one has well-developed characters and a good dose of action, fantasy, and even some comedy at points. Readers can actually like (and dislike) characters because of the way the author portrays them, not because "the bad guy is bad, we don't want to cheer for him!"
Also unlike several of Koontz' books, the story is good right through to the last page, and doesn't fizzle out - some of his books make me wonder if he just couldn't figure out what to do for an ending, they were that bad.

Dean Koontz is known for his defiance of genre, with story themes ranging from alien invasions, homicidal machines, ghosts, murderers, and the world of the spiritual. While his latest novel, The Face, feels somewhat more low key in comparison to his other recent novels, it still manages to retain that feel that anything could happen at any moment. It's this feeling that the unexpected and amazing lies around every corner that makes this book an easy read.
The story revolves around an ex-cop named Ethan Truman who is now the chief of security for the world's most famous movie star. When strange gifts and messages begin finding their way onto his employer's estate, Ethan is plunged into a world he never knew existed, but that is closer to him than he could possibly imagine. As usual, the character development is moderate to good, and the characters themselves are fully fleshed out (most noticeable among them is young Aelfric Manheim, the son of the movie star himself, who is the latest in a long line of great child characters found in Koontz stories). Even the villain of the piece, Corky Laputa, is interesting and fun to read about. And hey, you'd be evil, also, if your parents named you that.
Koontz's lyrical writing style helps keep things fresh. It's always interesting to see what new metaphors he'll throw in. And while the story takes place over the course of only two days, there are so many characters and so many different events happening that it feels like weeks have passed by the time you reach the end. This can also be a drawback to some readers. Because the story moves slow and takes its time, some less patient readers might give up. The story does pick up near the end, however, and the theme of the novel is uplifting enough to make it feel more than worthwhile.
This is a book for fans of Christian and spiritual fiction who want to branch out into more mainstream novels. I wouldn't necesarily suggest it to horror fans, as there isn't much to make you shiver here until almost the story's climax. All in all, though, this is a safe story with moderate violence and tasteful dialogue. If you're a longtime Koontz fan, or looking for a good book to pick up and read off and on, you couldn't do much better than Dean Koontz's The Face.

DK has outdone himself here. One can almost forgive him for the disappointment of ODD THOMAS in all its mediocrity.
THE FACE is strong in plot, relentless in pacing, and, of course, a fast-paced, thumb-blistering page turner of a novel.
The characters are, for the most part, three dimensional, although there are some who exist solely to advance the story and are no more fleshed-out than necessary. My only criticism is that I wish that one character had had one more scene before being deservedly banished from the stage.
Highly recommended.

Overall the story was creepy (the main bad guy was funny and outlandish) and involving, especially for readers with kids, because there was a young boy's life at stake. The Hollywood elements add a dash of spice to things. But I found the book a bit misleading because I was frustrated to see when the famous actor with the nickname "The Face" would appear. He doesn't appear until the end (and very briefly at that). It is how the ending ties up with the book's title that I found the reasoning behind the title. Usually I don't pay attention to the title of a Koontz book.

For such dark material, the book was remarkably funny! Fric was too cute and I loved how he got his name! Corky was amusing, for a character of his inclinations, and very well written.

While it wasn't my favorite Koontz, it was still quite enjoyable. The characters were all well written, and the story expertly crafted to slowly reveal bit by bit. It was a bit long, but held your attention. There was quite a bit of violence, but it was not overly graphic and blended seamlessly into the story. The reader, Dylan Baker, was very, very good. I wasn't entirely sure about him at the beginning, but he grew on me.

I hesitate more and more when I purchase books by Koontz. Though you will never find fault with his technical abilities and it's clear that he has a love for words, but oftentimes it painful waiting for him to get to the point. The ending of this book was simply anti-climatic. I found it hard to believe the child in this book had no other famous friends who had the same problems as he; lurking in the shadows of their parent's fame. The 'bad guy' in this book is such a caricature of the other bad guys in his other books is almost sad. I'm bad just because, I'm evil just because...is just weak and lazy writing. Oh well, on to the next book...maybe.