Velocity: A Novel

Dean Koontz has another awesome success on his hands. He is the master at getting you to read his words and then think deeply about who you are and how you relate to his characters. I can't say enough about how great Dean is at being a student of life. He accurately touches on the horrors that some of us face from the inside out.

I pick and choose my Koontz novels... some just are not my genre. I loved Life Expectancy, Odd Thomas (1, 2 & 3), By The Light of The Moon, etc. If you follow my Koontz reading habits you'll love this book too. Way to many reviews here already, but I would encourage anyone who asked to read/listen this story.

I have read several Koontz novels and think this is one of his best. It is the prototypical psycho-thriller that he is so good at creating. This is one of the books that I recommend to first-timers that have never read his work. Invariably, they all get hooked!

Velocity was a entertaining read. I gave it 3 stars because it was below Odd Thomas and Frankenstein which were extremely intense and I couldn't put them down. Velocity kept my interest and had several plot twists that were unexpected. Another captivating read by Dean Koontz who I believe can run hot and cold. But don't get me wrong - a good book by Dean can't be BEAT for a weekend escape into suspense, suprise and creepiness!

Once I started this book, the plot grabbed me right from the beginning and would not let go. Even though it is a plot driven book, the main character is well developed, even though others, perhaps, are not. It makes no difference, however, as it is the intricate, tightly constructed plot that will grab the reader. This is quintessential Koontz at his best, producing a riveting page-turner, once again.

Billy Wiles is a formerly promising writer turned barkeep. He has experienced a goodly amount of tragedy in his life. Orphaned at fourteen, he is haunted by the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of his parents. He is also devoted to his fiancee, Barbara, who lies in a comatose state in a nursing home, the victim of the fickle finger of fate. She has been given little hope of recovery. While Billy appears to be an easygoing, hardworking regular Joe, he goes through life with despair etched in the very way that he lives.

One night, however, a pivotal event occurs that will forever change Billy's life. A note is left under the windshield wipers of his car. The note gives him a most unusual ultimatum. It tells him that if he does not take the note to the police, securing their involvement, "a lovely blonde schoolteacher from the Napa Valley" will be murdered. The note also conversely tells Billy that if he does take the note to the police, "an elderly woman active in charity work" will, instead, be murdered. These are the two choices for which Billy has been given six hours to decide.

What Billy chooses to do and what follows are the stuff of which nightmares are made. Suddenly, Billy's formerly quiet, prosaic life takes on a new dimension, one in which reality is suspended, as the first note is followed by a series of them. Each note ups the ante, leaving Billy with having to make choices no human being should have to make. The ingenious plot takes the reader on a thrill ride of terror and suspense.

This was a book that I could not put down, so intriguing, original, and mesmerizing was the plot. Fans of the author, as well as those of Stephen King, should find much to like about this brilliantly plotted, fast-paced book, which puts a new spin on the age old struggle between good and evil. Written by a master storyteller at the top of his game, the book should keep the enthralled reader turning the pages, until the very last one has been turned. This is, without a doubt, one of the author's best books.

I always love reading anything by Dean Koontz, so I have a hard time criticizing this book. I just found it to be a little predictable, when usuually, I never see what's coming. Otherwise, I enjoyed Koontz's mix of sci-fi and humor.

Definitely a page turner, didn't like putting it down, this is one of those books that you feel uncomfortable recommending because of the violent, twisted nature of the story. If you like other Koontz titles you'll enjoy the read.