The Whispering Room: A Jane Hawk Novel

I'm a bit confused. But let me start with I think this is definitely better than Ashley Bell, back to the" Koontz" I love reading. I was intrigued from the beginning, the storyline drawing me in... but..... the chapter beginnings were not always easy flowing. Some drag on sentences, although I'm not an English teacher.... but I can get past all of this to a 4 star review but then the book ended, without closure... I'm left completely perplexed, what happened after this? I'm left shaking my head a bit...

I love everything he has ever written, but find myself disappointed in his last three books. I miss the heart and passion of his earlier books. This was a long, drawn out saga that barely advanced the story.

I won this book through Good Reads Giveaways and although I like Dean Koontz, I felt lost in this book, There were some good parts in the beginning but it started losing me around 50% in. I feel like I did something wrong, or the book just lost me. Was there really a big part about crazy monkeys?

I'm sorry this just wasn't the book for me. I won this book through a giveaway for my honest opinion.

Thank you Good Read Team for at least giving me the opportunity.

Cherie'

Boots were delivered quickly and I loved the looks and construction with the rubberized sole. I was expecting these to be perfect for my dog that runs and stops so extremely fast when chasing the ball that he wears down his toenails till they bleed. I put the boots on and fastened the two velcro straps as tight as possible and within the first throw of the ball two of the boots flew off. The next day I tried securing them with some self stick bandage wrap... nope... the boots flew off again. Lastly I tried tying a lace on the boot just above the foot pad and that didn't work either. I finally had to return the boots. They would work perfectly for a dog just walking to protect their feet from salt or ice, or to keep them from slipping on hardwood floors.

Another full five star review for a series I can't put down and can hardly wait for the next one in this series.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a believable hero.
Grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a wild ride leaving you wishing for more.

One of his best! I have read many if not most of this author's works, and never fail to race through them with anticipation and satisfaction. A huge part of the enjoyment of his books for me, is the way that he never allows the defeat of the the goodness of the human spirit. I also love that he continues to write his books himself, instead of lending (licensing?) his name to other writers' works.

The imagery and metaphoric wordings are incredible. I was surprised it ended as it did, wondering what lay ahead for Jane and her quest to rid the world of the maniacal few who are determined to rule it through infinitesimal bots.

This book is a continuation of the previous Koontz book Silent Corner, which starts Jane's journey into the search for the BAD GUY'S that killed her husband, but can stand alone on its own. I look forward to the next exciting trip on her itinerary. Both books made me wonder if anything like her finding could actually happen. Exciting, fast paced, twist and turns on every page. Jane is my hero find out why. Love for family and country pushes her forward, hopefully she will make it.

The 2nd book in the series kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to get back to reading! Love Jane's character. Can't wait for the next installment in this series......there is going to be one, right???????

Dean Koontz has brought to life a new hero! Jane is incredible as she struggles against the almost superhuman elite who have determined to remold the whole human population. Cannot wait for the next book!

Great continuing story. A little wordy at times. Sorry that it did not come to an ending. Guess will have to wait for the next book. Really liked the main characters could really relate to them. Anyone who action and a little sci-fi would appreciate this book.

I read the first book in the series, "The Silent Corner" and it was okay, except for the cliffhanger ending. Guess what? The Whispering Room also has a cliffhanger ending! Koontz has never been much of a writer, but he usually provides a compelling storyline. This is an exception: it's bloated, filled with extraneous characters and subplots that go nowhere ultimately to be forgotten. None of the excitement of the first book is present, the threat is now same old-same old, the action scenes fall flat, and Hawk spends far too much time moping about. I guess we're supposed to eagerly anticipate the third book in the series. I won't.

Well written prose that captures beauty and fear while providing hope for the future. Nothing is more important for our future than to face what is with hope for what can be. Thank Dean Koontz for his ability to accomplish that goal, and then hold it out to us so we might do what we need to do to be helpful. Looking forward for more from him.

Ahhh Dean Koontz ! What can I say ? He's the greatest !
Love all his books. This new series is great. Miss odd Thomas, but alas he's gone to the great fry cook hereafter. Highly recommend this book, first was great as well, will be waiting for nxt ....

I liked the plot - Jane's a badass, it's an imaginative story, and the characters are well-drawn, in my opinion. My objection (and I've read DK's books forever) is the writing. I'm educated - have a master's degree - and have been an avid reader since my teens. Is he actually trying to find words that people don't know? And why in the world does he repetitively use the somewhat awkward sentence structure that keeps a sentence from ending in a preposition? Of course it's correct, but it was so frequent that it was distracting. I'd guess at least twice each page, and they were kindle edition pages. You can so easily change a sentence slightly to avoid the preposition ending or having to correct for it.... It's as if he wrote with the preposition ending constantly, and then had an editor go back through the book changing each one to the "from which," "with which," "to whom," etc. construction. As I said, distracting and annoying. 3 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the book in every other way.

kindle book ....Missing pages in three chapters...very aggravating when you turn the page and the screen goes dark...then you have to search to find the next readable page...hopefully I can get my money back

*3-3.5 stars.

Huh...I can't quite put my finger on why, but this sequel in the Jane Hawk series didn't engage me as much as the first book, The Silent Corner, did. It has all the usual suspenseful ingredients of a good thriller but is perhaps lacking somewhat in heart. It is an easy trap to fall into in which the author merely says "Jane felt" rather than helping the reader really feel what Jane felt.

One puzzle with the storyline is why Jane doesn't put a huge clue she learns to a bigger advantage, to help present the story to the world, but instead uses it only to help a small group. Even one of the 'bad guys' thinks about it and works to change that situation immediately so she cannot use the information again. But using it more fully never seems to occur to Jane. Why? Is it because she is a mother that she chooses the fate of the innocent over the world at large in that instance? Her conscience? Her humanness? I wish Koontz had expounded on this theme more.

When she later comes face to face with her archenemy, he says to her,"You think a human conscience is essential for civilization to exist and remain stable. Well, I propose to install just such a thing where it does not now exist. In a sense, we're allies." Some food for thought there. What makes us humans? Is it free will? Is it compassion?

I always enjoy listening to the music mentioned in a story; in this case, it was Rachmaninoff playing the "Corelli Variations"and Glenn Gould: Bach's Goldberg Variations. Thank you, youtube!

I appreciate the opportunity to read an arc of this new book through NetGalley and thank the author and publisher.

The Whispering Room is the sequel to The Silent Corner and it carries on where Jane Hawk left off in the last installment.

There’s more extreme paranoia and mayhem, but this time, it was more a slow burn. If one hadn’t read the previous installment, this all might’ve seemed a bit of time killing.

Still, I had a pretty good time and was absorbed.

However, one thing irritated me to no end. As it is, I prefer to spend as little time with the bad guy’s point of view and let the good guys have most of the fun. That being said, when Mr. Koontz did focus on the bad guys, he had a tendency to use present-tense, then mix in past-tense. It was almost a stop-the-press thing for me. I cannot stand present-tense. It’s like the author is trying to rush me, trying to tell me “look at this,” or “here, I can’t wait to show you this…” bla bla bla. I want to skip over that and get back to the good reading. However, just down a few sentences, he’d switch back to past-tense, then shift to present again. Huh?

Overall, the writing was excellent and though he did occasionally, the author didn’t throw too many thousand dollar words at me like he has a tendency to do.

Unfortunately, the ending, since this is a series, left me kind of flat. It was, in a way, sort of satisfying but at the same time, it was more unfulfilling, especially in the final confrontation. There’s obviously much more room for story, but to end it with such a flat note made it all go down with a big clunk instead of a ding ding ding.

I’m still intrigued enough to want to continue, but this is certainly not going to go down as the best of the bunch, at least I have a feeling it won’t. At least it’s in third-person and the ending didn’t totally stink. That’s a positive.

Book two in the Jane Hawk series takes off right where the first book THE SILENT CORNER left off. If you haven't read book one, I would suggest reading it before starting this one. It's a darn good book and you really need the continuity to appreciate this book to its fullest.

As discovered in book one, "they" are in power - the undefined powerful who have decided to play God by selecting innocent people they think might be dangerous to their grand plan of controlling the world. The innocents are injected with nanotechnology - to either be forced to kill themselves and maybe others, or to become mindless robots.

Jane was a valuable FBI agent, hunting down serial killers, before "they" made her beloved husband kill himself. So now their young son is hidden and she's chasing people in charge of this terrible conspiracy.

Author Koontz is back in full strength in this series. I love the premise and the way he handles it (although his prose gets a bit flowery in spots). The characters, good and bad guys, are fully realized and imaginable. (I especially liked Grandpa Bernie.) There are triumphant moments and sad moments and I'm getting ready to read book three in the series now THE CROOKED STAIRCASE. I highly recommend this series, at least the two books I've read so far.

I received this book from Random House through the the store VINE program in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review but I also purchased a copy for my personal library.

Hip hip horray... Another amazing book. I read this as an ARC on Netgalley. What surprised me was this was RIGHT before the horrific Oct 2nd events in Las Vegas, and that in itself ws a brain @#$/. This book is chilling, and if real life cpuld be explained by the ecents im this book at leadt we would know as humanity there was a way to stop them from happening, but sadly, thats not the case. Jane is as good as Reacher, Dallas and Bosch. If you know my reviews of any books with aforementioned characters, then you know indeed, this is high praise. Koontz is an all time favorite author of mine since my choldhood, jos earlier books just blew.my mind as a toung trrn in the 80'a and I used to go around getting all my teachers to met me borrow their books as they would share with me their personal books and thry even said I was the only student who ever paid attention to what they were reading much less asked them to borrow the book, lol. Thos author has such a diverse writing style that you never know what you are going to get, like Stephrn King, but you know you will never be disappointed. Just added to my bucket list to one day meet this author. Koontz is just super talented and I recommend this series!!!

The Whispering Room is the second novel in the Jane Hawk series. The first novel, The Silent corner kicked of the series, to a phenomenal start! I absolutely LOVED the sci-fic twist in a novel in the crime fiction genre. Jane Hawk is a likeable, strong and feisty protagonist. In the series she refuses to backdown, despite being confronted with her darkest fears. . .

‘Cowardice was the default position of the times’

The novel opens with Cora Gunderson, a 40yr old SEN teacher from Minnesota, as she goes about her morning routine. Only this morning, there is the presence of a strange man in her kitchen. Cora has been suffering from migraines lately, she often dreams of fire and has some memory loss. With her current circumstances causing her enough alarm, for her to be documenting her feelings in a journal.

Across the US, ex-FBI agent Jane is preparing to make her move on a journalist. A journalist that had recently written an article on David James Michael aka ‘DJ’ the Silicon Valley billionaire connected to the nanomachine web implants. But Jane has her back against the wall, as she is wanted in connection to several deaths. She is currently listed on the NICI National Crime Information Centre Website, as a fugitive.

‘Killing to save the word – Why is that hard to believe? It’s as old as history’

Jane must also be one step ahead of the individuals she investigates. Everything she has uncovered points to their ruthless and depraved actions and disregard for the law. These individuals are wealthy, powerful and well-connected.

As Cora finishes her morning routine, she prepares for the act before her. by the end of the morning, she will have driven a vehicle engulfed in flames into the Veblen hotel. The fire will leave a substantial death toll and a devastated community. But was it all pre-arranged? Or was Cora mentally ill and hearing the voice of god? Sheriff Luther Tillman is the local police officer frozen out of the investigation. But having personally known Cora, it is a case he can not let go.

Meanwhile Jane is learning more about Lawrence and his involvement with the people she fears are leading the nanomachine project. She also learns he has scrupulous ties to his own wife’s death just a year earlier. Everything Jane learns fuels her desire for revenge and wish to see justice brought to those involved. Using mysterious contacts given to her by the hacker. She must navigate a criminal world, staying under the radar of law enforcement.

‘If her loathing were a poison, they would all be dead’

The lengths the powerful people will go to, to control the free will of others, is truly dark and depraved. In the last novel we learnt of the club Aspasia, where young women have their personalities and memories wiped to ensure they are the perfect sex slave. The club boasts of offering women, who will give complete and utter submission. There are no lengths this organisation won’t go to, to get what they want.

‘Hell had several levels’

Sheriff Luther Tillman continues to discreetly investigate Cora’s actions. What Cora did goes against everything he has ever known. He locates the journals, just before a fire breaks out at Cora’s house and all other evidence is lots. What he discovers, is a series of comments, repeated over and over again. ‘I’ve got ice in my veins’ and talk of a spider in her head laying eggs. Was Cora suffering a mental health breakdown? Or do these phrases offer a clue to her suffering? With the death of a governor and congressman among the dead, Luther has no access to the evidence. Just the journals and a good old fashioned hunch. . .

‘Taking refuge in the hopeless nature of anything was just a form of cowardice’

Jane follows the clues determined to gather the knowledge needed to penetrate DJ’s security at his personal residence in San Francisco. She comes across clues leading her to the mysterious location of Iron Furnace. With information of a place called ‘the whispering room’ but what does it all mean? And how is it all connected?

‘The early bird doesn’t just get the worm; he gets the worm’s entire family’

Luther follows the trail of a conference recently attended by Cora. Shortly before her symptoms developed. A conference held in the small town of Iron Furnace. . .

‘Play Manchurian with me’

This series is fantastic! It is extremely dark in places yet has a complex and well-planned plot. It has the action scenes of a movie or TV series. With Jane our protagonist hero, on a selfless mission to take down the powerful elite. 5*
I cannot wait to read the next in the series, which is titled The Crooked Staircase.

I've been a bad blogger and this is another book from my blogger shame pile. I don't have a good excuse for being so late with this review, other than sometimes its hard reading to a calendar. When you come up to a certain book on the schedule, sometimes you just aren't in the mood for that story or genre or trope. I think that is what happened here. I'm a long time Koontz fan, and I really enjoyed the last book in this series, so it has nothing to do with the writing or author or even the book itself. It's just me being moody, and I need to get better at that.

So the Jane Hawk series started with a bang in The Silent Corner, and the writing seemed to be classic Koontz. Dynamic suspense and chock full of action and conspiracy theories - the things that I loved most about his writing style. I am happy to report that the momentum was carried through with this next installment, The Whispering Room.
Our capable and tragic heroine, Jane Hawk, is the most wanted "criminal" in America as she traverses the country taking on evil incarnate. Our villains, calling themselves the Arcadians, are playing on the theme of the Manchurian Candidate, brainwashing humans with the use of nanotechnology to make them mindless automatons willing to do whatever their programs require, to include suicide, sexual slavery, and mindless killing. It starts as a migraine, then is reported to feel after there is a spider laying eggs in your brain. (((SHUDDER)))

Jane makes for a great crusader. She is sympathetic, relatable, resourceful, intelligent and determined. She sees the bigger picture and knows how important it is to stop the Arcadians, not only as a means of her vengeance, but also to make the world safe for herself, her son and millions of innocent people. I liked that Jane wasn't blinded by the big picture though, she is still able to recognize lesser injustices and intervene when necessary. She also has the knack of picking up uber interesting partners and sidekicks, and I have liked them all immensely. I was a little sad to see that our partner from the first book didn't reappear in this installment, but I have hopes for future books.

I enjoyed the story and the pacing was such that I didn't want to put it down. The only drawback came with the conflict resolution toward the end, which felt weak and rushed. I was left feeling unsatisfied with how things panned out, even though I would have never predicted the outcome. But it wasn't a HUGE letdown, I would have just liked something a little more explosive. The story was great otherwise. I will be jumping right into the next installment, The Crooked Staircase, so stay tuned for that review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Bantam.

Dean Koontz has done it again. Wrote a novel that takes off like a long-distance runner at the sound of the gun and doesn’t let up until the finish line, while throwing in enough social commentary (at which he excels) and sensory details to provide a reading experience that not only entertains but satisfies emotionally and intellectually.
I must admit that I had to put the novel down several times, needing to take a break due to my unease (okay, heart-pounding apprehension) at the treacherous situations Koontz puts Jane Hawk in. I reserved this book for daytime reading to prevent worry from keeping me up all night.
The sad commentary, via Jane and Luther Tillman, about the state of the world due to abuse of power, blurs the line between fact and fiction. Though I find comfort in regarding the plot as an exaggeration of real-life events, I have this nagging feeling it hits closer to home than I dare realize.
• When the rule of law was diminished, the strong preyed on the weak.
• He had long watched with concern as those who were corrupt become bolder in their thieving and lust for power, as corruption spread to institutions once immune to it.
• …freedom and civility barriers to absolute power and to the adoration that the powerful could command of others.
• …only the peace of submission or death, only the quiet dread that keeps the mouse mute in the presence of the fanged and searching cat.
• Self-identified intellectuals were among the most dangerous people on the planet.
Koontz has an amazing talent. I wonder—and by wonder, I mean marvel as well as ponder—at how he publishes so many books which require deep research and thought and the will and stamina to put all into words.

Firstly, this book continues where its predecessor ended so, if you haven't already read The Silent Corner, I really do recommend you do so before starting this book. Yes, there's a bit of catch up to be found in this book if you haven't but, in my opinion, it's really just included as a memory jogger rather than a proper catch-up and you really do need the full picture in order to fully understand what happens next. If you haven't read book one and intend to do so, I would also advise not reading this review further as it may include spoilers from that book, but not this one.
So we reconnect with Jane no longer just an annoyance, she has been upgraded to a dangerous fugitive,a rogue agent, so she needs to up her game to evade the bad guys (and duped good ones) successfully. Having managed to glean further information at the end of book one, she now focuses her energy on the next name on the list but to do that, she needs more information which she has few qualms about how she gets. Meanwhile, we meet Cora, a former teacher of the year, she has been off work for a wee while due to migraines. sound familiar?! Anyway, it seems that the powers that be have upped their game. Not satisfied with just controlling people to commit suicide, they coerce Cora into murder suicide, taking out multiple casualties in a shocking single act as she takes her own life spectacularly. But luckily, not everyone is convinced by her guilt and there is one who tries to investigate further, managing to sneak out some further evidence before the clean-up is complete. So now we have two on the case, two who are following the clues. Will they hinder or help each other, and will they manage to get to the bottom of what is going on and cut off the head once and for all.
There are a lot of positives to be had from this book. Even considering its length, it is extremely readable. That said, there is also an awful lot of unnecessary padding (in my opinion anyway).Little aside stories that really don't add enough to warrant their inclusion apart from slowing down one character or the other so they converge at the right time. The other thing that did grate on me, again given the length, is that the story doesn't really progress that much in this volume. It's more like a whole bunch of more evidence that what is happening is bad and scary; yep, already knew that! I'm doing the book an injustice a bit with this sweeping statement as there are necessary key things that are discovered in this book but not nearly enough to cover the 500 odd pages needed to impart these to the reader. There are a few neat fight scenes of course and some interesting interactions that didn't quite go where I thought they were destined. That said, I have invested quite a bit of time in this story so far so I will definitely be buying into book three. I just hope that it moves the story along a bit faster.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

     This is the second book in the Jane Hawk series and picks up right where book one has left off. Jane is driven to find out who is killing innocent people and figure out who is doing this to these innocent people . She is also trying to figure out who is using this horrible nano technology for the evil intent. She is spurred on by the love of her dead husband and her son who has gone into hiding to keep him safe .
   I adore the characters in this book They are so complex and so well written . Jane is such a strong woman to become the worlds most wanted just to find out who is behind the murders and why her husband committed suicide .  She does have her break down moments and we do see her softer side but over all she is one kick ass heroine .  She is willing to do whatever it takes to get the bad guy. The evil guys are truly evil and you really want to see them taken down . But the evil is it really evil or is it  technology taking over . Do we have the safety set up for the technology. You never know what the future can hold .
   This is a great book and when I started reading I couldn't put it down . I ended up with a book hangover cause I read well into the night . The author does a great job in bringing the suspense and intrigue . It did take a bit to get into the book but once I day I couldn't put it down . The author is such a great story teller I can't wait to read book three in the series . So if you want a great series check them out . You will not be disappointed .  

Anything that Dean Koontz writes is entertaining by definition, but the Jane Hawk series is far from his best work. The mind-control conspiracy premise is overdone and not particularly convincing.

The Whispering Room gives shape to the “maniacal conspiracy of utopian totalitarians” that Jane Hawk began to uncover in The Silent Corner. As we learned in that novel, nanotechnology is infiltrating brains and forcing people to kill themselves for the betterment of society (at least as the totalitarian conspirators see it). In this novel, sweet elderly teachers are committing terrorist acts for the same reason.

The bad guys are “elitists” with Ivy League educations who belittle individuals with “third tier” college educations, which may give the story some populist appeal. Koontz more than once writes about the “foolishness of the elites,” using the kind of divisive political buzzword that stokes fury but doesn’t really mean anything. That’s unusual and surprising coming from Koontz, who usually embraces unity.

A new addition to the cast is a local law enforcement officer, Luther Tillman, who investigates the murder of a governor, a crime the feds seem surprisingly unmotivated to investigate. Luther stumbles across some journals that refer to a spider building a web in the killer’s brain, and uncovers evidence pointing him to a conference that the killer attended — a conference that seems to have changed her in subtle ways.

Another new addition is a kid named Harley who knows that all the adults in his town have taken the Stepford treatment. Luther is a good character but Harley is a bit corny, the kind of brave and adorable kid that has become a stock Hollywood character. I expect more than that from Koontz. I appreciate, however, the minor characters who commit random acts of decency, the sort of people Koontz often scatters through novels to suggest that the human race is not universally awful.

Meanwhile, Jane roars through the novel like a force of nature, moving forward in her investigation from bad guy to bad guy while staying a step ahead of all the bad guys who want to kill her. And since this is a mind-control conspiracy, pretty much everyone wants to kill her. That gives the novel energy and motivates the reader to continue turning pages. And there’s a bizarre fight scene near the end involving nonhuman foes that I enjoyed simply because it is outside the norm of thriller fare. Not entirely believable, but fun.

That is, in fact, my reaction to both novels. I’m just not buying much of what happens, but I’ve enjoyed reading both books. Despite characters who aren’t as meaty as Koontz’s best, an unoriginal premise, and too many unconvincing scenes, Koontz’s ability to hold a reader’s attention makes the novels an easy read. Just don’t expect the books to go where no author has gone before. The story does not end in The Whispering Room (I'm not sure how many novels in this series Koontz intends to write) but the ending is not a cliffhanger, which I appreciate. The first two novels have enough merit that I'll read the next one without being manipulated by a cliffhanger, but they don't have enough merit to earn wild praise.

Boy, I am glad to be finished with this novel. I mean this in a good way. I enjoyed this novel much more than I did the first novel in the series and I don’t know whether it was because I was aware of the novel’s events, the narration seemed to flow more smoothly in this novel or that this novel had more action or it was a combination of all three. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this hefty novel and even when I wasn’t reading, my thoughts were nestled inside the book’s pages and I couldn’t wait to pick the novel back up to see what Jane was up to.

This story is a continuation of Jane Hawk and her desire to put a stop to the suicides that have been increasing in number which began in The Silent Corner. What I enjoyed about Jane is that she has many faces. She can be the compassionate and charming Jane and then change instantaneously into the strong and fierce Jane depending on the circumstances and the individuals surrounding her. Jane also uses a variety of tactics to get what she needs. A few times, I found it comical watching her as she comes face-to-face with her opposition as they each try to win in the match of wit. She definitely gives it her all and is determined to get what she needs.

This story is focused and intense as Jane is on everyone’s radar. They want to take her out and Jane wants to get to D.J. Michael and find out exactly who is working with him. Jane is working under the radar and you would think that that top officials could put a stop to Jane with all their connections but sometimes it doesn’t work that way. It’s a race but who will cross the finish line first? I thought it was scary to read what the two of them were battling against. In reality, they could be living our future. These implants that were being injected and their implications, were just the first of many that could be in the works. When Jane visited the town of Iron Furnace, that moved things into a deeper level as that town creeped me out! I can’t wait to read what happens in the next installment of this series. 4.5 stars
I received a copy of this novel from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This second book in the Jane Hawk series was amazing as was the first. I think I may die, or inject myself with nanobots, if I don't get to read #3 soon. The blend of thriller and science fiction is so highly addicting that I could barely put the book down and though I didn't want to finish knowing that I was going to have to wait for the final in the trilogy, I couldn't help myself.

You must read these in order, and this followup to THE SILENT CORNER is every bit as absorbing as the first. Nonstop action, interesting characters, and a plot that freezes your soul. In this outing, Jane continues her quest to find and destroy the man she thinks is funding the technology that is reducing ordinary humans into automatons. Her quest takes her across the country and tests every fiber of her being. Her allies are few, her enemies are legion, but somehow she survives and is committed to ending this annhilation of mankind's humanity. I loved the pace and the narrative though I have the same complaint about Koontz's verbosity, I didn't seem to mind it so much this time. This is a story that resonates with the times and all of the unrest and rebellion in the world. Is the science and the theme believable -- you bet. We don't even know what forces come into play to tap into the minds of innocents and turn them into sycophants.

The first book by this author that I ever read was WHISPER. It was Dean Koontz who turned me into the thriller reader I am today and for years I have waited for him to return to form and write another series that engaged me as much as those early works. I think I've read most of his books, but this one has stood out for me and returned me to the fold of fandom. I cannot wait for more of Jane Hawk and her exploits. I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Group - Ballentine for the e-book ARC to read and review. Please make him write faster.

I have the Kindle edition.

Part two of the series delves deeper into the scary world of mind control and the arrogance that demands it.

Jane Hawk is a determined and courageous character who is on the trail of the villains, whose collective is likened to every agent of control with its corruption and arrogance in today's world - so real it's more terrifying than any horror story and so believable because we only have to look around to see that it's virtually true on so many levels.

There are some superb characters she meets along the way, as well as some despicable ones. Luther also plays a major role and it will be interesting to see where that leads. The descriptions are rich alongside some great dialogue in parts.

Very enjoyable, if disturbing, and I am looking forward to the last part, although, I may have to wait until it is cheaper next time.

Highly recommended.

“You're dead already...They'll know about you in the whispering room.”

A narrative which moves like a runaway train, a terrific premise which is more plausible than we’d like to admit, a resourceful protagonist we like and care about, and Dean Koontz’s signature trademarks of goodness and hope in a world which too often seems to have gone mad, make this second entry in the Jane Hawk series a terrific read. I had not read the first in the series when I was fortunate enough to win a chance to read the second through a Goodreads Giveaway, but had little trouble getting up to speed with events. Koontz’s narrative has so much movement, with brief chapters driving the story ever forward, it had echoes of pulp pacing, which eventually began to remind me of Robert Ludlum when he was at the top of his game. Whatever device Koontz may have used in penning this exciting and thought-provoking story, it’s electric, moving across the pages like ball lightning moves across the vast, empty prairie.

Because this was the second book in this series, it took me a bit to get a feel for Jane. She’s a resourceful FBI agent gone rogue, fighting a vast conspiracy to remake and control the population through nano-technology. It has cost her dearly, and it is that price which drives her and gives her strength, so that she can clear her deceased husband’s name. She also has unfinished business with her father, who murdered her mother — and got away with it. She has a son, whom she has stashed away until this is all over. I couldn’t help thinking it was not by chance that Koontz named Jane’s son, Travis, since the author is a great fan of writer John D. MacDonald, as am I.

As The Whispering Room begins, Jane is on the run, the most wanted person in the country. Alone but relentless, she moves with great purpose, believing that good can triumph over evil, and must. Towards that end, she must take up the figurative sword, because there is much at stake:

“A guardian angel with a gun?” — Sandy

“Michael the archangel always had a sword. Others, too. Maybe even angels have to change with the times.” — Jane

And these times are dreadful, because they are indeed our times, which we sadly recognize. Reading a Koontz book, especially this one, we realize we are not alone in believing the world has gone askew. With decency, tension and suspense, rather than pessimism, graphic violence, bloody gore and vulgarity, and with a rich belief in kindness and redemption, the eventual triumph of good over evil, Koontz once again shows who is the real king of these genres.

As Jane makes overtures to discover in what quarters she might find allies, she is cautious yet resourceful. But her quest to clear the books on her husband’s death, and indeed perhaps save the world, is a lonely one:

“She knew only a loneliness as might have been felt by the sole survivor of a shipwreck, adrift on a flotsam of deck boards and fractured cargo crates, under a sky empty of all but the sun, the surrounding sea emptier still.”

But she is not alone for long, and not alone in feeling adrift once this one gets rolling:

“As he gazed out from nature's comfort at the blacktop parking lot so barren in the cold fall of hard light, he asked for courage and for mercy, and if that should be too much to ask, then for courage alone.” — black sheriff, Luther Tillman

It will be the strange and disturbing plight of Minnesota’s Cora Gunderson, and Sheriff Luther Tillman’s secret investigation into her “suicide” which brings Jane and Luther together at a town in Kentucky called Iron Furnace. I don’t want to reveal too much here, because this is such a terrific read, but suffice it to say, not all is as it seems in Iron Furnace:

“What the waitress said, Freya...What kind of fever kills all the dogs just like that?” — Luther

“One that knows dogs aren't deceived by appearances.” — Jane

What most strikes the reader — when they are able to catch their breath — is just how far-fetched this should all seem, yet how eerily plausible it actually is in the climate of the past decade. Twice, Jane and Luther comment on it. The first time is when Jane is feeling out a famous journalist to see if she can find an ally:

“Haven't you noticed, insanity is the new normal?” — Jane

The second is when Luther Tillman tries to wrap his mind around what’s happening, and has trouble with it:

“But these Arcadians, the Hamlet list...this is insanity.” — Luther

“Whole nations descend into insanity from time to time. Germany under Hitler. China under Mao. There's a long list of examples.” — Jane

There is a frightening physical web of evil, and an unseen dark-web which is even more frightening. At the heart of what’s going on is elitism run amok, led by a progressive named David James Michael. Koontz very quietly takes on society’s oversensitivity to every tiny word spoken, which often causes otherwise nice people to take offense for no valid reason. And in eerily convincing fashion, he makes the case that government has already run amok, with virtually every aspect of our lives accessible to others, though we in fact have done nothing wrong. He takes a direct shot at the heart — not across the bow — of this idea that others should have control over how we feel, what we believe, what we say and do, and in doing so, illuminates who is attempting to achieve this:

“They were intellectuals, excited by ideas more important to them than people. Self-identified intellectuals were among the most dangerous people on the planet. The problem was, all intellectuals first self-identified as such before others accepted their status and sought them for words of wisdom. They didn’t need to pass a test to confirm their brilliance, didn’t appear before a credentialed board by which they needed to be certified. It was easier to be celebrated as an intellectual than to get a hairdresser's license.”

But even as Jane moves toward the ultimate confrontation, Koontz never allows the thriller portion to lose its humanity. There are children who must be saved, including Luther’s family, who are in more danger than they could possibly imagine. There is a woman who will learn to think twice before taking offense at a perceived politically incorrect slight. There is Luther’s wonderfully intelligent daughter. There are colorful locations and people willing to help Jane as she races toward the shadowed whispering room. And of course, as in every Koontz novel, there are dogs. But the real question is, how long can Jane elude capture so that she can confront the evil head-on:

“You’re scaring me a little: — Luther

“I doubt that.” — Jane

“I mean, scared for you. You have what it takes, but you also need some luck. You’ve had a long run of luck in this. But nobody’s luck holds forever.” — Luther

The story is rich and exciting, and will have you turning pages as quickly as Sidney Sheldon and Robert Ludlum did many moons ago. This is a blast to read, with my only caveat being a confrontation which ends too quickly once it finally happens. It was necessary in order to show how factious evil can be, and it does make me eager to read the next entry, so I’m not downgrading over a minor quibble to a remarkably engaging thriller. Even within a lightning paced narrative such as this, which has some mildly tawdry elements such as the Stepford-like Aspasia, and some terrific action to boot, Koontz takes the time to smell the roses, scattering some lovely descriptions between the train tracks as it barrels forward, out of control. A marvelous modern day thriller with echoes of old-school storytellers, you might be scrambling to obtain a copy of The Manchurian Candidate after reading this if you don't get the references. Highly recommended!

“Once truth was known, it could not be unlearned, nor could it be forgotten, but lay always in the heart, a darkness for which all the years ahead would be spent seeking whatever light could be found to compensate."

The Whispering Room picks up Jane's story and continues the relentless, edge-of-your-seat action from The Silent Corner. It takes us deeper into dangerous territory as Jane works harder than ever to uncover exactly who is behind the increasing suicide rates and the terrifying nanotechnology she's discovered. Her son is at risk and that means she will do whatever it takes to end this conspiracy, or she'll die trying.

It's so hard to go into much detail about this series because I honestly don't want to give anything away but this is Dean Koontz at his best. I think what makes it so frightening is that it really isn't that hard to imagine that this technology exists, or at least could do in the very near future, and it's definitely not hard to believe that the powerful and wealthy elite are willing to use that technology to further their own agenda without a care for the normal working class people it affects the most.

Jane is a fantastic character, she's smart and absolutely ruthless when it comes to uncovering this conspiracy. She knows the only way to protect the people she cares about is to bring this out into the open and put a stop to it but she's in such an impossible situation and she has no way of knowing who can be trusted. She has great instincts though and she's not the only one who has reason to be suspicious of recent events so she picks up a few allies along the way.

This series is definitely one I can't wait to continue and I'm glad we have two new books to look forward to in 2018!

Second in the Jane Hawk series and revolving around Jane Hawk, a rogue FBI agent intent on taking down a ruthless cabal.

My Take
Okay, so it’s a common plot: the evil guys want to take over the world and reduce the rest of us to a world of Stepford wives. And Koontz runs with this.

It’s that combination of destroying a person’s free will, the disdain and contempt the bad guys have for anyone not them, and incorporating the technology that already exists, that will scare the bejeebers out of ya! Worse is those few paragraphs that point out the truth of “making the Internet more fair”. Yeah, I’ve had my suspicions.

These smarmy gits are all about “bringing peace to the world” by removing everyone’s ability to choose for themselves. To make them machines. As awful as life can be in this world, without free will, there would be no artists, no writers, no musicians, no beauty. No one to create.

I gotta say that I started reading this before Thanksgiving…and I had to stop for weeks before I took it up again, simply because it was so horrific in its possibilities. All that technology Koontz makes use of is right here, right now. It's even more horrific, as Koontz uses third-person omniscient point-of-view, so we get to hear everyone's thoughts. It'll make you gag.

Jane is an interesting mix of by-the-book FBI and using her knowledge of how the bad guys operate (in general) to evade all the people looking for her. This particular story pulls in Tillman, whose family adds a sense of terror to it all. I’ll be curious to know if Tillman meets up with Jane or if a new family gets pulled in, in The Crooked Staircase in May 2018?

Koontz has a good bit of backstory for Jane which pops out so naturally within the story.

I am confused by Hannafin’s behavior, how badly he misses his wife at the start of his scene, and then what we learn later.

For some reason, Koontz uses present tense at the start of some chapters, and then switches over to past tense. What's with that??

Maybe Koontz was just tense...god knows I was...tense. My heart raced. I started to peer out the windows…just in case!

The Story
Men and women leading happy, productive lives are committing suicide at tremendous rates. They’re all part of the Hamlet List, a list that indicates this person may push civilization in the wrong direction. The direction the conspiracists don’t want the world to go.

It was her own husband's suicide that set Jane down this path, for it didn't make sense. And Jane is determined to know the truth. But these ruthless people bent on hijacking America's future for their own monstrous ends never banked on a highly trained FBI agent willing to go rogue — and become the nation's most wanted fugitive — in order to derail their insidious plans to gain absolute power with a terrifying technological breakthrough.

One with which they can get to you anywhere, anytime.

The Characters
Jane Hawk is a rogue FBI agent on the run. Her husband, Nick, killed himself. Jane’s father is a world renowned pianist who murdered her mother. Her son, Travis, is hidden in rural Orange County with friends, Gavin and Jessica Washington, to keep him safe. Bella and Sampson are their mare and stallion. Hannah is an Exmoor pony the Washingtons bought for Travis. Queenie and Duke are the Washingtons’ dogs.

A small town in Minnesota
Sheriff Luther Tillman has been married to Rebecca for twenty-six glorious years. They have two daughters, Jolie is a senior in high school and Twyla is away at college in Boston. Aunt Tandy lives in Madison. Deputies Rob Stassen (his wife is Melanie) and Lonny Burke are puzzled by the FBI’s behavior. Gunnar Torval is the undersheriff. Vance Saunders is with the fire department.

Cora Gundersun is an amazing 6th-grade teacher who cares about her special-needs students and who was named Teacher of the Year a couple years back. Dixie Belle is her dachshund. Hazel Syvertsen was her friend.

FBI
Vikram Rangnekar is a supergeek and a friend of Jane’s. Jane’s mentor and friend had been Nathan Silverman, a section chief.

Booth Hendrickson is from the Department of Justice, and he has a leading role. He’ll become John Congrieve in Iron Furnace. His moles in Minnesota include Huey Darnell, a drunken jerk; Hassan Zaghari who is quite happy to kill anyone; and, Kernan Beedle of the odorous body. Eva Kleitner is the director of a lab in Virginia.

Reseda, California
John and Judy White, a.k.a., Pete and Lois Jones, are Syrian refugees who provide any kind of weapon or alternate ID you could want.

Nogales, Arizona
It’s because of a serial killer, Marcus Paul Headsman, that Jane knows about Enrique de Soto, a black-market car dealer.

Texas
Ancel and Clare Hawk run Hawk Ranch in Texas and are Nick’s parents and very supportive of Jane. Donner is Ancel’s favorite horse. Juan Saba is the ranch manager; Marie is his wife. Chase Longrin had been Nick’s best friend in high school. He married Alexis Aimes. Leland and Nadine Sacket are millionaires who started up a school and orphanage, the Sacket Home and School, with 139 children. They’re also Nick’s godparents. Kelsey Bodine is one of the Sackets’ success stories.

Iron Furnace, Kentucky, is…
…The Town Where It’s Always Christmas on Iron Furnace Lake, a town with a very upscale resort, Iron Furnace Lake Resort, owned by Terra Firma Enterprises which is owned by Apoidea Trust. Derek Lennox-Heywood is a director of the trust. Stacia O’Dell is the concierge and event coordinator at the resort.

There had been eight children under sixteen in the Iron Furnace "sanitarium": Harley Higgins is fourteen and constantly working on escape; Sally Ingram is seven; Nora Rhinehart is eight; the fragile Jimmy Cole is ten; Tom Proctor; Dulciana Moss prays to God for help because he hasn’t, yet, betrayed her like her parents; Jenny Boone; and, Bobby Acuff. They're all terrified. Bobby’s sister Rimona died, and wait’ll you read that one! Harley's uncle and parents aren't them anymore. Noreen, Walter, Seth Donner, George Woolsey, and Harvey are some of the people who work at the “school”. One for each prisone…, er, stude…, er, patient.

Martin Moses is an event planner with A Private Affair from Atlanta. Freya is a waitress; Lionel is her husband. Ben is the invented hubby. Dr. Wainwright is a veterinarian.

The Seedling Fund, founded and financed by T. Quinn Eubanks, put on a conference at Iron Furnace. Lisa Toska is the current primary officer of the fund.

Arkansas
Otis Faucheur has a booming business, the most stable criminal enterprise in the South, in the Ouachita Mountains. Margot is his third wife. Dozier is the son who had been on death row.

David James Michael inherited billions and keeps on making more; he has a plan for his Arcadia. He’s involved with the Seedling Fund, Aspasia, Volunteers for a Better Tomorrow, and Far Horizons where Sara Laura Sahoen and Henry Waldlock work.

Southern California
Lawrence Hannafin, a journalist, has been a widower for a year since his wife, Sakura, died.

Randall Larkin is a lawyer at [Carter] Woodbine, Kravitz, Larkin, and Benedetto. He has his own escape plans as Ormond Heimdall. He thinks no one knows about it. His second wife is Diamanta. Ellen is his secretary.

Wilson Faucheur is Otis’ son and an architect.

Jason Alan Drucklow is a licensed private detective, but mostly destroys reputations. Cammy Newton is his assistant and girlfriend. He’s currently being paid by Marshall Ackerman of Volunteers for a Better Tomorrow.

Aspasia is…
…a very elite whorehouse which employs girls who have been injected with the nanotech. It ensures they’ll do whatever you want.

Shenneck Technology had been…
…led by Bertold Shenneck who had invented a nanotech control device — from which there's no coming back; he's also partnered with D.J. Michael.

There are good Samaritans everywhere, including Foster Oswald with a ring tip and Bernard Riggowitz, a.k.a., Grandpa Bernie, whose wife, Miriam, died a year ago. Shem is Bernie’s brother. Not Lev.

Sandra Termindale is Holly and Lauren’s mother; Pamela is her mother. Roger and Palmer are old friends of Tillman’s who live in Des Moines. Jerry Hare is a greedy bellhop. Rayshaws are killing machines who care nothing about their lives.

The Cover and Title
The cover is black, white, and red. It has an odd, curving gradation from black into red, as it lightens from the left of Jane’s cheek to her forehead to the right side of her face, all with contouring lines following the planes of her face, a technological marvel that goes both ways. All the text is centered and in white and, I think, embossed. A promotional blurb is small at the top. Below it, in the biggest size, is the author’s name. Below the fold, is the title with the series information below that.

The title is…an…update. The Whispering Room where all is known.

book review, author Dean Koontz, Jane Hawk series, horror, suspense, psychological-suspense, world domination, mind control, rogue FBI agent, science, hi-tech surveillance, kidnapping, brainwashing, cops, Stepford world, children, conspiracy, justice, third-person omniscient point-of-view,
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I have read several Dean Koontz books but sadly did not read the first book to this series. I feel I was able to pick up the story line fairly quickly without having read the first book.

I loved the technological aspects of this suspenseful thriller. This stuff may have seemed far-fetched at one time but now I'm thinking this could really happen in the not-so-distant future. Kind of scary to think about.

This was a great paced read with lots of action and suspense. Jane Hawk is such a bad ass! I want her on my side for sure. I also enjoyed Luther and his family.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers mixed with a little technology. I definitely will pick up the first book in this series "The Silent Corner".

Thank you Dean Koontz, Bantam Books, and BookishFirst for providing me an advance reader's edition.

Book Talk 12/22/17
Traci Kenworth

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz. Nov. 21, 2017. Bantam. Netgalley.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Jane Hawk—fiction’s most relentless, resourceful, stunning new heroine—continues her battle against a murderous conspiracy in the riveting sequel to The Silent Corner.

“No time to delay. Do what you were born to do. Fame will be yours when you do this.”

These are the words that ring in the mind of mild-mannered, beloved schoolteacher Cora Gundersun—just before she takes her own life, and many others’, in a shocking act of carnage. When the disturbing contents of her secret journal are discovered, it seems certain that she must have been insane. But Jane Hawk knows better.

In the wake of her husband’s inexplicable suicide—and the equally mysterious deaths of scores of other exemplary individuals—Jane picks up the trail of a secret cabal of powerful players who think themselves above the law and beyond punishment. But the ruthless people bent on hijacking America’s future for their own monstrous ends never banked on a highly trained FBI agent willing to go rogue—and become the nation’s most wanted fugitive—in order to derail their insidious plans to gain absolute power with a terrifying technological breakthrough.

Driven by love for her lost husband and by fear for the five-year-old son she has sent into hiding, Jane Hawk has become an unstoppable predator. Those she is hunting will have nowhere to run when her shadow falls across them.

Jane Hawk’s story continues in The Crooked Staircase.

Praise for The Whispering Room

“Koontz has never exactly shied away from complex characters or situations. And this situation gets very complex indeed, as Jane pursues the people behind the conspiracy with the kind of single-minded relentlessness that makes the book absolutely spellbinding. As good as The Silent Corner was, this one’s even better. . . . Koontz is on another roll with a new series that boasts a juicy premise and a compelling star. . . . Pure gold.”—Booklist (starred review)

“A deeply layered, satisfying thriller that is character-driven and nearly impossible to put down . . . grounded in many real-world, current issues . . . [The Whispering Room] never loses sight of the classic political/sci-fi/thriller elements that make it so much fun to read.”—Bookreporter

Jane Hawk is an ex-FBI agent whose been framed to cover up big business corporations that are targeting the human population for control of their lives. These men are implanting little chips in people’s brains and using them as slaves most of the time. Jane’s husband committed suicide thanks to this programming. Most of the victims are not even aware that they are being programmed. Anyone seen as a “threat” to their future empire is sent on a suicide mission that works nicely into the terrorist image of today.
Leo, is the sheriff of a small town, who gets suspicious when one of his friends go all postal. His investigation leads him to Jane and a small community that is the foundation of the rich men’s plans. Together, they team up to rescue kids whose parents are under control of the men. But is anyone ever really untouchable? Can they reach safety? Will Jane bring down the head of the corporations?

As with any Dean Koontz novel, there’s just something that drags me in. I start slow reading it but by the time I hit say a couple chapters, I’m yanked in more and more. He has a way of telling a story that just awes me. Now granted, there are a few instances during the story when I thought, “No way,” but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book. Jane is a compelling protagonist as is Leo. I think this is the second book in the series. I’ve been offered the third, so I’ll be getting to that in the future as soon as I get a chance to download it.

This is the second book in Koontz's new Jane Hawk series. At the end of the first novel, The Silent Corner, Jane had lots of unfinished business to attend to and loose ends to tie up. Koontz starts this novel with the same intensity that the previous book left off with. Whereas the first novel was slow and methodical in ratcheting up the suspense in order to build the plot, this one punches you in the gut right from the start and never lets up. Jane Hawk is once again relentless in her search for truth and justice as she tracks down those responsible for the death of her husband and other successful people. The rash of suicides may seem inconsequential, but Jane has linked them to a group that manipulates subjects through the use of nanotechnology to achieve their goal of creating a perfect world.

Jane's quest takes her cross country and she encounters many adventures along the way, always maintaining an edge of suspense that will keep you turning the pages. She also receives assistance or the promise of safety from several friends she makes on her journey, one of which is a sheriff that is investigating a suspicious murder/suicide on his own time named Luther Tillman.

There is a sinister subplot that is introduced about halfway into the book. This sheds a little more light on the activities of the group that Jane is tracking, and it will eventually become the primary focus for the rest of the novel. Jane and Luther must navigate the murky waters while remaining vigilant and always suspicious of everyone they encounter, even close friends and family members.

I believe it would be beneficial to read The Silent Corner before you read this novel as most of the content and characters overlap. The characters in this novel are complex and the suspense is palpable. Koontz once again proves that he is the master of suspense. At the end of this book Jane once again finds herself with a plethora of unanswered questions. I eagerly look forward to the next installment in this series.

I would recommend this book to fans of suspense and thrillers. I received this as a free ARC from Bantam Books, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“The Whispering Room” by Dean Koontz, is the second in the “Jane Hawk” series. The action and drama continue from “The Silent Corner,” but it is not necessary to have read the previous book before starting this one. Those who have not read the previous book can jump right in without any problem, however, this is the best book yet, so new readers will undoubtedly want to go back and read “The Silent Corner.”
Cora Gunderson walks through fire without being burned. “You’re dead already … They’ll know all about you in the whispering room.” Thus, it starts, and where will it end?
The book follows Jane Hawk and several additional characters on a frantic journey through a dangerous maze of deception, surveillance, and murder where technology collides with shadowy power brokers. It is wrong that Jane Hawk’s husband is dead and her only child is in jeopardy. Life has crushed her dreams as effectively as a junkyard hydraulic press crumples cars into compact cubes. She has a mission, a story to tell … a big one. To whom can she tell her story without sounding like a paranoid of the tin-foil hat variety? The conspiracy, the tragedy, and the impending doom, all loom large, and the solutions seem impossible. Who can be trusted on this frantic non-stop pursuit of justice and resolution? The chase is intense with all the action, violence, blood and death that readers should have anticipated, but the climax is one that most could not quite have imagined.
As always, the strength of this book is Koontz’s incredible use of language. Readers are immersed in every scene, every event, every problem, and every character all along the way. Example after example leap from every page. (I cannot help but include a few examples, somewhat abbreviated and out of context, and yet so characteristic of the rich, vivid, text in the book.) Readers watch the gossamer swatches of plastic film, inflated like miniature balloons. We observe forty or fifty robins soar with smooth flickering wingbeats, short glides, in an arc descending. We hear birds shriek as they a flock of prophets crying out an impending cataclysm.
I received an advanced copy of “The Whispering Room “from Dean Koontz, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley. I highly, highly recommend it; it is one of Koontz’s best. One caution, however, when you start this book, be sure you set aside time to finish, because you will not be able to put it down. The action, the incredible descriptions, and the complex characters, (the good, the bad, and the incredibly evil) will suck you in right from the start.

The Whispering Room is the second in the Jane Hawk series, having best-seller The Silent Corner directly preceding it. Holy Moses! Mr. Koontz really puts out the prose, doesn't he?
Cora Gundersun, beloved special-needs schoolteacher, takes a 180-degree turn from her usually easy-going, sweet and sympathetic character to that of mass murderer. Neither is she meant to survive. Sheriff Luther Tillman of Minnesota knows this is not the Cora the whole town knew and loved. When the feds come in and perfunctorily dismiss his local office of involvement, Sheriff Tillman goes on a mission to find out what happened to her. He will eventually join Jane in her continuing crusade to find and bring to justice those responsible for the reprehensible nanotechnology being implanted into the innocent and unsuspecting public. But it will cost him. Big Time.
Jane is the ubiquitous former FBI agent gone rogue. She's smart, she's dangerous, and she's on a mission to nail those responsible for her husband's death and now the threat to her five-year-old son. Further, she has contacts borne of her years in law enforcement--allies--as Sheriff Tillman soon becomes. She is not without resources. She is determined and uncommonly competent. Jane keeps a step ahead of all those who have put her on the most wanted list, as she follows one lead to another, each calculated to get her closer to her perceived target.
It is obvious that installment one sets up the plot and fleshes out Jane. She has gathered the proof she needs to break the conspiracy cabal that plots the takeover of the common man. Koontz employs bucket loads of three hundred dollar words and the book sets up a suspenseful heart-sinking tone that begins the rush to secure mankind. The pace seldom stutters or slips, although if I had a problem it was the inclusion of a couple scenes that seemed unnecessary to further the plot and only served to add pages to what some might deem an already over-long narrative.
Sheriff Tillman, immensely sympathetic, is fully fleshed. I enjoyed his character and that of his family, especially the perceptible daughter Jolie (whose dialogue was SOOO 17), and Bernie Riggowitz, that lively driven and recently widowed octogenarian. He is sharp, has a sense of humor, and becomes an ally.
This book was offered as a download from Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for an honest review and I was thrilled for the opportunity to read and review this title and best-selling author. Would I read another? Oh yeah!

When I finished "The Silent Corner," the first book in this series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk, I loved it so much that in my review I urged the author to hurry up and finish the next one sooner than scheduled. He must have heard me, since he beat that original date by a couple of months. And oh boy, am I glad he did!

This one can stand alone, although I'm sure I enjoyed it more for having read the first. That one had plenty of action, but here it's almost nonstop, meaning I was "forced" to put other chores on the back burner so I could keep reading (honestly, I think it's even better than the first, and I gave that one a 5-star rating). The prose is pure Koontz, with each turn of the phrase artfully crafted. The focus of the plot - really, really bad guys and gals who are using nanotechnology to turn human beings they don't like into well-controlled automatons - may be a bit "out there," but on the other hand, as one of my favorite comedians, Judy Tenuta, used to say, "It could happen."

In the first book, Jane's husband Nick reportedly committed suicide - but Jane knew better and vowed to get to the truth. That in turn put her at odds with the FBI and even higher-up powers, forcing her to go on the run and put her young son Travis in hiding. Early on, she seeks help from a respected journalist - hoping he's someone she can trust (it's nearly impossible to discern who's had the technology implants, making Jane's quest to take down the instigators all that much harder). At the same time, a much-loved Minnesota school teacher inexplicably commits mass murder by driving her homemade bomb-laden car into a crowd (killing herself as well). When Jane learns of the incident, she immediately suspects that the woman was "guided" by an outside force.

At the same time, local Sheriff Luther Tillman has suspicions all his own; wanting to find out why the normally sweet teacher would commit such a horrible act, he visits her home and retrieves a few items. Shortly thereafter, her home goes up in flames, adding fuel to Luther's belief that something is rotten in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Jane and Luther lead separate investigations for a while, but as might be expected, their trails eventually come together. From that point on, there's no going back - and they must cling to the hope that the way forward won't end with either or both of their deaths.

Mysterious and spooky and all together ooky, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves thrillers spiked with a tablespoon of science fiction. Love it - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Review: THE WHISPERING ROOM by Dean Koontz
(Jane Hawk #2)

This utterly gripping series continues, winding ever more deeply into a concealed world that seems ever more bizarre and surreal as to become an alternate universe of its own. I started this series immediately after reading Terry Goodkind' s novel NEST, which postulates a similar Zeitgeist and similar cynicism about the current state of society. Indeed, the Jane Hawk Series, set in contemporary America, describes a Dystopia, showcased in black light by the proposed "Utopia" designed by a confederation of elitists who will use every bit of wealth and power at their disposal (immense) to scientifically create a massive slave class of total obedience, and to cause the deaths of any considered potential change agents.

Once a reader starts this series, there'll be no turning back. There'll be no forgetting. The Jane Hawk Series will stay in your mind. Like the author's ASHLEY BELL and THE TAKING, this series is set to stay, provoking pondering.

I reviewed a digital ARC generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley, at no cost, obligation, or remuneration. I opted to review this title.

In Dean Koontz's second installment of the Jane Hawk series, The Whispering Room (Random House 2017), Jane Hawk continues her quest to prove that her husband, a highly-decorated Marine, didn't commit suicide but instead was murdered. She's not only been fired from the FBI but they are chasing her as a rogue agent who is a danger to the country she used to serve. The fact that she has been threatened by the people she's chasing and that her son has been threatened doesn't seem to matter to them. that doesn't stop Hawk. She's more than happy to use her prodigious brain and exceptional problem-solving skills to track the people down that she holds responsible. She's fired from the FBI but that doesn't stop her from chasing the people she holds responsible for her

Hawk is one of those characters you don't meet often enough in thrillers.

"Life had too much meaning to process, that every minute of life was rich with meaning, crammed full to the top with meaning. Some of its meaning was as clear and poignant as a needle in the neck, some of such a joyful nature that your buoyant heart seemed capable of lifting you high among the birds, although much of life’s most profound meaning lay beyond her understanding, latent and mysterious. "
She's smart, driven, and focused on what she must do to right the wrongs. Very little gets in her way and almost no one can outthink her. For example, here's how she selected her car:

"The car had been stolen in the U.S.; significantly souped-up in Nogales, Mexico; given a new engine number; repainted; and consigned to an unlicensed auto-sales operation across the border in Nogales, Arizona. The car dealer operated out of a series of unmarked barns on a former horse ranch, and he didn’t accept checks or credit cards. Or make loans. She paid with some serious cash she’d taken away from some bad people in New Mexico. The vehicle’s GPS, with its identifying transponder, had been stripped out, so the Escape couldn’t be tracked by satellite. For now she was done with the San Gabriel."

As for cleverness, on a scale of one to ten, I constantly asked myself, "How the h*** will she get out of this one?" Though I didn't read the first in the series, I still lost little time getting up to speed on the plot and felt it stood on its own nicely.

One complaint though and this is a spoiler: The story doesn't end with the last page. It's only the beginning.

4.5 stars
Dean Koontz is at his best in this new series featuring rogue FBI Agent Jane Hawk. Her husband was seduced into committing suicide by a drug implanted in him that causes brain/personality manipulation. He was an intelligent man who threatened the goals of the master-manipulators who invented this nanotechnology. Those individuals are on a hit list, and manipulated into committing suicides to prevent any possibility of intervention to their unscrupulous goals. Jane's got it all figured out after book 1 and out to bring them all down, whatever the cost. It has already cost her her job, she doesn’t want it to cost her harm to her child, but her own life is put into jeopardy time and again. She is weary, exhausted and determined to right some very bad wrongs.

Strongly recommend potential readers start with book 1 - The Silent Corner. It will just bring you much more enjoyment as well as a good flow to the plot line. There are some references to what went on in book 1, but not enough to get a real feel for the emotional ride that it was. At times my heart was hammering in my chest, and my stomach in knots what with the situations Jane gets herself into. She is an admirable do-good-for-the people person, and some of the people she meets on this journey realize this and help her. The side characters are well developed. I loved meeting the old guy who gave her a ride and became her “grandpa” undercover, and ultimately in her heart, which energized this poor old man’s life as well, bringing some excitement in his rather dull golden years.

The only thing that didn't set well with me was what eventually happens with Mr. Michael, the main guy she is after. Yes, it is open for continuation. Looking forward to it. My thanks for a copy of the ARC from bookish.com

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz is the second in the thrilling Jane Hawk series. I loved it! There is never a good place to stop reading until you finish the book. Although the book is part of a series, it is very good as a stand-alone thriller. Jane was an FBI agent with the Critical Incident Response Group which was often assigned to work cases with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units. She dealt mostly with the cases which required fast action due to mass murders or seral killers. But now Jane is considered a rogue agent. She had killed three men in self-defense because she knew too much about powerful people with an evil agenda.
If you have read the preceding book about Jane in The Silent Corner, then you already have an idea of Jane’s plans for bringing to justice the people who were responsible for Nick’s death. Jane is fearless, almost. Her only fear is for the safety of her beloved son, Travis. He is all she has left and she will do anything and stop at nothing to expose the dangers of what D. J. Michael has set in motion.
The story opens with an innocent Cora Gundersun preparing to start her day with her little Dachshund, Dixie Belle. But the reader soon knows that all is not well with Cora. A malevolent presence seems to have control of Cora’s thoughts and actions. What could cause this? Read and tremble!
I won’t post spoilers, but this is another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. This series does not have the eerie paranormal underlying presence, but it does have a theme which is even more frightening. The possibilities of our modern Nano-technology with mind altering results. Is it science fiction or on the edge of reality? Consider everything you have read about the growing percentage of personality disorders among society today as you read this book.
This book is filled with various characters which add differing levels of fear, anguish, anger, compassion, and unlikely allies. And the eighth floor… will Jane manage to survive?

For good reason there a genre called thrillers, if you looked the term up in the dictionary no doubt a picture of the cover for The Whispering Room (TWR) would be one of those books featured prominently.
Rogue FBI Special Agent Jane Hawk is back in her continuing crusade against the cabal that is trying to control the world through implanted nanotechnology.
Jane has acquired proof but since she is #1 on the FBI's most wanted list and since the NSA and other sources can mess with whatever she posts on a the web, Jane is desperate to find a way to get the information out to the public and to those government officials not yet ensnared.
Fast paced might be an understatement. Koontz starts at 60 mph and speeds up from there. I welcome Jane's nightly vodka and coke; I need the break too for my heartbeat to slow. Hey, does that mean reading TWR is a cardio exercise?
FBI Special Agent, rogue agent, crusader, cold blooded killer; the true definition of Jane is mother, wife, and now widow. Jane is as compelling as she was in the first book, The Silent Corner. In the Silent Corner the inexplicable suicide of her husband and thousands of others set Jane on her journey and is what inspires Jane to keep moving, to keep searching for payback and justice, and most of all to keep her hidden five year old son safe.
Jane has acquired an ally, Sheriff Luther Tillman from Minnesota. A beloved teacher in his town commits an unbelievable act of terrorism sending him on a search for answers after it becomes clear the Feds have no interest in looking into the inexplicable crime. Jane and the sheriff come across each other in a resort town hiding a dark secret. He ends up paying a terrible price for his knowledge and loyalty after combining forces with Jane to fight the growing evil.
Koontz is so polished in his characters and plotting, there isn’t much to say other than he carries on this tradition with The Whispering Room too.
He also continues with his very strong anti-government stance, which always amuses me since I, myveryownself work for the government as does my husband and most of our friends and neighbors. Who devote their best effort for this country. But I’ve never let this put me off from the pure magic of his writing.
My only complaint, not enough dog. Koontz is the master of dog characters.
A great second book, in what I hope is a long running series.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

The Whispering Room is the second book in Dean Koontz’s Jane Hawk series. I am a Koontz fan and was prepared to give up some sleep to read this one. Luck was with me though, since I received my copy, right before a scheduled train trip. This was planned ‘awake’ time, so I was able to start and finish the book before I got back home.
Often with a series, it is difficult if not impossible to jump in at any point other than the beginning. While I certainly had more background information, I do think that if this was the first book you read, you wouldn’t be lost. Of course, if you enjoyed it as much as I did, you would probably go get the first in the series, The Silent Corner.
Jane Hawk is a former FBI agent gone rogue. She is totally alone and constantly looking over her shoulder since she had uncovered a mind control conspiracy in the first book and is now a wanted fugitive. While there are many people determined to silence Jane, she is just as unwavering in her commitment to exposing the truth. That begets the question, can Jane survive against such terrible odds and will she find anyone she can trust? All the answers won’t be provided as the story ends, which is where the third book will come in to play.
I don’t think it would be a stretch to say that you could give me a book with no reference to Dean Koontz and I would know he was the writer. He has a very distinctive style and while I haven’t loved every book he has written, the good ones far outweigh those that didn’t quite resonate with me. Jane is one of those characters that I am hoping will triumph. As always in a Koontz story with evil villains, there are always some people who are good to the core and provide a beacon of hope when things appear darkest. For whatever reason, I kept thinking Hawk, Jane Hawk, so I am hoping that like Bond, James Bond, she succeeds. Koontz conspiracy theories are always way out there, or are they? In today’s world, hard to tell.
Thank you, Dean Koontz, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It appears the publication date is now set for November. Maybe treat yourself to an early holiday gift, just because, well who better than you, and enjoy Jane’s latest adventure.

Jane Hawk—fiction’s most relentless, resourceful, stunning new heroine—continues her battle against a murderous conspiracy in the riveting sequel to The Silent Corner.

“No time to delay. Do what you were born to do. Fame will be yours when you do this.”

These are the words that ring in the mind of mild-mannered, beloved schoolteacher Cora Gundersun—just before she takes her own life, and many others’, in a shocking act of carnage. When the disturbing contents of her secret journal are discovered, it seems certain that she must have been insane. But Jane Hawk knows better.

In the wake of her husband’s inexplicable suicide—and the equally mysterious deaths of scores of other exemplary individuals—Jane picks up the trail of a secret cabal of powerful players who think themselves above the law and beyond punishment. But the ruthless people bent on hijacking America’s future for their own monstrous ends never banked on a highly trained FBI agent willing to go rogue—and become the nation’s most wanted fugitive—in order to derail their insidious plans to gain absolute power with a terrifying technological breakthrough.

Driven by love for her lost husband and by fear for the five-year-old son she has sent into hiding, Jane Hawk has become an unstoppable predator. Those she is hunting will have nowhere to run when her shadow falls across them.

This is the second book in a series with Jane Hawk as the main character. I think it would be better to have read ‘The Silent Corner’ beforehand to get the full understanding of what drives the characters. Saying that, though it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book in the series and could still understand what was going on.

I haven’t read any Dean Koontz books since I was in my early 20’s, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

This book is well written, gripping and unpredictable. At times I had no idea where the story was headed and was surprised. Just once or twice I could guess what was going to happen, but that didn’t make it less enjoyable. 4*

It has been a long time since I read a Dean Koontz novel, never feeling the need to rush out and purchase his newest work. I believe that will change after reading “The Whispering Room.”

The novel is nothing short of amazing. It is the second in the author’s Jane Hawk series, although it can be read as a standalone (there is enough back story provided). Jane is an FBI agent on the run, trapped by events and machinations beyond her control. With every move she makes, the rabbit hole gets bigger and moves further away from a world to which she can never return.

Mr. Koontz keeps the tension at a high level throughout the story through the use of small chapters, some lasting only a page or two. The shifting POVs kept me turning pages, because whoever I was reading about, I knew that the person I had just left was in some level of danger. The author has strategically limited the shifts to a minimum number of characters, which keeps readers from becoming confused. Don’t look for incredibly deep character studies ih this book. This is a suspense thriller, an edge-of-your-seat nail-biter that is guaranteed to keep you up late turning pages.

The plot takes place today, wrapped in the science of nanobots and the people who would use them in a personal effort to make the world a better place. Ironically, these same people never hesitate to kill if that action will bring everyone closer to their perception of nirvana.

Even though I have a pretty good idea of what happened in the first Jane Hawk book, the storytelling in this novel was so good that I plan on purchasing “The Silent Corner.” If you are looking for a thriller that will keep you turning pages far into the night, you won’t do better than “The Whispering Room.” Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Jane is searching for the top man at Far Horizons, David James Michael, to record his confession. His company is using brain nanobots to control people. Some are used as submissive sex slaves, others as guards but worse are the ones forced to commit suicide like Jane's husband.

Cora was named teacher of the year before the headaches started. Why would she set her own car aflame and drive into a crowded hotel restaurant? The local sheriff, Luther Tillman, finds Cora's cryptic notebooks and decides to investigate on his own.

The Whispering Room is a thrill ride that is much better than the previous book in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, it shares so much of the plot of The Silent Corner, there is little point in reading the previous series entry after reading The Whispering Room.

Mr. Koontz' rather flowery writing style seems better suited to his atmospheric horror novels. Here is an example of a single sentence in the book:
"The bone-pale skeletonized limbs of winter-pasted trees, chokeberry and moosewood and gray poplars, and the storm-crusted boughs of evergreens more white than black, not green at all in the night, rendered a monochromatic scene in the spectral light of the snowfields." While definitely evocative, it is a bit distracting in a thriller, where being fast-paced is a major goal. However, I really enjoyed all the action and the comedic interludes within the novel. The details of the Los Angeles area were spot-on. I'm looking forward to more thrillers from Mr. Koontz (though I do hope he writes at least a few more horror novels as well).

Thanks to the publisher, Bantam, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy.

I haven't read a Koontz book in a while and this one reminded me why I love his stories so much. This one grabbed me from the first chapter, with interesting characters, wonderful descriptions, and plenty of action.

Jane is a loving wife and mom but her FBI badass personality comes out big time when her family is threatened.She goes rogue to try to stop the murderous people who took her husband's life and are wreaking havoc using mind control on unsuspecting people.

The Whispering Room is book #2 in this series. I haven't had a chance to read books #1, The Silent Corner, yet but I am definitely going to be. I fell right into book #2 without feeling like I missed anything by not reading the first book. Now I just want to go back and learn the backstory.

Hawkwoman is Back!!

Back with a vengeance!

As she digs deeper into the conspiracy to turn ordinary people into little more than drones, Jane finds more incredible people who are beginning to think something bad is happening. Sheriff Luther Tillman is one of those people. He has known Cora Gunderson for years, and she’s well known around town. After looking into her self -immolation, taking out many others with Her, he’s convinced that something happened to her. Something suspicious. Something bad, and wrong. He and Jane don’t know each other at all, but their separate investigations lead them to the same town.

That whole town is off kilter, but it takes their combined investigative skills to figure out what, exactly, makes the people of the town seem strange. But they do find out, and what they discover takes them and their new charges straight into the biggest danger yet! Danger that is particularly heartbreaking for Luther.

I’m hoping that Luther will be around for a while, but you never can tell what direction Dean Koontz will take next with his stories. It’s entirely possible that Luther will disappear like so many characters. Jane has a tendency to leave them behind, hoping to divert the conspirators away from those who have helped her in her quest to avenge her husband and keep her son safe. Mr. Koontz will tell us in his own time.

If you haven’t already, pick up the first book in this series, The Silent Corner, and introduce yourself to the Hawkwoman! Then you can happily move straight into this one with no waiting. I, on the other hand, will be patting my foot impatiently, waiting for the next installment. Pick them up today, and…

Enjoy!

2shay

THE WHISPERING ROOM is more than a thriller; it is an observation of what our world can become like if we allow nanotechnology and the basic greed of men to persist. Jane continues her saga in this book, pursuing the money-man behind the nano devices that led her husband to commit suicide. D.J. Michael seems to be a foe that no one can get to, but Jane is intelligent and determined. There is another part of the story here; the nano devices have spread to rural areas, including one entire town that has been taken over by them. And there is a trigger phrase to get the people there to become automatically responsive to whatever command is given to them. Jane teams up temporarily with a small-town sheriff and together they make a difference in this small town. Luther is a lovable character, tough but fair and a welcome addition to the plot. At the end of the novel, you want more...you just want Jane to win all the time, but you can see a foreshadowing that this may come with a high price. This was a wonderful book that kept me reading late into the night, with my heart racing and my fingers crossed for the best outcomes for Jane and Luther. You have to read it to believe it; the author is an absolute master at drawing you into the story.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Whatever else happens, Dean Koontz can always be relied on to provide a great reading experience. Rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk is back in the sequel to The Silent Corner. The Whispering Room takes up where the first book left off, and Jane is determined to get the whole story out to the public and save the world and herself (and maybe get a little justice for her murdered/programmed suicide husband).

This book managed to trap me within a very few pages and really hold my interest until I'd read it completely. There are not many books which have actually made me miss my bus stop, but this one did. Narrative tension is hard and Koontz makes it look easy. He's a masterful writer and writes well crafted exciting books. This is a solid brick of a book, 528 pages, and I didn't find that it lagged anywhere. Jane encounters a whole host of secondary characters (I <3 Bernie!!!!) but they're described well and mostly introduced serially, so there's no problem with keeping track of who is who.

For fans of thriller/conspiracy/black ops type books (Clive Cussler, Lee Child, Robert Crais & co., I'm lookin' at you!), Jane is pure entertainment. I'm looking forward to seeing how she manages in book #3.

If the store were Disneyland, Dean Koontz would be an 'E' ticket ride.

Published 21st November, 2017 by Bantam
Format: Kindle, Hardback, Paperback, audio (Audible)

Four stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.

This is only the second Dean Koontz book that I have read and nothing about “Ashley Bell” could have prepared me for this hard-driving thriller. In “The Whispering Room”, Jane Hawk has already discovered much of the plans of an elite group who are intent on pressing their vision of the future (and the rewrite of history) to their view.

Jane is a one-woman wreaking crew who is sworn to try to stop this from happening. By the end of the book, I have to say that if anyone could stop a huge conspiracy, it would be this woman.

The author has given her a personality that feels strong and yet still womanly. She loves children and she hates those who would hurt them and destroy their futures. Pretty simple, right?

The book is almost poetic in concept, with sentences a few words short or a paragraph long. The words and the thoughts in them roll onto each other and create a dynamic path to where the writer is intending you head. I found myself holding my breath as I read a sentence/paragraph a page long and realized I would have to pace myself or pass out.

My only regret is that I did not read the first in this series before reading the second book. It is not necessary to do so as I caught up quickly and involved almost immediately. I simply wish I had and I will rectify that before the third book in the series makes its appearance next year.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

“In a time when the multitudes of the earth seemed to be dividing into just two categories, prey and predators, it was remarkable how unattuned the gazelles could be to the gathering leopards all around them.”

“Once truth was known, it could not be unlearned, nor could it be forgotten, but lay always in the heart, a darkness for which all the years ahead would be spent seeking whatever light could be found to compensate.”

Honestly, I picked this advanced reader copy from NetGalley as an experiment– I had never read Koontz (despite having seen so many of his best sellers in airports all over the world) and this is the second in a series in which I had (obviously) not read the first. I wondered if this would render me a little lost, and feared that I just wouldn’t ‘get it’ (whatever ‘it’ was). As it turned out, I truly enjoyed this novel. It is an extremely compelling thriller with a fabulous protagonist, intriguing characters throughout, a complicated twisty plot, and Koontz has a wonderful writing style. I have read other reviews by readers who read the first in this series and state that one must read the first to understand this second. Not true! This novel stands alone and is a fun David and Goliath (correction: Jane and Goliath) thriller that is delightfully entertaining.

My experiment question–Can the virgin Koontz reader plop themselves into the middle of a series and come out more than satisfied at the other end?–was answered with a resounding: Yes!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bantam for the ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Hawk is a rogue agent fighting for her and her son’s life and avenging her late husband’s murder. Silicon Valley billionaire David James Michael and owner of the biotech company, Far Horizons, is her target. His company is making nanomachines injected into the bloodstream to be used as a control mechanism “eliminating people who will push civilization in the wrong direction”. Her husband was a product of the experiment and as she delves deeper into the peculiar town of Iron Furnace, Kentucky, she finds a “menace of place as felt in Dachau or Auschwitz, or in the Soviet gulags”.

Sheriff Luther Tillman is out of his league. He is following up a lead involving a Teacher of the Year Award recipient in his home town of Minnesota who drove a burning car into a busy restaurant killing 46 people including the governor. That teacher had attended a conference in Iron Furnace and came back a changed woman. When he teams up with Jane, his life and family will never be the same.

What did Jane and Luther find in Iron Furnace? Can Luther save his family? Can Jane get to her target without all hell breaking loose?

As always, Mr. Koontz delivers! This is his second book in the Jane Hawk series and it stands on its own. What can I say; Jane Hawk is a bad ass and the supporting characters that are introduced throughout are a compliment to Hawk, good and bad. The story line is incredible and rolls along at a fast pace. A book you can’t put down. Recommend!

There was a time when I read every Dean Koontz book that came out, but like some friendships, we eventually drifted apart. I still have a soft spot for his stories, however. They can be frightening. The protagonist always comes face to face with evil, but in his stories, there is always a spiritual element. That is one of the things that make his books so appealing.

The Whispering Room. Wow! When one takes an honest look at the state of our society, it can be a little overwhelming. The technology that has become available just in the last few years is beyond amazing. It makes a person wonder what would happen if a truly psychopathic and greedy billionaire got his hands on some of these things and decided to take control of things. That is what The Whispering Room is about, and the picture the author paints is both terrifying and plausible. I couldn't put it down.

Jane Hawk is a rogue FBI agent on the run and and trying to get to the people who have this technology and who are using it in a plan to control the entire populace of our country and someday the world. I know how impossible it sounds, but Dean Koontz makes it seem as plausible as if it has already begun. I'm so happy to have rediscovered his work. His poetic prose, his finely tuned character development, his exquisite renderings
bring the reader into the story in a way that all the senses are engaged. I can't recommend this book more highly. I loved every minute of it.

The Whispering Room is a Jane Hawk novel by Dean Koontz. I normally am not a fan of character novels. Many times I feel as if the author either does not provide enough information if you try to jump in the middle of a series or the author becomes lazy in writing about the character's exploits and forgets to grow the character in the story. This novel, however, is quite different! The first half does toggle between fast-paced and descriptive. However, the send half is definitely a "hold onto your hat" kind of book.

I have never read a Jane Hawk novel before and now I must! I love this lady! She is a strong female character who is smart, decisive, quick, strong, and definitely not a damsel in distress. Plus, she is a mother who loves her son more than anything else in the world.

Jane comes up against some extremely powerful people who have learned how to make anybody compliable, regardless of their socioeconomic or intellectual status. Jane has to figure out why and how they are doing this before they get to her and her young son. Along the way she is joined on her journey by a small town sheriff who uncovers what these powerful individuals are doing and has his own family to save, along with the rest of those who cannot protect themselves.

This is a fun story with an interesting premise. If you found a way to achieve world peace at the expense of free thought, would you do it? And if you did, who would you be willing to put in charge to make sure it stayed that way?

I was given the opportunity to read The Whispering Room through a BookishFirst Giveaway and, additionally, through NetGalley and Bantam. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

Usually, a second book in a series suffers from too little character development and a plot that serves only as a bridge to the next novel. The Whispering Room, however, is even stronger than The Silent Corner. No longer having the constraints of bringing the new character to life, author Dean Koontz gives Jane a strong purpose and an attitude that give her humanity. Along with a host of periphery characters that will, no doubt, be seen again, Jane's awareness of the larger issue will propel her forward in the next book.

Jane's ingenuity, as well as her determination to avenge her husband Nick and many others, allows The Whispering Room to move forward at a thrilling pace. With the science fiction aspects of this novel, the suspense of reality does need to be realized by the reader in places. Although the truth is probably closer to Jane's reality than not, the author has twisted parts of other books and movies to fit his imagined world. The length of The Whispering Room may give some readers pause, but it is a relatively quick read despite its number of pages. I would definitely recommend The Whispering Room to readers, whether they are new to Jane Hawk or have already discovered her in The Silent Corner.

4 Stars!

Dean Koontz introduced readers to his most intense character in a long time in The Silent Corner. Jane Hawk returns in The Whispering Room to a world that is even more dangerous and a conspiracy that continues to grow darker with every passing minute.

Once she uncovered the global conspiracy that led to the death of her husband, Jane Hawk knew she was the only one that had a chance at stopping the evil men striving to rule the world. It was her duty to honor her husband and try to save the world. The only way to do this was to become what she once hunted with the FBI: a relentless predator. Her world became one of the shadows in which she moved as she stalked her prey and worked toward the top of the conspiracy pyramid. The stakes were raised as she moved her way up the ladder into a deeper world of darkness.

Cora Gunderson was a great teacher who was revered for her dedication to her students. That is what made her murderous rampage through the small Minnesota town she lived in so mysterious. The local sheriff is determined to uncover what turned the kind woman into a murderer and he may have found the clues in a disjointed journal the woman had kept. Many may have just considered the writing nothing more than the ramblings of a disturbed mind. When Jane Hawk sees this, however, she recognized the cause of the woman’s violent insanity. The journal leads Jane to a town that has already come under control of the conspiracies leaders (and serves as a harbinger of a dark future) and then back across the country for a showdown against another major player. Jane must venture further into the shadows than she has ever gone before with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

Koontz introduced us to a dark world on intrigue in The Silent Corner that had as much potential as any thriller I have read in a long time. The Whispering Room does nothing to lessen the potential of that world. In fact, it only made it stronger by introducing more evidence of just what the world could look like if Hawk fails as well as to what lengths the men will go to achieve their perfect world. The town of Iron Furnace shows just what the world would become if the conspiracy were to succeed and it is a bleak glimpse of the future where everyone is either mindless or a prisoner. This prompts Jane to make her next against one of the men behind her husband’s death and plan an attack against him in his seemingly impenetrable residence. There is also a sense of hope introduced in the story, though, as Koontz gives a hint about a possible seed of resistance that may have been started without knowledge from those involved.

While the world building continues in The Whispering Room and there is a glimpse at what lies in future books, this novel was not able to keep the urgency from the first book. It is still a strong novel but it did seem to lag at times. Koontz brings in a lot of different characters to the point that they sometimes feel more like filler than real characters. I also thought the truck stop encounter and the adventure that follows just did not seem to fit that smoothly into the story and got it off track for a little while. It also started to bother me how everyone who meets Jane accepts what she says as gospel truth. She comes into contact with numerous strangers in this novel and they all just seem to fall in line with her story making things a little too smooth (although helping to move the story along). Overall, the story seemed a little longer than it really is but was still an overall satisfying read and left me eagerly anticipating the next book. I would recommend for any fans of thriller or suspense novels as well as Koontz fans.

I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for this review copy. The Whispering Room is available now.

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz 11/21/17

Scrappymags 3-word Review: My girl-crush continues!

Genre: Thriller/action/mystery

Shortest Summary Ever: Jane Hawk, rogue FBI agent continues hunting the people responsible for the death of her husband, but a full-on manhunt of Jane is underway as she’s been put on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Oh snap!

What’s good under the hood: if you read my review of The Silent Corner you know Jane Hawk became my instant book girl crush – a badass who is smart, manipulative, tough, human and isn’t some tacky damsel-in-distress cliche’. She’s wicked smart. She’s not falling while she’s running or relying on some guy to save her. She calculating and lethal. She’s everything I want to be… in a book! That bad-ass nature continues here where deeper layers of the new Manchurianesque-world emerge.

The pacing is swift, the story sharp and pages flew by much like the first.

What’s bad or made me mad: The story didn’t advance as much as it did in the first (a curse of many trilogies) but was capable in moving fast enough to keep me in love with the series.

Recommend to: Fans of the first book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and making me feel like the greatest bad-ass chic on the face of the earth!

It actually feels like it has been longer than six months from when I read the first book in this series - The Silent Corner: A Novel of Suspense (Jane Hawk)! But I had really enjoyed that one by the end, and so I was looking forward to starting this sequel which picks up right where the first book ended. But, despite some initial action, the beginning still felt like it moved a bit slowly, but like the first book, by the ending, the pacing really picks up! I really liked the new characters that are introduced here and the premise behind this thriller at times feels terrifyingly plausible as it provides a sinister explanation in what feels like the increase in violence that is so present today. And the ending really leaves me curious to see where the next installment will go!

I definitely plan on continuing with this series, though I admit that I overall still liked the first book more than this one - though I am not really able to articulate exactly why... it's a solidly entertaining book. There are some details that are a little unbelievable though, for the most part this paints a horrifying possibility. It will definitely be interesting to see where the third book will take Jane!

This novel is the second offering in the Jane Hawk series following "The Silent Corner". When the death of her husband was determined a suicide, Jane was sure that it was not. After placing her 5 year old son in hiding with friends, she embarks on a search for the truth. Jane is on the run from her former employer, the FBI, as she frees several children from mind controlling nanotechnology at the Iron Furnace school. Partnering with Sheriff Luther Tillman, Jane secures a hiding place for the children. In Sheriff Tillman's town, a popular elderly Minnesota teacher, Cora Gunderson created an act of terrorism by blowing up a hotel with her SUV filled with gasoline containers. Cora killed 42 people along with a congressman in the resulting inferno. The FBI starts to investigate the bizarre crime, but seemingly abandons it after only a short time. Sheriff Tillman finds Cora's diaries which send him to the Iron Furnace school where he teams up with Jane in time to help rescue a few of the children held against their will at the school.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for fans of Dean Koontz. I am looking forward to the third installment in the series, "The Crooked Staircase", in June 2018.

The Whispering Room is a diabolical tale of nanotechnology used for power and control by a few bad actors—a chilling premise. This thriller uses 21st century science to both educate and horrify the reader. Koontz’s lyrical style acts to calm the frightening aspects of the story.
His characters development is excellent. Jane Hawk is a rogue FBI agent whose life has been permanently changed by these power-seeking bad guys. Luther Tillman, the sheriff in a small town in Minnesota, will suffer the same fate. Yet both show compassion and resolve despite their losses. I cared for each of these characters. In contrast, the bad guys were as despicable as Jane and Luther were likeable. I found all the characters true to their role in the story.
Koontz’s vivid descriptions of the climate helped to set the scene and tenor. From the snows of Minnesota to the balm of the Southwest, he successfully presents the weather as a minor character.
Words mesmerize me. They always have, from my earliest reading experiences. Finding an author who can make words sing is like discovering the golden pot at the end of a rainbow. Dean Koontz is that type of writer. While reading The Whispering Room, I found myself pausing many times to reread a paragraph that particularly sang for me.
One of the greatest benefits of reading is that it makes you think. In trying to decide how to review this book, I pondered the difference between craft and talent in writing. I have read many authors who are good at crafting a story, but still do not capture the ah-ha response from the reader. That is where the art of writing comes into play. Dean Koontz is a masterful storyteller who has the talent to tell a compelling story with a lyrical voice and a clarity of description.
I have not read the first Jane Hawk book— The Silent Corner will be the next biij that I read. Il also look forward to The Crooked Staircase in the Spring.

I was sent this Advanced Readers Copy by BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading Dean Koontz books since the 80’s! He’s an all time fave I’d rather read than Stephen King ( sorry King fans)

This is a relatively new series, #2 in Jane Hawk novels. I love the majority of his books, his last series, Odd Thomas was one of my favorites. He doesn’t disappoint in this newest series either, IMO

Jane is a heroine! This is a sequel to the SILENT CORNER, & I found this book to be a page turner. Considering it has close to 500 pages, I read it every spare moment, taking it with me at places I knew I’d need to wait, at home, before bed & in between time when I had spare time

People all around Jane, including her husband, are committing suicide, which pushes her into the super powerful heroine she is, in finding out why? Why are these people,doing this? Sends her young son away to protect him while she’s doing her thing, but this is a very wicked entity at work which she must figure out. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, I don’t want to wreck anything by saying too much, but it’s Koontz at his best, with an ending that’s what he’s really good in doing. Typical Koontz, but typical for him = awesome!

Won this in a bookish contest. Many thanks to both Bookish & Bantam Publishing. In return I’ve given an honest review

With ever-advancing technology available to wider and wider audiences, some feel it's only a matter of time before that technology is used against Joe Everyman on a massive scale. This superbly written story brings that fear to life and delves deep into the consequences that come from the loss of free will and thought.

Deeply insightful, with a cast of characters that draw out an emotional response in each chapter. I felt especially drawn to the plight of Cora Gundersun, and the honor and integrity of Sheriff Tillman. I did not, however, particularly care for Jane and that, in my opinion, is a prime example of the brilliant writing of Dean Koontz. Jane Hawk is largely unlikeable. She is cold, distant, ruthless - which is exactly how you would expect a person on the run, bent on the survival of herself and her child, to act. Though I did not ever come to like her, I continued to root for Jane and was often impressed by her skills and determination.

Throughout each page, there are insights into human character and the vital importance of true independence. It was a fascinating, heart-racing, soul-jarring book. From the moment I picked it up, I struggled to put it down and ultimately finished it in three sittings. I am so glad to have this excellent novel on my shelf, and look forward to reading more about Jane Hawk in novels to come!

The Whispering Room picks up where we left Jane Hawk at the end of The Silent Corner. Once again Dean Koontz has created a horrifying world of possibilities. Not with traditional mad men swinging machetes or axes, or what we would normally consider zombies. In fact, its all the more terrifying because it begs the question "What if?"

In The Whispering Room, Koontz keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how much longer Jane's luck is going to hold out. Hawk is a brilliantly written protagonist. She's smart, I mean really smart. But more than that, she has a flexibility of mind and morals, that allows her to think on her feet and adapt as the situation changes.

Hawk is also starting to really understand how deep this particular rabbit hole is. Her reality is really starting to sink in and understanding for how far she could fall and the consequences if she does. In fact, we see several of these scenarios played out, at both the micro and macro levels. Koontz does a great job of keeping the playing field balanced, but providing unexpected resources, just when Hawk needs them.

But how long will her luck hold out? You'll have to find the Whispering Room yourself. I can't wait to see how the long game plays out.

I received a free Kindle copy of The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz courtesy of Net Galley and Random House, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, the store, Barnes and Noble and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.

I requested this book as I read the first Jane Hawk novel and found it engaging and an interesting read. This is the third novel by Dean Koontz that I have read.

This book continues the story of Jane Hawk and her attempts to find out why her husband supposedly committed suicide. As with the first book in the series this one continues to go at a fast pace and continues the development of the main character.

What I find most intriguing about this series is that the author has taken what is typically a male role and uses a woman instead showing that they also have the intestinal fortitude to seek out the truth no matter what the consequences may be.

I recommend this book to fans of Dean Koontz and those who are looking for a different twist on these types of book, but I strongly recommending reading the first book in the series first.

Dean Koontz delivers another great book in the story of Jane Hawk. I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz and I love this series. I like the way Koontz is developing the character of Jane Hawk. She's so complicated and Koontz makes it easy to connect with her. I couldn't put my IPad Kindle down because I had to keep reading. I can't wait for the next book!

The Whispering Room is a wonderful second book a new Dean Koontz series. I highly recommend this book, but strongly suggest that our read the first book in the series, The Silent Corner so you will have the maximum understanding and appreciation of the characters and the story. Jane Hawk, former FBI agent, continues her search to uncover a plot that involves mind control that makes well-adjusted, intelligent, and successful individuals kill themselves. Jane’s persistence allows her to connect the dots in this immense web of treachery. Jane is joined by Sheriff Luther Tillman whose town is impacted by one of these seemingly random suicides. The action is non-stop and the pacing is relentless. Koontz effectively uses parallel plot lines as well as multiple perspectives to create an exciting and thrilling story. Dean’s masterful prose are mesmerizing and envoys powerful images and emotions. Jane Hawk is one of my favorite characters because she is a smart, no-nonsense, relentless, and kick-butt protagonist. If you are a Dean Koontz aficionado, you will love this book. For new Dean Koontz readers, this series is a great place to start. I am really looking forward to future books in this series.

Dean Koontz is a master craftsman, and his medium is English. He is a rare author where it is enjoyable to have him use more words rather than fewer. The words he uses are deliberate and descriptive. As such, I find his books to be very enjoyable to read.

The Whispering Room is book two in the Jane Hawk series, and picks up days after the events at the conclusion of the Silent Corner. Jane continues her chase to unveil the conspiracy of a powerful cabal of power players who have developed a serious strategy for control of the world using nanotechnology. Jane is persona non grata with them and as such is on the top of all "most wanted lists" in US law enforcement.

In Jane Hawk, Koontz has created a powerful and yet vulnerable protagonist. This book really exposes her humanity as she encounters people throughout her journey criss crossing the country. I find myself rooting for her and really liking her on her quest for the right. This is book two, of a series, which would be best read in order. I am left anxiously awaiting the arrival of The Crooked Staircase, the next book in the Jane Hawk saga.

"The Whispering Room" is a compelling novel, providing a gripping plot and enough intrigue to keep us turning the pages. The premise is cutting edge, with the potential for nanotechnology to be abused and wreak havoc in so many ways. The problem with this book is that Koontz, a talented writer for sure, goes way overboard in descriptions. At times, the story is bogged down with overwrought verbiage that is just not necessary. The reader is inundated with so many metaphors, we forget what we're reading. In addition, there are too many scenarios that truly challenge the suspension of disbelief, where one cannot help emit an, "Oh, come on" retort to Koontz' story. This would easily be a four or five star book to me if the excess verbiage was cut down somewhat and there was just a little more character development. That story drags on about a 100 pages too long. Still, the book is an entertaining read and I would recommend it. Be aware of the metaphors!

With his inimitable descriptive phrases and mastery of the English language Dean Koontz puts you right there with Jane Hawk as she continues to fight evil. Jane is an FBI agent on leave who went rogue after the death of her husband. in The Silent Corner. The struggle continues against the nanotechnology conspiracy but with new new morally depraved bad guys, more government involvement, and and an interesting plot twist that shows us more of Jane's tenderness. In this episode Lone Ranger Jane has a sidekick in a small town sheriff as she crisscrosses the country in the fight against evil. We meet several other well developed characters who believe in Jane and help her along the way even though she is America's most wanted fugitive. I loved Bernie and would like to see more of him. Jane's ability to escape is almost beyond belief and would translate well to the screen. This book combines Wonder Woman with Orwell's 1984 and a bit of Die Hard. It definitely left me wanting more of Jane Hawk, which thankfully is in the works. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy. And thank you Dean Koontz for not letting the dog die.

Dean Koontz is a versatile author whom I suspect could write anything he set his mind too. Phantoms, Watchers and Odd Thomas along with all his other books over the last 40 or so years is proof of that. Now we have Jane Hawk, still yet another amazing character with still yet another story to tell. A follow-up to The Silent Corner, this series is an up-to-date good vs evil struggle regarding mind control (a tech nerd just reported on the news that indeed we will reach a point where we will give up Apple watches/phones since Google will be implanted in our brain!). With brain implants, mind control will then be a fact, right!!??

Other reviewers have expounded on the story structure so let me just say that this series is a grab-hold-and-hang-on kind of book full of suspense. Jane is tough as nails and determined (as any mother would be once her child(ren) are threatened and her husband unexpectedly commits suicide) so the reader will root for her from the beginning. Mr. Koontz is one of my favorites so this exciting series is no surprise. Highly recommended read!

A masterpiece! Wonderfully detailed! For instance, on page 18 the silence was so thick you could cut it with a knife when Jane called out into the stillness, "Hello? anyone home?" I actually felt the silence as it gathered around her and filled the room as she waited patiently. Jane knew what she must do. Great title, THE WHISPERING ROOM, is filled with intrigue, suspense, and unforgettable characters from an amazing author. Dean Koontz will send your mind reeling as you delve deep into a never-forget-read. A read that will haunt you, even in the daylight hours.

Jane Hawk, a rogue agent was trying to find out what was happening to everyone. In her search will she be driven deeper into danger? Will there be more killings? Who could she trust? Would Jane become a victim? A Statistic?

In part one Cora Gunderson is being awakened from a dream by her dog Dixie Belle. She had this same dream two nights before. Why? As Cora followed her dog through the house, she realized something was about to happen, but what? She couldn't quiet figure it out, and she didn't want to take the time to think about it either. She was in a hurry.

The Whispering Room, by Dean Koontz, is the second book in the Jane Hawk series. I strongly recommend reading them in order.

Jane is on the run again. In the first book of the series, Jane was on a quest to tell the world the truth about her husband's suicide. As a former FBI agent and now a fugitive, Jane is adept at dealing with the challenges in her journey. During her journey, she discovers more questionable deaths. There are many evil people who are against her discovering the truth. These people have no heart and no problem with murdering people to keep things quiet. That is why, despite how annoying Jane can be, you want to know more about this secret.

It is also a journey that proves Dean Koontz still knows how to scare you. The secret that the evil people are trying to hide seems very real. It brings chills to your bones knowing that this could easily happen. Koontz masterfully combines science fiction with horror. I give this book five stars because of how this story was woven.

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz is the second Jane Hawk book, and it delivers just as much as the first book if not more so.
The first book covered:
The method: nanotech in the brain, and
The victims: People who are judged to be game-changers, people who could change the future
Elimination:The nanotech is making people commit suicide on command.

Now, not only do the nanotechnology implants pose a threat to those implanted, but to everyone else, since the implants can take over the mind completely and program them to eliminate others, even entire buildings full of people.

The worst part of knowing someone who has been implanted is knowing they can never be made themselves again, just a shell of who they were, enslaved to a neural network that destroys the person inside. Jane's research is taking her to a resort town, and a Sherriff from small town Minneapolis is following clues leading there as well. What will happen there? What will they learn there? Will they meet? You won't want to miss a moment!

I can't wait for the next Jane Hawk book!

This book is the second book in his amazing thriller series with ex-FBI agent Jane Hawk and just gives me the creepy shivers just thinking of the premise of total mind control that is so complete you don't even realize you're no longer YOU anymore.

Jane has discovered that Far Horizons has created an "upgrade" that they are testing out in the small resort town of Iron Furnace, the entire population of which are basically enslaved. Everyone except for the children under 16 are now property of Far Horizons and for the children it's only a matter of time to age before they're "fixed" just like their families were. Jane Hawk, with the help of Sheriff Luther Tillman, who is led to Iron Furnace while investigating the death of his townspeople in a horrific mass murder/suicide from an unlikely suspect must work together in an effort to free the children from a fate worse then death.

This was an edge of your seat, gripping thriller that will have fans of Koontz screaming for more by the last page! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I read “The Silent Corner” and was curious as to how Mr. Koontz would advance the plot in this book. It was difficult for me to finish this novel, I picked it up and put it down. It starts right where the other book ended with our hero, Jane Hawk still running and trying to chase down the #1 head of the conspiracy and financier of the operation.

I have to be honest and say that I really didn’t enjoy this book very much. There is literally no character development and it’s just a chase and run book. In Silent Corner we had the freshness of his new character, Jane Hawk, to investigate and the beginning of that book was very interesting as she tried to figure out why all of the suicides were being committed. In this book she has figured out that there is a conspiracy, knows that there are brain implants being controlled by “them” and that they are using this “technology” to try and somehow purify the race. In this book she has to even take out a colleague because he also has been taken over by the brain implant. Of course power and money are really behind the plot, same old, same old, same old.

I did enjoy some of the other characters, in particular Luther Tillman who is the sheriff of a small town that has experienced a suicide attack. He begins to investigate Cora who seems willing to commit suicide and take innocent people with her. However a government agent shuts down the investigation and Cora’s house is burned to the ground. The discovery of her journal with her repeating such phrases as she has “a spider in her brain” leads Luther to continue his own investigation.

What makes Jane’s investigation so difficult is that government agencies are involved at all levels and she can trust no one.

I think I’m probably the only one who enjoyed “Ashley Bell” because it was a variation from his rogue agents and the chase and run format. I have trouble suspending belief that any real woman, no matter how well trained, would be able to do what Jane Hawk does. I think it would make it more interesting if she had some allies, more developed characters that we could get to know.

My husband is a big Koontz fan and I was truly trying to see what he found so likable about his writing. I think if you are just looking for a quick read with lots of gunfights and chasing then you will probably enjoy this book. I like my thrillers with more unusual and unique plot lines and a feeling of tenseness throughout, I didn’t find that here.

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

Jane Hawk returns from Koontz's previous novel "The Silent Corner". If you read TSC, you know it ended in preparation for a new series by Koontz starring Hawk and her relentless pursuit of the people responsible for her husband's death. This is a good story, though I prefer Koontz's supernatural-themed thrillers. This one is like the previous one, concentrated more on the technological thriller side of things. The book moves along at a steady pace and Koontz has found a very interesting angle to approach with Hawk and her adversaries. Hawk's humanity is constantly reminded to us by the presence of her son and her love for him. If not for that, she might appear a little ruthless and unstoppable at times.

I have read most of what Koontz has published over the years, and these are good. I just hope he doesn't try to drag them on too long like he did with the Odd Thomas series. Those middle books sometimes seemed nothing more than filler. It's better to give Hawk three or four great books than seven mediocre ones.

It's brilliantly written and avoids the trap many middle books in utilities fall into. This book, thankfully, is a story that concludes itself while carrying the story to the next book. The problem I have is the same as the first book. You have this string, brilliant female protagonist but are reminded on every. single. page. that she's attractive and how attractive and - did we mention that she's attractive. It's an embarrassing, annoying overemphasis that insults female readers. Would you overkill the superficial comments on a male character? No. I don't know if Koontz thinks he needs to emphasize her appearance to balance (?) her intellect? To excuse it? This character is smart, savvy and resourceful. Her appearance is not her main strength and maybe someone should tell the author. Maybe it isn't off-putting for a male reader but it's annoying and a bit insulting for a female reader. Let Jane be strong. We get it. She's pretty. But the mentions....just stop. That's why I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars.

I watched the news a few days ago and, as with every time I watch the news, I wonder how so much tragedy can occur in day to day life. How can people do these kind of things to each other? What if all of these attacks was caused not by the explanations that the news gives us - but by another inexplicable force?

Jane Hawk continues her battle a few days after the events in The Silent Corner, and it seems certain that she will fall in this book. There are so many bends and turns in this novel, and it feels like there is no way that she will escape survival by the end of the series. However, my love for Jane has grown since the first novel, and Koontz has added a few characters that will make the third in the series even more interesting.

As with the first book, I was very happy that the action is pretty much constant. The short chapters remained,  and Koontz is amazing in both his imagery and keeping secrets away from the reader to build suspense. Although I preferred the writing style in The Silent Corner a bit better, the buildup, especially in the first 10 chapters, is amazing. Just the first 10 chapters made me realize that I would like this book more than the first. Koontz did not disappoint with this. 

Although this novel feels like an extended action movie, to the point where you can easily visualize the scenes, this is better than a movie. The reasoning I have for this is due to Koontz' ability to have a valid explanation for everything Jane does. In an action movie, you see the character do some act, with no reasoning to explain why. I don't know why I do not get it, but it probably has to do with the fact I am not a trained FBI agent. However, every move in a fight scene, every strategy that Jane does, is explained. This explains why I love Jane so much. 

If you do not know me yet, I also need to love the main character. If I dislike the main character, I have a very difficult time enjoying the novel. And I loved Jane Hawk in this novel. You really want her to succeed. You want her to face no harm. You want to tell her that everything will be okay, and share a vodka and coke with her. And, unlike the first novel, you start to get attached to Jane and feel like you know her. It is very clever of Dean Koontz. The slow character development reflects Jane's nature: she doesn't let anyone in. In this series, she is definitely making you work to get to know her. And I do. I really do. 

Overall, Koontz shows a very scary world - one that, part way through the book, made me wonder if I wanted to keep living it by continuing to read. Then I realized - maybe I am living in this world, and I just don't know it. Koontz makes us question the reality that is our world, whether the reality we see is really true, and what type of secrets do the people who have power over us have that we don't know about. 

While reading, I thought of the best song that could accompany this book: Old Devils by William Elliott Whitmore. I would check it out if you like the questions and the darkness that this world portrays. 

Who Should Read This Book:

If you loved The Silent Corner.
If you thought The Silent Corner was only okay.
You like continuous action in a novel.
You like strong female leads
You like good character development
If you like short chapters.
You question the world and everything in it. 
You don't question the world and everything in it (maybe you should :P)

Love, love this continuing story of ex-FBI agent Jane Hawk on the hunt for a bunch of big-time baddies who use some sort of a microchip in people’s brains, called nanotechnology I believe, to control the world. Such a fascinating fast–paced techno-thriller, I’m telling you. In fact, I think I dig THE WHISPERING ROOM even more than THE SILENT CORNER. I was so immerse in it that nothing else came to matter. Well almost. I had to work, darn it. Koontz even manages to throw in some heartfelt moments in between nonstop action sequences. That’s what I love most about this author, the way he creates protagonists that never fail getting to me. Sure his exciting plots are what hook you but it’s his well-defined characters—not to mention his always impressive narrative—that make the journey all the more worthwhile. Suffice to say I look forward to book three and, yes, I will always be in Jane Hawk’s corner, silent or not. The girl’s too much of a cool rogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Koontz still maintains his descriptive writing skills, but his focus and character development have shifted, and not in a positive way. Many of his previous protagonists have often been endearing in sort of a goofy way. They don't quite fit the conventional mold, and suffer the same kinds of self-doubt we all experience. But Jane Hawk is Superwoman, a heroine along the lines of Clancy's Jack Ryan or Ludlum's Jason Bourne who, frankly, do it better. There's also sort of a deus ex machina quality that pops up. The beautiful and appealing college student is suddenly revealed as 'adjusted'. How? No idea. And the finale with the uber-villain is one of those "huh?" moments.

This is probably heresy to Koontz devotees, but we can wonder whether he's reaching a point of diminishing returns like prolific writers sometimes do--Heinlein and Grisham, for example--, or is he taking the Clancy route and getting a bunch of help?

What would happen if someone discovered a way to make anyone into an assassin? Unlimited power, wealth beyond your imagings, sexual servitude, and corruption and evil explode.

The Whispering Room immediate follows Jane Hawks experiences and discoveries from The Silent Corner. She is following the trail of the power-players using the nano-tech to control minds and being hunted by the people she is hunting for. You can never know who is friend or foe because your friend can be controlled and under their power and you’d never even know it.

Suspense-filled, action intense and sure to get your pulse pounding. Really good read. I love Jane Hawk as a contemporary heroine but the story didn't take much progression from the previous novel. You learned a little more but most of it was just too similar to her last experiences in THE SILENT CORNER.

I received this ARC copy of The Whispering Room from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am an on and off again Koontz fan and I must admit that I have not read the prequel to this book, The Silent Corner. The beginning chapter instantly grabbed my attention and I was pretty sure this was going to be a fun ride. The characters were bold and immediately intriguing. As I read, I found The Whispering Room to have the same general theme as the Frankenstein series (which I loved) with elite, wealthy intellectuals and their strive for totalitarianism. Overall. the first 20% of this book read slightly slow for me as I believe that the author was supplying background from the first novel. Even not reading the first book, I felt it was a little too much and a bit repetitious. The author is often "wordy" for my personal tastes. I don't need paragraphs to understand scenic beauty, apartment decorations, etc. One or two well formed sentences does the job quite well. I must admit that his words are crafted beautifully but (for me) - it was too much. This is just a personal preference and no way detracts from the story. I probably skimmed a fifth of the novel that I felt was just too wordy.

Koontz creates wonderful characters that you can love and hate. I find it impossible to lose myself in a story without characters you can connect to. From this novel and past ones I have read, I believe that his strength does lie in his character development and he didn't disappoint in The Whispering Room. I must say that although a minor character, I especially adored that of Grandpa Bernie.

I would have preferred a 400 page story with less (beautifully constructed) fluff to the 500+ page novel. I did really enjoy this story even though it felt like a reconstructed theme. The book is fast paced which encourages the reader to push to the end. I think had the novel been about 100 pages shorter, I would have given it a 5 star rating. As it is, The Whispering Room deserves a solid 4 stars and I will be reading The Silent Corner next then waiting anxiously for a third installment in the series.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

You have to both love and hate the wordsmith that is Dean Koontz. He is a firm believer in the style of “why use two words when you can use six” and always throw in ‘like’ (approximately 400 times) so the reader understands that you are about to over describe the underside of a rock. Granted, it is not that bad, but after a while, you would not be surprised if it was mentioned.

As a sequel to ‘The Silent Corner’, Jane Hawk continues on the course of eliminating the people and institution that caused not only her husband’s suicide but also the deaths of 8,400 persons per year that that an algorithm has decided are leading people away from an ideal society.

Not sure how many books are planned for this series, but the second outing reminded me of the lull in a stand-alone where you are not quite sure in which direction the characters are going and they are doing their best to regroup before a thunderous conclusion. Jane Hawk spends most of the book jaunting back and forth across the country with multiple costume changes and near the end the author decides that it is a good time to mention characters from the first book. Thankfully, a wizened traveling companion for Jane was added that livened thing up a bit, and here is to hoping he will reappear further down the line since he was the only highlight of the book.

Yes, you will have to read the first book to understand the second, but if it were not for the first, you would not want to read the second. Hope that made sense since book two is a major let down and hopefully, Dean Koontz and his editors will be able to get this series back on track and someone will earn their paycheck by word searching “like” and tossing most of them out.

Please don't think badly of my 3star review. I liked the book but just didn't love it. I have been a big fan of Dean Koontz's books for a long time. I've read most of his earlier work up to the Odd Thomas series. He is a captivating, thrilling writer of suspense.

I did not read, Silent Corner, the first book in the Jane Hawk series but can attest to the fact that this book stands on its own. I didn't feel as though I was missing anything from the previous story but I am now intrigued as to how Jane Hawk has become a rogue FBI agent.
Expressive writing, in-depth world building and character development. A few twists. Quite a bit of action but, I felt, a little anti climactic. Jane was chasing after something/someone while being chased herself.
I'm not sure what the next book in the series will bring but I do feel invested enough to want to find out.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine Bantam for the opportunity to read this novel.

It's Koontz so it is automatically better than the vast majority. My two stars are rating TWR against his other works. Technical over reach by Koontz - needed a much better understanding of nano-device and nano-device communication technology to be plausible. Prose and verbal visuals are great as always. Pace was erratic, but interesting enough to complete - just seemed too long and or too slow in some spots. IMO the book ends anti-climatically - as if he just got tired of the story and or realized it go on indefinitely without a logical ending. Not the best of Koontz work.

I have not read a Dean Koontz book in a lot of years. When I was offered this book, I thought it sounded really good and captivating. This book is a sequel to The Silent Corner which introduces the reader to a new heroine, Jane Hawk, whose husband committed suicide. Jane is on a mission to find out the truth. In The Whispering Room, Jane continues her search for the truth in the trail of a secret cabal of people who think that they are above the law.

As usual, Mr.Koontz's writing is amazing as the story slowing pulls the reader in and doesn't let go. With believable characters and the continuation of a story that had me wanting more.

I totally was immersed in the storyline and definitely want to read more by Mr.Koonz!
This review was voluntary!

Dean Koontz has been publishing popular novels for almost 50 years now, starting in his early 20s -- essentially a child prodigy in literary terms.

This book is a sequel to "The Silent Corner", and pits powerful bad guys who are killing people to achieve their power-hungry ends against a rogue FBI agent heroine out to stop them and find some measure of revenge.

The book is excellent for it's genre, which is not my favorite, though I branch into it occasionally for some variety. I'm more of a sci-fi and clinical mystery fan, so some of the violence and depraved killing in Koontz's work doesn't attract me, which is my only reason for docking a star. However, his story-telling skills are and always have been riveting. So while I don't seek out his work, I occasionally partake when I run across it, as I did with this Vine selection.

If you're a Koontz fan, you'll be eager devour this book. :-)

I read Silent Corner after purposely not reading any of Mr. Knootz' books since Mr. Murder mostly because I wanted to see how it would compare to Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield. Some aspects of Knootz' Jane are similar to Perry's Jane. Once beyond those similarities, they become their own selves. I like Jane Whitefield. I find Jane Hawk unbelievable. Or, at least the story lines. I read The Whispering Room out of curiosity and found it too long (200 pages too long), more descriptive than needed, ultimately thinking it's a good thing this is fiction. I don't like the body snatcher aspect of both. I don't get how a well-respected agent (regardless of the current atmosphere) becomes a rogue and murderer. In Corner, she picks up money right and left. In Whisper, money seems to be no problem. No one is able to take control of their own selves and commits suicide or acts of violence against others--all completely out of character. I find it interesting that Jane has a lot on the ball until she gets into situations where she has to help others and then she seems to forget to take precautions. I found it convenient that a small town sheriff becomes a scapegoat and loses his wife and daughter to the evil of this book. I did enjoy her involvement in helping the grandmother, mother, and daughters. In Silent Corner, it was acceptable that Jane had nowhere to turn. Now it's just tedious. I don't understand why she hasn't tried to get her truth out. Because of the violent acts committed with suicide, I can't believe there would be no public shock and outrage or others looking into the causes. Consequently, I hope this series isn't one of those long drawn out affairs because at some point I will no longer read them because it's just all too incredible.

Jane Hawk is one major bad a$$ woman! We need more women like her in the books we read. Not only is she super smart and an expert at so many things, she is like an UFC cage fighter. I definitely would not want to be caught in a dark alley with her.

On the run, with her picture in every post office in America, Jane is trying to get to the bottom of her husband's death. The charge she is running from.

What Jane uncovers is crazy out there, but made believable. I fell for it, hard. Full of action, plot twists you will NEVER see coming and an ape sh$t crazy way to take over the world through control.

A read that I thoroughly enjoyed, sped right through and could not put down. I am definitely loving this new series by the author.

Thanks to Random House Ballantine and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This book is thick and intimidating and I wondered how I was going to get through it, but from the very first page, I was hooked. I used to read all of Koontz's novels. I loved The Watchers and Lightning and others of that type. Then something changed and he got more into the paranormal. They were too weird and dark for me, so I quit. Then, I found this one. Wow. It's classic Koontz with all the conspiracy theories and wounded heroes and page turning plot. This is the 2nd in a series, and I had missed the first, so I immediately went and borrowed the first from the library. I haven't started it yet, but I will be today! Jane Hawk is a tortured but likeable former FBI agent on the most-wanted list of every police agency in America. How she evades capture and wins the trust of others is brilliant. You will not be able to put this book down, so make sure you have a block of time or you may have to call in sick!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my fair review.

Koontz has provided us with a razor-sharp thriller involving a rogue FBI agent on the run, mind-control, twisted conspiracies, bizarre suicides, hi-tech surveillance, hidden pockets of survivors, distrust, paranoia, gun battles, and all kinds of continual non-stop action. He effectively combines elements of crime thrillers and science fiction elements and provides one helluva rocking story.

Thanks to Random House -Ballantine for providing a copy of this book for review. Normally I avoid popular airport newsstand authors, but I am glad to have finally discovered Koontz. This is actually book two in the series, but I found that, while reading "The Silent Corner" would have been helpful, it was not a prerequisite. What was at stake - freedom, individuality, personhood - was made quite clear.

Jane Hawk is a bold new heroine in a strange new world where no one can ever be fully trusted again. Do you want to play Manchurian?

The Whispering Room has Jane Hawk still on the run. Her options are running thin while she hopes to find the people responsible for the death of her husband and for the threat to her young son. It hasn’t taken her much time to realize that many, many more people are affected. While first on leave from the FBI, she is now on their most wanted list, and is also being chased by ruthless killers. She finally finds a man that she is certain can help her and her cause, but that ends up not panning out either. Jane is determined to find someone to help her to get to the bottom of this incredible conspiracy where mind control is at play. The picture is huge, as the bad guys are equally mixed in with the supposedly good in Koontz's second book in this series. The action begins on page one and anxiously carried me right through to the end.

In The Whispering Room, and the entire Jane Hawk series to date, Mr. Koontz has found that sweet spot of government and corporate "rule the world" conspiracy. In addition to Mr. Koontz' amazing and detailed writing style, the idea that his topic, technology to control humans, is a possibility makes the book that much more riveting and frightening. In this installment, Jane continues her hunt to track down and kill the men that were involved in the suicide/murder of her husband. Along the way she meets up with a small town sheriff who is too smart for his own good. It was nice to see someone else in her corner as they tackle the next level of technology enslavement, the whispering room. Read the first book, read this book, and then impatiently wait with me for the next book.

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review.

The Whispering Room is thr 2nd book in Koontz's Jane Hawk series and what a thrilling series.

Jane Hawk is an FBI agent on temporary leave (possibly permanent after all the events of the novels). She is hiding from people who seek to stop her from exposing a huge conspiracy.

There are changed people now out in the world, people who can be controlled and asked to do horrible things. One of those people was Hawk's husband, made to kill himself. Nanotechnology is implanted in their brains causing them to obey any order if activated by the right words. "Play Manchurian with me"

In The Whispering Room, Jane, along with small town sheriff Luther Tillman, set off for a small town that has been turn into a place the Stepford wives would find wonderful. In this town, everyone has been changed and trying to escape proves harder than expected.

This book is not necessarily a fast paced thrilled at all times but it is steady with several peaks of action that will keep you turning the pages.

Looking forward to book 3!

I read the first book in this series, The Silent Corner, and loved it! This next one in the series I loved even more! It is full of suspense, chills, spies and heroes. Jane Hawk is the most wanted criminal by the FBI. But she is not a criminal, she is seeking answers to the apparent suicide of her beloved husband. She is certain there is a conspiracy at the highest levels of government, she and her son were both threatened if she continued seeking answers. She is also an ex-FBI agent and her son is in hiding. In this book, Jane discovers the threat of nanotechnology. Many innocent people have been injected with a control substance and obey orders without question. I truly love all the characters in this book. Jane meets many people, some who mean her harm, and some who become more than friends. Jane is someone you would definitely want on your side. I am anxious for the third and final book in this series!

Once again, Dean Koontz left me breathless from start to finish in his second book of his Jane Hawk series. We pick up in The Whispering Room immediately following the end of The Silent Corner, and this time Jane gets a helping hand from Sheriff Luther Tillman. Luther and his family quickly endear themselves to the reader and I hope to see more Luther in the next book!

In fact, Jane has a way of pulling in the unlikelyest of allies which give the much needed light to this very dark story. Jane's battle with the evil conglomerate is epic and she needs all the help she can get.

There is something about Jane Hawk that I can't get enough of. Her determination to protect her child, and ultimately, the future of mankind, is a thrill to watch. More Jane, please!!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House for providing an advanced copy!

"Haven't you noticed, insanity is the new normal?"

Jane Hawk, the rogue FBI agent still on the run from the aftermath of the first book, she has become hell bent on tracking down everyone involved with the new mind altering technology. The story opens with the death of Cora who is believed to be insane after claiming she has spiders in her brain. But Jane knows the truth ...

This is the second book in the Jane Hawk series. I thought it was a little slow at first, had some intense plots but not enough to keep it moving. But that changed about halfway through the book. There were a lot of new characters, all equally important to Jane's cause. Each chapter switches to a different POV but Dean Koontz did a good job bringing everything back around. And, THE END, worth the read. I believe there are two more books in the series at the time of this review and I can't wait to continue on!

If you aren't paranoid by nature, after reading this series....you might become so, even if it's just a little bit lol. This author is so good at what he does it's actually quite scary how he does it. I have become so lost in Jane's world that I find myself looking at people differently in the real world lmao. I myself suffer from migraines....what could that mean in the long run! Nah just kidding but seriously what a great series so far. Jane has so much information and yet not enough really. There is still so much more to find out I think and hopefully more books to follow. I love that in this book she at least had a little more help than in the first book, but again there are consequences for those involved. "They" know all and can get to you at any time. It's really amazing. Overall another great book full of twists and turns.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is an awesome sequel! This is another Jane Hawk Book. If you haven’t read any Jane Hawk books, welcome to the world of nanotechnology! Where humans are controlled by people who think they can make the world better by killing people off, by controlling entire towns, by making women have no memories and be completely compliant to the men who want to use them. There is a “Hamlet” list and anyone on it needs to be eliminated in order for the world to be “a better place”, according to this group. Jane’s husband was on the list. He “committed suicide”. She knows he was controlled by the nanobots. She is out to make sure no one else does by the hand of this group. Welcome to the world of Jane Hawk!

The Whispering Room picks up right where Jane Hawk left off in The Silent Corner. The story does a good job recapping the first book, so you can read it as a stand-alone, but I still recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

Jane Hawk is a kick-ass, rogue FBI agent on the run to avenge her husband's "suicide". I didn't feel like there was any new character development. In fact, I felt like Jane was more heartless which made it more difficult to feel for her.

I enjoyed the story and the all action. It was basically a non-stop chase. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for a copy of Dean Koontz's "The Whispering Room" in exchange for an honest review.

Koontz is our 21st century Orwell. This is probably his best since the 90's. Gone is the paranormal kitsch that made Odd Thomas challenging to identify with. Gone is much of the supernatural dualism that dragged down many of his recent forays. He's hit on something important with Jane Hawk's story, something we can't ignore. Some may see the conspiracy involving nanotechnology and a population being deliberately curated as overly paranoid, but others will see if for what it is - something that is all but inevitable should such technology be developed and fall into the wrong hands. Jane Hawk is a compelling heroine because she's perfectly positioned between a rock and a hard place - and has what it takes to get out of it. Mad skills for operating off the grid? Check. Defending her only child in the wake of her husband's death? Check. Gives more than a crap about the rest of humanity? Check. It's easy to identify with and root for her because she becomes everyman, the deadly mosquito in the room with the elephant, the ONE we want to see win because she's our only hope. We're all counting on her. This is the stuff of which real superheroes are made.

Just great! This has been a really satisfying sequel to "The Silent Corner". It smoothly starts where the other tantalizing tale left off; it continues with a never ending trail of breathless excitement, adventure, and a good solid conclusion to the second book of this trilogy. The characters, as per the fabulous Mr. Koontz, are all well drawn and either lovable, admirable, or very evil! I really want more and soon!! Apparently we must wait a while for the next and final (?) of this series.

I think this is his best writing in several years. It is the old Dean Koontz alive and well with 2018 modernization. That is, still pure gorgeous prose mixed with quickly paced plotting and that sense of omnipresent wisdom that his best books seem to demonstrate.

Mr koontz really doesn't need reviews. His name is a household word.
His books are scary because they are so totally believable and relatable to today's world.
Nanotechnology is a current hot topic and would sure explain a lot of the stupid stuff happening in our world right now!
Can't wait for my turn for book 3 from the library!
I still remember the first book I read by Mr Koontz when I fell in love with his writing; The Watchers?

As always, Dean Koontz always knows how to spin a tale. With his richly written characters, deeply woven plotlines, and a wonderfully enriched imagination, this book is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.
I was quickly drawn into Jane's fight to find the truth and her struggle with heartache. The story unfolds rapidly. It was interesting to also read a bit of the story from the perspective of a woman who “has a spider who lives in her brain”. The Whispering Room provides another interesting, fast read.
This Jane Hawk trilogy started strong and has a follow up that is just as good as the first. I am really curios to see the final part of this story and how Koontz will wrap up the story.
Looking for a good read? Grab a copy of The Whispering Room.

The second book in this series didn't act as filler or a place to add new characters, like many second in a series or middle book in a trilogy. The evil man identified in the first book is challenged and found wanting. Was he a mere figurehead or had he been unknowingly conquered by a larger cabal? Jane gets an unexpected assistant in the fight, one who pays a high price by joining the battle. We do get a chilling insight into the mindset of the people spreading this plague. It makes one value our independence just a little bit more.
The story moves very fast. I enjoyed the adventure aspects of the book, but the parts that make you stop and think are even more enjoyable. I really like books that slide philosophical ideas in without beating you over the head with them.

500 million books sold. 38 languages. 14 #1 New York Times bestsellers. You don’t hit these kinds of milestones without being a damn great writer. I knew that, but thriller isn’t my genre. Haven’t read it since I was a kid when I used to love scary books. That was until real life seemed scary enough, thank you very much. Lately, I hightail it out of the room when the 10 o’clock news starts as if a quake just hit, and watch Abraham Hicks videos on replay in a desperate attempt to trust in a benevolent Universe.

But because I host a literature podcast (the Beautiful Writers Podcast) and Dean's publisher reached out to me about interviewing him, I thought I’d read the books to see how I felt. That’s when I fell in love with Jane Hawk, the rogue FBI agent protagonist in this series. Dean’s masterful writing had me spellbound. I was totally swept up in the storyline. Sure, I slept with the lights on for a while, but I can’t wait for the next book in this series to do it all over again.

Jane is my shero. She’s intuitive, fearless, and perfectly on time with the times—putting the fear of God into abusive men everywhere. If only we could bring her to flesh-and-blood life. And then clone her on every street corner. I absolutely loved talking Setting and Suspense and Opening Hooks and Dialogue and WHISPERING ROOM specifics with Dean. A career highlight. What a legend. Even if you don’t fancy suspense as your genre, with Koontz as your guide, I think you'll find a whole lotta heart and sanity in the tale. Even after the sun goes down.

This story is well written and an interesting follow-up to the Jane Hawk novel, The Silent Corner. Though this is an intriguing read, this book has a little different feel from the first. Jane is driven to hunt by the loss of her husband and safety for her son. She’s chasing and being chased. I was excited for such a relentless kick-a$$ female character. I’d definitely recommend reading the first book before snagging this one. Though, you could read it as a standalone as long as you don’t mind a little confusion in the beginning. I’m not one hundred percent sure on which way this series is going to go just yet, but it’s definitely worth the read. I enjoy the different stories this author writes. On a side note, I do enjoy when music is mentioned in a story. Kudos! Enjoy!

I quite enjoyed reading Dean Koontz in my teens and early 20s and read everything he published. I haven't been following him as much in recent years because, well, his books have gotten downright silly. The Jane Hawk series has been a return to his earlier, more relatable, more likable heroines and heroes. I'm very much enjoying it - I've been listening to it on audible during my commute. I like the narrator - she's great at creating distinctive voices and accents for the different characters (although her Bernie voice was a little hammy). Maybe it's the way the narrator emphasizes it, but it's starting to get on my nerves how often the phrase "sport coat" appears in the books. Like, 5 times a chapter. I mean, it must be the most oft-repeated phrase in the entire series. What is that??? "Jane put on her sport coat." "Jane changed into a different sport coat." "Jane knew her sport coat disguised her holster." "Jane reached under her sport coat for her heckler." It's a little ridiculous, especially since I don't know anyone else who refers to blazers as "sport coats." That's my main complaint.

This book was almost impossible to put down. Quite honestly, it gave me the wiggins. Without giving too much away, it's centered around subjects like nanotechnology, brain implants, and corruption and mind control at the highest levels. Is such a thing even possible? It's certainly the kind of thing that keeps conspiracy theorists up at night, and just the slightest idea that it could happen is terrifying. Our heroine has everything to gain and nothing to lose by going up against this dark entity, which makes her journey so exciting. The writing is solid and the characters are multi-faceted, something I've come to expect from Koontz's previous works. If you enjoy action and a good thriller, you will definitely like The Whispering Room.

I love Dean Koontz and his style of writing and with that in mind The Whispering Room gave me chills. To think that someone someday might try to do what Jane Hawk is trying to stop in this book. He writes in a way that you are thinking it could really happen. I can’t wait to read about Jane’s next adventure. I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a thriller with the right amount of suspense and surprises.
I do need to read Jane’s first story but even without having read it I was able to follow along with her story and why she was on her mission to begin with.
Luther Tillman is the other main character in the book and we are able to catch a glimpse at his life and world. I hope to see more of him in the next book as well

When I read "The Silent Corner" a few months ago, I hoped there would be future books featuring Jane Hawk and I was thrilled that hope was realized with "The Whispering Room". Jane Hawk is a great character - a true superhero who just happens to be a woman. She's fearless for herself but vulnerable in her fear for her son and loved ones. She's principled and determined to right wrongs wherever she sees them and she takes on some mighty foes.

This book like the previous one is filled with action. Some of the storyline is pretty 'out there' but it wouldn't ve a Koontz book if it weren't. But as far-fetched as some of the ideas are - - - are they really? Who knows!!

Hoping for future adventures of Jane Hawk!!

The Whispering Room had me in thrall from page 1. It's thrilling and suspenseful, but not plot driven. The characters are well-developed, particularly the "good guys. I love Jane! But, I also grew to love the people see meets along the way who are willing to risk their safety, give up their complacency, to help her, when they could have dismissed her as a paranoid woman in need of mental health help. Jane is kick ass, but she has a huge heart, and not just for her son Travis. Jane does some terrible things, but she only does them when she has to. Her reasons are solid. Her opponents are evil, selfish, and venal. Jane's moral center is as strong as her body. It's going to be really hard to wait for the final volume of this trilogy.

Have not read a DK novel in years. Like Stephen King,they both got too creepy in their novels,too much on the gorey side till SK wrote the good Mr. Mercedes series. I have read 1/2 of this book and am enjoying the premise but it would be much shorter w/o ruining the story line if Mr.K. could stop with his over-the-top use of the English language and with his philosophical meandering. I find myself skipping the "deeper" thoughts of Jane. It spoils the flow of the novel for me too often

(I was given a free e advanced reader copy of THE WHISPERING ROOM, but due to health and other issues, I could not finish it until now, but I would have bought it anyway, just thrilled to have this joy of reading.)

Many read Dean Koontz for his horror and suspense. I read him because he makes me laugh, brings me hope in our very fallen world, and his plot twists and character development serve as an amazing examination of conscience, one that usually leaves me squirming and landing on my knees in repentance. The higher, anagogical meaning is what I look for and am never disappointed.

In her essay “The Nature and Aim of Fiction,” found in the collection, Mystery and Manners, Flannery O’Connor writes, “I think the way to read a book is always to see what happens, but in a good novel, more always happens than we are able to take in at once, more happens than meets the eye. The mind is led on by what it sees into the greater depths that the book's symbols naturally suggest. This is what is meant when critics say that a novel operates on several levels. The truer the symbol, the deeper it leads you, the more meaning it opens up.”

O’Connor could have been predicting the work of one of her biggest fans, Dean Koontz, in this essay. He may be known as the “Master of Suspense,” and aptly so, but it’s his use of symbols and their anagogical meaning that has me pondering his works long after I finish them and brings me back to them again. The “suspense” of what happens after earthly life is what he wants his readers to consider and I do, with every novel of his I have read.

THE WHISPERING ROOM, the second novel in what is promised to be a 7-book series features the intrepid and determined Jane Hawk, a rogue FBI agent on the run, investigating a series of deaths while attempting to guard herself and those she loves against the unseen enemies. Having been startled, enthralled and moved to tears by the end of THE SILENT CORNER, the first book in the series, I was anxious to see where Mrs. Hawk would land next in her quest to bring justice for her husband and safety for her son and others imperiled by “them.”

While THE SILENT CORNER is meticulously crafted to introduce the Jane Hawk universe, THE WHISPERING ROOM immediately draws the reader into an intimate scene of the slowly unveiling iniquitous underground. The pace is fast and the mood sinister. Jane’s quest for justice introduces her to some of the most foul and disgusting people one can imagine, as well as some of the bravest and kind. One’s conscience is pricked and left mourning for evil and its web in which we are all entangled. Its end left me puzzling and wondering where Jane was headed next in the quest for justice, an answer that is coming in May 2018, in THE CROOKED STAIRCASE. If you have not read The Silent Corner: A Novel of Suspense yet, I strongly recommend reading it first and then reading the sequel, THE WHISPERING ROOM. I also suggest reading Collected Poems, 1909-1962 or at the very least, finding "The Hollow Men" online to read, as well as reading Flannery O'Connor's The Complete Stories (FSG Classics). A look at CS Lewis and his book The Four Loves will also provide more insight into the deeper meaning of the fantastic Jane Hawk series and the other works of Dean Koontz. Finally, I would add reading a novel by his apprentice of sorts, Frank Redman, ELIJAH: A Suspense Novel and finding Redman's web page online for his Koontz story. Redman's influence on Koontz's writing and his life cannot be exaggerated, as once again, Redman's integrity, bravery, faith, and health battle are featured in the Jane Hawk series, just hidden in the characters' words and actions, just as he served as the inspiration for ASHLEY BELL.
Like most adults, my spare time is limited, so I can cover all my reading needs in one of Koontz's amazing novels-- a spiritual work, a fantastic suspense, a deep romance, a political critique, a futuristic sci-fi thriller, and an examination of conscience, all in one amazing novel.

The thing I like most about this series is the protagonist. I grew up reading about Jason Borne, Jack Reacher, and Mitch Rapp, and I'm loving having a female hero that is just as skilled and competent. This book starts right where book 1 left off. Jane has learns more about what is happening, and gains an interesting ally in Luther Tillman, a small-town sheriff. But the bad guys are everywhere, and the story is basically one continuous chase.

I'm definitely interested to see what happens in book #3. Note: I didn't think this book was an annoying cliffhanger (thank goodness), but there are sure a lot of problems left to resolve.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley/Random House which did not affect my review,

Ahhhh, I just love a Dean Koontz read. Edge of your seat suspense, thoughtful writing, and just a good escape. Book 2 picks up right where the first book ended, and though you probably could read it as a standalone, it is best to read this as a series and in order to get the full effect. Jane Hawk is one bad-ass woman! She is on the run after discovering a plot to use a horrifying technological mind-altering tool that turns previously well-thought of, highly intelligent people into ruthless assassins, and she is hunting down the people behind this diabolical scheme. Oh, and they will rue the day that they cross Jane Hawk's path

I think that telling you I finished this at 4 a.m. might give you an ideas of my opinion on this book. If you want an intense suspense book, look no further. When you read this, make sure to leave plenty of time to read before you read the last third or you will end up doing what I did. Up until that last third, the book is still pretty intense and interesting with many smaller parts that you'll want to read through without putting the book down but it is possible to tasks a break from it and come back later. Now excise me while I go read the first in the series and lament that I have to wait a while for the next.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz is the action-packed very highly recommended thriller and sequel to The Silent Corner.

From the first book in the series, we know that Jane Hawk's husband Nick killed himself, but Jane knows that it wasn't him. There is a foul plot afoot with some powerful men behind it. They are trying to eliminate a specific group of people by making it appear that they are committing suicide, while they are also taking control of other people's free will. Jane has gone rogue from the FBI, and is on the run, but she is intelligent and resourceful enough to begin uncovering bits and pieces of the group's insidious plans

In the beginning of The Whispering Room we meet Cora Gundersun. Cora has been a teacher of the year and is beloved by all who know her. By all accounts she is a wonderful, caring, gentle person. When Cora completes a plan that results in her taking her own life as well as the lives of others, Sheriff Luther Tillman knows that something is amiss. The act does not reflect the person Cora was known to be. Tillman begins his own undercover operation that leads to the widespread conspiracy that Jane is bent on uncovering and revealing.

I really enjoyed The Whispering Room. Admittedly it is not quite as good as The Silent Corner, but it is still excellent. Most second books in a series suffer a bit in comparison to the first, but I'm not holding that against The Whispering Room. I stayed up way-too-late with this one saying "just one more chapter." Now, they are short, quick chapters, but there is enough action that finding a good stopping point was challenging and resulted in many repeats of the "just one more chapter" mantra. In this case I really think that you need to read The Silent Corner before The Whispering Room. Koontz does include information on what happened in the previous book, but it would be helpful and increase your appreciation of this second novel if you read them both in order.

Jane is a wonderfully realized character. She is well developed at this point and a woman to be reckoned with, as she has the knowledge, background, and skills to manage to stay hidden while conducting her own investigation. I really like her. And Koontz knows how to deliver a story and keep the plot moving. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. Koontz manages to combine the action of a thriller with some of the aspects of science fiction, especially nanotechnology. It is reminiscent of Michael Crichton's Prey, but Koontz is making this his own.

While Koontz has written a wildly entertaining novel here, some of the questions it raises can be directly applied to the current atmosphere in the USA today. I'm not going to wax philosophical on this, but if you should choose to go down that path, you certainly could as Koontz has made some compelling arguments about mind control, control of the few over the many, and the existence of absolute evil.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley.

If you had read my review of The Silent Corner, then you know how much of a Dean Koontz fan I am. Not going to bore you with that here but I did do my fangirl routine when I got accepted for the ARC of The Whispering Room. My husband, the poor man, got the brunt of it. He could care less about what I read or my favorite authors. He got an earful about how excited I was about reading the book.

What tickled me about this book was that two of the secondary characters had names I was very familiar with. Luther’s wife name was Rebecca (my 12year old’s name) and his daughter’s name was Jolie (my name). My name is never used in anything, I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen it in a book. I was pretty surprised and excited to see it on such a kick-ass character. I was also pretty amused that the names were reversed with Rebecca being the mother and Jolie being the daughter.

The Whispering Room starts off with a bang. A special education teacher, named Cora Gundersun, does the unthinkable. She drives her car, full of gas and on fire, into a historic hotel where the governor was celebrating its reopening. The sheriff, Luther Tillman, is shocked. This was not the Cora that he knew and was friends with. When the feds muscle in and take over, Luther feels that something is not right. When he reads Cora’s diary, he gets a feeling of unease. But, when her house mysteriously goes up in flames, he decides to look into it. After talking to another old friend, he finds that Cora hasn’t been right since a trip to Iron Furnace. A trip that she one for being teacher of the year. A trip that she came home from with no memories and migraines. Luther decides that he needs to investigate and does it only telling Rebecca and Jolie where he is going.

While all this is going down in Minnesota, Jane is still in California. She is trying to get to David James Michael, the man who called for the death of her husband. Jane’s husband had been injected with nanomachine control mechanisms and then was programmed to kill himself. She goes to an award-winning journalist, hoping he would help her. Instead, she finds out that he is in the pocket of David James Michael and his company, Far Horizons. But, he did give her a lead. He leads her to Randall Larkin, a lawyer associated with Far Horizon. Randall, in turn, leads her to Iron Furnace.

When Luther arrives in Iron Furnace, he realizes that there is something off about the place. Everyone is too happy, too willing to help. Then he meets Jane and is filled with what exactly is going on in that town. After rescuing several children from a prison made up of the programmed townspeople, Jane and Luther take them to a safe place in Texas. Then Jane goes after David James Michael. Luther stays with the children but he has told Rebecca, Jolie and their other daughter Twyla that they need to go off the radar until he can get to them.

But things don’t go as planned. Things happen that change and test people.

Jane was the ultimate ghost in this book. There was nothing that she couldn’t do to get caught. Her devotion to bringing David James Michael to justice for Nick’s death has surprising results. It is those results that changed who she was going after. I loved how strong she was. I also liked how vulnerable she was too. She was doing everything in her power to protect Travis, her 5-year-old son. I worry that Travis is going to become a liability in the next few books. While he is safe where she stashed him, I do wish that she would bring him to Texas. He would be safer there.

I loved Luther. He wasn’t afraid to go after the truth and he was smart enough to understand that he needed to go after it on the down low. I hope that more of him and his family are in the next book because I enjoyed reading about them.

The end of The Whispering Room was fantastic and terrifying. I was on edge the entire end of the book. I cannot wait to read The Crooked Staircase!! I need to see what happens to everyone in book 2 and see where book 3 takes me!!

I enjoyed reading The Whispering Room. Dean Koontz did a great job of drawing me into the story and not letting me come up for breath until the end. I was kept on edge the entire book, not know what will happen next. The plot was fantastic and the characters were 3D. This book is not one that you can read alone, though. You do need to read The Silent Corner to keep up with the lightning fast events in The Whispering Room.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I confess that I do not always read Dean Koontz and, in fact, did not read the first book in this series. That being said, I still found the book thrilling, because Koontz (from what I have read) excels at thrills.

I enjoyed especially the female protagonist here, as well as the book’s tense climax. I would be glad to read another book in this series, and was not lost picking up at book two.

My review is based on an advance review copy.

An excellent storyline captivates you in such a way that you gobble up the book. Mr Koontz has kept me on as an avid fan thru much of my 73 years. This book was a GREAT read and I am really looking forward to the next installment. Jane Hawke is an absolutely believable character. Her determination is inspiring and her dedication to her son is touching. I got so caught up in the plot as to think I was living it. If you are a fan of psychological mysteries, heroic women and truly nasty villains, this is a book for you. You will be as enthralled as I was when you get deep into this new trilogy. Write faster Mr. Koontz, I can't imagine how this story will pan out, but I'm sure it will be thrilling.

I was provided an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley.

The second installment in the Jane Hawk series continues the relentless pursuit of Jane as she pursues the evil faction behind her husband's apparent suicide. Much like the first novel, The Whispering Room has non stop action and more shocking revelations. Its eeriness invokes the fear that our future might hold such inconceivable possibilities, as well. You will find yourself wanting to "test" your family members by ordering them to "Play Manchurian with me." For me, Koontz is the king of creepy, and I am never disappointed when I pick up one of his tales.

This series is pretty captivating. This is book 2 in the series. I HIGHLY recommend you read them in order. I have read many reviews on this series and many of the soso or negative reviews I have read I find further in the reviews the person is reading the books out of sequence! Does not make any sense! As always, Dean Koontz does an exceptional job creating and growing his characters where you feel they are real and you know them...like your favorite TV show's characters. You want to keep reading to find out what happens and how it plays out!

Dean Koontz continues his Jane Hawk series with a lengthy and complex novel far different from his usual formula.

In THE WHISPERING ROOM, we find Jane Hawk, former Quantico star agent, going rogue to uncover the mysterious cartel behind the alleged suicide of her husband as well as dozens of random individuals around the country. She uses her particular skill-set to battle these evil, powerful, wealthy individuals who have been all but untouchable. That is until Jane Hawk made it her mission to bring them all down. Longer than the typical Koontz novel and leaving the door wide open for the next entry in the enjoyable Jane Hawk series.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Bantam Books/Random House for free in exchange for an honest review.
Jane Hawk is back and in more trouble than ever! The Whispering Room picks up where The Silent Corner left off. From the first page, the action is non-stop. Jane is playing a high stakes game of cat and mouse - unfortunately for her, it is hard to determine if she is the hunter or the prey.
Many familiar characters are back. And there is a kick-ass sheriff introduced, who I hope will continue to be an important character in the series.
The pulse-pounding action and suspense kept me up reading well past my bedtime.

Koontz is a brilliant writer. He knows how to create the most unusual situations and set them up in ways that are highly credible. Jane Hawk, the title character in this series, is one stellar rogue woman who will literally stop at nothing to make things right in a world that has gone terribly wrong. Some of the things she does to the members of this sick secret society are a bit humiliating, but I have to remind myself of what they have done and are still doing, and that her no-holds-barred behavior is the only way to stop the progression of their evil.

I cannot join the reviews that praise this book. The concept, a group trying to achieve world domination through mind control is fascinating, but the book put me to sleep. The main character just isn't compelling. Try as I might, I cannot care about this character. The plot is somewhat plodding and boring. It's a great concept and Koontz is an excellent writer, but the way the story is written, it's just dull.

Jane Hawk is a heroine for our time. What started as a quest to prove that her husband did not commit suicide has turned into an effort to stop a global conspiracy using nanotechnology for mind control. It helps, I think, to have read Whispering Room to fully appreciate this followup because this seems more plot driven, although Jane's character does shine through. Some of this might seem way out there but Koontz has been careful to keep things grounded. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is indeed a page turning thriller and I'm looking forward to the next book, not least because I'd like to see what happens next!

Evil has infiltrated government agencies, business, politics, police forces and even small town America! Jane is on the run, (labeled a rogue FBI agent), determined to bring it to light. Good people are dying and good people are killing them! Freedom, including a person's free will, is at stake!
Intrigue and action are intricate in this thriller! Didn't read the first book in the series, but was able to stay with the story. Empathize with Jane and Luther; irate Luther didn't share more info with his family. Good read. 3 1/2 stars.
Voluntarily read ARC through Netgalley and publisher, for honest review.

This is the second installment in the Jane Hawk series. The Whispering room starts off with a bang from the get go right where the Silent Corner leaves. Jane continues her plight to uncover the nanotechnology conspiracy that threatens the world. I enjoyed the first book and I think this second book in the series is better than the first. Yep, better than the first. There is a lot of action and suspense and the story is fast paced. There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Luther Tillman (and I hope he is in the third book!). I am definitely hooked on this series. I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this sequel to The Silent Corner, Jane Hawk is the character we’d like to think we could be, if faced with similar circumstances. We’d all want to be as smart, confident, and as tenacious as she is. This novel is Dean Koontz at his finest. It has all the hallmarks of a great Koontz story. The short chapters keep the plot moving at a perfect pace, with their alternating settings and characters. I was worried about reviewing The Whispering Room because I have not read the first book, but there is a perfect amount of back story woven in that I was up to speed in short order.
A biotech startup called Far Horizons has developed and employed nanomachines that, once they are injected into a person’s bloodstream, can control their thoughts and actions, ultimately resulting in an alarming number of seemingly random suicides of individuals deemed a threat to the new world order Far Horizons seeks to establish. Jane’s mission to expose Far Horizons’ scheme resonates on a personal level as she attempts to avenge her husband’s death and protect her son, and on a global level. She’s out to save the world from Far Horizon’s nefarious plans. The fact that these events seem entirely plausible in today’s world should not be lost on a reader.
As a former FBI agent, Hawk has criminal contacts that are willing to help her, for a price. Coupled with her own knowledge and intelligence, she has nearly all the resources to bring down Far Horizon. Not every contact is helpful, but help comes from unexpected sources as Jane searches for the root of the problem.
I can’t wait to read The Silent Corner and whatever book comes next.

This is the second book in the Jane Hawk series. In the first book, Jane's husband dies by what is seemingly suicide, but she knows better. She deposits their son somewhere that he will never be found, and then takes off on a mission to clear his name, and prove he was murdered. This book picks up where The Silent Corner ended. She has discovered at least a portion of those responsible, and is taking them out one by one.
As much as I loved The Silent Corner, I believe this one is even better. I laughed, I got stressed out, and I was unable to put the book down. This is definitely a must-read!

It's been a while since I have read any books by Dean Koontz and I think I know why after reading The Whispering Room. The story line itself was fine. Jane Hawk is out to stop a madman (and his cohorts) from a crazy plot to basically take over the minds of people in order to promote his/their idea of how life should be. It kept me going as I wanted to see what happened, but didn't make me want to stay up reading all night, either.

It's not the story, but the writing that left me wanting more and I know this puts me in the minority as many people enjoy his writing. I found some parts annoying, to the point where I was counting. example: on about pages 9 & 10. the garage doors are referred to as segmented. Really? On consecutive pages using the same word? Like we don't know they are segmented? Again on page 100 and then again on 291. Have you ever read a book that had to use a word 4 times to describe something so necessary?

Ok, maybe that is something that doesn't bother you, but when words are your business, how about try some other descriptive words. This is just one instance, but it was enough to set the tone for my entire reading experience of this book and it just left me annoyed. It could have been said in far fewer pages, too. It just seemed too descriptive, too long in several areas.

Before Jane Hawk came along, I hadn't picked up a Dean Koontz novel in years. But then along came Jane and I'm hooked. This is the second book in the Jane Hawk series: a rogue FBI agent who is taking on a massive conspiracy that threatens to tear society apart. The Whispering Room picks up where The Silent Corner left off. Hawk's husband has been killed, which leads Hawk to begin looking into a group of people who are trying to create a perfect society by killing off trouble makers and mentally enslaving people for their own uses using a complex nano technology that takes over an individual's mind, allowing them to be controlled. The group has threatened to kill Hawk and her son, who is now in hiding, while Hawk uses her training to hunt and kill the individuals leading the conspiracy.

The novel opens as Cora Gunderson, Minnesota teacher of the year, plans a mass murder that will rock her small town. Hawk immediately recognizes the act as the work of the nano-machines implanted in her brain, but local cop Luther Tillman also notices something out of the ordinary. Tillman and Hawk both independently head to Kentucky where their paths will cross in a chilling "utopia" where the people are carefully controlled and nothing is what it seems.

This all sounds a bit far-fetched, but Koontz manages to make it all seems just realistic enough (and, come on, it isn't like we don't have the technology to do something similar) to be engaging. The story is beautifully written, with lots of prose sprinkled around the fast-paced narrative. Hawk is a tough, flawed and complex character that commands the page. Koontz manages to bring someone that could easily seem unrealistic to fully fleshed-out life and to turn a story that is fantastical into something that you can easily imagine happening here and now.

Like many second entries in a multi-book story, this is a little slower than the first, building up for what will probably explode later in the series. I raced through this book in a day, loathe to put it down. Be sure to read the first in the series, because it is essential to understand the back story. This isn't a story you can pick up in the middle.

Jane Hawk is one of those characters you can't help but admire for her fortitude, cleverness and drive.
She has chosen a path with no backward direction. She must expose those behind the plot that has hurt so many and will potentially destroy many more lives. I loved the first book in this series and was certainly not disappointed in #2. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys, a suspenseful, tight, page-turning (trite, but it's true!) novel.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley.com for allowing me the opportunity to read and review The Whispering Room.

Although not the type of books I usually associate with Dean Koontz, these are great reads. Jane Hawk has stumbled upon a conspiracy involving some of the highest levels of government, the health care system and business leaders. No one can be trusted. No one is safe. A bad-ass deluxe, Ms. Hawk is determined to protect her child at all costs. And the costs are very high indeed. A definite must-read for Koontz fans and all fans who love a good conspiracy thriller.

I love Dean Koontz books and this one did not disappoint. It had an inventive storyline, with two main lead characters that made one completely sympathetic to all their decisions and actions. Jane was a strong, determined female that felt led to not only seek revenge, but do all possible to protect her son. Luther was a wonderful, strong male with integrity and love for his family. This book was a real page-turner and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book for my honest review, but would have gladly paid for this book.

Jane Hawk the new Dean Koontz heroine couldn't be better. The second book in this series is even more compelling than the first. The characters are complex, the plot lines twist and turn and the conspiracy is bigger than Jane could have imagined. The people who lend a hand along this treacherous journey are a wild variety and mix of personalities, every bit as interesting as Jane herself. I believe I have read every Dean Koontz book out there and I have to say he never gets old, the story lines continue to develop, multifaceted jewels..

Koontz is at the top of his game with his Jane Hawk trilogy. His writing is beyond entertaining with a plot that is full of nonstop action and a cast of delightful characters as well as dastardly villains. Once again the story is not finished at the end of The Whispering Room, but never fear there's more to come with The Crooked Staircase and it can't be quick enough! Looking forward to where this story takes us next! Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

No spoilers. You must start at the beginning with this series and read The Silent Corner. Then read The Whispering Room. Jane Hawk is smart, driven, determined, ruthless, and wronged. You will be with her, believing in her as she enters a quest for truth and justice. Dean Koontz is a magnificent writer, drawing you in to the sights and sounds of Jane's world, while painting a picture of events in a rich writing style. I highly recommend this book.

The Whispering Room is one of Koontz's best works. It starts out with a bang, and instead of ending with a whimper, it ends with unresolved conflict. While Koontz left it open for a sequel, it works as a stand-alone book and the ending is quite thought provoking.

The Whispering Room is the latest novel by Dean Koontz and is the follow up story to The Silent Corner. The Whispering Room could be a stand alone book, but is much richer if the reader is familiar with Jane Hawk, the main character. Even though there will be a third book the ending is satisfactory and doesn't leave the reader hanging in limbo. I think these stories are the best yet from Mr Koontz and I've been a fan of his from the very beginning. I was given an early copy to review.

An action filled book that is packed with suspense and conspiracy, I could not put this down.
Janet Hawk is great as the strong female lead, intent on finding out the truth no matter the cost, the plot is thrilling and fast paced, flowing smoothly and holding the intrigue for as long as possible.
The idea is horrifying and I felt immersed in the storyline, which at some points felt claustrophobic.
If you like a gruesome thriller with a strong plot, this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing- Ballantine for a review copy of this book.

This is really almost a 5 * book, at least a 4.5 .

I am so happy to see Koontz back to what I consider his best. This second Jane Hawk book was an absorbing read, starting right in from where we were left in the first book. A page-turning exciting novel with a strong female role as the former FBI agent, now on the most wanted list, as she tries to take down the conspiracy of the powerful organization trying to sublimate and rule the world should be next on your to-read list.

The science part does not seem that far-fetched. The characters are well developed and seem to grow in each book.

Really looking forward to the next one in the series.

I'm still fairly new to Koontz books. It has a book in the series ahead of it, but this book stood alone just fine. Its weakness are that it's a bit stereotypical, but I don't mind that on occasion. The ending was too open to suit me, but there's another book in the series. It was more interesting than Ashely Bell, which I did read.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and this review was left of my own choosing.

I have been a Dean Koontz fan for a very long time and I was very excited about this new series. The Whispering Room is the 2nd book in the Jane Hawk series and it is just as intense, if not more so than The Silent Corner. Jane Hawk, an FBI agent, now on the run, is a badass fighting a seemingly impossibel battle and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I received a copy of this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Terrifically Awesome! Once again you are thrown into this crazy mixed up world of Jane Hawk and all the people she meets! So let's just say, this one made you really care about the additional characters that were added and you hoped/wished/prayed everything works out in their favor [you'll have to read it to know more].

Literally did not want to put this one down and look forward to #3 [Dear Dr Frankenstein please make an appearance! ]

This is the second installment in Koontz’s Jane Hawk series. Like most of his books this is filled with suspense and adventure. Jane is an extremely strong heroine. Koontz has created a powerful enemy for Jane to battle in her quest to save the world. He has also included some interesting technology to go along with the evil. The characters are extremely well developed and the pace of the book was wonderful, I had a hard time putting it down.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this advance reader copy and was not compensated in any way.

Being a long time fan of Koontz I was curious about this book. I was running right along with Jane through every ordeal. And I felt I needed to back up Luther when he decided to go and find answers. His talk with Booth left me a little displaced. But I did not see the ending as it was written. Now I want more. I need to know more.

I hadn't read Koontz in a while as I was getting weary of the constant good vs. evil theme in all of his books. This one sounded different, and it
is very engaging, but although not in a spiritual vein, the plot is one woman against a massive moral takeover of our world. Well-written and interesting to follow, but I was disappointed to find out at the end that this is the first of a trilogy. Not sure I'll read the next one.

I do love Dean Koontz, he is one of my most favorite authors. I did have a little trouble getting through .this book, though, and I'm not entirely sure why. I think I was just a little bored here and there. I felt this way about the first one, too. I find I prefer his old works and feel that there is just something lacking in this latest series.

Mr. Koontz has done it again. Jane Hawk is one tough mama who is hell bent on protecting her son and hell really hath no fury like a mama protecting her young. The first novel left me hyperventilating! This follow up is just as potent on the gas pedal and advances the story in a manner I found incredibly satisfying.

I have read just about everything the man has written over the years and aside from considering him every bit Stephen King's equal. I owe him a debt of gratitude for not wasting thirty years of my life waiting for the killer conclusion of a towering series that petered out. He has his series (Odd Thomas is one for the ages) but mostly he tells stories that conquer you early on and leave you going Oh Yeah!!! at the end.

The startlingly possible premise behind the Jane Hawk stories may prove to be too prophetic before it's all over in real life, but the books, this one in particular, will satisfy you that at least a few good Knights are still out there even if the Round Table is now square or seems that way in your mind.
I loved every minute of it. I don't do plots. There's enough that do so I just review based on whether I like the book, its characters, the plot and the ending.

The Whispering Room is the worthiest sequel I've ever read...period. I like the book, I like the characters, the plot is scary much and the ending left me wanting more...all that I like in my suspense novels (of whatever ilk). Kudos, Mr. Koontz, and I'm looking for that novel from your dog, Elsa and you (I'm sorry...I simply couldn't resist it...).

Five Stars Easy.

As in Koontz style, this one keeps you on edge and hooked from page one to the last!! In true Koontz style, it is all here!! A well written story with well developed characters and a superb story line that will raise the hair on your arms! I have to go read the first one now as this is a series and somehow I missed the first one, "The silent Corner. I can't wait to see more of our heroine!
Buy Now

A good second book in this author's newest series. Overall a fun to read book of mystery and suspense. However, if I had not read the first book in this series parts would have been difficult for me to follow. So read the first book if you have not done so. The one criticism I do have is that I thought the last ten percent of the book dragged on with too much description and not enough suspense.

The Whispering Room is the second action filled thriller in the Jane Hawk series written by author Dean Koontz. Jane is a relentless heroine in pursuit of evil against overwhelming odds. There's an ending of sorts, but no final resolution. Definitely waiting for the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advance copy. This is a voluntary review.

I usually love Dean Koontz, but this book isn't his best. This is my first Jane Hawk book. She's Super Hero character, the way she avoids every FBI, NSA, CIA, Federal & local law enforcement officer in the US in this book. And all the bad guys PI's, security guards & alarms too. She's got more "super secret" tools at her disposal than Batman. I found that contrived & found myself rolling my eyes every time she pulled out another tool or trick. Jane even makes her own chloroform! You go girl! Ugh. And she is so good looking that she practically puts Supermodels to shame! So be prepared to suspend your disbelief ALOT in this cartoonish book..
The "mind control" nanobot theory is interesting, but it isn't really, the way it's presented in this LONG book. I'm disappointed with you Mr. Koontz.

Really wanted to like it. "The Silent Corner" was "okay" but not great. This sequel is just to much of a mish-mash. A lot of dots just don't connect. The principal players just seem to go around in circles until the target page count is reached. Then he closes the book and starts up with the next.

The story is good. The writing? It varies so much. Most is good and carries the story along. Some patches are real purple prose. I have to skip those. The dialogue. Some is very funny. Often, it's saccharin sweet. I want to puke. Where's the editor?!

Spoiler alert:
Part of a goody-good family is converted. Implication: The last book will reveal a cure!

Koontz does it again. In the follow up to The Silent Corner, Jane Hawk sets out to find the truth about her husband's apparent suicide. In her pursuit, she stumbles across a conspiracy of vast proportion and as she chases down leads, Hawk herself becomes the target.
Quality writing and expertly drawn characters added to a robust storyline will propel you through this novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and believable. The twist at the end felt really rushed and caught me off guard. It was definitely unexpected and I'm not sure I understand why it happened the way it did. I'm a bit nonplussed about that; but otherwise, it was a wonderful read. Looking forward to the next "chapter" in the tale of Jane Hawk.

So here's the scenario:

1. A band of elitists, centered in big cities like Washington D.C. and San Francisco, are bent on the enslavement of society based on their twisted ideals, with the victims being good, wholesome folks in rural areas like Minnesota, Kentucky, and Texas.
2. The main villain is an environmentalist do-gooder.
3. All news is questionable, and is entirely controlled by previously mentioned shady elitist establishment organizations, including the FBI and NSA, who rather than solve crimes try to fabricate stories and headlines to redirect society's rage from the true enemies of the state.
4. The world is slipping into hell, with no morals or goodness left. The good old days are long past.
5. The most idiotic character in the two-novel series is a woman who accuses our heroine of being a racist because our heroine intuits that a group of shady guys, including one Mexican, is intent on doing the idiotic character harm, which of course he is. But the social justice warrior, being an idiot, doesn't see the reality of the situation and gets her come-uppance.

Sounds like anything else we hear pretty much every day?

Combine all this with absolutely the worst attempts at quasi-poetic metaphors and similes I have ever read, which occur every page (and are not something I remember from the 15+ Koontz novels I've read before), and we are left with an experience that, despite an extremely solid story premise, feels sorely lacking. I've been reading Dean Koontz since "Watchers" 25 years ago, and I've never felt before that he was just a hack, or that he has completely gone off the rails as a right-wing nut job, like this series would indicate.

Sounds like Mr. Koontz is making novels great again.

This is the second book in the series. The first was very good and this one is just as good as the first. The only thing that I do not like is the continuation of the series. It needs to end sometime. I guess the third book will be the ending. I like the series and the characters. You need to read the first book to get the real feel of the series. I like it.

Time for a confession: I’ve never read a single book by Dean Koontz. I started The Face once, long ago, and never finished.

Maybe it’s time to revisit that book. The Whispering Room is a sequel to Koontz’s first Jane Hawk book: The Silent Corner. I should have picked it up while it was on sale a couple weeks ago because it’s right up my alley: conspiracy theories, kick ass heroine, a fun supporting cast.

That being said, I actually had no issue following along here. The first few chapters provide a convenient recap of the first book (without feeling like an obvious infodump- though I might have felt differently had I read the first one), and while there were references to the events of The Silent Corner, I could easily put 2 and 2 together from the context and never felt lost or confused.

I really loved the plot. This is a spoiler if you know nothing about The Silent Corner: a super secret shadowy organization called the Arcadians, which have infiltrated every aspect of the US Gov’t, have invented nanotechnology which can be injected into a person’s blood stream making them a shell of themselves and susceptible to mind control. Arcadians then decide whether the geniuses of the world will help to influence it for the “better” (what matches their vision) or do something to upset the balance of their power for the “worse”. If you are one of those that their computer program decides will influence the world in a way that doesn’t match their vision of the future, you are selected for elimination or to commit other atrocious acts of violence. Jane’s husband was one of these victims, and she is on a mission to rid the world of Arcadians and their mind controlling nanotechnology.

While I do believe that many of the events in this book are entirely plausible (which is also borderline terrifying) I also think that towards the end the whole book got a little wacky and crossed the lines of implausibility (but always remained entertaining). For example, Jane meets a LOT of people who mysteriously don’t think she’s a complete looney toon. And I don’t mean friends or acquaintances, I’m talking random people she meets at truck stops and the like. I also think that for all Jane’s smarts the author left some gaping plot holes that the antagonist actually bothers to point out to the reader. He literally says: “What if she did X, Y, or Z with this knowledge? Imagine how bad that would be!” And then of course I couldn’t get out of my head: “Damn it Jane! Why the hell didn’t you do that?” Given the circumstances she was operating under at the time it was somewhat forgivable, but still, given the ease with which she utilized her knowledge in some situations, I’m a little confused as to why she didn’t make better use of the knowledge later in the book.

The characters were all very enjoyable and likeable. My only real complaint about some of them was they lacked some depth. The whole cast, minor characters especially, seemed like perhaps they were colored significantly by the author’s own perception of what he might like the world to look like. Lots of them were very well dressed. Jane is noted to look like a supermodel on multiple occasions. They have happy, amiable faces. They are fit, in shape, with stylish haircuts and shoes, etc. None of this ever detracted from the entertainment factor, but it just seemed like a cartoonish caricature of the world by the end of it.

Minor issues aside, I am 100% hooked and can’t wait for the next book. I’ll probably go back and read The Silent Corner while I wait.

I’d recommend this to any fans of Koontz, believers in conspiracy theories, or fans of the suspense genre in general. Thank you to BookishFirst and Bantam books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"You're dead already... They'll all know about you in the whispering room."

At the point in the story when our protagonist, Jane Hawk, hears this comment, she has no idea what it means or what the whispering room is. As she pries deeper and deeper, she may wish she had remained ignorant to this frightening truth.

Author Dean Koontz is back again with his latest serial character, rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk, who was introduced in THE SILENT CORNER. When Jane's husband commits suicide after exhibiting no signs of depression or mental disorder, she begins to dig deeper rather than be crippled with grief. She uncovers what appears to be a string of unexpected suicides happening throughout the country. All of these senseless deaths seemingly flew below the radar. That is, until Jane took an interest.

As I had mentioned in my review, the achievement Koontz made with THE SILENT CORNER was immensely impressive. This is an author who has been writing since the late ’60s, releasing books under multiple pseudonyms and spanning many different genres. However, when Koontz had a near-death experience, I found that the style of his writing had significantly changed. I'm not saying he lost his edge, but his work did soften considerably, with the focus being far more spiritual than supernatural. This is why the emergence of Jane Hawk was so amazing.

Koontz had never really conquered the straight thriller before. Most of his novels had a supernatural or science fiction theme running through them. Longtime readers of his work have gotten used to the recurring themes of his old novels --- magical golden retrievers, mysterious children with supernatural gifts, and male protagonists with a hidden past --- to name a few. Now, with this current series, his fans are treated to Dean Koontz the thriller writer --- and he is a darn good one. THE WHISPERING ROOM, much like its predecessor, is a deeply layered, satisfying thriller that is character-driven and nearly impossible to put down.

What makes Jane’s plight so real for her is that she cannot be paranoid enough. In fact, she urges herself at one point to “get her paranoid on.” To begin with, THE WHISPERING ROOM introduces us to a new character who plays a large role in the story. Cora Gundersun is a decorated schoolteacher from Minnesota. The Cora we see at the start of the novel seems confused, and not just due to the mix of prescription meds she is on to fight her chronic headaches. When she is at the center of a horrific event, it is obvious that her actions were not her own. If you start making comparisons to Richard Condon's classic novel, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, you would not be too far off. In fact, the term “Manchurian” is a part of the mantra that elicits control over another person --- a modern form of brainwashing.

Jane is targeting the cabal of rich, powerful and influential men who are behind the series of suicide deaths revealed in THE SILENT CORNER. When she finds that those deaths were just the tip of the iceberg in this group’s master plan, both she and the reader will shudder at the thought of where this nightmarish agenda may be heading. Jane is eventually led to a small Kentucky town called Iron Furnace. This place is so strange that it immediately called to mind the recent series of novels (and ill-fated TV series) Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch. The children of the town all seem to be missing and the adults are quite strange. It is like THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE met with the modern science of nanotechnology to take mind control to the ultimate level.

Jane gets the answers to some of her questions and a small amount of satisfying revenge. However, many of the loose ends are left untied, and there is still much more to uncover. It is this fact that lends itself to the preview at the end of the book revealing the first few chapters of the next Jane Hawk novel, THE CROOKED STAIRCASE. Readers will find out the meaning behind the whispering room once the secrets of Iron Furnace are revealed. It appears that now we will have to take a walk on a strange staircase to unleash some of the additional secrets that drive this series. All in all, this is a solid novel grounded in many real-world, current issues that never loses sight of the classic political/sci-fi/thriller elements that make it so much fun to read.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

This is the second book in the Jane Hawk series. I read the first, so I can't say with 100% certainty, but I think this could be read without reading the first book as long as you don't mind a little initial confusion. Throughout the novel Koontz gives a refresher for all of the important bits that happened, which is a nice reminder if it's been a bit since you've read the first and isn't too much if you've read it just recently like I have.

Unlike the first book, which mainly had Jane's point-of-view in the beginning and then introduced a few new character point-of-views later in the book, The Whispering Room offers a viewpoint from quite a few more different characters right from the beginning. I enjoyed all of them. I felt like they really added life to the characters and to the world that Jane is trying to save. However, the problem was I got more interested in some of these characters than in Jane towards the end. There was more emotional tension in their lives and I wanted to keep following them instead.

The pacing also didn't feel as smooth. There's many suspenseful, fast moving parts that kept me flipping those pages, but there was also moments when I grew a little bored (when Jane is interrogating someone - it begins to feel a bit the same as all the ones in the last book) or disbelieving (the bad guy is right on her tail, but she just happens to forget that she did something and by so remembering saves herself). There wasn't a moment in the first book where I doubted her ability to honestly escape through her strength, smarts, and skill, but sometimes in this book it felt too convenient. Towards the end there was also some more grisly description that I could have done without.

Overall, this is an excellent novel in its ability to bring characters to life and make us care about them. However, I feel like it was a little wobbly in its pacing. The danger is ratcheted up, with Jane facing men higher up in the food chain and with the horror increasing as more details of the villains' plans are unveiled, but there were also some parts that lost me and some lack of believability. A little disappointed, but I'm rooting for Jane and I definitely want to see how this all ends so I will be getting the third book!

I received a review copy.

This second book in the Jane hocks series was every bit as exciting as the first installment. I could not stop reading this one just like the last one. And I can’t wait to start on the third one. I love the way Dean Koontz uses words to draw an amazing picture in the mind of the reader.

This second book in the Jane Hawk series is as fast paced and exciting as Silent Corner, the first book. Jane is on the run from nearly everyone, never knowing who she can trust as she continues on her mission to avenge her husband's death and protect the world from evil narcissists. As always, Koontz' prose is impeccable. Highly recommended.

Although “The Whispering Room” is a work of fiction, it gives one the shuddering feeling that it could all too soon be found on a shelf with non-fiction counterparts.

Jane Hawk is a modern day Xena, Warrior Princess. Once a top tier FBI agent assigned to cases involving mass murders and serial killings, she is now a rogue agent on the run from an American system of things that wants her dead. Or worse.
Why?
Because she is on to them.

Her husband has been murdered under the guise of suicide, and her young son is in hiding.
Acts of terrorism have become more random and commonplace:
Notably, an otherwise gentle soul named Cora Gunderson has just committed a well-planned and executed act of horrific violence.
Jane knows enough of the who and why of these incidents to pursue the perpetrators to the death if need be.

In her life on the run and in pursuit, Jane puts her life in further peril by being the decent human being she is.
Her interaction with other people will have you on the edge of your seat while trying to applaud at the same time.

In time Jane meets up with the sheriff of the small town where Cora committed her atrocity.
Luther Tillman doesn't know much about what's going on, but he knows enough to become Jane's “partner in crime,” the Gabrielle to Jane's Xena.

This is one of the most expertly-written books I have ever read, and I read a lot of books.
Koontz writes lyrically while at the same time delivering a well-plotted horror story that is absolutely mesmerizing.

This novel could easily be perceived as an account that may very well be fact in a matter of time.
It lends credence to the mother of all conspiracy plots: mind control in the hands of the bad guys.

Dean Koontz' new series is amazing. The Whispering Room is the second book in the Jane Hawk series. The thrill ride continues as the action picks up right after the events from The Silent Corner. I really enjoyed the first book and this one is no different, I absolutely loved it. The Crooked Staircase is next and I look forward to it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping this series gets developed into a TV series or movie. As a long time Dean Koontz fan, I hope that the Jane Hawk series becomes as epic and the Odd Thomas series. I highly recommend this series to all fans of suspenseful thrillers.

Wow. The Whispering Room is a roller coaster ride of the extreme variety. The possibilities presented are so realistic I wondered how close to the truth the story ran. As always Dean Koontz doesn't disappoint with his vivid descriptions and authentic characters. I look forward to the next Jane Hawk book.

I loved The Silent Corner. I love The Whispering Room. If you have a paranoid bone anywhere in your body, this book will enthrall, enrage, excite, and then leave you pleasantly exhausted. For those who have already read The Silent Corner, The Whispering Room will not disappoint. I cannot wait for #3. Hopefully, only six months.

This is a thriller plus! Jane Hawk is in the run and trying to save the world from being taken over by nanobots who make normal people turn into unwilling mindless shell people with no will of their own. Wonderful characters. Will be continued in next book of this trilogy.

Having enjoyed The Silent Corner, we are brought back to the main storyline of nanotechnology in this “new” book. With nearly 500 pages, there are oodles of similes describing the landscape, yet the actual plot, action and supporting character development is relatively shallow. The crescendo was most disappointing and “resolved” within the confines of literally one cursory chapter. Seemingly, Dean Koontz was as done with the meek plot as was the reader upon arrival to this moment.

Jane Hawke is a heroine to love! Her love for simple humanity is as keen as her ability to keep the bad guys at bay. So much to wonder about while waiting for the next installment of her fight against monstrous power elites who want to change the world in their image.

This book is really really scary. I have not read Mr Koontz for over 20 years and tried the first Jane book. Quite apart from the main threat the background evaluation of modern life is terrifying. I wonder if the author really believes the basic evaluation of modern life?

I was so looking forward to this book. I expected the same suspense and twists in this book as there was in The Silent Corner. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen. There is nothing more disappointing in anticipating the sequel to a book you really enjoyed than to have it fall flat.

This book felt like a lot of nothing. Hundreds of pages of filler that lost my attention more than it kept my attention. I ended up listening to most of it on audio because I just couldn't force myself to sit and read it.

As a follow-up and conclusion to a very complex story, this book was definitely not one I enjoyed. If I take out the equation of the first book, this was an okay book. Sadly, it did have a first book.

Dean tried to add too many new webs to this ever-changing story. The lines in the story began to blur. At some point, it just made no sense anymore. Nothing of significance happened in this book. It felt like hundreds of pages of filler from just about start to finish. 

No words are sufficient to describe the imagination and intelligence this author has to be able to create this sci-first world of horror. I'm praying that the conclusion to the trilogy will have a satisfactory ending.

This is book two in the Jane Hawk series by Dean Koontz. What a great story teller this author is. I had a hard time putting the book down and lost some sleep because of it. I highly recommend this series.

It's Koontz. He keeps getting better. Mrs Hawk is the ultimate heroine. She has compassion, she worries, she adapts and she gets the job done, even with all the powers that be against her. When she teams up with the sheriff in the next book , look out. Cannot wait

This second book in the series was so much better than the first book(The Silent Corner}. We follow Jane as she finds more and more of the bad guys on her way to stop the infecting by injecting to bring their idea of a superior race and an easily controlled sub race. There's more action and surprises in this book and you begin to see her picking up a loyal following that believes in her and are willing to chance their lives to help her. Dean Koontz is back!

Really enjoyed the story and characters but once again disappointed with the open ended ending. Hopefully there will be a third book with finality. If three books don't get it done I will never read another Dean Koontz book.

This sequel picks up pretty much where Silent Corner left off. I thought Odd Thomas was my favorite Dean Koontz character but Jane Hawk has quickly stolen the crown. I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it!

I truly hated this book. I didn't want to hate it because I loved the first one so much, but getting through it was a chore. The characters were heroic and villainous to such an extreme that all I could think about were Dudley Do-Right, and Snidely Whiplash. "Curses, foiled again!" The major difference of course is that one is a cartoon. The other is just cartoonish. On the plus side, I remembered why I stopped reading Dean Koontz books so long ago. My thanks to the Bantam and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is a solid page turner. Nothing too ground breaking. The heroine is reminiscent of others, especially Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl Who..." books. That said, she's compelling enough to keep me interested in the story, which did suffer from a couple of contrived plot turns. It's a fairly typical Koontz thriller, so if that's your cup of tea, I'd give it a chance.

I do enjoy Dean Koontz. Ashley Bell and The Face are two of my favorite books. The same cannot be said of The Silent Corner. I think this is a very well written novel---as a Dean Koontz novel is wont to be---but I don't see what he's getting at with Jane Hawk. I feel Bibi Blair from Ashley Bell was much more of a heroine than Jane Hawk. Even though it's called "a novel of suspense," I wouldn't go so far as to call it an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Fingers crossed for The Whispering Room.

This is one of Koontz' best that I have read. I hope this is a series that produces a new novel on a regular basis. The action moves forward at a steady pace and the plot is intriguing. The book definitely kept me interested and invested. Koontz' writing in this book is on par with what I have come to expect from him. Although this story is based on some sci-fi technology, it seems realistic for the most part and doesn't get too far out there for long. Koontz develops his characters substantively and even though I did not read a previous Jane Hawk novel I felt like I was in "the know" as I read.

I think this book will appeal to regular fans of Koontz and those looking for a good thriller who may have not read Koontz before. This would be a good introduction. The next installment cannot come out soon enough.

I really enjoy Dean Koontz novel starting back when Whispers and Strangers were new. This novel has gone into the realm of the nano technology which is every bit as unusual as the Odd Thomas books. The story is the second one involving Jane Hawk, I tried to get the first one at the library but the list is too long so I read this one alone. The suicides of various people bring in the feds to investigate but Jane and the sheriff see something different going on and follow the lines they find. This is a very good involving story and I liked it very much.

Jane Hawk is back kicking ass and taking names. Conspiracy theorists will love this one. Dean Koontz just made a believer out of me! So plausible. So scary. And so thoroughly addicting. Go Jane Hawk!!

My, my, Mr. Koontz is very full of himself in this Jane Hawk series! The storyline is good & his usual just a little beyond the norm, but his prose is oh so beyond what is necessary for a good read! I Was surprised to find myself skimming which I had never done one of his previous books, afraid I would miss something important! Jane Hawk is an FBI agent who is being chased by all law enforcement as a rogue agent!! Her husband committed suicide & she knows that he would never have done that without some outside influence! As she is investigating his suicide she finds other incidents of suicide ..... I won't tell you any more it's quite a whopper, but as always in his stories, it just "could happen"!!

I really enjoyed the first Jane Hawk novel but this one wasn't as good. I think there are too many long, wordy sentences and flowery descriptions that, in my opinion, bog the book down. I hope the next installment in this series is better.

I'm really enjoying the 2nd installment of this series. I purchased them both on an e reader and what annoys me is the book is supposed to be 577 pages long but every page with the chapter number on it is blank except for the chapter number. I'm almost finished with the story but at chapter 37 I feel deceived in the actual page count

Second books seem the hardest to write and the most disappointing. Plot and characters have percolated for a long while before number one is written. With number two many authors seems to lose their way. This is not usually the case with Koontz. After the Silent Corner I couldn't wait for the new Jane Hawk. The Whispering Room is not what I anticipated. I put it down several times to read other books, finding that I was dreading returning to it. Not a bad book, just too slow for my taste. Koontz writing is poetry and for that reason I enjoyed Whispering Room and hope the third book will be little livelier..

Loved the idea of Jane Hawk, but didn’t love the book. I’m always frustrated when a book leaves you high and dry waiting for the sequel..

It is action filled, just have the next one ready to read.