"Odd Thomas" Review

 Odd Thomas

By Dean Koontz

10/10

My Synopsis:

There is a man.  His name is Odd.  That’s right.  First name Odd.  Last name Thomas.  This is his story.  Odd has a sixth sense and the ability to see dead people.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  In the small town of Pico Mundo, there are few who know Odd’s secret – his mentors and his much beloved girlfriend Bronwen “Stormy” Llewellyn.  When Odd notices impending death in the air he sets out to find the cause.  What he finds may be far more than he may be able to handle.  Can Odd go from fry cook to hero?  What good is seeing the dead if you are soon to join them?  What’s an odd fellow like Odd to do?

My Opinion:

Let’s cut to the chase.  It’s a story of a loner with supernatural abilities written in a narrative form as a memoir of sorts . . . and I loved it!  I usually like Dean Koontz but get let down at some point in the story often when something unbelievable happens.  Not with this book.  The entire thing in my opinion was right on the money.  Could it happen?  Unfortunately, I think so in today’s world.  It was reminiscent of Velocity (also by Mr. Koontz) in suspense and gore but with a bit of humor and a few paranormal aspects which were all well thought through.  The writing has such fluidity that the chapters fly by yet it isn’t dumbed down for ease of reading.  He’s just that good.  He grabs your attention and takes you on a wild ride.  The suspense will have you on the edge of your seat as you hold on for dear life through the many twists and turns of the plot. The narrative style allowing Odd to address the reader directly was so welcoming.  The side plots of the tale accentuate the main story brilliantly.  They bring a warmth that otherwise would be missing.  The scene where Odd deals with his mother is so frightening in itself yet it is scary in a completely different way from the rest of the book.  The author’s characters are so well developed that you really grow to adore them – especially Odd.  I almost cried at the end which is strange I thought for a suspense/horror novel.  I worried that being part of a series, I would be left with questions and cliffhangers but this book has the ability to stand on its own.  I had wondered what all the hype was about and why this is such a successful series.  Now I know.  This book is a real winner.  So glad that this is a series and I will get to read on and revisit Odd and his friends.  Add one more to the “Odd Thomas” fan club!  10/10