"Sole Survivor" Review

Sole Survivor

By Dean Koontz

9/10

My Synopsis:

Michelle, Chrissie, and Nina Carpenter are lost forever.  Passengers on Flight 353, they were killed when the plane plummeted to the earth.  A year later Joe Carpenter, former husband and father, struggles to make it through each day without his family.  To mark the grim one year anniversary of the crash, Joe sets out to visit the graves of his lost loved ones.  But when he arrives at the cemetery, he finds he is not alone.  Photographing the headstones of the Carpenter women is Rose Tucker.  She brings about a new hope in Joe – the hope that his family is alive.  Their conversation is interrupted when shots ring out aimed at Rose.  Who is this mystery woman?  Why is someone shooting at her?  Why was she taking photographs of the headstones?  What is this message that Rose has for Joe?  Did his family really perish that dark night one year ago?

My Opinion:

I am at odds with myself when it comes to “Sole Survivor” by Dean Koontz.  On one hand, as usual, I adore his work.  On the other hand, there was something about this book that was off for me - something small, but something none-the-less.  Its only one thing, but it was present at various points in the story.  It is the thing that keeps me from giving this book a 10.  The characters, descriptions, and plot are all amazing only the balance between descriptions and plot is a little off.  The book is a little description heavy at times.  While I typically like the author’s attention to detail, this time it was a bit much.  I found myself at points wishing that Koontz would just get on with the story.  I also found myself skimming to get to the riveting action portions.  I don’t like to skim at all.  It feels like cheating to me.  Yet I found myself doing it in paragraphs here and there throughout the book.  I would read and read.  I would cover lots of pages but and wonder why so little had actually happened in the story.  Overall, the plot is awesome even if it is a bit far-fetched.  The idea that groups such as the one pursuing Rose could exist is a scary but real one.  The beginning of the book, until Joe sees Rose, is quite slow but the emotions are conveyed very vividly as they are throughout the entirety of this book.  Just a warning – there are some portions of this book that are a bit disturbing but once again I attribute that to Koontz’s master storytelling.  To evoke such a visceral response such as turning my stomach is a feat in itself.  There are also aspects of this book that, even though fiction, are enlightening and the mind from which they originate is pure genius.  A worthwhile read.  9/10