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77 Shadow Street #0.5
The Moonlit Mind
In this chilling original stand-alone novella, available exclusively as an eBook, #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz offers a taste of what’s to come in his new novel, 77 Shadow Street, with a mesmerizing tale of a homeless boy at large in a city fraught with threats . . . both human and otherwise.
Twelve-year-old Crispin has lived on the streets since he was nine—with only his wits and his daring to sustain him, and only his silent dog, Harley, to call his friend. He is always on the move, never lingering in any one place long enough to risk being discovered. Still, there are certain places he returns to. In the midst of the tumultuous city, they are havens of solitude: like the hushed environs of St. Mary Salome Cemetery, a place where Crispin can feel at peace—safe, at least for a while, from the fearsome memories that plague him . . . and seep into his darkest nightmares. But not only his dreams are haunted. The city he roams with Harley has secrets and mysteries, things unexplainable and maybe unimaginable. Crispin has seen ghosts in the dead of night, and sensed dimensions beyond reason in broad daylight. Hints of things disturbing and strange nibble at the edges of his existence, even as dangers wholly natural and earthbound cast their shadows across his path. Alone, drifting, and scavenging to survive is no life for a boy. But the life Crispin has left behind, and is still running scared from, is an unspeakable alternative . . . that may yet catch up with him.
There is more to this world, and its darkest corners yet to be encountered, in this eBook’s special bonus: a spine-tingling excerpt from Dean Koontz’s forthcoming novel, 77 Shadow Street.
Twelve-year-old Crispin has lived on the streets since he was nine—with only his wits and his daring to sustain him, and only his silent dog, Harley, to call his friend. He is always on the move, never lingering in any one place long enough to risk being discovered. Still, there are certain places he returns to. In the midst of the tumultuous city, they are havens of solitude: like the hushed environs of St. Mary Salome Cemetery, a place where Crispin can feel at peace—safe, at least for a while, from the fearsome memories that plague him . . . and seep into his darkest nightmares. But not only his dreams are haunted. The city he roams with Harley has secrets and mysteries, things unexplainable and maybe unimaginable. Crispin has seen ghosts in the dead of night, and sensed dimensions beyond reason in broad daylight. Hints of things disturbing and strange nibble at the edges of his existence, even as dangers wholly natural and earthbound cast their shadows across his path. Alone, drifting, and scavenging to survive is no life for a boy. But the life Crispin has left behind, and is still running scared from, is an unspeakable alternative . . . that may yet catch up with him.
There is more to this world, and its darkest corners yet to be encountered, in this eBook’s special bonus: a spine-tingling excerpt from Dean Koontz’s forthcoming novel, 77 Shadow Street.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
586 people are currently reading
4340 people want to read
About the author
Dean Koontz
906 books39.7k followersAcknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
December 30, 2014
Dean Koontz is in top form in this haunting tale of a boy on the run with his dog through the city streets.
The first flakes are as large as silver dollars and look as soft as little pillows. The heavens shed their bedding on a city seeking sleep, crystalline goosedown spiraling through darkness, through the million feeble night-lights of a civilization always one dawn away from obliteration.
The tale takes place in two time periods, The eve of his 14th birthday, and three years earlier, his life in a home he barely escaped. Koontz gradually reveals the details of his last months there in a way that kept me thoroughly engrossed, moving between the two periods until they are both tied together in a thrilling conclusion.
Looking forward to 77 Shadow Street.
The first flakes are as large as silver dollars and look as soft as little pillows. The heavens shed their bedding on a city seeking sleep, crystalline goosedown spiraling through darkness, through the million feeble night-lights of a civilization always one dawn away from obliteration.
The tale takes place in two time periods, The eve of his 14th birthday, and three years earlier, his life in a home he barely escaped. Koontz gradually reveals the details of his last months there in a way that kept me thoroughly engrossed, moving between the two periods until they are both tied together in a thrilling conclusion.
Looking forward to 77 Shadow Street.
May 24, 2018
In preparation for reading the Koontz book 77 Shadow Street did I, of course, have to read this novella, or rather listen to it and I found the tale to be very good.
Do you have to read The Moonlit Mind before you read 77 Shadow Street? Nah, I just finished listening to 77 Shadow Street and you can definitely read 77 Shadow Street separately. I thought the events in The Moonlit Mind would have something to do with 77 Shadow Street's story, perhaps Crispin would show up? But, no and thank kind of bummed me.
Anyway, this novella is really good and long enough to truly get interesting. I would very much like to read a book about Crispin and not just a novella.
Do you have to read The Moonlit Mind before you read 77 Shadow Street? Nah, I just finished listening to 77 Shadow Street and you can definitely read 77 Shadow Street separately. I thought the events in The Moonlit Mind would have something to do with 77 Shadow Street's story, perhaps Crispin would show up? But, no and thank kind of bummed me.
Anyway, this novella is really good and long enough to truly get interesting. I would very much like to read a book about Crispin and not just a novella.
February 9, 2016
OMG! What a great book! Loved it! I would definitely recommend it if you like scary books.
September 8, 2020
I was about to read 77 Shadow Street and I discovered that this novella existed, so I decided to start from the beginning and read it.
The Moonlit Mind is a short story about Crispin, a 12 year old boy that lives on the street only with a stray dog, and a lot of secrets. We don´t know why, but there is a group of people trying to find him, but not in a way that a worried family would be looking for their missed son, there is something darker, something more dangerous.
Jumping between the present and 3 years ago we start to know Crispin´s story and understand why he has escaped, and why he is still in this city although it is dangerous for him be there.
This is a nice story, a ghost story without ghosts (or almost without them) but more than that it is a love story, a love between siblings and how, with this love, Crispin is able to face anything.
The Moonlit Mind is a short story about Crispin, a 12 year old boy that lives on the street only with a stray dog, and a lot of secrets. We don´t know why, but there is a group of people trying to find him, but not in a way that a worried family would be looking for their missed son, there is something darker, something more dangerous.
Jumping between the present and 3 years ago we start to know Crispin´s story and understand why he has escaped, and why he is still in this city although it is dangerous for him be there.
This is a nice story, a ghost story without ghosts (or almost without them) but more than that it is a love story, a love between siblings and how, with this love, Crispin is able to face anything.
April 3, 2012
The first 80% of this novella was really quite good, it had a strong premise, interesting characters and a nice back and forth between present time and 3 years ago when the story really began.
Towards the end it totally lost me though, it got all magical and disjointed, lots of "somehow" 's in there, my pet hate when dealing with supernatural themes.
I didnt read the excerpt of the new novel included at the end, because I have no intention of reading that novel. At least, not before the 200 other books that are on my To Be Read shelf!
Towards the end it totally lost me though, it got all magical and disjointed, lots of "somehow" 's in there, my pet hate when dealing with supernatural themes.
I didnt read the excerpt of the new novel included at the end, because I have no intention of reading that novel. At least, not before the 200 other books that are on my To Be Read shelf!
February 4, 2012
12-year-old Crispin lives on the streets with his dog Harley, who has an uncanny ability to guide Crispin out of danger. At 9 years of age, Crispin witnessed the disappearance of his sister and the horrific murder of his brother and now he’s running for his life from his mother and stepfather and a multitude of people who share their beliefs. But Crispin knows he cannot be free until he puts an end to the evilness that resides in his parents’ house.
No author can meet Koontz’s skill at portraying evilness and the characters that do its deeds. As always, there is a heroic dog involved, which this reviewer appreciates, but this time the protagonist is a child instead of the usual adult(s) on the run from whatever deviltry is after them. With great skill, Koontz weaves a suspenseful story made more horrific because it could actually be reality. A tale one thinks can have no happy ending yet Koontz manages to end it on an upbeat note. This novella reminds this reviewer of Koontz’s earlier work, which was so powerful and thrilling to read.
No author can meet Koontz’s skill at portraying evilness and the characters that do its deeds. As always, there is a heroic dog involved, which this reviewer appreciates, but this time the protagonist is a child instead of the usual adult(s) on the run from whatever deviltry is after them. With great skill, Koontz weaves a suspenseful story made more horrific because it could actually be reality. A tale one thinks can have no happy ending yet Koontz manages to end it on an upbeat note. This novella reminds this reviewer of Koontz’s earlier work, which was so powerful and thrilling to read.
January 2, 2018
A beautiful short story, disturbing & enlightening.
I was initially worried I wasn't going to like this. I had just finished Odd Interlude in 2013 and it took me a while to transition from the humor to the darkness. Thankfully the moon lit my mind. As with the case of Dean's Novella Darkness Under the Sun which promoted What the Night Knows, I again liked this novella, The Moonlit Mind even better than 77 Shadow Street :-)
In the story, Crispin has both a brother and a dog named Harley. I rode a badass scooter named Harley 2013 - 2017, so this name was significant to me. My new mobile friend is Hooter the Orange Scooter.
I own the audiobook of this story so I plan to listen every year now.
I was initially worried I wasn't going to like this. I had just finished Odd Interlude in 2013 and it took me a while to transition from the humor to the darkness. Thankfully the moon lit my mind. As with the case of Dean's Novella Darkness Under the Sun which promoted What the Night Knows, I again liked this novella, The Moonlit Mind even better than 77 Shadow Street :-)
In the story, Crispin has both a brother and a dog named Harley. I rode a badass scooter named Harley 2013 - 2017, so this name was significant to me. My new mobile friend is Hooter the Orange Scooter.
I own the audiobook of this story so I plan to listen every year now.
December 17, 2011
A good story on its own, better even then the small excerpt of the upcoming book. I hope crispin and amity show up in the book!
January 29, 2025
This was genuinely a great entertaining read, accompanied by a well thrilling and nerve wracking plot. Recommend!! Will read more from Koontz 4 sure😁
June 8, 2012
I am a fan of Dean Koontz to a point, I am usually very picky about what I read of his, but I needed a short story to fill time. I was pleasantly surprised. This was very creepy and had a great level of suspense.
The story is simply about a 13 year old boy who has escaped an horrible fate and he is living on his own on the streets. The story bounces back and forth between what made him run from home when he was nine, and now at the age of thirteen as he lives homeless with his dog. This bouncing irritated me because it seemed Koontz intentionally would build the story a bit and right as it got interesting he would end that chapter and start over with the other plot aspect. Still, I can understand this as a suspense technique it was just frustrating for me.
This is a novella that is purely based to get the reader to want to read his new novel 77 Shadow Street. Well it worked, this story revolves around the events Crispen fled from, and I want to know more.
The story is simply about a 13 year old boy who has escaped an horrible fate and he is living on his own on the streets. The story bounces back and forth between what made him run from home when he was nine, and now at the age of thirteen as he lives homeless with his dog. This bouncing irritated me because it seemed Koontz intentionally would build the story a bit and right as it got interesting he would end that chapter and start over with the other plot aspect. Still, I can understand this as a suspense technique it was just frustrating for me.
This is a novella that is purely based to get the reader to want to read his new novel 77 Shadow Street. Well it worked, this story revolves around the events Crispen fled from, and I want to know more.
April 4, 2014
This was my second time i read this book. I enjoyed it more the second time. It puts a new meaning in the saying "seeing the world through rose colored glasses". It turns out the second time you read it, it isn't just a story. It's about lessons only learned in life and not just moving on but growing from them. No spoilers here. You have to read it yourself. The world, as we all know, is not always a nice place to live. But we still have to live in it. As in all Dean Koontz books you can see the reality in the fiction through his characters.
August 12, 2022
Not as good as others
September 17, 2020
Although this is considered part of the Pendleton series (or 77 Shadow Street series...same thing)...it doesn't matter which one you read first. The Pendleton is mentioned in this book but only because it's across the street from Crispin's home and he mentions it several times in passing. The action takes place in 2 different time frames...the first when Crispin is 9 years old and living through the difficult times that necessitate him leaving home and going on the run. The second is mostly the night before his 14th birthday when he must decide if it is time to return to his nightmare and seek revenge. I thought this was a great addition to Mr. Koontz's work. It's a quick read.
March 5, 2012
For the second straight year, Dean Koontz released a novella just prior to a larger novel, where the former is a teaser for the latter. Also for the second straight year, I ended up reading them out of order. Koontz has become quite unreliable in the novel department lately. Only two of his past nine novels could I declare as good. However, for the second straight year, the novella was quite good.
I think part of Koontz's problem lately is that he fills his novels with a lot of the crap that taint books like the sequel to this, "77 Shadow Street", with the laughable characters and the inane dialog. Books of this length don't give him the temptation to put such filler. His characters are shown through mere background and the dialog is minimal. There is a lot of description (this time in present-tense narrative) which Koontz has always excelled at creating. The story is a bit ambiguous, but the writing makes it more worthwhile than its sequel. Not particularly inspiring work from a man who (due to everything he wrote from about 1983 through 2004) will always be one of my favorite authors, but not a bad read.
I think part of Koontz's problem lately is that he fills his novels with a lot of the crap that taint books like the sequel to this, "77 Shadow Street", with the laughable characters and the inane dialog. Books of this length don't give him the temptation to put such filler. His characters are shown through mere background and the dialog is minimal. There is a lot of description (this time in present-tense narrative) which Koontz has always excelled at creating. The story is a bit ambiguous, but the writing makes it more worthwhile than its sequel. Not particularly inspiring work from a man who (due to everything he wrote from about 1983 through 2004) will always be one of my favorite authors, but not a bad read.
September 8, 2016
The Moonlit Mind is a short tale where part of the action takes place across the street from the action in 77 Shadow street, but other than the geographical location and the fact that the buildings seem to share a presence of evil, the stories are not really related. Crispin has run away and is living on the street with his dog Harley, carrying the guilt of having run away and not saving his brother and sister from the macabre events in Theron Hall, the home of his stepfather and mother. The children all seem to be indulged but there is a grisly purpose behind the adults' treatment of them. Crispin is also afraid that the same fate awaits him as his brother and sister. His mother and stepfather are always looking for him, referring to him as their "little piglet".
Amity is also a runaway who is fleeing an evil past of her own childhood. She "lives" in a department store and she and Crispin become good friends. Amity has her own past filled with evil and fear. Both help each other to deal with what they must and move on in a delightful tale. I loved the magic of it all.
Amity is also a runaway who is fleeing an evil past of her own childhood. She "lives" in a department store and she and Crispin become good friends. Amity has her own past filled with evil and fear. Both help each other to deal with what they must and move on in a delightful tale. I loved the magic of it all.
September 7, 2022
Kindle book available
Chispin(9) live with mom, Charlotte (magical princess) & Giles Gregorio(stepfather) in his rich Theron Hall mansion.
Chispin escapes horror & finds a golden dog (his only friend) to help him escape, lead to moldy playing cards, Four sixes, one eyed jack & queen hearts, dead man with 2 sacks of money(over $6,000). He buys a dog collar/lease only for use on public streets, backpack to hold food for them & another new deck of cards. His nightmares include finding his dead brother, Harley, and using Harley as the dog's name.
A spirit appears saying "your sister tasted so sweet". He finds a note with his sister, brother & his name the "little bastards must be slaughtered, Mirabell, Harley & Crispin fed to rats & birds".
He is next? At 12 years old, in October, he goes to party with goblins & witches masks to party, just halloween. Horror & chases continue, but then the Four sixes signify safety, to Theron Hall, escaping with a used car, now age 16.
Chispin(9) live with mom, Charlotte (magical princess) & Giles Gregorio(stepfather) in his rich Theron Hall mansion.
Chispin escapes horror & finds a golden dog (his only friend) to help him escape, lead to moldy playing cards, Four sixes, one eyed jack & queen hearts, dead man with 2 sacks of money(over $6,000). He buys a dog collar/lease only for use on public streets, backpack to hold food for them & another new deck of cards. His nightmares include finding his dead brother, Harley, and using Harley as the dog's name.
A spirit appears saying "your sister tasted so sweet". He finds a note with his sister, brother & his name the "little bastards must be slaughtered, Mirabell, Harley & Crispin fed to rats & birds".
He is next? At 12 years old, in October, he goes to party with goblins & witches masks to party, just halloween. Horror & chases continue, but then the Four sixes signify safety, to Theron Hall, escaping with a used car, now age 16.
June 11, 2014
I have read some Dean Koontz books that I really enjoyed. And this was one of them - up until the last few pages. Is it just me, or did it seem as though Mr. Koontz got bored with writing this and just stop? Nothing was resolved, nothing was explained, nothing was....well, just nothing. Believe me, I'm not the type of person who expects every book I read to end with a pat and simplistic fully-realized ending. I LIKE when the happily-ever-after is a question, when the future isn't certain and we need to use our imaginations to form the protagonists' future endeavors. But this? This gave no explanation for the story even being in the first place. I really expected to enjoy this - the build-up to the climax was very intriguing. Sad that the author decided to leave me unsatisfied.
June 24, 2012
This story totally confused me. Usually I can handle jumping back and forth between different timeframes but for some reason I had a lot of difficulty with this one.
So this story literally has nothing to do with the plotline of "77 Shadow Street", it just happens that the family is living across the street from the Pendleton.
I was waiting for some kind of connection that might explain what goes on in "The Moonlit Mind", but it never came.
I liked the characters, though. And the ending was a bit weird, a little too supernatural fantasy stuff. When it comes to the e-novellas, I can't rate it higher than "Darkness Under the Sun", I just had too little understanding of this one for that.
So this story literally has nothing to do with the plotline of "77 Shadow Street", it just happens that the family is living across the street from the Pendleton.
I was waiting for some kind of connection that might explain what goes on in "The Moonlit Mind", but it never came.
I liked the characters, though. And the ending was a bit weird, a little too supernatural fantasy stuff. When it comes to the e-novellas, I can't rate it higher than "Darkness Under the Sun", I just had too little understanding of this one for that.
September 17, 2020
I was swept away right from the start by Caspin as the main protagonist, a 9-year-old boy who bounces from home to home/stepdad to stepdad due to his mother's lifestyle. He has 2 siblings their lives change after his mother finds the biggest catch of all a super-wealthy man and they move into his mansion.
This story takes place in 2 timelines then(when he was 9)and now when he's about to turn 14 and roaming the streets with his dog. It was addictive and had me guessing up until the end, super fun and quick to read. This is my first dean koontz read and it won't be my last
This story takes place in 2 timelines then(when he was 9)and now when he's about to turn 14 and roaming the streets with his dog. It was addictive and had me guessing up until the end, super fun and quick to read. This is my first dean koontz read and it won't be my last
July 18, 2023
I first listened to this as an audiobook, and I am so glad I decided to read a physical copy as well. Crispen is an excellent character, and I'm a sucker for an intuitive dog. There is so much mystery for such a short story--I will probably read this book over and over for the rest of my life.
March 10, 2019
I enjoy Dean Koontz’s (I’m not sure that’s how to show possessive on his name.) writing. His descriptive words paint the scene for me. His concept kept me listening to the story to find out what happened next. Loved how he ended this book.
July 2, 2025
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t stop reading this book. It was all I could think about!!! I NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
Took me out of my slump
I couldn’t stop reading this book. It was all I could think about!!! I NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
Took me out of my slump
December 26, 2017
Interesting read.
February 2, 2013
We meet Crispin after he’d been a fugitive on the streets for 3 years. A long time for a boy of 12, a boy who was only 9 years old when he found himself alone and frightened, running for his life. The worst part was that he was running from the people who were supposed to love him, him and his younger brother and sister. They were both gone, and he was next….he didn’t want to be next, and he managed to escape. And his wits, and a wonderful, friendly dog who had adopted him back in the beginning, who he’d named Harley, after his brother, were the only things keeping him alive.
Crispin never lingered long in one place.. if he was predictable, they’d find him. But he felt a certain amount of security at the St Mary Cemetery where he could sleep undisturbed, apart from his constant nightmares. He also discovered a safe haven at a huge department store, called Brodericks, where he could sneak in with Harley, stay hidden until the staff and security had left for the day, then be free to roam during the night. Here he had met someone he called the Phantom of Brodericks, a young girl, though a little older than Crispin, who was also a fugitive, and who worked in the café of Brodericks during the day, and called it her home at night. When Crispin visited, she fed him and they enjoyed one anothers company for a short time.
But would Crispin stay one step ahead of his pursuers? Or would he meet an untimely end? A gripping tale, one I thoroughly enjoyed. The horror of what occurred seemed real, the thought of what was happening to a young boy realistic. I definitely recommend this short story, which is only available on ebook, and is a lead in to 77 Shadow Street, which I haven’t (yet) read.
Crispin never lingered long in one place.. if he was predictable, they’d find him. But he felt a certain amount of security at the St Mary Cemetery where he could sleep undisturbed, apart from his constant nightmares. He also discovered a safe haven at a huge department store, called Brodericks, where he could sneak in with Harley, stay hidden until the staff and security had left for the day, then be free to roam during the night. Here he had met someone he called the Phantom of Brodericks, a young girl, though a little older than Crispin, who was also a fugitive, and who worked in the café of Brodericks during the day, and called it her home at night. When Crispin visited, she fed him and they enjoyed one anothers company for a short time.
But would Crispin stay one step ahead of his pursuers? Or would he meet an untimely end? A gripping tale, one I thoroughly enjoyed. The horror of what occurred seemed real, the thought of what was happening to a young boy realistic. I definitely recommend this short story, which is only available on ebook, and is a lead in to 77 Shadow Street, which I haven’t (yet) read.
November 10, 2023
This was more disturbing than expected and hence the low rating.
June 22, 2012
As a precursor to '77 Shadow Street', this novella does everything right to wet the readers appetite for the full length novel. In this world, Crispin, a 12yr old boy who comes from a unique and shocking childhood lives on the street with his faithful dog Harley (Crispin's brothers namesake). It is through chance he meets a rather mysterious young women on the streets and quickly forms a bond. While 'The Moonlit Mind' is a mash up suspense-horror, it's primarily a character driven story with spooky elements thrown in.
Theron Hall is inhabited by cult-like occupants whose satanic rituals place Crispin and his kin in grave danger, surviving those horrific days led to his life on the streets hiding in plain sight of his evil mother and her dangerous partner. Broken into two distinct stories, the pre-street life at Theron Hall and the post with Harley and Amity, 'The Moonlit Mind' accomplishes quite a lot in a short word count. For a novella, this had the hallmarks of a tightly plotted full length.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the creepy servants of Theron Hall (especially Crispin's nanny) and the enthralling story behind the sudden disappearances of his brothers and sisters. Koontz did a great job at rounding out the story in an ending sure to capture the imagination of any reader by which Crispin's ghosts are confronted head-on with the result conforming to Koontz' usual high standard. 3 stars.
Theron Hall is inhabited by cult-like occupants whose satanic rituals place Crispin and his kin in grave danger, surviving those horrific days led to his life on the streets hiding in plain sight of his evil mother and her dangerous partner. Broken into two distinct stories, the pre-street life at Theron Hall and the post with Harley and Amity, 'The Moonlit Mind' accomplishes quite a lot in a short word count. For a novella, this had the hallmarks of a tightly plotted full length.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the creepy servants of Theron Hall (especially Crispin's nanny) and the enthralling story behind the sudden disappearances of his brothers and sisters. Koontz did a great job at rounding out the story in an ending sure to capture the imagination of any reader by which Crispin's ghosts are confronted head-on with the result conforming to Koontz' usual high standard. 3 stars.
July 13, 2012
Dean Koontz has started a tradition of releasing a novella to whet the appetite for the novel to follow.
Unlike "Darkness under the Sun" (novella) which fits perfectly into the larger story of "What the Night Knows," (novel), "The Moonlit Mind" is truly a stand alone story with little or no relation to "77 Shadow Street" other than geography. But it is a very good story and I highly recommend it.
"The Moonlit Mind" has all the standard Dean Koontz tropes. Super intelligent dog, brave yet maladjusted children, menacing dark conspiracies. But what the hell, it works for him. I enjoyed my time with Crispin and his dog and found his whole story, as well as the story of the dark forces working against him to be very entertaining. Actually, this one could have made an even better novel since it left so much of the story untold.
Talk about a dysfunctional family....
In a nutshell, Crispin and his brother and sister are "adopted" by their selfish and materialistic mother's latest romantic conquest, who has made a life for herself by seeking out rich and then even richer men to provide for her and, to a much lesser extent, for her children. The children have been at worst pawns, at best afterthoughts, in her life. Not this time. Her new husband is very interested in the children---as are the other members of his evil and powerful family and their magical, secret society.
Unlike "Darkness under the Sun" (novella) which fits perfectly into the larger story of "What the Night Knows," (novel), "The Moonlit Mind" is truly a stand alone story with little or no relation to "77 Shadow Street" other than geography. But it is a very good story and I highly recommend it.
"The Moonlit Mind" has all the standard Dean Koontz tropes. Super intelligent dog, brave yet maladjusted children, menacing dark conspiracies. But what the hell, it works for him. I enjoyed my time with Crispin and his dog and found his whole story, as well as the story of the dark forces working against him to be very entertaining. Actually, this one could have made an even better novel since it left so much of the story untold.
Talk about a dysfunctional family....
In a nutshell, Crispin and his brother and sister are "adopted" by their selfish and materialistic mother's latest romantic conquest, who has made a life for herself by seeking out rich and then even richer men to provide for her and, to a much lesser extent, for her children. The children have been at worst pawns, at best afterthoughts, in her life. Not this time. Her new husband is very interested in the children---as are the other members of his evil and powerful family and their magical, secret society.
January 11, 2012
I enjoyed this short story by Koontz. I have to admit that it started off a little slow, but within 10 pages it had taken off and it really got going in the last third. Suffice to say that in this story Koontz combines "Flowers in the Attic" with "Rosemary's Baby" and he does it to good effect. We have the usual parade of kids and dogs in danger, but I have to say that I don't recall the last time Koontz was as dark as in this story...it reminded me of the bad old days when reading one of his books was followed by a day of depression on the human condition.
I am happy to say that is not the case here, but it still a chiller of a book compared with the last several books where there was an undertone of optimism throughout the book.
I am currently reading 77 Shadow Street, which takes place in a physical location very close to Crispin's house in "Moonlit Mind", but so far I have not found an overt connection between the two stories.
This is a good book to burn a couple of hours and be chilled a little...
I am happy to say that is not the case here, but it still a chiller of a book compared with the last several books where there was an undertone of optimism throughout the book.
I am currently reading 77 Shadow Street, which takes place in a physical location very close to Crispin's house in "Moonlit Mind", but so far I have not found an overt connection between the two stories.
This is a good book to burn a couple of hours and be chilled a little...
January 3, 2012
I REALLY wanted to like this. I didn't though. It jumped around so much I had trouble keeping track of where in the story I was. The whole little boy alone w/ only his faithful dog to aid him has been beat to death by Koontz in recent years. I will read 77 Shadow Street, but mostly only because I refuse to abandon Koontz while there is still hope that he will delight me like he did not that long ago. But I won't be running out to buy the hardback, I'll either get it on my nook or wait for the paperback. Something I would have never believed of myself before the Frankenstein nightmare.
December 17, 2011
This short story is an interesting prelude to 77 Shadow Street, the latest Koontz novel, but the real power is reserved for the preview of the new novel, included at the end. The short story--and especially the ending--brought to mind Koontz's earlier book From the Corner of His Eye, which was a book I enjoyed many years ago. I'm looking forward to reading the new book (and glad I'll be on break when it is published just after Christmas).
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