Deeply Odd

Odd Thomas #6

by Dean Koontz

A New York Times bestseller: When Odd Thomas foresees three innocent people being brutally murdered, he sets out to stop the crime before it happens. Armed with supernatural abilities and unlikely allies, Odd pursues a dangerous killer whose dark powers may be greater than his own.
“Another satisfying entry in this wildly popular series” (Booklist).

The pistol appeared in his hand the way a dove appears in the hand of a good magician, as if it materialized out of thin air.
“You think I won’t do it right here in the open. But you’d be surprised.… You’ll drop before you get the breath to scream.” The truck driver is decked out like a rhinestone cowboy, only instead of a guitar he’s slinging a gun—and Odd Thomas is on the wrong end of the barrel.

Though he narrowly dodges a bullet, Odd can’t outrun the shocking vision burned into his mind…or the destiny that will drive him into a harrowing showdown with absolute evil. How do you make sure a crime that hasn’t happened yet, never does? That’s the critical question facing Odd Thomas, the young man with a unique ability to commune with restless spirits and help them find justice and peace. But this time, it’s the living who desperately need Odd on their side. Three helpless innocents will be brutally executed unless Odd can intervene in time. Who the potential victims are and where they can be found remain a mystery. The only thing Odd knows for sure is who the killer will be: the homicidal stranger who tried to shoot him dead in a small-town parking lot. With the ghost of Alfred Hitchcock riding shotgun and a network of unlikely allies providing help along the way, Odd embarks on an interstate game of cat and mouse with his sinister quarry. He will soon learn that his adversary possesses abilities that may surpass his own and operates in service to infinitely more formidable foes, with murder a mere prelude to much deeper designs. Traveling across a landscape haunted by portents of impending catastrophe, Odd will do what he must and go where his path leads him, drawing ever closer to the dark heart of his long journey…and, perhaps, to the bright light beyond.

“Koontz gives his character wit, good humor, a familiarity with the dark side of humanity—and moral outrage.” —USA Today

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural

404 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Acknowledged 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

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd Thomas has dealt with plenty of...well..odd things in his lifetime. But he didn't have "rhinestone cowboy truck driver" in his bingo card.

But he can't dwell on the rhinestones too much, he soon gets a vision of multiple murders and he is off racing to prevent the deaths. It's a race across the open road - and Odd Thomas can't afford to lose.

That title is just perfect. So, so odd.

I am still enjoying the series but the novels are starting to blend a little. It's getting a little same-y. Not enough that I'd want to stop the series...but enough that I'm grateful that there's only one more book.

Audiobook Comments
Narrated by David Aaron Baker - really well done.

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[Mary MacKintosh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to like Koontz's Odd Thomas novels, but they are losing their charm. Part of the problem is the amount of filler. Koontz stuffs the book with dismal thoughts about how the world is devolving into a horrible place, and in this one he actually predicts that it might be America's time to produce a Hitler, Pol Pot, Idi Amin type of leader, one that will wreak havoc on innocent citizens and export horror to the world. There is a good story in here, but a reader has to struggle to stay engaged, and slog through all the extraneous material. Strangely Koontz cannot stay dark, and the end of the book cycles into an almost fairy tale happy situation full of gentle big dogs, cookies, cocoa, and "good people."

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book six in the Odd Thomas series and after having a bit of a moan about the last few books I'm happy to report that I enjoyed this one much more.

This book definitely has less fillers and more action and I feel like we are building up to something in book seven, the final installment.

I really love how this series has featured Elvis, Sinatra and now Hitchcock as characters, its definitely quirky, but I'm ready for the end, Saint Odd, let's do this.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever been in a relationship which starts out with the other person continually telling you about how well he/she is going to treat you, but time goes by & he/she gets comfortable & lazy & never really delivers on all of those empty words? All build-up, no follow-through. Sure, he/she isn't really a bad person, but you feel so underwhelmed that you grow to resent even the things about him/her that attracted you in the first place. That is how this series is beginning to feel to me. There is simply so much foreshadowing & promises of things to come, but it doesn't feel like it's going anywhere. I'm sorry Odd Thomas, it's not me, it's you. Don't get me wrong, I'm very interested in reading the end of this series, but I may hold off on any of the other books until it's over. I don't think its ever taken me nearly 2 weeks to read a Dean Koontz book before & I hope it never will again. Even the action within the entries in the series themselves feel as if it's stalling. This book felt like 1/3 long, drawn-out descriptions of odd weather patterns & the strange 'otherworld;' 1/3 flashbacks to the other books; and 1/3 Odd's simpering about the possible fates that could befall him mixed with passive-aggressive rants about current (usually pop) culture.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't expect much from Dean Koontz as a writer other than his ability to create some compelling characters and to weave a good tale. In the first Odd Thomas book that's what I got. But now Koontz has gotten really tiresome with his preachy tone and his homophobic, anti-government paranoia ("'Year by year,the government ever more aggressively militarizes state and local police forces and even its most seemingly benign agencies. In August of last year, the Social Security Administration purchased one hundred seventy-four thousand rounds of hollow-point ammunition for distribution to forty-one of its offices around the country.'") and he puts into the mouth of poor Oddy some of the worst right-wing BS. I already know you're a right-winger, Mr. Koontz, and that's your right, but if I wanted to be exposed to a steady diet of it, I'd turn on Fox "News." In addition to that, this story is predictable and poorly plotted, and the denouement is a let down.This is the last Koontz book I will read.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let’s be honest ok? Did anyone out there really expect this one to be good? If so, you’re delusional. Admit it: Koontz’s track record has been just ghastly as of late. The guy has let me down so many times that I would be flat out surprised if anything decent came out of this newest Odd novel. Well, clearly as you can see, my prediction proved true. “Deeply Odd” was awful.

Really though, should this even come as a shock? Before we delve into the waste of paper (or hard drive space since mine was on the Kindle), that “Deeply Odd” was, let’s go back and answer that question with a brief trip down memory lane and into Koontz’s biography for the last, 7 or 8 years. In that time are there any books that bare any sort of praise? I honestly can’t think of a single one I really liked. There were a few ok ones, sure, like “What the Night Knows” and even the previous “Odd Apocalypse” did show some promise, but within that time frame he somehow managed to write the god awful “Breathless”, the horrendous “Darkest Evening of the Year” the boring conclusion to the at time promising “Frankenstein” series and his worst one up to this, “77 Shadow Street”. Koontz has really been on a downward slump these last few years. If he were a professional athlete, he’s have had his walking papers many seasons ago. Like an aging pitcher that throws nothing but HR’s, Koontz is aging and not doing it well.

That being said, “Deeply Odd” is no better. I don’t know where to start with it, it was that bad. The plot was bad. The characters were bad. The dialogue was bad. The attempted uses at humor were bad. Koontz’s never ending right wing paranoia was bad. The action was bad. Even the rushed and boring conclusion was bad.

Any single one of those things would be enough to write a scathing review on, but I am going to keep it to a minimum for time’s sake and to keep me from looking to much like a babbling idiot.

I will start at the plot. It wasn’t the worst in recent memory but its been done before. By Koontz. 3 TIMES IN A ROW!!!!! Yes, “Shadow Street” dealt with an alternative sort of reality. “Apocalypse” did as well. Now we are subjected to this kind of idea for the 3rd time in as many books! Either Koontz has run out of ideas (and is getting senile in his old age) or he has come to the conclusion that his readers are stupid and have forgotten that this has been told to us thrice!

Speaking of forgetting, it sure seems that Koontz has forgotten how to write his own creations. In the first 3 “Odd” books, Odd Thomas was a lovable character dealing with this talent (or curse, depending on how you saw fit to feel about him). He accepted this lot in life with little complaint and while he sometimes moped and went introspective, he was generally a happy-go-lucky guy, afraid of violence and hurting people. Now Odd is a gun-loving, emo kid with an all too apparent chip on his shoulder about losing his beloved Stormy. He whines constantly and cries continuously about his life. He says he still abhors violence and still hates guns, but for someone who feels that way, he sure knows how to describe his dual-wielding Glocks, his kevlar vest, and his top secret, government issued sleeping spray/powder. He seems to be extremely talents with said weapons as well as he’s seen killing at least 5 people in this installment.That works out to be more than dead bodies than in all the other books combined. Oh, and now he is totally ok with stealing things too, justifying his actions with some horribly lame excuses. Don’t misunderstand me here. If Odd would have started out this way, it wouldnt be so bad, but now that he’s done a complete 180 so fast shows that Koontz is losing his faith in his character.

Maybe you can blame that all on Mrs. Fischer, the gun-totting, limo driving, confusing-as-hell, 86 year old woman who miraculously shows up to save Odd after he somehow manages to survive crashing an SUV that he has stollen. She randomly appears, makes Odd her driver and proceeds to talk away for the next 140 pages about things that make no sense and have no bearing whatsoever in the story. I’m serious people. This is the depths that Koontz has fallen! I’ve read better dues ex machinas in children’s stories.

I’ve also read better dialogue in them too. The back and forth discussions, conversations, and inner monologues are laughably bad. No, wait. I take that back. They are cringe worthy and headache inducing. One such example goes accordingly:
“It’s a thing-a-ma-bob,” Mrs. Fischer said.
“A thing-a-ma-bob?” I asked
“A dohickey”
“Dohickey?”
“A thing-a-ma-bob dohickey. They implanted it in my right buttock. Or maybe it was my left.”
“Why would they plant a thing-a-ma-bob dohickey in your butt cheek?”
Mrs. Fischer leaned forward and pinched my cheek. “You’re a cute one, Mr. Odd.”
That’s it. If I’m lying, I’m dying. Throughout this entire novel the readers have to crawl through these kind of inane and pointless fillers with no reason other than they are there to take up space. Take out these conversations and you’re left with a story that would probably be only 1/4 as long.

And that 25% would only come at the last part of the story because it isn’t until you’ve slogged through the previous 75% of “Deeply Odd” that you finally come to any action and any kind of plot worth mentioning. What is that plot you ask? Well let’s just say Koontz relies on age old demon mythology and some naturally evil people to explain why things happen. Like that alternate reality thing we previously mentioned, this has been done numerous times before too. I wouldn’t have had a problem with this (after all I read countless zombie stories that are basically the same plot over and over again) but only if had been done well. Obviously this time it wasn’t.

Dean Koontz has frustrated, disappointed, pissed me off, and let me down for the very last time. I, in good conscious, can no longer support an author with no motivation to write anything good anymore. To continue to waste time, money, and even electricity recharging my kindle while reading his stuff, is just a constant, never ending circle of depression and anger. So with all that being said and these facts laid bare and open before you, Mr. Koontz, I bid you farewell. Should we ever have the possibility to cross paths, I do hope it will be in the company of your older stories and creations.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It almost pains me to do so, but I have to rate an Odd Thomas novel below four stars.

Here's the reason: Dean Koontz is lousing up one of my favorite creations of his with long, rambling paragraphs and inner monologues that never seem to end. True, Odd has always been a very self-reflective character; after all, it's from his perspective that Koontz has told all of the Odd Thomas stories so far. The problem is that Odd's musings are starting to get in the way of the storyline.

Nowhere is this more true than in Deeply Odd. In between sometimes thin plot lines, Koontz lards this novel with diatribes about how horrible the world is, how terrible government is, and how dogs are innocent beings that only ever turn mean because of the failings of their human caretakers.

The unfortunate result is a book largely without a story. Yes, we're treated to an intriguing new character, and the action filling the last 75 pages or so almost brings the reader back to classic Koontz, but because there's so much needless filler masquerading as some ridiculous philosophizing, the reader is left with a maddeningly vague plot and the feeling that he or she doesn't know much more about where Odd Thomas is going at the end of the book than at the beginning.

I love Odd Thomas' character; I have since Book #1. But Koontz has got to get his act together and recapture that old spirit of his, or he's going to alienate Odd's fans for good.

[Tucker Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Koontz wrote some great horror books early in his career. In recent years he’s evolved into a writer who not only tells a great story but who can also be relied on to create a deeper “layer” or “current” beneath the surface of the book that serves to inspire or exalt morality and virtuous behavior. Koontz did this masterfully in Odd Thomas, the first book in this series – creating a great protagonist that was heroic, witty, loyal, but also a bit flawed.

I enjoyed the subsequent books in the series, but I also felt in the most recent ones that Odd Thomas lacked direction and growth in terms of his character. Well, Deeply Odd cures that and then some. This is easily the best book in the series since the original and I’ll give two reasons why I feel that way:

1. Odd Thomas gives voice to his most overwhelming need – redemption. It’s been a constant theme of course that he saved lives in the original book but lost Stormy – however, it’s never been this in-depth or articulated so well. In Deeply Odd you can literally feel how pained Odd is and how much he craves redemption, even though he doesn’t believe it is possible.

2. Odd Thomas’ journey in the last few books was so random at times that I was frustrated at the lack of growth in his character, but now … we find out how all of his adventures have been building up to one great purpose – his journey has a destination, and everything to this point (and including the storyline in Deeply Odd) has been preparing him for the final book in the series. Without including a spoiler, suffice it to say that Odd Thomas’ journey is set to come full circle.

It took me 175 pages or so before I began to appreciate these two points in Deeply Odd – but from that moment forward the pace was relentless and everything that had seemed random began to take shape and gain meaning.

A couple other notes (without spoiling anything) for readers already immersed in the world of Odd Thomas – it’s pretty subtle but if you read closely between the lines then I think there’s a big reveal about Annamaria near the end of the book that could play a major role in Odd’s future; and Alfred Hitchcock does something pretty cool, as well.

For readers who are new to the world of Odd Thomas: I noticed other reviewers suggested that if you’ve never read an Odd Thomas book then you should probably read the others first – however, I’d put it this way: if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief at the randomness of the universe then you’ll be just fine reading this book. Two examples: one, if it bothers you that when Odd is running from a bad guy he just happens to cross paths with a gang of bank robbers who leave keys in the getaway car, then you might be distracted from the finer points of the book; and two, if the first randomly convenient car bugs you but doesn’t keep you from plowing forward, then the elderly woman who shows up in a limousine and asks Odd to be her chauffer at the next instance in which he is in desperate need of wheels might. Just suspend your disbelief – his name is Odd for a reason – and you’ll enjoy this book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Odd Thomas series. Where else can you find such a great hero, genuine good vs. evil stuff, wonderful side characters, and HUMOR in a "horror" book? Koontz intersperses scary sequences with Odd's random musings, which help make him a believable hero, albeit a hero in pretty unusual situations and with some unusual skills... For instance, in the midst of chasing down the villain, he proposes that "although it isn't profound, there are worse mottoes to live by than 'we might as well eat.'" Few other supernatural suspense writers can do this successfully, in my book. John Connolly (in the Charlie Parker mystery series) and Joe Hill both can do it...Stephen King tries but he gets hammy with his humor IMHO (much like he does in cameos in his movies). Heresy to some, I know: sorry.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I note that I read and enjoyed the first book in the Odd Thomas series after a trip to Orford in Suffolk last year. Again lucky to pick up a charity shop book in the series but this is number 6. This one I started reading on flight to Madeira holiday and finished next day. Now will be forced to read hotel library books.

Odd sees dead souls and helps them. Helping Elvis Presley last time and now with a close affinity to Alfred Hitchcock. The book is fast paced and the dialogue is witty. I was reminded of reading my dad’s copy of Dennis Wheatley’s ‘Black Magic Omnibus’ as a child. Then I was at times petrified of Satanic rites. Perhaps a little more relaxed now with age but I have to say I still get the same twitch or two reading.

Odd is just a lovely guy. Good enough to marry your daughter if he didn’t have all the weird baggage he carries with him.

If this had been written by Stephen King I am sure it would have been longer. More detailed description and flashbacks. But Koontz writes for the more laid back and perhaps a tad lazier reader ie, moi😉

Will be looking out for more in this series.

He said, ‘You come back with me and answer some questions about what happened back there, and I’ll kill you easy. You don’t come, I’ll blow away a couple of these innocent women shopping for groceries, and then I’ll kill you. Want that on your conscience?’

‘Give me your breath, piglet, your breath, and the sweet fruit at the end of it.’

[Mauoijenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an Odd book.
It's Dean Koontz.
Of course it was GREAT!!!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odd Thomas is back in a brand new adventure. When Odd ends up in a violent confrontation with an evil rhinestone cowboy, his fears are realized when he receives a dark vision of things to come. Can he stop the rhinestone cowboy and his evil from destroying innocent lives before it is too late? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was a great installment of the Odd Thomas series. If you like horror stories and stories filled with action and more, definitely check this book out. I look forward to reading the final book in this series in the future. Look for this book at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.

[Zoeytron · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first Dean Koontz book I have read in years. What happened, man? This was a rambling mess of pop culture references with a heavy-handed side of commentary on the state of our country.

The premise was so-so. The character of the 80-something Edie who hired Odd as a chauffeur but who continued to do her own driving was diverting. And okay, the reference made to 'vampire-movie stupid' tickled my funny bone. Not enough meat to make it worth slogging through the rest of it. Very disappointing.

Thank you to my Goodreads buddy who lent me his giveaway copy.

[Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so beautiful, I can't even start to explain. But from beginning to end I found it exceedingly beautiful and it filled my heart with everything that's good in this world. I loved it. I hope the last book of the series proves to be as good as these last two installments have proved to be.

[KatieV · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read the first 5 books in the series and I read those the old fashioned way. With book 6, I moved to audio. That was, perhaps, not for the best. However, it has become harder and harder for me to read a book of any length due to spending hours on a computer every day reading tiny lines of code. Audiobooks save my weakened eyes and the resulting headaches.

There was nothing wrong with the narration. It's just that, after reading 5 books, I had my own idea of Odd's voice. It took some getting used to.

Also, I felt Koontz used Odd too much as a mouthpiece for preaching on the ills of this society. Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of ills and Odd knows that more than most, but the Odd I've come to know and love is not the preachy type. Odd is typically cautiously optimistic and accepting. I realize he's been through a lot in the almost 2 years since the events of book 1, but I just felt there was something a bit off with the characterization this time around. I felt like there was too much gloomy introspection that got in the way of the story.

The story, when you get down to the meat of it was pretty interesting as well as creepy. I really like the old lady, Edie, who was introduced.

I've started on the 7th and last book of the series and, so far, I'm seeing more of the Oddie I've come to know and love. Despite the desperate circumstances, Odd has made me laugh at the absurd elements of the situations he's placed in at the beginning of the book. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic :)

I know Koontz is generally regarded as a horror writer, but there's more to it than that. Yes, there are horrific things and people, but there are also lovable characters (often including dogs) and a sense of hope and sometimes romance. There are several Koontz novels that have a very good romance (Lightning, Watchers). Odd Thomas is very romantic in a star crossed sort of way. Odd's love for his lost Stormy is a strong thread throughout. I hope the gypsy mummy prediction is fulfilled in the end.

Despite my lukewarm feelings on this installment, I'd recommend starting the series to almost anyone. I've thought for years that a prequel tv series would be awesome. We'd get more of our beloved Pico Mundo characters and could watch the beginnings of Odd's adventures as a psychic detective before all the horrible tragedy of book 1... and I miss ghost Elvis.

[Dale · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a first reads giveaway. Thank you to Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read it.

This book started off very good. Odd Thomas happens upon a trucker that his sixth sense tells him is evil. But the glorious truck, a ProStar+, draws him in. When he steps for a closer look, his six sense may prove to be right. On Odd Thomas' trek he is stumbled upon by Edie Fischer, which turns out to be his metaphysical guide. She is a solidly written character who in my eyes is the bright spot in the book. As the twists and turns in reality and other realities deepen is where i got lost, about halfway through. I really tried to stay with it but I guess my roots in reality keep me grounded. Fans of the Stephen King's Dark Tower series, especially the third book onward would probably be very happy with this book. This was my first Koontz book and will be my last. I am disappointed because I wanted to like this book and also the guilt of giving a less than favorable review to a first reads book.

There is one glaring error that i feel inclined to mention, being a stickler for detail. There is so much emphasis put on the fact that the trucker in this story drove a ProStar+. They must have said it 50 times or more. They are referring to the International ProStar+ semi tractor which is very distinctive looking. I am very familiar with them as I have been around them. THEY DID NOT PUT A PROSTAR+ ON THE COVER OF THE BOOK!!!!! They put what looks to be like a Peterbilt 379. Major blunder in my opinion.

[Danjal Jannik · Rating 1 out of 5]

As you know, this is the 6th book in the Odd Thomas series and deals with Odd coming across a dangerous cowboy who has plans to kill a bunch of children. Odd starts a cross-state hunt to stop him and along the way he meets 86-year old Edie Fischer, who helps him on his way; she’s as mysterious as AnnaMaria but far more action oriented.
I LOVED the first Odd Thomas, as most of us did, and didn’t really feel I needed a sequel. But we got them, with varying success. I have found the odd-numbered books better than the even-numbered, and that is especially true for this book. I am not a slow reader and bought the UK edition of the book the day it came out – and one month later I’d barely gotten halfway through. Up until then I’d only liked chapter 14 and some few – VERY few – scenes that came before and after. That first half of the book is the most boring stuff I’d ever had to paddle through. I know, I could just stop, but I have promised myself to read all of the Odd series, even though I feel Koontz has lost his grip on what makes books, well, gripping. Back in the day I was the biggest Koontz-fan in Europe (maybe an exaggeration, but I was a BIG fan), but in recent years he’s just been lacking in quality. I’m not only talking about him going overboard with his catholicism and right-wingery either, he seems to have lost the edge, to dare going to dark places, and in this book his descriptions of skies and seas and lakes and houses and rooms and the such REALLY went into overdrive, so much so, that I occasionally zoned out and just read the damn paragraphs without really absorbing them, but just to get them over with. We don’t NEED half page descriptions of some room, ESPECIALLY not in the middle of a chase. Also, hammers on anvils isn’t the best way to describe even the hardest rain, methinks.
Often his descriptions of the most mundane things are laughingly stupid. Like: “Blood has an odor faint but distinct, of conceit and modesty, of courage and cowardice, of charity and greed, of faith and doubt, in short the fragrance of what we might have been and the smell of what we are…” No, Koontz, the smell of blood is coppery and sweet, no more, no less. This isn’t even clever or profound, it’s just a ramble of the worst kind.
At one point he even had Odd mention that he’d read a book called Twilight Eyes.
Later, as he’s driving with Edie, they start talking about laws and she says something about “idiot laws” and Odd asks “what law?” and she says, “Oh, all kinds of laws, sweetie. Idiot safety laws, bone-headed environmental laws that actually contribute to pollution…” I know that you’re a Republican, Koontz, but you’re still allowed to think for yourself and not believe every lie Fox News tells you about pollution and/or global warming; it’s not a hoax, maybe if you actually READ the gazillion, independent studies on it and its effects, instead of equating science = evil, God = good, then you might actually avoid sounding “bone-headed” yourself. And idiot safety laws?? What, shouldn’t there be limits on how fast you can drive? You DO know, that even a few miles extra an hour can cause severe damage that could be avoided by just driving a bit slower, right?
Then, as he and Edie are talking in a diner, he comes up with this gold nugget (he’s talking about mottoes to live by when it all goes to hell and states some examples): “The secretary of defense announces from Sweden that he is having a sex-change operation, is in love with the prime minister of Russia, and has given his lover our nuclear launch codes.” REALLY, Koontz? In that short sentence you display an ugly opinion of trans-, homo- and xenophobia. Transgendered and/or gay people are a threat to the US? This IS what you’re saying with this, and it’s a blatant lie, it is typical right wing-Michele Bachmann-paranoia crap; but it is no wonder, as it’s well known that Koontz has supported Michele Bachmann, John McCain and Mitt Romney who all LIVE for installing fear for foreigners and gays in the American population. Shame on you for this, Koontz, you had a lot of gay readers back in the day and since none of them are hurting YOU, why do you have to be such a bigot?
Just a few pages later he, ironically, muses on this: “Usually I spare myself from the news, because if it’s not propaganda, then it’s one threat or another exaggerated to the point of absurdity […], of bigotry and oppression misnamed justice, of hatred passed off as righteousness…” This IS all very true, but, again, Michele Bachmann and her ilk are the worst offenders in doing this, AND YOU SUPPORTED HER! That is bigotry!
Then he becomes delusional: “Among the nations of the Earth in all its hstory, ours is one of the few that has not brought forth its Hitler, its Stalin, its Pol Pot, its Mao Tse-tung, its Vlad the Impaler.” A lof of nations haven’t brought forth one of those, the US not being one of them: the massacring of Native Americans, Bush starting a war on grounds there were lies, bombings, shootings. Yup, it all adds up. You have just as much blood on your hands as a lot of other warring nations.
Near the end of the book, when all is ending with kids and dogs and happy sunrises, he writes: “I will not say that they were all beautiful by the standards of our culture, which is obsessed with models and airbrushed celebrities…” Well, dear Mr. Koontz, when was the last time you had a less attractive female lead in one of your books? They all have long black/blonde hair (never redheads) and deep almon-shaped brown eyes/deep truthful blue eyes, they all move with grace and have slender legs and full breasts and what have you. In a LOT of your books you have equaled beautiful = good, ugly = evil, so you’re as much to blame in that culture you slam. That’s bigotry too. I even remember in one of his earlier books, I think it was The Eyes of Darkness, where he had an elderly maid think about how this culture idolizes young people. Again, Koontz IS part of that culture, as it seems that the older he gets, the younger his protagonists are.
Which brings me to his slamming of Hollywood and everything it stands for; that is deeply ironic, since his books use every Hollywood cliché available.
His love for dogs is also too exaggerated; in one scen, Odd is attacked by three Dobermans, pacifies them, and freaking starts APOLOGIZING for having to do it!
And would it have killed you to kill off just ONE of the 26 children in this book? I don't wish death on anyone, but it's suspense fiction and the stakes are supposed to be high. ALL the bad guys die, ALL the good guys survive - where is the excitement in that? Booooring!
Of the five or so people Odd kills, one of them is a young woman, the only woman in the entire book who shows any sexuality and the only one of the killed ones whose death throes is disgustingly described. I’m not saying Koontz is a misogynist, but catholicism is and it’s also afraid of sex and he’s a self-proclaimed catholic, but I find it realy disturbing that he’s in a way “slut-shaming”, intentionally or not.
My last gripe with this book is his decriptions of Satanism. Maybe Koontz should take the time to read The Satanic Bible; Satanism is NOT about sacrificing children, or grown-ups, or goats or anyting else like that; it is NOT about summoning the devil. It IS, however, about not wanting to be shamed for all the stupid things the bible says and live your life as YOU see fit, without hurting anyone. That is ALL satanism is about. Of course, there’s always some bad seed in every group, even catholic priests abuse kids, but get your facts straight, Koontz. Also, some of the symbols the satanists use are ankhs and Celtic crosses. These are NOT associated with satanism in any way, it isn’t just catholicism that is good and loving, far from it, in fact!
Normally I hate spoilers, but for this book I actively sought them out to see if ANYHTING would happen that would make it worthwhile, but found nothing and thus had to FORCE myself to finish it.
Overall this is a very, very, very bad book; I WILL read the last Odd book, but then I think my 28 year long affair with Koontz is over. It seems like a loooong time since Whispers, Watchers, Midnight and Dragon Tears. MAYBE I will read Chris Snow #3 if he ever gets around to write it; I’m not sure, because even though they were alright books, they are not among my favourites.
Too bad, because you have given me many a good read.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In life, little happens by chance, and most bad hands we're dealt are the consequence of our actions, which are shaped by our wisdom and our ignorance."

To be honest, after "Odd Apocalypse", which is a much better book, "Deeply Odd" is somewhat of a disappointment, but thinking about it a while it actually makes some sense, because after the original "Odd Thomas" book, its direct sequel "Forever Odd" was also rather disappointing to me. Luckily that one was followed by the amazing "Brother Odd", so I'm guessing "Deeply Odd" is the same kind of transitional book as "Forever Odd" and we will get an epic conclusion of the series with "Saint Odd".

"Tom, you must be planning a trip straight to Hell City."
"I'm hoping it's just a suburb, sir."

"Deeply Odd" is more urban fantasy than fitting in with the previous Oddities, and feels a lot like an episode of "Supernatural". The Elsewhere showing up all the time was very Silent Hillish. It has less humor, and the atmosphere is not exactly darker but more solemn, which just might be me projecting my thoughts about the series slowly coming to an end. The final chapters are the best part of the book. Meanwhile we meet so many extra characters and witness so many unexplained things, we yearn for the original "Odd Thomas" about one ordinary guy in a small town, nothing more and nothing less. What we learn in "Deeply Odd" about the world, together with Odd himself, seems to throw all the rules we were told in the first novels out the window (dead Alfred Hitchcock suddenly talking even when "the dead don't talk") and it seems like anything is possible. It's no longer just a guy who sees dead people and solves crimes, but that hasn't really been the case anymore for a long time. Yet the contrast here is much bigger.

Then again, Hitchcock explained it himself somewhat: he never lingered, not when he was alive nor when he's dead, so he passed on immediately and now has been sent back from "service" to help Odd.

"I'm sure that your life is full of women who are drawn to you. Because they know or sense that you take a vow seriously, that you're faithful forever, that you recognize and cherish in good women what qualities you loved in the one you lost, that you respect them, that you care deeply about their dignity perhaps even when they don't, that you will never walk away from one in need."

What certainly took some getting used to, was Odd's new sidekick. Sometimes I had the feeling that Betty White must have blackmailed Dean Koontz to create a sassy character for her to play if the franchise ever takes off, the first movie adaptation finally comes into theaters and is such a success all the other books will be turned into movies as well. Edie Fischer makes sure Odd gets where he needs to go. It's like Odd is no longer in control of his own life and body, he's merely a vessel and performs tasks and even gets words put into his mouth as some kind of puppet controlled by a higher force, and Edie takes on the role of assistent to bring that puppet to the place of its next performance. Odd himself is left to reminisce about old times and to complain about the modern world.

There might be some insights into the identity of Odd's previous sidekick, Annamaria. She doesn't want him to diminish her after he says that sister comment, probably meaning she doesn't want to be viewed as merely human. Hitchcock asks why he wouldn't sound like Annamaria, hinting they have something in common. And judging by some abilities of her own, there's a good chance she hails from the same world Hitchcock has returned from, with the big difference that other people can interact with her too.

"Always questioning your motivations is a healthy thing, but fearing your capacity for doing the wrong thing, so that you retreat from many aspects of life, is a terrible error in itself."

Throughout this novel I was seeing things, little details, which I think are just a subconscious desire to link this story to others and which probably aren't really there, and I'm actually scaring myself a little with my own ideas of what might or might not happen. The lightning bolts in the sewer gratings made me think of the goblins' sigul in "Twilight Eyes", and what do I see a few pages further on but Odd himself mentioning this very fact, even naming the book by its title and claiming he's read it! Of course immediately I started to wonder whether Dean Koontz would write himself into this story in the same way Stephen King wrote himself in "The Dark Tower". (And I find it kind of insulting how he fails to mention Stephen King's "Christine" when he lists movies about demonic cars ...) We already had connections to the Christopher Snow stories with Moonlight Bay. And with this in the back of my mind, I started making other connections: the waitress in the diner reminded me of Deliverance Payne of "Tick Tock", the family living in armored seclusion reminded me of Penny Boom's family in "Relentless", the nine children, five adults and three dogs at the end of the story made me think of the ending of "One Door Away From Heaven" and probably some other Koontz book endings as well, like "The Darkest Evening of the Year" and "From the Corner of His Eye".

So, we have even more and more questions, no resolutions, and only one book to go. No matter what, I'm definitely excited about it and I can't wait for the chance to read this entire series back to back as a whole!

[Ewa (Fedra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another audiobook. Odd Thomas is always interesting. He's had Elvis and Sinatra as sidekicks and now it's Alfred Hitchcock (and he talks). A rhinestone cowboy, elderly heroine who drives a souped up Mercedes are all part of the adventure. Once again Odd's the hero and saves the world from a dark "demonic entity". You will "fornicating" until you laugh out loud.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old reviews went missing. How does save not working?

[Audrey Maran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what I thought about Deeply Odd. I guess it was 'okay.' It was more quickly paced and entertaining than I was expecting after Odd Apocalypse. Maybe my low expectations are what made this book a little bit better than the last for me. Maybe it was that I read it in a car and on a plane when not much else is entertaining. Or maybe it was just written better than the last. Either way, not an awful book, but it still lacks the enchanting balance of strangeness, horror, beauty and depth that was present in the first few Odd books. For me, I think it helped that AnnaMaria had a smaller role and I did enjoy Odd's new geriatric companion and hope to see her again. On the other hand, I find myself annoyed by the spirtual and moral lessons that Odd has been increasingly and is now constantly interjecting. They are beginning to feel out of place, as if Koontz cannot get down off of his soap box long enough to write a chapter. Odd has always been a little meditative and in the past his 'lessons' have not bothered me, whether or not I agreed with them, because they felt like part of his character; however it is getting to the point where I no longer see it as part of the character and more like Koontz is just deciding to spout off whatever he is thinking. Additionally, the lessons and writing in general has been seeming, to me, to be taking on an almost out of place spiritual tone. That may sound silly since the book is about a man who can see and communicate with spirits, but it is in a different sense that I am not sure how to describe. Kind of like if Dean Koontz wrote a story and then gave it to a quantum soul-cleansing guest Oprah would have on her show to reword. Anyway, to get back to the content of the book, I actually liked the ideas in Odd Apocalypse better than the ones in Deeply Odd, but I didn't find myself bored like I did in the previous book. I think the writing was a little better this time around, and that made it so Deeply Odd, even with less intriguing ideas, was more entertaining (just a little bit, it still isn't great). So, right back where I started, it was 'okay'. Oh, the reader should be prepared for a really weird peace, love, and happiness portion to the ending. Like drink the kool-aid weird. I wish someone would have lost those pages, it felt tacked on anyways.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 3 out of 5]

They followed the light and the shadow,
and the light led them forward to light
and the shadow led them to darkness.
-T. S. Eliot, Choruses from The Rock, VII

With the ideas of alternate realities and the concept that we create our own realities, I really thought I was gonna love this book. Unfortunately the religious overtones ruined the story so I can't say that this is one of my favorite Odd installments. I enjoyed the previous volume, Odd Apocalypse much better and I am hoping that the final book, Saint Odd will give us some long-waited answers and closure. I enjoyed the participation of Alfred Hitchcock in this story.

My favorite character in the story is Mrs. Fischer, although she is in ways very similar to Birdie Hopkins, whom was presented in Odd Hours (see chapter 32 of Odd Hours for example). I have to wonder why Dean didn't just use Birdie Hopkins to suddenly appear with a needed vehicle again instead of creating a brand new character.

Dean's Catholicism is very apparent in Deeply Odd. I think it's important to remember that just because a person isn't religious doesn't mean they are satanic. There are plenty of people in this world who are full of wonder and they don't need to share the same beliefs to be a force for good.

I recommend listening to Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy to celebrate this Deeply Odd book.

Favorite Passages from Deeply Odd:

"His mother is still alive?"
"She's not some walking-dead zombie, child. Of course she's alive. Or was this morning. You never know. None of us does. If it matters at all, I'm eighty six."
"You don't look it, ma'am."
"The hell I don't. When I see myself in a mirror, I scream."
_______

"About forty years ago, I knew an Annamaria Youdel. She was a gifted clothes designer and seamstress. She made all her own clothes. I guess she had to, considering she stood five feet two and weighed three hundred sixty pounds. She had two gold teeth right in front. She shaved her head every day and kept her eyebrows plucked. Her face was as smooth and pink and sweet as the face of a baby, though babies don't have three chins."
"Different Annamaria," I said.

[Brent Burch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid thriller from Dean Koontz. I personally enjoy the Odd Thomas series, because of the quirkiness of the lead character; and so far Dean Koontz has yet to write a true dud in this series. With this book, however, it feels like the author is ramping up to some sort of conclusion. I'd hope so, because I hate to see a series go on for way too long. A definite recommend.

[Ananda]

I know I just finished Odd#5 but I want another one now please. I love Odd Thomas, absolutely one of my favorite written characters!

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting, Engrossing, Insightful, Funny, Intense Page Turner! An Excellent Read! I Loved It!

[Kathy Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth in the Odd Thomas lite horror series revolving around a young man who sees ghosts and feels compelled to help people. It's been 19 months since Stormy died.

My Take
This is an Odd adventure with very little of Annamarie, who appears as almost a cameo. Instead, Koontz is introducing a new branch of characters who help. In some respects this was somewhat same-same with a a descent into cliché, and yet it did have some terrifying moments. Mostly, however, this was a confusing story. I didn't understand a lot of what was going on, even as it introduced a deeper level of scare with the new cast about whom we don't learn much. I'm frustrated with not knowing what's going on with Annamaria, what her deal is. I can't believe Odd just keeps going along with her.

Oh, not fair! I'm craving cheese meatloaf...and I've never had any before!

Eeek! Koontz, this is not fair pulling in cultural references like scary movies! It makes it too easy for me to imagine the scary stuff and makes Odd feel like a regular guy. It also compounds events in the normal-seeming truck stop. A very lucky stop as it prepares him for what's to come.

Other Odd sure gave me the creeps, but I did love love Kipp and Mazie's! Oh…"Purdy was all heart, not all face" is such a lovely sentiment and so true. I remember meeting this gorgeous guy, truly drool-worthy. And he was dumber than a box of rocks. Turned me off completely. I would look at him and not see the beauty, but the slog of a conversation, the tedious time spent in his company.

Odd was irritating in this one. Normally, I enjoy his politeness and his scruples, but those qualities felt exaggerated in this, and Odd came across as a dork. I wanted to smack him a few times. Especially that scene at the end when Odd wants to release that last captive in the truck, and Hitchcock is telling him no.

Oh, if only therapy could work this fast…! Still, it is a better version than most.

The Story
Odd's gift seems to pull in the wandering helpers as well as the ghosts in need. It's lucky for him that Edie Fischer pulls in, in time to help Odd escape the rhinestone cowboy, even if he's not interested in taking the place of her deceased chauffeur.

It's a lucky, if odd rescue with yet another inscrutable woman holding back information. Must be destiny that Odd keeps attracting people who don't question his purpose.

The Characters
Odd Thomas is a fry cook. A very good fry cook who makes the fluffiest pancakes. He also sees and acts for the dead. Since Odd Hours , 4, Odd travels with Annamaria, the very pregnant and very inscrutable Lady of the Bell. Traveling with them are Raphael, a golden retriever from Odd Hours ; Boo, a German shepherd ghost dog, who chose to accompany Odd in Brother Odd , 3; and, young/old Timothy, the dead boy from Odd Apocalypse , 5. Stormy Llewellyn was Odd's much-loved girlfriend who died in Odd Thomas , 1.

Edie Fischer seems a lot like Blossom from Odd Hours in that she roams the countryside following, looking for...something. And matchmaking. Oscar is her former chauffeur. Heath was/is her beloved husband with many talents including magic. Purdy Feltenham was his best man for the wedding.

The easygoing and amused Alfred Hitchcock is Odd's current ghostly friend.

Andy Shephorn is with the California Highway Patrol, and an Edie-believer. Gideon and Chandelle ride a Harley. Kipp, a former equities trader, Mazie, a former lawyer, and their sons, Tracker and Leander, have quite the armory in their fortress. Edie believes in proper weaponizing. Harmony is Leander's wife. Justine is Tracker's second wife; they specialize in printing. Big Dog is their humongous Great Dane.

Among the missing are Jessie and Jasmine Payton, eight- and six-year-old siblings, ten-year-old Jordan, and Verena Stanhope, who also sees dead people. Chet, a diner, and Sandy, one of the waitresses, inform them of the other missing children.

The cowboy trucker in his rhinestone suit is very menacing---his personality certainly does come out in this!

Lyle Hetland is the current high priest. Rob Burkett is an office guy, and Jinx is one of those being favored. Zebulon is one of the more powerful demons.

The Cover
The cover is a scene within Odd's face. A bright blue night with the yellow of reflecting lights on his right cheek as Odd stands on the center line and faces down the rhinestone trucker.

The title is so very Deeply Odd himself as he falls so very deeply into this adventure.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this 6th Odd Thomas book was like meeting up with an old quirky friend after not seeing them for a while, and realising that, as good as it is to see them, all of their quirks and oddities have become just a tad too much. While you enjoyed all the other times you saw them, you realise now that you've grown apart, and by the end of your meeting, you're not sure if you can make good on your promise of another get together.

[Jordyn Redwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

This truly pains me to rate this book so low. Ugh.

I am a HUGE Dean Koontz fan. Read any of my author interviews and you'll see this is true. I would love to write with a tenth of his talent so this doesn't diminish my love for him and his writings.

Sadly, however, I didn't LOVE this book.

I had read the first two Odd Thomas books and then abandoned the series for a while. Not because I didn't enjoy them but just busy discovering new authors, learning the writing craft and writing my own novels.

This tale is about Odd trying to save three children from a fiery hell of being burned alive by a strange, otherworldly cowboy who can transverse between parallel universes.

The novel did not interest me until Chapter 13. The most endearing character was Edie, an old woman seemingly traveling the US in a limo doing good deeds with some special "powers" of her own and the usual gang of visiting ghosts to Thomas-- this one highlighted Alfred Hitchcock.

I once had an editor say to me-- "You don't have to keep everything hidden from the reader."

Ultimately, I think this is where the book failed. There was just too much unanswered/not understood as far as the plot went.

Why does Edie have a chip implant? What is the chip for? Who is this group of people that helps "heal" lost and wounded souls? What are they fighting against?

There are bright moments of great action but this was my other issue-- I never really felt like Odd Thomas was in danger. Maybe in one scene where he meets his alter ego-- in the flesh.

Other than that-- he never really seems to come into close direct contact with violence. Seemingly scrapes by with nary a scratch-- particularly in the ending scenes.

I'm still a Koontz fan and I look forward and will read his future releases. This one just wasn't a jewel in his crown and I'm a little sad I paid a library fine to hold onto it for as long as I did.

I still love him though.

[Barry Simiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say that I am entranced with the Odd Thomas series would be a gross understatement. I love the fact that Dean Koontz has finally stepped past the max 2 book barrier and gone to 5 with more to come in this series. Oddie as a character is brilliant, self deprecating, instinctive, quick witted and witty (not necessarily available as a package in regular people). True, there are some glaring coincidences in to series but that's a part of Odd's life.

This book is a little wordier, gets a lot deeper into Odd's head as we go along Though I love the series, I was in danger of letting it fall for a while, and it actually took me a little longer to get thru than the others in the series, but then the dog shoowed up. (if you've read the couple of books previous to this you'll know what I'm talking about). From that point on it just rocks and rolls.

Odds world is changing. He's finding others like himself, and seems to be learning that he is an integral cog in a much larger machine. The hints are that he is soon to return to Pico Mundo - where it all begins, though the sneaky Mr Koontz doesn't actually promise that yet, so we'll see.

This is a great series, no sign of boredom yest and I recommend the whole lot to any one who wants a new wxperience in horror/suspense.

Blood good read.