Shattered

by Dean R. Koontz

Driving from Philadelphia to San Francisco, to join his fiancee, Courtney, Alex is followed by someone who also wants to see Courtney, who knows Alex's exact route, and who wants Alex dead
Shattered
Koontz, Dean R.
Berkley Pub Group
Publication 1993/02/01
Number of
Binding PAPERBACK
Library of bl2006028446

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Thriller

Paperback

Published January 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian's Note: This author writes under the name Dean R. Koontz and Dean Koontz. As both names appear on his works, both should be kept.

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.

Known Pseudonyms:
Leigh Nichols,
Brian Coffey,
David Axton,
Owen West,
Deanna Dwyer
Aaron Wolfe.
K.R. Dwyer
John Hill
Richard Paige
Anthony North

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick, enjoyable read. Nothing fantastic. But not bad, either. Also, comparing it to the two boring books I have just read by Brad Thor and Harlan Coben, as well as Game of Thrones and The Passage (two very good, but very long books), this one was a breath of fresh air.

A pretty straight-forward chase story. Written in 1973, it was interesting to see the similarities and differences with 2016. Of note were the attitudes of some of the characters, the feelings towards the police, and toward the "bad crowd" of the era.

Some of the behavior of the main protagonist seemed a little off, but so what? I liked that the characters didn't do what I personally thought they should do given their situation.

[Trey Weller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, fun, disposable. Kind of like the Spielberg film Duel, based on the story by the same name. Did I need to read it? Nah. Did I mind? Not at all. The perfect definition of beach reading.

[Doug Folks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good suspense from Dean Koontz. A very quick read with an ending that could have used a little wrap up. I was wanting a little more closure.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Doyle is journeying from Philadelphia the San Francisco in his new Thunderbird to join Courtney, his recent bride, and start a new life. Travelling with him is Colin, Courtney's eleven year old brother, who being orphaned will be living with them, making the trip together seemed like a good opportunity to get to know one another.

But someone is following them, they notice the van soon after they leave Philadelphia, they make jokes about it, but soon the jokes turn to horror as they realise the driver of the van really is after them, and not with good intentions.

This early novel by Dean Koontz dating from 1972 originally published under the pen name K R Dwyer, is a relatively short read, but it is not short on tension or drama, and it will have you flipping the pages as fast as you can turn them. Both Alex and Colin are well drawn characters, and Colin especially will win hearts as the slightly frail but very intelligent bespectacled boy trying hard to grow up. The interaction between Alex and Colin is every bit as much part of the story as the chase.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A not bad little suspense thriller. This book's also an interesting snapshot of the era in which it was written. Commercial Artist Alex Doyle's a long-haired type in hippie attire. He's looked on with disapproval by filling station clerks and innkeepers alike, and he encounters racists and establishment types who fear the "other" he represents. All that makes for mounting trouble as Alex drives cross country with his new wife's young and precocious brother, Collin. Collin makes a game of a strange van that seems to be headed the same way they're traveling, until it gradually becomes clear the driver's in pursuit and perhaps dangerously deranged. Koontz does a good job of keeping this tale on track and believable with character development that maintains engagement.