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Jane Hawk #1
The Silent Corner
Meet Jane Hawk—a remarkable new heroine certain to become an icon of suspense, propelled by the singular narrative genius of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.
“I very much need to be dead.”
These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury find the truth, no matter what.
People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important—so terrifying—that they will exterminate anyone in their way.
But all their power and viciousness may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless—and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love.
( 14 hours and 25 minutes)
15 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 6, 2017
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28281 people want to read
About the author
Dean Koontz
906 books39.6k 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 3,763 reviews
August 3, 2017
The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz is a 2017 Bantam publication.
This is the best Koontz novel I have read in a very long time.
After Jane’s decorated husband commits suicide, she detects a noticeable uptick in suicides, prompting her to do a little research into the matter.
The FBI agent quickly realizes her findings have made someone very nervous, which prompts her to relocate her son to a safe place, while she goes in search of answers.
The horror she uncovers is a spine tingling world of brain implants and mind control, evil geniuses, bent on control, drunk on power and wealth, armed with technological advances that will both blow your mind and keep you up at night.
Jane is an awesome protagonist with just the right balance of ‘bad ass’ and smarts, and human compassion. Her maternal instincts coupled with her vigilante mission is a riveting juxtaposition amid Jane’s terrifying battle to stay one step ahead of the game and come out alive.
I did enjoy the finer tech details, which made the story seem shockingly realistic, and does make for some pretty intense scenarios. The pacing is very brisk, with little down time along the way, the plot is very well constructed, with most of the I’s dotted and t’s crossed.
I can see why this book would appeal to the video media- movies or television, although I dislike books written with this very thing in mind. But, because I was so relieved this book didn’t suck, like so many of Koontz recent offerings, I was willing to overlook a lot of that pandering, and slick production, which deprived the novel of a certain level of grittiness that would have served it well, in my opinion.
Still, overall, I am on board for this series, and hope the upcoming installments are on par with this one.
4 stars
This is the best Koontz novel I have read in a very long time.
After Jane’s decorated husband commits suicide, she detects a noticeable uptick in suicides, prompting her to do a little research into the matter.
The FBI agent quickly realizes her findings have made someone very nervous, which prompts her to relocate her son to a safe place, while she goes in search of answers.
The horror she uncovers is a spine tingling world of brain implants and mind control, evil geniuses, bent on control, drunk on power and wealth, armed with technological advances that will both blow your mind and keep you up at night.
Jane is an awesome protagonist with just the right balance of ‘bad ass’ and smarts, and human compassion. Her maternal instincts coupled with her vigilante mission is a riveting juxtaposition amid Jane’s terrifying battle to stay one step ahead of the game and come out alive.
I did enjoy the finer tech details, which made the story seem shockingly realistic, and does make for some pretty intense scenarios. The pacing is very brisk, with little down time along the way, the plot is very well constructed, with most of the I’s dotted and t’s crossed.
I can see why this book would appeal to the video media- movies or television, although I dislike books written with this very thing in mind. But, because I was so relieved this book didn’t suck, like so many of Koontz recent offerings, I was willing to overlook a lot of that pandering, and slick production, which deprived the novel of a certain level of grittiness that would have served it well, in my opinion.
Still, overall, I am on board for this series, and hope the upcoming installments are on par with this one.
4 stars
November 30, 2017
Thanks to Bantam Books/Random house for this ARC. Also thanks to Dustin Crazy little brown owl - moderator of Koontzland - the definitive Koontz Goodreads group - for hosting the giveaway where I won this book.
Right away in the intro to the ARC, Koontz says this is not like his normal writing. I have not read all of his books yet, but of what I have read, this it a very true statement. This is not horror. This is not supernatural. There are no oddly named demons or maniacal serial killers. But, he does mention Golden Retrievers a couple of times!
I am going with 4.5 stars on this one rounding up to 5 (since GR doesn’t do the half stars). I was quite impressed with this book - it kept me interested and on the edge of my seat throughout. Also, it did a good job of both telling a whole story while also introducing what will be a new ongoing series (ARC has the into for the next book already).
I like this type of book anyway, so it was great to see this style from an author I like to read - and see it done well!
If you like espionage, government corruption, technological terrorism, and edge of your seat action sequences where you aren't sure how our heroine is going to succeed - this is the book for you. Even if you aren't a Koontz fan, I think you will like this.
Only two shades of Koontz stuck out to me. The first was the occasional (and, in my opinion, unnecessary) use of large vocabulary words to describe simple things - words that probably the most academic person wouldn't even use in conversation. He does this all the time in his books! The second is, of course, the aforementioned Golden Retrievers.
Right away in the intro to the ARC, Koontz says this is not like his normal writing. I have not read all of his books yet, but of what I have read, this it a very true statement. This is not horror. This is not supernatural. There are no oddly named demons or maniacal serial killers. But, he does mention Golden Retrievers a couple of times!
I am going with 4.5 stars on this one rounding up to 5 (since GR doesn’t do the half stars). I was quite impressed with this book - it kept me interested and on the edge of my seat throughout. Also, it did a good job of both telling a whole story while also introducing what will be a new ongoing series (ARC has the into for the next book already).
I like this type of book anyway, so it was great to see this style from an author I like to read - and see it done well!
If you like espionage, government corruption, technological terrorism, and edge of your seat action sequences where you aren't sure how our heroine is going to succeed - this is the book for you. Even if you aren't a Koontz fan, I think you will like this.
Only two shades of Koontz stuck out to me. The first was the occasional (and, in my opinion, unnecessary) use of large vocabulary words to describe simple things - words that probably the most academic person wouldn't even use in conversation. He does this all the time in his books! The second is, of course, the aforementioned Golden Retrievers.
June 15, 2017
This thrilling new series from Dean Koontz gets off to a flying start. Things are going well for Jane Hawks when out of the blue her husband commits suicide. A reeling and griefstricken Jane is on leave from the FBI when she decides she is going to look into this, taking the precaution of hiding her five year old son away. She becomes aware that there are other talented people who have similarly committed suicide. As she tried to get to the bottom of this horrifying phenomena, she finds herself going off the grid. She is being hunted down by so many people who will do anything to eliminate her and Jane has problems in finding anyone she can trust. This is a sinister story of lies, government corruption, espionage and a shocking conspiracy.
The use of surveillance to track Jane down is an unsettling experience. In a fast paced novel with short chapters, we root for Jane as she attempts to evade and escape dangerous forces in search of the truth. There is plenty of suspense in the gripping narrative although there are plenty of unanswered questions by the end, presumably they will be answered in the next in the series. Jane is a great central character, strong and courageous, determined that nothing will stop her. The twisted use of technology in the book is a frightening prospect. An intriguing and entertaining thriller. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
The use of surveillance to track Jane down is an unsettling experience. In a fast paced novel with short chapters, we root for Jane as she attempts to evade and escape dangerous forces in search of the truth. There is plenty of suspense in the gripping narrative although there are plenty of unanswered questions by the end, presumably they will be answered in the next in the series. Jane is a great central character, strong and courageous, determined that nothing will stop her. The twisted use of technology in the book is a frightening prospect. An intriguing and entertaining thriller. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
June 25, 2017
My five stars showed I really liked this new book by Dean Koontz. Which is a relief as I have been all over the place in recent years with my opinions of his books. The first book I ever read of his, Strangers is on my all-time top ten list. Others I had a hard time finishing.
Jane Hawk is on leave from the FBI, her husband Nick has committed suicide. Nick, along with many others that Jane finds out about all seem to fit the category of "least likely to off themselves." Jane is determined to find out why. She must be on the right track since she has gone off the grid as much as possible, yet there are still teams of people trying to chase her down to kill her. The title of this book is perfect and makes sense once Koontz describes Jane's attempts at evasion and escape.
Great story, about the last half I'm reading it with a small ball of tension in my stomach because Koontz can really ratchet up the suspense. His depiction of Jane's efforts to stay off the grid, and how it is almost impossible to do do so was fascinating. Koontz's depiction of modern surveillance technology was scary, and as we all know now, pretty much spot-on.
Jane is kick-ass and I will be glad to go along with her continuing journey.
Jane Hawk is on leave from the FBI, her husband Nick has committed suicide. Nick, along with many others that Jane finds out about all seem to fit the category of "least likely to off themselves." Jane is determined to find out why. She must be on the right track since she has gone off the grid as much as possible, yet there are still teams of people trying to chase her down to kill her. The title of this book is perfect and makes sense once Koontz describes Jane's attempts at evasion and escape.
Great story, about the last half I'm reading it with a small ball of tension in my stomach because Koontz can really ratchet up the suspense. His depiction of Jane's efforts to stay off the grid, and how it is almost impossible to do do so was fascinating. Koontz's depiction of modern surveillance technology was scary, and as we all know now, pretty much spot-on.
Jane is kick-ass and I will be glad to go along with her continuing journey.
July 8, 2017
Full review now posted!
Original review can be found at Booknest.
2.5/5 stars
Being disappointed by one of your favorite authors is a hard pill to swallow. Watching that author fall further and further down your list of favorites while you stand helplessly by is no picnic, either. Once upon a time, Dean Koontz was one of my very favorite authors.
When I was in high school I somehow came to hold the fervent belief that one couldn’t be a fan of both King and Koontz, so I checked out a book by each from the library to help me choose a side. The King book was Cell, which was pretty terrible. I never made it past the first thirty pages. But the Koontz book was The Taking, which I’ve since read nearly half a dozen times and still consider a favorite. It was intricate and disturbing and beautifully written, and it had quotes from my favorite poet (T.S. Eliot) sprinkled throughout. I fell in love with the book, and with Koontz’s writing style. My decision had been made, and I was definitely not a King fan. Koontz was the author for me.
Fast forward to this time last year. I decided to give King another chance, and I’ve somehow fallen in love with his sparse style and chunky novels. If you follow my reviews, you know that I read and loved IT and The Stand. Before I started reviewing, I read and really enjoyed 11/22/63, The Gunslinger, and Revival, the last of which had one of the most terrifying endings I’ve ever read. Since then, I’ve read one new book by Koontz that I liked (Ashley Bell), and I’ve tried and failed to reread some books by him I used to love. After reading The Silent Corner, I’ve come to think that my teenage belief that one couldn’t love both authors might have some truth to it, at least for me. Because this book left me disappointed.
The sad thing is, I can tell it’s a good book. The plot is compelling, the main character interesting, the supporting characters sympathetic, the bad guys completely evil, and the overarching premise laden with dread. These are all hallmarks of the Koontz I loved. But the beautiful writing that enchanted me in my youth, the prose I could mull over for hours, now seems forced and ill-fitting to a plot without the supernatural elements present in most of Koontz’s books. The dialogue was stilted. And while the characters were interesting, they never felt quite real. I couldn’t make myself connect with any aspect of this book, despite my best efforts. I just didn’t care. The only reason I managed to finish reading it at all was because he’s been one of my favorite authors for so long.
All of that being said, I think this might be a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” As I said, all of the components necessary to make a book good are here. Even the writing, which felt so off to me, is still objectively superior to the styles of many popular authors. It just didn’t work for me. But if you’re looking for a tightly woven conspiracy thriller, with a kickass heroine and healthy doses of suspense and espionage and firefights, give this one a try. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it much more than I did. And who knows, maybe someday I'll manage to love both King and Koontz at the same time.
Original review can be found at Booknest.
2.5/5 stars
Being disappointed by one of your favorite authors is a hard pill to swallow. Watching that author fall further and further down your list of favorites while you stand helplessly by is no picnic, either. Once upon a time, Dean Koontz was one of my very favorite authors.
When I was in high school I somehow came to hold the fervent belief that one couldn’t be a fan of both King and Koontz, so I checked out a book by each from the library to help me choose a side. The King book was Cell, which was pretty terrible. I never made it past the first thirty pages. But the Koontz book was The Taking, which I’ve since read nearly half a dozen times and still consider a favorite. It was intricate and disturbing and beautifully written, and it had quotes from my favorite poet (T.S. Eliot) sprinkled throughout. I fell in love with the book, and with Koontz’s writing style. My decision had been made, and I was definitely not a King fan. Koontz was the author for me.
Fast forward to this time last year. I decided to give King another chance, and I’ve somehow fallen in love with his sparse style and chunky novels. If you follow my reviews, you know that I read and loved IT and The Stand. Before I started reviewing, I read and really enjoyed 11/22/63, The Gunslinger, and Revival, the last of which had one of the most terrifying endings I’ve ever read. Since then, I’ve read one new book by Koontz that I liked (Ashley Bell), and I’ve tried and failed to reread some books by him I used to love. After reading The Silent Corner, I’ve come to think that my teenage belief that one couldn’t love both authors might have some truth to it, at least for me. Because this book left me disappointed.
The sad thing is, I can tell it’s a good book. The plot is compelling, the main character interesting, the supporting characters sympathetic, the bad guys completely evil, and the overarching premise laden with dread. These are all hallmarks of the Koontz I loved. But the beautiful writing that enchanted me in my youth, the prose I could mull over for hours, now seems forced and ill-fitting to a plot without the supernatural elements present in most of Koontz’s books. The dialogue was stilted. And while the characters were interesting, they never felt quite real. I couldn’t make myself connect with any aspect of this book, despite my best efforts. I just didn’t care. The only reason I managed to finish reading it at all was because he’s been one of my favorite authors for so long.
All of that being said, I think this might be a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” As I said, all of the components necessary to make a book good are here. Even the writing, which felt so off to me, is still objectively superior to the styles of many popular authors. It just didn’t work for me. But if you’re looking for a tightly woven conspiracy thriller, with a kickass heroine and healthy doses of suspense and espionage and firefights, give this one a try. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it much more than I did. And who knows, maybe someday I'll manage to love both King and Koontz at the same time.
April 18, 2021
I enjoyed “The Silent Corner.” It was well-written, fast paced and an easy read. It’s a familiar plot, similar to the Jason Bourne series or more precisely “The Manchurian Candidate.” Koontz writes with lots of short chapters that keep pulling you along. The pacing is excellent, and the book never slowed down for me. Koontz's prose is straightforward, and he sprinkles in some poetic flourishes occasionally, mostly when he talks about the weather.
Jane Hawk is easy to root for. She is a skilled FBI agent with a perfect husband and son. When her husband commits suicide under suspicious circumstances, she embarks on a dangerous mission to find those responsible. She finds more than she bargains for but never falters in her resolve for revenge. It’s also of note that this is the first in a series, and carries the load of providing the background for a multi-book sequence. Jane Hawk's work is far from done!
Sounds great – right? If you’re up for an action-packed thriller and willing to just enjoy the ride, this book is for you. But just beneath the surface are several issues that hold this book back from being great. First the characters, the good guys are great and bad guys are horrible. In fact, Jane, her deceased husband and her son, along with the allies she picks up along the way are all a little too perfect. Myself, I’d rather have characters with a few flaws, maybe even slight ambiguity between good and bad. But not this book, the baddies are horrible, just full of evil, and every death is completely justified.
As I stated, the plot is similar to “The Manchurian Candidate”, only with updated nano-tech. The action is very Jason Bourneish but substitute a Mary Sue for Jason. The paranoid theme is all too familiar these days. Shadowy pseudo-government forces have incredible abilities to track and trace their enemies, but our heroine is always one step ahead of them. In addition, karma manages to provide everything she needs along the way. Devoted allies that she barely knows, who are willing to risk life and limb for her. Money and weapons that appear like a loot drop in a video game. And bad guys that just can’t stand up to Jane’s incredible goodness.
The book reminds me of a Chicago Deep Dish pizza, tons of cheese and little nutrition. I enjoyed every bite, but afterwards I felt somewhat guilty and uncomfortable. Maybe I should have had one less piece and some more of the salad. ;) Anyway, a well-written action-packed thriller that entertains but fails to provide any significant mental sustenance. I’m sure the inevitable movie will sell just as well as those famous Chicago pizzas. Three and a half stars, rounded down to three because of a lack of napkins.
Jane Hawk is easy to root for. She is a skilled FBI agent with a perfect husband and son. When her husband commits suicide under suspicious circumstances, she embarks on a dangerous mission to find those responsible. She finds more than she bargains for but never falters in her resolve for revenge. It’s also of note that this is the first in a series, and carries the load of providing the background for a multi-book sequence. Jane Hawk's work is far from done!
Sounds great – right? If you’re up for an action-packed thriller and willing to just enjoy the ride, this book is for you. But just beneath the surface are several issues that hold this book back from being great. First the characters, the good guys are great and bad guys are horrible. In fact, Jane, her deceased husband and her son, along with the allies she picks up along the way are all a little too perfect. Myself, I’d rather have characters with a few flaws, maybe even slight ambiguity between good and bad. But not this book, the baddies are horrible, just full of evil, and every death is completely justified.
As I stated, the plot is similar to “The Manchurian Candidate”, only with updated nano-tech. The action is very Jason Bourneish but substitute a Mary Sue for Jason. The paranoid theme is all too familiar these days. Shadowy pseudo-government forces have incredible abilities to track and trace their enemies, but our heroine is always one step ahead of them. In addition, karma manages to provide everything she needs along the way. Devoted allies that she barely knows, who are willing to risk life and limb for her. Money and weapons that appear like a loot drop in a video game. And bad guys that just can’t stand up to Jane’s incredible goodness.
The book reminds me of a Chicago Deep Dish pizza, tons of cheese and little nutrition. I enjoyed every bite, but afterwards I felt somewhat guilty and uncomfortable. Maybe I should have had one less piece and some more of the salad. ;) Anyway, a well-written action-packed thriller that entertains but fails to provide any significant mental sustenance. I’m sure the inevitable movie will sell just as well as those famous Chicago pizzas. Three and a half stars, rounded down to three because of a lack of napkins.
April 28, 2017
This book would make a fantastic movie! Maybe already in the works? If not, well it should be!
Jane was convinced she had the perfect life. A great job with the FBI, a husband rising fast through the ranks of the Marines, and a beautiful son. Then the bottom falls out. While entertaining the entire family and preparing for dinner together, Jane gets the shock of her life… her husband just killed himself.
She digs to find the unfathomable reason why he would ever take his own life. During her investigation she finds a disturbing pattern of increasing suicide rates across the country. On leave from the FBI, she searches for answers to this bizarre epidemic. One fact she finds most disturbing… many of these suicides were well-adjusted, successful people who showed no previous sign of depression or any hint of their intentions...exactly like her husband.
Jane has changed her looks, gone underground and made herself untraceable. She can’t possibly turn to her colleagues from the FBI for any kind of help. She is alone in this very personal quest for answers. Even though it could easily cost Jane her life.
THEY are after her...whoever THEY are...
Nonstop action. Jane is running for her life as she seeks the dark truth behind these suicides. Leaving bodies, cars and coyotes in her wake. (Yes, even coyotes!)
Very short chapters kept me clipping along. My only negative is that it felt just a little too long.
The book leaves you set for the next round in this new and exciting series!
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Dean Koontz for an ARC to review.
Jane was convinced she had the perfect life. A great job with the FBI, a husband rising fast through the ranks of the Marines, and a beautiful son. Then the bottom falls out. While entertaining the entire family and preparing for dinner together, Jane gets the shock of her life… her husband just killed himself.
She digs to find the unfathomable reason why he would ever take his own life. During her investigation she finds a disturbing pattern of increasing suicide rates across the country. On leave from the FBI, she searches for answers to this bizarre epidemic. One fact she finds most disturbing… many of these suicides were well-adjusted, successful people who showed no previous sign of depression or any hint of their intentions...exactly like her husband.
Jane has changed her looks, gone underground and made herself untraceable. She can’t possibly turn to her colleagues from the FBI for any kind of help. She is alone in this very personal quest for answers. Even though it could easily cost Jane her life.
THEY are after her...whoever THEY are...
Nonstop action. Jane is running for her life as she seeks the dark truth behind these suicides. Leaving bodies, cars and coyotes in her wake. (Yes, even coyotes!)
Very short chapters kept me clipping along. My only negative is that it felt just a little too long.
The book leaves you set for the next round in this new and exciting series!
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Dean Koontz for an ARC to review.
March 9, 2017
Release Date: 06.06.17
It is nighttime as I write this. In fact, it is time for me to sleep, but I cannot; not until I get out my thoughts on Dean Koontz's latest thrill ride, The Silent Corner. I just finished reading, and my pulse is still pounding.
Jane Hawk is a woman on the run. She's mourning her husband's suicide and running from her past; she's running toward answers. An FBI agent on leave, Jane is a resourceful, intelligent protagonist who suspects a conspiracy: the suicide rate in the United States is increasing exponentially, and each suicide is stranger than the last. Triggered by her successful and ambitious husband's own suicide, Jane decides to take actions and solve this intriguing mystery after a lot of research and planning. The deeper into the rabbit hole she goes (and said rabbit hole goes quite deep!) she meets more and more adversaries; people in positions of power know Jane Hawk's name and are not afraid to prevent her from following her instincts. They want her silenced — killed, even.
I have read a lot of Dean Koontz. He's one of my favorite authors, in fact; though I am unafraid to be honest when I feel he hasn't put forth much effort or a story simply falls flat (which is natural with any writer who has been in the game as long as he has), and The Silent Corner is no dud. Actually, I am tempted to say it is in my top three Koontz novels, ever. This is a seasoned author writing at the top of his game. With this new novel, Dean Koontz has written a story with more intense forward momentum than anything he's published since 2006's The Husband, all while retaining and expanding on the intricate emotional complexities and character growth as seen in recent novels like The City and Ashley Bell. The overarching, paranoid theme of technology gone wrong (or, at least, being used for evil schemes) is very reminiscent of Koontz's '70s and '80s releases. Yet, this book still manages to stand on its own and is very relevant in today's culture.
The Silent Corner is the first in a new series from Koontz which stars Jane Hawk, the most delightfully badass character I have read about in some time. I just couldn't get enough of her. Her charisma oozes off the pages (or screen, in my case, as I read this on my Kindle). Intoxicating, suspenseful, and occasionally scary as hell, this is the work of an author who clearly enjoys what he does. I wait with baited breath for the sequel, The Whispering Room.
I would like to offer a big thanks to Netgalley and Bantam for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It is nighttime as I write this. In fact, it is time for me to sleep, but I cannot; not until I get out my thoughts on Dean Koontz's latest thrill ride, The Silent Corner. I just finished reading, and my pulse is still pounding.
Jane Hawk is a woman on the run. She's mourning her husband's suicide and running from her past; she's running toward answers. An FBI agent on leave, Jane is a resourceful, intelligent protagonist who suspects a conspiracy: the suicide rate in the United States is increasing exponentially, and each suicide is stranger than the last. Triggered by her successful and ambitious husband's own suicide, Jane decides to take actions and solve this intriguing mystery after a lot of research and planning. The deeper into the rabbit hole she goes (and said rabbit hole goes quite deep!) she meets more and more adversaries; people in positions of power know Jane Hawk's name and are not afraid to prevent her from following her instincts. They want her silenced — killed, even.
I have read a lot of Dean Koontz. He's one of my favorite authors, in fact; though I am unafraid to be honest when I feel he hasn't put forth much effort or a story simply falls flat (which is natural with any writer who has been in the game as long as he has), and The Silent Corner is no dud. Actually, I am tempted to say it is in my top three Koontz novels, ever. This is a seasoned author writing at the top of his game. With this new novel, Dean Koontz has written a story with more intense forward momentum than anything he's published since 2006's The Husband, all while retaining and expanding on the intricate emotional complexities and character growth as seen in recent novels like The City and Ashley Bell. The overarching, paranoid theme of technology gone wrong (or, at least, being used for evil schemes) is very reminiscent of Koontz's '70s and '80s releases. Yet, this book still manages to stand on its own and is very relevant in today's culture.
The Silent Corner is the first in a new series from Koontz which stars Jane Hawk, the most delightfully badass character I have read about in some time. I just couldn't get enough of her. Her charisma oozes off the pages (or screen, in my case, as I read this on my Kindle). Intoxicating, suspenseful, and occasionally scary as hell, this is the work of an author who clearly enjoys what he does. I wait with baited breath for the sequel, The Whispering Room.
I would like to offer a big thanks to Netgalley and Bantam for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2018
Why did I listen to all of those glowing reviews about this book. I should have known. This is just more Koontz and his love of all things guns plot-lines with either a solo person or family going up against an evil group using nanotechnology to control human beings. I saw elements not only just from "77 Shadow Street" but he whole sale just reworked a plot from his "What the Knight Knows" story-line with a character who is affected by his sister being raped and murdered in front of him. And it pains me this is even categorized as horror. It's really not. It's just more of his suspense/thriller mess he has been writing for a while now.
The main character was pretty freaking souless (Jane Hawk) and I just didn't care anymore what happened to her or her kid that she stashes all over the place while taking down the super secret organization.
Maybe the book would have worked better if we actually had Koontz setting up the book enough to get us to care about her and her husband. We just hear about what a great guy he is and Jane just sits around remembering him. It was pretty boring after the first dozen chapters.
Jane is also the epitome of a Mary Sue. I cannot believe Koontz spent time on how gorgeous she was either. I mean I guess if she was ugly who would give a crap? I don't even know. There is a terrible scene where she is trying to get away from the bad guys and a guy picks her up in his car (putting himself in danger) and he talks about how attractive she is. And I think at that point I got an eye pain from the eye-rolling that I was doing at that time and just said screw it.
I can't even tell you much about other characters since you don't get to spend a lot of time with anyone. The book flip flops back and forth with Jane outrunning the bad guys and the FBI and a lot of looking evil in the face things happening.
There is not a lot of realism in this book either. There is some things based on age that didn't make sense for Jane or her husband. She's late 20s and would put Sidney Bristow from Alias to shame. I forget what age her husband was, but apparently he was a wunderkind with his rank. Sigh.
The writing wasn't great and the flow was awful. The chapters were choppy and we just kept jumping from scene to scene. You don't even have a chance to absorb what's going on since most of the writing only gets descriptive when describing guns, how to clean them, and what ammo is being used. I wish I was kidding. And I am not saying this because I am anti-gun. I was born and raised in PA. I have been around guns since I was a pre-teen. It's just this whole book is some weird military hybrid just like the last couple of books and it took me a long time to muddle through this.
I also want to forbid Koontz from writing about nano-technology anymore. Get a new plot dude. I just cannot take this seriously anymore. At this point I actually think having a damn dog in every book was better than reading about nanos and how they can affect people and totally change their brain chemistry, etc.
The ending was a joke. Things end on a cliffhanger (my least favorite literary device ever) so if you want to find out more about Jane's Guns and Her Adventures Against the Shadow Realm there are two more books in this series. The reviews have become less enthused, so I am fine with stopping here with book #1.
The main character was pretty freaking souless (Jane Hawk) and I just didn't care anymore what happened to her or her kid that she stashes all over the place while taking down the super secret organization.
Maybe the book would have worked better if we actually had Koontz setting up the book enough to get us to care about her and her husband. We just hear about what a great guy he is and Jane just sits around remembering him. It was pretty boring after the first dozen chapters.
Jane is also the epitome of a Mary Sue. I cannot believe Koontz spent time on how gorgeous she was either. I mean I guess if she was ugly who would give a crap? I don't even know. There is a terrible scene where she is trying to get away from the bad guys and a guy picks her up in his car (putting himself in danger) and he talks about how attractive she is. And I think at that point I got an eye pain from the eye-rolling that I was doing at that time and just said screw it.
I can't even tell you much about other characters since you don't get to spend a lot of time with anyone. The book flip flops back and forth with Jane outrunning the bad guys and the FBI and a lot of looking evil in the face things happening.
There is not a lot of realism in this book either. There is some things based on age that didn't make sense for Jane or her husband. She's late 20s and would put Sidney Bristow from Alias to shame. I forget what age her husband was, but apparently he was a wunderkind with his rank. Sigh.
The writing wasn't great and the flow was awful. The chapters were choppy and we just kept jumping from scene to scene. You don't even have a chance to absorb what's going on since most of the writing only gets descriptive when describing guns, how to clean them, and what ammo is being used. I wish I was kidding. And I am not saying this because I am anti-gun. I was born and raised in PA. I have been around guns since I was a pre-teen. It's just this whole book is some weird military hybrid just like the last couple of books and it took me a long time to muddle through this.
I also want to forbid Koontz from writing about nano-technology anymore. Get a new plot dude. I just cannot take this seriously anymore. At this point I actually think having a damn dog in every book was better than reading about nanos and how they can affect people and totally change their brain chemistry, etc.
The ending was a joke. Things end on a cliffhanger (my least favorite literary device ever) so if you want to find out more about Jane's Guns and Her Adventures Against the Shadow Realm there are two more books in this series. The reviews have become less enthused, so I am fine with stopping here with book #1.
April 18, 2017
I very much need to be dead.
The Silent Corner is a new series from Dean Koontz which introduces a strong female lead character, FBI agent, Jane Hawk. Jane goes on leave after her husband's suicide - a suicide that occurred after a string of migraine headaches. While grieving her husband's death, Jane realizes that suicide rates have gone up and that very accomplished seemingly happy people are committing suicide in alarmingly high numbers. As Jane seeks to find answers, she becomes a hunted woman. A woman, who herself is hunting for the truth. She has to do everything in secret in order to stay alive. There are those in power who would do anything to stop her from finding out the truth.
I have not read a Dean Koontz book in quite some time. I am used to his "horror" books and this was definitely not a "horror" book, but more of a suspense non-stop action thriller. I will admit, I kinda missed the "horror". Plus this is the beginning of a new series so there is not true "resolution" in this book which would be fine if I LOVED the book - which I didn't. I liked the book but as far as conspiracy books are concerned, this fell flat for me. There was a lot of action, I will give it that, but even will all of the action, the story did not grab me. Yes, all of the action kept my attention and I did keep reading in order to find out who was behind the wave of suicides. This book did not drag. There was always something going on, Jane was always kicking some bad guy's butt. Koontz did write a strong female character, I will give him that. Often I will read a book which is part of a series, and even if I read a book out of order, the book feels like a stand alone novel for me. This book did not feel like a stand alone novel as there was no resolution. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if there was some glimmer of who was the mastermind, who was the man visiting people in their homes, what is the agenda, how are people being infected, etc. For me, there were too many unanswered questions.
Received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bantam in exchange for an honest review.
The Silent Corner is a new series from Dean Koontz which introduces a strong female lead character, FBI agent, Jane Hawk. Jane goes on leave after her husband's suicide - a suicide that occurred after a string of migraine headaches. While grieving her husband's death, Jane realizes that suicide rates have gone up and that very accomplished seemingly happy people are committing suicide in alarmingly high numbers. As Jane seeks to find answers, she becomes a hunted woman. A woman, who herself is hunting for the truth. She has to do everything in secret in order to stay alive. There are those in power who would do anything to stop her from finding out the truth.
I have not read a Dean Koontz book in quite some time. I am used to his "horror" books and this was definitely not a "horror" book, but more of a suspense non-stop action thriller. I will admit, I kinda missed the "horror". Plus this is the beginning of a new series so there is not true "resolution" in this book which would be fine if I LOVED the book - which I didn't. I liked the book but as far as conspiracy books are concerned, this fell flat for me. There was a lot of action, I will give it that, but even will all of the action, the story did not grab me. Yes, all of the action kept my attention and I did keep reading in order to find out who was behind the wave of suicides. This book did not drag. There was always something going on, Jane was always kicking some bad guy's butt. Koontz did write a strong female character, I will give him that. Often I will read a book which is part of a series, and even if I read a book out of order, the book feels like a stand alone novel for me. This book did not feel like a stand alone novel as there was no resolution. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if there was some glimmer of who was the mastermind, who was the man visiting people in their homes, what is the agenda, how are people being infected, etc. For me, there were too many unanswered questions.
Received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bantam in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2019
DEAN KOONTZ HAS HIS MOJO BACK!!
Jane Hawk a former FBI agent work she finds suicides all over the countyrs off the grid she is still gettingover the death of her decorated husband Nick, who killed himself as she investigates further she finds suicides all over the country.
When the FBI get involved & find out Jane's findings Jane has to relocate her son so he is safe & she can continue investigating the case, What she finds is spinetingling a series of brain inplants & evil geniuses empowered by control & wealth.
MY THOUGHTS
I have been a Koontz fan since a teenager & have loved his early stuff up until recently when i read Ashley Bell which i didnt like at all he seemed to change his style, but finally he is back to his best with The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk 1 series) i LOVED LOVED this book a strong protagomist who has balls the prose was fantastic the pacing as usual top notch & a well written cast of characters which kept you turning the pages i would have finished this sooner but have had Mental Health issues to deal with but am okay now, i really don't know why it took me so long to start this series it has rave reviews i must be CRAZY!! not to have read this earlier.
Jane Hawk a former FBI agent work she finds suicides all over the countyrs off the grid she is still gettingover the death of her decorated husband Nick, who killed himself as she investigates further she finds suicides all over the country.
When the FBI get involved & find out Jane's findings Jane has to relocate her son so he is safe & she can continue investigating the case, What she finds is spinetingling a series of brain inplants & evil geniuses empowered by control & wealth.
MY THOUGHTS
I have been a Koontz fan since a teenager & have loved his early stuff up until recently when i read Ashley Bell which i didnt like at all he seemed to change his style, but finally he is back to his best with The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk 1 series) i LOVED LOVED this book a strong protagomist who has balls the prose was fantastic the pacing as usual top notch & a well written cast of characters which kept you turning the pages i would have finished this sooner but have had Mental Health issues to deal with but am okay now, i really don't know why it took me so long to start this series it has rave reviews i must be CRAZY!! not to have read this earlier.
October 7, 2017
Jane Hawk is like a female Jason Bourne! She is on leave from the FBI and off the grid to investigate her husbands suspicious death. Nick has committed suicide, but he had everything to live for and Jane is determined to use her experience and talents to uncover the truth concerning his death. She soon discovers a pattern of other suicides that appear as suspicious as Nicks.
She runs, she hides, she investigates, she uncovers evidence. She is always checking her back and sleeps with a pistol under her pillow. Her enemies (and there are many) are after her and they have something huge to hide. Jane is onto something and "they" can't let her bring them down. Could the government be involved in the suicide project?
This first book in the series is action packed and leaves you rooting for Jane to uncover the truth. I am looking forward to the next book in the Jane Hawk series.
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and Dean Koontz for the arc.
August 25, 2017
The latest from Dean Koontz and the start of a new series featuring Jane Hawk, an FBI agent. I like Koontz best for his supernatural stories but this mystery / thriller was good too.
Jane Hawk is an excellent new character for a series. She is smart, more than capable (of anything as it turns out) and very determined. In this book she is in a position where she is on the run and unable to trust anyone even her fellow FBI agents. The reader is very quickly on her side and willing her to succeed in every encounter with her enemies.
There is plenty of action and a very intriguing aspect involving influencing the way people think and act. That part is a bit scary especially the way it happens to one of the characters very late in the book.
Altogether I found it an excellent read. A little wordy as Koontz often is, but I can forgive him that easily when I enjoy his stories so much. This one finishes with a giant cliff hanger - right at the top of the cliff in fact. I am very much looking forward to the next one:)
Jane Hawk is an excellent new character for a series. She is smart, more than capable (of anything as it turns out) and very determined. In this book she is in a position where she is on the run and unable to trust anyone even her fellow FBI agents. The reader is very quickly on her side and willing her to succeed in every encounter with her enemies.
There is plenty of action and a very intriguing aspect involving influencing the way people think and act. That part is a bit scary especially the way it happens to one of the characters very late in the book.
Altogether I found it an excellent read. A little wordy as Koontz often is, but I can forgive him that easily when I enjoy his stories so much. This one finishes with a giant cliff hanger - right at the top of the cliff in fact. I am very much looking forward to the next one:)
July 4, 2025
Long ago, Dean Koontz started his career in science fiction, writing pulpy space thrillers that sold in drug store paperback racks. He gradually found his niche in horror, breaking into a market that brought him fame and recognition. Today, he has the kind of bestseller status that few authors can claim.
"The Silent Corner", while as taut and engaging as Koontz's horror novels, tackles a different type of horror, one that is perhaps frighteningly more plausible than the monsters and supernatural entities that populate many of his books. Indeed, this novel could almost be ripped from the headlines of a very near future. Hell, it could be about tomorrow.
Jane Hawk is an FBI agent happily married to her Marine husband. They have a healthy happy little boy and a life that is relatively care-free and undisturbed. Until...
Jane's husband inexplicably kills himself. A man with no history of depression, with everything to live for, and a bright future. His enigmatic suicide note sheds no light on his decision, and, in fact, creates more questions than it answers.
Jane does what she does best: investigate. And her investigation stumbles on a disturbing rise in inexplicable suicides across the country. Perfectly healthy, happy successful people are taking their lives.
One day, she receives a terrifying threat---not towards her but her child. Unfortunately for the people who doled out the threat, Jane is not easily cowed. In fact, she is the type to double down and fight back even harder.
What follows is a suspense thriller with science fictional undertones that seem frighteningly plausible as it deals with hot-button contemporay issues like nanotechnology, mind control, and artificial intelligence. It's an action-adventure story that would make Jack Reacher shit his drawers.
Jane is a bad-ass action protagonist, and this novel is the first in a series, one that I look forward to devouring.
"The Silent Corner", while as taut and engaging as Koontz's horror novels, tackles a different type of horror, one that is perhaps frighteningly more plausible than the monsters and supernatural entities that populate many of his books. Indeed, this novel could almost be ripped from the headlines of a very near future. Hell, it could be about tomorrow.
Jane Hawk is an FBI agent happily married to her Marine husband. They have a healthy happy little boy and a life that is relatively care-free and undisturbed. Until...
Jane's husband inexplicably kills himself. A man with no history of depression, with everything to live for, and a bright future. His enigmatic suicide note sheds no light on his decision, and, in fact, creates more questions than it answers.
Jane does what she does best: investigate. And her investigation stumbles on a disturbing rise in inexplicable suicides across the country. Perfectly healthy, happy successful people are taking their lives.
One day, she receives a terrifying threat---not towards her but her child. Unfortunately for the people who doled out the threat, Jane is not easily cowed. In fact, she is the type to double down and fight back even harder.
What follows is a suspense thriller with science fictional undertones that seem frighteningly plausible as it deals with hot-button contemporay issues like nanotechnology, mind control, and artificial intelligence. It's an action-adventure story that would make Jack Reacher shit his drawers.
Jane is a bad-ass action protagonist, and this novel is the first in a series, one that I look forward to devouring.
January 17, 2019
Having read two of the books of this series, I decided that I really needed to read the first book of the series entitled book, The Silent Corner, to find out how our heroine, Jane Hawk came into being. I was thrilled with the previous two books, Crooked Staircase and Forbidden Door and I can happily say that I was just as thrilled with The Silent Corner.
Dean Kootnz has created in Jane Hawk, and intrepid, kick butt protagonist who is out to safeguard not only her young son, but also the world in general, from the technology that could one day enslave us. The suicide death, of her beloved husband, so unexplained, has Jane reeling. Knowing her husband, she knows that his suicide is wrong, and why would he utter the words, "I need to be dead?" It was not the man she knew and loved at all and though she nurses a soul full of sorrow and grief, she is hell bent on finding out the why of his death.
Jane comes to realize that something is amiss for she sees other people, those from all walks of life committing suicide, leaving nothing behind and often uttering a few cryptic words, just as her husband did. How can it be, this uptick in suicides among the bright, the successful, the happy, and those so sound in mind? There is something here, something evil and sinister, something that thrusts Jane into action. Jane is an FBI agent, so she is no novice to the ills of the world. However, she just might be ill prepared for what she will ultimately find.
This is a real action packed thriller that Mr Koontz has permeated with turmoil on every page. He has shaped Jane into a paragon of courage, audacity, and determination. Definitely recommended to those who like a strong female warrior.
My reviews can also be seen here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
Dean Kootnz has created in Jane Hawk, and intrepid, kick butt protagonist who is out to safeguard not only her young son, but also the world in general, from the technology that could one day enslave us. The suicide death, of her beloved husband, so unexplained, has Jane reeling. Knowing her husband, she knows that his suicide is wrong, and why would he utter the words, "I need to be dead?" It was not the man she knew and loved at all and though she nurses a soul full of sorrow and grief, she is hell bent on finding out the why of his death.
Jane comes to realize that something is amiss for she sees other people, those from all walks of life committing suicide, leaving nothing behind and often uttering a few cryptic words, just as her husband did. How can it be, this uptick in suicides among the bright, the successful, the happy, and those so sound in mind? There is something here, something evil and sinister, something that thrusts Jane into action. Jane is an FBI agent, so she is no novice to the ills of the world. However, she just might be ill prepared for what she will ultimately find.
This is a real action packed thriller that Mr Koontz has permeated with turmoil on every page. He has shaped Jane into a paragon of courage, audacity, and determination. Definitely recommended to those who like a strong female warrior.
My reviews can also be seen here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
May 2, 2017
2.5 stars, rounded up to three mainly for the crazy paced action
I have never been a big Dean Koontz fan. I loved The Darkest Evening of the Year but started an Odd Thomas book and never finished it. But I decided to give this new series of his a shot.
It's a conspiracy story. An FBI agent, on leave from her job after her husband’s suicide, tries to find a reason for an increasing number of suicides taking place among successful, nondepressed people. You're given bits and pieces of what's happening and why some group is trying to stop her. To be honest, it all rang pretty false to me, especially the part that “they” were extending her “professional courtesy” trying to get her to back away from her investigation rather than just flat out killing her if they're that diabolical.
I don't think of myself as requiring 100% realism. I like the odd science fiction book. But i guess I have trouble with villains who have unbelievable resources at their disposal. Or coincidences that pile up, one on top of the other, like finding just the right person to help at each turn.
I give Koontz credit. This is a fast paced book with no downtime. And he's got a hell of an imagination. He goes into enough detail to make a person think, in the way a good science fiction book does. And there is plenty of suspense. How will Jane, as a modern day David, slay this Goliath?
My not particularly liking this book is entirely my fault. The description of the book is a giveaway that it is a thriller, not a mystery. If you like the James Bond kind of unbelievable storylines, you'll probably enjoy this.
My thanks and apologies to netgalley and Bantam for an advance copy of this book.
I have never been a big Dean Koontz fan. I loved The Darkest Evening of the Year but started an Odd Thomas book and never finished it. But I decided to give this new series of his a shot.
It's a conspiracy story. An FBI agent, on leave from her job after her husband’s suicide, tries to find a reason for an increasing number of suicides taking place among successful, nondepressed people. You're given bits and pieces of what's happening and why some group is trying to stop her. To be honest, it all rang pretty false to me, especially the part that “they” were extending her “professional courtesy” trying to get her to back away from her investigation rather than just flat out killing her if they're that diabolical.
I don't think of myself as requiring 100% realism. I like the odd science fiction book. But i guess I have trouble with villains who have unbelievable resources at their disposal. Or coincidences that pile up, one on top of the other, like finding just the right person to help at each turn.
I give Koontz credit. This is a fast paced book with no downtime. And he's got a hell of an imagination. He goes into enough detail to make a person think, in the way a good science fiction book does. And there is plenty of suspense. How will Jane, as a modern day David, slay this Goliath?
My not particularly liking this book is entirely my fault. The description of the book is a giveaway that it is a thriller, not a mystery. If you like the James Bond kind of unbelievable storylines, you'll probably enjoy this.
My thanks and apologies to netgalley and Bantam for an advance copy of this book.
April 24, 2017
"Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on..."
--David Bowie
When I open a new Dean Koontz book, it's always with great enthusiasm. Whether or not I'll love it isn't an issue - the only question is what he will come up with to keep me engrossed this time. As expected, there's no "oops" here - he's done it again with this, the first of a series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk. If I had to describe the book in just a few words, it would be Sarah Connor meets Jason Bourne in a fight to protect the future of the world (and yes, it would make a great movie, hint, hint).
A recent and still grieving widow, Jane has taken a leave of absence from the FBI to deal with her husband's suicide - which she doesn't believe for a nanosecond really happened. Setting out to find the truth, she begins with a visit to another recent military widow whose death also was deemed a suicide because she suspects the same person or persons are responsible. Further digging turns up several similar incidents - both of military and non-military people - but no apparent connection.
As she pursues her research, she soon realizes "They" are out to get her (spy drones following her is an almost-dead giveaway). After managing to escape them, she pays a quick visit to her young son, whom she wisely stashed away with friends at the start of her investigation to make sure he's safe. It matters not to the story, but for the record, I was delighted to learn that his new guardians, like me, are George Winston/Windham Hill fans.
As she begins to make some headway, though, Jane realizes there's no one she can trust - not in the government, not among friends and relatives and most certainly not among the ranks of the FBI. Almost from the start, she's forced to go off the grid, using disguises, fake names, burner phones and switched license plates to escape what she's sure will be capture and suspects will be much worse. Because she manages to get online and, in some instances, contact others, she's considered to be in the "silent corner" (aha, such is the stuff from which a title is born).
Needless to say, her online forays mean it's hard to miss day-to-day news - not all of which, shall we say, is positive. From that springs one of my favorite quotes in the book - one with which I wholeheartedly (or more accurately, disheartedly) concur: "If you let the news spoil your appetite, there wouldn't be a day you could eat."
What Jane finds is a frightening conspiracy based on mind control. It's a concept that's a bit far afield, but given the pace of technology development these days, certainly not unthinkable. Jane's race is on, then, determine the why, how and who - and possibly destroy the latter before "They" destroy her.
Pretty scary stuff, actually, with nary a dull moment in the action. The only downside? It's the first in a series, so expect an up-in-the-air ending. That, I assume, will be rectified with the Jan. 9, 2018, publication of the next installment, The Whispering Room, and of course it's on my calendar. That said, please, Mr. Koontz, could you hurry it up just a little?
And th-th-th-that's all folks, she writes, lest she give away too many secrets Except, that is, to say that as a long-time fan of this author, I was beyond thrilled at the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this terrific book. Many, many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley)!
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on..."
--David Bowie
When I open a new Dean Koontz book, it's always with great enthusiasm. Whether or not I'll love it isn't an issue - the only question is what he will come up with to keep me engrossed this time. As expected, there's no "oops" here - he's done it again with this, the first of a series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk. If I had to describe the book in just a few words, it would be Sarah Connor meets Jason Bourne in a fight to protect the future of the world (and yes, it would make a great movie, hint, hint).
A recent and still grieving widow, Jane has taken a leave of absence from the FBI to deal with her husband's suicide - which she doesn't believe for a nanosecond really happened. Setting out to find the truth, she begins with a visit to another recent military widow whose death also was deemed a suicide because she suspects the same person or persons are responsible. Further digging turns up several similar incidents - both of military and non-military people - but no apparent connection.
As she pursues her research, she soon realizes "They" are out to get her (spy drones following her is an almost-dead giveaway). After managing to escape them, she pays a quick visit to her young son, whom she wisely stashed away with friends at the start of her investigation to make sure he's safe. It matters not to the story, but for the record, I was delighted to learn that his new guardians, like me, are George Winston/Windham Hill fans.
As she begins to make some headway, though, Jane realizes there's no one she can trust - not in the government, not among friends and relatives and most certainly not among the ranks of the FBI. Almost from the start, she's forced to go off the grid, using disguises, fake names, burner phones and switched license plates to escape what she's sure will be capture and suspects will be much worse. Because she manages to get online and, in some instances, contact others, she's considered to be in the "silent corner" (aha, such is the stuff from which a title is born).
Needless to say, her online forays mean it's hard to miss day-to-day news - not all of which, shall we say, is positive. From that springs one of my favorite quotes in the book - one with which I wholeheartedly (or more accurately, disheartedly) concur: "If you let the news spoil your appetite, there wouldn't be a day you could eat."
What Jane finds is a frightening conspiracy based on mind control. It's a concept that's a bit far afield, but given the pace of technology development these days, certainly not unthinkable. Jane's race is on, then, determine the why, how and who - and possibly destroy the latter before "They" destroy her.
Pretty scary stuff, actually, with nary a dull moment in the action. The only downside? It's the first in a series, so expect an up-in-the-air ending. That, I assume, will be rectified with the Jan. 9, 2018, publication of the next installment, The Whispering Room, and of course it's on my calendar. That said, please, Mr. Koontz, could you hurry it up just a little?
And th-th-th-that's all folks, she writes, lest she give away too many secrets Except, that is, to say that as a long-time fan of this author, I was beyond thrilled at the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this terrific book. Many, many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley)!
July 8, 2017
Twisty, relentless, smart. Jane Hawk is to die for. THE SILENT CORNER just became my new favorite Koontz novel.
Read
July 3, 2018The Hook I've read many books by Dean Koontz and have enjoyed most. I like when an author takes a risk and tries something different. Fans often want the same ol' and don't take kindly to a book going in a new direction. When I hear Koontz was throwing his hat into the series ring, I thought, “Why not?”.
The Line - ”Children were the world as it was meant to be - and they were a light within the world. But for every light, there seemed to be someone bent on extinguishing it.”
The Sinker - This is the first of four in the Jane Hawk Series. The opening hooked me right away. Jane's husband, a man with everything to live for is dead according to evidence by his own hand. Jane is not buying it. Besides this coming out of the blue, his suicide note though in his handwriting is not his voice. What gives? Jane is going to find out.
Get set for a staccato read. The chapters are short, clipped almost, but to the point. The writing is tight, descriptive without any extraneous words. That said, I listened to the audio edition and was bothered by the abrupt Part One, Chapter One, and in quick succession, Chapter Two and so on. Elizabeth Rodgers voice in the narrative and voice of Jane Hawk is almost melodious and easy on the ears. She has a lovely speaking voice. This holds true for most of the other characters. She changes tone and delivery so you know who is speaking, but a few of these, particularly that of her five year-old son, were grating to me. It is a superior adult narrator who can pull off a child's voice. I would have preferred she stayed more with her own voice. Most of the other male voices were fine.
This was a middling read for me. Plotting and pacing were good. I liked Jane's tenacity and grit but she was a bit over-the top in the kick ass department. Still any wife and mother who fights for her family's reputation and well-being has my vote. Perhaps, Jane and I will meet again one day.
Koontz has gained many new fans with this series. It is different for certain but like one of my GR friends, Matthew said, Koontz did manage a few Golden Retrievers to pepper the plot.
The Line - ”Children were the world as it was meant to be - and they were a light within the world. But for every light, there seemed to be someone bent on extinguishing it.”
The Sinker - This is the first of four in the Jane Hawk Series. The opening hooked me right away. Jane's husband, a man with everything to live for is dead according to evidence by his own hand. Jane is not buying it. Besides this coming out of the blue, his suicide note though in his handwriting is not his voice. What gives? Jane is going to find out.
Get set for a staccato read. The chapters are short, clipped almost, but to the point. The writing is tight, descriptive without any extraneous words. That said, I listened to the audio edition and was bothered by the abrupt Part One, Chapter One, and in quick succession, Chapter Two and so on. Elizabeth Rodgers voice in the narrative and voice of Jane Hawk is almost melodious and easy on the ears. She has a lovely speaking voice. This holds true for most of the other characters. She changes tone and delivery so you know who is speaking, but a few of these, particularly that of her five year-old son, were grating to me. It is a superior adult narrator who can pull off a child's voice. I would have preferred she stayed more with her own voice. Most of the other male voices were fine.
This was a middling read for me. Plotting and pacing were good. I liked Jane's tenacity and grit but she was a bit over-the top in the kick ass department. Still any wife and mother who fights for her family's reputation and well-being has my vote. Perhaps, Jane and I will meet again one day.
Koontz has gained many new fans with this series. It is different for certain but like one of my GR friends, Matthew said, Koontz did manage a few Golden Retrievers to pepper the plot.
June 2, 2017
3.5 stars, just missing 4 stars due to a slow moving plot in the first half.
I’m a long-time fan of Koontz, having read and enjoyed nearly everything he’s written. This thriller is the start of a new series featuring Jane Hawk, and is a departure from his typical horror/supernatural genre.
I love a strong female character and Koontz outdid himself with Jane. I liked her a lot. As with most of Koontz’s good guys, she does the right thing regardless of the personal cost. She’s smart, courageous, and determined. She's badass, but with a heart. She won’t hesitate to kill, but only if unavoidable and necessary.
After Jane’s husband unexpectedly dies by his own hand, she discovers a sharp increase in unexplained suicides across the country. As she investigates, she finds her life in danger from people who will stop at nothing to prevent her from discovering the truth. She takes a leave from her job at the FBI and lives life off the grid to escape detection. Staying ahead of the bad guys is challenging and provides much of the edge-of-your seat action.
The book starts off with a bang and then gets bogged down by wordy descriptive writing. Well-written for sure, as this is Koontz. Still, I became bored and quickly skimmed large sections. Then at around 65% it was non-stop action and I couldn’t put the book down. The book ends without complete resolution. For that you’ll have to read the next book in the series. I’m hoping that book will have more action, less description.
** thanks to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book for review
I’m a long-time fan of Koontz, having read and enjoyed nearly everything he’s written. This thriller is the start of a new series featuring Jane Hawk, and is a departure from his typical horror/supernatural genre.
I love a strong female character and Koontz outdid himself with Jane. I liked her a lot. As with most of Koontz’s good guys, she does the right thing regardless of the personal cost. She’s smart, courageous, and determined. She's badass, but with a heart. She won’t hesitate to kill, but only if unavoidable and necessary.
After Jane’s husband unexpectedly dies by his own hand, she discovers a sharp increase in unexplained suicides across the country. As she investigates, she finds her life in danger from people who will stop at nothing to prevent her from discovering the truth. She takes a leave from her job at the FBI and lives life off the grid to escape detection. Staying ahead of the bad guys is challenging and provides much of the edge-of-your seat action.
The book starts off with a bang and then gets bogged down by wordy descriptive writing. Well-written for sure, as this is Koontz. Still, I became bored and quickly skimmed large sections. Then at around 65% it was non-stop action and I couldn’t put the book down. The book ends without complete resolution. For that you’ll have to read the next book in the series. I’m hoping that book will have more action, less description.
** thanks to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book for review
January 17, 2018
A lot of things sickened her these days, and yet she didn’t spend any time throwing up.
That quote sums up our heroine, Jane, in this book. She lost her husband to suicide and only a few months ago, but she is hard as a rock and is difficult to connect with emotionally because of it.
In this book, we journey with Jane as she searches for answers behind her husband's death. There is a lot of action, and a lot of characters who make brief appearances, and yet I had no strong feelings for any of the characters in this book. I'm not sure why.
It was solid enough writing, and a good story, it just didn't excite me. I'll forget I even read it a week from now.
That quote sums up our heroine, Jane, in this book. She lost her husband to suicide and only a few months ago, but she is hard as a rock and is difficult to connect with emotionally because of it.
In this book, we journey with Jane as she searches for answers behind her husband's death. There is a lot of action, and a lot of characters who make brief appearances, and yet I had no strong feelings for any of the characters in this book. I'm not sure why.
It was solid enough writing, and a good story, it just didn't excite me. I'll forget I even read it a week from now.
December 25, 2018
Okay note the rating. I know some of you will want a sort of bottom line on the book so, yep I like it. I give it 5 stars and can recommend it.
Now I'd like to say a few things about the book and about Dean Koontz.
First, I was introduced to Dean Koontz years ago (1970s). I believe it was probably my late wife who got me to read his books. At first back in the days of
,
,
and so on. I was pretty much underwhelmed by most of the books. They seemed often (to me) to be extended outlines or even proposed movie ideas. Then in the midst of all these okay to mediocre reads I found/ran across
.
At that time Mr. Koontz was still afflicted with the virus of overusing the great English F word. Aside from that however that book reached right down in my innards and grabbed hold. We would over the next few years find the Mr. Koontz dearly loves dogs and loves Golden Retrievers in particular.
By the way I have no problem with this as I'm the kind of person who must know beforehand if the dog dies. I do not go to movies or read books where the dog dies...or the cat.
That does bring up a sore point as I love dogs and cats (my best friend in the world right now may be a cat) and Mr. Koontz tends to (at best) give short shrift to the cats.
Come on Dean, get to know them.
Anyway,
changed my view of Dean Koontz completely. AND while I continued to run on books that left me decidedly blah and a few I completely disliked on the whole things changed greatly for the better.
There was then a period when people began to talk about the "New" Koontz. Books like
,
,
and some others had a different FEEL than some of his earlier books.
Me? I loved these books. Others didn't but I was well pleased.
Of course there are also the series books he's written a few seemed never to have had a resolution and we're still waiting (like the Moonlight Bay "trilogy".
was published in 1999 and we're still waiting for
. My late wife passed away waiting for the completion of that trilogy. Go figure. Then there are books like
that ends as if more is to come, but it never continues.
So we've worked our way forward. In the past few years (say this century) things have gone several directions from Odd Thomas to Frankenstein. For me, some good, some bad...
Lately I picked this book up and I like it, a lot. At first I thought I'd find it slow but then the story grabbed me and held on. I have the second now, have sent for the next 2 and am holding out for the forthcoming book (Well
is due out this month). I just sent for
which isn't strictly part of the series as it's more of a prequel.
There we have it, a thumbnail sketch of my experience with the writings of Dean Koontz. The man has turned out an amazing amount 0f storytelling and on the whole I think most of it/them are pretty good reads. I'd say try this one. As far as
goes, yep I can recommend it. Enjoy.
Now I'd like to say a few things about the book and about Dean Koontz.
First, I was introduced to Dean Koontz years ago (1970s). I believe it was probably my late wife who got me to read his books. At first back in the days of
,
,
and so on. I was pretty much underwhelmed by most of the books. They seemed often (to me) to be extended outlines or even proposed movie ideas. Then in the midst of all these okay to mediocre reads I found/ran across
. At that time Mr. Koontz was still afflicted with the virus of overusing the great English F word. Aside from that however that book reached right down in my innards and grabbed hold. We would over the next few years find the Mr. Koontz dearly loves dogs and loves Golden Retrievers in particular.
By the way I have no problem with this as I'm the kind of person who must know beforehand if the dog dies. I do not go to movies or read books where the dog dies...or the cat.
That does bring up a sore point as I love dogs and cats (my best friend in the world right now may be a cat) and Mr. Koontz tends to (at best) give short shrift to the cats.
Come on Dean, get to know them.
Anyway,
changed my view of Dean Koontz completely. AND while I continued to run on books that left me decidedly blah and a few I completely disliked on the whole things changed greatly for the better.There was then a period when people began to talk about the "New" Koontz. Books like
,
,
and some others had a different FEEL than some of his earlier books.Me? I loved these books. Others didn't but I was well pleased.
Of course there are also the series books he's written a few seemed never to have had a resolution and we're still waiting (like the Moonlight Bay "trilogy".
was published in 1999 and we're still waiting for
. My late wife passed away waiting for the completion of that trilogy. Go figure. Then there are books like
that ends as if more is to come, but it never continues.So we've worked our way forward. In the past few years (say this century) things have gone several directions from Odd Thomas to Frankenstein. For me, some good, some bad...
Lately I picked this book up and I like it, a lot. At first I thought I'd find it slow but then the story grabbed me and held on. I have the second now, have sent for the next 2 and am holding out for the forthcoming book (Well
is due out this month). I just sent for
which isn't strictly part of the series as it's more of a prequel.There we have it, a thumbnail sketch of my experience with the writings of Dean Koontz. The man has turned out an amazing amount 0f storytelling and on the whole I think most of it/them are pretty good reads. I'd say try this one. As far as
goes, yep I can recommend it. Enjoy.
May 11, 2020
A little chilling, a little worrisome and definitely fast-paced.
I was looking for a new series during the lockdown and found I had this book which I had purchased some time ago. What a great find and a little bit of escapism. FBI Jane Hawk finds herself a lone-wolf on the trail of a number of unexpected suicides.
Powerful people are trying to protect a secret so important and so powerful they will do anything to stop her from learning the truth. Plot, characters and pace are very good; with an action-movie style of writing. The progress is quick, builds in intensity; aided by very short chapters. High-tech developments and the abuse of scientific knowledge are prominent in the read. Heaven help us if this becomes a reality.
The ending sets the scene for Book 2...I wanted a new series, so I can't complain when I need to read the next one to find out what happens.
I was looking for a new series during the lockdown and found I had this book which I had purchased some time ago. What a great find and a little bit of escapism. FBI Jane Hawk finds herself a lone-wolf on the trail of a number of unexpected suicides.
Powerful people are trying to protect a secret so important and so powerful they will do anything to stop her from learning the truth. Plot, characters and pace are very good; with an action-movie style of writing. The progress is quick, builds in intensity; aided by very short chapters. High-tech developments and the abuse of scientific knowledge are prominent in the read. Heaven help us if this becomes a reality.
The ending sets the scene for Book 2...I wanted a new series, so I can't complain when I need to read the next one to find out what happens.
June 18, 2018
I read Lightning by Dean Koontz many, many years ago and since then I have loved Dean Koontz's books. I haven't read that many Koontz books in recent years, but I have slowly started to read through the books I have missed. I was really thrilled to get the chase to read The Silent Corner, the first book in a new thriller series.
The book starts off strong with the book's heroine Jane Hawk trying to find a reason for why her husband and several other people have committed suicide, despite never showing any sign of being depressed. What she learns will make her run for her life as she also tries to find a way to stop people who will stop at nothing to silence her.
I found the book to be both intriguing and thrilling to read. I love that the books start off strong, no slow starts to ease into the story. Instead, BAM and away. Since this is the first book in a series will the book of course not answer all the questions, but it's a satisfying ending and I felt that I really wanted the next book after I finished The Silent Corner.
This is a perfect book for thriller fans!
Thanks to Bokfabriken for the review copy!
The book starts off strong with the book's heroine Jane Hawk trying to find a reason for why her husband and several other people have committed suicide, despite never showing any sign of being depressed. What she learns will make her run for her life as she also tries to find a way to stop people who will stop at nothing to silence her.
I found the book to be both intriguing and thrilling to read. I love that the books start off strong, no slow starts to ease into the story. Instead, BAM and away. Since this is the first book in a series will the book of course not answer all the questions, but it's a satisfying ending and I felt that I really wanted the next book after I finished The Silent Corner.
This is a perfect book for thriller fans!
Thanks to Bokfabriken for the review copy!
January 26, 2022
I'm going to make a confession here, first, I haven't read Mr. Koontz' stuff since The Door to December. That may be my all time favorite from this author. Of course, I've been a fan since the beginning, but I sometimes tire of an author. I've tried at least 6 times now to write this review. Truth is, I can't do the book justice. I suck at reviews anyway, but everything I try to say about this story sounds trite. So, I quit. I give up! All I'm going to say now is that I don't often give Dean Koontz 5 stars, but this story rocked! I'm actually excited for the continuation. Thank you, Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read a fairly awesome book, that I would have missed. Would I recommend this book? Dude, you'd be a fool to pass it up.
January 21, 2018
This was an entertaining read. Not very believable but entertaining. I agree that it would probably make a good movie. I haven't read many of the author's books but what I have read were more in the horror genre. This reminded me of Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, or Ira Levin.
Jane Hawk takes a leave of absence from her job as an FBI agent after her husband commits suicide. She cannot accept that he would take his own life. He was a Marine with everything going for him. Successful, happily married with a son. Jane begins doing what she does best. She begins her own investigation. Suicide rates in America are rising. People who are talented, successful, accomplished. People who help the less fortunate. They showed no signs of depression. They did not suffer from some fatal incurable disease. As her investigation deepens the life of her 5 year old son is threatened. She files for an extension of her leave of absence, liquidates her assets, puts her son in hiding, and goes off the grid so that she can continue her investigation.
This is another story of how technology in the wrong hands is destroying society. A cadre who want to use the discovery to create their own version of a utopian society. And it is up to Jane to stop them. "They" have power and will stop at nothing. But Jane is smart and resourceful. She is driven. Jane befriends some unusual and interesting characters in her one woman quest. At one point she indicates she had bought a new car at the beginning of her investigation and could not afford to keep buying cars every time something happened. Her resources were limited. She is off the grid. No ATM or credit cards. But she stays in a different hotel or motel every night. She eats every meal in a restaurant, diner, deli, etc. Buys multiple burner phones at a time. And pays cash for everything. At times I was wondering where does she keep all of this cash?
All in all an entertaining story. Good vs evil. Technology taking over the world. The good old days are gone. This is the first novel in a series and I plan to read the next book, The Whispering Room, and see what happens next. Try to enjoy the story and not be too critical or take it too serious.
Jane Hawk takes a leave of absence from her job as an FBI agent after her husband commits suicide. She cannot accept that he would take his own life. He was a Marine with everything going for him. Successful, happily married with a son. Jane begins doing what she does best. She begins her own investigation. Suicide rates in America are rising. People who are talented, successful, accomplished. People who help the less fortunate. They showed no signs of depression. They did not suffer from some fatal incurable disease. As her investigation deepens the life of her 5 year old son is threatened. She files for an extension of her leave of absence, liquidates her assets, puts her son in hiding, and goes off the grid so that she can continue her investigation.
This is another story of how technology in the wrong hands is destroying society. A cadre who want to use the discovery to create their own version of a utopian society. And it is up to Jane to stop them. "They" have power and will stop at nothing. But Jane is smart and resourceful. She is driven. Jane befriends some unusual and interesting characters in her one woman quest. At one point she indicates she had bought a new car at the beginning of her investigation and could not afford to keep buying cars every time something happened. Her resources were limited. She is off the grid. No ATM or credit cards. But she stays in a different hotel or motel every night. She eats every meal in a restaurant, diner, deli, etc. Buys multiple burner phones at a time. And pays cash for everything. At times I was wondering where does she keep all of this cash?
All in all an entertaining story. Good vs evil. Technology taking over the world. The good old days are gone. This is the first novel in a series and I plan to read the next book, The Whispering Room, and see what happens next. Try to enjoy the story and not be too critical or take it too serious.
June 27, 2017
Very disappointed, one of my favorite writers is Dean Koontz. This book just did not catch my interest at all.
July 23, 2018
Ahoy there me mateys! This be me read for the July BookBum Club Challenge where the theme be “that is so last year – a book ye meant to read in 2017.” Well Dean Koontz is one of me favourite authors and was featured in Broadside No. 9 but I hadn’t read a book by him since 2011! This book marks me 60th Dean Koontz book. Arrrr! It was about time I got to it because books two and three are already out. Plus book four is coming soon. I have been wanting to read this ever since I read crew member, Kim @ byhookorbybook’s review back in 2017! Now be the time.
The very basic premise is that the suicide rate in the United States has been higher than average and seems to be steadily increasing. One of the victims is Nick Hawk, a husband, father, and highly decorated marine. Everyone believes that he committed suicide except for his wife, Jane. Jane Hawk, FBI agent, knows that her husband would never have killed himself. His odd “suicide” note is proof of that. So she starts digging determined to uncover the truth behind Nick’s death. But the answers are even stranger then she thought. Can she take the evil doers down before they get to her first?
Of course it is so much more complicated and cooler than that. What I love about Dean Koontz is that he can write a fantastic thriller with sci-fi bits. And the sci-fi is plausible in our not too distant future. I can’t go into more than that because it is part of the fun of readin’ this one. The science of it is both scary and fascinating. This book also deals with the silent corner – i.e. people who try to stay completely off the grid. In the modern era of Big Brother, it does seem like this will be impossible in the future. Watching Jane try to stay off the grid while needing the internet for research is interesting. And darn near impossible.
This book had a fantastically quick pace and I read it in one sitting. I was completely rooting for Jane. She is smart, clever, and fierce. The bad guys were a bit one dimensional and the final showdown was silly but that didn’t lessen me enjoyment. I certainly got what I wanted out of this book and will not be waiting another seven years to pick up another Dean Koontz book. I need more Jane Hawk!
Much thanks to the BookBum Club for giving me the incentive to read this “so last year” novel.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
The very basic premise is that the suicide rate in the United States has been higher than average and seems to be steadily increasing. One of the victims is Nick Hawk, a husband, father, and highly decorated marine. Everyone believes that he committed suicide except for his wife, Jane. Jane Hawk, FBI agent, knows that her husband would never have killed himself. His odd “suicide” note is proof of that. So she starts digging determined to uncover the truth behind Nick’s death. But the answers are even stranger then she thought. Can she take the evil doers down before they get to her first?
Of course it is so much more complicated and cooler than that. What I love about Dean Koontz is that he can write a fantastic thriller with sci-fi bits. And the sci-fi is plausible in our not too distant future. I can’t go into more than that because it is part of the fun of readin’ this one. The science of it is both scary and fascinating. This book also deals with the silent corner – i.e. people who try to stay completely off the grid. In the modern era of Big Brother, it does seem like this will be impossible in the future. Watching Jane try to stay off the grid while needing the internet for research is interesting. And darn near impossible.
This book had a fantastically quick pace and I read it in one sitting. I was completely rooting for Jane. She is smart, clever, and fierce. The bad guys were a bit one dimensional and the final showdown was silly but that didn’t lessen me enjoyment. I certainly got what I wanted out of this book and will not be waiting another seven years to pick up another Dean Koontz book. I need more Jane Hawk!
Much thanks to the BookBum Club for giving me the incentive to read this “so last year” novel.
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
September 10, 2017
This story goes from bad to worse and the narrator doesn't help. 0 of 10 stars
November 1, 2025
I really enjoyed THE SILENT CORNER. Caught up in Koontz brand of storytelling, I found myself anxiously turning each page to see what horror Jane would have to face next.
For the most part, I was enraptured by THE SILENT CORNER but occasionally it got a little too descriptive, upsetting the character connects and the flow.
This is the first time I'm reading a Dean Koontz novel and I can tell you now it won't be my last. Koontz writes a memorizing and riveting tale that just grabs the reader in its clutches.
I received this ARC copy of The Silent Corner from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantan. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Silent Corner is set for publication June 6, 2017.
For the most part, I was enraptured by THE SILENT CORNER but occasionally it got a little too descriptive, upsetting the character connects and the flow.
This is the first time I'm reading a Dean Koontz novel and I can tell you now it won't be my last. Koontz writes a memorizing and riveting tale that just grabs the reader in its clutches.
I received this ARC copy of The Silent Corner from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantan. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Silent Corner is set for publication June 6, 2017.
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