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Vengeance
To avenge what she loves she must destroy what she hates.
After Angie Rice's husband and 5-year-old daughter are senselessly murdered during a drug hit in a small desert border town, the sociopathic sheriff, Buck Dankworth, displays the bodies of two Mexican men to the media and declares they are the killers.
Angie knows the real killers are being shielded by Dankworth, who is protecting his empire of crime and corruption. And she knows the only way she will get justice is by taking the law into her own hands.
A darkly engrossing thrill ride, Vengeance is a shattering tale of violence, corruption, loss and redemption.
After Angie Rice's husband and 5-year-old daughter are senselessly murdered during a drug hit in a small desert border town, the sociopathic sheriff, Buck Dankworth, displays the bodies of two Mexican men to the media and declares they are the killers.
Angie knows the real killers are being shielded by Dankworth, who is protecting his empire of crime and corruption. And she knows the only way she will get justice is by taking the law into her own hands.
A darkly engrossing thrill ride, Vengeance is a shattering tale of violence, corruption, loss and redemption.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2020
281 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 19, 2021
DNF. Sometimes you get what you pay for in a book. This one was free--so I got my money's worth.
What a disappointment.
Not recommended
What a disappointment.
Not recommended
June 20, 2021
Different, but in a good way…
A different novel than what I am used to from DK, but it still held me captive to the very end. More graphic and intense, but still excellent…
A different novel than what I am used to from DK, but it still held me captive to the very end. More graphic and intense, but still excellent…
November 22, 2020
Pitiful.
Didn't get past of 9. Too much nasty language. You need to write under a pseudonym. I only got it cause I thought it was the real dean koontz
Didn't get past of 9. Too much nasty language. You need to write under a pseudonym. I only got it cause I thought it was the real dean koontz
January 26, 2021
You can't go wrong with a Dean Koontz book!
Like all of his books it draws you in from the first pages, and then it's hard to put down. I usually prefer his normal fair that includes a bit of the supernatural. I enjoyed this one even without the mystical or magic. It's just a good story that highlights the evil that can lurk just below the surface of a pretty face or an unremarkable one. Sometimes the worst of monsters are of the human kind. Human nature has such a wide range. You can't help but feel for the lead character and the loss of her loved ones. She wants revenge and made me want it for her.
Like all of his books it draws you in from the first pages, and then it's hard to put down. I usually prefer his normal fair that includes a bit of the supernatural. I enjoyed this one even without the mystical or magic. It's just a good story that highlights the evil that can lurk just below the surface of a pretty face or an unremarkable one. Sometimes the worst of monsters are of the human kind. Human nature has such a wide range. You can't help but feel for the lead character and the loss of her loved ones. She wants revenge and made me want it for her.
June 24, 2021
Just Excellent
I have read many but certainly not all of Koontz' books. This and "Devoted" are my favorites do far. Dean does all that a modern popular writer does well - plot, pace, dialogue. Not too complicated, enough character development but not so much that it slows the teal narrative. Perhaps most unusual for me is that you can hear and feel the "values" of Koontz himself in his story telling. He seems a deeply thoughtful person, and one who sees the bigger picture of what is going on in America and can articulate its essence. This is what particularly sets apart one of his most recent books "The Other Emily"
I have read many but certainly not all of Koontz' books. This and "Devoted" are my favorites do far. Dean does all that a modern popular writer does well - plot, pace, dialogue. Not too complicated, enough character development but not so much that it slows the teal narrative. Perhaps most unusual for me is that you can hear and feel the "values" of Koontz himself in his story telling. He seems a deeply thoughtful person, and one who sees the bigger picture of what is going on in America and can articulate its essence. This is what particularly sets apart one of his most recent books "The Other Emily"
November 12, 2023
I didn't realize that this wasn't a Dean Koontz book until I'd gotten it for free a few years ago. I didn't read it. I was recently going through my list of books and, once again didn't catch the misspelling, so decided to read it. I was shocked that Dean Koontz would ever write a book like this. I was optimistic that it would soon revert to the well-loved kind of book I was expecting so I read on. At some point in the book I realized what this author had done. Because this is a short book, I decided to finish it. That was the right decision because the best part of this book is the ending. However, if you decide to read it, be prepared for the worst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2020
Extremely fast paced
The plot is believable, current, and relevant. The characters are interesting, but don’t have a lot of depth. The scene settings are fair. This story could have been so much more with the interactions fleshed out. I think what bothers me the most is that the ending was rushed, and into a tight little package (not believable).
The plot is believable, current, and relevant. The characters are interesting, but don’t have a lot of depth. The scene settings are fair. This story could have been so much more with the interactions fleshed out. I think what bothers me the most is that the ending was rushed, and into a tight little package (not believable).
December 9, 2020
Mediocre
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
A dirty sheriff, a desert setting on the Mexico border, drugs, a woman's family murdered and one motive...Revenge...Justice. Not the best work of Dean Koonz... But it was okay, although too much emphasis on sex and not much on content. Not one that I will recommend to friends
January 19, 2021
Vengence
Dean Joins has always been my all time favorite author. Having said that, this book was good but did not seem like a true Koonz book. It lacked the thrill and spine chill that his always invoked.It was still a good read though just don't expect the yummy creepy riveting of true Koonz.
Dean Joins has always been my all time favorite author. Having said that, this book was good but did not seem like a true Koonz book. It lacked the thrill and spine chill that his always invoked.It was still a good read though just don't expect the yummy creepy riveting of true Koonz.
March 7, 2021
Koontz delivered!
Not a typical Dean Koontz novel, and almost passed it over. Glad I didn't. Great characters, great storyline and really brought me into the story. None of the normal Koonz typical metaphysical twist but I was glad for it. Just a good solid straight forward book that I loved and highly recommend.
Not a typical Dean Koontz novel, and almost passed it over. Glad I didn't. Great characters, great storyline and really brought me into the story. None of the normal Koonz typical metaphysical twist but I was glad for it. Just a good solid straight forward book that I loved and highly recommend.
June 28, 2021
Not the award winning Dean Koontz, deane koontz is a crappy writer. This book is filled violence, death, sex, and horrible language.
When you are searching for a new Dean Koontz novel, be care. I bought this and made a horrible mistake. I really think that a disclaimer should be on the purchase page to warn readers!
When you are searching for a new Dean Koontz novel, be care. I bought this and made a horrible mistake. I really think that a disclaimer should be on the purchase page to warn readers!
July 18, 2021
An Eye for an Eye
In Vengeance, Dean Koonz tells a story about a woman whose husband and daughter are killed during the robbery of a store that went horribly wrong. Well developed quirky characters and an action-packed plot, make this book a real page turner that's hard to put down.
In Vengeance, Dean Koonz tells a story about a woman whose husband and daughter are killed during the robbery of a store that went horribly wrong. Well developed quirky characters and an action-packed plot, make this book a real page turner that's hard to put down.
December 4, 2020
First Time for Everything
This is the first time in my life, ever, to give a 5 star rating for anything. I mean anything. I loved this book. I really did. It was humorous. In a way, it was a warm tale. If you're a Koontz fan, you won't be disappointed.
This is the first time in my life, ever, to give a 5 star rating for anything. I mean anything. I loved this book. I really did. It was humorous. In a way, it was a warm tale. If you're a Koontz fan, you won't be disappointed.
December 9, 2020
Book
It is well written. For Dean you killed odd so he is a ghost and has sign language so he finds a dead girl who looks like stormy and the adventure begins. B J. Joseph Ontario Canada
It is well written. For Dean you killed odd so he is a ghost and has sign language so he finds a dead girl who looks like stormy and the adventure begins. B J. Joseph Ontario Canada
December 21, 2020
Good guys win
Not the usual horror, but people with no humanity against mere mortals. Guess what? The mortals win! Not recommended for young people because of the excessive rough sexual situations and violence.
Not the usual horror, but people with no humanity against mere mortals. Guess what? The mortals win! Not recommended for young people because of the excessive rough sexual situations and violence.
December 21, 2020
For real?
I like this book but I don't think it is very believable. I need to see it as real to totally love it. It's well written but there should have been more sympathy for Angie even though she was new to the community.
I like this book but I don't think it is very believable. I need to see it as real to totally love it. It's well written but there should have been more sympathy for Angie even though she was new to the community.
December 21, 2020
Good read
Read a lot of koonz books but this one was a different kind of story. It was interesting and the story moved at a decent pace. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a story of revenge.
Read a lot of koonz books but this one was a different kind of story. It was interesting and the story moved at a decent pace. I would recommend it to anyone that likes a story of revenge.
January 10, 2021
Loved it
The characters wove their ways into my heart. I do hope there's more to this series. There's no real mystery. No surprises but it's a good story and the characters are great.
The characters wove their ways into my heart. I do hope there's more to this series. There's no real mystery. No surprises but it's a good story and the characters are great.
February 25, 2021
Good plot
Always enjoyed Dean Koontz but he should leave his political ideas in his head. After all he is the author who made me believe that a dog could talk and read. I skipped to the end to make sure the bad guy was taken down. At least there was that.
Always enjoyed Dean Koontz but he should leave his political ideas in his head. After all he is the author who made me believe that a dog could talk and read. I skipped to the end to make sure the bad guy was taken down. At least there was that.
March 12, 2021
SCAM!!! I feel sucker-punched. I bought this book because of name recognition but I suspect that is exactly what the author and publisher wanted me to do. This is NOT a DEAN KOONTZ book. I would not recommend it to anyone.
April 8, 2021
Vengeance
A good book which could easily been turned into a movie. The author had a rather surprising ending which I didn’t see coming. Look forward to reading more books by this author.
A good book which could easily been turned into a movie. The author had a rather surprising ending which I didn’t see coming. Look forward to reading more books by this author.
April 16, 2021
The book started well and kept me interested but the ending was very abrupt as though someone invited Koontz out to go golfing and he only had 5 min. to tie the story together and end it. Very disappointing.
July 11, 2021
Not Dean Koontz
Not bad. Bubble gum, but not bad. I have to admit that “Deane Koonz” is a clever ploy… Choosing a name very close to a best-selling author is a way to get noticed. I think I’ll write my first novel as
“Steven Kang”.
Not bad. Bubble gum, but not bad. I have to admit that “Deane Koonz” is a clever ploy… Choosing a name very close to a best-selling author is a way to get noticed. I think I’ll write my first novel as
“Steven Kang”.
May 31, 2022
Vengence???
Banal and sinister
Fairytale ending
Hard to believe that Angie would resort to vengeance. She never seemed to be as cunning as the Sheriff. Investigatory, yes - but not revengeful since she was unaware of the Sheriff's evil doings.
Banal and sinister
Fairytale ending
Hard to believe that Angie would resort to vengeance. She never seemed to be as cunning as the Sheriff. Investigatory, yes - but not revengeful since she was unaware of the Sheriff's evil doings.
September 26, 2025
Vengeance
The characters in this are hard to like, which is one reason i liked it so much.
There wasn't a single unflawed person. Maybe not believable, but highly entertaining.
I hope to read more from the author.
The characters in this are hard to like, which is one reason i liked it so much.
There wasn't a single unflawed person. Maybe not believable, but highly entertaining.
I hope to read more from the author.
November 19, 2020
Great
I've always liked Deane Koonz's books. Once I get started I can't put them down. This one surprised me at the end.
I've always liked Deane Koonz's books. Once I get started I can't put them down. This one surprised me at the end.
November 28, 2020
Complicated characters, lots of killings, very active plot, surprising ending. A good evening's read.
November 28, 2020
Fantastic
This was an excellent story. It was at times sad, funny, angry, and surprising. I've always been a fam of Dean Koontz
This was an excellent story. It was at times sad, funny, angry, and surprising. I've always been a fam of Dean Koontz
November 29, 2020
Different
Well written story about a small town sheriff who has everything under his control and going according to his grand plan, until it doesn't.
Well written story about a small town sheriff who has everything under his control and going according to his grand plan, until it doesn't.
December 4, 2020
Vengeance
It was a quick read. I enjoyed the book and it was a change from what I read before. I enjoy variety. Anyone who likes Koonz’s books will enjoy this one.
It was a quick read. I enjoyed the book and it was a change from what I read before. I enjoy variety. Anyone who likes Koonz’s books will enjoy this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews