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What the Night Knows #0.5
Darkness Under the Sun
The chilling account of a pivotal encounter between innocence and ultimate malice, 'Darkness Under the Sun' is the perfect read for Halloween — or for any haunted night — and reveals a secret, fateful turning point in the career of Alton Turner Blackwood, the killer at the dark heart of 'What the Night Knows', the forthcoming novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.
There once was a killer who knew the night, its secrets and rhythms. How to hide within its shadows. When to hunt.
He roamed from town to town, city to city, choosing his prey for their beauty and innocence. His cruelties were infinite, his humanity long since forfeit. But still . . . he had not yet discovered how to make his special mark among monsters, how to come fully alive as Death.
This is the story of how he learned those things, and of what we might do to ensure that he does not visit us.
There once was a killer who knew the night, its secrets and rhythms. How to hide within its shadows. When to hunt.
He roamed from town to town, city to city, choosing his prey for their beauty and innocence. His cruelties were infinite, his humanity long since forfeit. But still . . . he had not yet discovered how to make his special mark among monsters, how to come fully alive as Death.
This is the story of how he learned those things, and of what we might do to ensure that he does not visit us.
60 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2010
642 people are currently reading
4590 people want to read
About the author
Dean Koontz
883 books40k 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 343 reviews
March 23, 2023
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Steven Weber
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Steven Weber
October 31, 2021
A good little hallowe’en read. About as brave as I get 😁
December 6, 2011
I was looking for something different to read last night, and found this novella. It's a prequel to Dean Koontz's What the Night Knows which I've read earlier this year, and didn't think much of. So, I approached this novella with little expectations, and maybe it was a good thing.
Darkness Under The Sun is about an eleven year old boy named Howie, who sees a strange man as he's eyeing an empty estate. Despite being scared, he talks to the man and the two form a friendship. And then the bad stuff happens.
Familiar Koontz tropes are present; the hurt, disfigured child, who's also brave and courageous and does the right thing; the evil villain who's so evil his eyes are literally all black. Even though the story is short, Koontz manages to create an eerie mood, and keeps the suspense and a respectable level, with little drag. As with most of his work, the ending is sudden and trivial. The best thing is that this slim novella is better than the big one that followed it, even though it's completely predictable. It's not excellent, but it's much better than most of his recent work, too. Spooky and short enough, though the spookiness diminishes almost completely by the end.
Darkness Under The Sun is about an eleven year old boy named Howie, who sees a strange man as he's eyeing an empty estate. Despite being scared, he talks to the man and the two form a friendship. And then the bad stuff happens.
Familiar Koontz tropes are present; the hurt, disfigured child, who's also brave and courageous and does the right thing; the evil villain who's so evil his eyes are literally all black. Even though the story is short, Koontz manages to create an eerie mood, and keeps the suspense and a respectable level, with little drag. As with most of his work, the ending is sudden and trivial. The best thing is that this slim novella is better than the big one that followed it, even though it's completely predictable. It's not excellent, but it's much better than most of his recent work, too. Spooky and short enough, though the spookiness diminishes almost completely by the end.
August 9, 2019
Written in true Koontz fashion. I held my breathe through most of it and easily finished it in a day. This is the precursor to What The Night Knows, which I have requested immediately from the library. The basic premise: what can occur to create a serial killer. The answer from this novella was shocking. Highly recommend.
February 27, 2015
Eleven-year-old Howie apparently likes exploring abandoned buildings. Once inside the old emporium, he climbs to the roof and stumbles upon Alton Blackwood. Howie and Alton share one characteristic: disfigurement, and they become fast friends. Howie doesn't understand why the entirety of a grown man's existence consists of moving from shadow to shadow. Youthful innocence prompts Howie to invite Alton to rent a room at his parents house. Went Howie runs home to prepare sandwiches and grab a few photos of his family to share, upon his return to the roof, Alton is absent, but left behind is a backpack containing incriminating evidence. Is it too late? Can Howie return home in time to warn his parents and sister? Can he save others who might fall into Alton's path?
Darkness Under the Sun is short story that set's up Dean Koontz novel entitled "What the Night Knows." I gave "Darkness" 4-stars, but 4.5-Stars is a more accurate rating. It's very good if you like dark suspense.
Darkness Under the Sun is short story that set's up Dean Koontz novel entitled "What the Night Knows." I gave "Darkness" 4-stars, but 4.5-Stars is a more accurate rating. It's very good if you like dark suspense.
June 5, 2012
Read by Steven Weber, I listened to this story on my iPod. This one is creepy scarry and made more so because the situation is entirely possible. It is set in 1989, and is about an 11yr old boy who goes to a secluded place by himself to watch people. The boy is scarred by burns and the other kids tease and bully him, so he preferrs to be alone. He meets a deformed and scarred homeless man in an abandoned building and decides this man is his friend. The rest is left to your imagination unless you read the book. Yes creepy, yes suspensefull, yes there is some kind of closure at the end.
The story is written in a sort of prose and feels like Edgar Allen Poe while listening. Bad things are hinted at in a Hitchcock sort of way. There are double meanings to each situation, the child-like innocence or the adult suspicion (the "heebee jeebies").
The story is written in a sort of prose and feels like Edgar Allen Poe while listening. Bad things are hinted at in a Hitchcock sort of way. There are double meanings to each situation, the child-like innocence or the adult suspicion (the "heebee jeebies").
December 30, 2010
this kid meets this older man on the rooftop of a building. the man, mr. blackwood, is reminiscent of a character in twilight eyes, also by koontz, in that he is disfigured, a misfit, as is the boy, howie. they become friends.
the story has a certain flavor for the first...pages?...naw, i read this on an amazon kindle that my wife gave me for christmas, the first i've read on this kindle...but for the first 10-20 pages, the story has a flavor...say vanilla and it goes down smooth...anyone who has felt like an outcast is likely to think so...
as mr howard says, "there's always a parade, howie. when it's something you can't ever join but only watch, then it's a parade."
they connect. howie makes sandwiches. they break bread together. it appears that mr howard, a drifter, might stay in town, might rent from howie's mom. his old man is out of the picture. like i said, vanilla, a kind of bobby/mr brautigan, hearts in atlantis flavor to it.
howie is asked and provides photos of his house, his mother, his sister...and mr howard, a night owl, tells him he needs to sleep as they've been at it all day, talking, connecting.
when he returns later, to learn of mr blackwood's decision--he's a free bird and at the 1s sign or pressure he would have been gone--and when howie returns, he find things that suggest a wrong, a bad wrong, the kind of wrong that is immediate and now...but he does save the day.
howie learns. howie "realized things that other boys his age would not, including that life was hard but sweet, that life was a long series of losses and that you had to hold on tight to what you loved as long as you had any strength left." howie encounters evil, brazen evil, but that evil leaves town only to reappear in a news story, a story that literally makes howie sick, to know that he might have stopped something...
the story fast forwards about 21 years, from 11-yr-old howie to 32-yr-old howie.
there's more, but a good read, the first on a kindle for me.
the story has a certain flavor for the first...pages?...naw, i read this on an amazon kindle that my wife gave me for christmas, the first i've read on this kindle...but for the first 10-20 pages, the story has a flavor...say vanilla and it goes down smooth...anyone who has felt like an outcast is likely to think so...
as mr howard says, "there's always a parade, howie. when it's something you can't ever join but only watch, then it's a parade."
they connect. howie makes sandwiches. they break bread together. it appears that mr howard, a drifter, might stay in town, might rent from howie's mom. his old man is out of the picture. like i said, vanilla, a kind of bobby/mr brautigan, hearts in atlantis flavor to it.
howie is asked and provides photos of his house, his mother, his sister...and mr howard, a night owl, tells him he needs to sleep as they've been at it all day, talking, connecting.
when he returns later, to learn of mr blackwood's decision--he's a free bird and at the 1s sign or pressure he would have been gone--and when howie returns, he find things that suggest a wrong, a bad wrong, the kind of wrong that is immediate and now...but he does save the day.
howie learns. howie "realized things that other boys his age would not, including that life was hard but sweet, that life was a long series of losses and that you had to hold on tight to what you loved as long as you had any strength left." howie encounters evil, brazen evil, but that evil leaves town only to reappear in a news story, a story that literally makes howie sick, to know that he might have stopped something...
the story fast forwards about 21 years, from 11-yr-old howie to 32-yr-old howie.
there's more, but a good read, the first on a kindle for me.
September 4, 2017
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
Spotting a review for ‘Darkness Under the Sun’ just before I was about to pick up ‘What the Night Knows’ was kismet. I quickly added this novella to my e-reader ready to submerge into a scary and thrilling prelude, set the tone to whatever paranormal force is to feature in the main novel. And what I read was sufficiently spooky, it reminded me of Roald Dahl or Edgar Allen Poe. I got an unnerved sense straight away about how the protagonist, a thirteen year old Howey Dugley meets a mysterious adult drifter new friend (Alton Turner Blackwood) back in 1989. And I think it’s meant to be on purpose. Red flags start to wave and the reader is meant to notice them... all to set them up for the twist. A twist that gave me a shiver.
I’ve been scared by some of Koontz books, afraid to step out of bed in the dark, too chicken to investigate noises outside my window at night. This tale didn’t do that. It left me feeling creeped out. That prickling of hair at the back of your neck.
I appreciated how Howie develops as a character and commits to paying recompense for his actions (fingering fellow school student Ron Bleeker as a bully who deserves recompense to Alton, whom he knows is dangerous) - which in turn takes on a philosophical significance of the story. Not before jumping forward in time to Howies 32nd year, and events begin to re-emerge mirroring the past he’s tried to forget and pay penance for. Leaving us set up for the novel ‘What the Night Knows.’ There is definite dark and supernatural things at work here. And ‘Darkness Under the Sun’ is the perfect teaser.
It’s a quick easy novella to read, Koontz’s usual colourful descriptive style marrying both lush beautiful landscape and brutal gore of a murder scene. Another favourite to add to my collection, you can be assured it is as good as Koontz vintage best. I’m even more keen to read ‘What the Night Knows’ and find out where this all leads and get answers to the mythology. A compact plot with a spiritual message.
Spotting a review for ‘Darkness Under the Sun’ just before I was about to pick up ‘What the Night Knows’ was kismet. I quickly added this novella to my e-reader ready to submerge into a scary and thrilling prelude, set the tone to whatever paranormal force is to feature in the main novel. And what I read was sufficiently spooky, it reminded me of Roald Dahl or Edgar Allen Poe. I got an unnerved sense straight away about how the protagonist, a thirteen year old Howey Dugley meets a mysterious adult drifter new friend (Alton Turner Blackwood) back in 1989. And I think it’s meant to be on purpose. Red flags start to wave and the reader is meant to notice them... all to set them up for the twist. A twist that gave me a shiver.
I’ve been scared by some of Koontz books, afraid to step out of bed in the dark, too chicken to investigate noises outside my window at night. This tale didn’t do that. It left me feeling creeped out. That prickling of hair at the back of your neck.
I appreciated how Howie develops as a character and commits to paying recompense for his actions (fingering fellow school student Ron Bleeker as a bully who deserves recompense to Alton, whom he knows is dangerous) - which in turn takes on a philosophical significance of the story. Not before jumping forward in time to Howies 32nd year, and events begin to re-emerge mirroring the past he’s tried to forget and pay penance for. Leaving us set up for the novel ‘What the Night Knows.’ There is definite dark and supernatural things at work here. And ‘Darkness Under the Sun’ is the perfect teaser.
It’s a quick easy novella to read, Koontz’s usual colourful descriptive style marrying both lush beautiful landscape and brutal gore of a murder scene. Another favourite to add to my collection, you can be assured it is as good as Koontz vintage best. I’m even more keen to read ‘What the Night Knows’ and find out where this all leads and get answers to the mythology. A compact plot with a spiritual message.
November 12, 2020
Отдавна не бях чел Кунц и честно казано бях позабравили защо толкова харесвам неговите книги. Това е чудесна, мрачна история за злото и отпечатъка, който оставя върху хората. Определено си струва да се прочете.
May 28, 2025
What a well-done and engaging read.
January 2, 2011
Spoilers are there and maybe a slight spoiler to the ending of WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS, but nothing really major.
A good introduction to the "bad guy" for the upcoming novel WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. The first half was a little slow, but it got much better in the second half. The last two chapters allude to things that will happen in WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS and directly mentions a character or two that will appear in the full length novel.
My only problem is that the last chapter gives away some of the results to what would be the end of WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. It kind of gives away that certain characters will survive and will kind of take away some of the suspense (a little bit)because you will know that these certain characters will survive. Unless the bit that is given away is not part of the final showdown in WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. Won't know till we all read it.
UPDATE: After reading WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS it's confirmed to me what I was thinking about the end of this novella sort of spoiling the outcome of WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. The last chapter of this novella does in fact happen after the events of the full length novel WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS.
A good introduction to the "bad guy" for the upcoming novel WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. The first half was a little slow, but it got much better in the second half. The last two chapters allude to things that will happen in WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS and directly mentions a character or two that will appear in the full length novel.
My only problem is that the last chapter gives away some of the results to what would be the end of WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. It kind of gives away that certain characters will survive and will kind of take away some of the suspense (a little bit)because you will know that these certain characters will survive. Unless the bit that is given away is not part of the final showdown in WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. Won't know till we all read it.
UPDATE: After reading WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS it's confirmed to me what I was thinking about the end of this novella sort of spoiling the outcome of WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS. The last chapter of this novella does in fact happen after the events of the full length novel WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2012
This novella nestles nicely into the overall story of the novel "What the Night Knows" and I think enhances the story---giving it an even more emotional punch. I am aware that it was written to be a preface to the novel, but I felt it was more of an epilogue. Having read the novel first, I was able to appreciate this story of the genesis of the killer since I know where his madness eventually took him. Also, as the action in the novella both precedes and follows the action in the novel, it would have been a bit of a spoiler to me if I read the novel after this novella.
As far as the plot goes, without giving away any details, we learn of the beginnings of the murderous history of the killer in "What the Night Knows." More than that even, this story is about the delicate and ephemeral nature of innocence and how it can evaporate almost instantly upon contact with evil. Is it because we all, no matter how innocent, carry that seed of evil within us, only needing the right circumstance or pressures to cause it to grow? This novella also explores how once a door is opened, there is no telling what may pass through and how difficult it is to ever seal that gateway again.
As far as the plot goes, without giving away any details, we learn of the beginnings of the murderous history of the killer in "What the Night Knows." More than that even, this story is about the delicate and ephemeral nature of innocence and how it can evaporate almost instantly upon contact with evil. Is it because we all, no matter how innocent, carry that seed of evil within us, only needing the right circumstance or pressures to cause it to grow? This novella also explores how once a door is opened, there is no telling what may pass through and how difficult it is to ever seal that gateway again.
May 4, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. I usually enjoy Koontz' novels, so I was interested to see how satisfying this novella would be.
The story is told almost entirely from the perspective of a ten year old boy named Howie Dugley. Early on in the story, Howie meets a strange man on the rooftop of a building. Howie immediately feels a kinship to this man because he, like Howie, has physical deformities. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say the rest of the story unfolds with the reader finding out the man's secrets and how Howie responds to the truths that unfold.
It is impossible not to like Howie. It is obvious he has suffered a great deal, and yet, he remains brave and hopeful.
The story is fast paced, and has an eerie feel to it from beginning to end. I was so engrossed in it that I finished it in one sitting. It is short, but I found the novella to be satisfying as a stand alone read. However, I look forward to reading What the Night Knows. It will be interesting to learn more about how this novella ties in with the novel.
The story is told almost entirely from the perspective of a ten year old boy named Howie Dugley. Early on in the story, Howie meets a strange man on the rooftop of a building. Howie immediately feels a kinship to this man because he, like Howie, has physical deformities. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say the rest of the story unfolds with the reader finding out the man's secrets and how Howie responds to the truths that unfold.
It is impossible not to like Howie. It is obvious he has suffered a great deal, and yet, he remains brave and hopeful.
The story is fast paced, and has an eerie feel to it from beginning to end. I was so engrossed in it that I finished it in one sitting. It is short, but I found the novella to be satisfying as a stand alone read. However, I look forward to reading What the Night Knows. It will be interesting to learn more about how this novella ties in with the novel.
December 31, 2017
I originally read this as an ebook in 2010 and listened to the audiobook in 2012. I really like this little story; I believe it is much better than the than the novel which it preceded & promoted - What The Night Knows.
Ever since I bought the audiobook on CD in 2012, I have enjoyed listening to the story every year. Alton Turner Blackwood is such a good friend.
Note: in 2016 I did re-read What The Night Knows and developed a greater appreciation for the novel.
Ever since I bought the audiobook on CD in 2012, I have enjoyed listening to the story every year. Alton Turner Blackwood is such a good friend.
Note: in 2016 I did re-read What The Night Knows and developed a greater appreciation for the novel.
January 29, 2013
A young boy who has faced many challenges in his life already, meets a strange man in an abandoned building and befriends him, not knowing the horror the man leaves in his wake.
Koontz does a good job conveying the loneliness and innocence of a child in contrast to the evil within the sociopath. The story is both horrifying and sad.
Koontz does a good job conveying the loneliness and innocence of a child in contrast to the evil within the sociopath. The story is both horrifying and sad.
May 23, 2013
Ok I'm a bug scaredy cat and this was a fine read. The ending was a bit anti-climactic but I'm okay with that since I cant handle all the scary stuff.
June 25, 2013
Listened to this on audio book, good story and characters. Would like to read the story, I get more wrapped up in the story, reading it myself than listening to it.
August 23, 2024
Howie Dugley ist zehn Jahre alt, lebt zusammen mit seiner alleinerziehenden Mutter und seiner Schwester und ist seit Jahren ein krasser Außenseiter. Dies ist vor allem auf sein Äußeres zurückzuführen, denn seit einem einschneidenden Erlebnis in seiner frühen Kindheit ist seine linke Körperhälfte von schlimmen Verbrennungen gezeichnet. Dadurch wird er in der Schule gemobbt und ausgegrenzt und so lebt Howie mehr oder weniger in seiner eigenen Welt. In seiner Freizeit zieht er sich meistens auf das Dach eines ehemaligen Kaufhauses zurück, welches seit geraumer Zeit leersteht. Dort oben beobachtet er die vorbeiziehenden Passanten und hängt seinen Gedanken nach.
Wenige Tage vor seinem elften Geburtstag begibt sich Howie erneut auf das Kaufhausdach, doch als er oben eintrifft stößt er dort auf einen fürchterlich aussehenden Mann. Der Fremde ist noch schlimmer entstellt als der Junge und sein Gesicht ist eine einzige grausame Grimasse. Howie zeigt jedoch keine Angst und kommt mit dem Mann – der sich als Alton Turner Blackwood vorstellt – schnell ins Gespräch. Da beide ein ähnliches Schicksal haben und aufgrund ihres Erscheinungsbildes von der Gesellschaft ausgegrenzt werden, fühlt sich der Junge schnell zu Mr. Blackwood hingezogen. Er ahnt jedoch nicht, dass der Mann ein dunkles Geheimnis hat…
„Die schwarze Feder“ ist die Vorgeschichte zu Dean Koontz‘ kürzlich erschienenem Roman „Der Rabenmann“, in dessen Mittelpunkt der Polizist John Calvino steht. Dieser verlor im Alter von 14 Jahren bei einer Mordserie seine Familie und sieht sich nun mit einer ähnlichen Verbrechenswelle konfrontiert. Calvino hat in der exklusiv als eBook erschienenen Kurzgeschichte ebenfalls einen kleinen Auftritt, doch im Fokus steht diesmal der Mörder seiner Familie: Alton Turner Blackwood. „Die schwarze Feder“ schildert nämlich, wie aus dem entstellten Außenseiter ein kaltblütiger Mörder wird.
Dabei spielt fast die gesamte Handlung auf dem Dach des leerstehenden Warenhauses und dreht sich nahezu ausschließlich um Blackwood und Howie Dugley. Für beide ist der Aussichtspunkt ein Rückzugsort vor den Blicken der Menschen und im Gespräch berichten beide über ihre Situation, wobei der junge Howie deutlich mehr von sich preisgibt als der geheimnisvolle Fremde. Obwohl eigentlich nicht viel passiert und ein Großteil der Geschichte aus dem Dialog der beiden Außenseiter besteht, bringt „Die schwarze Feder“ doch eine ganz eigene Faszination mit sich. Mit fortschreitender Story erfährt man immer mehr über die Abgründe vor allem im Leben des Jungen. Seine Sympathie für Blackwood ist äußerst nachvollziehbar, denn zum ersten Mal hat Howie jemanden, mit dem er über seine Probleme reden kann und der seine schwierige Situation nachvollziehen kann. Allerdings hat man als Leser immer wieder das Gefühl, dass von Blackwood eine nicht genau zu bestimmende Bedrohung ausgeht, was für eine subtile Spannung sorgt. Diese gipfelt in einem dramatischen Finale, welches eine gelungene Überleitung zum anschließenden Roman „Der Rabenmann“ liefert.
Mein Fazit:
Dean Koontz hat mit „Die schwarze Feder“ eine atmosphärische und sehr unterhaltsame Kurzgeschichte geschrieben, welche die Geschichte über den „Rabenmann“ Alton Turner Blackwood erfolgreich abrundet. Mir hat besonders das sehr minimalistische Setting gefallen, welches überwiegend aus einem einzigen Schauplatz und den zwei Hauptfiguren besteht. Die Story ist zwar nicht nervenzerreißend spannend, sorgt aber durchgehend für ein wohliges Unbehagen. Allerdings würde ich empfehlen, die Geschichte erst nach „Der Rabenmann“ zu lesen, denn bei gründlichem Lesen fällt zum Ende hin ein kleiner Spoiler auf, der die Ereignisse am Schluss des anschließenden Romans ein wenig vorwegnimmt. Der Umfang der Kurzgeschichte geht für den Preis absolut in Ordnung, zudem bietet das eBook auch noch eine Leseprobe vom „Rabenmann“ sowie ein ausführliches und sehr interessantes Interview mit dem Autor Dean Koontz. Wem „Der Rabenmann“ gefallen hat, der sollte unbedingt zu diesem „Bonusmaterial“ greifen, doch auch für Neulinge ist „Die schwarze Feder“ ein bekömmlicher Appetitanreger für das Hauptwerk.
Wenige Tage vor seinem elften Geburtstag begibt sich Howie erneut auf das Kaufhausdach, doch als er oben eintrifft stößt er dort auf einen fürchterlich aussehenden Mann. Der Fremde ist noch schlimmer entstellt als der Junge und sein Gesicht ist eine einzige grausame Grimasse. Howie zeigt jedoch keine Angst und kommt mit dem Mann – der sich als Alton Turner Blackwood vorstellt – schnell ins Gespräch. Da beide ein ähnliches Schicksal haben und aufgrund ihres Erscheinungsbildes von der Gesellschaft ausgegrenzt werden, fühlt sich der Junge schnell zu Mr. Blackwood hingezogen. Er ahnt jedoch nicht, dass der Mann ein dunkles Geheimnis hat…
„Die schwarze Feder“ ist die Vorgeschichte zu Dean Koontz‘ kürzlich erschienenem Roman „Der Rabenmann“, in dessen Mittelpunkt der Polizist John Calvino steht. Dieser verlor im Alter von 14 Jahren bei einer Mordserie seine Familie und sieht sich nun mit einer ähnlichen Verbrechenswelle konfrontiert. Calvino hat in der exklusiv als eBook erschienenen Kurzgeschichte ebenfalls einen kleinen Auftritt, doch im Fokus steht diesmal der Mörder seiner Familie: Alton Turner Blackwood. „Die schwarze Feder“ schildert nämlich, wie aus dem entstellten Außenseiter ein kaltblütiger Mörder wird.
Dabei spielt fast die gesamte Handlung auf dem Dach des leerstehenden Warenhauses und dreht sich nahezu ausschließlich um Blackwood und Howie Dugley. Für beide ist der Aussichtspunkt ein Rückzugsort vor den Blicken der Menschen und im Gespräch berichten beide über ihre Situation, wobei der junge Howie deutlich mehr von sich preisgibt als der geheimnisvolle Fremde. Obwohl eigentlich nicht viel passiert und ein Großteil der Geschichte aus dem Dialog der beiden Außenseiter besteht, bringt „Die schwarze Feder“ doch eine ganz eigene Faszination mit sich. Mit fortschreitender Story erfährt man immer mehr über die Abgründe vor allem im Leben des Jungen. Seine Sympathie für Blackwood ist äußerst nachvollziehbar, denn zum ersten Mal hat Howie jemanden, mit dem er über seine Probleme reden kann und der seine schwierige Situation nachvollziehen kann. Allerdings hat man als Leser immer wieder das Gefühl, dass von Blackwood eine nicht genau zu bestimmende Bedrohung ausgeht, was für eine subtile Spannung sorgt. Diese gipfelt in einem dramatischen Finale, welches eine gelungene Überleitung zum anschließenden Roman „Der Rabenmann“ liefert.
Mein Fazit:
Dean Koontz hat mit „Die schwarze Feder“ eine atmosphärische und sehr unterhaltsame Kurzgeschichte geschrieben, welche die Geschichte über den „Rabenmann“ Alton Turner Blackwood erfolgreich abrundet. Mir hat besonders das sehr minimalistische Setting gefallen, welches überwiegend aus einem einzigen Schauplatz und den zwei Hauptfiguren besteht. Die Story ist zwar nicht nervenzerreißend spannend, sorgt aber durchgehend für ein wohliges Unbehagen. Allerdings würde ich empfehlen, die Geschichte erst nach „Der Rabenmann“ zu lesen, denn bei gründlichem Lesen fällt zum Ende hin ein kleiner Spoiler auf, der die Ereignisse am Schluss des anschließenden Romans ein wenig vorwegnimmt. Der Umfang der Kurzgeschichte geht für den Preis absolut in Ordnung, zudem bietet das eBook auch noch eine Leseprobe vom „Rabenmann“ sowie ein ausführliches und sehr interessantes Interview mit dem Autor Dean Koontz. Wem „Der Rabenmann“ gefallen hat, der sollte unbedingt zu diesem „Bonusmaterial“ greifen, doch auch für Neulinge ist „Die schwarze Feder“ ein bekömmlicher Appetitanreger für das Hauptwerk.
April 2, 2025
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors, he's got a lot of tropes that reuses a lot that much I can't disagree with but he knows how to write a damn good and exciting story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Darkness Under The Sun is his prequel/prelude novella to "What The Night Knows", his haunting ghost story novel, which I'm really excited to read soon.
Howie, a damaged but kind young boy, hasn't always had the easiest life. His childhood has been one of pain and death; he grew up too quickly. But it wasn't until he met Alton Turner Blackwood that his life changed irretrievably forever. There are some encounters that must never happen. Sometimes evil is born from the most innocent of actions.
Darkness Under The Sun is an unsettling and haunting prelude that explores what makes someone into a serial-killer and how the subtlest and sometimes kindest things could lead to devastating results. It's a sort of coming of age story where the repercussions are felt by the protagonist and affect his mental health and overall physical health in a way that is heartbreaking to read. The atmosphere is solid and there are a few hints towards the supernatural, which, of course, is an important aspect to the novel.
Overall: It's a good novella that would make for a solid read on Halloween night. It gives you some clues to what may or may not happen in "What The Night Knows" but that's not to say it gives anything away. 8/10
Howie, a damaged but kind young boy, hasn't always had the easiest life. His childhood has been one of pain and death; he grew up too quickly. But it wasn't until he met Alton Turner Blackwood that his life changed irretrievably forever. There are some encounters that must never happen. Sometimes evil is born from the most innocent of actions.
Darkness Under The Sun is an unsettling and haunting prelude that explores what makes someone into a serial-killer and how the subtlest and sometimes kindest things could lead to devastating results. It's a sort of coming of age story where the repercussions are felt by the protagonist and affect his mental health and overall physical health in a way that is heartbreaking to read. The atmosphere is solid and there are a few hints towards the supernatural, which, of course, is an important aspect to the novel.
Overall: It's a good novella that would make for a solid read on Halloween night. It gives you some clues to what may or may not happen in "What The Night Knows" but that's not to say it gives anything away. 8/10
June 29, 2025
“Едно от най-красивите качества на истинското приятелство е да разбереш и да бъдеш разбран.” - Луций Аней Сенека
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“Мрак под слънцето” е кратък драматичен разказ със засилен съспенс, който се явява предистория на “Какво знае нощта”.
Главен герой в “Мрак под слънцето” е единадесетгодишно момче на име Хауи Дъгли, чието лице е наполовина обезобразено от пожар. Докато се разхожда в изоставена сграда, Хауи среща едър непознат мъж, който е дори по-ужасен от него самият и двамата се сприятеляват. Заражда се едно опасно приятелство, което ще вдъхнови единият от двамата, а другия ще получи урок за цял живот..
Най-хубавото на тази новела е, че доста по-добра от основната история за Алтън Търнър Блакуд. Въпреки, че и тук Кунц да залага на характерния си описателен стил, поради краткият си обем, разказа е интересен и въздействащ, а не дразнещ и натрапчив, както е романа “Какво знае нощта”. Усеща се зловещата атмосфера характерна за по-ранните творби на Кунц, като главният герой Хауи израсна доста повече за четиридесетина страници, отколкото Джон Калвано за над тридесет и петдесет страници!
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“Мрак под слънцето” е кратък драматичен разказ със засилен съспенс, който се явява предистория на “Какво знае нощта”.
Главен герой в “Мрак под слънцето” е единадесетгодишно момче на име Хауи Дъгли, чието лице е наполовина обезобразено от пожар. Докато се разхожда в изоставена сграда, Хауи среща едър непознат мъж, който е дори по-ужасен от него самият и двамата се сприятеляват. Заражда се едно опасно приятелство, което ще вдъхнови единият от двамата, а другия ще получи урок за цял живот..
Най-хубавото на тази новела е, че доста по-добра от основната история за Алтън Търнър Блакуд. Въпреки, че и тук Кунц да залага на характерния си описателен стил, поради краткият си обем, разказа е интересен и въздействащ, а не дразнещ и натрапчив, както е романа “Какво знае нощта”. Усеща се зловещата атмосфера характерна за по-ранните творби на Кунц, като главният герой Хауи израсна доста повече за четиридесетина страници, отколкото Джон Калвано за над тридесет и петдесет страници!
September 17, 2018
I used to read anything Dean Koontz I could lay may hand on when I was younger, but have not read anything new of he's in years. Reading this again made me aware of how much I enjoyed he's particular shade of horror.
Although this is a novella he author manages to create a eerie atmosphere that lasts throughout.
It's a great Koontz work - he is the master of character development and, of-course, horror, unimaginable horror.
Great read.
Although this is a novella he author manages to create a eerie atmosphere that lasts throughout.
It's a great Koontz work - he is the master of character development and, of-course, horror, unimaginable horror.
Great read.
April 18, 2020
This novella is guaranteed to give you nightmares. It has all the ingredients - a lonely boy, a cemetery, an abandoned warehouse and a questionable traveler. To say more would be to give away the story and I don't want to rob you of a delightful chill.
Read
August 6, 2018Niet echt mijn ding, zulk verhaal...
May 21, 2019
2 verhalen die je zo uitleest!
August 11, 2024
Well I was fooled into not recognizing the bad guy. I even kind of liked him… then the quick twist got me
June 30, 2018
Short but okay
April 6, 2021
Prequel to "What the Night Knows." I am reading this again because I am wanting to read the novel that follows. Enjoyed the novella but it just didn't push me towards a reread of the book.
February 28, 2013
This short book (I got the CD audiobook from the library; I believe it was first published as an ebook) is both a prequel and sequel to What the Night Knows (see my review). This one tells the story of a meeting between a ten year old boy, Howie Dugley, disfigured from being burned by his father, and, of course, brutally bullied by neighborhood thugs. One day Howie meets up with Alton Turner Blackwell, the villain from What the Night Knows, and they initially form a friendship, it appears, based upon their common brokenness. Weeeellll, some subsequent violence ensues (not to Howie, but there’s some suspense about that later in the story), and a kindness from Howie to Mr. Blackwell has some far-reaching, and nasty, sequelae.
It should also be mentioned that there is a section of this story that takes place after the events of What the Night Knows, and a quite satisfying ending from a brave kid now grown to adulthood. Even though I’ve given a warning of spoilers, I still don’t want to give away too much, don’t want to spoil any surprises (may have done so already).
This was, I believe, a better work than What the Night Knows, in part because of its shorter length and therefore more concentrated action. The fact that there are only two characters in the story helps that process. I enjoyed this little book, but I believe you would get more out of it if you read the other one first.
It should also be mentioned that there is a section of this story that takes place after the events of What the Night Knows, and a quite satisfying ending from a brave kid now grown to adulthood. Even though I’ve given a warning of spoilers, I still don’t want to give away too much, don’t want to spoil any surprises (may have done so already).
This was, I believe, a better work than What the Night Knows, in part because of its shorter length and therefore more concentrated action. The fact that there are only two characters in the story helps that process. I enjoyed this little book, but I believe you would get more out of it if you read the other one first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2015
After bagging Dean Koontz in my last review, I now go ahead and give him 4 stars! This was an excellent novella, essentially a prequel (though also a stand-alone story) to What the Night Knows.
It's a wonderfully creepy little book, detailing Alton Blackwood (the villian in the WTNK)'s encounter with a young boy, which led to his decision to move from killing single individuals to entire families. I don't think Koontz was entirely successful in conveying how exactly this encounter led to Blackwood's decision, but the novella was still excellently done and extremely intense!
I read this before reading WTNK, but I'd recommend that people read it afterwards, as I felt that I missed out on many subtle nuances that I otherwise would have noticed had I been more familiar with the characters. I still don't think I would have understood his rationale for changing his criminal behaviour, but you never know!
It's a wonderfully creepy little book, detailing Alton Blackwood (the villian in the WTNK)'s encounter with a young boy, which led to his decision to move from killing single individuals to entire families. I don't think Koontz was entirely successful in conveying how exactly this encounter led to Blackwood's decision, but the novella was still excellently done and extremely intense!
I read this before reading WTNK, but I'd recommend that people read it afterwards, as I felt that I missed out on many subtle nuances that I otherwise would have noticed had I been more familiar with the characters. I still don't think I would have understood his rationale for changing his criminal behaviour, but you never know!
June 29, 2011
After not reading for a while, I chose this novella that I had purchased for my Kindle some time ago because I love Koontz and figured the length would be perfect for getting back into reading every night. It only took me two nights because once I would start reading I didn't put it down until I truly needed sleep.
Koontz does a great job of moving the story along with vivid description and a major creep factor. His dialogue between the two main characters in this novella is beyond perfect. He easily portrays the speech of a naive 11 year old boy as well as that of an extremely creepy adult man.
This is a great read for anyone looking for something thrilling that will be a fast, easy read.
Koontz does a great job of moving the story along with vivid description and a major creep factor. His dialogue between the two main characters in this novella is beyond perfect. He easily portrays the speech of a naive 11 year old boy as well as that of an extremely creepy adult man.
This is a great read for anyone looking for something thrilling that will be a fast, easy read.
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