Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion

First published in January 1990, The Bad Place will be featured as our Koontzland - Dean Koontz Group Read during the month of September 2019.

Synopsis from the cover: Frank Pollard is afraid to fall asleep. Every morning he awakes, he discovers something strange - like blood on his hands - a bizarre mystery that tortures his soul. Two investigators have been hired to follow the haunted man. But only one person - a young man with Down's syndrome - can imagine where their journeys might end. That terrible place from which no one ever returns . . .
THE BAD PLACE


"Koontz puts his readers through the emotional wringer. There are scenes . . . that stick in the mind long after the thriller has been laid aside."
-The Associated Press

I'm so up for this group read!
I've been trying to read new things that are a little different for me of late, but I can't resist rereading The Bad Place.
I have really bad dyslexia and, to cut a very long story short, when I was around twenty-two, way back in 1990, I decided it was time I learnt to read. My nephew was always reading amazing books and telling me all about those fantastic stories. With his help, I started reading short stories and eventually my first novel...The Bad Place by Dean R Koontz. It took me three solid days, doing little else but reading, but I did it. I was utterly elated and so damn proud of myself. This book is an absolute milestone in my life, one of the main reasons I am still a great admirer of Dean and his books.

Rob that is awesome! Thank you for sharing that with us!

Thanks Marlise. It was a pretty huge turning point in my life. And it's just a great book too of course.

Sorry, I'm not joining this one. This was one book that if I started my Koontz journey with, I wouldn't have continued.

I read this one back in the early 90s, exactly when I'm not sure. I seem to think it was actually earlier than that, but it isn't important. I was reading a lot of strange stories at the time, and this one fit right in. It will be interesting to see how it holds up to my memories of the story.

This is STILL my favorite Koontz and, in truth, may be my favorite book in general. It's just the perfect combo of just about every genre. I think of it as a delightfully well balanced meal lol.

I agree Matthew. The Bad Place left me out of breath the first time I read it!!

Just finished "The Bad Place." I'm sure I read it a long time ago but didn't remember much about it except for Frank Pollack's name.

I've always thought I'd like to have dinner with Dean Koontz and Gerda Koontz, but about 40 pages from the end the thought popped into my head that I might not.

Anyone that could think up the stuff in this book, might not be on my list of dinner companions. I could never, in my wildest dreams come up with the history of Frank's family.

This was a crazy read. I loved it!

Willa Johns wrote: "Just finished "The Bad Place." I'm sure I read it a long time ago but didn't remember much about it except for Frank Pollack's name.

I've always thought I'd like to have dinner with Dean Koontz a..."

So funny, Willa.!

Ok, I've just finished reading chapter 25 (Dean does nice short chapters) in which Bobby and Julie interview Frank. I was struck by how much the interactions reminded me of one of my all-time favourite TV shows, Moonlighting.
I don't remember ever noticing this on previous reads of this book, but I really enjoyed the flashbacks it gave me...I now have to go and rewatch the DVD boxed sets from start to finish for the several dozenth time.

I know this is supposed to be the September read...but I couldn't wait. Sorry.