Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion

I know Rachel and Matt R. posted that they were gonna read The Good Guy in the near future. Today I started the book. I've read it once before - but honestly can't remember much about it. I love novels that are thrill rides and it looks like The Good Guy may deliver that.

Sure, I'd like to join in. I'll be busy with Watchers for a little while but I can read The Good Guy next.

Cool, I'll post here before I start reading. I think I'll be reading Watchers for the next week or so. Hopefully I get some more reading time, things have been busy lately.

"Don't worry about me. I've got women beating on my door."
"Yeah," Rooney said, "but they come in pairs and they want to tell you about Jesus."
- The Good Guy, Chapter One

"The marriage collapsed when she bought him a pair of tasseled loafers. He wouldn't wear them. She wouldn't return them to the store. He wouldn't allow them in his closet. She tried to put one of them down the garbage disposal. The Roto-Rooter bill was huge."
-The Good Guy, Chapter Eight

From the back cover of The Good Guy:

"Good guys finish last, Tim."

"Maybe not if they stay in the race."

"I need to kill her, you know."

"You could just walk away."

"No, Tim. I've got an image to protect."

"Then kill me instead."

"All right. That works for me."

I listened to Dean's podcast description of this book and I am really looking forward to reading it.

The most memorable part from the first time I read The Good Guy are the scenes that take place in a neighborhood with streets in a comb-shape (one long street with small streets going off). That's the part I'm at right now :-) I'm mostly listening to this on Audio book but it seems to be a really fast read anyway - less than 400 pages.

This thread has piqued my interest in this book. What is the basic premise?

A man is mistaken for a killer, and then has to save both the lady that was to be killed and himself.
The premise is great, but for me (surprise surprise !) it quickly comes apart as you imagine that it's just a recycling of his other novels...

Maciek wrote: "...The premise is great, but for me (surprise surprise !) it quickly comes apart as you imagine that it's just a recycling of his other novels... "

Yes, I saw what you said about it in the Watchers thread, after which I decided to make it a low priority again. The premise doesn't really even appeal to me.

What? So, after one comment from Maciek, The Good Guy is again a low priority for you Jason? The Good Guy seems to be a pretty good chase novel. The beginning was especially interesting. I of course have to finish to the book to make a final judgment, but it's made me laugh out loud several times so far, so that's good :-)

Back that truck up Jason. After what Dustin said about Your Heart Belongs To Me I wasn't going to read it. But he reminded me that it wasn't his cup of tea. That it might be mine, because DK doesn't write bad books. So you put it back on your to read list, or at least read it when it's a group read. Just because a thread was started doesn't mean you have to read it now. Just wait till it's a group read, and i'll reread it with you. I'm not going to post anything untill then. How about it?

Oh, I will definitely read it. It was mostly Maciek's summary of the plot that made it sound not so good, not his opinion, which persuaded me to make it a lower priority, but I will definitely read it eventually. Calm down, friends. :-)

Backing away slowly.

So I guess Lori isn't joining this discussion :-) Well, I'll be waiting for Rachel and Matt R. then

Well, Sally's reading The Good Guy too so maybe she'll comment in this thread :-)

I don't want to refrain ayone from enjoying the novel. I just said that it's yet another chase novel that you can safely pass by...:) since has has so many better books.

I finished it yesterday and gave it 4 stars :-) I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites but I enjoyed it.

*MINOR SPOILER ALERT - More Like Teasers :-)*
The second half had some similarities to False Memory. There was no dog playing a main character (there was however a dog in the story). There was a character w/ disability - Michelle, and more than one Hawaiian shirt :-) Koontz really gave a nice tribute the the military in this - a different kind of ending as far as government conspiracies go :-) The Gentleman's Club reminded me of The Syndicate on The X-files.

Just finished the book. Thinking. I love some of the descriptive language, as usual. Of shadows left by palm trees in moonlight. Palms are so unique. Koontz can create a verbal picture so well. I can feel the moist crispness of the apples as Mary peels them.
The ending, the meeting on the dock is less than believable. The conspiracies, all too believable. I thought of Lescroart and the Hunt Club.
Still musing here in Southern California where it is pouring rain and the gray sky is nearly touching the ground.

I am a bit backed up with my reading these days, things are busy. I probably won't get to start The Good Guy for a couple more weeks. In the meantime, I'll avoid reading the spoilers...although it is tempting sometimes.

Just waiting to hear what others have to say Dustin. Don't need to many spoilers, do we?

I remember reading this novel and thinking that I've read about a guy and a woman running away from a serial killer before, but I don't remember where.

Maciek wrote: "I remember reading this novel and thinking that I've read about a guy and a woman running away from a serial killer before, but I don't remember where."

Koontz has written more novels in this chase genre. To avoid spoiling, I will simply say I loved Koontz's use of words and descriptions in this book.

I think Maciek was being sarcastic :-) because The Good Guy is so similar to many other Koontz books. Thanks for your comments, Sally - that apple scene was pretty intense for me :-) Yippee! Rachel's reading The Good Guy!

He said, "You don't know anyone who'd want you dead - yet you aren't surprised."

"There are people who want everyone dead. When you get over being surprised about that, you have a high amazement threshold."
-The Good Guy

"What was her name?"

"Whose name?"

"The cousin you were dating."

"She wasn't my cousin. She was Barbara Ellen's cousin."

"So what was her name?" she persisted.

"Susannah."

"Did she come from Alabama with a banjo on her knee?"
-The Good Guy

I did wonder about the note. This is a common theme. I like getting to know the characters.
I think I am newer at Koontz than many of you and have read fewer books. Reading posts is growing my list of to reads and tells me I am missing much Koontz.

My favorite Quote from The Good Guy:

"Given enough time, you could convince yourself that loneliness was something better, that it was solitude, the ideal condition for reflection, even a kind of freedom.

Once you were thus convinced, you were foolish to open the door and let anyone in, not all the way in. You risked the hard-won equilibrium, that tranquility that you called peace."

Sally wrote: "I did wonder about the note. This is a common theme. I like getting to know the characters.
I think I am newer at Koontz than many of you and have read fewer books. Reading posts is growing m..."

Great :-) watch out for Maciek and Jason - they're both great people but as Lori would say, they're also "sly" ;-)

I also like Dean Koontz's characters. Even though some of the books are similar - I have enjoyed most of the books I've read so far :-)

Dustin wrote: "Great :-) watch out for Maciek and Jason - they're both great people but as Lori would say, they're also "sly" ;-)..."

Mwahahahaha.

I'll watch out for them, and I thank you graciously for your fair warnings.
I cleaned out my land based bookself and found some books I love and have forgotten.
Watcher's has one week remaining and then Odd. =)

Ok you guys I am back!!!! ;) Some of you I don't know yet so I will give you an introduction. My name is Jinnifer and I am a part of the original Koontz group but have been out of pocket lately.

Ok so The Good Guy sounds interesting...my only thing is I don't want to much of the chasing chasing running running kinda thing and I am really wanting something where Koontz doesn't throw in anything supernatural. Just a good easy read that is suspenseful would be great.

So Dustin tell me what you think :)

I already posted this in the Winter Moon discussion, but WELCOME BACK JINNIFER! :-)

The Good Guy is definitely a chase novel. So you want a Koontz novel without a supernatural element Ha Ha Ha - Is there one? let me think...... I'll go look inside a Koontz book to see the titles and see if anything jumps out at me :-)

You know Relentless (2009) was very suspenseful for me - there's less supernatural element in that one than many. Some others to consider: Life Expectancy, Watchers, Intensity, Shattered, maybe The Voice of the Night (haven't read that one yet). I'm sure other group members will comment if they have a title to suggest :-) I haven't read a lot of the older titles. I don't remember much from Mr. Murder but it's supposed to be good.

Dustin wrote: "You know Relentless (2009) was very suspenseful for me - there's less supernatural element in that one than many. Some others to consider: Life Expectancy, Watchers, Intensity, Shattered, maybe The..."

I agree with the Relentless recommendation. There is no supernatural element in it that I recall, though there are some scifi elements that are somewhat adequately explained.

Jinnifer wrote: "Ok so The Good Guy sounds interesting...my only thing is I don't want to much of the chasing chasing running running kinda thing and I am really wanting something where Koontz doesn't throw in anything supernatural. Just a good easy read that is suspenseful would be great."

Intensity is your best choice. There's nothing supernatural, the suspense starts right from the first page and keeps up almost to the end. It's one of his very best books, The Good Guy is crap compared to it.

Maciek wrote: "Jinnifer wrote: "Ok so The Good Guy sounds interesting...my only thing is I don't want to much of the chasing chasing running running kinda thing and I am really wanting something where Koontz does..."

Thanks! :) I have read alot of his but they were a long time ago and so I don't remember what I have read and what I haven't and I want to try Intensity.

I am all about the supernatural and that kinda stuff but I guess Koontz burned me on Breathless because he didn't at all let you in on what they were or where they came from or why everyone was so compassionate about them. If he is gunna have some supernatural then I want some explanation to go with it...LOL ;) I guess I am just picky that way.

Relentless and Intensity are both good - but they are completely different :-) sorry, I didn't have very good recommendations for you Jinnifer, because most of Dean's books either have a supernatural element or chase scenes :-) Like Shattered, there's nothing supernatural in it but it's an across country chase.

Now, if you'll try a Koontz book with supernatural/paranormal type stuff where Koontz gives explanation - I've got several books I'd recommend :-) such as: Cold Fire, The Bad Place, Lightning, From The Corner of His Eye etc. Those are all Awesome!

Another favorite quote from The Good Guy:

"Appearances are not reality; but they often can be a convincing alternative to it. You can control appearances most of the time, but facts are what they are. When the facts are too sharp, you can craft a cheerful version of the situation and cover the facts the way that you can covered a battered old four-slice toaster with a knitted cozy featuring images of kittens." - The Good Guy, by Dean Koontz

I'd still go for Intensity being the best of all the serial killer novels. It gripped my attention from the first page and just didn't let go, as opposed to the Good Guy, Velocity and the newer ones.
Besides, it was published in 1996 so it must be better ;)

Maciek wrote: "I'd still go for Intensity being the best of all the serial killer novels. It gripped my attention from the first page and just didn't let go, as opposed to the Good Guy, Velocity and the newer one..."

whats so good about 1996?? :)

Perhaps what Maciek is trying to say - well what you were saying yourself - Koontz is changing! 1996 was the old Koontz.

Yup, that's exactly what I meant. Some people say that anything he put out since 2000 is unreadable, but I really liked The Taking, and I'm currently re-reading By The Light of The Moon and it's very pleasant as well.

I noticed on your updates that you were reading By The Light of the Moon :-) feel free to start a discussion thread if you want.

When I'll fnish it we can chat about it. I remember it being a pleasant book with a rather lame ending. It's worth knowing that it's propably the last book before DK started regularry releasing 2-3-4 books a year.

Maciek wrote: "It's worth knowing that it's propably the last book before DK started regularry releasing 2-3-4 books a year.
"

I lost count of the books published in 2009: Relentless, Dead and Alive, A Big Little Life, Breathless, then there were the graphic novels and the childrens book - it was an especially busy Koontz year.

I always thought that now he's releasing just too much. 4 books makes an average of 3 months for a book...it's a bit rushed, and I think we all can admit that.
I don't feel much of his new writing. Seems so cliche and recycled, a good example is The Good Guy, a book that's basically a compilation of Watchers, Intensity and Dark Rivers of the Heart. However these titles are still enjoyable today (Watchers especially, I can't understand why) while this one will be forgotten in matter of months.

I've read much less Koontz than most of you but have already noticed periods and related styles.
"1996 was the old Koontz." (Dustin) This is an interesting discussion to me.
Thank you

I wasn't too impressed with The Good Guy, rating it 3/5. The only redeeming quality it had for me was the characters. ***Spoilers*** Why a confidential meeting between a terrorist and a politician would occur at a coffee shop in the first place is beyond me. The antagonist claimed on several occasions throughout the book that he had no memories from before age 18 years, yet this is never explained or even hinted at by the end of the book. I also don't understand why the "agency" (for lack of a better term) would decide not to kill one of the witnesses or the guy they just revealed everything to. Being a war hero is certainly commendable, but certainly not enough to convince a group like that to spare one's life after learning such a potentially damaging secret. Overall, I think this novel has a mundane plot that relies purely on its characters and mindless action.