The Good Guy
by Dean Koontz
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Book Reviews of The Good Guy
Book Review: Good chase thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Koontz is a popular horror novelist but there is nothing of a supernatural or ghoulish nature in The Good Guy ,which like many other recent Koontz novels such as The Husband,is a thriller-and a good one .The title character is Jim ,a landscape gardener with his own business.He is seated at the bar of his favourite watering hole ,drinking a post work beer when a total stranger hands him $10,000 saying the rest will follow "when she's gone" He has been mistaken for a hired killer and when the real killer turns up Jim finds himself the target of his wrath .Along with the intended victim ,Linda Paquelle ,he goes on the run seeking to evade the killer and hopefully turn the tables on him .It is cleasr that Krait ,the killer ,is being employed by a well resourced organisation and that he is also a stone killing machine .
What follows is a triple pursuit story-Jim/Linda in pursuit of the assassin ,the assassin pursuing them and behind it all and the organisataion keeping an eye on the situation to ensure all goes as smoothly as possible
There are hints of political paranoia ,with a key role being played by a shadowy ,ultra secret Federal organisation but essentially this is good ,old fashioned chasetthriller with shades of Hitchcock's classic movie North by Northwest
The dialogue is sharp and brittle with strong doses of mordaunt wit and humour.While there are some formulaic elements repeated from other recent Koontz novels -the blue collar hero with a past that is not exactly unblemished ,running from a sociopath-the book has pace and power to spare and is a good ,compelling read for lovers of the genre
Book Review: Solid and edgy, Koontz creates a truly believable yarn in "The Good Guy"
Summary: 4 Stars
In "The Good Guy", author Dean Koontz creates some memorable and believable characters who could seem as average as your next door neighbors. That's where any comparison to your normal, average American life will end as a stirring and violent plot shoots off the pages from the very start of the novel.
Unlikely protagionist Timothy Carrier was just enjoying a beer after a long day on the job when he is approached by a suspicious character who gives Carrier a bundle of money and a picture of a women he wants killed. Before Carrier can sort all of this out, he is soon approached by the real hitman, a sociopath by the name of Krait, who confuses the situation even more. Carrier nows finds himself caught in the web between contractor and killer and takes it upon himself to save the real victim, author Linda Paquette.
As Carrier and Paquette flee from Krait, Koontz slowly develops each character to the point where the reader has no choice but to be drawn into the bizarre plot just as deeply as the characters are. Krait truly is the epitome of evil and ranks with the Lecters of the literary world. As with many non-supernatural Koontz novels, humor and violence are wonderfully mixed in measured doses to the point where the book is nearly impossible to put down.
Reders of the recent Koontz book, "The Husband" will find this novel just as satisfying and fast-moving. Creepy, suspenseful, and well-crafted, the legion of Dean Koontz fans will find "The Good Guy" singularly entertaining and worthy to be recognized as one of his better recent novels.
Book Review: Good read
Summary: 4 Stars
Tim Carrier is in his favourite pub one night when a conversation with a man who he assumes is eccentric but is actually dangerous leaves him confused and with an envelope containing ten thousand dollars and a picture of a pretty young woman. Another man sits next to him and Tim discovers that the money was meant for him and that it is payment for killing the young woman (Linda Paquette). Tim pretends the be the first man and tells him that he has had a change of heart but will still give him the money as a "no-kill fee".
Tim tracks down Linda and warns her that somebody wants her killed, but when the killer founds out he was tricked he is angry and wants Tim dead, too.
I thought that Tim and Linda were very likeable charactors and the conversations between the two of them added a lot of humour to the book. The charactor of Krait (the killer) was a very interesting and origional one.
The book was very exciting and suspenceful and I foud it a really enjoyable read. Similar to Koontz' other recent books the novel takes place within a period of twenty four hours. I have given it four stars instead of five because I thought that the reason for Krait trying to kill Linda (I wont spoil it by saying whether or not he succeeds) - though not dissapointing - could have been better and we never told. Also, we are never told why Krait does not memories before his 18th brithday.
Overall, a good read which I would recomend to Koontz fans especially if you ennjoyed his other recent books such as Velocity and The Husband.
Book Review: You Want Fries With That? No? How about Cream and Sugar?
Summary: 3 Stars
Dean Koontz is never at a loss for words, you can be sure of that. But sometimes you read this guy, and while the story is told well, you have questions. Is that really all there is to it? And I guess there is a good mix throughout this whole ordeal in "The Good Guy," but I walked away from it not really caring. I wanted to love everything this had to offer, and I didn't. But even if I didn't like it as much as others, I'm sure it turned some heads.
We meet Timothy Carrier right after work, he's enjoying a cold beer. And then he gets a message, delivered right to him, with a present. And Tim Carrier is expected to kill. But there's one problem. Tim doesn't want to kill the woman in the photo. He wants to save her. And he meets the mysterious Linda Paquette, and the chase is on! Because somebody is going to make sure this woman dies, and Tim just might die with her. Let the race begin.
As much as I hate to say it, I wasn't convinced with the antagonist in this. In Koontz's other works, I'm more than convinced, and I want to know about the killer. This killer was way too ho-hum for me. And when he was finished, it never came as a surprise to me! I wish it would've.
But there is a certain twist in this that keeps the pages turning, keeps the reader interested. In the end, you may want fries with this. If not, maybe some cream and sugar to make it interesting. And if that's the way you like it, that's great!! Maybe next time, Dean, it will be better for me.
Book Review: A Bridge Novel linking "Odd Thomas" to "Darkfall"
Summary: 3 Stars
As a longtime reader of Dean Koontz, it's been a fun ride watching Koontz adapt and change his writing style over the years. From the bleak and horrifying novels such as "Phantoms" and "Strangers" to his newer off-kilter and often time humorous books like "Odd Thomas" and "Life Expectancy". Koontz never fails to deliver a solid thriller, it's just that lately it seems more humor is finding its way into his work.
"The Good Guy" is sort of like a bridge connecting the old Koontz thrillers like "Whispers" to his new voice.
"The Good Guy" tells the story of a man caught between a woman and hitman when he is mistaken for the hired killer. Being a good guy he cannot simply walk away leaving the woman to an uncertain fate. Stepping in as her protector, he finds himself the target of a homicidal maniac.
"The Good Guy" is one long chase scene, close calls, fantastic escapes. The book is also filled with great characters. Tim Carrier, the titular good guy is a great hero, someone you can really root for. Linda Paquette is the woman he tries to protect. The killer of many names is a vile creation, and one of Koontz's best. The dialogue between Carrier and Paquette at times is similar to what you find in the "Odd Thomas" books, quirky, humorous and at times layered with multiple meaning.
If you are a fan of Koontz, be sure to pick this novel up, especially if you've enjoyed his "Odd Thomas" series.