The Good Guy by Dean Koontz (2007, Unabridged, Compact Disc)

I am a big fan of Dean Koontz. He is a terrific writer, but this is not his best book. The character development and dialogue is very good, the story is fast paced and suspenseful, but the book comes to a rather abrupt end after the denouement. I was left feeling unsatisfied. It would not surprise me to learn that this was a manuscript that Koontz dug out of a closet, updated, and sent to his publisher to meet a publication deadline. I can only give The Good Guy 3 stars.

The plot line is one that Koontz has used successfully many times before. An ordinary guy comes to the aid of an attractive woman who he must protect from unspeakable evil. The two of them become a good team, overcome their adversary, decide they like each other, etc. etc.

The book is sprinkled with fun Koontz prose: “Under a charcoal sky lay a soot-black sea. Like gray smoke, the froth on the low waves drifted ashore, dissipating on an ashen beach.” Unfortunately, the endearing 4 legged (dog) character found in all of Koontz’s books only makes a cameo appearance in this one. Additionally, the villain in this piece failed to creep me out. The bad guy was definitely bad. I certainly didn’t like him, but he did not give me the chills that many of Koontz’s other antagonists have.

Buy this one only if you already like Koontz. Don’t make it the first Koontz book you read... I recommend Watchers for your maiden voyage.

I BUY EVERYTHING BY KOONZ AND HE NEVER FAILS IN ENTERTAINING ME. IN THE GOOD GUY HE ONCE AGAIN HAS A HERO TO ADMIRE AND LOOK UP TO. I PURCHASED THIS BOOK ON AUDIO AND ENDED UP TAKING IT TO BED WITH ME AT NIGHT BECAUSE I COULD NOT WAIT TO HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY. IT IS WELL WORTH READING OR LISTENING TO MORE THAN ONCE.

This isn't what you would normally expect from Mr Sci Fi Koontz..it's more like the detective crime novels of years gone by. The hit man is extremely well written and there is a lot of what I thought was unreal banter between most of the characters but it kept me reading. Most aspects of the book are left to be revealed at the very end which really keeps you guessing throughout. I also liked that each character evolved through the book. The whole backround wasn't blurted at the introduction but slowly we come to know and understand them. I would tell a friend to read it.

I have just started reading Koontz after I purchased the "Chris Snow" series. I am not particularly fond of his "horror" genre, but I do like his stories of ordinary folks and really enjoyed this book. It is somewhat predictable, but it has likeable, believable characters/heroes, enough action and a happy ending..which I prefer. Not prize winning but very entertaining, which is something I also like.

My wife loves Dean Koontz! I like his books when he writes about average people. I'm not a fan for his supernatural novels, so this book was great!
If you enjoy this book, I would also recommend 'The Husband.' I do recomend this book and hope you enjoy it if you try it.

I enjoy Dean Koontz the most when he writes about average people like Tim and Linda. I'm not a huge fan for his scary, supernatural stuff, so this book was great! I purchased it on CD, and since the only CD player I own is in my car, I found myself driving all over town because I had to find out what happened next. Mr Koonz has a wonderful way with prose and I am always able to easily visualize the entire story when I am reading or listening to his books.

If you enjoy this book, I would also recommend "The Husband." I also enjoyed all the Odd Thomas books and look forward to more. I do reccomend this book and hope you enjoy it.

This was an awesome book I noticed a few gave it lower Marks one said they couldn't get into the book. I TOTALLY DISAGREE in my opinion it was awesome. As one stead he took a normal everyday character(s) and put them in the middle of the action. The story was so well done I could actually see it as something that could really happen Way to go Dean another exellant book.

Koontz stories come in several shapes. The "Metaphysical" and/or the "Someone is After Me" genres.

These are then subdivided into the "Straight, no chaser" or the "Tongue-in-Cheek" style.

Every so often Koontz comes up with a good "Someone is After Me", "Tongue-in-Cheek" novel. This is one of them.

Fast paced, nonstop, with a good, even plausible story line, great characters, and, perhaps a political statement about today's Washington.

A little like The Husband but a ot better, a lot more enjoyable, a lot more tongue-in-cheek, and a whole lot more fun.