The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz (2007, Hardcover)

I got to read this early, (before release date), and can say you won't be disappointed. Koontz brings his favorite dog breed into another book, but this time it leads the action. Koontz brings the incredible bond between dog and master into play as Amy and the Golden Retriever Nickie bring the suspense Koontz is famous for into play. Great plot twists and unexpected ending. Definite "got to read" book!

I've been reading Dean Koontz since I was 12, I'm now 24. Anytime a new one comes out I grab it up and plow through it.

This book is utter garbage. Let me sum up the book and save you the time of reading this pile:

- 2 couples - one is crazy ina n evil way, the other is crazy is a simply stupid "let me slowly divulge my past to shed light on why i'm such a spastic person" thing. Nothing but confessions that are supposed to have huge emotional weight to the characters to add depth. The characters have about as much substance as a piece of toilet paper at BEST.

- Long story short it's all about how great golden retrievers are, thats it. He could have saved time by selling a pamphlet about why he thinks we should all own a shiny yellow dog. Gag me with a chew toy.
A squeaky one.

- The book goes first person for a retarded girl. First person for a retarded girl, a full one third of the book is wasted on this.

- The ending is like the end of a child's animated movie. The retarded girl and the "good" couple all fly away on the dog - seriously this goes down.

I was a Koontz fan until i read this one. I doubt i'll ever pick up another one of his novels. This book should be avoided at all costs especially if you like Koontz classics like Mr. Murder, Servants of Twilight, and the like. And for god's sake do not get the audio book - narrator does an amazingly annoying job while in first person for the retarded girl. I really do hate to say this about Koontz, but he's fallen off in a serious fashion and is using his personal love of golden retrievers as a basis for new material and that simply does not fly.... unless you're a golden retriever then you can be tardo airways evidently. I'd have had a better time reading the back of a cereal box to my cat. It's a cynical view but the book is just that bad.

It really does sound like a sales pitch to adopt a golden retriever, name it nikki, and read bad fiction for the rest of your days.

I never received the book entitled The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz, from this seller on December 10, 2007. The amount was deducted from my credit card immediately and I was told that the book would be mailed immediately. I never received the book and the seller has my money in their bank account, collecting interest. This is obviously a computer scam and outright theft. Never, I repeat NEVER order from this seller unless you wish to get ripped off.

Mr. Koontz writes this from the heart. His close relationship with his golden retriever came to the end, and he decided to write a story about man's best friend. I know that it's a very touching story and you'll love 'The Darkest Evening of the Year.'

book in great condition...Fast shipping....great price will do business again Dean Koontz is a great writer I love the book Thank you

Koontz is one of my favorite writers. This book is vintage Koontz. An easy read that keeps you on your toes!!!

As usual, Dean Koontz creates characters that we love. He is an animal lover and it shows in this book! Thumbs up!!!!

I am very happy with this purchase, excellent delivery time. The book's condition was every that was described. I would not hesitate to purchase from this seller agian.

I loved it and some of the folks, also hated it and some of the folks, it was sicking, funny, disgusting and cuddly. I laughed, cried and rejoiced. It was heart wrenching at one point. Dean Koontz causes you to deal with each of these emotions. Was totaly surprised with the twists.

The transactoin was processed very quickly. The book was in brand new condition - there was nothing "used" about it....mail took a little while but nothing to complain about

For most of the book I loved it...Couldn't put it down, but when I was done I felt a little unfullfilled. Ending was a little weird. But I still would recommend. I have never read Dean Koontz before so couldn't compare to his other work.

I bought this wonderful book, because I listened to the CD's for the book. I loved the story. I am very fond of Dean Koontz's books. This book was about "Golden Retriever" and thier magic. After listening to the book. I wanted a hard copy.

This is another suspense filled thriller by (as far as I'm concerned) a world class, author. Dean Koontz is a master of the suspense thriller, with some of his books making it as a movie. I hope this book becomes a movie also. I have a large collection of Koontz's books, and everytime he puts out another one I cant' wait to get it and read it. If you like suspense thrillers, I strongly recommend Dean Koontz's books -- They are awesome!!!

Great story potential, but wow, what a disappointment. The characters were not developed, perhaps because there were so many subplots, and the ending was ridiculous. It was clumsy, choppy, disconnected all the way around. My husband bought me this book because we had a golden that we loved, and, I read and fully enjoyed Watchers. It made sense that a new book about dogs by Koontz would be a good read. Unfortunately, I never felt any connection to Nicky, the golden in this book. His attempt to honor the breed fell way short.

Averge Koontz book, starts out slow but picks up the pace in the middle and just flys with the story. Not one of his best but any Kootz fan will love it.

If you are a dog lover, you will buy this book about Golden Retrievers. Very good story with lots of compassion, love, evil and suspense. There was too much storyline about "Moonchild" which I thought was disruptive and disappointing where as the author could have put more about Amy and her rescue dogs. Not the best of Koontz, but still a very good story.

If you liked The Watchers, here is another magical dog story you may enjoy. Dark evil forces vs the power of bright loving goodness. The ending could have been more detailed and I read too fast.Wrapped up a bit hastily, yet a good Koontz read. A must read for Koontz fans and dog lovers.

While it's not as good as some of the others that he wrote it still is a very good book. It will keep you turning the pages to figure out what's going on. I did enjoy it. I always try to buy all of his books because he is a great author who keeps most of his books suspensful.

this book is very well written and just like his other novels suspenseful. I would highly recommend this book to any mystery sci fi lovers.

“Darkest Evening of the Year” is about a woman who rescues golden retrievers and an astounding journey one such rescue leads her on. I loved this book. The writing was excellent, as well as the plot and story line. One of Dean Koontz best. Any one who likes suspense, romance, and/or golden retrievers would love this book.

I loved this Book. The bonds between animals and people transends time and space a great read for eveyone.

I'm a big Koontz fan, and have stuck with him even through the more mystical bent of some of his recent books. And despite the fact that this new one reads like a giant ad for golden retriever rescue...the storyline is a good one. Amy's backstory is intriguing, but still a surprise when you finally get to all of it. I wish "Moonchild" had been given more backstory as well - why is she so self-center and psychotic - but it doesn't hamper the overall effect.

There are 65 good chapters to this book, and they'll keep you reading long since bedtime. The last, however, is terrible. Koontz builds to a dramatic, "oh no what now" finale...and then produces a hamhanded, "and ta-da, they all lived happily ever after" final 2 pages that will leave you stunned and wondering...where's the REAL end of this book?

So - read it if you want, but be prepared for an ending that does not live up to the story.

Dean Koontz has never let me down and this book was no exception. From beginning to end it was a great read. It was one of those books that you just couldn't put down. I kept saying to myself just one more chapter and before I knew it I was done with the book. I would have liked a little more detail at the end, but yet it fit with the book better the way he wrote it. I would strongly recommend this book.