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The Dean of Suspense
(Page 2 of 2)
The serpent appears in this slightly flakey garden in the form of a nasty review of the husband's (Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich) latest novel by no less than "the senior critic for the nation's premier newspaper." When, against all advice to just ignore the review, Cubby tries to make contact with the critic, an always-right-on-the-brink-of-life-and-death chase begins which lasts through the novel, and is the skeleton on which Koontz builds yet another case against intellectual elites who've made such a hash of our lives by discrediting the wisdom of tradition, including the faith of our fathers, to be replaced by their own utopian theories. I mean, in how many thrillers does Rousseau get a mention (an unfavorable one, of course)? This may seem improbable, and of course it is. But the result is both thought-provoking and entertaining.
Love, hope, community, meaning, faith, courage, a respect for tradition, and a reverence for truth give Big Brother a run for his evil money (actually, our money) in Relentless, and in Koontz's considerable back list of novels (most of which are still available). A few books back a reviewer with the NYT, which normally only considers Koontz's books to sneer at them, panned the novel for having too many red state values. His digs at bioethicists in One Door Away From Heaven got him some nasty letters from that lot. He clearly irritates the right people.
I bring all this up only because I know it's not easy for conservative readers to find quality fiction by writers sympathetic to their world view. Most mystery/thrillers writers who allow their worldview to show in their work come at things either from the left or from a world-weary cynicism. The publishing industry itself tilts left. Koontz is one of the few contemporary popular novelists who are both talented and right.
So I'd be delighted if any TAS readers acquire the Dean Koontz habit. His stories can be sources of both delight and hope. But for those who read a bit of him and decide they can't go on, all I can say in my defense is that I warned you about the monsters.
Comments
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Kinley Ardal| 7.8.09 @ 8:54AM
I had no idea of Mr. Koontz's novels before reading this article. I will make a trip to Borders today to pick some of his work up! Thank you for the heads-up. ^^ It is indeed difficult to find fiction works with a solid moral bedrock to them in this era.
mteachjw| 7.8.09 @ 9:05AM
For those (conservatives) who like "spy thrillers" try Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. Some of them are somewhat far-fetched but they are fast and fun reads. Flynn's read like "24" before they tried to become "inclusive" by hiring uber liberal actors and doing PSA's for global climate change. Thor was in homeland security for a while and some of his insights are interesting.
Tim| 7.8.09 @ 9:06AM
Thanks. The reason I've never actually purchased a Koontz book was I figured he was a King clone with similar ridiculous worldviews. This article changes that.
Mary| 7.8.09 @ 9:25AM
I have read everything this man has written, including his most recent novel, Relentless. He's in the top five of my most favorite authors. Try him, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Danny| 7.8.09 @ 9:55AM
Try 'Watchers'. One of, if not his first mainstream novel.
Good book with a great plot and ending. Very suspensefull.
Joe T| 7.8.09 @ 10:51AM
I have enjoyed Mr. Koontz's writing for years as they never fail to entertain.
Mike F| 7.8.09 @ 2:50PM
How Odd .. a writing who leans to the right.
D Jones| 7.8.09 @ 5:36PM
Thank you for doing a great job of exposing a new audience to the wonderful writings of Dean Koontz. I've been a fan for over 20 years now and have "Relentless" sitting here in my office while I finish reading "Lord of the Rings" again. I am also looking forward to the wrap-up of the "Frankenstein" series due later this month.
While an unabashed fan of Koontz, I am also a fan of Stephen King and do have to disagree with you on a couple points: I think you give Koontz too much credit and King too little. There is no mistaking that Koontz is a fantastic writer...most of the time. He does have his forgettable novels ("The Face" and "Your Heart Belongs to Me" come to mind) and a few that are chores to read (I had to start "False Memory" 3 times before I could finally plow through it). And while King's writing is a bit on the vulgar side at times, he does portray the light and power of God every now and then, most notably in "The Stand" and "Desperation."
Overall, I would say that King is the better writer, but Koontz will almost always leave you feeling good at the end of the book.
Blake Gabel| 7.8.09 @ 5:59PM
I've read everthing he's written (and under 3 names). Love his work. King started losing it years ago.
Rob R| 7.8.09 @ 6:26PM
A big "thanks!" to D Jones for the heads up on the "Frankenstein" finale. Been looking for that one for a while.
"One Door Away From Heaven" is one of the best novels I've ever read. Period.
Jessica| 7.8.09 @ 7:13PM
I too never read Koontz, but I'll give him a try, although I'm very scared of scary stuff, so it might not work out for me.
But this was a MOST informative article, and I thank you for that.
I have a recommendation too - hubby discovered Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon books and they are very good. We have listened to 3 so far on audio, and we are both thoroughly enjoying them. Allon is an Israeli secret agent and also a world class art restorer. The books are well written, and for anyone who enjoys audio books, amazingly well read by all the readers we've heard. They are very cosmopolitan in their settings and all the characters are well drawn. Even the really bad guys have depth. I'm a wee bit peeved that Silva often makes ultra-conservative Catholics the bad guys, but that is my only quibble and it is a quibble.
Maybe we'll try Koontz next, if anyone can mention a good one of his on audio that would be great.
Nicky Billou| 7.8.09 @ 9:53PM
Fantastic! I had no idea Dean Koontz was a conservative! I will go and gobble up his books!
I am a big fan of Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and WEB Griffin. These gentlemen are fantastic storytellers, proud patriots, and darn good writers.
I would welcome recommendations of other right-wing novelists.
Nicky
Jeff Vowell| 7.9.09 @ 11:47AM
My friend, Shelton Robinson, introduced me to Mr. Koontz, but I merely passed that along to my wife, who is a voracious reader. She instantly fell in love with his books (though she does prefer 'later' Koontz to 'earlier' Koontz). She finally brought me around to reading one (Velocity), and I was thereafter hooked. Now my oldest son is a budding 'addict' too.
Note to Kinley Ardal and Jessica: Besides some of the titles already mentioned here, check out Mr. Murder, Intensity, Tick Tock, Fear Nothing, Seize the Night, By the Light of the Moon (just to name a few).
wanda keith| 7.9.09 @ 12:02PM
Thank you so much for reminding me how much I have enjoyed Koontz in the past. I never made the Conservative Connection until you brought it up. Maybe that is why I did enjoy his books so much. I will definitely pick up Relentless.
reader| 7.9.09 @ 3:21PM
the odd thomas series is as readable as it gets.
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