Dean Koontz is kind of like the RC Cola of horror/suspense novelists:
See RC Cola in the store
“Hmmmm, it’s been a while, but I THINK I liked RC the last time I got it”
Purchase and consume RC Cola
“I kind of wish this was a Coke, but it’s not that bad, might as well finish”
Several years pass, go back to step 1
As a side note, I LOVED Dean Koontz books back in the 80’s/90’s. They were fun and quick reads that are in the “high floor, low ceiling” realm of books.
Think of it on a scale of 1-10. High floor means it’s not a stinker, so worst ranking would be in the 4/10 - 5.5/10 range. Low ceiling means it’s not going to be an all-timer, so the best ranking would be in the 6/10 - 7.5/10 range. Basically you’ll never HATE it, but you’re also never going to LOVE it.
Dean Koontz is kind of like the RC Cola of horror/suspense novelists:
As a side note, I LOVED Dean Koontz books back in the 80’s/90’s. They were fun and quick reads that are in the “high floor, low ceiling” realm of books.
What is a high floor low ceiling book?
Think of it on a scale of 1-10. High floor means it’s not a stinker, so worst ranking would be in the 4/10 - 5.5/10 range. Low ceiling means it’s not going to be an all-timer, so the best ranking would be in the 6/10 - 7.5/10 range. Basically you’ll never HATE it, but you’re also never going to LOVE it.
Seems more like a description of the author than a particular book.
It could be, all his stuff is extremely similar. He reuses character archetypes and narrative shifts throughout most of his stories.
Early on in his career it wasn’t as bad but he’s been churning them out for awhile.
I’ve never read any of his books. Top 3? Just the titles. I’ll go in blind.
I’ve only read two of his series but enjoyed both a good deal.
Odd Thomas (first book shares title with the series)
Frankenstein (first book is Prodigal Son)
Reliably entertaining, but will never be considered a masterpiece.
Basically moved on from youth novels with both Dean Koontz and Stephen King. The Odd Thomas series was a fun read at that age.