Strangers

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 29 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

“The plot twists ingeniously...an engaging, often chilling book.” - The New York Times Book Review

A writer in California. A doctor in Boston. A motel owner and his employee in Nevada. A priest in Chicago. A robber in New York. A little girl in Las Vegas. They’re a handful of people from across the country, living through eerie variations of the same nightmare.

A dark memory is calling out to them. And soon they will be drawn together, deep in the heart of a sprawling desert, where the terrifying truth awaits...

©2008 Dean Koontz (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A unique spellbinder that captures the reader on the first page. Exciting, enjoyable, and an intensely satisfying read.” - Mary Higgins Clark

“[Koontz] is a great storyteller, and Strangers features a plot so original you’ll be reading, with chills, well into the morning." - New York Daily News

“Koontz is a master at constructing vivid, eerily realistic worlds that hold readers spellbound. A memorable thriller.” - Booklist

The best so far

Even though I have read almost all of Dean K's books, I missed this one some how. Seems almost meant for today's world in which we need more hope than ever for our country, world and species. I very much needed this message and appreciate Dean's artistry and fabulous storytelling. The Audible version is so well done, all of the characters came to life. Thank you to everyone and especially the brilliant Mr. Koontz.

WOW!

My first 'thriller' and it blew me away. On the edge of my truck seat one minute, and crying the next. Highly Recommend!

koontz no stranger to a great story!

Strangers was a very good audiotape enjoyed it a lot.

Koontz did it again!

Great story and concept. Koontz has wonderful bad guys and storylines. They are sublimely abnormal.

Great story

This narrator was very good! He really puts emotions into his reading! Great story with twists and turns. I loved it!

Interesting

It wasn’t necessarily a riveting story. There was so much prep to build the tension of the whole story that I found myself bored several times throughout the book.

MAKES ME WISH FOR SUCH AN OUTCOME TODAY

The concepts of courage, honor, loyalty, and deep connections with our fellow humans are usually the underpinnings of Dean Koontz’ stories. There can be villains, monsters, aliens, psychopaths, and evil spirits, but you know in your heart that basic goodness, even nobility, found in people (and dogs!) will overcome all in the end. The only thing missing from this story was a coyote or two, usually omnipresent in most of the author’s works!

The story weaves the lives of very diverse people all over the country together into a tapestry of an experience not quite remembered, but recognized as having had a profound impact on each of them. Koontz brings these characters into such sharp focus, you feel that you’ve met them. As the light begins to dawn within each as they come together at an off-the-beaten path motel, the excitement builds to a most satisfying crescendo.

Moreover, the actor reading this book is very gifted. From Boston, to West Coast, to Yiddish accents and phrases, he sails through them all with style and believability. I’m always a fan, and I enjoyed this book tremendously!

Great read

Loved this book I could not put the book down or earphone i guess you would say

Mystery

This book so written in a fabulous stylized fashion. It was not until they were all linked by the moon dreams, did I realize what had taken place.

Very Slow Start Worth the Wait

This book is one of the slowest starts I have listened to, but the 13 hour climax is worth the wait. I'm 2 hours away from the ending, and I can tell you it is exceptional. I want to address the reader and the timeline, so you know what you are getting in to.

Dick Hill is one (of 3) of my favorite readers who I followed over to this book from the WW2 novels he has read. My other favorite narrators are R.C. Bray and George Guidall. If you have heard these other readers, you know what I like and will either agree or disagree about Dick Hill. My criticism to the narrator of this book, is that it took him about 90 minutes to get warmed up to it. This might be in part because the book started out very dry and slow. It may also have something to do with the difference in genre that he is accustomed to narrating. After that his reading was exceptional and added to the over all experience.

As previously noted this book starts slow and is difficult to get into. The writer slowly introduces the listerner to 3 or 4 characters who are all having some kind of affliction or another. It took me about 3 hours before, I started enjoying these different stories. From there the book built on my interest in these characters. By 10 hours it started to pick up pace and became exceptionally interesting. The last 13 hours of the book are essentially one long climax that continues to build into a superb experience. If you can survive the beginning of the book you will not be disappointed. I would give this book 5 stars over all, but 1 or 2 stars for the start of the story and 4 stars for the middle. The end is worth the wait. Enjoy if you are willing to endure the painfully slow start.