The Bad Place

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Carol Cowan, Michael Hanson

Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Frank Pollard awakens in an alley, knowing nothing but his name - and that he is in great danger. Having taken refuge in a motel, he wakes again only to find his hands covered in blood. As far as he knows, he's no killer. But whose blood is this, and how did it get there?

Over the next few days Frank develops a fear of sleep, because each time he wakes, he discovers strange objects in his hands and pockets - objects far more frightening than blood.

Husband-and-wife detective team Bobby and Julie Dakota specialize in high-ticket corporate security investigations, but when a distraught and desperate Frank Pollard begs them to watch over him, they can't refuse. Out of compassion - and curiosity - they agree to get to the bottom of his mysterious, amnesiac fugues.

It seems a simple job: just follow a client who wants to be watched and tell him where he winds up. But as the Dakotas begin to discover where their client goes when he sleeps, they are drawn slowly into ever-darkening realms where they encounter the ominous figure stalking Frank. Their lives are threatened, as is that of Julie's gentle, Down's-syndrome brother, Thomas.

To Thomas, death is "the bad place" from which there is no return. But Julie and Bobby - and their tortured client - ultimately learn that equally bad places exist in the world of the living, places so steeped in evil that, in contrast ,death seems almost a relief.

©2004 Dean Koontz (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"A master storyteller, sometimes humorous, sometimes shocking, but always riveting. His characters sparkle with life. And his fast-paced plots are wonderfully fiendish, taking unexpected twists and turns." ( The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Pretty Good Bad Place

I can't believe I've lived as many years as I have and never read any Dan Koontz. Now, of course, I'm hooked. As I haven't read any others by him, I can't compare this one - but I found it gripping, fun, imaginative, and I cared about his characters (the main ones). It's well read; voices become part of the characters and the story comes even more alive.

not all bad

I like to get right into my books and something that keeps me listening. This was not one of them. Althought at "parts" it was but not from the beginning to the end. Had to manny in between things going on. I rate my listening on how fast and how I am intentive on listening to it. Not so with this one. Took me far to long and too many days to get through it. Wasn't bad but was not something I would suggest for someone who wants a "can't put it down book'.

Good Story

I enjoyed the story, though it was a bit darker than what I usually read. I didn't care much for the narrators however. Not so much of a distraction that it hurt the story, but enough that I almost quit listening and read the book so I wouldn't have to listen to them anymore.

yeah!

that's all i have to say about that. got to have at least 15 words for a review

what a great yarn spun

loved it. the storyline was amazing. kept me reading untill finished. will recommend it to others.

A goorie story, but I kept listening!

I love Dean's story expainations, he is so detailed! You see what he is saying, even if maybe you don't want to so much .Carol's reading is more than great, so wonderful to the story line. Both readers were. a good fit to one another and kept the story moving " forward " most of the time unless it needed to go "backwards".

Couldn't put this down

Love Dean Koontz. Couldn't put this book down. I'm not a fan of dramatic reading - prefer if readers just tell the story. Sometimes the readers went a little overboard for my taste but the story carried them.

Happy I read it

excellent story, I highly recommend it especially the ending. Very well written Mr. Koontz congratulations

Spellbinding

Koontz at his best. Imaginative, unpredictable and utterly believable. You will love it, too! Listen!

Still a Good Story

Actually read this in book form decades ago. It’s still a great story. Wonder why it never became a movie