• The Darkest Evening of the Year

  • By: Dean Koontz
  • Narrated by: Kirsten Kairos
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,060 ratings)

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The Darkest Evening of the Year  By  cover art

The Darkest Evening of the Year

By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Kirsten Kairos
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Publisher's summary

With each of his number-one New York Times best-sellers, Dean Koontz has displayed an unparalleled ability to entertain and enlighten listeners with novels that capture the essence of our times, even as they bring us to the edge of our seats. Now he delivers a heart-gripping tour de force he's been waiting years to write - at once a love story, a thrilling adventure, and a masterwork of suspense that redefines the boundaries of primal fear and of enduring devotion.

Amy Redwing has dedicated her life to the Southern California organization she founded to rescue abandoned and endangered golden retrievers. Among dog lovers, she's a legend for the risks she'll take to save an animal from abuse. Among her friends, Amy's heedless devotion is often cause for concern. To widower Brian McCarthy, whose commitment she can't allow herself to return, Amy's behavior is far more puzzling and hides a shattering secret.

No one is surprised when Amy risks her life to save Nickie, nor when she takes the female golden into her home. The bond between Amy and Nickie is immediate and uncanny. Even her two other goldens, Fred and Ethel, recognize Nickie as special, a natural alpha. But the instant joy Nickie brings is shadowed by a series of eerie incidents: An ominous stranger. A mysterious home invasion. And the unmistakable sense that someone is watching Amy's every move, and that, whoever it is, he's not alone.

Someone has come back to turn Amy into the desperate, hunted creature she's always been there to save. But now there's no one to save Amy and those she loves.

From its breathtaking opening scene to its shocking climax, The Darkest Evening of the Year is Dean Koontz at his finest.

©2007 Dean Koontz (P)2007 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"With a magician's expertise, Koontz sets his multiple story lines spinning forward, jumping from one cliffhanger to the next....[T]his is a compulsively readable book that inexorably pulls the reader along." ( The Boston Globe)

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What listeners say about The Darkest Evening of the Year

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Listen.

The reader does an excellent job conveying all the characters and voices. Action packed never a dull moment.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

The darkest evening ever

as always a good book from Dean Koonts sadly i taught the endind a little rushed not one of his best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Typical Koontz

As good as I expected it would be. Mr. Koontz once again kept us guessing, wondering, laughing and on the point of tears. We listened to this one on a long trip and even the non-readers were enthralled with it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Turns and twists

Another novel of turns and twists by Ken Follett. For almost 80% of the novel, it is hard to figure out how the lives and stories of these often strange and some cases evil characters will come together and clear up all of the mystery.

Certainly one of his strangest brews, with man expected turn of events. He keeps you in suspense to the very end.

A worth while read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

made me shed tears. believe there can be good

Read this. Mr koontz I know you don't like to hear from your fans as busy as you are . But I am I life long fan, and hope one day you will find a way to resurrect odd Thomas!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Spellbound

As always, Koontz had me glued to the story, unable to stop until the book ended. From the beginning, his in depth descriptions pull you right into the story. Then the story itself holds you spellbound, refusing to wait, and wanting more. Kairos did a fantastic job narrating. She stayed correct in all the different characters' voices reflecting their expressions so that you could see the faces clearly. This was a wonderful Audible book!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story; GREAT Narration

As always, I love the positive message that is the hallmark of Dean Koontz. The narrator really knocked it out of the park though

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Greatest read in a long time. Wonderful story.

Will hold your interest all the way to the end. Includes a lot of twists and turns. Really did love this read.

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  • DJ
  • 01-17-23

Heartwarming but dark

Narrator is excellent. Several favorite parts, but don't want to spoil anything. Love the dogs name.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Never lets me down

This book was a very good listen...put me in the places where the main characters were. Mr. Koontz you never disappoint.

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