The Darkest Evening of the Year

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Kirsten Kairos

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

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)

One of Koontz’ Better Stories

I enjoy almost all of Koontz’ stories but I really favor the ones that are less supernatural and more real-life plausible. This is such a tale. The antagonist is a very real but horrible monster. You’ll be sympathizing with the heroine and rooting for karma from page one.

all but the ending.

I actually lov3d this book, until the ending. I kinda felt cheated. Most people don't or won't believe in reincarnation. But I loved Nikki. I wished he would have kept it.

The Darkest Night

It was very dark for most of the story. It did not seem balanced between good and evil.

not just about dogs

I have read a lot of Koontz and was a bit skeptical, seeing that Golden Retriever on the cover page....thinking maybe this is going to be real bad, real corny and all that (especially since Koontz' dog just died.)
But surprise surprise. after reading many reviews on this book on amazon as well, I think it's time someone steps up and mentions that this book is not really about dogs and dog rescue, though though this plays a certain role.

there is actually something like a plot as well, and I was really really impressed by "moon girl", the novel's most shining character and villain, I am not saying that she is the most vicious koontz-creation ever, since there are so many, but she is certainly second to none. the way koontz fleshes out the character there is a super dangerous and also erotic charge emanating from this character, very interesting. and the villain a woman, that's quite rare. Big plus.

amy the dog-fanatic and rescuer has an interesting story to tell as well - and guess what: there are supernatural elements in this story. and there's lots of really brutal sadistical people after her and her boy-friend.

so don't be too concerned, this is not all "cutsy" stuff (though some of it). it is, however, a light and good suspenseful read, way better than I had thought it would be. the ending is in my opinion completely ridiculous, and I am wondering if he screwed it up on purpose, but this story does not really need a clever ending, it's just not that type of read where you just can't wait for a ingenious conclusion. the ending is silly but it doesn't really matter with this book. will most certainly entertain you.

If you don't like dogs.....

....you may start to understand us dog lovers after this one! {& if you don't - who needs you anyway} Dean had me from the beginning. I started out smiling &, every once in a while, a little laugh. And then, of course, a total shudder of horror. It amazes me how well he describes human emotions - although, sometimes I roll my eyes because there is just too much "prose". But all in all, this was an edge of your seat book. I also thought that Kirsten Kairos did a good job of narrating = VERY important!

Another brilliant tale

I started reading the author's books with the odd thomas series. The book is not horror per se but more like a thriller. While there are definitely elements of the supernatural in the story, the real horror comes from the human characters. I was amazed at how dark and twisted the book could get and yet how uplifting it could be as well. Dog lovers will appreciate the way dogs are worked into the story and the pivotal role they play. What makes Dean's books so popular is the way his story just flows. It seems almost effortless how all the pieces to a puzzle fit in at the end. What I really like is how the tempo keeps going, giving you just enough information at the right time to keep your interest but never enough to put the whole puzzle together until the end. It is the ending that I have a small quibble with. For some reason Dean likes to end things quickly. I think the story would have benefited from a longer ending sequence that culminated in a twist similar to his first odd thomas book. Even so the book was well worth the listening credit and I would highly recommend it.

I am a fan

I was entertained and learned a great deal about goldens. Yes, a bit far-fetched but a good story nonetheless. Thank you, Dean...

Really good

Sometimes I forget what it is like to being the hands of a really good storyteller, but Dean Koontz is definitely up there near the top of his genre. The characters were complex individuals; the villainess chilling and unredeemable, the heroine, remarkable. I really enjoyed the narrator as well. She captured the deadness in the voice of the evil Vanessa making her all the more compelling. I really liked this book. It was a great listen.

Mr. Koontz, you never cease to amaze me. Thank you

Mr. Koontz, you never cease to amaze me. Never wanted it to finish. Loved it. Thank you

Good story and narration

This is one of the best stories Mr. Koontz has released in some time. I like most of his books, even those that some say fall short. This one is definitely one of the better ones. Narration was well done also, much better than some in other of Mr. Koontz's books.