The Bad Weather Friend

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Benny is so nice they feel compelled to destroy him, but he has a friend who should scare the hell out of them in this breathtaking new kind of thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz.

Benny Catspaw’s perpetually sunny disposition is tested when he loses his job, his reputation, his fiancée, and his favorite chair. He’s not paranoid. Someone is out to get him. He just doesn’t know who or why. Then Benny receives an inheritance from an uncle he’s never heard of: a giant crate and a video message. All will be well in time.

How strange—though it’s a blessing, his uncle promises. Stranger yet is what’s inside the crate. He’s a seven-foot-tall self-described “bad weather friend” named Spike whose mission is to help people who are just too good for this world. Spike will take care of it. He’ll find Benny’s enemies. He’ll deal with them. This might be satisfying if Spike wasn’t such a menacing presence with terrifying techniques of intimidation.

In the company of Spike and a fascinated young waitress-cum-PI-in-training named Harper, Benny plunges into a perilous high-speed adventure, the likes of which never would have crossed the mind of a decent guy like him.

©2024 The Koontz Living Trust. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Ray Chase performs an unusual story of good versus evil centered on the nicest man in the world.… Chase's portrayal suits the jaunty character well, shifting between humorous and ominous to great effect. Even during dramatic violence Chase's depictions keep the story engrossing. Often Koontz breaks the fourth wall, but Chase never breaks character. With a performance that careens from funny to horrifying and back again, Benny's story is engaging and a wonderful deviation from Koontz's usual style.”—AudioFile Magazine

Delightful Characters

I found the story of Benny, Harper, and Spike to be refreshing. To have a protector of genuinely good people in the world we live in today would be a gift beyond measure. A wonderful story. I hope we hear more about Benny, Harper, and Spike in the future.

Not impressed

I love Dean Koontz books. I think this is the worst I’ve read. Story line was hard to follow

Awesome narrator and story

I loved the witty dialogue and descriptions. The characters are likeable and take me back to when I was a teenager. The narrator does an amazing job at bringing to the story to life.

Fantastic!

Loved the story. Loved the narrator! Wished it didn’t end, felt like it should go on,

A wonderful Story

Looking for a story that will take you into a fun and supernatural world? Look no further then this. If a Bad Weather Friend were possibly this is the kind I would like. Get ready for a story that will make you smile and enjoy a supernatural trip.

Feeling good

As usual Koontz brings a masterpiece. The telling of this story was done exceptionally well. While many of his books have a dark side m, this story literally makes you feel good. He doesn’t disappoint on the unusual characters at all. He just makes one feel like there can actually be true justice for all that have been truly abused, mistreated or bullied. One of my favorite of all his books.

Nice guys so win

Dean Koontz has done it again! In a world where it seems everyone strives to come out on top we find a kind meek man who is non judgmental coming out on top inspite of horrendous adversities. All the characters are so imaginative . Written in such a humorous way it can’t be put down. Hated to have the book end

Exceptional!!!

Haven't enjoyed a book this much in a very long time. Did not want it to end. Laughed out loud so many times. Superb narration. Difficult to categorize..... a combination of suspense mixed with otherworldly characters that charm rather than frighten. Koontz is my new favorite author. Just buy this. You won't regret it!

Heartwarming must read tale

As a fan of all of Kootz's stories, this one ranks as one of the best. The main characters are all quirky and kind. The premise unique and speaks to current times where power, the love of money and evil seeks to ruin the world for the rest of us. Bravo!

Love, love, love it!

The characters, the narration, the story… all were so likable and fun. I’ll be listening again and again!