Deeply Odd

Odd Thomas, Book 6

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The pistol appeared in his hand the way a dove appears in the hand of a good magician, as if it materialized out of thin air. "You think I won’t do it right here in the open. But you’d be surprised.... You’ll drop before you get the breath to scream." The truck driver is decked out like a rhinestone cowboy, only instead of a guitar he’s slinging a gun - and Odd Thomas is on the wrong end of the barrel. Though he narrowly dodges a bullet, Odd can’t outrun the shocking vision burned into his mind...or the destiny that will drive him into a harrowing showdown with absolute evil.

How do you make sure a crime that hasn’t happened yet, never does? That’s the critical question facing Odd Thomas, the young man with a unique ability to commune with restless spirits and help them find justice and peace. But this time, it’s the living who desperately need Odd on their side. Three helpless innocents will be brutally executed unless Odd can intervene in time. Who the potential victims are and where they can be found remain a mystery. The only thing Odd knows for sure is who the killer will be: the homicidal stranger who tried to shoot him dead in a small-town parking lot.

With the ghost of Alfred Hitchcock riding shotgun and a network of unlikely allies providing help along the way, Odd embarks on an interstate game of cat and mouse with his sinister quarry. He will soon learn that his adversary possesses abilities that may surpass his own and operates in service to infinitely more formidable foes, with murder a mere prelude to much deeper designs. Traveling across a landscape haunted by portents of impending catastrophe, Odd will do what he must and go where his path leads him, drawing ever closer to the dark heart of his long journey - and, perhaps, to the bright light beyond.

©2013 Dean Koontz (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Koontz gives his character wit, good humor, a familiarity with the dark side of humanity - and moral outrage." ( USA Today)

One of the best!

Mrs. Fisher is an excellent addition to the series! Alfred Hitchcock is also fun. Can't wait for the next book.

Amazing!!!

I just can't get enough of Odd Thomas. Now on to the next book, It will be a nice surprise to find another book added to the series in the end!! (Hint, hint!!)

Deeply Odd

I love all the odd Thomas books,he's just the greatest personality ever, at least to me . I can read these books back to back to back.Anytime.!

Thanks for the gift of a great story

The making of stories with a moral and mystery is a gift. He never disappoints.

Love Odd, Koontz is getting depressing

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

New twists and dimensions to Odd's talents and I like the new characters and how the story is evolving and developing.

I did NOT at ALL like some of the "editorial" comments that he (Koontz) had Odd and other characters make about life. When Odd and other characters made comments about how terrible the world is now and how it is all going to hell in a hand basket, it felt more like Koontz philosophy was spilling through and didn't really match with Odd Thomas' nature. It muddied the waters and I felt like Koontz needs to stop watching so much Fox News. I will of course still continue to follow along with the series as I love Odd Thomas but it would be a much more enjoyable read if Mr. Koontz would leave some of his (what seems to me) Liberterian views out of the story. Yes, he does use his novels as a soap box for his views on life, but I don't remember them being this dark and unrelentingly negative. Ugh. Normally I love the Odd Thomas series and can't get enough but I found all of the negativity very distracting and irritating and repetitive. He kept harping on the same negatve themes over and over again. We got it the first several times, thank you.Normally I have a very easy time being in the story and enjoy being carried away by the fast paced action of what poor Odd has to deal with but when he makes comments that are so jarring as to bring you out of the story and go: "what, Huh?" It diminishes the experience.

Have you listened to any of David Aaron Baker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Love him as Odd, he does a great job in the entire series. He is perfectly cast and I hope he can continue throughout the series.

Soooooo Gooood

After the last Odd Thomas installment, I felt the Mr. Koontz was getting a little boring with Odd's adventure and that Anna Maria was annoying as hell. However, in reading this installment of Odd, I am once again hooked on this series. Odd has some inner thoughts that had me laughing so hard--Odd even mentions reading Twilight Eyes (One of Koontz's previous books about Carnies). Since I had read it, I found the mention worthwhile. The characters Odd meets, becoming the chauffeur of Mrs. Fisher and the family living off the grid had me rethinking my life and asking the question... What does Dean Koontz know about the true nature of the universe that I am overlooking? Odd just has some serious deep thoughts and nice one liners. My favorite, "We may as well eat." This adventure is just an amazing ride with Odd is worthwhile and of the same caliber, if not better than the first few stories in Odd's adventures. I highly recommend this story.

Not a Home Run But Worth Your Attention

I enjoyed the story and there were parts that were very funny—like the supermarket scene. Mr. Koontz does not knock it out of the park with this one but it is an entertaining listen. A 3.7 star experience overall. As always, I look forward to more Odd adventure.

Stellar

If you could sum up Deeply Odd in three words, what would they be?

Amazing Entertaining Storytelling

What did you like best about this story?

The writing is superb. The reading by David Aaron Baker is also world class. So believable and enjoyable. I wish other Audio books could compare to this, however, most don't even come close to this series.

What does David Aaron Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is the manifestation of his character. He brings you into his experience with his style, his vocals are unmatched in my opinion. Listen to the entire series, you will not be sorry.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Both, this series is just an amazing work of art. Koontz really weaves incredible, yet strangely believable characters into his stories and brings you close to them. He is a master. Listening to these books during long road trips was magical. If you can listen to this series in long stretches on the road it is an amazing experience.

I'd take more ODD anytime

Would you listen to Deeply Odd again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to all of the Odd Thomas books again. Dean Koontz has hit a deep well of character that is relatable to just about everyone. Odd Thomas has just the right mix of supernatural (without being over the top), trauma, mystery, comedy and the naivete that makes human being.....................human.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deeply Odd?

I think it was on the roof when he saw himself............don't want to ruin it by saying more than that. Leading up to the climax of that moment you find yourself telling him what to do.

Which character – as performed by David Aaron Baker – was your favorite?

I LOVE Edie and his potrayal of her is wonderful. I can see her face after his description. The way he becomes Edie matches the description.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think the end of this one did more so than any other. It made me feel like there is an end coming to the series. I could feel his pain more then before. Not just physical pain but the tiredness that comes with emotional and mental stress.

Any additional comments?

I am an avid reader/listener. I love the written word more than most things in life. Rather it's physically read or listened to. It has the power to give or take such a large range of emotions. It has the gift of taking us away to some place else where maybe our lives don't seem as bad in that moment. With that being said I have to say that the Odd Thomas books are by far one of my most favorite series of books. I will truly mourn the passing of this series and rejoice when Odd moves on to the next stage to be with his beloved Stormy. Thank you Mr. Koontz for a character I could get to know, laugh with, laugh at sometimes (although never unkindly), root for and to get to know so completely as Odd Thomas. He's been a true gift.

To those constant readers if you haven't tried a little Odd in your life you should.

Call me Edie, "Yes Mam"

Odd's off on another adventure, this time meeting the lovable Edie. Together they embark on a quest to free several children awaiting a terrible fate. Edie introduces Odd to friends along the way, some helping them out, but all in a fight against evil. As in the first Odd book, this one has some unforgettable characters and amusing banter, that provided comic relief while Odd battled new demons. This book won't disappoint Odd fans.