Forever Odd

An Odd Thomas Novel

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Every so often a character so captures the hearts and imaginations of listeners that he seems to take on a life of his own long after the final chapter. For such a character, one book is not enough—listeners must know what happens next. Now Dean Koontz returns with the novel his fans have been demanding. With the emotional power and sheer storytelling artistry that are his trademarks, Koontz takes up once more the story of a unique young hero and an eccentric little town in a tale that is equal parts suspense and terror, adventure and mystery—and altogether irresistibly odd.

We’re all a little odd beneath the surface. He’s the most unlikely hero you’ll ever meet—an ordinary guy with a modest job you might never look at twice. But there’s so much more to any of us than meets the eye—and that goes triple for Odd Thomas. For Odd lives always between two worlds in the small desert town of Pico Mundo, where the heroic and the harrowing are everyday events. Odd never asked to communicate with the dead—it’s something that just happened. But as the unofficial goodwill ambassador between our world and theirs, he’s got a duty to do the right thing. That’s the way Odd sees it and that’s why he’s won hearts on both sides of the divide between life and death.

A childhood friend of Odd’s has disappeared. The worst is feared. But as Odd applies his unique talents to the task of finding the missing person, he discovers something worse than a dead body, encounters an enemy of exceptional cunning, and spirals into a vortex of terror. Once again Odd will stand against our worst fears. Around him will gather new allies and old, some living and some not. For in the battle to come, there can be no innocent bystanders, and every sacrifice can tip the balance between despair and hope. Whether you’re meeting Odd Thomas for the first time or he’s already an old friend, you’ll be led on an unforgettable journey through a world of terror, wonder and delight—to a revelation that can change your life. And you can have no better guide than Odd Thomas.

©2005 Dean Koontz (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Forever Odd is a fast and exciting read.... [the climactic scenes are] fraught with tension."—Rocky Mountain News

"The nice young fry cook with the occult powers is [Dean Koontz's] most likable creation. ... candid, upright, amusing and sometimes withering, especially when thinking about the state of contemporary popular culture."—The New York Times

"Inventive.... It's refreshing to come across a character as good-hearted as Odd.... [Dean Koontz is] an interesting writer with a voice all his own."—Washington Post

Good but not great

This book was not as good as Odd Thomas. I agree that Dean Koontz should write more stories about Odd Thomas, and he left the ending ready to add book three. This story was much weaker than the first, but entertaining enough to listen to the whole story. All in all, this is a good story, but nothing great. I hope the next book is much better.

A nice listen

I enjoyed this book. I have "read" several Koontz books, and some have been a bit spookier, but this was enjoyable. The narrator and the manner in which the book is written (sometimes from a first person perspective) made it easy to listen too. Not too heavy, not too light. If you want something heavy and in depth, don't get this. There is a level of suspense to the story, and in the end, some questions remain.

Forever an Oddly Wonderful Listening Experience

I love the Odd series. I re-read them often and when I cannot sit and read I listen to the recordings. The narrator does an excellent job in separating and animating the characters while his timing and pacing keeps up the tension for a really great listening experience. I have all of the Odd Thomas recordings and I can hardly wait for the next one. A full five stars for the series!

Love this book

I love the Odd series. this book and author are fantastic in the way the story is written. The narrator got the chapters completely confused which was annoying but overall...excellent.

The first Odd was better but this was good.

What did you love best about Forever Odd?

I never wanted to stop listening from the moment I started until the end.

What did you like best about this story?

Dean has a way of making you fall in love with his characters so Odd was the best thing about the story.

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

He is an excellent reader. I have heard him in many books and he is one of my favorites.

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

Odd's humor was constantly making me laugh. In the midst of the most horrific situation Odd can see the humor in the other character.

Great Read (listen)

Admittedly I struggle with audible books. if the narrative voice characterizations don't resonate with me I just lose interest. Thanks narrator was very good and the voices were also good. but I particularly liked his Odd Thomas voiced. great story. very enjoyable.

great characters good story.

The book is filled with great characters a good story in the narrator did an awesome job.

Great series starter!

Loved the character and am looking forward to the other 'odd' books. Although not especially scary and tingly as his other I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to get into the next one.

Not quite as good as the first

This is a very good book although not quite as good as the first. The 3rd one (Brother Odd) is almost as good as the first.

Eric

Another great Odd adventure. Loved it, can't wait for brother odd. Had me nervous for a second.