One Door Away from Heaven

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Anne Twomey

Length: 21 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In a dusty trailer park on the far edge of the California dream, Michelina wants to change the direction of her troubled life but can't find her way. When a new family settles into the rental trailer next door, Micky meets the young girl who will change her forever.

Despite her deformed left leg and withered left hand, nine-year-old Leilani Klonk radiates a buoyant and indomitable spirit that inspires Micky. Beneath Leilani's effervescence, however, Micky comes to sense a quiet desperation that the girl dares not express. Leilani's mother is little more than a child herself, and her stepfather, Preston Maddoc, is educated but threatening. Slowly, ever more troubling details emerge in Leilani's conversations with Micky. Most chilling is Micky's discovery that Leilani had an older brother, also disabled, who vanished after Maddoc took him into the woods one night and is now "gone to the stars".

While the child-protection bureaucracy gives Micky the runaround, the Maddoc family slips away into the night. So Micky sets out across America to find them: for the first time living for something bigger than herself. One Door Away from Heaven is an incandescent mix of suspense and humor, fear and wonder, a story of redemption and timeless wisdom that will have listeners cheering.

©1991 Dean Koontz (P)1991 Random House, Inc.

Stick with it

The book overall is good however you really have to pay attention and stick with it. At times I had to rewind and listen again. Stick with it.

A really good listen

This audio book was a really good listen. The story makes you want to go out and adopt a dog "Right Now".

Good story but execution not the best

As always, a great story by Dean Koontz. Unfortunately the performance by Anne Twomey was given, for much of the reading, at a monotone which detracted from the story. I otherwise enjoyed this book.

Amazing book!!! Recommend it to everyone!

Where does One Door Away from Heaven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Beautiful story. Koontz dialogue and writing are beautiful to read.He really makes you feel like you are there. It is an amazing story. I see some reviews where people say they figured it out early. I think you might figure out the basic ending, but not all the details. It is very exciting down to the end. Just an amazing, wonderful book.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. There are multiple stories all gong on at the same time. During one chapter, you will get to a very climatic point, then the next chapter will be about another part of the story. It's keeps you on the edge of you seat. You want to read more and more.

What does Anne Twomey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voices. A feeling of being there and experiencing what the characters are doing and experiencing.

Interesting & Informative

A must read for all. This information must be learned by us all for the good of us all.
The story line is well done in an entertaining manner.

best dean koontz novel yet

i loved the story,the meaning behind it,the characters,the struggle and horror,and the beauty and poetry of the writing. it's thought provoking about ethics and morality...I'll be looking into this bioethics crap...unbelievable! 5 stars cause there's not 6!

Great book!

I sometimes worry that the longer books may feel occasionally forced to be longer. Not the case of this book… It was a great book from start to finish.

"Ding, ding, ding,ding, ding"

We have a winner! A great novel with a well executed plot and expertly developed characters. In this novel, Koontz brings strong female characters to the front, two of which are eccentric and have incredible depth. A 10 year old girl's life is salvaged by two women. This child's character has a unique humor, as well as talents, that helps to offset the actions of her worthless parents. Great ending.

FANTASTIC-WONDERFUL-SWEET

Absolutely LOVED this story AND the "reader" - this was so synchronistic - storyline and reader. More like this one would be relished! Definately a HIGHLY PRIZED work in my 'collection' and recommendations

GREAT story!! Highly recomend!

What made the experience of listening to One Door Away from Heaven the most enjoyable?
The long length of the story, excellent narration, bio-ethical discussion.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Yes

Have you listened to any of Anne Twomey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes, great!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Ought one feel the right to....