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)

Excellent - Fast Paced

Another great plot with many twists from Dean, and the almost spiritual obsession with dogs that I always find both intriguing and rewarding. Spellbinding from start to finish, you will want to get to the end as quick as you can so free up your schedule before you start!

A wild ride superbly performed

The story itself, in lesser hands so to speak, would have been just okay. It’s the performer who makes this just okay story into something more than it’s composition would be otherwise. The female antagonist is performed so supremely evilly that I wanted to jump into the narrative and kill her myself. And the children, especially the precious child, holy crow! Decades spent working with people with special needs has made my ears and my heart sensitive to their voice and this performer is the first I’ve heard who captured the innate love and dignity their voices project. I was moved to tears by this sensitive portrayal.

Yes, it takes some time for things to get moving and to be establish the characters and story arcs. Stick with it, it’s worth your time as the story moves forward.

Quintessential Dean Koontz. Has he ever written a novel w/o a dog or a young person w/ a mental debility?

Please don't get me wrong with my title. I enjoy Koontz's novels, but to be quite honest...I sure wish he'd write something without young mentally challenged people. Or (as much as I am a huge dog lover & rescuer), I sure would like one of his stories to leave these heroes characters out and see what he comes up with? And of course, leave out villains with supernatural powers also. What would a Koontz novel without these constant characters be like? If he added bodily functions, perhaps he could take over for Stephen King whom I also greatly enjoy for the most part. Although his novels are much more diverse in both topic and character types.

Good novel for dog lovers and those who believe in spirituality, angels, reincarnation, and the triumph of good over evil. 'And they lived happily ever after'. My life is nothing like this and never will be. I can related to this books many betrayals, although not having to do with killing, but nevertheless...betrayal by someone you thought loved you as you loved them IS something I've been through a few times in my life, and most of my life has also been spent totally alone and I KNOW not a single sole anywhere gives a crap about me. So in his remarks in this book, I could present an opposing viewpoint. However, it's nice for its optimism and hope for humans to become as pure, good, and loving as a good dog.

I've experienced the love of several dogs in the course of my life. And I agree that nothing is more heart wrenching than to watch them die, or need to put them down. The last dog I had was a Border Collie mix I adopted back in 2002 as a near yearling as we guessed. She looked like Lassie except with long black & white hair. She was extremely intelligent, well manned from the start, and very loving and affectionate. I loved her unconditionally as I loved all the dogs in my life. She was fine, then suddenly one day she would not move. Only her eyes would follow you. She didn't whimper lying there or when touched and moved. She couldn't even lift her head to drink water. Although I could barely walk, or bend myself from my own health problems. I bent over, and lifted her up by cupping my hands under her chest so her head would hang over the water bowl. She drank it dry. I called my vet and told him I was coming over with 'Lady' (my dogs name) and she wouldn't or couldn't move but seemed not to be in pain. He kept her overnight and the next morning I went back and he told me he couldn't find anything other than he felt a lump near where her pancreas would be. She was 12 in March of 2013 and I didn't think putting her through an exploratory surgery with no positive side assured understandably. I asked if he would euthanize her while I held her. He agreed and within a few moments as exactly as described in this book. She looked at me, tried to give me a kiss (lick for those non dog people) and I felt her final exhale against my cheek as I cried like a baby. She knew I loved her. She knew I was doing what I felt was right for her. But it doesn't take away the heartache that comes in such a circumstance. Now, because of my living situation, I can no longer even have a dog for company. Once again as told in this book...I know the feeling of total loneliness and I'll have to finish my life this way. And one other thing mentioned at the no I agree with 100%. Bad people have the best things happen to them while good people suffer.

I hope my review helps on deciding to give this book a try or not.

The Birghtest, Fastest Book--We all need a Nikcie

Would you listen to The Darkest Evening of the Year again? Why?

Yes. It was never-ending intrigue and suspense and love for the characters. I didn't want to stop listening so that I could see that they made it ok. I would wait awhile to read it again, though, because it was intense.

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

Dean Koontz is materful in ending a chapter with a 'tease' so that you cannot wait for the next; then, the next chapter may be another set of characters and events in the story wiht another 'tease' or 'worry' at the endof the chapter. I couldn't wait until the next entry with each character or set of characters.

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

She gave a real voice to Amy which made her even more loveable and intriguing. She read the narrative of each set of characters and the dialogue with just the right emotion. I wasn't sure about a female reader as I'm accustomed to the male readers. Kirsten was terrific.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. You better have all your work done and food ready to eat because this is one audiobook that you can't stop until youget to the remarkable ending..

Any additional comments?

All of us need a wonderful dog like NIckie. thank you, Dean Koontz, for another set of characters and dogs who steal our hearts.

Heartwarming & entertaining

I loved the story. It is difficult to imagine such evil people could really exist; it is easy to imagine that there are such really good people as Amy, Brian, Hope & a few others in this book. And the doggies could be nothing but angels... Great ending!

Excellent Listen.

The reader does an excellent job conveying all the characters and voices. Action packed never a dull moment.

The darkest evening ever

as always a good book from Dean Koonts sadly i taught the endind a little rushed not one of his best.

Typical Koontz

As good as I expected it would be. Mr. Koontz once again kept us guessing, wondering, laughing and on the point of tears. We listened to this one on a long trip and even the non-readers were enthralled with it.

Turns and twists

Another novel of turns and twists by Ken Follett. For almost 80% of the novel, it is hard to figure out how the lives and stories of these often strange and some cases evil characters will come together and clear up all of the mystery.

Certainly one of his strangest brews, with man expected turn of events. He keeps you in suspense to the very end.

A worth while read.

made me shed tears. believe there can be good

Read this. Mr koontz I know you don't like to hear from your fans as busy as you are . But I am I life long fan, and hope one day you will find a way to resurrect odd Thomas!