The Face

A Novel

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Dylan Baker

Length: 19 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Acknowledged as “America’s most popular suspense novelist”(Rolling Stone ) and as one of today’s most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers and listeners around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human. Now he delivers the thriller of the season, an unforgettable journey to the heart of darkness and to the pinnacle of grace, at once chilling and wickedly funny, a brilliantly observed chronicle of good and evil in our time, of illusion and everlasting truth. He’s Hollywood’s most dazzling star, whose flawless countenance inspires the worship of millions and fires the hatred of one twisted soul. His perfectly ordered existence is under siege as a series of terrifying, enigmatic “messages” breaches the exquisitely calibrated security systems of his legendary Bel Air estate.

The boxes arrive mysteriously, one by one, at Channing Manheim’s fortified compound. The threat implicit in their bizarre, disturbing contents seems to escalate with each new delivery. Manheim’s security chief, ex-cop Ethan Truman, is used to looking beneath the surface of things. But until he entered the orbit of a Hollywood icon, he had no idea just how slippery reality could be. Now this good man is all that stands in the way of an insidious killer—and forces that eclipse the most fevered fantasies of a city where dreams and nightmares are the stuff of daily life. As a seemingly endless and ominous rain falls over southern California, Ethan will test the limits of perception and endurance in a world where the truth is as thin as celluloid and answers can be found only in the illusory intersection of shadow and light.

Enter a world of marvelous invention, enchantment, and implacable intent, populated by murderous actors and the walking dead, hit men and heroes, long-buried dreams and never-dying hope. Here a magnificent mansion is presided over by a Scottish force of nature known as Mrs. McBee, before whom all men tremble. A mad French chef concocts feasts for the mighty and the malicious. Ming du Lac, spiritual adviser to the stars, has a direct line to the dead. An aptly named cop called Hazard will become Ethan’s ally, an anarchist will sow discord and despair, and a young boy named Fric, imprisoned by celebrity and loneliness, will hear a voice telling him of the approach of something unimaginably evil. Traversing this extraordinary landscape, Ethan will face the secrets of his own tragic past and the unmistakable premonition of his impending violent death as he races against time to solve the macabre riddles of a modern-day beast.

A riveting tour de force of suspense, mystery, and miraculous revelation, The Face is that rare novel that entertains, provokes, and uplifts at the same time. It will make you laugh. It will give you chills. It will fill you with hope.

©2003 Dean Koontz (P)2003 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"...The suspense builds smoothly and steadily in [narrator Dylan] Baker's hands." —AudioFile

“Koontz has always had near-Dickensian powers of description, and an ability to yank us from one page to the next that few novelists can match.”—Los Angeles Times

"Both terrifying and amusing, The Face is classic Dean Koontz—a blend of murder, mystery and wit...Koontz's dialogue is sharp, his characters multidimensional, and the plot is tight."—New York Daily News

Koontz is on his game

Usually I reserve the commute for audible time. I listened to this one when I was supposed to be doing yardwork, when I was supposed to be sleeping and when I was supposed to be studying. It could have been longer and gone a bit more in depth into some of the characters, and a few plot lines weren't developed, but it was still very enjoyable.

Excellent Book

It'll keep you guessing and wanting more.

The Face

Wordy, descriptions went on and on....left little to the listener's imagination. Since it was choppy, it took a bit to get into the story. HOWEVER, once the characters and the story came together, I was hooked! Even the extensive descriptions were overlooked. I could hardly wait for the next opportunity to listen. Glad I stuck it out....it was memorable. I will probably listen to it again.

The Face

I loved it. The characters were engaging, and it was well narrated. I also like long books, and this one kept me interested. I drove in my car a little slower, just to hear some parts! I recommend this one for Koontz fans.

long but worth every hour

a most unusal plot, thoroughly enjoyable although a bit long. Well worth the time.

Oh, my God!

What a interesting book. Seems a little too intense for some. I enjoyed it because I too believe that the spiritual world is real. I don't believe the author is accurate about the outcome of remorse but then who am I - because we do not know all that is possible.

Best book I have read from mr Koontz.

Great book. Could not stop listening till the end. Great characters and very suspenseful. Would read again.

The face

A little bit lighter than his books lately (not as gory!). Interesting premise about anarchy. One of his best!

Great book!

Where does The Face rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites, I enjoyed the characters in this book and how it leaves you wondering about some of the characters and if they are more than they appear.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Face?

The ending, it leaves some things to ponder about the Face and if there is far more to him than meets the eye.

Which character – as performed by Dylan Baker – was your favorite?

The boy

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

The Faces' relationship with his son

Not my favorite

Not my most favorite book by Koontz. I am always eager to get long books because I just love his rich description and detail events. Not this one, it was full of unnecessary details of lavish material things in the house of the face. The villain's reasoning for being anarchist did not sound believable to me, it actually sounded childish.

So many chapters written for the child of the face, at times, I thought it was a children's book! I only liked the last 4 hours of the book. Narrator is pretty good For a book of 19 and a half hours, he did a pretty good job.

For the last few weeks, I have been totally addicted to Koontz's books, I bought 13 books during this past weeks and still could not get enough. This book made me put a break on it. I think I will wait until a sale comes around to get Koontz's next book.