Relentless

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Best-selling novelist Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich is a lucky man and he knows it. He makes a handsome living doing what he enjoys. His wife, Penny, a children's book author and illustrator, is the love of his life. Together they have a brilliant six-year-old, Milo, affectionately dubbed "Spooky", nd a non-collie named Lassie, who's all but part of the family.

So Cubby knows he shouldn't let one bad review of his otherwise triumphant new book get to him - even if it does appear in the nation's premier newspaper and is penned by the much-feared, seldom-seen critic Shearman Waxx. Cubby knows that the best thing to do is ignore the gratuitously vicious, insulting, and inaccurate comments. Penny knows it; even little Milo knows it. If Lassie could talk, she'd tell Cubby to ignore them, too.
Ignore Shearman Waxx and his poison pen is just what Cubby intends to do. Until he happens to learn where the great man is taking his lunch. Cubby just wants to get a look at the mysterious recluse whose mere opinion can make or break a career - or a life.

But Shearman Waxx isn't what Cubby expects, and neither is the escalating terror that follows what seemsto be an innocent encounter. For Waxx gives criticism; he doesn't take it. He has ways of dealing with those who cross him that Cubby is only beginning to fathom. Soon Cubby finds himself in a desperate struggle with a relentless sociopath, facing an inexorable assault on far more than his life.

Fearless, funny, utterly compelling, Relentless is Dean Koontz at his riveting best, an unforgettable tale of the fragile bonds that hold together all that we most cherish - and of those who would tear those bonds asunder.

©2009 Dean Koontz (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Critic Reviews

"Koontz is a master of the edge-of-your-seat, paranoid thriller and perhaps the leading American practitioner of the form." ( Newark Star-Ledger)
"Koontz is working at his pinnacle, providing terrific entertainment that deals seriously with some of the deepest themes of human existence: the nature of evil, the grip of fate and the power of love." ( Publishers Weekly)

I cant sleep!

I cant sleep, this book has Me wraped up and it has Me checking My childs closet for the source of every unknown noise! This is a great book! Funny in some parts and scary in others it is just a great book to lose one self in! It is Dean Koontz at His best! Also to those that need a good to great reader, this one is pleasent on the ears so do not fear! I have read 20 something of His books and this one is at the top with a few others!

Quick and Contrived Ending

Builds plot well with increasing suspense that holds your attention and is quite entertaining. A sudden change in rules in which the physical laws of the universe are suspended, allows the author a very quick, and for this reader, totally unsatisfying contrived exit. None of the underlying plot elements are resolved. Very disappointing.

Atypical Koontz

Overall, the book was funny in the alternate reality sense of funny. In the beginning I thought Koontz might be reviving an earlier writing style we saw in Seize the Night and Fear Nothing. Not so. What a let down!

I didn't find it suspenseful or thrilling, just flat. Sadly I gave one of my favorite authors 2 stars.

terrible

Every Koontz fan knows that his books stretch believability to the breaking point, but this one goes way past that point. Typically the reader can expect the human characters to act rationally, which goes a long way toward making the surreal and supernatural work. This one does not have that element of rationality. I have stayed with it to half the book in a vain attempt to find merit. I'm giving up.

story or narrator?

I found myself wondering if it was the story itself of the narration of the story that I disliked most. I think it was a little of both. The story was unrealistic, the characters unlikeable, and the story line and plot unrealistic. The narration was borderline annoying. This is the first Dean Koontz book I've downloaded that I would describe as just an "okay" book.

Like a roller coaster that fizzles.

The first 85% was great...character development, backstory, compelling plot, great narration...then the last 15% was...contrived.

Sort of like a roller coaster that promises a great ride on the climbout...then during a long flat middle part, you realize you've been enjoying the scenery but forgot that you're still waiting for the action.

"But wait, it's coming...it's coming," you keep telling yourself...

Then before the promised climax, you pull into the station. And there's, I don't know, someone like Spock waiting there. And he says, "thank you for riding, come again." (wtf???)

Gripping...till you reach the end

I realized my mistake half way through listening to the book. I am a fan of David Baldacci and I thought this was one of his books. I've never read Koontz so I don't claim to know his style. Certainly, I did like the "thriller" aspects of the book. I can't say the same about the frequent outpouring of philosophy that completely seemed out of context, almost as if the author was revelling in his ability to discuss philosophy or to describe a picturesque scene by the bay. Frequently, I would want to yell and tell the narrator (who, by the way, was quite good) to get on with it. All would have been well except that for some weird reason, the main protagonist kept doing the most obviously stupid thing possible, like that was the only way the author could justify the next twist in the story. But the last chapter seemed contrived and too pat for my likes. Besides, prior to the last chapter, there seemed really no reason for the parents to suddenly interrogate their 6-year old genius son. I say this because it did not appear that the two adults really had any major questions to ask of their son till then. Certainly did not seem that way from the narration. Finally, the book ended, quite rapidly, I must say and left me with a distinct sense of "huh?". It was a pity since it had lots of colorful characters who, I wish, had more to do in the story. And with several loose ends thrown all around, it made me wonder if there was a deadline that the author had to meet. Or, possibly, somebody in the publishing/editing side of the house decided to hack the story into a shorter, tighter piece and could only do it in the last chapter. On a final note, however, this was definitely quite gripping and I kept going back to listening to it, even late at night, when I normally avoid audiobooks for fear of falling asleep while listening.

Enjoyable overall

This book is funny and suspenseful. However, toward the end it seems as though DK is in a hurry to finish and it fell a bit flat. Overall, worth the credit.

Scared to laugh!

This audio had me laughing one minute and scared to death the next. I love Dean Koontz and when he lets loose his humorous side he is even better.

Typical Dean Koontz

I love Dean Koontz, but his books seem to be formula. As usual, there's a strong woman, a dog and guns. With that said, I was glued to it. Very good and a cute qirky ending.

great story but terrible ending

Really good and gripping story but then then author seems to get bored and finishes the story in the lamest and quickest way he could possibly think of. Very disappointed by the ending - you have been warned.

Thrilling....

This was the second Koontz novel I have read (or listened to) and I just love this book. Literally ''edge of your seat'' from start to finish.
The plot, whilst basic is the simple type of basic that works. Not like some books where they start fantastic but move into a annoying or stupid direction, which thus ruins it.
It's about a girl who has had a troubled past and finds herself in a life threatening situation and by chance survives. This happens pretty much straight away and from this point the book just get's better and more interesting (if not scarier) as it follows her choices, however daft or brave into a nightmare situation. Definitely give this book a read if you like fast paced but inteligent writing of the thrilling sort.

My favourite book come to life.

Have read the book countless times and listened to it on YouTube once. I love the audio quality and the performance of Dan John Miller. Dean Koontz is an incredible author and this title I think just pips Lightning as my favourite book.

Suspenseful, fast paced, mysterious

Lots of twists and turns in this story. The son was very mysterious in his genius ways, even though his non-answers were annoying. Quick ending. A bit too macabre with the horrors of murder that happens to families and very young children. I’d only recommend this if you’ve no other of Koontz’s better books to read, or listen to via audible, like I did.

Dreadfull story and narration

Dull story told by a narrator who drove me up the wall with his louay accents.

good quality Koontz book

well written and read. great to hear this story out loud. if you like Koontz's style, you'll like this one.