Joanna Rand left the U.S. ten years ago to sing in a Japanese nightclub. Ever since, she's been plagued with nightmares of terror. There is only on...
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Jan 28, 2011
Jeffrey
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The Key to Midnight is an early Leigh Nichols book, written in 1979, rewritten and updated in 1995. The genre is what one might call a romantic suspense spy thriller, reminiscent of Koontz's earlier Nichols book, House of Thunder. The point of view goes back and forth between the female and male protagonists, as a romance develops between them. Joanna Rand is the owner and star performer in a swing music and dance club in Kyoto, Japan. Alex Hunter is a wealthy security business owner on vacation
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Nov 19, 2010
Johnny
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 04, 2011
Mollysusie
rated it: 
Wow ... Dean Koontz sure can describe things! And describe them again and again and again and again and again and again in exactly the same way over and over and over and over and over and over again. And just when the main characters finally, *finally*, hook up ... fade to black. What! The! Froof?! Seriously, I had to read about the description of a silver gilded midnight blue mirror twelve times (and I still don't understand how it can be reflective) but I don't even get a little onamonapia wh
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Aug 07, 2010
Patricia
rated it:
One of Koontz's best because it is so straight-forward--no weird animals or bizarre skills that the protagonist possesses. Just a nice, neat detective, action-thriller. This one takes place primarily in Japan and Koontz knows the culture and people well and recreates the place in such a way that you feel you'd like to visit if you don't feel you are there already. Main character Joanne Rand owns a bar in Japan and is having an extremely bad repeating dream--or is it a dream? Private investig
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Aug 30, 2009
Mrs.
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Joanna has been living on Japan for ten years. She has no family and remembers little of her past. She doesn't let anyone become close to her. And then one night, when she's singing at her club, a man comes in who is scrutinizing her a little too carefully. He knows who she is- the missing daughter of a US senator. But Joanna doesn't remember anything about her former life. Her only terrifying previous memory is of a man with a hypodermic needle and a metal hand, taunting her. What is Joanna's s
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Feb 01, 2012
CRAZY AL
rated it: 
Just read it for the tenth time this year for Christmas because it's so bloody good! I finally bought it. I think the librarians were getting annoyed I kept putting myself on the waiting list after checking it out all the time. ;]
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Aug 03, 2009
Darlene
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This version is the rewrite version under his own name rather than the pseudonym Leigh Nichols. Regrettably, I cannot compare the two, for I did not read the original release.
Mr. Koontz has this to say: “The Key to Midnight was the first novel…under the pen name Leigh Nichols, which I no longer use.” “[The Key to Midnight:] was meant to be my stab at an action-suspense-romance novel with a background of international intrigue…”
My vote says he succeeded.
An More...
Mr. Koontz has this to say: “The Key to Midnight was the first novel…under the pen name Leigh Nichols, which I no longer use.” “[The Key to Midnight:] was meant to be my stab at an action-suspense-romance novel with a background of international intrigue…”
My vote says he succeeded.
An More...
Jul 30, 2011
Athena
rated it:
The subject matter was definitely a new route for Koontz, as mentioned in the Afterword, and the story contained some of the typical Koontz attributes, so it was very well written and thought out. As a horror fan I focused more on the horror aspect which was minimal for a Koontz novel, but still creepy with characters like the ingenius Dr. Zombie and his brilliant, yet warped methods regarding the human mind. Joanna Rand, successful nighclub owner and singer, is living comfortably in Japan until
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Feb 06, 2010
Maciek
rated it:
I'm torn between three and four stars. This is an early Koontz title (originally written back in 1979 - this is a partial rewrite from 1996). It's your TV movie of the week that you loved as a kid - a woman with a shadowy past meets an attractive male investigator, and together they try to find the key to midnight - to understand her dreams, where the man with steel fingers fills a hypodermic syringe...
It's a nice, short book with several little twists and typical Koontz characters. I enj More...
It's a nice, short book with several little twists and typical Koontz characters. I enj More...
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Nov 18, 2010
Jeff
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So far it's Ok. But it;s the first book in a while where I've actually thought about skipping to the end. It starts out really slow. There is a lot of detail about Japan as the story takes place there. It's a quick and dirty read, and a pretty flimsy story. But it's keeping me engaged--which is nice.
And now its finished. Nice and quick denoument in the final two chapters. Definitely one of hiw earlier writings--as I saw some of the same elements I just read in Lightning.
Pre More...
And now its finished. Nice and quick denoument in the final two chapters. Definitely one of hiw earlier writings--as I saw some of the same elements I just read in Lightning.
Pre More...
May 20, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
The descriptions of Japan from this novel made me want to travel there and immerse myself in the culture, the people, and the food. Especially the food!
Joanna was right - she could be cold. That she tried to push Alex away, when he knew that he was doing what was best in trying to help her, confirmed that thought. And Alex, bless his little heart, was just stubborn and curious enough to keep pushing back, and was finally able to succeed where every other man in Joanna's life had fail More...
Joanna was right - she could be cold. That she tried to push Alex away, when he knew that he was doing what was best in trying to help her, confirmed that thought. And Alex, bless his little heart, was just stubborn and curious enough to keep pushing back, and was finally able to succeed where every other man in Joanna's life had fail More...
May 26, 2011
Suby
rated it:
This is the first book by Dean Koontz I have had the opportunity to read. His narration style is fascinating. He builds the story from an obscure town in Japan where an investigator meets the main female character. Then through several episodes like anti brain washing techniques the author guides us through a post cold war conspiracy which actually had its origins in the cold war era. Somewhat difficult to believe - this is what fiction is all about!
I must say I enjoyed the novel very much
I must say I enjoyed the novel very much
Dec 09, 2010
Christine US
rated it: 
I'm not sure how so many people seemed to love this book. I found it dated, irritating, and it left me just not caring at many points. In 1979, I'm sure all the brainwashing was viewed the "scary future" for government intrigue and sabotage. Now, there are far scarier things people are finding ways to do to each other.
I do, however, feel like I learned things about Japan & Japanese culture I never would have known otherwise. I hope those items are at least real so I dont' fe More...
I do, however, feel like I learned things about Japan & Japanese culture I never would have known otherwise. I hope those items are at least real so I dont' fe More...
Jul 03, 2011
Nola
rated it:
This is pretty good, I like his newer stuff better ... just goes to show ... practice makes perfect! It was still a good read, but I wasn't buying into the romance very easily. The plot was pretty good, but could have used a bit more fleshing out ... maybe a few more complications ... but I still read it through in pretty good style ... it kept me in the book.
Mar 10, 2010
The first Koontz book I ever read, given to me by my English Teacher. Though one of a the weaker (though not less riveting) on Koontz's work, It definitly has a slow start, which isn't normal for Koontz. But, still, an amazing story to tell. You learn so much from Koontz (minus all the gory details!)
Apr 25, 2011
Tiffany
rated it:
Slow to start.. didn't pick up until the end for me. I didn't know Dean Koontz wrote under a pen name, so that was cool. However, I found the romance aspect between the characters a little amusing as Koontz is NOT a romantic genre author. It was like watching two junior high kids having a crush on each other. Awkward! Not one of my favorites of Koontz for sure!
Sep 10, 2009
Allen
rated it:
This one was a suggested read. Someone really close to me suggested that I read this one and I almost put it down. It was really slow at the beginning(At least for me). But the middle and the end make getting pass the slow part is oh so worth it.
Jul 13, 2009
Renee
rated it:
I didn't know Dean Koontz wrote under a pen name, interesting. Now there are more books for me to look for.
This was pretty good, not what I consider one of his best but I enjoyed it. Once I was through the first few chapters and the pace picked up I really liked it.
I recommend as long as you don't mind a slow start. It's worth it in the end.
This was pretty good, not what I consider one of his best but I enjoyed it. Once I was through the first few chapters and the pace picked up I really liked it.
I recommend as long as you don't mind a slow start. It's worth it in the end.
Aug 02, 2011
Ryan
rated it:
Easy page flipper with a direct plot. Likable premise with characters that are sometimes campy, while being easy to remember. At points this book borders on spy thriller, while other times its about drama dynamics!
Dec 11, 2010
Nicholas
rated it:
This novel was certainly interesting to say the least. A thrilling book about a woman, Joanna Rand, who had terrible nightmares of a man with a claw hand. When Alex Hunter arrives in Kyoto, Japan, he instantly recognizes Joanna as a missing girl from twelve years previously. The daughter of a United States senator. The two are set on a path of discovery to find the source of her chilling nightmares. As well as the reason why she was chosen to be implanted in a new life.
The book ta More...
The book ta More...
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Jun 15, 2011
Jenna
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What a wonderful book!!!! It was a page turner! Full of suspense, romance and international conspiracy!! It really reminded me of a scary "Da Vinci Code," except in my mind just as or dare I say, even better!? I'm going to go find another Dean Koontz book to read now.
Sep 11, 2010
Uchelk
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WOW. this book was like action mixed with horror.i never read these types of books, but this one was so srprising and cool. idk how to describe it but koonts is so smart how to amke up a story like that.
May 22, 2011
Paula
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as I march on through dean koontz books, this one was originally written under another name, and is more of an international spy/mystery book. good enough, but his other stuff is still better.
Dec 07, 2011
Dodie
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This is very different from the books I think of when I think of a Dean Koontz book. He calls it a "action-suspense-romance novel" and wrote it under a pseudonym. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Jan 05, 2009
Manessa
rated it:
In keeping with Dean Koontz's traditional horror genre, this one does border a bit more on on disturbing and unrealistic material. Still entertaining although a bit scary.
Jan 28, 2011
Dan
rated it:
excellent book and great mystery .. i have never read anything by this author before ... and just could not put the book down... can.t wait to get into frankenstein ..
Oct 02, 2009
Jak
rated it:
I read this, and still own it, under the original Leigh Nichols pseudonym. But read it so long ago I can’t remember anything about it. Must go back and re read
Jul 04, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
I like to read Dean Koontz every once in a while to change things up. Generally I can't put his books down, but was really disappointed in this one.
Dec 11, 2010
Brett
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Good story. Took an unexpected turn, which I liked. It's funny to find out that he first published this under a woman's name because it wasn't acceptable in the 70s for a man to write something like this.
Oct 07, 2010
Danny
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This book was not one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. However, I would recommend it as a good read with international/political and intimate suspense. For you dog lovers, this one does not have a dog character in it and I missed that but eventually got over it. Set in Japan for the most part but with ties to the U.S., England, Switzerland,Germany and Russia it does become an international thriller.
