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Relentless

by Dean Koontz

3.64 · rating details · 4,815 ratings · 704 reviews

#1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz delivers a mesmerizing new thriller that explores the razor-thin line between the best and worst of human nature—and the anarchy simmering just beneath society’s surface—as a likeable, successful family man is drawn into a confrontation with a foe of unimaginable malice….

Bestselling novelist Cullen “Cubby” Greenw...more#1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz delivers a mesmerizing new thriller that explores the razor-thin line between the best and worst of human nature—and the anarchy simmering just beneath society’s surface—as a likeable, successful family man is drawn into a confrontation with a foe of unimaginable malice….

Bestselling 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,” and 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 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 seemed to 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.

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Paperback, 384 pages

Published by Harper

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Feb 08, 2012

Dustin Crazy little brown owl rated it

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Shelves: read-in-2009, read-in-2010, amazing, worth-reading-again-and-again

Relentless is filled with humor, suspense and intensity making it a fast paced thriller and a speedy read. For me, reading Relentless was By the Light of the Moon meets Life Expectancy - these are two of my most favorite by Dean Koontz and so naturally, I really like this book! I must say, my expectations were pretty low after reading Your Heart Belongs to Me (2008), but with this one Koontz has redeemed himself.

In a way, Relentless is similar to Velocity but I prefer Relentless. Whe...moreRelentless is filled with humor, suspense and intensity making it a fast paced thriller and a speedy read. For me, reading Relentless was By the Light of the Moon meets Life Expectancy - these are two of my most favorite by Dean Koontz and so naturally, I really like this book! I must say, my expectations were pretty low after reading Your Heart Belongs to Me (2008), but with this one Koontz has redeemed himself.

In a way, Relentless is similar to Velocity but I prefer Relentless. When I was reading Velocity, I was annoyed because it really wasn't clear whether it was all in the main character's head and I was also annoyed that he did not go to the police. In Relentless, it was explained why the family could not go to the police and with the three characters sharing their experience, it was clear the acts of Shearmann Waxx were not just imagined. I did find myself yelling at the characters in Relentless a few times, saying things like "tell your son, let him help you", "don't open that door, sheriff!" or "Just shoot him while you've got the chance!".

As the story opened it seemed to me that Dean had used himself and his wife Gerda in the main roles of Cubby and Penny. I loved all the characters that were created for this story the Booms were dynamite and Mr. Waxx, well he was simply an enema.

I don't read fast but it only took me 4 days to get through the 356 pages of Relentless. While (view spoiler) I would definitely rank Relentless as one of Koontz best.

Some of my favorite passages/quotes from Relentless include:

"I'm small, I'm young - and I'm so different. You've always respected that difference, and you've always trusted it. Trust me now. There's a reason I am the way I am, and there's a reason I was born to you. There's always a reason. We belong together." - Milo

"If the three of us don't know what we're looking for and we look for it together, we'll find it or we won't find it quicker than you would or wouldn't find it on your own." - Penny

"I'm going in, and I'm going to pretend you came with me, while you can sit here and pretend I stayed with you, so then we'll have gone in an not gone in together." - Milo

"In spite of where we were, how we had gotten here, and why we had come, I felt that at this moment of our lives, this was exactly where we belonged. We were not drifting but rising, rising toward something right and of significance." - Cubby

"That was interesting, riding in the trunk," Milo said, "but I wouldn't want to do it again."

"Fire, ice, asteroids and pole shifts are bogeymen with which we distract ourselves from the real threat of our time. In an age when everyone invents his own truth, there is no community, only factions. Without community, there can be no consensus to resist the greedy, the envious, the power-mad narcissists who seize control and turn the institutions of civilization into a series of doom machines."(less)

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May 15, 2011

Kasia S. rated it

· review of another edition

This novel is strange, different, not at all what you are expecting but it's wonderful in ways that even I dont understand yet. I think so very often in this digital age we get overly saturated with every person's oppinion before experiencing the item in question, I try not to let them sway me and still have my own saying, wether it's good or bad, I want to have my own feeling on the item, especially when it's a book. After reading "Relentless" new impressions and conclusions are still...moreThis novel is strange, different, not at all what you are expecting but it's wonderful in ways that even I dont understand yet. I think so very often in this digital age we get overly saturated with every person's oppinion before experiencing the item in question, I try not to let them sway me and still have my own saying, wether it's good or bad, I want to have my own feeling on the item, especially when it's a book. After reading "Relentless" new impressions and conclusions are still popping into my head, like a good meal it's enjoyed even after the last crumb has been consumed. It's a furiously fast read in the beginning and it gets gooey and the eccentric ias it probes deeper, and the enigmatic character of Shearman Waxx adds a lot of excitiement to the whole ordeal. He's like a beast in horror movies, glimpess of terror here and there, the less is known and shown then scarier he is, in the end the truth comes out but even more quetions open up. I enjoyed this novel, it was a fun read, that's what books are about, the journey itself, we get to read the complex thoughts and scenratios that someone else's whole body created, their mind, soul and outlook on life are the pages itself with a plot which carries thier word out into the open world.

I dore books and reading, so this was a special treat, a book all about a writer and his aggrevating nemesis, the mean old reviewer who spews out and effluvia of insults and stabs, black words about his latest creation. I'm sure an angry reviewer can be any author's nightmare, the boogey man that shouldn't really matter but who stil manages to haunt and occpy some of their mind's time. This novel isnt' about constuctive criticism but about something deepr, a hungry need to eradicate something that Waxx doesnt like, and that something is the main protagonist, Cullen 'Cubby' Greenwich. His latest work gets a review so bad that the author of it not only rattles Cubby but turns his wholesome life upside down. An attack in the dark, in the middle of the night shakes the whole family and changes their lives forever. They realize that Waxx is not as harmless as he seems, his words aren't his only weapons, there are authors out there who lost their loved ones and the gossip says that Waxx was the one who did it...the man is unstoppable, mean, evil, and worst of all relentless..the battle begins, as insane as it seem it's as real as their wish to keep on living. Cubby, his wife Penny and son Milo are on a journey that will literally flip their world upside down. Elements of sci-fi, creepy horror and grotesque mutilations peak in and out, making this a riveting read.

Koontz has been a staple on my bookshelves ever since I was twelve, and every time he churns out a new book I get excited, one more to add, one more for my collection of delectable reads that keep me up at night and chase my thoughts during the day, reading is fantastic and he certainly adds to it. Some will love his new stuff and some won't, regardless his books are fun and exciting, with cool themes, and I especially love the supernatural element he often weaves through, you never know if the book has it or not, but it adds a bit of spice that I enjoy.
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Jun 27, 2009

Lisa rated it

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Shelves: dean-koontz

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May 02, 2010

Stephen Michaleson rated it

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Relentless was a huge page turner. Let me get that out of the way. Every page just kept you begging for more. This was the first Dean Koontz novel I ever read and I was surprised at how much I was impressed with it. The writing was fantastic and excitement pumped my raced my heart beat. The summary makes it sound really stupid. A critic that stalks and tries to kill a guy becuase he didn't like his book? Come on! But when you actually pick the book up and read it, it's a really great book. 5 sta...more

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Jan 30, 2012

Kat rated it

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Having never read Simon Kernick this book was lent to me. I have to say this story grabbed me from chapter one and didn't let go. It normally takes a couple of chapters to really engross yourself in a book but not in this case.
Tom Merron is playing with his children in the garden when a phone call comes in that will change his life forever. All he hears is his old and close friend Jack in agony and panting down the phone. He hears jack mutter the first two lines of his address and at the sa...more

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Dec 30, 2011

Shannon Yarbrough rated it

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Having just gotten into reading Koontz earlier this year, this is about my tenth book of his and I consider it one of the better. I listened to this one on audio during a holiday road trip. It's read by Dan John Miller and he does a decent job; he even does different voices for the characters which made it lively! I can honestly say I'd probably been more disappointed had I not listened to the audio version and had actually read the book. I'll explain why in the rest of my review.

Eve...moreHaving just gotten into reading Koontz earlier this year, this is about my tenth book of his and I consider it one of the better. I listened to this one on audio during a holiday road trip. It's read by Dan John Miller and he does a decent job; he even does different voices for the characters which made it lively! I can honestly say I'd probably been more disappointed had I not listened to the audio version and had actually read the book. I'll explain why in the rest of my review.

Ever heard the old writer's expression, "Be careful or I'll put you in my next book!"? Relentless is Koontz's homage to authors receiving bad reviews, but in this case he sides with the reviewer taking out revenge when the author speaks up.

Relentless is the story of author Cullen (Cubby) Greenwich enjoying some success from his new book. He's married to a lovely wife named Penny. They have a child prodigy son named Milo, and a peculiar dog named Lassie. When Greenwich lands his first bad review from literary writer Shearman Waxx, his curiosity gets the best of him despite Penny's warnings to "let it go." When Cubby encounters Waxx in a public restroom during lunch and their odd meeting actually turns humorous, Waxx warns Greenwich of impending doom.

At first, it seems Waxx is a serial killer with intentions of killing off bad authors. He shows up at Greenwich's house and strange things start to happen. Just as things turn more serious, it seems Waxx almost has supernatural powers. A chase ensues as the family set out to escape Waxx and also uncover just what he's up to.

By the end, I was a bit let down. I actually wish Waxx's behavior would have had some supernatural elements to it, but Koontz let's him off the hook. The book does still have its peculiar happenings, but those are linked more to Milo and Lassie - which ended up being a pleasant surprise in the end. Koontz offers bits of humor in minor characters like Cubby's agent, Milo's babsitter, and Penny's parents - all which are presented cleverly in the audio when the dialogue is read by Miller.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read...I mean "listen." Definitely one of the more enjoyable and original reads from Koontz this year for me with good suspense and a dash of humor, despite the downfall of the ending. (less)

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Aug 18, 2011

Sam Brownjohn rated it

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This has been my first encounter with a Dean Koontz novel. Coincidently it has also been the first time i have been compelled to actually voice my disgust in such a bad book. This book literally made me want to rip the pages out it was so bad. Koontz has a very limited vocabulary using the same words repeatedly (syntax), someone give this man a thesaurus. Sadly having a wild imagination does not counteract the problem of bad story telling. The storyline was hideously unbelievable and idiotic, i ...more

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Jun 14, 2011

Karmen rated it

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Apr 11, 2011

Chad Cantrell rated it

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I think Koontz is to modern-day American novels what Hollywood is to modern-day American films. Flashy, over-the-top, and entertaining, but also very hit-or-miss, even from scene to scene. When I started Relentless, I honestly wasn't sure that I could finish it. Koontz tries so desperately to be funny and to show us how playful and carefree his three main characters are at the beginning of the novel that it's actually a little bit sad...and a lot annoying. (Seriously, does anyone find it funny t...more

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Apr 10, 2011

Natalie rated it

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I am not normally a big fan of Dean Coonts, but my eldest brother is and he borrowed Relentless from the library and I decided to give it a try. The plot and writing is okay, but it was the personalities of the three main characters that kept me reading. Cullen "Cubby" Greenwitch is an author. So is his wife, Penny Boom. They are both successful and popular, him with adult novels and her with her children's stories. Milo, their young son, is a mathematical and scientific prodigy. They ...more

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Feb 13, 2011

Paul Pessolano rated it

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Although this book is catagorized as "Horror", it probably fits better into the area of mystery/science fiction. I know there is no such category, but "Relentless" fits best as a mystery with a little science fiction thrown in at the end. This book is nothing like the previous Koontz books, except maybe for "The Husband". Again, "The Husband" fits more into the mystery category than horror. Both books have little if any horror in them.

"...more

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Sep 21, 2010

Bookworm rated it

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Relentless is about an insane book critic, it caught my interest right away.

34 year old writer Cullen Greenwich is married to Penny Bloom, has a 6 year old six-year-old prodigy son named Milo and a dog named Lassie. Literary critic Shearman Waxx gives Cullen's latest book a bad review. Cullen is really upset by this, even though his wife keeps telling him to just let it go. When Cullen finds out what restaurant the book critic frequents, he goes there for lunch with his son, and runs...moreRelentless is about an insane book critic, it caught my interest right away.

34 year old writer Cullen Greenwich is married to Penny Bloom, has a 6 year old six-year-old prodigy son named Milo and a dog named Lassie. Literary critic Shearman Waxx gives Cullen's latest book a bad review. Cullen is really upset by this, even though his wife keeps telling him to just let it go. When Cullen finds out what restaurant the book critic frequents, he goes there for lunch with his son, and runs into Waxx. After an odd run-in in the men's room, Waxx takes notice of Cullen and says one word to him on his way out...'Doom'.

Soon after Cullen spots an intruder in his home, and identifies him as being the book critic. What ensues afterward is an all out terrorizing of Cullen and his family by this book reviewer. The family ends up on the run, not wanting to inform the police because of the media circus that would develop. With the help of friends and various connections, they are able to stay at different homes, but somehow Waxx keeps finding them.

You do need to be willing to suspend disbelief for this read. I just didn't feel like this book critic had enough motive to become hell bent on killing Cullen and his family.
Before you know it, Waxx is after the family, there's explosions and shootings and it's all kind of 'over the top'. Authorities don't notice all this mayhem?
I felt like the methods Waxx was using were just plain absurd. He was almost like a larger than life villain finding Cullen and his family no matter where they went.

It's been a while since I last read a Koontz book. Years actually. And I've been meaning to pick him up again. Koontz is a favorite of mine, I tend to feel like he won't disappoint.
I'm really, really sorry to say I didn't really enjoy this one more. I was curious as to what would happen next, and at 428 pages, I'm surprised I finished reading it. I kept putting it away and considered making it a DNF. I was set on finishing it though, because I hoped it would get better. He did make me laugh a few times while reading.

I still love Koontz anyway and will continue to read his work. This is my first time reading this author where I've been disappointed.

I think Koontz puts his heart and soul into his writing and I did find a few passages I enjoyed. As I read, I would find him throwing glimmers of hope into the storyline.

read my full review here
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2010/0...(less)

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Aug 01, 2010

Meave rated it

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Look I was without my enormous Christie omnibus database for a day, so I had nothing to read, and I'm housesitting, and this was literally the only book in the house that wasn't by Susan Powter/about raising golden retrievers/the bible/the encyclopedia of Popular Mechanics. I've never read Dean Koontz before but he's so popular and there's nothing on television ever so I thought, ok, I'll read it.

My GOD what a waste. It's just terrible. It can't even follow its own logic. It's a not-...more

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Jun 22, 2010

David rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book started out with a great and frightening premise. The hero, a bestselling author, publishes his latest and the nation's premiere literary critic rips it to shreds. Obsessed with the critic's hatred of his latest work he contrives to see this critic and manages an odd encounter in a restaurant where the critic says one word to him, "doom" and then sets out to dismantle and destroy his life.

The author discovers that this critic is a madman, who has left a path of ...moreThis book started out with a great and frightening premise. The hero, a bestselling author, publishes his latest and the nation's premiere literary critic rips it to shreds. Obsessed with the critic's hatred of his latest work he contrives to see this critic and manages an odd encounter in a restaurant where the critic says one word to him, "doom" and then sets out to dismantle and destroy his life.

The author discovers that this critic is a madman, who has left a path of murder and mayhem across the path of the other authors he has panned in previous columns. Soon, he is on the run and this insane nutjob of a critic just keeps coming.

This makes for compelling reading through the first 90% of the novel. The reader wants to know why this madman is so intent on this destruction and how he is accomplishing it. HOWEVER--

This is a Dean Koontz novel-- and he has to introduce some supernatural or unbelieveable element. Enter the author's son, a little Einstein and a special collie named Lassie who keeps getting into odd places. Koontz total wrecks the tension of the novel by creating an unbelieveable climax that makes the reader beg for his money back.

This conclusion was so awful and ridiculous I threw my copy in the trash. I will not trade it in to another bookstore, I will not give it away, I will not donate it to a thrift store, I will not make it available for another living soul to read.

I've read and enjoyed some Dean Koontz novels.. and this one was enjoyable, though he kept hinting that the kid was going to do something amazing at the end.. Then, the novel went off the rails in what had to have been the WORST and SILLIEST plot twist in history. This was even more absurd than an episode of the A-Team (the television show, not the movie) with all of its bullets flying around and nobody ever getting wounded.... Sorry, Mr. Koontz, I doubt you will sucker me in again.

******* SPOILER ALERT!!!!********************

The kid invents a way to turn back time. The baddie is working with a secret organization that is trying to control the direction of art and culture. The dog doesn't just get into odd places.. she teleports-- because of something the kid invented, etc.

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Jun 09, 2010

Denise rated it

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3.0 out of 5 stars Bring back my old time Dean Koontz novel..., July 13, 2009

This review is from: Relentless: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
This book was a typical recent Koontz thriller -- long on pontifications and philosophy about the current (sad) state of the world in terms of what is wrong with civilization today -- everything from the survivalists to the nature of evil, how internet is bad, etc, and short on a well plotted story. Although the main character in his narrative...more

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Apr 28, 2010

Stacy rated it

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Shelves: thriller

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My rating for this book is based solely on the end of the book. Dean Koontz, you have disappointed me once again. I first started reading Dean Koontz's books in the late 80's when I learned that Corey Haim had been in the movie version of "Watchers." My adolescent hunger for anything having to do with Corey Haim caused me to pick up the book at the library, and I became thereafter hooked on Dean Koontz books. However, I remember complaining over and over starting more than TWENTY Y...more

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Apr 18, 2010

Jgoldlbc rated it

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While the plot is something of a stretch (even for Dean Koontz), this tale of good vs. evil brings adorable characters and good humor along for the ride. You can almost see Koontz cackling maniacally to himself as he types away on his computer, verbally eviscerating book critics and poking fun at his own agent. The critic in this novel doesn't merely have it out for our hero, a seemingly mild mannered novelist and family man, he is evil incarnate.

The novel has most of what you've c...more

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Feb 04, 2010

Christy rated it

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Bestselling author Cullen “Cubby” Greenwich, having survived a traumatic experience as a child, considers himself a lucky man. He’s married to the love of his life, has a six-year-old son who’s a genius, and a dog named Lassie Cubby suspects may have supernatural abilities. When Cubby’s latest novel is given a scorching review by acclaimed reviewer Shearman Waxx, everyone advises Cubby to let it go. But Cubby’s curious about the man whose review is filled with misstated facts about his book. Cu...more

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Jan 12, 2010

D.m. rated it

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Shelves: thrillers

There's lots of things one can count on per annum like Christmas and birthdays and one more is the latest thriller by Koontz. They are the sort of novels that one can pick up on a Friday night and have read by Monday, with the storyline stringing the reader along in page-turning fashion.

I've read a number of this author's novels, including several of his "Odd" novels, which I've found entertaining as a weekend read, but this one 'Relentless' proved more curious than all pre...moreThere's lots of things one can count on per annum like Christmas and birthdays and one more is the latest thriller by Koontz. They are the sort of novels that one can pick up on a Friday night and have read by Monday, with the storyline stringing the reader along in page-turning fashion.

I've read a number of this author's novels, including several of his "Odd" novels, which I've found entertaining as a weekend read, but this one 'Relentless' proved more curious than all previous.

Koontz seems comfortable in his narrative, the meanderings of his main character's mind and showing that openly with his readership as he might be to putting on a pair of comfortable old slippers and slopping around in pyjamas. His first person character Cullen, nicknamed 'Cubby' I thought was a bit twee, as the shorter version 'Cully' could have sufficed.

Also, this book brings an almost autobiographical air - especially considering that his latest publication, a non-fiction work with the subject matter of the family dog, deals with his etheral thoughts of his own family's 'angel' dog "Trixie", and the main character of 'Relentless' owns such a 'special' dog - with more than a twist in its tail.

The novel is a curious mix of comedy and some very descriptive murders with the main characters, Cubby, his wife and child exchanging quips while being chased by a particularly sadistic murderer. The novel is therefore, 'colourful' with many of the colours dark ones.

If as a reader, you can excuse the roller-coaster of it all, you may appreciated the smatterings of philosophies that I found interesting. Here's a quote from page 94:

"...for every thousand solemn novels that thud into bookstores, there's just one that is both meaningful and frolicsome, that has a sense of wonder, that is astonished by the universe and life, that knows regardless of the vicissitudes of existence, we were born for freedom, and for joy, and for laughter."

...in the context of the novel these words are apt.

As I said, there's a number of this author's perculiar insights, which might one day, as this author is so prolific, be placed inside of his autobiography. He might even excell at it.

Anyway, for some peculiar entertainment, this novel is fine for readers of thrillers of the sort this this author is used to writing. There's quite a lot packed inside, which I thought was better than the previous one I read: 'Your Heart Belongs to Me'.(less)

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Sep 19, 2009

Dorothy (D. J.) Emry rated it

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On StaticMultimedia.com I gave this 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. Below are some highlights from that review. To read my full review go to: http://www.staticmultimedia.com/print/re...

Put Dean Koontz’s new thriller Relentless on the top of your summer reading list, especially if you’re a writer or interested in the writing life. The protagonist in this fast and entertaining read is a bestselling author targeted by a malicious critic whose attacks go way beyond any writer’s worst nightmare. Ther...more

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Aug 05, 2009

Natalie rated it

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This is a book that I stumbled upon. I was given a copy of this book on CD (the Brilliance Audio version, read by Dan John Miller), and I've been listening to it for a few weeks. The other Dean Koontz book I read was very enjoyable. I like how he adds just enough humor into the character's daily interactions to make horror books palatable for someone, like myself, who tends to be a wimp where the angst meter is concerned.

Relentless is about an author who received a bad review for hi...more

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Jul 05, 2009

Becky rated it

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I bought this book and literally couldn't wait to read it - HUGE Dean Koontz fan and this book sounded like it would follow along the lines of "Life Expectancy" which I adored. However, within the first chapter I began to realize that as much as I wanted to love this book and laugh out loud like I normally do, it wasn't going to happen.

This book almost seems like it's trying way too hard to be funny, whereas with Koontz's other books the humor was effortless. The amount of...more

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Jun 13, 2009

Corey Blake rated it

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Koontz stunned me with this novel. It's only the third of his that I have read, but I was shocked that he chose to break a cardinal rule of creative writing. The first 95% of this book leads the reader to believe that the world of the story is that of the present day. Though the 6 year old child in the book is described by his father as advanced for his years, we buy his mathematical and technological prowess as that of a young prodigy. We buy into the insane world of a mass murderer on the h...more

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Jun 10, 2009

Kelly rated it

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Shelves: reviewed

Cullen “Cubby” Greenwich’s newest novel is a big hit, skyrocketing the charts and everyone loves it. Everyone, that is, but a reclusive, yet renowned critic, Shearman Waxx. Waxx’s critique of the novel is filled with vicious and inaccurate statements, and it bugs Cubby to no end. His wife Penny, a successful author and illustrator of children’s book, tells him to let it go. His brilliant son, Milo, also known as “Spooky”, tells him to let it go. Even his dog, Lassie, seems to be telling him to ...moreCullen “Cubby” Greenwich’s newest novel is a big hit, skyrocketing the charts and everyone loves it. Everyone, that is, but a reclusive, yet renowned critic, Shearman Waxx. Waxx’s critique of the novel is filled with vicious and inaccurate statements, and it bugs Cubby to no end. His wife Penny, a successful author and illustrator of children’s book, tells him to let it go. His brilliant son, Milo, also known as “Spooky”, tells him to let it go. Even his dog, Lassie, seems to be telling him to let it go. But Cubby just really wants to get a look at Waxx, just one quick peek, to see the face of the man whose words can make or break a career. That quick look will trigger the sociopathic Waxx to go after Cubby and his family. Soon the Greenwich’s are running for their lives, certain that Shearman Waxx personifies evil. But they ain’t seen nuthin’ yet, just wait till they meet up with Shearman’s mom, she’ll make Shearman look like your average TV cop show garden variety psycho of the week.

First, a disclaimer, I'm a huge Dean Koontz fan, so its no surprise that I loved this book! If you've not read any of his, or it’s been years since you have, you should pick up a copy. Koontz is the only author I've read that can write a suspenseful, terror filled book that can make you laugh out loud! I loved this book! Only in a Dean Koontz novel, in the midst of terror and fear, do you find descriptive passages in the narration such as this:

“Beyond the service-island overhang, in the windless night, the rain came down in such straight skeins that the rigorous lines should have proved the law of gravity to any disbeliever, of which I’m sure there are multitudes, considering we live in an age of enthusiastic ignorance, when anything well-known for centuries is not only suspect but also considered worthy of being rejected in favor of a new theory more appealing to movie stars and deep-thinking rock musicians.”

Koontz always manages to endear us readers to his protagonists, blending horror and humor, love and fear, loyalty and danger, adding a big dose of compassion and common sense. In short, his characters are not only the people we want to meet and befriend, but also they’re the kind of people we’d like to be. (Cubby and Penny, that is…. not Shearman, unless you’re sort of the sociopathic, cuckoo type. Then I guess that old Shearman would be your hero,huh?)

The lightheartedness and humor that Cubby and Penny fill their lives with comes shining through in this story. Filled with fascinating, eccentric, lovable characters, Relentless is aptly named. The Greenwich’s dogged determination to keep their family safe, loved and happy contrasts with Shearman Waxx’s relentless intention to destroy them. And we readers are taken for a thrilling and “relentless” ride.
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Jun 13, 2009

Stephen rated it

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Shelves: mystery, suspense

I've been a fan of Dean Koontz for about 17 years now, and he is, by far, one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed reading 'Relentless', but I feel that something is missing that made me love his books. With the exception of the Odd Thomas novels, his last several books have been just quick fun reads, about a man or woman going up against an extremely evil person or group of people. I miss his longer novels like 'From the Corner of His Eye', 'By the Light of the Moon', 'Watchers' and my all time f...more

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Sep 12, 2010

JoPaul rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-thriller

This book should have been five starred. However, it would very prejudicial for the author if I will excoriate the book out of my own dislikes. Honestly, the first person point of view should not have been used because it could have been more compelling to use otherwise, more details, less talk. It quite started and went through the middle so smooth and scary. I was speelbound by the scare tactics of the sociopath and always kept wondering what was his motive to murder writers and painters. Howe...more

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Jun 14, 2010

F.R. rated it

A list of writers name-checked by Dean Koontz’s ‘Relentless’:

Dostoyevsky; Ballard; Chesterton; Flaubert; Dr Seuss; Flannery O’Connor; Dickens; Capote; Hemmingway; Fitzgerald; Robert Heinlein; Zane Grey; Chandler; Edgar Rice Burroughs; Virginia Woolf; Somerset Maugham; Spillane; Longfellow; Aristophanes; Aristotle; Plato; Euripides; Plutarch; Herodotus; Hippocrates; Euclid; Archimedes; Dante; Chaucer; Thomas Aquinas; Shakespeare; Boswell; Johnson; Conrad; Bellow; Churchill; Orwell; P...moreA list of writers name-checked by Dean Koontz’s ‘Relentless’:

Dostoyevsky; Ballard; Chesterton; Flaubert; Dr Seuss; Flannery O’Connor; Dickens; Capote; Hemmingway; Fitzgerald; Robert Heinlein; Zane Grey; Chandler; Edgar Rice Burroughs; Virginia Woolf; Somerset Maugham; Spillane; Longfellow; Aristophanes; Aristotle; Plato; Euripides; Plutarch; Herodotus; Hippocrates; Euclid; Archimedes; Dante; Chaucer; Thomas Aquinas; Shakespeare; Boswell; Johnson; Conrad; Bellow; Churchill; Orwell; Pasternak; Evelyn Waugh; Bertrand Russell; Rousseau; Shelley; Marx; Freud; Nietzsche; Tolstoy; Sartre; Jack London.

The plot of this bizarre thriller sees an author receive a scathing review from an influential critic, and then almost immediately afterwards the same critic attempts to kill him and his family. This is an odd and preposterous read (which at times doesn’t just rely on coincidence, but actual science fiction), where the main interest is held by trying to work out just what point Dean Koontz is striving to make.

Is he saying that a scathing review can be likened to a murderous assault? Does he believe that people who give bad reviews have rage and hatred in their hearts? As an author who rarely even gets the kind of grudging respect given to Stephen King, does he feel hard done by? Look at that list of authors again. In the main they’re critically respected in their fields and have eased their way – to some degree – into the Canon (okay, not Rice Burroughs). Is Dean Koontz pressing his nose forlornly against the glass and wishing he was there too?

Towards the end of the book, a number of those writers – Shelley, Marx, Freud, Nietzsche, Tolstoy, Russell, Sartre – are described thus: “Geniuses, yes, and some of them fine artists. But madmen. And their contributions to the world were irrationality, chaos, excuses for mass murder, despair.” (It’s a while since I’ve read Shelley’s poetry, but really? It offers excuses for mass murder and despair?) I think the reader is supposed to see that because the narrator is a decent man and good to his family, he is better than them and his work more positive even if it isn’t as long lasting (although its innate quality may be recognised after his death). But it’s difficult to really appreciate this point as we never really get a sense of what kind of books this author writes (except they’re not thrillers). Nor do we even get to read the review which starts this book in motion.

In fact, if the point of this novel is hitting back at any critic who has ever dared criticise the Koontz, then it really isn’t the best weapon. Prosaically written and poorly plotted, it assumes foreshadowing means just announcing something is going to happen a few chapters down the road, and has an ending which relies on pulling something incredible out of a hat to round things off neatly. There are one or two strong chapters, but not nearly enough to wade through the whole book for.

And if I’m honest it left something of a bitter taste in my mouth. A globally successfully writer jumping up and proclaiming: “WRITE WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT ME, I DON’T CARE – I’M A GOOD PERSON ANYWAY AND THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS!” before flouncing dramatically from the room. I think we can all agree that the sight of multi-millionaires lecturing the rest of us because of the lack of respect they get is never an edifying one.

Two stars.

(And Dean, if you do happen to read this, don’t worry – I’m not going to try and kill you. I might not have liked your book very much, but I’m still one of the good guys.)(less)

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Apr 14, 2010

Maciek rated it

Recommends it for: Masochists ?

Shelves: owned-books, crap, own-in-paperback, read-in-2010

RELENTLESSLY IDIOTIC. 0 STARS.
UTTER RUBBISH - AN INSULT TO THE READER.

I find it hard to believe it got published. It sells only because of the name recognition. The publishing company advertises it with the praise Koontz received ages ago for his earlier, better novels and voila ! We have a new $20 harcdover, the cash flows in and everyone is happy. Except for the readers.

Cubby Greenwich is a writer of bestselling books, and his latest title (One O Clock Jump) got ...more

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Jun 29, 2009

Michael rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2009

When it comes to reading novels by Dean Koontz, I always have the same issue. I'll pick one up and within 20 pages I find myself with a remarkable sense of deja vu. Koontz's novels are all so remarkably similar in style and writing voice that it's hard to really remember details about them, even moments after you've put them down. I refer to Koontz as the bubble-gum writer--his books are memorable while you chew them but the flavor fades quickly and you'll forget them within a few minutes of...moreWhen it comes to reading novels by Dean Koontz, I always have the same issue. I'll pick one up and within 20 pages I find myself with a remarkable sense of deja vu. Koontz's novels are all so remarkably similar in style and writing voice that it's hard to really remember details about them, even moments after you've put them down. I refer to Koontz as the bubble-gum writer--his books are memorable while you chew them but the flavor fades quickly and you'll forget them within a few minutes of spitting them out.

So, when I saw the premise for "Relentless," and read the first few pages, I was happy to see that while there were several standard Koontz cliches at work in the book (a smarter than average dog, the everyman narrator, the guy who out-kicked his coverage in marriage), I became more and more annoyed that he'd wasted all that creative effort on this novel.

To say that "Relentless" requires a big time suspension of disbelief is an understatement. Our narrator is Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich is a best-selling author and regular guy. He's got the requisite great wife, a precious son and they've got a hyper-intelligent dog. Greenwich's latest novel is reviewed by reclusive and acerbic book critic Shearman Waxx. The review is less than favorable and Cubby begins to obsess about it. To the point that he discovers the critic eats at a local restaurant and he heads there to get a look at the guy. An incident in the restroom where his son accidentally pees near the critic leads to Waxx telling the family the word "Doom," and then leaving.

The set-up along requires such a huge suspension of disbelief alone due to a series of coincidences. Waxx's column appears in a national paper, published in another city but he happens to live near our hero. Not only that, but he goes to a restaurant our hero knows and can visit and the waiter has tipped our hero off on when to see him.

Then things take a turn for the stranger. Cubby begins to see Waxx around his house. Apparently Waxx has some kind of superpowers because he can sneak in a house with an alarm system and not wake said dog that is repeatedly talked about as this great protector. He tazers our hero and his wife and then blows up their house. At this point, I was rolling my eyes and wondering how much more insane the book could get. It also made me wonder if Koontz has had one too many negative reviews and if "Relentless" is meant as some kind of purge of the negative feelings he has toward those critics. Maybe so, but next time he should leave the book with his therapist and not inflict it upon the rest of the reading world.

From there, the novel continues to have one baffling turn after the next as Koontz piles onto this already outrageously unbelievable story. You may keep reading, hoping that it will all somehow make sense in the end, but you're going to be disappointed.

"Relentless" is a terrible book that will sell well based on name recognition. I suppose every writer is entitled to publish one bad novel. But this one really sets a new standard for bad books. (less)

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Dec 01, 2010

Johnny rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When novelist Cubby Greenwich reads a devastating review by the nation’s most feared critic, he can’t leave it alone and arranges a meeting with the man – which leads to terrifying events.

A very simple premise but one that works. Not a plotline involving your typical heroes and villains from Koontz’s recent straightforward thrillers, but a scene taken from everyday life which also represents the craziness of the modern world and its inhabitants. Take “Mr Murder”, then add the style a...moreWhen novelist Cubby Greenwich reads a devastating review by the nation’s most feared critic, he can’t leave it alone and arranges a meeting with the man – which leads to terrifying events.

A very simple premise but one that works. Not a plotline involving your typical heroes and villains from Koontz’s recent straightforward thrillers, but a scene taken from everyday life which also represents the craziness of the modern world and its inhabitants. Take “Mr Murder”, then add the style and ambience of “Life Expectancy” with a hint of “The Face” and you’ve got “Relentless”.

The first few pages of the opening chapters feel a bit rushed, but this is necessary to provide the setting. The story is told from a first person point of view with Cubby as the narrator, so he needs to establish his surroundings in a quick all tell and no show fashion. But when he’s done and the story takes off with a great breakfast table dialogue, the atmosphere of the book is immediately introduced and we know we’re in a fresh, exciting and funny ride.

The first person perspective is my favorite, but it’s difficult to do right. Next to the Chris Snow and Odd Thomas books, Koontz has limited the use of that perspective to “Life Expectancy” and “Twilight Eyes”. It works great in “Twilight Eyes” but in “Life Expectancy” the pastry analogies can get a bit too much after a while. Luckily, such problems aren’t present in “Relentless”.

The characters are so fresh and real, after reading only thirty pages it feels like you’ve been in their company for vast volumes. Cubby and Penny are a dynamic husband and wife duo. Milo’s enigmatic behaviour is too profound to ignore and you just know what he’s doing will affect the grand finale.

The book is perfectly balanced by a light tone and dreadfulness in the events. Koontz does an excellent job with cliffhanger chapter endings. This also affects the chapter lengths; some of them are rather short, which accelerates the pace if you like short chapters, or annoys you if you like long chapters.

Then comes the flashback chapter. Ironically, it must be one of the most beautiful written accounts in fiction ever. It’s a presentation of the truth, but there is so much truth between the lines as well. Also from a first person point of view, it’s switched from past to present tense, a well-known author’s trick often applied by Koontz. There’s no more silliness left but instead a hard realization that here lie the clues to predict what is yet to happen, which gives the remainder of the novel a sad, melancholic taste, but the hope that it’ll turn out all right in the end still remains.

The flashback chapter follows Cubby's statement that one of them was going to get shot. I thought it was very obvious it would be Cubby himself after he told us how he survived the massacre. After all, he was supposed to die there and then, at age six. It's like "Final Destination"; death will catch up with you. Then Milo's invention saved the day which was also apparent from the start, though I didn't know it would be a "Prince of Persia" rewind type of thing. Actually, I thought he was inventing some kind of teleportation device which would save them in the finale, like a bomb would go off and then they'd get out just in time but the villains would still be caught in the blast. Then it turned out the teleportation vest had already been finished and used! Quite funny, actually. So while Koontz didn't really surprise me in one regard, he did in another. The ending does sound a bit too easy. Waxx's son was a surprise and I certainly didn't foresee him killing his father. But I was expecting way more from his mom. She didn't really come over as the mastermind/more psychotic than Waxx as the previews and interviews led me to believe. I couldn't help but think of Meryl Streep in "The Manchurian Candidate". The ending is a lot like "Dark Rivers of the Heart", the family going in hiding.(less)

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About Dean Koontz

Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers 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.

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Quotes from Relentless

“I'm small, I'm young - and I'm so different. You've always respected that difference, and you've always trusted it. Trust me now. There's a reason I am the way I am, and there's a reason I was born to you. There's always a reason. We belong together.” — 34 people liked it

“Evil itself may be relentless. I will grant you that, but love is relentless too. Friendship is a relentless force. Family is a relentless force. Faith is relentless force. The human spirit is relentless, and the human heart outlasts - and can defeat - even the most relentless force of all, which is time.” — 24 people liked it

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