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The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk #1)

by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author)

4.12 · Rating Details · 2,181 Ratings · 461 Reviews

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of dark psychological suspense and modern classics of mystery and adventure comes a thriller that ventures into science, secrecy and danger.

“I very much need to be dead.”

These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her g ...more

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published June 20th 2017 by Bantam (first published June 6th 2017)

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The Silent Corner
by Dean Koontz (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Jun 29, 2017

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Community Reviews

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Jun 15, 2017 Paromjit rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, crime-fiction, thriller, mystery

This thrilling new series from Dean Koontz gets off to a flying start. Things are going well for Jane Hawks when out of the blue her husband commits suicide. A reeling and griefstricken Jane is on leave from the FBI when she decides she is going to look into this, taking the precaution of hiding her five year old son away. She becomes aware that there are other talented people who have similarly committed suicide. As she tried to get to the bottom of this horrifying phenomena, she finds herself ...more

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Apr 15, 2017 Maureen Carden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, thriller, supense, netgalley, fbi

My five stars showed I really liked this new book by Dean Koontz. Which is a relief as I have been all over the place in recent years with my opinions of his books. The first book I ever read of his, Strangers is on my all-time top ten list. Others I had a hard time finishing.

Jane Hawk is on leave from the FBI, her husband Nick has committed suicide. Nick, along with many others that Jane finds out about all seem to fit the category of "least likely to off themselves." Jane is determined to find ...more

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May 06, 2017 Matthew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dean-koontz, political-thrillers, action-thriller, own, 2017, arc

Thanks to Bantam Books/Random house for this ARC. Also thanks to Dustin Crazy little brown owl - moderator of Koontzland - the definitive Koontz Goodreads group - for hosting the giveaway where I won this book.

Right away in the intro to the ARC, Koontz says this is not like his normal writing. I have not read all of his books yet, but of what I have read, this it a very true statement. This is not horror. This is not supernatural. There are no oddly named demons or maniacal serial killers. But, ...more

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Mar 08, 2017 Cody rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dean-koontz, netgalley

Release Date: 06.06.17

It is nighttime as I write this. In fact, it is time for me to sleep, but I cannot; not until I get out my thoughts on Dean Koontz's latest thrill ride, The Silent Corner. I just finished reading, and my pulse is still pounding.

Jane Hawk is a woman on the run. She's mourning her husband's suicide and running from her past; she's running toward answers. An FBI agent on leave, Jane is a resourceful, intelligent protagonist who suspects a conspiracy: the suicide rate in the Un Release Date: 06.06.17

It is nighttime as I write this. In fact, it is time for me to sleep, but I cannot; not until I get out my thoughts on Dean Koontz's latest thrill ride, The Silent Corner. I just finished reading, and my pulse is still pounding.

Jane Hawk is a woman on the run. She's mourning her husband's suicide and running from her past; she's running toward answers. An FBI agent on leave, Jane is a resourceful, intelligent protagonist who suspects a conspiracy: the suicide rate in the United States is increasing exponentially, and each suicide is stranger than the last. Triggered by her successful and ambitious husband's own suicide, Jane decides to take actions and solve this intriguing mystery after a lot of research and planning. The deeper into the rabbit hole she goes (and said rabbit hole goes quite deep!) she meets more and more adversaries; people in positions of power know Jane Hawk's name and are not afraid to prevent her from following her instincts. They want her silenced — killed, even.

I have read a lot of Dean Koontz. He's one of my favorite authors, in fact; though I am unafraid to be honest when I feel he hasn't put forth much effort or a story simply falls flat (which is natural with any writer who has been in the game as long as he has), and The Silent Corner is no dud. Actually, I am tempted to say it is in my top three Koontz novels, ever. This is a seasoned author writing at the top of his game. With this new novel, Dean Koontz has written a story with more intense forward momentum than anything he's published since 2006's The Husband, all while retaining and expanding on the intricate emotional complexities and character growth as seen in recent novels like The City and Ashley Bell. The overarching, paranoid theme of technology gone wrong (or, at least, being used for evil schemes) is very reminiscent of Koontz's '70s and '80s releases. Yet, this book still manages to stand on its own and is very relevant in today's culture.

The Silent Corner is the first in a new series from Koontz which stars Jane Hawk, the most delightfully badass character I have read about in some time. I just couldn't get enough of her. Her charisma oozes off the pages (or screen, in my case, as I read this on my Kindle). Intoxicating, suspenseful, and occasionally scary as hell, this is the work of an author who clearly enjoys what he does. I wait with baited breath for the sequel, The Whispering Room.

I would like to offer a big thanks to Netgalley and Bantam for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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May 27, 2017 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, arc-netgalley, netgalley-read-2017

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

FBI Agent Jane Hawks is sure someone is killing people and making it look like suicide, including her husband. Now she must find and prove the truth before they find her.

I didn't like this book too much and was mostly bored with the story. Jane is a strong heroine but I didn't fall in love or sympathize with her character.

There were obscure references (like one to Hester Prynne) that didn't relate to anything else, as if the remar ...more

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Apr 24, 2017 Monnie rated it it was amazing

"Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on..."
--David Bowie

When I open a new Dean Koontz book, it's always with great enthusiasm. Whether or not I'll love it isn't an issue - the only question is what he will come up with to keep me engrossed this time. As expected, there's no "oops" here - he's done it again with this, the first of a series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk. If I had to describe the book in just a few words, it would be Sarah Connor meets Jason Bourn "Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on..."
--David Bowie

When I open a new Dean Koontz book, it's always with great enthusiasm. Whether or not I'll love it isn't an issue - the only question is what he will come up with to keep me engrossed this time. As expected, there's no "oops" here - he's done it again with this, the first of a series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk. If I had to describe the book in just a few words, it would be Sarah Connor meets Jason Bourne in a fight to protect the future of the world (and yes, it would make a great movie, hint, hint).

A recent and still grieving widow, Jane has taken a leave of absence from the FBI to deal with her husband's suicide - which she doesn't believe for a nanosecond really happened. Setting out to find the truth, she begins with a visit to another recent military widow whose death also was deemed a suicide because she suspects the same person or persons are responsible. Further digging turns up several similar incidents - both of military and non-military people - but no apparent connection.

As she pursues her research, she soon realizes "They" are out to get her (spy drones following her is an almost-dead giveaway). After managing to escape them, she pays a quick visit to her young son, whom she wisely stashed away with friends at the start of her investigation to make sure he's safe. It matters not to the story, but for the record, I was delighted to learn that his new guardians, like me, are George Winston/Windham Hill fans.

As she begins to make some headway, though, Jane realizes there's no one she can trust - not in the government, not among friends and relatives and most certainly not among the ranks of the FBI. Almost from the start, she's forced to go off the grid, using disguises, fake names, burner phones and switched license plates to escape what she's sure will be capture and suspects will be much worse. Because she manages to get online and, in some instances, contact others, she's considered to be in the "silent corner" (aha, such is the stuff from which a title is born).

Needless to say, her online forays mean it's hard to miss day-to-day news - not all of which, shall we say, is positive. From that springs one of my favorite quotes in the book - one with which I wholeheartedly (or more accurately, disheartedly) concur: "If you let the news spoil your appetite, there wouldn't be a day you could eat."

What Jane finds is a frightening conspiracy based on mind control. It's a concept that's a bit far afield, but given the pace of technology development these days, certainly not unthinkable. Jane's race is on, then, determine the why, how and who - and possibly destroy the latter before "They" destroy her.

Pretty scary stuff, actually, with nary a dull moment in the action. The only downside? It's the first in a series, so expect an up-in-the-air ending. That, I assume, will be rectified with the Jan. 9, 2018, publication of the next installment, The Whispering Room, and of course it's on my calendar. That said, please, Mr. Koontz, could you hurry it up just a little?

And th-th-th-that's all folks, she writes, lest she give away too many secrets Except, that is, to say that as a long-time fan of this author, I was beyond thrilled at the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this terrific book. Many, many thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley)!
...more

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Jun 02, 2017 JanB rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley

3.5 stars, just missing 4 stars due to a slow moving plot in the first half.

I’m a long-time fan of Koontz, having read and enjoyed nearly everything he’s written. This thriller is the start of a new series featuring Jane Hawk, and is a departure from his typical horror/supernatural genre.

I love a strong female character and Koontz outdid himself with Jane. I liked her a lot. As with most of Koontz’s good guys, she does the right thing regardless of the personal cost. She’s smart, courageous, an ...more

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Apr 28, 2017 Kaceey rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

This book would make a fantastic movie! Maybe already in the works? If not, well it should be!

Jane was convinced she had the perfect life. A great job with the FBI, a husband rising fast through the ranks of the Marines, and a beautiful son. Then the bottom falls out. While entertaining the entire family and preparing for dinner together, Jane gets the shock of her life… her husband just killed himself.

She digs to find the unfathomable reason why he would ever take his own life. During her inv ...more

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Jul 08, 2017 Celeste rated it liked it

Shelves: thriller, disappointing, suspense

Full review now posted!
Original review can be found at Booknest.

2.5/5 stars

Being disappointed by one of your favorite authors is a hard pill to swallow. Watching that author fall further and further down your list of favorites while you stand helplessly by is no picnic, either. Once upon a time, Dean Koontz was one of my very favorite authors.

When I was in high school I somehow came to hold the fervent belief that one couldn’t be a fan of both King and Koontz, so I checked out a book by each fr Full review now posted!
Original review can be found at Booknest.

2.5/5 stars

Being disappointed by one of your favorite authors is a hard pill to swallow. Watching that author fall further and further down your list of favorites while you stand helplessly by is no picnic, either. Once upon a time, Dean Koontz was one of my very favorite authors.

When I was in high school I somehow came to hold the fervent belief that one couldn’t be a fan of both King and Koontz, so I checked out a book by each from the library to help me choose a side. The King book was Cell, which was pretty terrible. I never made it past the first thirty pages. But the Koontz book was The Taking, which I’ve since read nearly half a dozen times and still consider a favorite. It was intricate and disturbing and beautifully written, and it had quotes from my favorite poet (T.S. Eliot) sprinkled throughout. I fell in love with the book, and with Koontz’s writing style. My decision had been made, and I was definitely not a King fan. Koontz was the author for me.

Fast forward to this time last year. I decided to give King another chance, and I’ve somehow fallen in love with his sparse style and chunky novels. If you follow my reviews, you know that I read and loved IT and The Stand. Before I started reviewing, I read and really enjoyed 11/22/63, The Gunslinger, and Revival, the last of which had one of the most terrifying endings I’ve ever read. Since then, I’ve read one new book by Koontz that I liked (Ashley Bell), and I’ve tried and failed to reread some books by him I used to love. After reading The Silent Corner, I’ve come to think that my teenage belief that one couldn’t love both authors might have some truth to it, at least for me. Because this book left me disappointed.

The sad thing is, I can tell it’s a good book. The plot is compelling, the main character interesting, the supporting characters sympathetic, the bad guys completely evil, and the overarching premise laden with dread. These are all hallmarks of the Koontz I loved. But the beautiful writing that enchanted me in my youth, the prose I could mull over for hours, now seems forced and ill-fitting to a plot without the supernatural elements present in most of Koontz’s books. The dialogue was stilted. And while the characters were interesting, they never felt quite real. I couldn’t make myself connect with any aspect of this book, despite my best efforts. I just didn’t care. The only reason I managed to finish reading it at all was because he’s been one of my favorite authors for so long.

All of that being said, I think this might be a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” As I said, all of the components necessary to make a book good are here. Even the writing, which felt so off to me, is still objectively superior to the styles of many popular authors. It just didn’t work for me. But if you’re looking for a tightly woven conspiracy thriller, with a kickass heroine and healthy doses of suspense and espionage and firefights, give this one a try. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it much more than I did. And who knows, maybe someday I'll manage to love both King and Koontz at the same time. ...more

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Feb 16, 2017 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, suspense, mystery, action-adventure, thriller, arc, own, netgalley, june-2017

I really enjoyed THE SILENT CORNER. Caught up in Koontz brand of storytelling, I found myself anxiously turning each page to see what horror Jane would have to face next.

For the most part, I was enraptured by THE SILENT CORNER but occasionally it got a little too descriptive, upsetting the character connects and the flow.

This is the first time I'm reading a Dean Koontz novel and I can tell you now it won't be my last. Koontz writes a memorizing and riveting tale that just grabs the reader in i ...more

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Mar 04, 2017 Lolly K Dandeneau rated it really liked it

Via my blog https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com
"Was your husband… was Gordon at all depressed?”

“Not ever. Some people throw hope away. Gordie was chained to it all his life, an optimist’s optimist.”

When Jane Hawk’s husband commits suicide it isn’t just her grief nor denial driving her to find out what really happened. Suddenly people are committing suicide, those who have never suffered from depression and have everything to live for. What is terrifying about his latest novel is the reality, Via my blog https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com
"Was your husband… was Gordon at all depressed?”

“Not ever. Some people throw hope away. Gordie was chained to it all his life, an optimist’s optimist.”

When Jane Hawk’s husband commits suicide it isn’t just her grief nor denial driving her to find out what really happened. Suddenly people are committing suicide, those who have never suffered from depression and have everything to live for. What is terrifying about his latest novel is the reality, how someone can easily be turned into an enemy, a bad person to turn in, because they know secrets of powerful people. What is more frightening then the control a group of people can have over any of us? This is dark, but the monsters are inside human beings.

It’s impossible to review this story fully without giving away what happens. It is soul corruption, it is viciousness and after reading it a little ‘what if ‘sets in… what if this really happened? It is the first book in a series and I can only wonder where Koontz is going to go with it. When Jane sifts through the lies, investigates the strange happenings more danger falls upon her and when she speaks to a widow, similar to herself, she couldn’t have known how evil would follow her. It’s interesting when human beings are more sinister than anything the mind can conjure. Who are the ever present they? Do you know? They who watch and control and say so much, the faceless they that so many listen to. The dead have left behind strange messages, notes that don’t always make sense but of course can easily be excused as ramblings of mental instability. What would you do if you were being pursued but didn’t know who was after you? What if you had to give up the only thing left that you loved more than life itself, because the ones after you were intent on taking it away? Where do you hide when ‘they’ have every resource available? Luckily she has skills herself from her former career.

Technology can be a beautiful thing, but too it can terrorize. We rely on it more and more, and when you’re ill, advances in treatment is the only life preserver- and who wouldn’t grab it? If technology cures us, what do we do with those that use it to harm? How do we know we can trust the hands that control it? These are questions the novel fired off in my brain. As the story gets deeper in, it becomes far more sinister, eerie. This novel brings mind control to a whole different level. It is a strange trip and I look forward to the sequel. Darn it, I didn’t want to get sucked into a series, but alas- it happened.

Strange, creepy new novel from Koontz…

Publication Date: June 6, 2017

Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine

Bantam ...more

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May 23, 2017 Holly B rated it really liked it

Shelves: net-galley, series, read-in-2017, fbi-suspense

Jane Hawk is like a female Jason Bourne! She is on leave from the FBI and off the grid to investigate her husbands suspicious death. Nick has committed suicide, but he had everything to live for and Jane is determined to use her experience and talents to uncover the truth concerning his death. She soon discovers a pattern of other suicides that appear as suspicious as Nicks.

She runs, she hides, she investigates, she uncovers evidence. She is always checking her back and sleeps with a pistol und ...more

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May 02, 2017 Liz rated it liked it

2.5 stars, rounded up to three mainly for the crazy paced action

I have never been a big Dean Koontz fan. I loved The Darkest Evening of the Year but started an Odd Thomas book and never finished it. But I decided to give this new series of his a shot.

It's a conspiracy story. An FBI agent, on leave from her job after her husband’s suicide, tries to find a reason for an increasing number of suicides taking place among successful, nondepressed people. You're given bits and pieces of what's happeni ...more

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May 23, 2017 Debbie Krenzer rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, net-galley-books

Wow, this one crazy, out there concept that humans could be programmed to hear a couple of words and then turn into robots and do what is asked of them. And, people were buying into it! For a $300,000 membership fee you could visit a place where all the women are there to do anything and everything you ask. This guy even had coyotes programmed to be watchdogs on his very private property in Napa.

A freaky concept that had Jane Hawk looking for answers as to how her husband could be dancing and si ...more

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Apr 24, 2017 Irene rated it really liked it

Jane Hawk is on the run, not just from those who want to harm her but towards the truth, and she will do whatever it takes to find it. Someone wants to stop her from finding out what really happened to her husband. Jane doesn't believe he would have killed himself. She also believes a recent increase in the number of suicides by people who had no reason to kill themselves is somehow connected.

This was a heart pounding suspenseful thriller.

I received an advance copy for review

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Jul 08, 2017 J.D. Barker rated it it was amazing

Twisty, relentless, smart. Jane Hawk is to die for. THE SILENT CORNER just became my new favorite Koontz novel.

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Jun 26, 2017 Grace rated it it was ok

Very disappointed, one of my favorite writers is Dean Koontz. This book just did not catch my interest at all.

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Apr 14, 2017 Debra rated it liked it

I very much need to be dead.

The Silent Corner is a new series from Dean Koontz which introduces a strong female lead character, FBI agent, Jane Hawk. Jane goes on leave after her husband's suicide - a suicide that occurred after a string of migraine headaches. While grieving her husband's death, Jane realizes that suicide rates have gone up and that very accomplished seemingly happy people are committing suicide in alarmingly high numbers. As Jane seeks to find answers, she becomes a hunted woma I very much need to be dead.

The Silent Corner is a new series from Dean Koontz which introduces a strong female lead character, FBI agent, Jane Hawk. Jane goes on leave after her husband's suicide - a suicide that occurred after a string of migraine headaches. While grieving her husband's death, Jane realizes that suicide rates have gone up and that very accomplished seemingly happy people are committing suicide in alarmingly high numbers. As Jane seeks to find answers, she becomes a hunted woman. A woman, who herself is hunting for the truth. She has to do everything in secret in order to stay alive. There are those in power who would do anything to stop her from finding out the truth.

I have not read a Dean Koontz book in quite some time. I am used to his "horror" books and this was definitely not a "horror" book, but more of a suspense non-stop action thriller. I will admit, I kinda missed the "horror". Plus this is the beginning of a new series so there is not true "resolution" in this book which would be fine if I LOVED the book - which I didn't. I liked the book but as far as conspiracy books are concerned, this fell flat for me. There was a lot of action, I will give it that, but even will all of the action, the story did not grab me. Yes, all of the action kept my attention and I did keep reading in order to find out who was behind the wave of suicides. This book did not drag. There was always something going on, Jane was always kicking some bad guy's butt. Koontz did write a strong female character, I will give him that. Often I will read a book which is part of a series, and even if I read a book out of order, the book feels like a stand alone novel for me. This book did not feel like a stand alone novel as there was no resolution. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if there was some glimmer of who was the mastermind, who was the man visiting people in their homes, what is the agenda, how are people being infected, etc. For me, there were too many unanswered questions.

Received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bantam in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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May 06, 2017 Dustin Crazy little brown owl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: worth-reading-again-and-again, amazing, group-reads, arc, read-in-2017

Jane Hawk is a badass. You go girl! Wonder Woman was released in theaters the same month that Jane Hawk was released in print - in the Dean Koontz Universe there are no coincidences.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading an advanced review copy courtesy of Random House Publishing (Bantam). My hope is that my friend Dean can keep the momentum going throughout the four book series he currently has planned for this character. If he can keep each book as exhilaratingly fresh as The Silent Corner - I will be ...more

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Mar 08, 2017 Lisa Aiello rated it really liked it

Shelves: horror, arcs-tbr

4.5 stars...I can't round up to 5 because I did have a few issues...and it has more to do with the style of writing I enjoy. He is wordy, wordy, wordy...because of that, I found myself skimming at times to get to the next plot point. I had to slow myself down and go back, because his writing, though descriptive, is just exquisite.

This is classic Dean Koontz. The man can write one hell of a story, and this is one hell of a story. I worry about a mind that comes up with stuff like this!! This book ...more

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Jun 19, 2017 Chandra Claypool (wherethereadergrows) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

Anyone who knows me, knows of my love for Dean Koontz. I started reading him when I was 8 years old. Although I haven't read him recently, my two absolute favorite books are the ones that veer a little away from the horror genre into something different - such as Watchers and Lightning. He is BACK and with a suspense novel no less! And let me tell you people, it's FANTASTIC!

Jane Hawk's husband took his own life - something no one who knew him would ever have thought he would have done. Leaving a ...more

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Jun 05, 2017 Kathleen rated it liked it

Shelves: free, arc, fiction, thriller, read-ebook, below-expectations, pub-date-06-2017-june, netgalley-2017, read-in-2017

Despite a promising description, I was not really dazzled by The Silent Corner. There are a few things you should maybe know before you decide if you should take my word on this one:
1. This is my first Dean Koontz book (I think). If I have read him before, it was a long time ago and I don't recall.

2. My dad loved Dean Koontz. I know this because I was the one who packed up his books and he had countless Dean Koonz (& James Patterson) novels. Many were hardcover purchased as new release.

3. T ...more

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May 13, 2017 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-galley

I will be honest here, I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz's books but I am not really a big fan of detective fiction. Usually I avoid books that mention in the blurb an FBI agent (current or former) or a private investigator as the protagonist. That being said, I jumped on an opportunity to read a new book series by Dean Koontz.

Jane Hawk is an FBI agent on personal leave from the FBI after her husband commits suicide. Jane is on a mission to find out why he killed himself. The book is more of a t ...more

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Apr 24, 2017 Judy Collins rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dean-koontz, netgalley-arc, 2017-releases, books-read-in-2017

Review to follow.

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May 13, 2017 Charlotte Miller rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-2-read

FBI agent Jane Hawk has nothing left to lose. Her husband is gone, dead by supposed suicide. Her young son is in hiding, her home sold for a fraction of what it is worth, and she is on the run, in pursuit of answers to the increasing number of unexplained suicides taking place across the country, such as the one that took her beloved husband from her. Relentless, smart and willing to do whatever is necessary to learn the truth, Jane risks it all in this edge-of-your-seat thriller. Dean Koontz ne ...more

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Jul 07, 2017 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller, netgalley, wobble, tower-teams

This was a real page turner! When investigating her husband's apparent suicide, Jane Hawk discovers a disturbing trend, as well as a huge threat to everyone she knows. I like Jane as a main character - she is smart, intuitive, and very competent. The last 40% especially was hard to stop reading. Everything wasn't totally resolved, but it is a trilogy, so a complete resolution would be a bit much to expect. I'll definitely watch for the next books!

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Jun 10, 2017 Beth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, net-galley

Action-packed, with a unique premise. Perfect for anyone who enjoys technology-based thrillers. Main character could use a bit more development in future installments so that the reader is better able to connect with/feel for her. Looking forward to seeing how her story unfolds.

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Jul 05, 2017 Marvin rated it it was ok

My love/hate experience with Dean Koontz goes all the way back to 1975 when I read Demon Seed. It was a neat science fiction thriller that was fun but not necessarily memorable enough to return to the Koontz name. I did not read another Koontz novel, even though he was quite prolific even then sometimes writing 8 books a year under his own name and pseudonyms, until 1983 with Phantoms. That was the start of my love for the writer and what I consider his golden years with Watchers, Lighting, Midn My love/hate experience with Dean Koontz goes all the way back to 1975 when I read Demon Seed. It was a neat science fiction thriller that was fun but not necessarily memorable enough to return to the Koontz name. I did not read another Koontz novel, even though he was quite prolific even then sometimes writing 8 books a year under his own name and pseudonyms, until 1983 with Phantoms. That was the start of my love for the writer and what I consider his golden years with Watchers, Lighting, Midnight, and others setting the framework for the author to be considered the dean (no pun intended) of the mainstream sci fi/horror thriller. But soon, somewhere in the 90s I believe, the books started coming out as off an assembly line. It didn't help that all those novels he wrote earlier under pseudonyms were now being issued under his own name with many of those were rather tepid and straddling several genres. The original horror thriller plots now seemed to be rehashed and formulaic. Even though a gem would occasionally pop like like Odd Thomas, the creativity just wasn't there any more even though the fast paced writing skills were still fresh.

But I kept reading. Let's face it, Koontz is an icon in the field and his worst, like Relentless, still tops a lot of writers' best. The City was the first since Odd Thomas that perked up my ears again. Then Ashley Bell from last year blew me out of the water . Could we be in the midst of a creative revival for the writer?

This year we have The Silent Corner which is billed as the first in a series featuring rogue FBI agent, Jane Hawk. Despite the name of the main protagonist, The Silent Corner doesn't soar. It just hangs there then sinks like a leaky balloon. In this book, Jane Hawk is investigating the death of her husband who committed suicide despite having a happy and satisfying life and no signs of being suicidal until he write a strange suicide note with the line, "I very much need to be dead". Jane cannot accept the verdict of the coroner and investigators and discovers there is a huge splurge in suicide acts throughout the world, many by them by people who previously shown no inclination of being depressed or hopeless. She find herself being hunted down as she discovers a conspiracy that leads straight to high-end citizens with the brains and money needed to reshape the world through any means necessary.

As you can probably see, this is nothing creatively earthshaking. As we read on to the gist of the conspiracy even Koontz wittingly acknowledges the source which led to me to think, "Of course, wasn't that already obvious?". But retracing tried and true plots and giving them new life is what many mainstream thrillers are about. Unfortunately there is little that we can call "life" here. There is one long "Hunt, chase, destroy and repeat" throughout the 400 plus pages with characters just going through their paces. Jane Hawk goes through the motion of a hard-core Jack Reacher styled bad chick without any real humanity in her. We are told repeatedly how he loves her husband and is given a brief glimpse at her son who she leaves with some friends who seem to take the abandonment all in strife but that's it. There is little empathy here as she fight and kill her way through the bad guys.

And that's a problem too. if there is one thing Koontz does better than anyone else it is writing meaty villains. We get a lot of small cogs as they are eliminated one by one but once we meet the supposed big cog we become disappointed and we meet him too late. After all this is a series, we don't want to make the ending too satisfying, right? It messes up the formula for the series.

In order to make the formula work, you need meaningful characters. That is where the brilliant Ashley Bell shines. Here we get plot but no flesh, action but no heart, resolution but no revelation. We've seen this from Koontz before and even then he did it better. I may be unfair . A writer cannot score every time. Koontz has written enough to always consider him one of the major horror and suspense writers. But at this stage ofa prolific and gifted writer, I do wish the auto-pilot wasn't so obvious. ...more

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May 27, 2017 C.P. Cabaniss rated it it was amazing

Shelves: suspense, reviewed

Dean Koontz is one of my favorite writers. It all started nearly six years ago when I read Life Expectancy and became addicted. Thirty books later and I'm still hooked.

The Silent Corner reminded me why I love Koontz so much. His writing is beautiful, characters flawed but relatable, and plots absolutely fascinating. This is a suspense/mystery that follows Jane Hawk, a rogue FBI agent, as she hunts for the reason behind the rise in suicide rates.

The concepts in this are plausible enough to make ...more

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May 20, 2017 BWT (Belen) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cliffhangers, netgalley, 2017

The Silent Corner was okay, but I'm not in love with it.

Told mostly in short chapter bursts, similar James Patterson's breakneck style of writing, the pace fits to build the suspense in the story.

The story's heroine, Jane Hawk, is like the bullet shot from a pistol: she's on a course that she's committed to, no matter what, and only something big getting in her way could possibly change her trajectory.

The way that people in power behave and the technological advances we've made in the last few ...more

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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.

Dean R. Koontz has also published under the na ...more

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