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After Death
A modern-day Lazarus is humanity’s last hope in a breathtaking novel about the absolute powers of good and evil by Dean Koontz, the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense. Michael Mace, head of security at a top-secret research facility, opens his eyes in a makeshift morgue twenty-four hours following an event in which everyone perished―including him and his best friend, Shelby Shrewsberry. Having awakened with an extraordinary ability unlike anything he―or anyone else―has ever imagined, Michael is capable of being as elusive as a ghost. He sets out to honor his late friend by helping Nina Dozier and her son, John, whom Shelby greatly admired. Although what Michael does for Nina is life changing, his actions also evoke the wrath of John’s father, a member of one of the most violent street gangs in Los Angeles. But an even greater threat is the Internal Security Agency’s most vicious assassin, Durand Calaphas. Calaphas will stop at nothing to get his man. If Michael dies twice, he will not live a third time. From the tarnished glamour of Beverly Hills to the streets of South Central to a walled estate in Rancho Santa Fe, only Michael can protect Nina and John―and ensure that light survives in a rapidly darkening world.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2023
10047 people are currently reading
22368 people want to read
About the author
Dean Koontz
696 books40k followersAcknowledged 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, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,097 reviews
July 20, 2023
Just Awful
I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz’s novels, but this was such a disaster that I have difficulty believing that Koontz wrote it. The first few pages suggest that the reader is about to enjoy a science fiction thriller. Before long, though, the text is mired in interior monologues, phony gang dialogues, and improbable nonsense. There is a running subplot involving a conspiracy to take over the government, but it is ludicrous. The book is rife with sadism performed by an over-the-top character whose memories are stomach-turning.
I admit that I could not finish the book. Even the introduction of a golden retriever named Lucy could not lure me to skim the last pages. I hope that Dean Koontz regrets mentioning his favorite breed of animal in this dreadful piece of writing.
I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz’s novels, but this was such a disaster that I have difficulty believing that Koontz wrote it. The first few pages suggest that the reader is about to enjoy a science fiction thriller. Before long, though, the text is mired in interior monologues, phony gang dialogues, and improbable nonsense. There is a running subplot involving a conspiracy to take over the government, but it is ludicrous. The book is rife with sadism performed by an over-the-top character whose memories are stomach-turning.
I admit that I could not finish the book. Even the introduction of a golden retriever named Lucy could not lure me to skim the last pages. I hope that Dean Koontz regrets mentioning his favorite breed of animal in this dreadful piece of writing.
August 13, 2023
This book is about a man who dies in a work related accident but rises from the dead. The powers to be believe he is a danger because he has an ability that threatens their existence. Meanwhile he decides to help a mother and son who are in trouble with a local gang.
This was a decent offering from this author. It is no way close to his best work. If you have read Koontz before you know that you are going to get the pursuit of good from evil and the resolution of hopefully good triumphs. This is no different. That aspect is where the problem lies within this book. There really isn't nothing new here. I felt like I have done this before with this author. This includes the aspect of the pursuit and the characters. Several times while reading this book I said this book reminds me of one of his other works. As for the characters I thought this was a step down for Koontz. Usually his characters are ones you can get behind and have a vested interest in them. Not here. They were bland and boring especially the antagonist. I can say the same thing about the dialogue too. This was a big gripe of mine as this felt way off.
I realize my review sounds like it should be a lower rating. The pursuit of good and evil did keep me interested and I was curious of how it would all play out. But this book never gripped me as I felt like I have "been here done that" with this book. This book is equivalent to your favorite band putting out an album that sounds exactly like the last three albums. There are going to be tracks that you like but chances are there will be nothing that immediately becomes a favorite. That is how I feel about this book.
This was a decent offering from this author. It is no way close to his best work. If you have read Koontz before you know that you are going to get the pursuit of good from evil and the resolution of hopefully good triumphs. This is no different. That aspect is where the problem lies within this book. There really isn't nothing new here. I felt like I have done this before with this author. This includes the aspect of the pursuit and the characters. Several times while reading this book I said this book reminds me of one of his other works. As for the characters I thought this was a step down for Koontz. Usually his characters are ones you can get behind and have a vested interest in them. Not here. They were bland and boring especially the antagonist. I can say the same thing about the dialogue too. This was a big gripe of mine as this felt way off.
I realize my review sounds like it should be a lower rating. The pursuit of good and evil did keep me interested and I was curious of how it would all play out. But this book never gripped me as I felt like I have "been here done that" with this book. This book is equivalent to your favorite band putting out an album that sounds exactly like the last three albums. There are going to be tracks that you like but chances are there will be nothing that immediately becomes a favorite. That is how I feel about this book.
July 22, 2023
I used to love Koontz. Old school Koontz was great. With the exception of the Jane Hawk series, I haven’t really enjoyed one of his books in probably 15 years. But I keep giving him chances over and over. This is my last one. I’m tired of the preachy tone and government conspiracists. Not to mention the borderline racism.
Done.
Done.
July 24, 2023
I've loved Dean's writing for many years, but his last few books have sadly led me to believe he's turned into the kind of right-wing old white man that I simply wouldn't like very much at all. His anti government/pro gun rhetoric is now frankly repetitive, boring and bordering on obsessive, his paranoia regarding the internet is palpable & slightly ridiculous, and if one more heroic couple somehow end up rich, on a ranch, with horses & a golden retriever I may lose the plot myself.
He's clearly grown very well off and is insulated and isolated from the real world, and this has all impacted his writing for the poorer. His characters used to be rich & diverse, it's one of the things I loved about his stories, now he can barely manage a few people in one book, and they're totally lacking in substance and depth.
At no point does he explain why Michael feels such a deep sense of debt to the ridiculously named Shelby Shrewsbury's (seriously - try saying it out loud!) accountant, except that they were friends - I love my friends but putting my life on the line for someone they wanted to date but hadn't and who I'd never met? Why? Zero sense.
Then there's the dreadful moment when our rich white writer has our poor black Mom and child talk about Michael being white & how "we don't see color". Talk about getting thrown out of the story, I nearly choked. How did that ever get past his editors & publishers?
Is there no-one in his professional life who is able to say "Hang on Dean, you've got this really wrong. We can't print this. Do you remember the BLM movement? Well most white people accepted that was a learning opportunity..."
The faux-gang-banger language is cringy enough, I'm not sure what made Dean think he was the right person to write a story from this perspective, but it's blatantly clear he put more effort into researching the make and model of the guns, bullets, night vision gear etc than he did the real lives of the people he was writing about, and from a writer of his past talent I find this agenda simply sad.
His bad guy, Calaphas, is a ridiculous cartoon character of a rogue government agent, working for (of course) a rogue government department. Dean uses the lazy trope of mental illness to explain his behaviours - and while we're on the topic I want to digress...
There is a paragraph very early on in this book where Dean mentions those living on the street, and then goes on to say that it's a shame the addicts and the mentally ill give the 'genuine homeless' a bad name. I'm still enraged. I volunteer with those living in poverty in the UK, & if you're homeless you're homeless, whether you suffer with mental health issues (1 in 5), addiction issues, or other problems have led you there. This assumptive, judgemental BS is wrong and it's harmful to those in need.
After his last couple of books I stopped ordering his new ones in hardback & ordered this for kindle. I'm really glad I saved my money.
PS - one more thing - Dean's (or Michael's) bright idea about instantly removing anonymity from the Internet - disaster. Putting millions of lives in danger across the world, from battered wives to abused children, freedom fighters to the religious persecuted, and lgbtq folk everywhere, especially in countries where homesexuality is punishable by death. I could go on. Seriously bad idea.
He's clearly grown very well off and is insulated and isolated from the real world, and this has all impacted his writing for the poorer. His characters used to be rich & diverse, it's one of the things I loved about his stories, now he can barely manage a few people in one book, and they're totally lacking in substance and depth.
At no point does he explain why Michael feels such a deep sense of debt to the ridiculously named Shelby Shrewsbury's (seriously - try saying it out loud!) accountant, except that they were friends - I love my friends but putting my life on the line for someone they wanted to date but hadn't and who I'd never met? Why? Zero sense.
Then there's the dreadful moment when our rich white writer has our poor black Mom and child talk about Michael being white & how "we don't see color". Talk about getting thrown out of the story, I nearly choked. How did that ever get past his editors & publishers?
Is there no-one in his professional life who is able to say "Hang on Dean, you've got this really wrong. We can't print this. Do you remember the BLM movement? Well most white people accepted that was a learning opportunity..."
The faux-gang-banger language is cringy enough, I'm not sure what made Dean think he was the right person to write a story from this perspective, but it's blatantly clear he put more effort into researching the make and model of the guns, bullets, night vision gear etc than he did the real lives of the people he was writing about, and from a writer of his past talent I find this agenda simply sad.
His bad guy, Calaphas, is a ridiculous cartoon character of a rogue government agent, working for (of course) a rogue government department. Dean uses the lazy trope of mental illness to explain his behaviours - and while we're on the topic I want to digress...
There is a paragraph very early on in this book where Dean mentions those living on the street, and then goes on to say that it's a shame the addicts and the mentally ill give the 'genuine homeless' a bad name. I'm still enraged. I volunteer with those living in poverty in the UK, & if you're homeless you're homeless, whether you suffer with mental health issues (1 in 5), addiction issues, or other problems have led you there. This assumptive, judgemental BS is wrong and it's harmful to those in need.
After his last couple of books I stopped ordering his new ones in hardback & ordered this for kindle. I'm really glad I saved my money.
PS - one more thing - Dean's (or Michael's) bright idea about instantly removing anonymity from the Internet - disaster. Putting millions of lives in danger across the world, from battered wives to abused children, freedom fighters to the religious persecuted, and lgbtq folk everywhere, especially in countries where homesexuality is punishable by death. I could go on. Seriously bad idea.
August 7, 2023
After Death
By Dean Koontz
Wow, this has to be his best book yet! I love a good high tech suspense novel with lots of action and thrills along the way! An off the grid government operation is working on something illegal and now they have to cover it up fast. They send in their lone assassin and kills everyone, but one of them comes back to life and is enhanced. He is also after payback for killing his best friend that worked there. The assassin is after the one that got away.
Super exciting and full hair-raising scenes! Love the characters and plot!
Going in my favorite folder!
By Dean Koontz
Wow, this has to be his best book yet! I love a good high tech suspense novel with lots of action and thrills along the way! An off the grid government operation is working on something illegal and now they have to cover it up fast. They send in their lone assassin and kills everyone, but one of them comes back to life and is enhanced. He is also after payback for killing his best friend that worked there. The assassin is after the one that got away.
Super exciting and full hair-raising scenes! Love the characters and plot!
Going in my favorite folder!
August 22, 2023
This is one of Koontz's paranormal genre works which for me are not my thing as much as his suspenseful murders. It started great and was drawn into the narrative but some of the characters fell short of his usual development. Overall still worth the effort and definitely an interesting read.
August 21, 2023
I wish I knew why the hell I keep purchasing Koontz’s novels…. Because they haven’t been good in some years now. The last ones I think I really enjoyed were the Jane Hawk series, but only some of those got 4 stars…. Hardly any others since then.
This particular novel includes some one- or two-dimensional characters, who were more like caricatures. In fact, the biggest baddie seeming more like a cartoon villain, and he only seemed to be this evil because he was ‘crazy’, which I’m going to have to take umbrage at. He was a walking stereotype, lacking substance and depth. That’s gross, all the way around.
Also, Koontz’ penchant for being too verbose got in the way of his usual great writing yet again, making this novel seem bloated and cumbersome to read. I know I’m not the only reader who’s attention wandered while Koontz described a tree in minute detail…
Worse yet, Koontz’ haughty, rich-person observations throughout this novel made him seem more like that ‘old man yelling at cloud’ meme than the author he used to be. He has black characters actually saying "we don't see color" - which by the way, is racist. Especially when you’re a white man writing this. (I bet he wouldn’t listen if we tweeted him this, either). And his statements about the homeless were horrifying, and reeked of privilege.
And two of his side characters took it upon themselves to be the local neighborhood watch for a few hours overnight, because of the OPEN BORDERS. 🙄🙄🙄
Have you guys also noticed that everything/one in Koontz’ novels are so very Black and white, and with little nuance whatsoever…? People are either really good, or super evil with no humanity and no redeeming values. I know this is his style, but the constant rehashing of this trope is beyond recycling - it’s like Koontz can’t figure out any other way to write. I’m so over this.
Like I said before, the last few books have been very much a commentary on Mr. Koontz's political and personal beliefs. It is proving too much and getting in the way of the story (in every novel lately). Even with things that I might agree to a degree with someone on. It’s gone way past super preachy lately. In fact it’s beginning to seem paranoid and obsessive about certain issues and/or talking points that conservatives usually blather on about. It’s definitely not what I want in my fiction. But enough about Koontz.
This novel skipped huge sections of what would have been a great storyline. The explosion/accident that killed coworkers and left Matt/Mark/Mike/whatever with these special powers was left out completely. Supposedly Matt/Mark/Mike spoke with Nina about a lot of things, but this was only just mentioned. A large amount of time after Matt/Mark/Mike’s accident went unwritten, and I would have loved to have read about this. All of these things might have fleshed out this novel, and/or its characters a great deal.
But instead, this Koontz-style, cookie-cutter plot with the sections of absurdly detailed parts mixed in with such antiquated, flowery language and under-developed bad guys, combined with all the other flat, unlikable characters, and everything lacking absolutely no tension at all, make for another really disappointing novel. That ending was just dumb, and fell flat on its face (with the robot dogs I mean. SuperpoweredMatt/Mark/Mike couldn’t have just called up some drones?).
Oh, and the insta-love, in the middle of fleeing for their lives, when the two MC’s have barely spent more than a day or two together, and all that time literally running for their lives…? And not talking to each other, finding out about each other, or anything…? Urgh. I detest insta-love, and you guys know that.
I mean it’s really great that for once Koontz stayed away from his usual ice-blonde with blue/green/grey/hazel eyes and the perfect figure, and went with a black woman instead. Buuuut… it just seems to me that he only did this so we here at goodreads would stop commenting on the fact that nearly ALL of his heroines fit that very description…. And so that he could write such cringeworthy ‘gangbanger’ dialogue, and then be able to step back and yell, ‘I’m not racist! See, my hero is with a black woman, so I can’t be racist…!’
The fact that the only golden retriever in the whole novel was just stuck on at the last few pages only proves my idea that there *has to be* a golden in all of his novels…. Dude, we get it. You prefer these things. Super obvi.
But mainly, WHY was Nina’s kid so special??? I didn’t hear a single explanation about this, anywhere in the novel. I wonder why this was? Did I miss something…? One chapter of my audiobook literally ended mid sentence. Half way through the novel though - not near or at the beginning.
Anyway, like another reviewer on here said, Koontz is making me feel like I’m Charlie Brown and he is Lucy. Lucy’s holding the ol’ football, cajoling me to kick it, while making all kind of promises that she won’t yank it away yet again… and again, I fell for the lies. I don’t know if I can keep doing this, anymore. Especially since I’ve just lost all respect for the author I used to have - and that was very little left anymore.
Here are some really great reviews I think you should read also- -
Denise: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Donnaskin: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[michele]: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Edoardo Ballerini Is again the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel. And man, I swear you deserve better… I’m just so sorry.
2 stars, and it pains me to say this. NOT recommended.
This particular novel includes some one- or two-dimensional characters, who were more like caricatures. In fact, the biggest baddie seeming more like a cartoon villain, and he only seemed to be this evil because he was ‘crazy’, which I’m going to have to take umbrage at. He was a walking stereotype, lacking substance and depth. That’s gross, all the way around.
Also, Koontz’ penchant for being too verbose got in the way of his usual great writing yet again, making this novel seem bloated and cumbersome to read. I know I’m not the only reader who’s attention wandered while Koontz described a tree in minute detail…
Worse yet, Koontz’ haughty, rich-person observations throughout this novel made him seem more like that ‘old man yelling at cloud’ meme than the author he used to be. He has black characters actually saying "we don't see color" - which by the way, is racist. Especially when you’re a white man writing this. (I bet he wouldn’t listen if we tweeted him this, either). And his statements about the homeless were horrifying, and reeked of privilege.
And two of his side characters took it upon themselves to be the local neighborhood watch for a few hours overnight, because of the OPEN BORDERS. 🙄🙄🙄
Have you guys also noticed that everything/one in Koontz’ novels are so very Black and white, and with little nuance whatsoever…? People are either really good, or super evil with no humanity and no redeeming values. I know this is his style, but the constant rehashing of this trope is beyond recycling - it’s like Koontz can’t figure out any other way to write. I’m so over this.
Like I said before, the last few books have been very much a commentary on Mr. Koontz's political and personal beliefs. It is proving too much and getting in the way of the story (in every novel lately). Even with things that I might agree to a degree with someone on. It’s gone way past super preachy lately. In fact it’s beginning to seem paranoid and obsessive about certain issues and/or talking points that conservatives usually blather on about. It’s definitely not what I want in my fiction. But enough about Koontz.
This novel skipped huge sections of what would have been a great storyline. The explosion/accident that killed coworkers and left Matt/Mark/Mike/whatever with these special powers was left out completely. Supposedly Matt/Mark/Mike spoke with Nina about a lot of things, but this was only just mentioned. A large amount of time after Matt/Mark/Mike’s accident went unwritten, and I would have loved to have read about this. All of these things might have fleshed out this novel, and/or its characters a great deal.
But instead, this Koontz-style, cookie-cutter plot with the sections of absurdly detailed parts mixed in with such antiquated, flowery language and under-developed bad guys, combined with all the other flat, unlikable characters, and everything lacking absolutely no tension at all, make for another really disappointing novel. That ending was just dumb, and fell flat on its face (with the robot dogs I mean. SuperpoweredMatt/Mark/Mike couldn’t have just called up some drones?).
Oh, and the insta-love, in the middle of fleeing for their lives, when the two MC’s have barely spent more than a day or two together, and all that time literally running for their lives…? And not talking to each other, finding out about each other, or anything…? Urgh. I detest insta-love, and you guys know that.
I mean it’s really great that for once Koontz stayed away from his usual ice-blonde with blue/green/grey/hazel eyes and the perfect figure, and went with a black woman instead. Buuuut… it just seems to me that he only did this so we here at goodreads would stop commenting on the fact that nearly ALL of his heroines fit that very description…. And so that he could write such cringeworthy ‘gangbanger’ dialogue, and then be able to step back and yell, ‘I’m not racist! See, my hero is with a black woman, so I can’t be racist…!’
The fact that the only golden retriever in the whole novel was just stuck on at the last few pages only proves my idea that there *has to be* a golden in all of his novels…. Dude, we get it. You prefer these things. Super obvi.
But mainly, WHY was Nina’s kid so special??? I didn’t hear a single explanation about this, anywhere in the novel. I wonder why this was? Did I miss something…? One chapter of my audiobook literally ended mid sentence. Half way through the novel though - not near or at the beginning.
Anyway, like another reviewer on here said, Koontz is making me feel like I’m Charlie Brown and he is Lucy. Lucy’s holding the ol’ football, cajoling me to kick it, while making all kind of promises that she won’t yank it away yet again… and again, I fell for the lies. I don’t know if I can keep doing this, anymore. Especially since I’ve just lost all respect for the author I used to have - and that was very little left anymore.
Here are some really great reviews I think you should read also- -
Denise: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Donnaskin: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
[michele]: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Edoardo Ballerini Is again the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel. And man, I swear you deserve better… I’m just so sorry.
2 stars, and it pains me to say this. NOT recommended.
July 23, 2023
Good read
Dean Koontz tends to use extremely detailed descriptive words that illuminate each character and surroundings in such great detail, it appears as if the reader is embedded into the story. Imaginative, yet grounded. I enjoyed reading this immensely and recommend for those who like sci-fi thrillers.
Dean Koontz tends to use extremely detailed descriptive words that illuminate each character and surroundings in such great detail, it appears as if the reader is embedded into the story. Imaginative, yet grounded. I enjoyed reading this immensely and recommend for those who like sci-fi thrillers.
April 19, 2023
As to not give anything away, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Of course I am a Koontz fan. This book is a thriller, quick moving action and always a lot going on as in all his books. Great characters introduced and brought together for a exciting climax. Dean has hit it again. A must read for all Koontz fans. I wish I could say more.
December 24, 2024
Life or Something Like it
Michael was killed in a lab accident along with all of his coworkers, and he alone rises from the tables among his friends, and leaves the lab. In a video, a man sees the sheet slide from a table, and the door open and close. What did he just see?
Both of those men are dangerous, but only one seeks to kill. The other has a mission on behalf of a dear friend that just died, he will rescue a woman and her son.
This was an interesting and well thought out action story, with a little science and a little romance. Like all Koontz books there is a strong delineation between good and evil, and the formula works. Five stars.
Michael was killed in a lab accident along with all of his coworkers, and he alone rises from the tables among his friends, and leaves the lab. In a video, a man sees the sheet slide from a table, and the door open and close. What did he just see?
Both of those men are dangerous, but only one seeks to kill. The other has a mission on behalf of a dear friend that just died, he will rescue a woman and her son.
This was an interesting and well thought out action story, with a little science and a little romance. Like all Koontz books there is a strong delineation between good and evil, and the formula works. Five stars.
December 24, 2023
Dean Koontz writes the most amazing sentences! Here is another example of good storytelling, unusual characters and a bit of the good guy trying to live a simple, good life. Gotta love it.
August 22, 2023
Michael Mace says that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when, in the midst of catastrophe, one thing went right. I guess you could look at it that way. The "catastrophe" was almost like calling dropping an atomic bomb a "catastrophe". Opps! What it was seemed to be was not in any way to have been an accident...not of any dimension. It was a government-sponsored microbial infection that swept through the headquarters of the Beautification Research Project, killing 55 people...no...wait... make that 54, since Michael, the security chief, somehow came back to life, and... that’s not all folks. To start with Michael has acquired the power to tap into all sorts of chipped objects and devises from cellphones to supercomputers. You can probably see where this is headed. He has the ability to read their data instantly and can also alter the records from great distances. He finds that he is the perfect savior for accountant Nina Dozier...Michael’s best friend that genius immunologist Shelby Shrewsberry, had hired. Lota of very smart, yet very dumb people, making dumber choices, in this story. Michael is in love with Nina but before he could confess his love for her, he was killed in the "lab accident". Enter Aleem Sutter, who is the very same gangbanger who abandoned Nina years ago after getting her pregnant.... now he wants back into her life so he can make sure that John, their 13-year-old son, maintains his father’s reputation by joining a gang. No "Father of the Year" award here. Of course, Aleem is no match for Michael, who faces an altogether more powerful adversary: Durand Calaphas, another genius who works for the Internal Security Agency, and knows all about that microbial catastrophe and still holds a grudge from an episode years ago that branded his older brother, virologist Dr. Gifford Calaphas, a traitor. So many 'baddies" to try to keep up with and they are all mega geniuses. Dean Koontz is a master storyteller. I've read his books and watched movies made from them for more years than I'm going to share here...his stories and characters almost always "work". In this one he particularly shines at providing downscaled dialogue for Aleem and his peeps...otherwise the average reader would be lost...and provides memorable portraits of the many "walk-on" characters. The actual plot is another matter. There is just way too much happening with way too many people that it's happening to. I gave it 3 stars...after all it WAS Dean Koontz...it wasn't a bad story...and I really, really wanted to love it. I did like parts of it, but I believe it may have been more out of loyalty to this author who has given us From the Corner of His Eye, Tick Tock, The Odd Thomas books, and so many, many others, than it was for this actual book itself. Dean Koontz fans will certainly want to give it a try.
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July 23, 2023
I really enjoyed his last book, so I have been looking forward to this one for several months.
More telling than showing, and the telling was preachy, lectury, curmudgeonly blather. This book could have been called Old Man Yells At Cloud: A List Of A White Man’s Grievances.
More telling than showing, and the telling was preachy, lectury, curmudgeonly blather. This book could have been called Old Man Yells At Cloud: A List Of A White Man’s Grievances.
March 24, 2024
I've read a hundred or so of Koontz's other books and enjoyed them but found this one to be something of a letdown. (Spoilers follow.) It's about a contagion in a secret research laboratory that kills everyone before it's contained. The security chief comes back to life, and he's altered with a power so that he can project his mind into the internet and control it. His best friend at the facility had admired a woman and her son, so he decides to take care of them as a memorial. The boy's father and his gang begin chasing the three, as do a crazy rogue government assassin from a crazy rogue secret organization that want to control the world some more. Luckily there are some robot dog assassins nearby that he can control to help with the defense. The dialog of the gansta/hip-hop drug dealing criminals is obscene, offensive, and doesn't ring at all true, and the secret government agency is pretty lame, too. In the conclusion, he "fixes" the internet... what? There's a whole lot of silliness that just doesn't hold together. Usually, Koontz's characters are quite sympathetic and well-drawn, but there aren't any in this book with whom to identify... they're all really bland or nasty or cartoonish. There are some clever bits and elegantly written descriptions, but they're not enough to save the story. (There's a quote from The New York Times Book Review inside the cover that says: "Tumbling, hallucinogenic prose." Did they mean that as complement?) Koontz included many of his favorite tropes, but I think he missed putting them together properly or pleasingly this time around.
Read
July 21, 2023DNF - I love Dean Koontz but he is often hit or miss for me. This one is unfortunately a miss. It’s hard to get into a story when the bad guys have no redeeming qualities & they just hate people for no valid reason. Also, I got over 100 pages in and felt like I knew nothing about the main character. Disappointed.
July 24, 2023
3.5 stars
Two men defined my childhood reading, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Both introduced me to the fight between good and evil but Dean Koontz did it with dogs and twinkly humour.
In After Death the protagonist/hero Michael Mace died alongside his friend Shelby and fifty four more employees at a research facility, however for some reason he came back to life. Not only that he came back altered and can now access all digital information without the need for a computer. Imagine your brain being hard wired to the internet, turning you into a hacker extraordinaire and able to see everything and even change it.
Then we have Nina, Shelby’s secret love interest, and her son John who Michael feels obliged to protect. So with a hired assassin who is classed as a ‘manageable sociopath’ and Nina’s gang member ex after them Michael’s gift will come in handy.
Now there was a lot I really enjoyed about this book, the coming back from the dead with a gift being right at the top. The scary side of technology and the good vs evil a close second and the fast moving pace and a great protagonist following those. I do feel however that this would have been an even better read if Nina’s ex and that storyline was removed completely. I found the gang speak too stereotypical and disjointed the story, taking away from what was a really fascinating idea.
Altogether though this was another Koontz classic mixing ordinary people with the strange and unusual and preparing them for the epic battle that will have you rooting for them to triumph.
Two men defined my childhood reading, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Both introduced me to the fight between good and evil but Dean Koontz did it with dogs and twinkly humour.
In After Death the protagonist/hero Michael Mace died alongside his friend Shelby and fifty four more employees at a research facility, however for some reason he came back to life. Not only that he came back altered and can now access all digital information without the need for a computer. Imagine your brain being hard wired to the internet, turning you into a hacker extraordinaire and able to see everything and even change it.
Then we have Nina, Shelby’s secret love interest, and her son John who Michael feels obliged to protect. So with a hired assassin who is classed as a ‘manageable sociopath’ and Nina’s gang member ex after them Michael’s gift will come in handy.
Now there was a lot I really enjoyed about this book, the coming back from the dead with a gift being right at the top. The scary side of technology and the good vs evil a close second and the fast moving pace and a great protagonist following those. I do feel however that this would have been an even better read if Nina’s ex and that storyline was removed completely. I found the gang speak too stereotypical and disjointed the story, taking away from what was a really fascinating idea.
Altogether though this was another Koontz classic mixing ordinary people with the strange and unusual and preparing them for the epic battle that will have you rooting for them to triumph.
October 5, 2023
My biggest reading disappointment of 2023.
Aside from the amusing Juan and Walter episode toward the end, I did not connect to the story or characters. I certainly did not enjoy the gangster dirty talk dialogue. Since Dean Koontz is such a prolific cross genre writer, I have come to accept that I will enjoy some of his works more than others. However, After Death is one my least favorite of all his titles - and that's quite a number. After Death does not warrant a the 4+ star rating that is currently awarded on Goodreads, so I'll be ranking the book much lower to do my part in cautionary warning.
Once upon a time, not too many years in the past, I considered Dean Koontz my favorite author. I own all of his readily available in-print titles, most in hardcover. I even have a special section in my personal library called "Koontz Corner" and Dean Koontz inspired tattoos on my arms and legs (This Momentous Day, By the Light of the Moon, One Door Away From Heaven).
Still, I consider Dean Koontz one of my must-read authors. I'll keep reading and likely keep collecting his books. Probably one day, I'll decide to eliminate some of the less exemplary titles such as After Death from "Koontz Corner."
Favorite Passages:
A LITTLE NIGHT WORK
The stars are extinguished, and the drowned moon floats just under the surface of a translucent lake of clouds.
A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
"The law doesn't always go from A to B in a straight line. In fact, it's usually a long and twisted route."
______
"It's so Twilight Zone. It's a big damn thing to do this."
______
"Good men haven't often crossed my path."
"Take this new path. Maybe that'll make all the difference."
WHAT LIFE HAVE YOU IF YOU HAVE NOT LIFE TOGETHER?
. . . the only genuinely chaotic thing in the universe is humanity.
NOTHING AT ALL AROUND ME BUT THE BEAST
The scene presented is so strange that it stirs in Michael a disquieting sense of looking through the apparent world at another and yet more ominous existence that lies beyond it.
_______
After a frozen moment, the green figure, like a specter that might have risen out of dark waters deep in the hollows of the Earth and might now wither back into that sea of damnation, instead drops the body in its arms and pivots toward the SUV.
THE MYSTERY OF EVIL
Triumph awaits in several eerie shades of green.
EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE
Sometimes, for a part of their community-watch tour, Juan and Walter switch on the radio and listen to a popular talk show that features discussions of out-of-body experiences, visitors from other dimensions, shadow people, spontaneous human combustion, incredible disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle and elsewhere, ghosts, time travelers, predictions of psychics and prophets, end-of-the-world scenarios, and space aliens. With one exception, they don't believe in any of those things. They listen to the program mainly for the amusement value. The one exception is space aliens.
_______
"I'm more with Spielberg than Ridley Scott."
_______
"They're aliens, all right."
"Those sons of bitches," Walter declares.
_______
The night has been a journey from one darkness to another, each seeming to be absolute until the next proves darker yet, inspiring a superstitious dread that their inevitable destination is an eternal lightlessness, mere minutes away.
_______
He is the Pied Piper, and this house in Hamelin, soon to be rid of all rats. He's brother to the farmer's wife with her carving knife and bloody collection of rodent tails. He's the exterminator, annihilator, eradicator, obliterator, and his moment of ultimate triumph is at hand. No one can stand against him. In a flash of profound insight, he realizes that he is Death; either he always has been Death but unaware, or he's an apprentice to Death and has by his dedication earned the hooded robe and scythe.
Aside from the amusing Juan and Walter episode toward the end, I did not connect to the story or characters. I certainly did not enjoy the gangster dirty talk dialogue. Since Dean Koontz is such a prolific cross genre writer, I have come to accept that I will enjoy some of his works more than others. However, After Death is one my least favorite of all his titles - and that's quite a number. After Death does not warrant a the 4+ star rating that is currently awarded on Goodreads, so I'll be ranking the book much lower to do my part in cautionary warning.
Once upon a time, not too many years in the past, I considered Dean Koontz my favorite author. I own all of his readily available in-print titles, most in hardcover. I even have a special section in my personal library called "Koontz Corner" and Dean Koontz inspired tattoos on my arms and legs (This Momentous Day, By the Light of the Moon, One Door Away From Heaven).
Still, I consider Dean Koontz one of my must-read authors. I'll keep reading and likely keep collecting his books. Probably one day, I'll decide to eliminate some of the less exemplary titles such as After Death from "Koontz Corner."
Favorite Passages:
A LITTLE NIGHT WORK
The stars are extinguished, and the drowned moon floats just under the surface of a translucent lake of clouds.
A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
"The law doesn't always go from A to B in a straight line. In fact, it's usually a long and twisted route."
______
"It's so Twilight Zone. It's a big damn thing to do this."
______
"Good men haven't often crossed my path."
"Take this new path. Maybe that'll make all the difference."
WHAT LIFE HAVE YOU IF YOU HAVE NOT LIFE TOGETHER?
. . . the only genuinely chaotic thing in the universe is humanity.
NOTHING AT ALL AROUND ME BUT THE BEAST
The scene presented is so strange that it stirs in Michael a disquieting sense of looking through the apparent world at another and yet more ominous existence that lies beyond it.
_______
After a frozen moment, the green figure, like a specter that might have risen out of dark waters deep in the hollows of the Earth and might now wither back into that sea of damnation, instead drops the body in its arms and pivots toward the SUV.
THE MYSTERY OF EVIL
Triumph awaits in several eerie shades of green.
EVERYTHING THAT RISES MUST CONVERGE
Sometimes, for a part of their community-watch tour, Juan and Walter switch on the radio and listen to a popular talk show that features discussions of out-of-body experiences, visitors from other dimensions, shadow people, spontaneous human combustion, incredible disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle and elsewhere, ghosts, time travelers, predictions of psychics and prophets, end-of-the-world scenarios, and space aliens. With one exception, they don't believe in any of those things. They listen to the program mainly for the amusement value. The one exception is space aliens.
_______
"I'm more with Spielberg than Ridley Scott."
_______
"They're aliens, all right."
"Those sons of bitches," Walter declares.
_______
The night has been a journey from one darkness to another, each seeming to be absolute until the next proves darker yet, inspiring a superstitious dread that their inevitable destination is an eternal lightlessness, mere minutes away.
_______
He is the Pied Piper, and this house in Hamelin, soon to be rid of all rats. He's brother to the farmer's wife with her carving knife and bloody collection of rodent tails. He's the exterminator, annihilator, eradicator, obliterator, and his moment of ultimate triumph is at hand. No one can stand against him. In a flash of profound insight, he realizes that he is Death; either he always has been Death but unaware, or he's an apprentice to Death and has by his dedication earned the hooded robe and scythe.
November 22, 2023
I love Dean Koontz and have for many years. I havent gotten around to much of his newer stuff with the most recent before this being Devoted which was amazing. I didn't really connect with this book alot overall.
What I love about Koontz books is his characters. He has a real knack of making you fall in love with them or despise them in the case of the villains. After Death had no real character I cared much for and the plot was a bit all over the place and never really reached its potential it could have with the story he was trying to tell.
Michael Mace is a security consultant at a top secret Government facility when something goes horribly wrong and he wakes up in a morgue. He soon realises he has an extraordinary ability to access any data he wishes from the internet or top secret Government agency's and can change this data with record speed. Michaels best friend died in the facility along with everyone else. He is the only survivor.
He seeks out his best friends girlfriend to help her after her ex a gang member threatens to steal their child from her. He soon realises the Internal Secuirty Agency is aware of his powers and is seeking to capture him.
Alot of the plot focuses on the gang member trying to kidnap this kid instead of the more engaging story of the Government seeking to find and eliminate Michael. I did not care at all for this gang plot with its corny slang and was just hoping for it to get back to the rogue agent hunting Michael but the majority of the book doesnt focus of this. When we do return to the agent its decent story telling but wraps up in such a sub par away I was left disappointed.
Very average overall imo.
What I love about Koontz books is his characters. He has a real knack of making you fall in love with them or despise them in the case of the villains. After Death had no real character I cared much for and the plot was a bit all over the place and never really reached its potential it could have with the story he was trying to tell.
Michael Mace is a security consultant at a top secret Government facility when something goes horribly wrong and he wakes up in a morgue. He soon realises he has an extraordinary ability to access any data he wishes from the internet or top secret Government agency's and can change this data with record speed. Michaels best friend died in the facility along with everyone else. He is the only survivor.
He seeks out his best friends girlfriend to help her after her ex a gang member threatens to steal their child from her. He soon realises the Internal Secuirty Agency is aware of his powers and is seeking to capture him.
Alot of the plot focuses on the gang member trying to kidnap this kid instead of the more engaging story of the Government seeking to find and eliminate Michael. I did not care at all for this gang plot with its corny slang and was just hoping for it to get back to the rogue agent hunting Michael but the majority of the book doesnt focus of this. When we do return to the agent its decent story telling but wraps up in such a sub par away I was left disappointed.
Very average overall imo.
October 8, 2023
Check out my Booktube review: Click Here
You know that feeling when an author you've enjoyed for decades starts to become a bit hit and miss, but there are recent books that were amazing, and you think everything is going on track for the latest book to be awesome? And then - it's not. That's the feeling I have with this book. It's another Koontz book released in the last 10 years that has a great concept, but really needs somebody to get out the big red pen during editing.
My assumption is his deal with Amazon basically states no editing required with this book. Because it needed some TLC.
And it so pains me to say this because I know Koontz can write. He's proved it time and time again. I think it's not so much the writing, it's just other elements in this book, such as characters. Somehow this book devotes pages to character inner monologue but fails to really create a three-dimensional character. I don't know how that's possible, but it happens in this book. It actually made me sad when I finished this to realise that fact. And, to be honest, some of the characters didn't need to be there. Because what results is the big baddie, the character that's described as pure evil, has very little page space in the book. And when he does, it feels devoted more to his past that the present. I got that he was a bad dude, but he needed some development to feel real.
There are some really cool plot ideas and concepts in this story, which is the reason I'm not rating this 1 star. Really cool ideas. But what spoils them is the introduction of cartoon-like characters that pull you out of the scenes. It's so frustrating. I was looking forward to read this for a long time, and now I'm just frustrated.
And I know I'll read the next Koontz release because I always live in hope that the next book will be amazing.
Oh, and I have a feeling that Koontz had a deal with Tesla for this book. Either that or he likes repetition:
"This time he imagines himself behind the wheel of a self-driving Tesla.." page 83
"In this case, it's a driverless Tesla..." page 84
"From within the imaginery Tesla..." page 85
"...his avatar sits in the front seat of the metaverse Tesla..." page 87
You know that feeling when an author you've enjoyed for decades starts to become a bit hit and miss, but there are recent books that were amazing, and you think everything is going on track for the latest book to be awesome? And then - it's not. That's the feeling I have with this book. It's another Koontz book released in the last 10 years that has a great concept, but really needs somebody to get out the big red pen during editing.
My assumption is his deal with Amazon basically states no editing required with this book. Because it needed some TLC.
And it so pains me to say this because I know Koontz can write. He's proved it time and time again. I think it's not so much the writing, it's just other elements in this book, such as characters. Somehow this book devotes pages to character inner monologue but fails to really create a three-dimensional character. I don't know how that's possible, but it happens in this book. It actually made me sad when I finished this to realise that fact. And, to be honest, some of the characters didn't need to be there. Because what results is the big baddie, the character that's described as pure evil, has very little page space in the book. And when he does, it feels devoted more to his past that the present. I got that he was a bad dude, but he needed some development to feel real.
There are some really cool plot ideas and concepts in this story, which is the reason I'm not rating this 1 star. Really cool ideas. But what spoils them is the introduction of cartoon-like characters that pull you out of the scenes. It's so frustrating. I was looking forward to read this for a long time, and now I'm just frustrated.
And I know I'll read the next Koontz release because I always live in hope that the next book will be amazing.
Oh, and I have a feeling that Koontz had a deal with Tesla for this book. Either that or he likes repetition:
"This time he imagines himself behind the wheel of a self-driving Tesla.." page 83
"In this case, it's a driverless Tesla..." page 84
"From within the imaginery Tesla..." page 85
"...his avatar sits in the front seat of the metaverse Tesla..." page 87
January 9, 2025
На пръв поглед обикновен криминален роман, но преплитането на Интернет мрежа с човешка тъкан, предоставяща достъп до онлайн ресурси по цял свят, е не точно бъдеще с прогнозируемо чипиране, но създава една злокобна смесица, от която би произлезло нещо зло или решение на всички световни проблеми, пак според начина на употреба.
И ако нищо не разбрахте, ви разбирам... :) Бъдещето е, колкото неясно, толкова и каращо кожата ни да настръхне. Именно това се опитва да направи Дийн Кунц с този роман, показващ ни, че след смъртта на човека се ражда нещо ново, непредсказуемо, на пръв поглед близко, но и много далеч от човешката природа.
И ако нищо не разбрахте, ви разбирам... :) Бъдещето е, колкото неясно, толкова и каращо кожата ни да настръхне. Именно това се опитва да направи Дийн Кунц с този роман, показващ ни, че след смъртта на човека се ражда нещо ново, непредсказуемо, на пръв поглед близко, но и много далеч от човешката природа.
July 20, 2023
Hacker extreme
Another good novel with all of Koontz' flowery descriptions, interesting characters and society gone wrong. There is so much to admire in characters that do what is right and necessary. Who knows, maybe this story's vision of determination and hope contains a glimmer of a future to strive toward.
Another good novel with all of Koontz' flowery descriptions, interesting characters and society gone wrong. There is so much to admire in characters that do what is right and necessary. Who knows, maybe this story's vision of determination and hope contains a glimmer of a future to strive toward.
July 21, 2023
Not the same
I go back and read some of his older books and I think this couldn't be the same writer. It's like he throws in a lot of unnecessary words just to fill the page. I get lost reading all the extra wordy stuff. I can sometimes ski
paragraphs and loose nothing from the book
I go back and read some of his older books and I think this couldn't be the same writer. It's like he throws in a lot of unnecessary words just to fill the page. I get lost reading all the extra wordy stuff. I can sometimes ski
paragraphs and loose nothing from the book
July 29, 2023
Old man shakes fist at cloud
Every new Koontz book is progressively more baffling, and this did not disappoint. Whoever is writing these is digging deeper and deeper into that thesaurus. I don't even think the one they're using has been in print for decades. So, kudos for that. The next step is Lewis Carroll-style word creation and at this point who would even notice?
The problem with all the flowery words and six page descriptions of a tree is that it makes it hard to follow what's actually going on. I know I'm not the only one with ADD whose mind wanders in a million different directions if they don't just get. to. the point. I don't mean tell it like a robot, obviously a little exposition is fine, but some of this stuff was repetitive and absurdly detailed.
And, the dialogue. The worst was by far the "gangbangers", I don't even know where to start with that, but every character speaks like an alien programmed to speak English would. It's so unnatural.
Dean Koontz books used to be so good. I think around the time of Odd Thomas they developed this oddly preachy, supernatural-ish, faux Stephen King but with crazy words and a different ocean and *rich people* vibe that I don't really care for. I'm not sure if I'll be back for any more of it.
Every new Koontz book is progressively more baffling, and this did not disappoint. Whoever is writing these is digging deeper and deeper into that thesaurus. I don't even think the one they're using has been in print for decades. So, kudos for that. The next step is Lewis Carroll-style word creation and at this point who would even notice?
The problem with all the flowery words and six page descriptions of a tree is that it makes it hard to follow what's actually going on. I know I'm not the only one with ADD whose mind wanders in a million different directions if they don't just get. to. the point. I don't mean tell it like a robot, obviously a little exposition is fine, but some of this stuff was repetitive and absurdly detailed.
And, the dialogue. The worst was by far the "gangbangers", I don't even know where to start with that, but every character speaks like an alien programmed to speak English would. It's so unnatural.
Dean Koontz books used to be so good. I think around the time of Odd Thomas they developed this oddly preachy, supernatural-ish, faux Stephen King but with crazy words and a different ocean and *rich people* vibe that I don't really care for. I'm not sure if I'll be back for any more of it.
July 24, 2023
First Koontz book I've read and the only reason I'll read another is the many reviews I've seen stating that earlier books are written differently.
It was so hard to get into the story, not only to care about the (very flat) characters but to just follow all events. Not to mention some of the writing seemed borderline racist...
I felt like it was a bait and switch from the jacket cover to what the story actually was.
It was so hard to get into the story, not only to care about the (very flat) characters but to just follow all events. Not to mention some of the writing seemed borderline racist...
I felt like it was a bait and switch from the jacket cover to what the story actually was.
August 5, 2023
Like a fish going home to spawn, Koontz returns to his favorite trope: science lab blooper results in supernatural powers, leading to good vs. evil mayhem. IDK why I keep rising to the bait. Yet, here I am.
Here’s your head start, followed by editorial gripes:
Anigre - an African hardwood commonly used for plywood, interior furniture, cabinetry, and high-end millwork
Antimacassar - a piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament
Archaea - a microbial life-form capable of horizontal gene transfer, carrying genetic material from one individual into another, from one species to another. (As with the map, discussed below, this notion comes up early, but Koontz doesn’t explain it until much later.)
Catafalque - a framework that supports a coffin
Cerement - waxed cloth for wrapping a corpse
Crestron control - a gadget that streamlines the usage of multiple complex av systems; allows the user to to control multiple devices with a single touch
Deliquesce - become liquid, typically during decomposition
Draff - dregs or refuse
Dross - something regarded as worthless; rubbish
Gable wall - the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches
Iniquity - immoral or grossly unfair behavior
Interdict - an authoritative prohibition
Limned - drawn or painted on a surface, outlined in clear detail, or suffused or highlighted with light or color
Logogram - a sign or character representing a word or phrase, such as those used in shorthand and some writing systems
Mamba - a species of snake, (a horrible one)
Mendicant - one who lives by begging or asking for alms; a beggar
Obdurate - stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action
Overweening - arrogant, presumptuous, immoderate, exaggerated, too confident or proud, or too great, excessive, and unpleasant. A weenie.
Penury - extreme poverty or destitution
Perspicacious - alert, astute, clear-sighted
Phagocytic - relating to a phagocyte, a cell that ingests or engulfs other cells or particles. Phagocytes are a major mechanism in the immune system of multicellular organisms for removing pathogens and cell debris. They protect the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells.
Powder bath - a half bath
Quartzite - rock that is mostly quartz
Redoubt - a fort; the word means “a place of retreat”
Satori - sudden enlightenment
Shoal - a sandbank or sandbar that makes the water shallow
Solipsism - the belief that you’re the only real person on earth
Stylite - a type of Christian ascetic who lives on pillars, preaching, fasting and praying. Stylites believed that the mortification of their bodies would help ensure the salvation of their souls.
Tectonic - pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth’s crust
Wrack - wreckage
A man who knows this many words should be able to understand the difference between “lie” and “lay.” Neither should he fumble correct usage of “tight” versus “tightly” or “was” versus “had been.”
I also have a sharp disagreement with the author’s assertion that
“...what truth people find in books they most often dismiss as irrelevant. Humankind, the poet said, cannot bear very much reality. Delusions are preferred, delusions and the comfort of a virtual reality.”
Arrogant, much? Anyone who confuses “lie” and “lay” can lay off the Wiser Than Thou attitude.
One more complaint, then I’ll move on to Grudging Admiration.
A big chunk of the story takes place in some abandoned buildings. The buildings first appear at the 47% mark, but Koontz doesn’t lay out the map until the 65% mark:
“Along the eastern flank of the muddy common area, from north to south, stand Cider and Juice, Special Accounts, and the single-story building that served as an enormous garage for trucks and orchard machinery. Cider and Juice faces the building labeled OFFICES. The garage stands opposite Specialty Products. In the middle, Special Accounts is opposite Whole Fruit...” Note that the Whole Fruit building is sometimes referred to as the packing plant.
After unraveling the description, I can also tell you that Michael first approaches from the north of the Cider & Juice building. His line of sight is to the south/southwest.
Now for the parts I liked. Here are three quotes I enjoyed from this novel:
There is never other time than the current moment.
The metaverse isn’t a universe, only a vague and distorted shadow — a cartoon — of the majesty of space-time.
Being fashionable is a particularly shallow dream.
Two passages that I thought were well said:
“I guess so.”
“You guess so? Want to clean that up?”
and
“the heady wine of violence and the sobering bread of peace”
And one silent cheer for a guy who does sufficient research to write
“...five-milligram bennies, Benzedrine tablets. One of those little cross tops, held under his tongue to dissolve, will quickly give him four hours of heightened alertness.”
Maybe you knew this already, but I didn’t... Said research integrity does make me more than a little uneasy about the Dark Mirror aspects of our government: what tech it might possess, and how it chooses to deploy it against unsuspecting taxpayers. Twenty years ago I worked with a data savant who didn’t think the state had the capability to assemble “womb to tomb” databases on the population — yet. Koontz has a way of blending knowledge with imagination, almost like a modern day Twilight Zone.
The tropes, the random dictionary regurgitations, the unnecessary errors, and the gaffes that undermine haughty observations all lead to one final sin: the story has no tension. This tale is so cookie-cutter Dean Koontz that I can’t believe I fell for it. I’m Charlie Brown, he’s Lucy, and this book is the football that I thought might provide satisfaction at last. Intelligent insight and clever turns of phrase, in the end, just aren’t enough. It pains me to know I’ll try again.
Here’s your head start, followed by editorial gripes:
Anigre - an African hardwood commonly used for plywood, interior furniture, cabinetry, and high-end millwork
Antimacassar - a piece of cloth put over the back of a chair to protect it from grease and dirt or as an ornament
Archaea - a microbial life-form capable of horizontal gene transfer, carrying genetic material from one individual into another, from one species to another. (As with the map, discussed below, this notion comes up early, but Koontz doesn’t explain it until much later.)
Catafalque - a framework that supports a coffin
Cerement - waxed cloth for wrapping a corpse
Crestron control - a gadget that streamlines the usage of multiple complex av systems; allows the user to to control multiple devices with a single touch
Deliquesce - become liquid, typically during decomposition
Draff - dregs or refuse
Dross - something regarded as worthless; rubbish
Gable wall - the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches
Iniquity - immoral or grossly unfair behavior
Interdict - an authoritative prohibition
Limned - drawn or painted on a surface, outlined in clear detail, or suffused or highlighted with light or color
Logogram - a sign or character representing a word or phrase, such as those used in shorthand and some writing systems
Mamba - a species of snake, (a horrible one)
Mendicant - one who lives by begging or asking for alms; a beggar
Obdurate - stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action
Overweening - arrogant, presumptuous, immoderate, exaggerated, too confident or proud, or too great, excessive, and unpleasant. A weenie.
Penury - extreme poverty or destitution
Perspicacious - alert, astute, clear-sighted
Phagocytic - relating to a phagocyte, a cell that ingests or engulfs other cells or particles. Phagocytes are a major mechanism in the immune system of multicellular organisms for removing pathogens and cell debris. They protect the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells.
Powder bath - a half bath
Quartzite - rock that is mostly quartz
Redoubt - a fort; the word means “a place of retreat”
Satori - sudden enlightenment
Shoal - a sandbank or sandbar that makes the water shallow
Solipsism - the belief that you’re the only real person on earth
Stylite - a type of Christian ascetic who lives on pillars, preaching, fasting and praying. Stylites believed that the mortification of their bodies would help ensure the salvation of their souls.
Tectonic - pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth’s crust
Wrack - wreckage
A man who knows this many words should be able to understand the difference between “lie” and “lay.” Neither should he fumble correct usage of “tight” versus “tightly” or “was” versus “had been.”
I also have a sharp disagreement with the author’s assertion that
“...what truth people find in books they most often dismiss as irrelevant. Humankind, the poet said, cannot bear very much reality. Delusions are preferred, delusions and the comfort of a virtual reality.”
Arrogant, much? Anyone who confuses “lie” and “lay” can lay off the Wiser Than Thou attitude.
One more complaint, then I’ll move on to Grudging Admiration.
A big chunk of the story takes place in some abandoned buildings. The buildings first appear at the 47% mark, but Koontz doesn’t lay out the map until the 65% mark:
“Along the eastern flank of the muddy common area, from north to south, stand Cider and Juice, Special Accounts, and the single-story building that served as an enormous garage for trucks and orchard machinery. Cider and Juice faces the building labeled OFFICES. The garage stands opposite Specialty Products. In the middle, Special Accounts is opposite Whole Fruit...” Note that the Whole Fruit building is sometimes referred to as the packing plant.
After unraveling the description, I can also tell you that Michael first approaches from the north of the Cider & Juice building. His line of sight is to the south/southwest.
Now for the parts I liked. Here are three quotes I enjoyed from this novel:
There is never other time than the current moment.
The metaverse isn’t a universe, only a vague and distorted shadow — a cartoon — of the majesty of space-time.
Being fashionable is a particularly shallow dream.
Two passages that I thought were well said:
“I guess so.”
“You guess so? Want to clean that up?”
and
“the heady wine of violence and the sobering bread of peace”
And one silent cheer for a guy who does sufficient research to write
“...five-milligram bennies, Benzedrine tablets. One of those little cross tops, held under his tongue to dissolve, will quickly give him four hours of heightened alertness.”
Maybe you knew this already, but I didn’t... Said research integrity does make me more than a little uneasy about the Dark Mirror aspects of our government: what tech it might possess, and how it chooses to deploy it against unsuspecting taxpayers. Twenty years ago I worked with a data savant who didn’t think the state had the capability to assemble “womb to tomb” databases on the population — yet. Koontz has a way of blending knowledge with imagination, almost like a modern day Twilight Zone.
The tropes, the random dictionary regurgitations, the unnecessary errors, and the gaffes that undermine haughty observations all lead to one final sin: the story has no tension. This tale is so cookie-cutter Dean Koontz that I can’t believe I fell for it. I’m Charlie Brown, he’s Lucy, and this book is the football that I thought might provide satisfaction at last. Intelligent insight and clever turns of phrase, in the end, just aren’t enough. It pains me to know I’ll try again.
July 10, 2025
Fair story, at least at the start but it soon employs so much padding that I almost gave up.
March 15, 2025
Dean Koontz has done it again, giving us another great thriller that draws you in and doesn’t let you go. Action, suspense and science fiction are all woven into this edge-of-your-seat novel. In After Death Koontz introduces us to security specialist Michael Mace, who due to an incident at a science research facility is now able to access the internet and computer systems without the need to use an electronic device.
In order to honour his dead friend Michael acts as guardian to Nina and her son John, whose father has decided that it is time for John to join him in a violent life of crime. Attempting to thwart this plan, Nina becomes the target of a murderous gang who will make her pay dearly for her disrespect. A further complication comes in the form of a psychopathic ISA agent whose one goal is to track down and kill Michael.
Dean Koonz has once again left me a little sleep deprived! Within the first few pages I was invested in the protagonist and his story. With Michael’s new abilities, robots, amusing retirees and with the tension of evading gang members and the psychopathic ISA agent, this book was really hard to put down. While this novel could have been a dark tale, I finished the book feeling hopeful for the future and wanting to know more. The slipcover, endsheets and design on the covers of the book make the hardback edition an appealing object in itself, beautifully encasing the story within.
In order to honour his dead friend Michael acts as guardian to Nina and her son John, whose father has decided that it is time for John to join him in a violent life of crime. Attempting to thwart this plan, Nina becomes the target of a murderous gang who will make her pay dearly for her disrespect. A further complication comes in the form of a psychopathic ISA agent whose one goal is to track down and kill Michael.
Dean Koonz has once again left me a little sleep deprived! Within the first few pages I was invested in the protagonist and his story. With Michael’s new abilities, robots, amusing retirees and with the tension of evading gang members and the psychopathic ISA agent, this book was really hard to put down. While this novel could have been a dark tale, I finished the book feeling hopeful for the future and wanting to know more. The slipcover, endsheets and design on the covers of the book make the hardback edition an appealing object in itself, beautifully encasing the story within.
August 20, 2023
This book had the unfortunate honor of being the first Dean Koontz I’ve read, as well as the first audiobook I’ve listened to, and frankly I can’t imagine a worse experience for either. Borrowing heavily from another reviewer, this train wreck is a complete slog of overly long internal monologues, action sequences that are far too drawn out (at one point Koontz describes the exact same building/layout three separate times with no new information), a protagonist with powers that are completely inconsistent, and a plot with stakes that range from taking down street thugs to unraveling a global conspiracy, neither of which are resolved in a satisfying way. The finale is a series of deus ex machinas that comes off as lazy at best, and at times insulting to the readers intelligence. And to top it all off, Koontz writes some of the antagonist dialogues in a way that screams “old white man trying to imagine how gangbangers would speak” that is borderline racist. Avoid this book at all costs. I’m going to give Koontz another shot based out of a hope that this was a one-time oopsie of a novel, but I’m not optimistic.
One star given for the protagonist’s powers. The ethical implications of his abilities were a fun little thought experiment for the times when I wasn’t battling my total apathy towards the book’s plot.
One star given for the protagonist’s powers. The ethical implications of his abilities were a fun little thought experiment for the times when I wasn’t battling my total apathy towards the book’s plot.
October 4, 2023
Koontz is either hit or miss these days and this one was a miss for me. I love his early works but my problem with this one was mostly the extremes. Characters are either as horrible and depraved as a human can get or they are perfectly virtuous. It's so over the top. Also the plot was all over the place and so much unnecessary rambling. The narration was well done and I listened to the end to see how it would all play out but I am disappointed. I would rate it 2.5 but rounded up only because it is Koontz.
August 7, 2023
This is one of Koontz’s better books, although still not as good as his earlier works. I enjoyed the depth of his imagination about the AI that may, in the future, become the Singularity, and a potential threat to mankind. I liked his take on the “good” path that was emphasized. I have found in this read, because I have not read him for a while, that his style of prose is different. That is to say, more detailed and researched. I would recommend this book.
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