The House at the End of the World (Group Read - February/March 2023)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

New Release - January 24, 2023

Soon no one on Earth will have a place to hide in this novel about fears known and unknown by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz. In retreat from a devastating loss and crushing injustice, Katie lives alone in a fortresslike stone house on Jacob’s Ladder island. Once a rising star in the art world, she finds refuge in her painting.

The House at the End of the World will be featured as a Koontzland - Dean Koontz Group Read during the months of February and March 2023.

[Misty]

I preordered mine yesterday! But at the rate I’m going, I might end up not finishing it until at least around Easter. I just finished Big Dark Sky last week.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Misty wrote: "I preordered mine yesterday! But at the rate I’m going, I might end up not finishing it until at least around Easter. I just finished Big Dark Sky last week."

I've had mine pre-ordered for a while. Amazon currently has estimated delivery at the beginning of February. I hope I like The House at End of the World better than Big Dark Sky and I hope you like Big Dark Sky better than I did :-)

[Karen]

I pre-ordered mine this morning! Squeee.

[Vonda]

I wonder if you order it as soon as it's available you get it sooner, like the night before.

[Barbara]

I’ve pre-ordered it

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

The title brings to mind Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane

[Barbara]

It does Dustin

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Looking at my year in books,I realized only read 3 Dean Koontz titles in 2022. I will do better in 2023!

[Matthew]

Jacob's Ladder Island is an interesting name, at least if you've ever seen the movie Jacob's Ladder--I did years ago and mostly just remember it being very odd heh.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Thanks Matthew, I'll try to watch the film before book release. I've heard about it for years, don't think I ever watched it.

[Jerry]

Now up on Amazon… “After Death” pub date of July 18th!!
2 books in span of 6 months!?! What gives?

[Mary]

Jerry wrote: "Now up on Amazon… “After Death” pub date of July 18th!!
2 books in span of 6 months!?! What gives?"

Hi Jerry,
I have a feeling all these books in the last couple years are coming from his "Did Not Finish" pile of manuscripts.
Dusted off and finished up.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jerry wrote: "Now up on Amazon… “After Death” pub date of July 18th!!
2 books in span of 6 months!?! What gives?"

Thanks for the heads up on After Death.
I think Dean has been averaging about two books a year. When he was with Random House it was tradition to have a book published right before Christmas in November/December. Seems like January and Summer is the new routine.

[Jerry]

I only hope it’s equal to Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Loved that book.

[Karen]

Jerry wrote: "I only hope it’s equal to Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Loved that book."

That is a great book, by another great author.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Here's another similarly titled book I've come across recently - The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. Has anyone read it?

[Vonda]

Thanks for posting After Death, I just pre ordered! Can't wait.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Vonda wrote: "Thanks for posting After Death, I just pre ordered! Can't wait."

I've just created a new discussion thread for After Death. Doesn't look like there is any cover art released yet.

[Jerry]

I have the Kindle of After Death on pre-order

[Karen]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Here's another similarly titled book I've come across recently - The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. Has anyone read it?
"

I have read it and love Paul Tremblay's books, too. I highly recommend exploring more of them. And, they are M. Knight Shyamalan is making a movie of Cabin in the Woods.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Thanks Karen, I'll look into that author. I've never read a book by Paul Tremblay. I'm familiar with that film, because I work part time at the movie theater down the street from my home. Movie posters are up and trailers are playing now. I didn't realize the film was connected to Paul Tremblay though.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

The House at the End of the World will be available in LESS THAN ONE WEEK! Release Date is next Tuesday!

[Karen]

Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Thanks Karen, I'll look into that author. I've never read a book by Paul Tremblay. I'm familiar with that film, because I work part time at the movie theater down the street from my home. Movie pos..."

I think you will find his books to be worth your time.

[Vonda]

My pre-ordered Kindle the end of the world just arrived. Jan 23 at 9:10 PM. starting it now.

[Barbara]

My copy came today…….happy reading!!!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I have my copy. Will start reading by the end of this week.

[Vicky]

Got mine. Read it. Loved it.

[Barbara]

I’m going to try not to read this book in one day!! So far I know I’m going to love it👍🏻👍🏻😽

[Mary]

Off topic---Has anyone read books by Brian Freeman? I have a couple of his books on my HOLD books at the library but don't remember why.
Thanks

[Willa]

I read his debut novel, "Immoral," and gave it 4 stars but didn't review it. That's about all I can say as I read the description and have no memory of the plot, I'm ashamed to say. Four stars for me is a good book but not great. It says the writes psychological thrillers and I read somewhere he's a lawyer. Since you mentioned this author, I may go back and check out another of his books. So, thanks!

[Mary]

Thanks, Willa.

[Barbara]

So I read House at the End of the World in 2 days. Loved it and was pleasantly surprised that Dean fooled me….I thought I knew where he was going with the story but it was not what I expected and that was great!!! Lol

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Barbara wrote: "So I read House at the End of the World in 2 days. Loved it and was pleasantly surprised that Dean fooled me….I thought I knew where he was going with the story but it was not what I expected and t..."

I think The House at the End of the World is one of the better novels Dean has written since switching publishers in 2020.

[Vonda]

it's a top ten five star read.i I tried to slow it down but I couldn't. too good for that.

[Barbara]

I agree Dustin and Vonda!!💜

[Linda]

THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD pushes all my “creepy” buttons from childhood, being isolated, being alone in the dark, a monster, perhaps not under the bed, but close enough. And yet, as creepy as it was, I couldn’t quit listening to it. (Most of my reading is done with audio books).

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Linda wrote: "(Most of my reading is done with audio books)."

Mine too. I wouldn't be able to experience nearly as many books without audiobooks. I can listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks. I am a slow reader when it comes to print only.

[Charissa]

Jeez, this is creepy.

[Jerry]

For those interested in starting The Bad Weather Friend early… if you have Amazon Prime, you can grab it off Kindle unlimited for FREE only in January. I’ve already got it on my Kindle.

What happened to this group? No conversations? No new topics?

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jerry wrote: "What happened to this group? No conversations? No new topics?"

There is now a topic for Bad Weather Friend (February 1 Release Date).
Feel welcome to post about the Amazon Prime Kindle option there as well.

Personal explanation for my inactivity: I used to log into Goodreads daily, now it's about once a week. I spend most of my GR time to keep up on my book reviews. I reached a new personal record for reading in 2023 - 231 books, but I've been reading less Dean Koontz. In 2023, the only two Koontz books I read were his new releases. I don't read ebooks. I don't have a Kindle. I don't have Amazon Prime. Dean's switching to Amazon Publishing and having some stories only available as ebooks has affected my keeping up on the newest Dean Koontz releases. I'm almost as Old School as Dean himself. I have still been experiencing new Dean Koontz novels through print and audiobook.

I'm hoping I enjoy Bad Weather Friend better than I did After Death - that one really put me off Dean Koontz - my biggest reading disappointment of 2023. Maybe The Bad Weather Friend will ignite a Dean Koontz revival and I'll re-read some of my favorite Koontz books this year, like I have done most years previously.