Odd Thomas series

[Gabriella]

Do you guys know if the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz is clean what did you think of the books as a whole were the plotlines good, were they suspensful (i don`t have any question marks because I just got a new computer and I don`t know how to type them in on this one, sorry)

[Janet]

I have a good friend I discuss books and movies with. She loves Dean Koontz and has read all the Odd Thomas books. She knows that I loved Watchers by Dean Koontz. (It's about genetically altered dogs and clean!) She knows my boundaries are tighter than hers, and she told me she didn't think I would like the Odd books. Koontz always is suspenseful, very good plotlines, but many of his antagonists are very, very creepy. He goes into their thought processes behind the crimes, and it can get very intense.(Sometimes sexual.) After I read Watchers, I tried 2 other of his books, and they were 180 degrees from Watchers. If you are on this list, most likely most of his stuff is not for you.

[Janet]

Gabriella wrote: "Do you guys know if the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz is clean what did you think of the books as a whole were the plotlines good, were they suspensful ..."
Gabriella, I am really excited to tell you about a new series I found that you might like that might be more appropriate than Odd Thomas. I've read bks 1 & 2, and so far it's terrific. It's sort of like Dexter, the Early Years. (if you don't watch Dexter up north, or because it's too creepy, like me, skip the reference.)
Anyway, it's the John Wayne Cleaver series. First book is I Am Not A Serial Killer. Second is Mr. Monster and the third, recently published, is I Don't Want to Kill You.
Creepy titles, right? The books have their disturbing parts as well. So, why would I recommend them? Because evil is always considered to be evil, bad behavior is never reveled in, and the very conflicted protagonist never stops trying to fight his inner demons.
This series is not for everyone. Even though it doesn't have any sex, no nudity and very little swearing (3 or 4 d & h's total in #2, all by the same minor character), there is quite a bit of gore. It is horror, after all. The main character, 15 year old John Cleaver works with his mother and aunt in a mortuary, and those descriptions are more detailed than I would like, but they fit the tone of the John's character. In each book there is a serial killer that John confronts, and there is quite a bit of violence. Bk 2 was worse than #1. But, the triumph of good over evil makes it worthwhile.
What really makes me like these books, is that John is such a good bad guy. That is, he wants so much not to be a bad guy. Just like the rest of us. We all fight against the natural man, his battle is just a whole lot tougher.

[Michelle Kershaw]

I haven't read the Odd Thomas series but I read one of Koontz book that I loved and couldn't put it down. It's called Life Expectancy and it was very clean. A little violence but mostly very suspensful and a twist you don't see coming. I highly recommend it.

[Holly]

I know this is an old topic, but I'm also wondering if Odd Thomas is appropriate. I don't see a straight answer to the question, so if anyone sees this that HAS read the book, what do you think??

[Rachel]

I have read all the Odd Thomas books. Odd Thomas is one of my all time favorite literary heroes. Is it clean? This is subjective but I will do my best to explain. I am quite sensitive to gratuitous sex descriptions and graphic violence. These books are about a virtuous young man with paranormal powers who encounters unspeakable evil. Because he is the narrator much of the unspeakable parts are softened. He doesn't curse. His descriptions of the evil guys cursing is often funny. There are no lusty sex scenes. In one book sex crimes are obviously to be assumed but our narrator again softens it in his description. In these books evil is very evil and Odd Thomas is very good. Good always triumphs. There is also a very sweet love story that runs throughout the books between Odd Thomas and his childhood sweetheart. The books often get philosophical. I sometimes I think that if I read them again I will have a highlighter because there are some great thoughts about life, love, good vs evil, and courage in darkness. I will add that I did not read these before bedtime. It is not so much because of the horror but the heaviness of Odd Thomas being able to see so much evil because of his powers. It is not something I want to think about before dreaming. I had Pride and Prejudice on the night stand to put my head in a sweeter place. I hope this helps!

[Mary]

Thank you for the informative explanation. I do most of my reading at nightime, so I don't think the Odd Thomas books are for me. I am not a fan of paranormal or fantasy genre, so Iwill pass on this series.

[Holly]

Haha thanks Rachel! I think I'll try them out :D

[Beth A.]

Rachel, they sound so good! I think I'll read them soon.

[Rachel]

Just want to be clear that the Odd Thomas series would be rated R if they were movies. I cannot recommend them as clean reads. I do stear clear of filth and for me these books did not cross that line. I would not let my kids read them. I do still recommend them as good books. I guess i would compare it to saying some R rated movies (The Passion of the Christ; Shawshank Redemption) are worth watching but if you have any hesitation it may not be worth it to you. I think the reader can make that decision within the first few chapters.