Objects, Places or Characters Koontz carries through several novels

[Charlotte]

I loved how Mystery Train had a cameo in both the Christopher Snow series (a ball cap he found with the words mystery train stitched to the front) as well as the Odd Thomas series (a shirt he wears in Odd Hours with the words mystery train as well as a Wyvern sweatshirt).

[Charlotte]

There is also the Monastery in which Odd resides in Brother Odd, which is reintroduced in the 4th Frankenstein Lost Souls- Gotta love Brother Knuckles!!

[Jaice]

Yes, I just experienced both of those connections for the first time recently and was pleased with them. It's the Koontzverse! There is also a mention of Wyvern (spelling?) in Odd Hours, which is the military base from the Chis Snow (aka Moonlight Bay) series.

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

There are Hawaiian shirts, Hershey bars and Hefty One-Zip bags :-)

[Marina]

Has anyone here noticed/commented on how many elements from older books are present in The Good Guy? Why do you think that is? I'm not buying the haters' theory that Koontz is just "recycling" stuff since some references were minor and unnecessary to the plot. I'd love to hear some suggestions on that. I liked the book, but found those references too puzzling and therefore distracting.

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

One thing in The Good Guy I noticed is the name Nora - There are also characters named Nora in Breathless and Watchers so I have concluded that Dean likes the name Nora :-)

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

I think Dean just has fun with his fans by throwing in references to his other books.
(view spoiler)[ There is a reference to False Memory when he writes: "Psychiatrists can unwittingly implant false memories." (hide spoiler)]

[Jaice]

Masha wrote: "Has anyone here noticed/commented on how many elements from older books are present in The Good Guy? Why do you think that is? I'm not buying the haters' theory that Koontz is just "recycling" stuf..."

Would you provide some specific examples of such elements? I just finished The Good Guy yesterday.

[Marina]

LOL that's the one thing I didn't get- so many other obvious ones. Do you want me to list and then we can brainstorm on why?

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

He uses T.S. Eliot quite a bit in his books especially The Taking. From The Good Guy:
"LIFE YOU MAY EVADE BUT DEATH YOU SHALL NOT"
-T.S. Eliot

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

Masha wrote: "Do you want me to list and then we can brainstorm on why?"

Jason wants a list and he is good at brainstorming so it sounds like a good idea :-)

[Marina]

Ok, it's been a while since I read The Good Guy, but here's what I remember (books with similar stuff in parentheses)-

The daycare child abuse false accusation backstory (False Memory)
Villain with permanently dilated pupils (Hideaway)
Villain who doesn't know where he came from or why he has certain urges (Mr. Murder)
A minor character with a big scar from mouth ot ear (Dark Rivers of the Heart)

I could swear there was more, but can't remember right now.

[Jaice]

Masha wrote: "Ok, it's been a while since I read The Good Guy, but here's what I remember (books with similar stuff in parentheses)..."

Yes, those are all good catches. Considering that The Good Guy was published after all those, it seems that Koontz was probably paying homage to some of his earlier books and putting little Easter eggs in this one for fans to identify. I would guess that this book contains more of such things than any other Koontz that I've read. Now that you mention it, it was never explained why the assassin couldn't remember his past from before he was 18 years old.

[Marina]

That was my interpretation as to why those things were there. Unfortunately, I think it caused a lot of undeserved criticism for an otherwise wonderful book.

One other theme I noticed throughout Koontz work is infertility and/or disastrous childbirth. I wonder if it's something personal, related to the fact that he and his wife never had kids. Not knowing if it was by choice, I can't presume anything.

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

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "Yes, those are all good catches. Considering that The Good Guy was published before all those, it seems that Koontz was probably paying homage to some of his earlier books and putting little Easter eggs in this one for fans to identify."

What you talkin 'bout Willis? The Good Guy was published after all those other books Masha mentioned.

[Marina]

I'm sure Jason meant "after" not "before."

[Jaice]

Masha wrote: "I'm sure Jason meant "after" not "before.""

I did indeed and have edited my earlier post accordingly. My statement was illogical with that error.

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

Okay. Everything is fine now :-)

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Okay. Everything is fine now :-)"

You'll be glad to know I just ordered Shattered, The Face of Fear, The Fun House, and The Servants of Twilight. :-)

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

How Wonderful!!!! The only one I have read of those is Shattered.

[Tracy]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "There are Hawaiian shirts, Hershey bars and Hefty One-Zip bags :-)"

Hey Dustin Crazy - Noah wears hawaiian shirts in One Door Away From Heaven.

[J.S.]

I think nearly every Koontz book I've read has featured a Ford Explorer. When I read Koontz's memoir "A Big Little Life," he mentions owning a Ford Explorer, which is most assuredly the reason so many Explorers appear in his books.

Oh, and Masha, Koontz says in "A Big Little Life" that he and Gerda never had children because they were afraid that if they brought another person into their lives it might damage their close relationship with one another. A little odd in my opinion, but whatever floats their boat, I guess!

[Tracy]

J. S. wrote: "I think nearly every Koontz book I've read has featured a Ford Explorer. When I read Koontz's memoir "A Big Little Life," he mentions owning a Ford Explorer, which is most assuredly the reason so m..."

J.S, in Life Expectancy he also has a Mercury Mountainer (which is a glorified Ford Explorer).

[J.S.]

Oh, another thing that appears a lot in his novels is the name "Bartholomew."

[Jaice]

J. S. wrote: "Oh, another thing that appears a lot in his novels is the name "Bartholomew.""

That's the name of the boy in From the Corner of His Eye. :-)

[J.S.]

And two of his novels I've read have featured "memory blocks." (The Key to Midnight & Strangers)

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

Tracy wrote: "Hey Dustin Crazy - Noah wears hawaiian shirts in One Door Away From Heaven."

I noticed :-) I've seen Dean wearing Hawaiian shirts too. I just bought my first two Hawaiian shirts so I can be more like Dean and the awesome characters in his books :-)

[Tracy]

DC- I loved Dean. His little macho self!

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

Tracy wrote: "DC- I loved Dean. His little macho self!"

You've met him personally?

[Tracy]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Tracy wrote: "DC- I loved Dean. His little macho self!"

You've met him personally?"

I WISH! Getting the vibes from his novels. I like to dream but when I do he is one of the characters in his books. Say like, Noah.

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

He is a funny man from what I've seen and heard and read in his books & interviews :-)

[Nora aka Diva]

Alex wrote: "Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "One thing in The Good Guy I noticed is the name Nora - There are also characters named Nora in Breathless and Watchers so I have concluded that Dean likes the ..."

Well it is a pretty good name. ;)

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

Alex wrote: "I just read The Face of Fear where the main character called his girlfriend Nora."

Well, surprise, surprise :-) That is a book I've been wanting to read. Maybe I'll start nominating it as a group read, unfortunately, I don't think it's available as an audiobook so it'll be harder for me to get through.

Nora wrote: "Well it is a pretty good name. ;) "

I thought you'd think so :-)

[J.S.]

These aren't objects, places, or characters; but Koontz often uses the words susurration, preternaturally, and ululate in his books. And he often mentions bougainvillea plants. And I don't even know what a bougainvillea looks like! [goes to Google...]

[J.S.]

Okay, they're funky-looking pinkish-purple flowers.

[Jaice]

J. S. wrote: "These aren't objects, places, or characters; but Koontz often uses the words susurration, preternaturally, and ululate in his books. And he often mentions bougainvillea plants...."

I've noticed that too. :-) There are a few more he likes to use often. Let's see if anyone else can name some.

[Kelsey]

I'm reading Shadowfires right now and the bougainvillea plants stuck out as soon as I read it! I have noticed that a lot of the repitition he uses shows up when he is describing architecture and plants lol. There has also been quite a few books that have the characters drinking coffee made with cinnamon and/or vanilla. This kept sticking out to me so I eventually tried it! (Veryy good btw)

The obvious themes he usually carries over from novel to novel deal with his characters.. There is often a mention of Catholics, or some sort of monastery, the belief that human beings are naturally GOOD (or at least his characters are practically saints), and of course... in the ultimate battle of good and evil, good always wins. These are also all reasons why I love Dean Koontz! Im not complaining:)

A lot of his main characters have suffered some sort of serious abuse.

Also he uses the same types of guns.. A LOT. I always fit in the conversations with my husband and father in law though.. Whenever there is a conversation about guns just start throwing out Smith & Wesson" .38's Chief Specials, Revolvers & The Heckler & Koch P7 (Mr. Murder, Tick Tock)

I have no idea what any of that means:)

[J.S.]

Kelsey wrote: "I have no idea what any of that means:)"

Me neither!

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

Kelsey wrote: "Also he uses the same types of guns.. A LOT. I always fit in the conversations with my husband and father in law though.. Whenever there is a conversation about guns just start throwing out Smith & Wesson" .38's Chief Specials, Revolvers & The Heckler & Koch P7 (Mr. Murder, Tick Tock)

I have no idea what any of that means:)"

That is very funny :-D

[Nora aka Diva]

Kelsey wrote: "There has also been quite a few books that have the characters drinking coffee made with cinnamon and/or vanilla. This kept sticking out to me so I eventually tried it! (Veryy good btw)..."

Me too, and I agree it, both are Very good! :)

[Paula pleasantVile]

I believe a Discriptive writer has to be plausible? and If Dean hasnt travelled then sticking to the places he knows best is not only the safest option but helps inspire him, for we could all write about inside the Vatican in lenghty prose by collecting internet info but its just not the same unless we`ve been in there. So maybe the same applies to characters? maybe he has a mental connection with certain names, plots, places that help fuel the fire of his imagination? Thats my guess anyway :0)

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

There is a Nora mentioned in his newest one too - 77 Shadow Street but I think she's already dead before we begin :-)

[Erica]

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "There is a Nora mentioned in his newest one too - 77 Shadow Street but I think she's already dead before we begin :-)"

BOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[Mark]

Every bad guy comes equiped with a Lockaid lock release gun.

[Christopher]

He seems to really have a problem with scientists. Being more of a conservative person, he tends to question their values and motivations as they delve into scientific breakthroughs. Interesting thoughts, though a bit heavy-handed in this regard. I would really like to have a talk to him in this regard, though perhaps not as much as Jason.

Other words that seem to come up a bit are blacktop, preternaturally and evidently. I wouldn't consider this recycling though. I consider using specific words time and time again is more of an author signature.

[Christopher]

Dany wrote: "Chino pants and Rockport shoes. The evil academia. Vapor lights. I hear a lot of susurration going on. Conclusions that are filled with a sense of hope. And of course, man's best friend...I love th..."

The best ending I've seen from him so far was in Lightning.

"Destiny struggles to reassert the pattern that was meant to be. But sometimes, happily, it fails."

"Destiny struggles to reassert the pattern that was meant to be, Laura thought. And sometimes, happily, it succeeds."
Just a beautifully done ending.

[Marina]

He has a problem with science being used for evil (a lot of times inadvertently, out of arrogance, and sometimes on purpose). Just like he has a recurring theme of "evil" artists, in pretty much the same manner. Science, and art, have to be grounded in morality. That's his point, and yes, he's gotten more heavy handed with age, or rather these have become central themes instead of something explored around the edges.

The "signature" concept is interesting. It didn't occur to me, but come to think of it you have great movie directors doing pretty much the same thing over and over, and that's what makes them special.

[Jaice]

Masha wrote: "He has a problem with science being used for evil (a lot of times inadvertently, out of arrogance, and sometimes on purpose). Just like he has a recurring theme of "evil" artists, in pretty much the same manner. Science, and art, have to be grounded in morality...."

This is a touchy subject for me and I intend to talk about it at greater length in the 77 Shadow Street thread, as soon as I have time to read all the existing posts there. For now, I'll just point out that science, technology, or any form of knowledge/information is neither good nor evil--it is neutral. It's how humans choose to use them that can either be good or evil. Yet Koontz disregards that in 77 Shadow Street, when (view spoiler)[ one of the main heroic characters shoots in cold blood the defenseless scientist who would have been responsible for the technology that brought about the dystopian future from which they had all just returned, even though the scientist said sincerely that he would now make every effort to ensure that future wouldn't occur, because he was equally appalled by it (hide spoiler)]. That really got me angry and caused me to question Koontz's own morality. It also saddened me quite a bit, because the morality inherent in each was one of the things I've always admired most about his books.

[Marina]

I agree on two points: 1)Science is a tool, so it's only as good or evil as the people in charge of it. 2) That part of 77SS made me very uncomfortable (although I think it was meant to be uncomfortable and controversial in the way it was written.) I think it may be a good idea to start a thread on Koontz and science as I'm sure a lot of people here have thoughts on the subject and we don't want to derail the thread entirely.

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

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "This is a touchy subject for me and I intend to talk about it at greater length in the 77 Shadow Street thread, as soon as I have time to read all the existing posts there. For now, I'll just point out that science, technology, or any form of knowledge/information is neither good nor evil--it is neutral. It's how humans choose to use them that can either be good or evil. Yet Koontz disregards that in 77 Shadow Street, when"

I thought you might have a few words to say :-)