Dark Rivers of the Heart: A Novel and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more

Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading Dark Rivers of the Heart: A Novel on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Dark Rivers of the Heart [Mass Market Paperback]

Dean Koontz
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (146 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition --  
Hardcover --  
Paperback --  
Mass Market Paperback CDN $10.36  
Mass Market Paperback, Aug 1 2000 --  
Audio, CD, Audiobook, Unabridged CDN $31.31  

Book Description

Aug 1 2000
Do you dare step through the red door?

Spencer Grant had no idea what drew him to the bar with the red door. He thought he would just sit down, have a slow beer or two, and talk to a stranger. He couldn't know that it would lead to a narrow escape from a bungalow targeted by a SWAT team. Or that it would leave him a wanted man. Now he is on the run from mysterious and ruthless men. He is in love with a woman he knows next to nothing about. And he is hiding from a past he can't fully remember. On his trail is a shadowy security agency that answers to no one--including the U.S. government—and a man who considers himself a compassionate Angel of Death. But worst of all, Spencer Grant is on a collision course with inner demons he thought he'd buried years ago—inner demons that could destroy him if his enemies don't first.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Details


Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Koontz's tale of a man, a woman and a dog on the run from a high-tech rogue government agency was a PW bestseller for nine weeks.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

Spencer Grant is on the run from a nameless, violent government agency. His goal is to keep away from his pursuers long enough to find the woman he met the night before, who appears to be their real target. Spencer has no idea why they want to kill Valerie Keene, but his brief acquaintance with her has convinced him that the killers have no good reason for wanting her dead. With his game but fearful dog, Rocky, Spencer leads the killers on a frustrating chase. By the end of the story, Spencer must confront his own personal demons as well as the bizarre sociopathic agent leading the hunt. The government's activities-especially the incredible surveillance techniques that Koontz, in an afterword, claims are currently being used-help create an atmosphere of intense paranoia and fear. This superb suspense novel will surely delight the author's many fans.
--A.M.B. Amantia, Population Action International, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My 1st Koontz book April 4 2004
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the first Koontz book I read and it is still one of the best I've read of his. The bad guy is sick and sadistic. I enjoyed reading about his thoughts. Overall a great book.
Was this review helpful to you?
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Rivers of the Heart May 27 2004
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It is difficult to imagine a reader who won't be hooked by this thriller about government power run amok and a man and woman on the run from the madman who wields that power. Spencer Grant, a mysterious and secretive man tormented by a terrible event in his past, is so taken with a waitress he meets in a Santa Barbara bar one evening that, when she fails to show up for work the next night, he goes to her home to investigate. The place is attacked by a government SWAT team with extremely deadly intent, Grant barely escapes with his life, and he's forced to follow the woman in a desperate flight. The leader of the very secret agency on their trail, Roy Miro, is literally (although not openly) insane, obsessed with perfection and driven to kill wantonly out of a corrupted sense of empathy. Koontz (Mr. Murder, 1993, etc.) skillfully keeps the reader turning the pages. The young woman who is the object of the chase does not make an appearance until halfway through the book, and the reason she is being sought is not revealed until even later. Through most of the story, only Grant knows the dark secret that haunts him and has left him with an identifying scar on his face. An amoral female government agent is added to the mix (her love affair with Miro provides some wickedly funny moments), setting up an unexpected coda to the tale. For good measure, yet another madman takes center stage in time for the inevitable final confrontation. Throughout, the author makes some telling points about government intrusion into privacy and the efficacy of asset-seizure laws. All this, plus lots of startling high-tech computer shenanigans by both sides--and one great dog. Unrelenting excitement, truly memorable characters, and ample food for thought launch this one to almost certain bestsellerdom.
Was this review helpful to you?
5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling chase novel... Mar 14 2004
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Valerie Keene was married to the Attorney General's son. When Valerie discovers that the Attorney General is crooked and runs his own illegal agency, her husband is killed and she is framed for his death. Valerie goes on the run to gather enough evidence to take the Attorney General down. She is now working as a cocktail waitress in a bar. Spencer Grant is an ex-cop and a very talented computer hacker living alone with his dog Rocky. Spencer Grant falls for Valerie at first sight, and becomes obsessed with her. After several nights of hanging out in the bar, Spencer tails her home from work. When Valerie does not show up at the bar the following night, Spencer goes to Valerie's house to see what's up. When doing so, he walks in on an assault team of the Attorney General's crooked government agents. Spencer is forced to run for his life, and flee the area. Now with crooked government agents on his tail, Spencer must use all his resources to locate Valerie, so that the two can work together, and bring down the Attorney General.

Dark Rivers of the Heart is an amazing book, and definately one of Koontz's best. This complex and suspenseful book is one of the best chase novels that I have ever read. This book brings a lot of paranoia and conspiracy because of the endless chase after Valerie and Spencer. The story also takes an interesting look at the government in general. It shows that we are anything but free, and that we are monitored at all times. The governmental conspiracy that Koontz creates, really provides for a thought provoking and exciting part of the story!

The characters are absolutely fabulous. Spencer Grant is my favorite character. The fact that he puts his life and everything he has at risk for a woman he doesn't know is very commendable. His hacker skills are impressive, and once again Koontz creates an intelligent and loveable dog to be Grant's companion. Valerie Keene is highly intelligent, beautiful, resourceful, and a skilled computer hacker as well. Spencer and Valerie make a great team. The main villan of the story is a man named Roy Miro who leads the team of crooked agents. He is perhaps one of the best villans Koontz ever created. Roy is brutal, sadistic, and out of his mind because he sees killing as an act of mercy. The most surprising character is Eve Jammer. She is an ex Vegas showgirl that works with Roy at the agency. She spends her time using the Atorney General agency's information to blackmail people. Eve is beautiful, intelligent, and ruthless. Roy and Eve make the perfect team in and out of the bedroom!

Overall, Dark Rivers of the Heart is an outstanding book. It is probably one of the best chase novels ever written. The suspense and action in the book is unending, the characters are all great, and Koontz creates a frightening and realistic government conspiracy.

Was this review helpful to you?
Want to see more reviews on this item?
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars I have more patience
than one of the reviewers below that gave one zero to this nonsense. He could reach page 77; on the other hand, I, with all my will, reached 150 before finally tossing this over... Read more
Published on May 16 2004 by A guy loving talented guys
3.0 out of 5 stars Average, A few peeves
I listened to the audio version of Dark Rivers of the heart. I must say...The beginning was excellent. (Especially the interaction with the homeless man). Read more
Published on April 1 2004 by Serene
5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD!
This story is the best of dean koonz's writing. I enjoy how he uses his extensive knowledge of weapons in his works. Keep of the good work, Dean Koontz!
Published on Feb 20 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars Liked the novel...not the ending
The thing I like about Koontz books is that he has a constant theme of hope: that although the bad guys are out there, a few people can make a difference. Read more
Published on Jan 9 2004 by Andrew Violette
5.0 out of 5 stars This time, Koontz nails it
Okay, confession time: I've been a bit hard on Dean Koontz in some of my other reviews. The downside of being able to write good suspense is that your fans get their hopes up, and... Read more
Published on Jan 1 2004 by Ethan Straffin
1.0 out of 5 stars This book is horrible.
I only read 77 pages of this book. I felt like I had to force feed myself to read this book and I reached a point where I had enough of this CRAP that I had to throw it away. Read more
Published on Dec 30 2003 by Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars One of Koontz's best
I was hoping Koontz would write a follow-up to this book, it contained some of his most interesting characters.
This book struck me as a bit of a departure. Read more
Published on Oct 31 2003 by "ynot4tony2"
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect paranoia novel.
Have you ever wondered how closely Big Brother is watching you? Dean Koontz looks at the government's abuse of authority in "Dark Rivers of the Heart". Read more
Published on Sep 22 2003 by Vagabond77
2.0 out of 5 stars word usage tries too hard
The main plot of the book (it's been summarized) was suspenseful enough, though I do have to agree that King's short story "Everything's Eventual" covered a similar theme... Read more
Published on Aug 6 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars Intricate Plot
I enjoyed the seesaw action of this book, going from Spencer Grant to Roy Miro and back, then adding in the subplots of Harris Descoteaux & Eve Jammer. Read more
Published on July 21 2003 by Lee Armstrong
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category


Feedback