The Husband [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

I've been a fan of Koontz (he used to be known as Dean R. Koontz) since a classmate gave me a set of paperbacks for a Christmas gift exchange back in 1988. She said 'If you like Stephen King, you'll LOVE Koontz. Trust me."

Of course, she was right. Even the worst of Koontz blows away the best of King.

But I digress.

I've been a bit disappointed with the last few Koontz novels. Mostly, it's been Koontz's obsession with describing weather that distracts from the story. But also the stories didn't seem as suspenseful as they used to be--nor believable. (Alien fungi are best left to the ramblings of King. The Taking by Koontz reminded me of King's alien book Buick 8--which isn't good. That is, neither King's book nor the comparison.)

I hadn't given up on Koontz, though, and when I read the back of the dustjacket of The Husband, I KNEW I had to buy it!

With The Husband, Koontz weaves a believable, taut story that is (initially) gripping for one reason: the premise could happen to any of us.

Imagine that you're a middle-class gardener working in an upscale suburb with your partner. You are digging and planting on a hot day--and then you get a call on your cell. Your beloved has been kidnapped and you have 60 hours to pay 2 million dollars for the ransom.

Just so you know that the kidnappers are serious, the caller directs your attention to the sidewalk across the road, where a passer-by is walking a dog. Next thing you know, there's a pop and the passer-by falls to the ground--dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

You hear your beloved screaming on the phone, you are warned not to go to the police or your beloved dies--and the clock begins ticking.

So goes the page-turning suspense in The Husband. It is truly a thrill-ride from first to last. I could NOT put it down. I didn't WANT to put it down! There are several shocking surprises in this book--ones I did NOT see coming. There were times I would hurriedly shut the book, exclaim "Oh my God!"--and sit there with mouth agape.

Once I wrapped my head around the revelation, I'd dive right back in for more!

Yes, Koontz still describes the weather with gorgeous metaphors (this time, it's mostly the wind) but in this book, the word pictures don't distract from the story--they accentuate it. (Perhaps because they seem less elaborate?) I was waiting for Koontz to use "susurration", and by God he did...but not in reference to the rain or wind--but a heartbeat.

To say The Husband was an exciting read is an understatement. My flight-or-fight response was triggered more than once during this wild ride! As usual, Koontz imbues heart and hope--so this story is oh-so-satisfying on many levels.

I finished reading The Husband in the wee hours of this morning and LOVED it!!! I even told my husband "You have GOT to read this!" (He read One Door Away From Heaven at my prompting, and was introduced to the writings of the late Richard Brautigan thanks to a repeated reference to In Watermelon Sugar. My husband is now a rabid fan of Brautigan, thanks to Koontz!)

Dean Koontz, you have once again showed what a truly suspenseful writer you can be!

This is a Dean Koontz psychologically complex novel with mysterious and fantastical characters with an unrealistic plot. The dynamics of parents and siblings play an important role in this novel, so is the love between husband and wife. Of course Koontz is a master storyteller that features creepy villains, this book is no exception.

Another page turner - one you won't want to put down. Koontz is able to throw us twists that you don't see coming and keep you on the edge. A great read and great entertainment. The characters are well developed and he makes every turn believable. This is one to get!

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Talk about a great husband!
I had heard that this novel was apparently one of the best books written by Dean Koontz -- and indeed, it is very good! Read more

Published 9 months ago by Pat the cat

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read!
This is a little bit different style of Koontz novel. More action adventure less mystic. There are elements of the supernatural but not as much as I've come to expect... Read more

Published 11 months ago by J Roche

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book...easy read.
This was a pretty good book, Thriller yes, but I wouldn't rate it as a 5. Although it did move at a fairly quick speed, it was predictable in many areas. Read more

Published on Sep 23 2008 by WP

2.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Would Have Expected
I have seen the name of Dean Koontz on many books and figured I'd give one a shot. Picked up The Husband since its premise looked promising. Read more

Published on Jan 2 2008 by Marion Marchetto

3.0 out of 5 stars An okay book
The plot was interesting enough. I bought this book to see if Dean Koontz can give it a different twist. I wasn't disappointed, but not overly impressed either. Read more

Published on Nov 10 2007 by Draco Malfoy

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
This story was so compelling to me for this very reason: It not only COULD happen, but it could happen to anyone, anywhere. Read more

Published on July 16 2007 by Jane Smith (the REAL Jane Smith)

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Ties
The good husband seems to be placed into an impossible position by a group of high-tech kidnappers, how can a self-employed landscaper with $13000 in the bank possibly come up... Read more

Published on Jun 17 2007 by Pol Sixe

4.0 out of 5 stars Quality Koontz
This is exactly what you would expect from a Dean Koontz psychological thriller, no more no less. A page turner written in his trademark style.

Published on Jun 15 2007 by M. Catalano

4.0 out of 5 stars My 100-word book review
The Husband is an action-filled, suspenseful novel, with a cracker of a beginning and a great twist in the middle. Read more

Published on Mar 24 2007 by A. J. Cull

4.0 out of 5 stars A Change of Koontz
This one is different from the Dean Koontz novels you've been reading lately. No alien life forms, mad scientists, secret laboratories, Government conspiracies or crazed... Read more

Published on Sep 4 2006 by Amanda Richards

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!