Odd Hours

Odd Thomas, Book 4

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Only a handful of fictional characters are recognized by first name alone. Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas is one such literary hero, who has come alive in listeners’ imaginations as he explores the greatest mysteries of this world and the next with his inimitable wit, heart, and quiet gallantry. Now Koontz follows Odd as he is drawn onward, to a destiny he cannot imagine. Haunted by dreams of an all-encompassing red tide, Odd is pulled inexorably to the sea, to a small California coastal town where nothing is as it seems.

©2008 Dean Koontz (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Odd for Odd

Any book by Koontz sells well and any book with Odd as the main character sells well, but Koontz may have shot himself in the foot with this half a** attempt. I believe Koontz is getting tired of this character and it shows in his writing. Odd mentions more then once that he would like to die and I believe Koontz would like to kill him off, if only he did not sell so well.

The story starts off on a beach where Odd is attack by some bad guys. It takes him eight chapters to get off the beach. Most of the book is filler. Toward the end our gun hating hero, uses a gun and kills several people, some point blank. At one point he bravely stands still while a bad guy takes three shots at him, like he is superman. It seemed very out of character for Odd to use a gun and I believe it was just a easy way for Koontz to get his character out of trouble, so he compromised the character's character.

In chapter 46 there is an exchange between Odd and a bad guy that is roll on the ground funny, but this is about the only place in the book where there is any levity.

This is the fourth book in the series, but you can read them in any order. My favorite in the series is Forever Odd.

Koontz has written some really great stuff and my favorites are: The Bad Place, Lost Souls, Life Expectancy, Dragon Tears, and By The Light of The Moon.

Odd Thomas when it was still fun

Any additional comments?

Unlike other reviewers, I really liked this addition to the "Odd Thomas" series. I always enjoy Dean's/Odd's wry humor and this had plenty. Great characters, as usual, and very enjoyable mystery. This was the last "Odd Thomas" that was really enjoyable to listen to before the stories became so dark. Worth listening to again.

Wonderfully Odd

If you like Odd, you have to read this.

Odd's OK again

A little slower than the previous Odd Thomas stories but still quite enjoyable. As always, David Baker performs wonderfully and is among my favorite barriers.

The subtle tie in to "Seize the Night" suggest something more to come.

Not Bad

This was a pretty good book. A little less action than the predecessors. A little more plot would have been nice, but still all in all not bad

Narrator David Aaron Baker can make any book great

Dean Koontz hands down is one of the best paranormal, supernatural and unexplained mysteries, & ghost story authors out there. When reading a book it has to stand on its own, but the narrator can make or break even the best books.

David Aaron Baker's narrating is one of the best I have listened to, he makes the book so much fun to listen to you won't be disappointed as I have been with several books I've purchased and could not listen to because the narration was so bad!

I have purchased several audio books narrated by David and have loved everyone of them.

This guy is the Bomb of narrators.

Oddly laking story

What did you like best about Odd Hours? What did you like least?

Big disappointment here. I have loved the previous Odd Thomas books but this one left me yearning for the original characters in Book 1. Too far fetched. Too dark. Seems Thomas forgot the advice from his long time friend Little Ozzie to keep it light. I missed the occassional lighthearted fun moments from his previous adventures.

Would you be willing to try another book from Dean Koontz? Why or why not?

Yes. I have friends who have said that book 5 was really good and I trust their opinion.

What about David Aaron Baker’s performance did you like?

Everything. He is definitely one of my favorites.

Did Odd Hours inspire you to do anything?

Yeah - take a break and read something light.

odd

its good but not as good as the rest of the odd Thomas books but still fun for the most part.

I really think this book should have been revised

.... a few times to make the story more on the lines of the other Odd Thomas books. This one really didn't flow like the others and the ending totally ticked me off!!! It leave you hanging with a 100 questions left unanswered (obviously there will be another book sometime in the future)....but this book felt like it was just thrown together to get the package done. I did find myself laughing out loud during parts of the book because, let's face it, Odd is an odd guy and he really gets into some crazy situations and the witty dialogue is just plain ole entertaining at times. The new dead singer is pretty interesting.....but I really did enjoy Elvis so much more....he just seemed so much more compassionate and approachable (for a dead guy).


AnnaMaria, the main character that brings Odd to his new adventure thru 'psychic magnetism' is a mystery and just really strange. Of course, you expect her background to be explained throughout the book....but she ends up in the beginning of the book and at the end.....but nowhere in the middle...and you are left hanging with no idea what she actually means to the story and to Odd....other than she will be following him into the next book. That is just plain ole rude to use a character like that and then never do anything with it. Odd becomes a killing machine in this book and it was a side I really didn't like or respond to in a positive way....it was so far from who the guy I have come to adore and love.....


I can only hope that the next edition will go back to focusing on the supernatural talents of Odd with more ghostly experiences and less apocalyptic doom....for that is when he is at his best....dealing one on one with a ghost who is desperate for help. One more thought....I am going to throw out my thoughts on who the next dead singer is going to be as Odd's companion.....it has to be the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson.....seriously....who else would it be???.....Don't let me down Dean....please come back to the way you started Odd Thomas and you will have not only made me happy but I'm sure many other fans too.

Love Words?

Where does Odd Hours rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Story line was a little weak. But if you like words, Mr. Koontz out did himself with this one. This to me read like he had to use his big vocabulary or bust :)

What does David Aaron Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

David kept the characters easy to follow.