Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Odd Hours is the fourth book in the Odd Thomas Series. The group is reading the series in preparation for reading the Horror Category Winner Saint Odd later in the year.

Book #1 Discussion - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book #2 Discussion - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book #3 Discussion - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


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 irresistibly drawn onward, to a destiny he cannot imagine. The legend began in the obscure little town of Pico Mundo. A fry cook named Odd was rumored to have the extraordinary ability to communicate with the dead. Through tragedy and triumph, exhilaration and heartbreak, word of Odd Thomas' gifts filtered far beyond Pico Mundo, attracting unforgettable new friends - and enemies of implacable evil. With great gifts comes the responsibility to meet great challenges. But no mere human being was ever meant to face the darkness that now stalks the world - not even one as oddly special as Odd Thomas.

After grappling with the very essence of reality itself, after finding the veil separating him from his soul mate, Stormy Llewellyn, tantalizingly thin yet impenetrable, Odd longed only to return to a life of quiet anonymity with his two otherworldly sidekicks - his dog, Boo, and a new companion, one of the few who might rival his old pal Elvis. But a true hero, however humble, must persevere.

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. Now the forces arrayed against him have both official sanction and an infinitely more sinister authority...and in this dark night of the soul, dawn will come only after the most shattering revelations of all.

I'm looking forward to this one! :) Starting tomorrow.

How are you finding it so far Kristie?

Has anyone else started it yet?

I downloaded it today and hopefully starting tomorrow ..... but because of my love / hate relationship with the series, I'm not chomping at the bit to start.

I'm at 47% and I'm enjoying it. There was one part where he was running around somewhere and it reminded me of when he was in those water tunnels in the second book. I thought oh no here we go again. But since that passed, I think it's been interesting. There's something going on in this town, but I'm not sure what it is. I have a theory, but it's very thin.

This one was not a favorite for me, but I liked the next two books better. Dean Koontz has some great ideas, but I'm not always as enthusiastic about the way he tells his stories. Something about the pacing and the details that he includes is always off for me, but I really do love his characters, like Oddie. I'm enjoying the series, but think it could be better.

Lea - I agree about the pacing and details. That was what I was referring to above with the comment about the second book. Every once in a while he gets caught up with something and you just need to get through it to get back to the story. There are always pieces in these stories that just don't work for me, but the overall feel for me is enjoyment. I find that they are books that have writing issues that I could tear apart, but I just don't care that much. Sort of like having a best friend that's a bit of a pain in the butt, but you love her anyway.

I finished. I really enjoyed it. There are a couple of things that didn't get answered for me. For one, (view spoiler)[what was up with the coyotes? No one else can see them? Also, what is the deal with the bell charm? And why did those two guys see Odd's premonition when they touched him? Mostly, what's the deal with Annamaria? Is she an alien or channeling Stormy or what?? (hide spoiler)] Very strange stuff there.

This series seems to be a 3.5 for me, but mostly rounded up. I really enjoy Odd and the banter is fun, often witty or humorous. I do think that Koontz goes into too much detail at times, which can affect the pacing. Also, the Stormy obsession can be a bit much at times. I love that he had a true love and there was no questioning it, but she keeps showing up...

It seems we've picked up a couple of long-term characters in this one. I look forward to learning more about them in the next book. I've read that the next in the series is a bit darker. I can see how it would head in that direction considering Odd's actions & his feelings at the end. I'm curious to see how that affects my enjoyment of the series. I love that it's relatively light.

I plan to read Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure next month while we are on our Odd break. :)

I've just started, it was a very odd (no pun intended) first chapter. I pretty much was thinking throughout the whole chapter "What on earth is going on"

Hi everyone - I just posted this message in the buddy read thread. Let me know if you're interested.

I'm planning to read Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure next month. We do not have an Odd Thomas series read planned for the month and this book of short stories (4.1 to 4.3) fits right between our August and October reads. If anyone is interested in reading it with me sometime in September, just let me know and I'll set up a buddy read thread.

Kristie wrote: "Lea - I agree about the pacing and details. That was what I was referring to above with the comment about the second book. Every once in a while he gets caught up with something and you just need to get through it to get back to the story. There are always pieces in these stories that just don't work for me, but the overall feel for me is enjoyment. I find that they are books that have writing issues that I could tear apart, but I just don't care that much. Sort of like having a best friend that's a bit of a pain in the butt, but you love her anyway"

Yes, I think that is exactly how I feel about these books. I love your analogy to your friend that is a bit of a pain in the butt...hey, I resemble that! :-)

Kristie wrote: "Hi everyone - I just posted this message in the buddy read thread. Let me know if you're interested.

I'm planning to read Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure next month...."

I read all three Odd Interludes, and I enjoyed them. However, I will say this about it: you should read them all together. They are one complete story, not three. Have fun and maybe I'll drop in to see how you all are enjoying them. :-)

I'm 27% in .....

The conversations with his new employer are exactly why I love Odd and these books.

The conversation he's currently having with the Annamaria is exactly why I get so annoyed with the books. They are talking round in circles and she's not telling him (and therefore us) anything!

I thought the same thing! I found that conversation frustrating.

I really enjoyed this one. Odd was amazing once again, and some of the dialogue with various characters in the book were hilarious.

I actually found that Koontz did less wandering off on a tangent this time (I think? Or maybe I'm getting more used to it?). However there was a lot more mysetery left unanswered this time; (view spoiler)[the coyotes, the ability to pass on premonitions, the bell charm and most definitely Annamaria - Gaaaaah, those conversations wtih Annamaria did my head in! (hide spoiler)]. Slightly irritated by that but mostly I like that it feels more of a series because they are moving into the next book. Which gives me more incentive to carry on with the series.

Kristie - I'm up for reading Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure with you

Oh yay! Just posted on the buddy read thread. I'll be back to comment later, but I'm on the app and can't read your spoiler right now.

I think the rambling parts were shorter in this one and that's why it felt like less.

Haha, ok, read your spoiler. It looks just like mine. lol I completely agree with the mysteries not being concluded in this book. And those specific conversations! Yikes...

I honestly not sure what to think about Annamarie and her being in future books. If it's more the same as this book I will be seriously annoyed, however if we are going to get some answers then I'll be happy.

I feel the same way. I like that he has a friend, but it's all a bit strange and just too vague for my taste. I hope things clear up somewhat in the next book.

I just finished and really enjoyed reading the book. I agree that the story was a bit strange and vague, and am actually a bit amazed that I liked it so much anyway.

Paula wrote: "I just finished and really enjoyed reading the book. I agree that the story was a bit strange and vague, and am actually a bit amazed that I liked it so much anyway."

It's Odd himself Paula (I think), he just makes you live him and therefore the books :)

For anyone that's interested, Lynn and I just completed a buddy read of Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure. Going into it, I thought it was 3 short stories (4.1-4.3), but as it turns out, it is 3 parts to one story and the story takes place immediately following this book (Odd Hours #4). Lynn and I both agreed that Odd Interlude was the best in the series so far.

We are not doing a group read of Odd Interlude because it is considered a side book and not a full book in the series. (It is #4.1-4.3 instead of #5 or such.) However, I'm not sure why it wasn't just put in as a series book. I'm guessing it is because of the way it was marketed. It looks like it was sold in 3 parts instead of as one book. Regardless, it is worth a read if you are enjoying the series.

If you decide that you would like to read the book, please feel free to join the buddy read discussion thread here.