Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion

A terrible darkness has fallen upon us,
but we must not surrender to it.
We shall lift lamps of courage
and find our way through to the morning.
- Anonymous member of the French Resistance (1943)
quoted at the opening of Strangers

First published in 1986, the connections among strangers is certainly relevant in 2020. Welcome to Koontzland where a common interest brings us together and able to socialize. Strangers will be featured as our May Group Read.

"Strangers is the best novel he has written. It's full of suspense, excitement and weird situations." - Stephen King

One of my all time favorite books! My paperback copy fell apart due to reading it twice myself and letting other folks borrow it. Unfortunately, libraries are closed for the foreseeable future (need I say why?) so I may have to pass on this discussion BUT I will def be checking in on the board.

Hey all, I haven't seen any mention or discussion of "Icebound," the only Thriller Mr. Koontz has written. He reportedly has said he doesn't plan to write any more in this genre. but I think it's among his best. any other opinions?

Tim wrote: "Hey all, I haven't seen any mention or discussion of "Icebound," the only Thriller Mr. Koontz has written. He reportedly has said he doesn't plan to write any more in this genre. but I think it's a..."

You'll find a few discussion threads mentioning Icebound in this folder: Stand Alone Novels 1968-1979
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Anyone started reading Strangers yet? Let me know and I can start my re-read.

Alas, my paperback of Strangers fell apart years ago and libraries havent reopened so will to skip may but def want to read Dragon Tears next month.

Sounds like a good plan :-)

Matthew wrote: "Alas, my paperback of Strangers fell apart years ago and libraries havent reopened so will to skip may but def want to read Dragon Tears next month."

I just created the Dragon Tears Discussion Thread for June :-)
Here you go:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm going to search the bookshelves for Strangers and start soon! Been Koontz-bingeing for a few weeks now. It's good to have time to read!

With my library and local bookstores closed, I've been searching my bookshelves quite a bit since March :-) I typically visit the library once a week but now I'm reading books I bought back in 2011. Of course I already own most of Dean Koontz's readily available titles. I have a whole bookshelf devoted to Dean Koontz books.

I have a hardback copy of Strangers that is pretty beat up!! I adore this book. I’ll start it tonight. I just finished Devoted a couple weeks ago so I’m ready for some old school Dean!!

This was a good one.

My library, fortunately, has curbside pick up. It is wonderful!

Cathy wrote: "My library, fortunately, has curbside pick up. It is wonderful!"

Lucky you :-) That would be a nice option.

Cathy wrote: "My library, fortunately, has curbside pick up. It is wonderful!"

Soooo jealous! Where do you live and how do I get there?? Hah

Cathy wrote: "My library, fortunately, has curbside pick up. It is wonderful!"

My library is finally starting this next week. Beginning with library holds that were placed before the closure in March and then opening to new hold requests on Memorial Day.

I have started reading Strangers. I'm still in the beginning introductions to all the different characters who are having strange phobias and fugue states. For me, I think the character who is a surgeon is the one who stands out to me the most. Her mentor is a bit nicer and more understanding than I would imagine a senior surgeon to be.

I thought I had read this one but now I think I have only started it a couple of times...I do remember something about people arriving at a desert motel but that is all I remember and I see it isn't in my read books section. I wonder why I didn't finish it. The reviews have it sounding good.

Mary, it sounds like you might actually be one of the characters in the book!

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Mary, it sounds like you might actually be one of the characters in the book!"

Well, that's a teaser, Dustin! I will have to start it again. You have reached my ego. :-)

This is a really long book! I've been reading for a while and I'm still not quite at the halfway mark.

Barbara wrote: "I have a hardback copy of Strangers that is pretty beat up!! I adore this book. I’ll start it tonight. I just finished Devoted a couple weeks ago so I’m ready for some old school Dean!!"

How's that re-read going?

Cathy wrote: "My library, fortunately, has curbside pick up. It is wonderful!"

My library just started this past week to offer hold pickup by appointment, so I went Wednesday and picked up the books that have been waiting for me since March.
The library isn't accepting material returns until June 15th. It's gonna be a slow turn around, but at least things are moving along.

Oh dear, I thought this was June read. It seems I am always behind.

I am reading 3 other books and am so behind Two of them have deadlines (NetGalley)---reading should not be stressful so Strangers are on for a bit. :-(

Mary wrote: "Oh dear, I thought this was June read. It seems I am always behind.

I am reading 3 other books and am so behind Two of them have deadlines (NetGalley)---reading should not be stressful so Stranger..."

I fell behind last year. Was able to catch up this Spring. I'm finishing Strangers this weekend and then starting Dragon Tears.

Like one that on a lonesome road
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And having once turned round walks on,
And turns no more his head;
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Quoted in Strangers

Reading Strangers. Halfway through and enjoying it but do think it needed more editing. Great premise though.