Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Previously issued as a paperback original under the pseudonym Leigh Nichols, this is one of Koontz's better thrillers. Single parent Christine Scavello and her young son Joey find themselves confronted by a madwoman, Grace Spivey, who fancies she discerns the Antichrist in Joey's cherubic visage. Spivey is the charismatic leader of a religious cult whose fanatic members do her every bidding, including murdering the little boy, and everyone who stands in their way. After the police fail to provide adequate protection, Christine turns to private detective Charlie Harrison, whose business and home are soon firebombed by the cultists, and two of his men murdered, even as he finds that he is falling in love with Christine. The narrative moves along briskly until the last third, at which point a frantic chase sequence goes on too long. Nevertheless, this is a better than average adventure with supernatural overtones. The possibility of Joey's actually being the Antichrist is a deftly handled (and unresolved) tease. (March)
From the Publisher
Praise for Dean Koontz
“Dean Koontz is a prose stylist whose lyricism heightens malevolence and tension. [He creates] characters of unusual richness and depth.”—The Seattle Times
“Tumbling, hallucinogenic prose....‘Serious’ writers...might do well to examine his technique.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Lyrical writing and compelling characters...Koontz stands alone.”—Associated Press
“In every industry there exist ‘artists’ that are not only unforgettable, but know their craft better than the rest. Dean Koontz...is among these artisans.”—Suspense Magazine
“[Koontz] has always had near-Dickensian powers of description, and an ability to yank us from one page to the next that few novelists can match.”—Los Angeles Times
“Perhaps more than any other author, Koontz writes fiction perfectly suited to the mood of America...novels that acknowledge the reality and tenacity of evil but also the power of good...[and that] entertain vastly as they uplift.”—Publishers Weekly
Library Journal - Audio
02/01/2014
In Koontz's (Innocence) classic tale, originally published in 1988, Christine Scavello and Joey, her six-year-old son, are targeted by Grace Spivey, the charismatic leader of a religious cult called the Servants of Twilight. Grace is convinced that Joey is Satan incarnate and that God has commanded her to kill the boy. Receiving no assistance from the local authorities, Christine enlists the services of Charlie Harrison, a private detective. Together they embark on a harrowing journey to protect Joey at all costs. Murdering those who have sworn to protect Christine and Joey, the religious fanatics are relentless and destroy every safe place Christine can think of to hide. Underestimating the extent of the old woman's power and influence, the trio flee to Charlie's remote hunting lodge in the Sierra Nevada. Trekking through whiteout conditions and waist-high snowdrifts, Charlie, Christine, and Joey take refuge from the storm in a dark, dank cave. Exhausted, cold, and wounded, they can only pray that Grace doesn't find them. Angela Dawe ably narrates this action-packed, highly suspenseful tale using multiple vocal inflections. VERDICT This older story is still relevant and will please listeners who enjoy paranormal thrillers.—JoAnn Funderburk, South Garland Branch Lib., TX
