Review: The Bone Farm - Dean Koontz

An audio original novella featuring bestselling author Dean Koontz's compelling new heroine, Jane Hawk. From the case files of the former FBI agent before she became the nation's most wanted fugitive - The Bone Farm details a desperate man-hunt for a serial killer before he murders again.

Katherine Haskell, a young college co-ed is on her way back to school, but she never makes it there. Instead, she becomes the latest prey of the rapist and murderer dubbed by the tabloids the "Mother Hater." He is a twisted soul who kidnaps young girls for pleasure then discards them.

Katherine is missing, but she's not yet dead. FBI agents Jane Hawk and her partner Gary Burkett must descend into the hell of this killer's mind to solve the case before it is too late. The question is - will they both get out alive?

Jane Hawk Series:
The Bone Farm (Audio Novella)
The Silent Corner
The Whispering Room
The Crooked Staircase
The Forbidden Door
The Night Window (2019)

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
I've been a Dean Koontz fan for years now and I'm really enjoying the Jane Hawk series so I was looking forward to reading The Bone Farm even though I don't often listen to audiobooks. As far as the audio goes I thought this story was read well and the narrators, Elisabeth Rogers & James Anderson Foster, did a good job with it but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy the actual story.

This is a prequel to the Jane Hawk series so it's back in the days before she was suspended from the FBI and Jane is working a missing persons case alongside her partner Gary. They know they're dealing with a serial killer but he keeps his victims alive for a long time before killing them so they're desperately trying to find him before he can murder the latest young woman he has abducted.

I think one of my biggest issues with the story was the amount of time we spend inside the killer's head, his thoughts were creepy and disturbing and I REALLY didn't want to hear so many of them. I also found that the story didn't have the amount of tension I'd expect from Dean Koontz because as a reader we know who the killer is from the beginning since much of the story is from his point of view. It's hard to build the suspense when you know who the bad guy is so yes we're watching Jane try to figure it out but she's always one step behind us which is a little frustrating.

To be honest I don't think this story really added anything worth knowing to the Jane Hawk series, it doesn't touch on anything that is happening in the full length books so it's only  aboutone random case Jane worked before she was suspended. Since I didn't find it very enjoyable and I don't think it really had any impact on the rest of the series I'd have a hard time recommending it to people but as always these things are down to personal taste and you may end up loving it so it wouldn't hurt to at least listen to a free sample before making up your mind.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Audiobook:

Review: The Whispering Room - Dean Koontz

The second gripping thriller in an exciting new series featuring FBI agent Jane Hawk, from the master of suspense and New York Times No.1 bestselling author.

‘Do what you were born to do’

These are the words that ring in the mind of a mild-mannered and beloved teacher as she drives a car full of burning gasoline into a hotel. This catastrophic act of terror, which kills herself and many others, is deemed to be the tragic death of someone who was clearly insane.

But rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk knows the truth. In the wake of her husband’s inexplicable suicide, she picks up the trail of a secret cabal of formidable players who are bent on obtaining world power with a terrifying piece of technology.

Driven by love for her husband and fear for her five-year-old son who she has sent into hiding, Jane has become an unstoppable predator. Those she is hunting will have nowhere to run when her shadow falls across them.

Jane Hawk Series:
The Bone Farm (Audio Novella)
The Silent Corner
The Whispering Room
The Crooked Staircase
The Forbidden Door
The Night Window (2019)

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
The Whispering Room picks up Jane's story and continues the relentless, edge-of-your-seat action from The Silent Corner. It takes us deeper into dangerous territory as Jane works harder than ever to uncover exactly who is behind the increasing suicide rates and the terrifying nanotechnology she's discovered. Her son is at risk and that means she will do whatever it takes to end this conspiracy, or she'll die trying.

It's so hard to go into much detail about this series because I honestly don't want to give anything away but this is Dean Koontz at his best. I think what makes it so frightening is that it really isn't that hard to imagine that this technology exists, or at least could do in the very near future, and it's definitely not hard to believe that the powerful and wealthy elite are willing to use that technology to further their own agenda without a care for the normal working class people it affects the most.

Jane is a fantastic character, she's smart and absolutely ruthless when it comes to uncovering this conspiracy. She knows the only way to protect the people she cares about is to bring this out into the open and put a stop to it but she's in such an impossible situation and she has no way of knowing who can be trusted. She has great instincts though and she's not the only one who has reason to be suspicious of recent events so she picks up a few allies along the way.

This series is definitely one I can't wait to continue and I'm glad we have two new books to look forward to in 2018!

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Hardback / Paperback / Kindle:

Review: The Silent Corner - Dean Koontz

A dazzling new series debuts with a remarkable heroine certain to become a new icon of suspense, propelled by the singular narrative genius of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

I very much need to be dead.

These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demands: find the truth, no matter what.

People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so important so terrifying that they will exterminate anyone in their way.

But all their power and viciousness may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love.

Jane Hawk Series:
The Bone Farm (Audio Novella)
The Silent Corner
The Whispering Room
The Crooked Staircase
The Forbidden Door
The Night Window (2019)

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
I've been a huge fan of Dean Koontz since I was a teenager but I've not really been reading thrillers and suspense for the last few years so I have to confess it's been a while since I read one of his books. Then The Silent Corner cropped up on Netgalley and I just couldn't resist requesting it. You know that feeling you get when you rediscover an old favourite author and start kicking yourself for missing out on a few years of their stories? That's totally how I felt pretty much as soon as I started reading this but the best thing is that I now have plenty of new books to binge read!

When her husband commits suicide leaving a chilling note that just says "I very much need to be dead" Jane Hawk is convinced that there is more to his death than meets the eye. As a member of the FBI she has the means to investigate and she quickly discovers a disturbing pattern of suicides under strange circumstances. When her family is threatened she is forced to go into hiding, quitting her job, selling her home and leaving her young son with distant friends she focuses all her energy into uncovering what could be a major conspiracy.

The Silent Corner was a totally addictive read, short snappy chapters swiftly built momentum and I found myself devouring the story at a record pace. Ever increasing rates of suicides and now murder suicides. Human programming. Nanotechnology. Multibillionaires who think they can do whatever they like with absolutely no consequences. This is seriously creepy and scarily easy to imagine actually happening in the not too distant future. Who says technology is always a good thing?

Jane can come across as a little cold and unemotional at times but it's quite easy to see that she is so devastated by everything thats happened that she has to lock it up tight just to keep going. She focuses all of her energy into figuring out what happened to her husband so that she can try to stop it happening to anyone else but it's very hard to investigate when you don't know who you can trust. I loved the strength she shows and the fierce determination she has to stop the bad guys no matter how much it costs her. She's a very easy character to root for and I can't wait to carry on with the series to see how things unfold. This was a fantastic start to the series and I think things are only going to get better from here!

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Quick Review: Santa's Twin - written by Dean Koontz & Illustrated by Phil Parks

Santa's Twin is the hilarious and heartwarming story of two little girls, Charlotte and Emily, who set out to save Santa from his mischievous twin - Bob Claus - who has not only stolen Santa's sleigh, but has stuffed his toy bag with mud pies, cat poop, and broccoli! Plus, he's threatening to turn Donner, Blitzen, and the rest into reindeer soup! And look at the mess he's leaving under the tree!

How the brave but foolhardy sisters fly to the North Pole and rescue Santa from his "deeply troubled" twin is an utterly charming and unforgettable story that will add sparkle to your holiday season.

Santa's Twin Series:
Santa's Twin
Robot Santa

Visit Dean Koontz's website for more information

Review:
This isn't the kind of book you'd expect from horror and suspense writer Dean Koontz, it's actually a children's picture book. It is the tale of Santa's evil twin who is determined to ruin Christmas, he has locked up Santa and has set off on Santa's sleigh to cause mischief instead of leaving presents. I've had this for years now and I bring it out most Christmases when I want a fun, festive read. The story is told in verses in much the same rhythm as The Night Before Christmas and just begs to be read out loud making it perfect bedtime story material. Here is a quick example:

"And look - reindeer far up in the sky!

Some silly goose has taught them to fly.

The driver giggles quite like a loon -

a madman, a goofball, a thug or a goon.

Something is wrong - any fool could tell.

If this is Santa, then Santa's not well.

His mean little eyes spin just like tops.

So somebody better quick call the cops!"

There are a couple of places where the rhythm doesn't quite fit together properly which can be a bit off putting but this is still a really fun read and one my brother used to love to have read to him when he was younger. I haven't even mentioned Phil Parks' beautiful illustrations yet, every page has a detailed full colour image that you could spend ages looking at. Then when you get to the end of the book you'll have no choice but to start again from the beginning just so you can look for the item that is included in every picture (there are a couple of pages where I still haven't found it!). This is a great story for reading with young children and one I would definitely recommend.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.