Customer Reviews

Chase.

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dean Koontz is a prolific writer of thriller novels having written over 50 novels in the past 35 years under various names. Up until "Chase", I had never read any of his work, so I thought I'd start with his earliest stuff with the intention of reading all of his Headline published releases. "Chase" was originally released under the K W Dwyer name, written in the early 70s, but not released until the mid 80s.

Ben Chase is a war hero that is haunted by his horrifying experience in Vietnam. The guilt that he feels affects his everyday life and he has become reliant upon alcohol to simply get by. His existence is a cheerless routine that will lead to an inevitably sad and lonely end. Yet after witnessing a murder and saving the life of a would-be victim, Ben becomes the serial killers next intended kill. Or is he just imagining this plot due to his unstable condition? What follows is a thriller in the most literal sense and one which involves action, clues, sex and suspense.

I ripped through this book in 2 days, mainly due to its relatively short length (240 pages), but also due to the fact I couldn't put it down. It gets straight into the action from the first paragraph and really doesn't muck around with heavy descriptions or background information. Koontz tells this story very efficiently and the reader can't help but be pulled in, never hesitating to turn the page to find out what happens next.

But this is by no means a perfect novel. Koontz was only 25 when he wrote it and although the book is thoroughly gripping, the characters and the action seem somewhat amateurish at times. It's hard to be concerned for Ben when the serial killer that's after him is seemingly hopeless at what he does. Instead of the usual chilling, professional hitman from other stories, we have a bumbling, inaccurate, motiveless character that is much less a killer than our hero. Also, gorgeous sexpot Glenda's understanding reaction to Ben's completely insane (not to mention impotent) first date antics is a little far-fetched. I can't help but get the feeling that Koontz was going through a bit of a hormonal period himself when he wrote this as there are some rather off-putting and seemingly unnecessary sexually charged thought processes throughout. But there is simply not enough time to ponder these anomalies in what is a very enjoyable, based on infinite cliches, yet somehow original and enjoyable story. I'm looking forward to reading his next books.

Not quite the contemporary Koontz, but close; well written, attractive verse, plenty of suspense and strong endings, especially the first tale.

The first pages of this book had me anticipating a really good story. I assumed that Chase's encounter with a serial killer would ultimately change him, a vietnam veteran, wanting little to do with life, especially his own, content to drink and do little else.

What is a great premise for a book, faultered quickly. Every book, in order to sustain the reader must employ the suspension of disbelief. This book failed, unless I was willing to accept that the homicide detectives were complete and total morons, that they couldn't record a phone call with the latest tapping devices (in this book the cop had to be present to overhear the phone call apparently recording the line without a cop there is impossible), as well as Chase being able to track down the killer just by interviewing a few people, apparently the cops couldn't do that either and then there was the killer himself. He stabs a boy in the beginning and then all we see of him after ....phone calls with silly empty threats, he tries to kill chase a few times and can't do it! What an intimidating serial killer this is, a bad shot, can't run down someone with a car effectively. Ugh..it just got worse. The ending is absolutely horrible! I couldn't believe it.

And now for the writing stinkers (and there were plenty):

"He didn't hear her coming as much as he felt the serenity she brought with her." ACK!!!

"The silence was homemade." HUh???

"The house was drab, as drab as the woman." Is that a description or was he just tired??

"His heart beat rabbit fast" cliche you learn not to do that in creative writing 101

"the night was humid, the sky was bottomless." Bottomless? Are you serious?

I could overlook the writing if the story was compelling, the characters exciting, and ATLEAST just a tiny bit plausible. But, unfortunately it fell quite short on all accounts.

I would skip this, if you want a better suspense novel try these:

Peter Blauner's "Slipping Into Darkness
Jeffrey Deavers's "Bone Collector"
Jeffrey Archer's "False Impression"

My novel is just fine and has very little wear. The only concern that I had was it did not arrive until Jan.30th, one month after it was ordered. I realize that it was overseas though and am completely satisfied.

War leaves scars on soldiers, but training still counts for good. This first story was really quite excellent and no spookiness about it...an evil person committing untold crimes, but the weaving of the story is superb. You'll enjoy these two!