Customer Reviews

Night Chills

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Although this book was written in the 1970's, and during several parts it's obvious (especially when he says, "it's the 70's..."), however the book still stands up fairly well today.

I've read 95% of Koontz's books and have been a huge fan for over 10 years. I tend to enjoy his earlier works more than his later, they're all good, but the earlier books are more of a "fun" read. They're not extremely long and they're really more pure horror. I love it, definitely a guilty pleasure.

Nigh Chills is about a scientist that has discovered a way to brainwash people, to open their minds using subliminal ads and then program them to do what you'd like. The concept is chilling. The story is interesting and you're kept on the edge of your seat most of the time. And the characters are enjoyable. If you're a fan of Koontz's earlier works, you'll enjoy this.

Night Chills is a look into the human mind and what drives it. The novel is about an intelligent man named Ogden Salsbury, a misogynist at the same time, who has developed a drug that, when ingested, will allow him to control a person's mind. With the help of multi-millionaire Leonard Dawson he dumps it into a town's water supply. With one simple phrase he can control whoever drank the water's mind.

I was surprised by this book. There are some extremely startling and disturbing scenes such as when Ogden controls a blond woman named Brenda and forces her to masturbate in front of him. There's also the fact that Koontz develops the villains in this novel more than the good guys. And while that was an intriguing aspect it also hurt the story. I felt like I wanted to root for Paul, the novel's "hero". You certainly want Salsbury to pay for all the people he hurt and killed but there wasn't enough characterization of Paul to actually like him.

There is certainly a lot of sexual material in this book concerning rape and will offend, possibly even repulse, many people. However, for those who can handle the material may find it a thought-provoking, albeit flawed, but still interesting novel about the human psyche.

This one is not recommended for the faint of heart. Koontz doesn't hold back on telling what could happen when virtually godlike power falls into the wrong hands. Basically an exploration of how absolute power corrupts absolutely... and there's plenty of explicit corruption detailed herein. The book doesn't end on an "up" note either, like many of Koontz's others -- it's definitely a downer, albeit a highly entertaining one. Although it's one of my personal favorites (and thankfully doesn't involve the supernatural or aliens, a recurring Koontz theme), I'd recommend the typical Koontz fan go into this one knowing that all is most definitely *not* peaches and cream. The "good guys" do win, but the damage is done... and there's no easy-breezy escape via a "touched by an angel" golden dog. Not what I'd call light entertainment, but entertaining nonetheless.

This was Dean Koontz number 21 for me. Hideaway was my first, but Intensity will always be my favorite. Night Chills is about a single father named Paul Appendale who's vacationing in the small village of Black Water with his young son Mark and his daughter Rya. Little do they know that three power hungry men are testing mind control methods on the town by using subliminal messages in television programs and even junk mail. These men can control and manipulate anyone in town with the simple phrase, "I am the key." Needless to say their intentions are anything but good, and in the case of one of the men, perverse.

When Rya runs into a family friend commiting a brutal murder, the truth finally comes out and as the only ones unaffected by the subliminal messages, it's up to the Appendale's, Paul's girlfriend Jenny Edison, and her father Sam to find these men and put a stop to their terrifying abuse of power.

One thing I like about Koontz is that 95% of the time (with the exception of Intensity), he gives information as to the history of the villians, as to how the grew up to be the people they are now. He can take seemingly one dimensional horrifying monsters and let us peak into what makes them tick; what changed them into the people they are today.

Night Chills is not one of my favorites, and in fact, I gave up and had to come back to it once or twice. But it is, like all of Koontz's books that I've encountered so far, an enjoyable read. It's definetely on the lower end of my favorites list, but those on the bottom are still good reads.

My top favorites from Koontz would be INTENSITY, WATCHERS, WHISPERS, and THE VOICE OF THE NIGHT.

(Actual Rating- 4.5 Stars)

Night Chills(1976). A Novel By Suspense/Thriller Writer Dean Koontz.

In the Late-50's, many companies experimented with the use of subliminals to make people go out and buy their products. While a big controversy at the time, the public soon forgot about it, yet, to this day, companies still use subliminal advertising to try and get people to buy their products. Although subliminals aren't visible to your conscious mind, your sub-conscious mind fully comprehends the hidden messages, and almost on instinct, 70% of the time the person will buy that product. Although the ads never technically "forced" anybody to buy the product, Dean Koontz explores in 'Night Chills' the scary possibility that someone could use subliminals to the point of total mind control. Since I was intrigued by the original and disturbing storyline, I decided to pick up 'Night Chills'. So, much like Koontz's other novels, was 'Night Chills' a masterpiece or a sorry state of affairs? Read on to find out!

Plot-

In the peaceful logging town of Black River, population 400, things are about to get out of hand. Scientist Ogden Salsbury, after discovering a drug, that combined with subliminals, can induce total mind control, hurriedly seeks out millionare Leonard Dawson to be his partner in taking over the world. To test the drug, they choose to wreak havoc on the peaceful town of Black River. After putting the *mind-control* drug in the town's water supply and exposing the townspeople to a TV show filled with subliminals, Salsbury goes in to see if he can control the townspeople. With just the mention of the code-phrase "I am the key", he unlocks the townspeople's minds to his every wish, and they can't help but go along. Meanwhile, the Addendale family, which includes 11-year old Rya and 8-year old Mark, not to mention their middle-aged father Paul take their yearly camping trip to Black River, and finds that everybody but them and the Edison family is suffering from night chills. As the Addendales and the Edison's dig deeper into the mass conspiracy that Ogden Salsbury has started, they must find a way to stop it, or else find themselves under Salsbury's control...

Writing/Opinions/Etc.-

'Night Chills', as any Koontz fan will agree too, isn't his best, yet it undoubtedly does what you've come to expect from Koontz: From start to finish, the gripping plotline and intricate plot twists will keep the reader enthralled throughout. Well, to no surprise, that holds true. Koontz divides the chapters between the main characters, so, one moment you'll find yourself reading the adventures of the Addendales and the next you'll find yourself gripped by the demented and disturbing acts of Salsbury and Dawson. I particuarly enjoy this style of writing, and thought it was a great idea on Koontz's part, as the reader gets to know the characters well. Koontz's eerily-possible story about Mind-control and subliminals was a great idea, and he really fleshes out all the details until the reader begins to wonder if this could one day happen to her. Unlike other reviewers have commented, this novel is in no way "very boring" or "drab", as I found myself reading for hours to finish this novel before I died of wondering what would happen! My only complaints, and hence the 4.5 rating, is that Koontz's scenes with Salsbury, which include raping and murdering people, get repetitive, but nevertheless they also hold your attention. Also, the ending, while fulfilling, seemed a tad rushed, and as usual you could have predicted the ending considerably before it happened.

Overall, 'Night Chills' is a great, enthralling, disturbing, and eerie novel that just begs to be read! Although the explicit language and adult content isn't suitable for children, and unless you're a picky adult, you wouldn't be taken aback by this novel. Like I said, when you pick up a Koontz novel, you can expect a first-rate thriller, and once again, he doesn't fail to deliver.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF SUSPENSE NOVELS, THRILLERS, HORROR NOVELS AND DEAN KOONTZ. BORING? I BEG TO DIFFER!

Also Recommended-

Phantoms- Dean Koontz

The Stand- Stephen King

Koko- Peter Straub

Night Chills is set in the town of Black River. A man named Oldgen Salsbury has developed very effective mind control techniques that are delivered through subliminal advertising. The people of Black River have been exposed to the advertisements for months now, and Oldgen decides that it is time to experiment on the townspeople. By uttering the phrase "I am the key", the mind is unlocked and open to suggestion. This leaves anyone in town vulnerable. The people of Black River begin to commit violent and random acts of rape and murder, and have no memory of what happened afterwards. To make things even worse, the townspeople begin to suffer from flu like symptoms that are refered to as night chills. A man named Paul Annendale has been spending his summer vacations in Black River for the last seven years with his two children Mark and Rya. Since they are now the only ones in town who were not exposed to the subliminal messages, it is up to Paul to discover the truth and put a stop to Oldgen.

Night Chills is without a doubt the darkest and most disturbing book that Koontz has ever written. The subject of subliminal advertising and mind control is a frightening one, because it could happen to anyone in real life. Koontz's description of the killings and sexual acts in this book is so realistic, that it will literally give you the creeps. Some scenes in this book disturbed me very deeply and it takes a lot to make me that upset. However, the book is so terrifying and disturbing that it is impossible to put down. You begin to become intrigued and you begin to anticipate what Oldgen will do next. That is why Night Chills is such a great book. Koontz's character development is great once again. Oldgen is one of Koontz's best villans because he is so ruthless. There is nothing he won't do. He literally uses the people of Black Rivers to carry out his sickest desires. Paul Anenndale plays the typical Koontz heroine, and is a very likeable character. Paul's two kids are also enjoyable characters as well.

Overall, Night Chills is one of Koontz's best books. While it is his darkest and most disturbing book, the suspense the story brings is intense, and the characters are all great. Koontz's realistic and frightening look at mind control and subliminal advertising will have you glued to the pages.

I am the Key. A simple sentence by one man that has devastating consequences for those who reply with the words, I am the Lock. This is a masterpiece of literature by Koontz. This is quite simply one of the most terrifying books ever written because it could so easily be true. Not even in the not to distant future but today, technology exists for this sort of thing to be happening right now. Koontz shows what subliminal mind control can do to a society not ready for it in the hands of people with no morals. There will definitely be those who will use this invention to make women their bedroom slaves as is done in Night Chills as well as for murder and financial gain. Of course subliminal advertising only can implant simple thoughts such as I would like to buy this product at the moment but whose to say that can not be improved upon like happens in this book.

Koontz is a master at fiction but how long will it be before this book isn't really fiction anymore. This is a sensational book that will scare, and through fright will give you the night chills. Do not hesitate, buy this now! You will not be disappointed!

This book is based on the fact that subliminal perception is present in our lives, but then Koontz takes this information and creates a story that takes the possibilities to a new, terrifying level. With the use of a drug and programming, a scientist (with some well-funded help) uses the sleepy town of Black River as a test case for his plan to control minds and behavior.

This is not a book for the squeamish or easily offended. There are numerous scenes of violence and explicit sex, and while they serve the plot very well, they are not easy to read (nor should they be - I would be fairly worried about anyone who was not at least marginally uncomfortable during some of these sequences).

I can't remember the last time I so actively and fervently wanted the death of a fictional villain. Salsbury is a hideous man, and Koontz writes him in such a way that I could only loathe him. I understood what caused his madness, but that didn't change my desire to see him pay for his evil. On the other hand, I was very pleased with the depiction of Paul Annendale and Sam Edison - believable characters stuck in an impossible situation, and dealing with it in the best way that they can.

I know I'm reading a suspenseful book when I'm unable to resist seeing what happens next, even though I'm frightened to find out. This was just such a book for me.

I am not the Dean Koontz fan that I once was which was just over a decade ago. He and Stephen King were my two favorite authors in high school. I voraciously read their books like there was no tomorrow. "Night Chills" was my first Dean Koontz book that I read. I discovered it when I read in a blurb in a magazine that former Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson was a fan of this particular book. The concept of subliminal messages and using them to brainwash an entire town fascinated me. I enjoyed reading the story of Paul Annendale and his children who takes a trip to Black River only to discover the evil deeds of Olgen Salsbury. The results was very interesting. I loved the book the first time I read it, and I still love reading the book over and over again. What was disturbing about this book was that it made me think about subliminal messages and whether it was possible or not that my own government could use subliminal messages on its own constituents. After all the US government in recent years has managed to intrude on my personal life even more so than a decade ago. "Night Chills" is a fascinating fictional take on the possibilities of subliminal messages and what happens when it is used for evil purposes. "Night Chills" is a truly a literary classic by Dean Koontz.

This book was a great read for me. Koontz is my total favorite author. This book was not only captivating, but it sure did keep my attention. The scary part about this book is that almost everything (with the exception of the drug) is true. Subliminal advertising is not a very big part of our lives right now, but could become something very very big in the future. If there's one thing that I learned from this book, it's that technology is not always good. In this case it was abused to the extreme. You have to be a very mature reader to even open this book. The author's prolouge explains it all. Thank you for your time.