The Moonlit Mind: A Tale of Suspense (Kindle Single) [Kindle Edition]

Dean Koontz (Author)

Book Description

In this chilling original stand-alone novella, available exclusively as an eBook, #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz offers a taste of what’s to come in his new novel, 77 Shadow Street, with a mesmerizing tale of a homeless boy at large in a city fraught with threats . . . both human and otherwise.

Twelve-year-old Crispin has lived on the streets since he was nine—with only his wits and his daring to sustain him, and only his silent dog, Harley, to call his friend. He is always on the move, never lingering in any one place long enough to risk being discovered. Still, there are certain places he returns to. In the midst of the tumultuous city, they are havens of solitude: like the hushed environs of St. Mary Salome Cemetery, a place where Crispin can feel at peace—safe, at least for a while, from the fearsome memories that plague him . . . and seep into his darkest nightmares. But not only his dreams are haunted. The city he roams with Harley has secrets and mysteries, things unexplainable and maybe unimaginable. Crispin has seen ghosts in the dead of night, and sensed dimensions beyond reason in broad daylight. Hints of things disturbing and strange nibble at the edges of his existence, even as dangers wholly natural and earthbound cast their shadows across his path. Alone, drifting, and scavenging to survive is no life for a boy. But the life Crispin has left behind, and is still running scared from, is an unspeakable alternative . . . that may yet catch up with him.

There is more to this world, and its darkest corners yet to be encountered, in this eBook’s special bonus: a spine-tingling excerpt from Dean Koontz’s forthcoming novel, 77 Shadow Street.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Stories about children living on the streets are always heartbreaking, yet Dean Koontz's The Moonlit Mind is also hopeful. Crispin lives on the streets by choice, surviving with the help of a singular dog. Though they're constantly on the run from Crispin's mother and step-father, Crispin finds himself unable to leave the city until he understands everything he saw at his step-father's house. Three years after he flees, he's finally ready to return. Koontz builds the supernatural aspects of the story with a masterful touch, so that even at their crescendo, they fit naturally into the narrative. Taut pacing, a fascinating storyline, and unflinching descriptions of a life on the run combine into a powerful story about relationships: between a boy and his dog, between two children whose experiences add years of maturity to their ages, between man and time. Crispin's will to survive--and to make things right--no matter what brings hope to even the darkest parts of the narrative. --Malissa Kent

Review

“Koontz writes first-rate suspense, scary and stylish.”—Los Angeles Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 1845 KB
• Print Length: 102 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (November 28, 2011)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0061C1NCK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,436 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #20 in Kindle Store > Kindle Singles > Fiction
  • #70 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
  • #92 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 207 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A wild boy on the run in a city of mean streets November 28, 2011

By Rett01 TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Three short, simply worded sentences in I found myself thinking, I can deal with murder, mayhem, and treachery but please don't kill off the dog. Whether or not Harley would make it to the end was enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. And this isn't a story about the dog.

The real suspense involves a "feral" boy of 12, Crispin, who lives in the wilds of a large city and guided by the dog is attempting to outrun his mother and stepfather and the memories that make the deviltry in "Rosemary's Baby," seem almost benign.

No kid should be exposed to what Crispin witnessed three years earlier involving his younger sister Mirabell and brother (also named) Harley. Now he's running for his life, in flight from the supernatural and living by his wits and daring.

This is the first I've read from Koontz in several years and I remember now how he manages tells a story simply and builds suspense incrementally slipping easily into a world at once as ghostly as it is real. At times you feel as if you're reading a fairy tale. "Yet life is good. Oh, it is grand. The children eat only what they like. They go to bed only when they wish. Each rises to his or her own clock."

The story accelerates as the suspense builds and Koontz delivers, as usual, an ending that is powerful, cathartic and noisy. Crispin is living in a world out of harmony with itself and his determination to uncover the nature of truth and reality is as strong as his will to survive. As for the fate of the dog? You'll need to find that out on your own.

55 of 61 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Return to Form November 28, 2011

By Keith Latch

Format:Kindle Edition

Not the Koontz, I grew up with, certainly, but a mighty leap from lackluster tales like From the Corner of His Eye, False Memory and One Door Away from Heaven (all worthy novels, just not Koontz level in my mind). While it is just a short precursor, it goes a long way to getting me help me make the determination to pick up this new novel as soon as it's released.

Creepy and atmospheric, this tale is wonderful reading from a chilly winter's night. A novella truly deserving of the Koontz name.

87 of 100 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Wow. What happend? November 30, 2011

By Wild One

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

First let me start by saying I have been a Dean Koontz fan for 25 years. I was a Dean Koontz fan before he made the best seller lists and had millions of fans. I've read every book the man has ever written as well as his biographies. Stalker? No- I don't know his address- but I am and will always be a die-hard Dean Koontz fan. THAT being said, this was the first and only thing I have ever read from Koontz - to include all interviews and dialogues recorded anywhere- that was actually disappointing and not funny. Koontz, the master of suspense, horror and comedy all rolled into one- what happened????
Seriously, the book was so bad I wondered if Koontz really wrote it at all or did he just allow someone to do short story for him and he pinned his name to it? The book just doesn't make sense. Phantom avatars you put in your pocket? Really? The protagonist walking out of a burning building with the sprinklers going full blast and the he doesn't get wet- even though the other people do- AND THERE'S NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY? (You'll get it when you read it why this is so annoying). Koontz is always so methodical about explaining the unexplainable, about weaving a tale so wonderfully complex and amazing, and no matter how utterly insane the plot gets IT MAKES SENSE in the end. There's no "he found the keys, but he doesn't know when he learned of them (the keys) or if he ever did". THE KEYS being the ones that allow the protagonist to enter the room in an attempt to save his brother's life- yet when it was his little sister being murdered all he could do was pound on the door.

Was Koontz on medications when he wrote this? Perhaps someone kidnapped him and wrote under his name. I can only hope. Regardless of this disappointment, I am still a die-hard Dean Koontz fan.... Everyone has their off days. This is the first one he's ever had as far as I'm concerned. Even though his style has changed dramatically from his Phantom and Intensity days (Intensity being my all-time favorite book- I even have a black Doberman named Chyna for those of you who've read the book), I still loved- love- every single one of Dean Koontz books except this one. Ech. I don't think I'll ever read it again. :(

However, I cannot diss on my favorite-author-of-all-time without cringing (I'm so sorry Koontz. Seriously, did you really write this book?). However the books before this one "Frankenstien" and "What the Night Knows" were freaking awesome. I think I'll go back for a re-read on those. While I may still by the hard copy of this book - if it becomes available- it will be the only Dean Koontz book that will not be re-read by me ever again (Okay, well I am going to read it again one more time just to make sure it was as horrible as I thought the first time I read it. If I change my mind I'll update my review.) Read more ›

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I need more of this! Please bring Crispin back, Dean! December 6, 2011

By Ms. Deb 1107

Format:Kindle Edition

I literally could not put this juicy little story down. Like many other fans, I have been a Dean Koontz reader since way back in the day. He's evolved considerably, and I even went through a period where I couldn't finish his books because of the endless details that went nowhere, but this is such an enchanting blend of the best of his styles. He's got engaging main characters, spooky evil parent figures, nice supernatural touches, and (of course) an awesome dog. DEAN: If you are reading this, PLEASE continue this story! I read the preview for the new novel and it doesn't seem like it has anything to do with Crispin. I love this character. Can't wait to read more. BRING IT ON!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy novella intro to 77 Shadow Street December 2, 2011

By Ginahmk VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a Koontz fan and this story is right up to par with his recent work. I loved it as a great pre-read to the upcoming novel. Crispin is the big brother who has just enough intelligence and intuitive spark to know that the dream-come-true world he and his brother and sister have entered when his mom marries the rich step-dad is not what it should be. A home of shadows explodes into macabre adult deceit and murder. This is a fairy tale that just glitters under the winter moon, as brave Crispin faces his past, accepts he did the best he could, which may have not been enough. He has escaped this overwhelming evil to grow up a fugitive on the streets, and, finally, when the magic signals, he returns to wreck revenge one snowy night. The Koontz trademark faithful dog, Crispin, and his secret fugitive street-teen friend angel make their final nail-biting crusade. Your enjoyment depends on the ability to accept the rules of Grimms brothers in this modern Hansel and Gretel replay. Why not 5 stars? My only beef, it was too short and wanted more resolution...can't wait for the next book.

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania where I graduated from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University). When I was a senior in college, I won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition and have been writing ever since. My first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program, where I was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. During my first day on the job, I discovered that the previous occupier of my position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge but also tension, and I was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer. I wrote nights and weekends, which I continued to do after leaving the poverty program and going to work as an English teacher in a suburban school district outside Harrisburg. After a year and a half in that position, my wife, Gerda, made me an offer I couldn't refuse: "I'll support you for five years," she said, "and if you can't make it as a writer in that time, you'll never make it." By the end of those five years, Gerda had quit her job to run the business end of my writing career. Gerda and I, along with our dog, Trixie, live in southern California.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#44 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#3 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

#6 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#10 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#11 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#12 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#3 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

#6 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#10 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#11 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#12 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction