Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

Odd Thomas Series, Book 4

Publisher: Bantam (April 2012)

370 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a four-book bundle for $31.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

Losing Elvis, and gaining the much less comforting presence of Sinatra, Odd is led into an anarchical nuclear conspiracy centered in a small coastal town, among other things inhabited by packs of ferocious coyotes. This was a bit too much for me. Too removed from the ordinary and too much left unexplained. Annamaria gave me the creeps, and Odd being just naive enough to fall into some horrid trap, meant I was worried about him even more than usual, since he didn't have anyone else to lean on through this other than her enigmatic statements. I'm not looking forward to Annamaria continuing with us to the next book in this series, Odd Apocalypse, but I'll survive it, because I do still care about what happens to Odd, poor guy. He better not become romantically involved with her EVER, because she isn't half as engaging as Stormy was and it would feel like a huge betrayal to Stormy after all he's said and done. And I hope at some point Odd gets to go back home to Pico Mundo, sans Annamaria, and resume fry cooking, the mundane ghosts are much more interesting then these barely escaped epic disasters. Anyway . . . moving on.

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Odd Thomas Series, Book 3

Publisher: Bantam (April 2012)

450 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a four-book bundle for $31.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Following the death of the love of his life and a horrific encounter with a crazy voodoo woman, Odd feels he needs a time-out of sorts and decides to seek the simple life by taking his respite at a monastery in the Sierra Nevada mountains, knowing that if fate is to allow him a reprieve at all, it will not last forever. As he expected fate eventually catches up to him, despite his seemingly innocuous surroundings. Only in an Odd Thomas novel would circumstances lead to storm-suited monk commandoes that are entirely believable in such a role. One hardly thinks of nuns and monks having any other life before they entered the church, but the interesting backgrounds of the nuns and monks Odd comes to know was my favorite aspect of this book. I was a bit worried about cheese factor upon the appearance of the snow beast, but things worked out to a happily logical conclusion. I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Odd Hours.

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

Odd Thomas Series, Book 2

Publisher: Bantam (April 2012)

352 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a four-book bundle for $31.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Once again Odd Thomas is pulled into the dark affairs of others by the force of his paranormal gifts. When the stepfather of his friend turns up in his bedroom, Odd is propelled into a race to use his gifts to do what he can to save his friend. The same adorable, sometimes rambling, chatter accompanies the flow of action in this second, first-person manuscript of Odd, and though his friends make appearances here and there, this is mostly a solo journey displaying a bit more of the intricacies of his gifts, which I found fascinating. Great read and I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Brother Odd.

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

Odd Thomas Series, Book 1

Publisher: Bantam (April 2012)

466 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a four-book bundle for $31.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Odd Thomas is a quirky short order cook with the ability to see and interact with the paranormal, and though he keeps his gift a secret from most, he tries to use it for the greater good. This book is written in first person and I loved the strange ramblings of the aptly named main character, his voice filled with dry/dark humor and an eccentric kind of insight about the world that was irresistible. His adventures are numerous and constant, and you never know what impossible situation he will find himself in next, or how he will get out of it. Great read and I look forward to reading the next book in this series, Forever Odd.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Odd Thomas (2013)

Anton Yelchin, Addison Timlin, Leonor Varela

Movie Rating: NR

You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchius

You Know Your Way Home by Suzanne Jauchius

Publisher: Bree Noa Publishing (August 2009)

319 pages, eBook (provided by the Publisher for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This is a memoir of a psychic woman's path to self-discovery and recovery from relationship addiction/codependency. This was a well-written, inspirational tale of a woman trying to be true to herself, despite the lack of encouragement from friends and family, and with few available mentors or guideposts along the way. I felt her spiritual journey was presented in a way that holds something for everyone, psychic or not, regardless of religious affiliation, and the accompanying mystical/paranormal anecdotes were great, though not overshadowing.  Great story, that kept me riveted to the end!

The Cuckoos of Batch Magna by Peter Maughan

The Cuckoos of Batch Magna by Peter Maughan

The Batch Magna Novels, Book 1

Publisher: The Cluny Press (March 2013)

287 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

After the previous squire's death, Batch Magna falls to a distant American relation, Humphrey Strange, with Wall Street ties and intentions to make the village and Manor house into a holiday vacation resort, such imminent forward progress sending the inhabitants of Batch Magna into an uproar as their quiet village life in the 1970's Welsh Marshes is set to be disturbed. Full of colorful characters and vibrant, flowing descriptions of the land and village life, this tale was a joy to read and left me feeling a strong connection to the place and people it described. Who wouldn't want to live among the motley crew of houseboat dwellers along the Cluny River, where life never seems to be dull? Great story, and I look forward to reading the next installment in the adventures of the inhabitants of Batch Magna!

David and Bathsheba by Aida Bode

David and Bathsheba by Aida Bode

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (February 2008)

133 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is an adaption of the bible story about David and the adulterous affair he had with Bathsheba. It was beautifully written with language reminiscent of the bible itself, delving thoughtfully into the emotional conflict of all the parties involved and the repercussions their actions must have, yet remaining very faithful to the original story. That said, I must admit this is not my favorite bible story. The innocent husband and child were to suffer so David and Bathsheba could fulfill the prophecy and bask in their love now redeemed? As with many bible stories, it brings up more questions then it provides answers, but definitely thought-provoking and puzzling, which is perhaps its purpose. Great read with a wonderful, flowing style.