Here's how it will work:
- I will read/re-read all of Koontz's fiction in the order of publication. I'm not giving myself a time limit to do this - there will be 72 novels total by the end of 2014, and I have other things to do/read.
- I will track things like plot, opening sentences (Koontz has some doozies!), main characters, plot points, and style*; I'll also give my 'mini review' of each book.
*Koontz's books are typically categorized as "cross-genre," but I find many of his novels lean more toward one or two - this is what I'm calling the "Style."
Title: Shattered
Publication Year: 1973Number of Pages: 289
Opening sentence: Only four blocks from the furnished apartment in Philadelphia, with more than three thousand miles to go before they joined Courtney in San Fransisco, Colin began one of his games.
Main characters: Alex, Colin, & Courtney Doyle; George Leland
Basics of the plot: Alex and Colin set out on cross-country journey to join Courtney in San Francisco. They soon realize they are being followed by a mysterious maniac (Leland) bent on killing them before they get there.
Style: Chase/Suspense
My review: This one goes along at a pretty decent pace, with sections of page-turning action. The story is told from both the perspective of Alex (the 'good' guy) and Leland (the 'bad' guy), which is a fairly common technique Koontz uses in his novels. The main theme is overcoming fear to save those that you love. A little more simplistic than some of his later novels, but still a good read.
