Odd Thomas, the main character in Dean Koontz’s book Forever Odd, is an unlikely hero; a regular Joe unnoticeable in most circumstances.  He is a friendly fry cook and wannabe automobile tire installer – and some believe Pico Mundo’s resident eccentric, though in his small desert hometown there is plenty of competition for that title.

Odd Thomas just happens to have the gift/curse of communicating with the spirits of the dead.  His most frequent contact, a silent and often over-emotional Elvis, provides him and us with stimulating insights, but there are others, many others.

When one quirky childhood friend is kidnapped, our hero turns to spirit acquaintances for help, or should I say they turn to him?  But can anyone or anything help Odd in his quest to rescue his friend when he encounters evil incarnate in the form of a luscious femme fatale?  Accompanied by Ivan Drago clones, Hanz and Franz, this “Bride of Frankenstein” wants more than just a casual encounter with Odd Thomas.  Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets, or so she thinks.

Filled with Dean Koontz’s gift of supernatural suspense peppered with his wry sense of humor, relayed to us in first-person voice, I recommend Forever Odd.  It isn’t as good as Koontz’s first book about him, the eponymous Odd Thomas, but I think it’s possible to enjoy the newest work without having read the first, although it may make it more understandable if you read them in order.

Roger Crimmins has lived in Mason City almost eleven years.  He loves libraries and loves to read.  He describes Dean Koontz as one of the most intriguing fiction writers at work today.  We thank Roger for his review.