Velocity

by Dean Koontz

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER If you don't take this note to the police . . . I will kill a lovely blond schoolteacher. . . . If you do . . . I will instead kill an elderly woman active in charity work.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553804154
• ISBN13: 9780553804157
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

A THRILLING PAGE TURNER...

Once I started this book, the plot grabbed me right from the beginning and would not let go. Even though it is a plot driven book, the main character is well developed, even though others, perhaps, are not. It makes no difference, however, as it is the intricate, tightly constructed plot that will grab the reader. This is quintessential Koontz at his best, producing a riveting page-turner, once again. Billy Wiles is a formerly promising writer turned barkeep. He has experienced a goodly amount of tragedy in his life. Orphaned at fourteen, he is haunted by the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of his parents. He is also devoted to his fiancee, Barbara, who lies in a comatose state in a nursing home, the victim of the fickle finger of fate. She has been given little hope of recovery. While Billy appears to be an easygoing, hardworking regular Joe, he goes through life with despair etched in the very way that he lives. One night, however, a pivotal event occurs that will forever change Billy's life. A note is left under the windshield wipers of his car. The note gives him a most unusual ultimatum. It tells him that if he does not take the note to the police, securing their involvement, "a lovely blonde schoolteacher from the Napa Valley" will be murdered. The note also conversely tells Billy that if he does take the note to the police, "an elderly woman active in charity work" will, instead, be murdered. These are the two choices for which Billy has been given six hours to decide. What Billy chooses to do and what follows are the stuff of which nightmares are made. Suddenly, Billy's formerly quiet, prosaic life takes on a new dimension, one in which reality is suspended, as the first note is followed by a series of them. Each note ups the ante, leaving Billy with having to make choices no human being should have to make. The ingenious plot takes the reader on a thrill ride of terror and suspense. This was a book that I could not put down, so intriguing, original, and mesmerizing was the plot. Fans of the author, as well as those of Stephen King, should find much to like about this brilliantly plotted, fast-paced book, which puts a new spin on the age old struggle between good and evil. Written by a master storyteller at the top of his game, the book should keep the enthralled reader turning the pages, until the very last one has been turned. This is, without a doubt, one of the author's best books.

Velocity by: Dean Koontz

Imagine this: you've just gotten out of work. You walk to your car and find a note that says: "If you don't take this note to the police and get them involved, I will kill a lovely blond schoolteacher somewhere in Napa County." "If you do take this note to the police, I will instead kill an elderly woman activer in charity work" "You have six hours to decide. The choice is yours." This is a very gripping novel from start to finish. From the insanity of the killer to his comatose wife. He finds more notes and more people are murdered. Hes suspected because at the age of 14 he killed his parents. I highly recommend this novel to anywhone who likes a good mystery/suspense book. Cheers.

A PAGE-TURNER...

Once I started this book, the plot grabbed me right from the beginning and would not let go. Even though it is a plot driven book, the main character is well developed, even though others, perhaps, are not. It makes no difference, however, as it is the intricate, tightly constructed plot that will grab the reader. This is quintessential Koontz at his best, producing a riveting page-turner, once again. Billy Wiles is a formerly promising writer turned barkeep. He has experienced a goodly amount of tragedy in his life. Orphaned at fourteen, he is haunted by the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of his parents. He is also devoted to his fiancee, Barbara, who lies in a comatose state in a nursing home, the victim of the fickle finger of fate. She has been given little hope of recovery. While Billy appears to be an easygoing, hardworking regular Joe, he goes through life with despair etched in the very way that he lives. One night, however, a pivotal event occurs that will forever change Billy's life. A note is left under the windshield wipers of his car. The note gives him a most unusual ultimatum. It tells him that if he does not take the note to the police, securing their involvement, "a lovely blonde schoolteacher from the Napa Valley" will be murdered. The note also conversely tells Billy that if he does take the note to the police, "an elderly woman active in charity work" will, instead, be murdered. These are the two choices for which Billy has been given six hours to decide. What Billy chooses to do and what follows are the stuff of which nightmares are made. Suddenly, Billy's formerly quiet, prosaic life takes on a new dimension, one in which reality is suspended, as the first note is followed by a series of them. Each note ups the ante, leaving Billy with having to make choices no human being should have to make. The ingenious plot takes the reader on a thrill ride of terror and suspense. This was a book that I could not put down, so intriguing, original, and mesmerizing was the plot. Fans of the author, as well as those of Stephen King, should find much to like about this brilliantly plotted, fast-paced book, which puts a new spin on the age old struggle between good and evil. Written by a master storyteller at the top of his game, the book should keep the enthralled reader turning the pages, until the very last one has been turned. This is, without a doubt, one of the author's best books.

An enthralling mini epic...

That is what Dean Koontz has been attempting to write. In a recent interview, Dean Koontz said that he has been trying to take everything he loved about epic novels and "write shorter books that had the same effect, the feeling and consequence and color and enthralling power and thematic intent of an epic, all in a book of fewer pages." Well, I think that he has achieved his goal. This story focuses on the life of Billy Wiles, a bartender, former writer, wood carver, and otherwise solitary soul. Billy has been devotedly visiting and caring for his comatose fiancee, Barbara, who lives in a nursing home with the hopes that she will one day awaken. He sits with her for hours writing down phrases that she utters in her endless sleep. This is Billy's quiet and solitary life until one afternoon at the end of his shift, he finds a note under the windshield wiper of his car that will radically change his views on life and all it holds. I was so enthralled in Billy's struggle that I felt my heart pounding and a tightness in my chest with each challenge he had to face. His character was so real and the story so vivid that I couldn't put it down. I finally finished it last night and I just laid awake thinking about the story. This story was as touching and moving as Odd Thomas, another of may favorite Koontz novels. I have read thrillers and page turners on numerous occasions, but Dean Koontz's doesn't just write a mindless thrill ride. He makes you think. He puts substance in the pages and it grabs you and makes you take notice. I love his stories and hope that he continues on with his "mini epics." I also recommend: Odd Thomas, Life Expectancy, and Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son Jennifer Ortiz

KOONTZ SCARED ME RIGHT OUT OF MY "LIME-GREEN CAPRIS"

Dean Koontz at his best!!! I was on the edge of my seat until the very end of this gripping thriller that scared the "lime-green capris off me." This author is a master at his craft. His main character, Billy Wiles, a "thirtyish" bartender and former writer, leads a rather contented life until he is faced with a life-altering choice. Your heart will go out to Billy ... but WHY? Well, find out for yourself--if you dare! I highly recommend this novel by the MASTER.