Helpful Score: 4
Very good & swift read. A great Koontz book. This was probably one of the fastest reads I've had. I totally forgot I had seen the movie that this book was based on until most of the way through the book. Yes, I said the movie that the book was based on. Koontz wrote this adaption from the screenplay of the same title. I don't remember a lot from the movie (it was an 80's horror film) but after reading the book I've got to go back & watch it again now. Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Koontz or a good horror read.
Helpful Score: 2
Spooky, creepy and scary. Do not read at night alone!
Helpful Score: 1
Originally published under the pseudonym Owen Wilson,this is the chilling story of ellen straker,wife of a carnival barker who had made a pact with the devil.The pact led to Ellen's giving birth to a hideous inhuman creature whom she finally killed,defending her own life.Furious her grieving husband,Conrad beat her and threw her out. Now 25 years later,Ellen has a new life,a new husband,and two beautiful children,Joey and Amy.But Ellen has never forgotton the awful past.Neither has Conrad forgotton.Hetalks to his long dead son and bitterly vows to make Ellen pay.In each town where the carnival setsup ,Conrad looks for Ellen and her children.At long last the carnival has arrived in the right town and Conrad is waiting to take his revenge.At his side is Gunther a side show frrak more grotesque then any other...for Gunther has a terrible need to kill
Helpful Score: 1
One of Koontz early books, it was good, I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book! Fast and easy read because you can't put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
I could tell that the author really did his homework with this book. The life of a carnival worker is much more complex than one might think and Koontz did a very good job capturing that complexity in his book. I actually had to put the book down for 3 months because it scared me so much! You'll never see a carnival the same way again!
Helpful Score: 1
A bit darker and more "twisted" than his usual fare, but still rates as probably my 2nd favorite Koontz novel.
Read this one years ago when Koontz called himself Owen West. I am not an avid Koontz reader but this was one that I really enjoyed and have read more than once. The story is about a teenage girl & her friends who decide to sneak into a funhouse and end up being fighting for their lives against a freakish monster.
Any of Dean Koontz books really stick with you! Very exciting and about a Carnival.
This is one of my favorite Dean Koontz novels. I love the whole story line and it is a wonderful read.
Currently my favorite Koontz novel. A fast read.
Exciting read, a great page turner.
This was another good Dean Koontz book. I am a real fan, but there are still a lot I have not read.
Koontz delivers shock and awe.
good read. Keeps you thinking.
This is an excellent book. Very scary!!
A fast and fun read from Mr. Koontz. Starts off with a bang, pauses in the middle for plot and character development, then finishes off with a great showdown! Very entertaining read.
This book sounded like it had potential from the blurb. I was sorely disappointed. The characters were underdeveloped and incredibly one dimensional. There was a lot of potential to build on certain plot points, but each route Koontz took the easy way out with his conviniently written characters. The ending...well I won't spoil it for you, but let me assure you there is NOTHING to spoil. That's right. The book ends with absolutely no closure. The protagonist (of the chapter, it jumps to so many different characters) doesn't figure out what the hell happened, the mother doesn't find out about a revenge plot and NOTHING was resolved. I read the afterword hoping there was a secret page somewhere that went "psych! Here's the real ending! Thanks for playing along!" I was really upset I wasted my time on this book.
The only positive thing I can say about this book is that at least it was a quick read. I had problems forcing myself to read it simply for its absurdity, but once you are reading, the pages turn quickly.
So yes. Koontz has written some good books. This is not one of them. I recommend reading something like Life Expectancy or The Servants of Twilight if you want to read something silly and unlikely, but at least well written and thought out.
The only positive thing I can say about this book is that at least it was a quick read. I had problems forcing myself to read it simply for its absurdity, but once you are reading, the pages turn quickly.
So yes. Koontz has written some good books. This is not one of them. I recommend reading something like Life Expectancy or The Servants of Twilight if you want to read something silly and unlikely, but at least well written and thought out.
This is a very exciting book and easy to read. Flows well from one chapter to the next. My first by this author, but I plan to read more.
This is one of the most creepiest books I have read. I read it when I was younger and it scared me silly. It took me forever to willingly go on a carnival funhouse ride again!!! Must read of Dean Koontz!!!
The developement and interaction of the characters was done so well it kept me glued to my chair. The ending of the book left a lot to be desired on my part. It felt like there were things that were still unresolved and I hate that in an ending.
Monster story with a carnival background. Quick read. Enjoyable if you like this genre.
How one womans past catches up with her...through her children......
Typical Dean Koontz...Quite entertaining...
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate-and gave birth to a child. A child so monstrous she killed it with her own hands. Now 25 years later her new family must pay for her sins. Very Good
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate - and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husbanc, and two normal children - Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and Joey to pay for her sins...
Because Amy is pregnant.
And the carnival is coming back to town.
Because Amy is pregnant.
And the carnival is coming back to town.
Typical of Koontz... awesome... thrilling and edge of your seat as usual!
Early Koontz, Good Book
Classic Koontz - You probably WON'T sneak out to the carnival after reading it !
I really Enojy his writing,the book was very good
Woman with a new normal life is haunted by her past -- youth spent in a carival with a man she hated and a monstrous child she killed. Vintage Koontz.
Very interesting! A little twisted but that is what I like about Koontz's books!
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate - and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own bare hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband, and two normal children - Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. but their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. the time has come for Amy and Joey to pay for her sins...Because Amy is pregnant...and the carnival is coming back to town.
Dean Koontz at his best!! A secret from her past comes back to haunt Amy and her unknowing family!
Wonderful book by Dean Koontz, I recommend it!
A good book, he is a great authour
This version was supposed to be how Koontz driginally wanted the story,very diffrent.
A really scary book.
A real page turner, I just could not put this book down! It was creepy and exciting all at the same time. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time, never knowing what would happen next.
Exerpt from the book:
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate--and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her bare hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband and two normal children--Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and JOey to pay for her sins...
Because Amy is pregnant.
And the carnival is comming back to town.
Exerpt from the book:
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate--and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her bare hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband and two normal children--Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and JOey to pay for her sins...
Because Amy is pregnant.
And the carnival is comming back to town.
Once there was a girl who ran away & joined a traveling carnival..She married a man she grew to hate...& gave birth to a child she could never love..A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband, and two normal children--Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and Joey to pay for her sins...Because Amy is pregnant. And the carnival is coming back to town.
My first Koontz book. Not overly impressed. I like Richard Laymon for his horror and freakout stuff. Koontz writes like King and Saul...lots of rambling and not enough description. I like the concept of the horror stuff happening in a funhouse though.
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate--and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands...Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband, and two normal children--Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and Joey to pay for her sins....Because Amy is pregnant....And the carnival is coming back to town.
From Inside Cover:
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands. Twenty five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband and two normal children - Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Joey and Amy to pay for her sins because Amy is pregnant and the carnival is coming back to town.
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands. Twenty five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband and two normal children - Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Joey and Amy to pay for her sins because Amy is pregnant and the carnival is coming back to town.
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a traveling carnival. She married a man she grew to hate, and birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her own hands. Twenty-five years later, Ellen Harper has a new life, a new husband, and tow normal children. Joey loves monster movies and Amy is about to graduate from high school. But their mother drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for Amy and Joey to pay for her sins...Because Amy is pregnant and the carnival is coming back to town.
Hardcover version
Dean Koontz's book are very entertaining, and love to be scared! This one more than got my attention, held it and made me bite my finger nails through the whole thing! GREAT!
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined the circus. She married a man she grew to hate and gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous that she killed it with her bare hands. Twenty five years later, she has a new life, new husband and two normal children. She drowns her secret guilt in alcohol and prayer. The time has come for her children to pay for their mother's sins...... Her daughter is pregnant and the circus is back in town!!!!
Once there was a girl who ran away and joined a carnival, married a man she grrew to hate, gave birth to a child she could never love. A child so monstrous she killed it with her bare hands. 25 years later the carnival is coming to town. People are supposed to scream in a funhouse.
