Helpful Score: 10
I must admit that when I read the synopsis of this book I was not at all interested in the story. However, since I've quite enjoyed several of Dean Koontz's recent books, I decided to purchase this one. Am I glad I did!
I absolutely LOVED this book! The action and suspense had me wanting more and more, and I had trouble putting this one down at the end of the evening. I wanted to stay up all night to finish it. I felt a deep caring for the characters Cubby, his wife Penny, their son Milo, and one of my favorite dogs ever--Lassie. I laughed with them, felt wonder with them, and worried about them.
With this book, Dean Koontz created an interesting, unique, and engrossing story. I highly recommend 'Relentless'.
I absolutely LOVED this book! The action and suspense had me wanting more and more, and I had trouble putting this one down at the end of the evening. I wanted to stay up all night to finish it. I felt a deep caring for the characters Cubby, his wife Penny, their son Milo, and one of my favorite dogs ever--Lassie. I laughed with them, felt wonder with them, and worried about them.
With this book, Dean Koontz created an interesting, unique, and engrossing story. I highly recommend 'Relentless'.
Helpful Score: 8
Dean Koontz is my favorite author, but I have to admit that it's been awhile since I've truly enjoyed one of his new releases. So I can also admit that I was a bit leery when I first picked up RELENTLESS, hoping that it would be good, worrying that it wouldn't be.
Thankfully, this was a one-sitting read, since once I started I couldn't stop. Is the plot outlandish? Of course it is, as only a Koontz book can be. But he's back with the universal theme of good vs. evil, with a dog named Lassie that you can't help but love, and a young boy named Milo who is beyond imagination.
The storyline is fairly simple: an accomplished author has gotten a scathing review by a well-known critic, and instead of letting the matter go as his wife suggests, he ends up on the receiving end of a psychopath.
What follows is a mad-cap (there really is no other word for it), fast-paced story where a family goes on the run, explosions ensue, guns are drawn, secret organizations are revealed, mystic themes of the universe are unveiled, and a teleporting dog and a boy who discovers a scientific impossibility are all-too believable.
RELENTLESS is obviously one of those "this could never happen in real life" type of books, but it's classic Koontz, and that's good enough for me.
Thankfully, this was a one-sitting read, since once I started I couldn't stop. Is the plot outlandish? Of course it is, as only a Koontz book can be. But he's back with the universal theme of good vs. evil, with a dog named Lassie that you can't help but love, and a young boy named Milo who is beyond imagination.
The storyline is fairly simple: an accomplished author has gotten a scathing review by a well-known critic, and instead of letting the matter go as his wife suggests, he ends up on the receiving end of a psychopath.
What follows is a mad-cap (there really is no other word for it), fast-paced story where a family goes on the run, explosions ensue, guns are drawn, secret organizations are revealed, mystic themes of the universe are unveiled, and a teleporting dog and a boy who discovers a scientific impossibility are all-too believable.
RELENTLESS is obviously one of those "this could never happen in real life" type of books, but it's classic Koontz, and that's good enough for me.
Helpful Score: 5
I loved this book. It's been some time since I have enjoyed a Koontz book this much. Right out of the gate I loved all four of the main characters. Cubby, Penny, Milo and Lassie each are three dimensional characters that with their personal quirks are very real right from the start. Their characters don't require time to develop. They are quirky, fun, loving, deep, intense, funny and mysterious.These are people, that if they existed in real life, I would love to know. Ah, but my love of the characters created a paradox. Throughout the book I found my self tightly gripping the book reading fast and excited wanting to know what comes next. Then just a few short pages later having to put down the book because I could not bear the coming of the horrible event that will befall one of them. Throughout the second half of the book Mr. Koontz tortures us with the knowledge that the worst possible fate will befall one of the three but he does not tell us which it will be. The wanting to know. The not wanting to know. Combined with Mr. Koontz's early revelation of the climax was gut wrenching.I felt I must keep reading. All the while saying to myself "No, No, please don't let it be Milo. Please don't let it be Cubby. Please don't let it be Penny. Oh no, Not Lassie"......Can you stand the suspense? Pick up the book and see.
Helpful Score: 3
Only one word to describe this book...riveting. Koontz, is one of the most profilic authors I've ever read. He has a way of drawing you into the story, keeping you on the edge of your seat, as well as having your adrenaline pumping so hard you can't help but keep turning the page to see what happens next. This book, though scary, was also hilarious. Cubby is such a lovable character, and Penny can certainly kick butt. My favorite, however, was "the little einstein," I liked how Milo was able to be a 6 year old when it was necessary, but still able to help his parents think rationally as they planned their next move on Waxx. I was very disappointed when it ended. I absolutely loved this book, and highly recommend it. All of Koontz's books are keepers for me, because I want to read them more than once, and Relentless was no different.
Helpful Score: 2
An easy read (I read it straight through) the suspense grabbed me and I had to keep reading the next chapter to found out what happened.
Shearman Waxx, reclusive book critic and sinister boogeyman, reviews Cubby's recently released book and the review, to say the least, was not favorable. In fact, the critic seemed overly critical, actually ruthless in his review.
Cubby and family are soon plunged into a nightmare from which there is no escape. Relentlessly hounded, only thing left is to kill or be killed.
Good vs. evil, absolute evil characters that seems to have practically supernatural resources.
Only thing I didnt like was that Koontzs newest book reminded me of several of his earlier books, almost as if he re-used a few characters and plot lines. But still well worth reading.
Shearman Waxx, reclusive book critic and sinister boogeyman, reviews Cubby's recently released book and the review, to say the least, was not favorable. In fact, the critic seemed overly critical, actually ruthless in his review.
Cubby and family are soon plunged into a nightmare from which there is no escape. Relentlessly hounded, only thing left is to kill or be killed.
Good vs. evil, absolute evil characters that seems to have practically supernatural resources.
Only thing I didnt like was that Koontzs newest book reminded me of several of his earlier books, almost as if he re-used a few characters and plot lines. But still well worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
Dean Koontz is absolutely one of my favorite authors. As always, this story grabs you at the beginning, and doesn't let go until the very end! Koontz's mastery of our language is excellent, and his use of synonyms is beyond what most writers dare. Relentless is the story of a writer (Cubby Greenwich) who is reviewed by "poison pen" critic, Shearman Waxx. Cubby intends to ignore the review until he happens to find out where Waxx will be having lunch. He just wants to get a look at the man. Waxx is not what Cubby expects, and neither is the terror that follows. This book is a must-read for Koontz fans especially, but also for any lover of the thriller!
Helpful Score: 2
This book is named correctly. From start to finish, Koontz is relentless in giving out the information. Usually, it takes days to read one of his books, but I finished this one in 2. Would have had it done in one, but just couldn't keep the eyes open.
Helpful Score: 1
Relentless is an excelent book that certainly keeps you on your toes. Mr. Koontz does an excellent job in creating such a suspense and action filled book. This was the first Dean Koontz book I read and I was not dissappointed in the slightest and neither will you. Order this book, you will not regret it for a second.
Helpful Score: 1
Cubby Greenwich is a writer as is his wife, Penny. The humor in this book really keeps it going. Even their genius son, Milo cracks me up and their dog is a hoot. When a reclusive critic trashes Cubby's newest best seller, all hell breaks loose. Waxx turns out to be a total nutjob with major connections. Another author calls Cubby and details his crazy demented murderous dealings with Waxx. This sends the Greenwich family fleeing for their lives trying to understand what the hell is happening.
This psychological thriller is typical Koontz and very well-written, keep you on the edge of your seat suspenseful. Koontz keeps you guessing who and why until the last page.
This psychological thriller is typical Koontz and very well-written, keep you on the edge of your seat suspenseful. Koontz keeps you guessing who and why until the last page.
Helpful Score: 1
Dean Koontz once again writes a great book. The suspense keeps you going and you don't want to put it down.
Very good read! Highly Recommend!
This one is a hell of a lot scarier than some overtly bloodier slasher thrillers. The suspense builds and builds, and then builds some more. Think of the worst stalker tale you ever heard of . . . and that's just the starting point! Don't start it late at night if you're alone in the house, though.
From back cover: Literary critic Shearman Waxx can kill a good book with just a few acidly worded bon mots. And as one unlucky author is about to discover, that's not all he's prepared to kill...
From #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz comes a mesmerizing thriller about the battle of wills that ensues when a successful author and likable family man confronts a reclusive sociopath who wields an all-too-deadly poison pen. Respect Sherman Waxx's opinion and you might escape with your career intact. Cross him and he'll destroy you, your family, and everything you hold dear. For the title 'America's most feared critic' isn't one Waxx takes lightly. He takes it literally. And now Cubby Greenwich, his wife, Penny, their brilliant six-year-old, Milo, and their uniquely talented non-collie, Lassie, are about to learn the true meaning of 'culture war.'
From back cover: Literary critic Shearman Waxx can kill a good book with just a few acidly worded bon mots. And as one unlucky author is about to discover, that's not all he's prepared to kill...
From #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz comes a mesmerizing thriller about the battle of wills that ensues when a successful author and likable family man confronts a reclusive sociopath who wields an all-too-deadly poison pen. Respect Sherman Waxx's opinion and you might escape with your career intact. Cross him and he'll destroy you, your family, and everything you hold dear. For the title 'America's most feared critic' isn't one Waxx takes lightly. He takes it literally. And now Cubby Greenwich, his wife, Penny, their brilliant six-year-old, Milo, and their uniquely talented non-collie, Lassie, are about to learn the true meaning of 'culture war.'
I love this book, it was one I had a hard time putting down, It classic Dean Koonzts!!!!!!!
I wasn't sure about this book due to the synopsis of the story, but now having read it, have to say it's one of Koontz's best, thoroughly enjoyed it. One of those books you just can't put down. If you love Dean Koontz's books you will definitely love this one.
This is the first Dean Koontz book I've read and I really enjoyed it. It's a fast paced thriller with some humor and quriky twists. The basic story is about Cubby, a man who makes an enemy of the wrong guy- Sherman Waxx. It turns out that Waxx will use extreme means to get revenge on Cubby and his family. This leads to a cross country chase with all sorts of escapes and near misses. Fast paced, couldn't put it down, fun read.
Really tense and engaging. A fresh approach to stalker-type/obscessive mentality. Kept me turning pages well into the night just to see where the story was going to go next.
I read Koontz years ago and my reading interests grew beyond him. Recently, this book was recommended so I gave it a try. It seemed rather simple, written in first person as the main character. I found it a bit lacking. It is not a deep thinker and makes for a relative easy read.
Excellent book. A lot of tension - couldn't stop reading.
Love Dean Koontz! Great book! Only took me two days to read it. I loved the characters, especially Milo. I highly recommend this book.
This book is truly one of Stephen King's best. It keeps you on the tip of your seat seeing what is going to happen next. I especially enjoyed the teleporting dog, Lassie, but this book is really a cliffhanger in every way.
I have been a Dean Koontz fan for a very long time but some of his more recent books I didn't "love" like I normally did. This book broke that streak! This book was edge of your seat, almost nonstop thriller! I highly recommend!
This has just the right amount of weirdness. You're not sure if there's something supernatural going on or it's just not clear what is going on yet. What is clear is that the spunky little family is on one scary ride.
this was a great read. very suspenseful just a little disappointed in the ending, however, it might leave the characters open for sequel.
The most exciting DK book I've read so far!
I read the whole thing, which is saying alot considering how formulaic it was. An author and his family are chased by a maniac, how fun is that? Just don't think things through too much. Need a fun distraction? This book is for you.
For most of this book Koontz kept me very enthralled. I enjoyed the characters, loved the nonstop action and thought the evil guy as very creepy. So why the three stars? The ending. I was so curious as to what was going on and was wondering how they were going to get out of their situation. Then the ending happened. It was a bit too far fetched for me. Don't get me wrong, I know Koontz likes to throw supernatural twists in there and most of the time I'm okay with it. This one didn't work for me at all. Unfortunately, I can't get into more detail without giving it away.
The story is about a guy named Cubby who writes books, his wife writes children's books and does the illustrations, and his 6yr old son is a prodigy. They are very happy together and seem to have the perfect life. After the release of Cubby's new book, he is informed about a bad review from noted critic Shearman Waxx. Of course Cubby is upset about the review especially since it looks like the critic never even read his book. His wife tells him to let it go and he decides he will until he finds out that the critic eats lunch at the same restaurant every day. Cubby decides he has to check the elusive critic out. After he gets to the restaurant and spots Waxx, he ends up having a small encounter with the critic and from there Cubby's life is forever changed. Now he has this madman stalking him and trying to hurt him and his family. It seems like everywhere he goes he is being followed.
It is a good book. I can recommend the majority of it but think the ending kind of killed it for me.
The story is about a guy named Cubby who writes books, his wife writes children's books and does the illustrations, and his 6yr old son is a prodigy. They are very happy together and seem to have the perfect life. After the release of Cubby's new book, he is informed about a bad review from noted critic Shearman Waxx. Of course Cubby is upset about the review especially since it looks like the critic never even read his book. His wife tells him to let it go and he decides he will until he finds out that the critic eats lunch at the same restaurant every day. Cubby decides he has to check the elusive critic out. After he gets to the restaurant and spots Waxx, he ends up having a small encounter with the critic and from there Cubby's life is forever changed. Now he has this madman stalking him and trying to hurt him and his family. It seems like everywhere he goes he is being followed.
It is a good book. I can recommend the majority of it but think the ending kind of killed it for me.
This was okay, but could have been better. The good parts were very good, and the suspenseful parts were also Koontz as I know him, but there was too much conversation between the characters, way too much introspection, and some unneeded explanations of names.
The adults were too quirky, the kid was too smart - and too smart-a--ed - and too mature (I'd have believed the kid was 10, but not 6). And the humor seemed weird and forced, not funny.
The adults were too quirky, the kid was too smart - and too smart-a--ed - and too mature (I'd have believed the kid was 10, but not 6). And the humor seemed weird and forced, not funny.
I think this was one of Koontz's more exciting books he has written in a while. Really enjoyed it!
Bestselling novelist "Cubby" Greenwich lives a charmed life, doing what he loves, married and has a genius of a son and a wonderful dog. His new book gets mostly great reviews except a viciuos one from a prominent and reclusive critic, Shearman Waxx. He knows he should leave it alone...everyone knows...but, of course, he doesn't. Waxx turns out not only to have a sarcastic pen but a viciousness only posdsible in a psychopath. The chase is on.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of amusing repartee among the Greenwich family and lots of unbelievable evil coming from a critic (some artists would say...not so unbelievable.)
Surprisingly, there are a lot of amusing repartee among the Greenwich family and lots of unbelievable evil coming from a critic (some artists would say...not so unbelievable.)
I have read all of Dean Koontz books to date. Relentless was just OK. His last few novels have been just been so so. Lately his stuff is just not typical Dean Koontz style (has he hired a Ghost writer?)
This book is a waste of time. I was immediately drawn into the story and stayed up late a couple of nights reading it only to be bitterly disappointed with the final quarter of the book. As other reviewers have mentioned, Koontz is definitely recycling character types and plotline. To me this book feels like it was ghost written on the style of Koontz.
There are so many things going on in this book that none of them are fully explored and the end is rushed and thrown together as if the author was in a hurry to finish and get on with his next book.
There are so many things going on in this book that none of them are fully explored and the end is rushed and thrown together as if the author was in a hurry to finish and get on with his next book.
Wow. I've been reading Koontz for years and I've enjoyed the science fiction elements inherent to many of them. I have a very flexible imagination when it comes to horror, sci-fi, or thriller literature. However, this book was asking a bit much from my ability to suspend disbelief. The latin phrase, deus ex machina came to my mind as I read the ending. Over the years, this author has made me accept cloned killers,psychic rescuers,and time traveling Nazis. However, Relentless lacked the exposition required to convince me of the more improbable elements of this story.
Come on Koontz, you can do better than this with one pen tied behind your back!! A lazy effort if I ever saw one. The plot is silly, the characters are not fleshed out at all. did you have to turn in 300 pages to fulfill a contract or what? Certainly not scarey but a quick read if you have a couple of hours to fill. Geez, koontz this isnt even worthy of you.
Don't waste your money on this book! I'm so glad I got it from the library instead of spending money or even a credit on it. Dean Koontz has written some of the most exciting thrillers I have ever read. This one is so ridiculous and far-fetched, I almost did not read the whole thing through. In fact, halfway through the book, I even came onto the PBS website to read other reviews because I was wondering if anyone else was as disappointed as I was. The characters were unbelievable, the plot was ridiculous and he got so wordy at times, I was almost bored. I could not wait to get done with this one. This was sloppy for Dean Koontz, the master of all storytellers. I give it 3 stars at best.
After receiving a scathing review from a highly regarded reviewer of literary fiction, Cubby cannot just "let it go" as advised by his wife Penny. Instead he brings his son Milo along to a restaurant where the elusive critic is known to lunch, and inadvertently draws Sherman Waxx's attention to his family.
Turns out Waxx is in cahoots with a bunch of nut jobs who have a history of torturing and murdering artists they do not like, along with their families. Cubby has no choice but to take Penny, Milo and their dog Lassie on the run.
It is hard to not enjoy any Dean Koontz story because no matter how outlandish the story he is always suspenseful. While this book was no exception, I did think the ending was pretty out there. However, Relentless is still an entertaining read that could be finished during a long day at the beach.
Turns out Waxx is in cahoots with a bunch of nut jobs who have a history of torturing and murdering artists they do not like, along with their families. Cubby has no choice but to take Penny, Milo and their dog Lassie on the run.
It is hard to not enjoy any Dean Koontz story because no matter how outlandish the story he is always suspenseful. While this book was no exception, I did think the ending was pretty out there. However, Relentless is still an entertaining read that could be finished during a long day at the beach.
Ok, I hate to be the first spoiler but I thought this book was bleh. Not what I expected from Koontz. A 6 yr old genius son, a time traveling dog...c'mon. I plodded through it thinking it'd get better only to get to the rushed end & was completely disappointed. Definitely not a keeper & glad to pass it on to save someone else from paying full price.
