Ken M. reviewed on 10/5/2014 + 35 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Haven't we all looked at the expression on our pet's face and wondered what were they thinking at one time or another? Koontz takes this notion and runs with it in Watchers. Travis is an ex-military that has lost the loved ones in his life and was taking a walk in the mountains trying to rediscover happiness. He comes upon a Golden Retriever that acts as if he is trying to warn him of impending danger ahead on the trail and convinces Travis to high-tail it in the other direction. He takes the dog home with him and learns that this is no ordinary mutt. This is an escaped secret lab experiment with the intelligence of a human. Travis names him Einstein. Nora has been sheltered her whole life by her extremely overbearing aunt. After her aunt's death, she struggles with coming out of her shell and adapting to the ways of society. Instead, she holes herself up in her aunt's house and trusts no one. In a moment of danger for Nora, she is saved by Travis and Einstein. From here the story really takes off as the two learn the extent of Einstein's intelligence and ability to learn and communicate. They discover that Einstein isn't the only lab experiment that escaped that day. The other one, called "The Outsider", is a monstrous killing machine that will stop at nothing to locate the dog through a mental telepathy bond and destroy him and all who get in the way. Throw in secret government agents trying to get their experiments back and a deranged mafia hit man and you've got a classic Koontz story for the ages.

Koontz can be the cock-eyed optimist with his characters. A good always prevails against evil type of tendency. Watchers is no exception. But, the characters are so good and its easy to wish your own dog could do a fraction of the things that Einstein can. The story moves along at a nice pace and even though there are a few times where you roll your eyes at Koontz's infatuation with Golden Retrievers, it all works. Five stars for the dog lover. Four for those that don't.

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