If You Are Interested in SHS Issues, You'll Want to Read Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

One of the perks of being friends with a world famous author is that you get to read advance copies of his books. Last month, I had that great pleasure with Dean Koontz's newest novel, Your Heart Belongs to Me.

I knew going in that the story is about a man who needs a heart transplant. It is that--and much more. A real thriller in the Koontz mold, and without ruining any surprises--of which there are many--let me just say that Dean grapples with (and tears at) some of the matters we discuss here at Secondhand Smoke. Along the way, he also explores the seductive power of paranoia, the nature of evil, the importance of trust, and how profound difficulties test our character.

I am not saying I liked the book, mind you. But I reached the climax just as the plane I was traveling in landed at Oakland Airport. My eyes were racing across the page because I wanted to know what would happen. I felt like yelling at the pilot, "Once more around the Bay, please!"

For those who are interested, this link will take you to the Amazon page, which contains a short interview with Dean about the book. (Funny, Amazon never gives me that kind of star treatment.)

Read Dean Koontz's Newest

I just completed The Darkest Evening of the Year by my pal Dean Koontz. It is very good; a thriller in the classic Koontz mold that really gets taut in the last 30 pages.

But there is more here than a very good thrill ride--although that would be enough. Dean also mounts some well aimed social criticisms, including a couple of references to the importance of human exceptionalism, Second Life, nihilism, purposefulness versus purposelessness, and the consequences of pure hedonism. More than that, he continues his exploration of the nature of evil--and while there are many villains in the book, one is the most purely malevolent that he has yet conjured. And he also shows the true meaning of intrinsic human dignity through a very vividly drawn character who is completely under the control of the evilist villain. And here's a bonus: If you love dogs, you will really love this book. Prepare to shed a few tears, too.

Predictably, the NYT reviewer hated it. (Warning before hitting the link: The reviewer is a little too heavy on describing the plot. And one correction to an assumption she seems to have made: Dean did not write this book because his dog Trixie died. He was in the middle of writing the book when that event befell the Koontz household.)

Dean's writing in Darkest Evening is as tight as a drum. And ironically, as his characters live (and die) through their darkest evening of the year, Dean's optimism shines through. It's a very entertaining read. Check it out.