#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure, as the lives of strangers converge around a mystery unfolding high in the Colorado mountains—and the balance of the world begins to tilt….
In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light…and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady's isolated home, waiting to make their approach.
A few miles away, Camillia Rivers, a local veterinarian, begins to unravel the threads of a puzzle that will bring all the forces of a government in peril to her door.
At a nearby farm, long-estranged identical twins come together to begin a descent into darkness…In Las Vegas, a specialist in chaos theory probes the boundaries of the unknowable…On a Seattle golf course, two men make matter-of-fact arrangements for murder…Along a highway by the sea, a vagrant scarred by the past begins a trek toward his destiny…
In a novel that is at once wholly of our time and timeless, fearless and funny, Dean Koontz takes readers into the moment between one turn of the world and the next, across the border between knowing and mystery. It is a journey that will leave all who take it Breathless. |
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 A Different Kind of Animal |
| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jake Chism, Krum, TX USA |
In the Colorado Rockies, Grady Adams and his Irish wolfhound, Merlin, have just discovered two creatures unlike anything they've ever seen before. As they welcome these mysterious animals into their home, they soon discover that their arrival coincides with a wondrous event that will forever change their lives and millions of other all over the world.
Dean Koontz never seems ceases to astonish me with the amount of tricks up his sleeve. Each installment in his illustrious career is unique and otherworldly, with Breathless being no exception. In recent offerings Koontz has come under fire, unfairly so in my opinion, for not being the same guy who once scared us around every turn with evil characters and harrowing plots. Lately, dogs have become main characters more than usual, and for whatever reason a lot of fans and critics alike have not looked kindly upon his change of style. In a bold and effective move, Koontz sticks it to the doubters and transforms familiar elements in a way we never imagined.
Not only is Man's Best Friend featured in Breathless, but in this story animals play a bigger role than most of, if not all, Koontz's previous works. However, fans who feel like they have been missing out will be pleased to know that this is one of the most suspenseful novels Koontz has written in a while, with a fast paced plot laced with just the right amount of dread, wonder, and redemption. We're even treated to some frightening and disturbing scenes that will have many readers looking under their beds and in their closets long after reading. Once again Koontz`s prose and dialogue are delivered at the highest level as we follow several storylines to a powerful conclusion.
In the end we are left with a poignant glimpse into the beauty of nature and the mystery of life and the wonder that connects them. I love what Koontz has done of late, and I particularly love what he's given us here. Breathless is certainly a different kind of animal, but one that is well worth your time.
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Always a good author to read....
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| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Robert Busko, North Carolina |
Breathless by Dean Koontz is a stunningly beautiful story that stresses the divisions we find in our world between light and dark, beauty and ugliness, and redemption and damnation. While Koontz is not a stranger to using animals in his stories, Breathless stands everything else on its head.
Grady Adams is a simple man; a carpenter/craftsman who manages to provide for himself and his Irish Wolf-hound, Merlin, while working out of a converted barn. Living a relatively isolated life in the mountains of Colorado is perfect for Grady. One day, while exploring Grady stumbles onto two creatures unlike any he has ever seen. At first, he is unable to approach them before they flee. Over a few days though, he gains their trust and, the story is on. In time Homeland Security and the Army become forces that Grady and his friends must deal with. Let's just say the story is captivating and once you're hooked you won't regret picking up the book.
I hate to use the phrase "typical Koontz" when discussing any of his works because that implies every story is the same. One thing is for sure that over the years Koontz's books have been anything but typical. I know this is a cliché but most of his recent books seem to open to the reader like you peel an onion. One layer after the other is revealed until the climax is reached. You may even tear up a long the way.
Breathless is a great story packed with suspense, great character development, and fantastic descriptions.
Long time readers appreciate Koontz's ability to tell a good story and also touch the reader in a special way. Many of his stories are spiritual without being spiritual. That makes no sense at all, except it is true, at least for this reader.
Once again Dean Koontz has written a wonderful story. I highly recommend.
Peace always.
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A Wonderful "Feel-Good" Novel
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| Review Date: November 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Frank Redman, Texas |
"In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light...and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady's isolated home, waiting to make their approach."
Dean Koontz doesn't just entertain with written words, he writes novels of great importance, entreating us to be aware of the madness in our world and rise above it. BREATHLESS is a wonderful story about the power of good and light in a world full of darkness. Characters are presented with the opportunity to accept something so amazingly pure, it will change their lives forever. Some characters grasp that opportunity, which leads to healing and restoration. Some resist, despite the miraculous existence of the event in the first place, and their lives remain in the dark. It's interesting to consider the justification given by the characters that refuse to accept the peace-breathing event in the story.
No one is better than Koontz at infusing stories with animals, and in many cases these animals play significant roles. BREATHLESS is one of these stories. Animal lovers will take great joy in recognizing the importance the animals have in this story.
This is a novel that could have easily been twice the length and still retain reader interest and enjoyment. There are multiple plot threads that leave you wondering as you're reading how Koontz will be able to bring them all together. This leads me to my only complaint about the book--I didn't want it to end. The ending was certainly no disappointment, and it didn't feel too short; I just wanted the story to keep going.
"In a novel that is at once wholly of our time and timeless, fearless and funny, Dean Koontz takes readers into the moment between one turn of the world and the next, across the border between knowing and mystery."
Life is indeed a mystery. And a mystery we are unlikely to ever solve. But there are clues that will help us have a more peaceful life which we'll see if we simply take a moment and open our eyes. Koontz tells us about a few of these clues: hope, perseverance, selflessness... while at the same time telling us a story that takes us out of the everyday and entertains.
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Never a disappointment!
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| Review Date: April 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Happy's Mom, Tennessee |
| Dean Koontz never disappoints me! I will have to admit that it is difficult to limit my reading time or to change my schedule to permit more time. His books are interesting, unique and the climax when everything is explained finally lets you take a deep breath and smile. BREATHLESS is a terrific read, has done it again. Read it! |
Read it yourself
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| Review Date: December 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gerald Brainum, Santa Monica, California United States |
| Had I depended on the content of the negative Amazon reviews of "Breathless," I would have no doubt not read the book. I'm glad that I ignored those who didn't like the book. I enjoyed the pacing, and the way Koontz ends each chapter with a cliffhanger, or foreshadowing event. I'm not a big fan of novels, but I eagerly await anything written by Koontz, and he has never let me down. Every book is a worthwhile read, and Breathless is no exception. I would advise reading this book yourself, and not depending on the views of those who read this book and just didn't get it. I did, and I'm glad that I read it, it was quite an entertaining read. |
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US $69.00
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