Dark Rivers of the Heart: A Novel

I couldn't put it down. Great characters Fun fast-paced chases. Makes you really wonder in todays world how much of this is going on.

In this novel, Koontz paints a scary picture of his view of America and what it was becoming in 2006/2007. His picture would seem to be borne out in the events of the last few years where someone can be persecuted for his or her opinions or for making enemies of the wrong people. At the center of the conflict are Spencer Grant, son of a serial killer, and a woman, Ellie, whose family has already been destroyed by those who feel threatened by her. Their journey is indeed frightening particularly since it is based on a reality that has only gotten worse.

I love Dean Koontz's lush and lyrical prose. Reading his books is truly a pleasure. This book blew my mind. I would not be surprised to learn that a government agency carries out such heinous acts against its citizens as told in this story. At one point in the book, Mr. Koontz reminds us that members of Congress are immune from asset seizure, their pensions are safe from being "borrowed" from as Social Security was devastated by President Bush's Iraq war, and they enjoy medical care far beyond what any common citizen can obtain. The protagonists, Evie and Spencer are computer geniuses as well as skilled warriors who escape attempt after attempt by agent Roy and his thugs to bring them down. Five stars are not enough for this engaging and terrifying novel.

Couldn't put it down. I always like the way he has a dog in his storyline. The technology described was frightening.

When Spencer Grant, an ex-law enforcement officer who's living off the grid, tries to reacquaint with Valerie Keene, a waitress who dazzled him in a bar, he discovers she's being hunted by government officials on a mission to kill her. From what he knows of her, they can't possibly have good reason for wanting her dead. His quest to find her makes him the target of an assassin, working for a shadow agency of the government, who, on his own time, kills emotionally scarred or physically hindered individuals to show them mercy. The assassin can tell Spencer is tortured and wants to set him free.While tracking down Valerie with his trusty, skittish dog, Rocky, by his side, Spencer must not only uncover a buried memory that haunts his dreams and is just a breath away from his recollection, but avoid the most efficient eyes and ears on the planet. He and Valerie embark on the run of their lives in a nail-biting chase.Frustrated and peeved, the assassin takes out the big guns and drudges up Spencer's worst nightmare to use as a snare, pulling various characters into a stomach-churning climax, leaving readers cringing and unsure as to who if any of them will survive.I enjoyed the researched details, from the gum trees in L.A. to the high-tech surveillance methods to the computer hacking. And I also appreciated Koontz's skill weaving the past and present and using dream sequences in a non-clumsy way. Any inserted backstory was gripping rather than weighty. And I love conspiracies so the shadow government thing worked for me. He made it believable and chilling.I found this ride suspenseful and enjoyed it very much. The ending had some sweet justice, kind of, but left things a little messy. I wished Koontz had turned the tables on the assassin and allowed the monster to kill the creator so to speak. If you've read the book, you know what I mean. A twist of irony would have been delicious and I was disappointed he didn't pull the trigger. Also, Valerie makes a point to say she'll have to kill the one who's after her, but the story never had that confrontation. I was teased into believing it would enter into the novel at the end and was annoyed it didn't.All in all though, I enjoyed the story but just wish the ending had been a bit more tidy and satisfying. It could have been with better choices by Koontz.If you want to read a well-researched book with round characters, a suspenseful plot with expertly interwoven threads of past and present, and a cool dog who finally gets his day to be a hero, check it out.

I never cease to be amazed how Mr. Koontz can bring so many different storylines to fruition. Although I have to say he left a lot to the imagination at the end of this book. But of course he has left an avenue for another novel with many of these same characters, and I cant wait to see if it happens!

Absolutely no one exceeds Koontz’ ability to create incredible characters, from desperately flawed but unashamedly wholly good to complex and unthinkably evil, and craft for them exciting plots which are simultaneously completely over the top and chillingly believable. And absolutely no one exceeds Koontz’s mastery of conversation. This novel is a prime example of his mastery of the craft, and as has become his habit, seamlessly features a dog as a full character.In this tome, Koontz sets his sights on one of our greatest threats - our increasingly fascist government, especially federal but to a lesser degree at every level. The more power governments give themselves, the more attractive “service” becomes to evil people, and the more these evil people exercise power against innocent people, the less attractive service becomes to good people. Over the past two years we’ve seen government shift focus from predators to those who oppose government’s increasing power. Murderers serving life without parole have been released by the same “authorities” who aggressively imprison business owners for refusing to obey and bankrupt themselves at government’s whim. Pretty much everything Koontz predicted is now here. This book was amazingly prescient.Highly, highly recommended.

The latest effort from Mr. Koontz proves that it is possible to improve upon greatness. Just when you think that he couldn't possibly top his most recent masterpiece, he blows it out of the water. Great read that is finished too soon, don't miss this one.

A bit boring, i think with 300 pgs less, could have been a better novel. I liked the protagonists.

Très déçue par ce livre.Long et ennuyeux.C'est le deuxième livre de Dean Koontz que j'ai lu dernièrement et qui m'a déçu énormément... Aurait il perdu son style ?

Great read kept me going good story line Ending was not what I expected but that depends if there will be a second book either way thoroughly enjoyed it .Had to pull an allnighter couldn't wait to see what happened, highly recommend this book

A gripping story,

Not Dean Koontz best work. It was very wordy for no reason. It seemed to run all over the place, with too many characters to really keep track of.