Relentless by Dean Koontz

Relentless was my first book by Dean Koontz and the reason why I have never read anything by him before is because I was always under the impression that most of his books were more horror and supernatural, with perhaps a bit of sci-fi mixed in for good measure, and most of the time I don't really like that. I thought Relentless wouldn't have those aspects, but it did, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Still, Mr. Koontz provides a bit of humor, and I read the book pretty quickly. I give Relentless a B-.

Inside cover:
Bestselling novelist Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich is a lucky man and he knows it. He makes a handsome living doing what he enjoys. His wife, Penny, a children's book author and illustrator, is the love of his life. Together they have a brilliant six-year-old, Milo, affectionately dubbed "Spooky" and a non-collie named Lassie, who's all but part of the family.
So Cubby knows he shouldn't let one bad review of his otherwise triumphant new book get to him- even if it does appear in the nation's premier newspaper and is penned by the much-feared, seldom-seen critic Shearman Waxx. Cubby knows that the best thing to do is ignore the gratuitously vicious, insulting, and inaccurate comments. Penny knows it; even little Milo knows it. If Lassie could talk, she'd tell Cuby to ignore them too.
Ignore Shearman Waxx and his poison pen is just what Cubby intends to do. Until he happens to learn where the great man is taking his lunch. Cubby just wants to get a look at the mysterious recluse whose mere opinion can make or break a career- or a life.
But Shearman Waxx isn't what Cubby expects, and neither is the escalating terror that follows what seemed to be an innocent encounter. For Waxx gives criticism; he doesn't take it. He has ways of dealing with those who cross him that Cubby is only beginning to fathom. Soon Cubby finds himself in a desperate struggle with a relentless sociopath, facing an inexorable assult on far more than his life.

I really thought that Relentless had a lot of promise. I thought that this book could be really spooky and well done, especially in light of what has been happening lately with some authors who are not behaving well with reviews. I understand that Mr. Koontz has a genre and type of book that he normally writes, so I am not disappointed, I just wish it could have been somewhat more straight suspense and not some sci-fi thrown in. That's just me, though, and I wouldn't want that to discourage anyone from not reading it because of that. With all of that being said, Mr. Koontz does write a fast paced story, and I will admit that there were times my heart started beating a bit faster while I was reading. The story was a very fast read, and I read most of it this evening in a few hours. I really adored Milo as well, and even though the story was a horror/thriller type, there were several parts that left me smiling. Milo was absolutely adorable and Cubby is very likeable as well. While I may not pick up another Koontz book anytime soon, I am not upset that I read this book.

I am not sure what I am going to read next. Can you believe that just as I finished all of my library books (I believe I have now read 7 books from the library in a row!!!) another one came in? I don't care... I have to grab something off of my own shelves. I think I may be in the mood for a straight fiction right now, but who knows? I think I am going to jump in the shower and then just browse my bookshelves. I hope everyone else is enjoying their current reads and Happy Reading!