The Bad Weather Friend

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Benny is so nice they feel compelled to destroy him, but he has a friend who should scare the hell out of them in this breathtaking new kind of thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz.

Benny Catspaw’s perpetually sunny disposition is tested when he loses his job, his reputation, his fiancée, and his favorite chair. He’s not paranoid. Someone is out to get him. He just doesn’t know who or why. Then Benny receives an inheritance from an uncle he’s never heard of: a giant crate and a video message. All will be well in time.

How strange—though it’s a blessing, his uncle promises. Stranger yet is what’s inside the crate. He’s a seven-foot-tall self-described “bad weather friend” named Spike whose mission is to help people who are just too good for this world. Spike will take care of it. He’ll find Benny’s enemies. He’ll deal with them. This might be satisfying if Spike wasn’t such a menacing presence with terrifying techniques of intimidation.

In the company of Spike and a fascinated young waitress-cum-PI-in-training named Harper, Benny plunges into a perilous high-speed adventure, the likes of which never would have crossed the mind of a decent guy like him.

©2024 The Koontz Living Trust. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Ray Chase performs an unusual story of good versus evil centered on the nicest man in the world.… Chase's portrayal suits the jaunty character well, shifting between humorous and ominous to great effect. Even during dramatic violence Chase's depictions keep the story engrossing. Often Koontz breaks the fourth wall, but Chase never breaks character. With a performance that careens from funny to horrifying and back again, Benny's story is engaging and a wonderful deviation from Koontz's usual style.”—AudioFile Magazine

Dean Koontz at his best

I’ve been a Koontz fan for decades and have loved many of his books, but THIS book has me in awe of his ability to continue to write original and inspiring stories that defy placement in a genre.

A story for our time

The rich people in this story are definitely ripe for the eating. This story is great and Spike is one of the best characters imagined.

Fun Funny and Strange

I like the story. The characters are good and the dialogue fun. Overall an enjoyable read.

positivity

Stories can have truly Happy endings. A story that will make you want more stories like this one.

Delightful book!

I was unsure at first how this story would unfold but I'm so glad I stuck with it. It was cheesy, funny, heartwarming and so fun to listen to. The narrator was excellent and used his inflection skills perfectly and timely to give the story its wonderful character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

fabulous!!

one of the best DK books i’ve Ever listened to! the story was sooo many different things, not the least of which was heartwarming=)
the voice actor was superb and i enjoyed his work immensely!!
loved it, all the way through!!💞

Unique story, thoroughly enjoyable

there's a level of absurdity in this story that occasionally made me laugh out loud. if you like Odd Thomas and Elsewhere you'll like this one. Recomended

Excellent

Based on the description as well as the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect. However, the pace increased rapidly and this was a very enjoyable book. The flow of the storyline reminded me of the Odd Thomas series from years ago although it was not a similar story.

Great Fun Time

A fast paced story filled with humor and some philosophical ending thoughts. The narrator did a great job as well. 

Benny, Harper, and Spike - More Please!!!

Fun and quirky characters. DK always keeps my interest peaked, and this one is no different. These characters deserve a series, Sir!