Odd Thomas

An Odd Thomas Novel (Odd Thomas, Book 1)

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Odd Thomas, the unassuming young hero of Dean Koontz’s dazzling New York Times bestseller, a gallant sentinel at the crossroads of life and death who offers up his heart in these pages and will forever capture yours.

“The dead don’t talk. I don’t know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Sometimes the silent souls who seek out Odd want justice. Occasionally their otherworldly tips help him prevent a crime. But this time it’s different.

A stranger comes to Pico Mundo, accompanied by a horde of hyena-like shades who herald an imminent catastrophe. Aided by his soul mate, Stormy Llewellyn, and an unlikely community of allies that includes the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, Odd will race against time to thwart the gathering evil. His account of these shattering hours, in which past and present, fate and destiny, converge, is a testament by which to live—an unforgettable fable for our time destined to rank among Dean Koontz’s most enduring works.

©2003 Dean Koontz. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Once in a very great while, an author does everything right—as Koontz has in this marvelous novel.... the story, like most great stories, runs on character—and here Koontz has created a hero whose honest, humble voice will resonate with many.... This is Koontz working at his pinnacle, providing terrific entertainment that deals seriously with some of the deepest themes of human existence: the nature of evil, the grip of fate and the power of love."—Publishers Weekly

"Dean Koontz almost occupies a genre of his own. He is a master at building suspense and holding the reader spellbound."—Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler."—The Times (London)

Outstanding book

This is why people read books. Dean Koontz puts you in the the scene as well as anyone.
My favorite of his so far.

Such a great story!

I’ve been trying to find a Dean Koontz where he doesn’t objectify the woman in the story. This is a great story, but of course true to the author has a man as the hero. Other than his baseline story this was a fascinating listen, and I look forward to more Off Thomas stories.

Great book and series

Iv read the series twice, the audio book is well narrated and worth buying.

Great book and reading

This is a book I’ve been waiting for. I’ve enjoyed it many times and I think anyone looking for their next read or listen will enjoy it too!

a headline is required.

I really like Odd. I very much relate to his strivings for kindness and servitude. Just as good and heart breaking the second time round.

AN expected yet unexpected tale

The expected denouement, with the expected twist, still hit hard. We had a beloved kitty named Stormy, so that was another connection. Naming the heroine/ love interest that way was interesting if a bit hard in the end.

What and "Odd" story!

I enjoyed this book and cried at the end. The narrator was fabulous! The story was odd all the way around.

Thought-provoking, very entertaining.

I liked the storyline and the characters. The good we’re good but Not perfect. The evil were bad, but not gory. I was glad to have read the book.

Good story, great writing!

The writing of these books is like poetry. The descriptions are such fun that I often back up and listen again. The story is enjoyable, but it’s the interactions of Odd with other characters, more so than the story, that brings me back for more! I typically listen to sci fi, lots of action, one liners, etc. These books are a refreshing change, more intellectual and polite.

Narrator is perfect for Odd

Overall, I found the story enjoyable, although there are some tedious moments where you listen to each and every thought going through Odd's mind, who is a thorough over-thinker. Odd is very likeable character, and I'll look forward to listening to more about him. I know this is not a recent book, but I find it odd (no pun intended) that writers seem to take so much pleasure in describing the overweight body, relishing in every adjective they can summon from the thesaurus.