Going Home in the Dark

By: Dean Koontz

Narrated by: BJ Harrison

When hometown horrors come back to haunt, friendship is salvation in a novel about childhood fears and buried secrets by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz.

As kids, outcasts Rebecca, Bobby, Spencer, and Ernie were inseparable friends in the idyllic town of Maple Grove. Three left to pursue lofty dreams—and achieved them. Only Ernie never left. When he falls into a coma, his three amigos feel an urgent need to return home. Don’t they remember people lapsing into comas back then? And those people always awoke…didn’t they?

After two decades, not a lot has changed in Maple Grove, especially Ernie’s obnoxious, scary mother. But Rebecca, Bobby, and Spencer begin to remember a hulking, murderous figure and weirdness piled on mystery that they were made to forget. As Ernie sinks deeper into darkness, something strange awaits any friend who tries to save him.

For Rebecca, Bobby, and Spencer, time is running out to remember the terrors of the past in a perfect town where nothing is what it seems. For Maple Grove, it’s a chance to have the “four amigos,” as they once called themselves, back in its grasp.

©2025 by Dean Ray Koontz and Gerda Ann Koontz, as Trustees of the Koontz Living Trust dated July 11, 1994. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“It must have been difficult for BJ Harrison to narrate this supernatural audiobook with his tongue so firmly planted in his cheek. Let's lay that obstacle at the feet of Dean Koontz. The master of suspense opts to regularly break the fourth wall in this work, and Harrison spreads Koontz's snarky tone throughout this production.… Hijinks ensue, brought to life by the talented Harrison, as the quartet begin to remember what they had been made to forget from decades prior. Thanks to great work by Harrison and Koontz, this work is too amusing to be terrifying.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Koontz is still experimenting, still finding new ways to please his audience. A rousing success.” —Booklist (starred review)

Not one of koontz’s best

I love everything Dean Koontz…but not this one. I didn’t think much of the storyline and the author’s asides in the narrative which were probably meant to be amusing, were annoying and unnecessary. I really struggled to finish this book. ☹️

Imagery

Dean Koontz is definitely an award-winning writer. He totally deserves any awards he gets. His books are always awesome and always keep me enthralled throughout the entire story. This one was a little different, but still great. We love you, Dean.

Mildly entertaining

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I have always loved Dean Koontz. And I have so many favorites, I couldn’t possibly list them all. This one unfortunately just reminded me too much of Stephen King‘s IT. With IT, of course, coming out on top as the better story.

The humour and the likeable character characters

I love Dean Koontz. All of his books resonate with me. Ignore the bad reviews. They don’t know what they’re talking about.

Dean Koontz, need I say more?

I always love his writing! I love the characters and the funny little side statements and the very unique plot lines!