The Silent Corner: A Novel of Suspense

The synopsis on this book was way too intriguing for me to pass it up. Plus, I just enjoy Dean Koontz novels. So, no brainer here. This was one of those novels that I picked up a year ago, read a few chapters, then got distracted by life and put it down for way too long. So, when I picked it back up, I started from the beginning. This time, it sunk its teeth into me and wouldn’t let go. It’s a truly compelling story about mind control, while there may be a bit of a sci-fi edge to it; I shudder to think that anything like this could become a reality. But I wouldn’t deny the possibility. I almost felt like I had been injected with mind-control serum because I couldn’t put this book down. Whenever I wasn’t reading it, I just wanted to get back to it. I’m a sucker for a badass female protagonist. So, this checks off all the boxes for me. I was thrilled to learn that it’s the first book in a series and not a stand-a-lone. It’s pretty long which could seem daunting, but it flies by. The ending of this book was absolutely unbearable, because . . . hear me out: SPOILERS AHEAD It was ramping up very quickly. I was able to calm myself down by reassuring myself that there are more books in this series, so obviously Jane Hawk doesn’t die in the end (of this one, at least). But, as it went along, I got attached to other characters, and I had no idea how this was going to play out. Then there was the final scene between Jane and Nathan and it made my cold heart so very sad. I read A LOT of thrillers and detective novels. They’re the majority of the books that I read. Bad things happen in these books. But, I’m one of those people that doesn’t want anything bad to happen to the protagonists. And, when things are going poorly, I get upset. I know . . . I know . . . it doesn’t make much sense. But here we are. I was squirming while finishing this one. But I was pleased by how it concluded. Jane Hawk is a badass. I can’t wait to read the next one. 5/5 Stars Memorable Quote: “It’s a beautiful, terrible world, isn’t it?”

I don’t like thrillers. But I am not going to read a book that I know is a thriller, and then give it one star because it is a thriller and I don’t like thrillers. It also pains me to give four or five stars to a book that I really wanted to be over – really really wanted to get to the end. 200 pages would have been hard enough for my heart and stomach to take, but 450? Yet, I survived. And I survived with the reinforced conviction that Koontz is a darn good writer. First off, you can’t do what he did to said heart rate without solid prose and spinning a good tale. Secondly, his main characters are good people, people we want to admire and read about, not gray and flawed and who cares? Jane Hawk is not superhuman, just a good person with the high moral values we would like to think we, ourselves, possess, and the courage that we know we do not. She is someone we want to root for because we feel the injustice and fear and anger that she feels. Thirdly, Koontz is imaginative and original in his plots. I read one of his books every few years because I appreciate his writing. Not only do I dislike thrillers, and government/corporate conspiracies like this one, I dislike paranormal and sci-fi and apocalyptic scenarios, and yet Koontz’s “Innocence” is one of my very favorite books, and that novel’s Addison is as real and dear to me as any character in any book I have ever read. Koontz is that good. Another indication of the quality of Koontz’s writing is the way he can give information via conversations without it feeling hokey, contrived. Although his situations are far from quotidian, the conversations feel natural and true to the action and characters. And lastly, Koontz’s writing is remarkably evocative and lush. Actually, this can be as irritating as heck. I am saying “Go! Go! Run! Don’t go in there! OMG, don’t do that!” My heart rate is up and then I read something like: “The moon seemed to smoke like a chalice of volatile venom.” Or later: “There could be no menace in the moon, and yet it hung over the night as if it were a dragon’s egg from which some world-ending beast would hatch.” Ahhh … but wait. No time to appreciate the beauty of the prose! “Forget the moon! There is incredible danger here … don’t go in!” Roller coaster emotions. I was prepared to give five stars for the originality and quality of the writing … until the end. Dang, I hate stories that don’t end! Clearly there is a sequel or two for Jane Hawk. If you want to know without a doubt that the world gets saved, or not, then you have to read the sequel. I don’t plan to. Or maybe I will. No, I won’t. Anyway, I subtracted a star. If you like thrillers, don’t hesitate to read this book. It is thrilling, sometimes touching, sometimes funny, satisfying scenes (if not ultimately satisfying). If you don’t like thrillers … well, take under advisement what I have said above and maybe give it a try, anyway. (Please check with your doctor first.)

I realy enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, the action was fast paced and the plot was okay. I have the next one on pre-order and can't wait for it to arrive!

This book introduces Jane Hawk as new character and hence was my obvious choice as first Dean Koontz coz there was nothing to gather about this character, like past sub-plots and other related characters, from other books. The book begins a bit slowly as it starts by developing characters. But then soon enough it gathers pace that you wouldn't want to put it down. Its packed with suspense and action that pages just keep turning. The main character, in some ways, reminds of Lisbeth Salander from 'The Girl who..' series as a power-packed and intelligent woman who takes up the bad guys by storm and leaves them either devastated or simply dead! Now awaiting the sequel of this book... Update: Concept of the plot is 'inspired' by the 2004 movie The Manchurian Candidate

I love the writing style of Dean Koonz, but recently stumbling on the first of the Jane Hawk novels was sheer luck. Koonz writes a lot about organizations in the US and world that are setting out to seed evil here and there and do away with good. This series includes some of that and our heroine is a woman named Jane Hawk, ex-FBI, widow, and mother to a young son. What is really so marvelous is the many characters that we are introduced to in the book as they meet up with Jane who is on a 'mission'. Who are they? Are they good people? Are they bad people? Institutions we normally trust like FBI, CIA, police, politicians, wealthy donors to charity, etc.; Are they good? Are they bad? What makes the difference? Jane is the means for us to take a look at a lot of things in life and re-evaluate: Is it good? Is it bad? What makes the difference? and consider this: What if someone decided to do away with most people's freedom to decide what is good or bad? or their right to live a life of their own choosing? Or to even be alive? Good questions to think about.

Wonderful!I enjoyed every minute of this book. Koontz in best form.I'm looking forward to the next part of this adventure.

Very good story line and fast paced action. Very much enjoyed this book and looking forward to many more 👏