Brother Odd, written by Dean Koontz, is a joy ride from start to finish. It will make the Koontz fan happy and is also an interesting read for new comers.

This book is a continuation of the series featuring the enigma Odd Thomas. It is the third book in the series. The first book had talked about Odd discovering and dealing with his strange disabilities.

Since this is a sequel, Koontz expects one to know the central character of this thriller/horror novel. However, readers new to the series can take a plunge as there is very little to know. This is a blessing in disguise as the readers are safe from the author’s irritating habit of describing incidents till death.

Brother Odd continues to tell the tale of Odd and at the same time drifts from it from time to time.

In the novel, Odd Thomas has retreated into the snow clad mountains of Siberia and has joined a group of monks. He has as company, nuns, some physically and mentally challenged children, the spirit of a dog named Boo and the ghost of Elvis Presley!

As Odd has a tendency to land up in strange circumstances, in this novel too he enjoys quiet for a very short while. One of the monks in St Bartholomew’s abbey (where Odd is living as a guest) gets murdered brutally. And not surprisingly, the Bodach’s— presage of violence— also make their return soon for the future massacre to follow.

However Odd Thomas can undo destiny with his powers.

Brother Odd is a very fast-paced novel. Readers of Dean Koontz must be aware of his habit of overdoing imagery and description. This tendency had made his second novel in the series slow and dull till one is half-way through.

However, in Brother Odd, Koontz has returned to his early form and has made this novel look like a scene pulled out of a horror movie. From his early novels, Koontz was always thought of as an author who could write fast-paced stories. However, in the recent past, especially with the second novel in the series, Koontz had disappointed critics and readers. With Brother Odd, the author has made a comeback and has proved that he is very much capable of writing fast-paced thrillers.

He has also used humour. The eccentric characters in the novel make it a good read. With this novel Koontz manages something he has not achieved in years.

The book is full of twists and turns and can be enjoyed by newcomers without getting a headache.

The novel is for bookworms who do not need the epilogue to decide if the book is a good read. The ones who want to experiment can take the plunge.

Brother Odd
by Dean Koontz
Harper Collins