Rating: 
Summary: Not his best
Review: I have been a hardcore Koontz fan for over fifteen years, and I must say that it's tempting to give this book five stars simply because it was written by one of my favorite writers.
The construction of the book was similar to "From the Corner of His Eye." There were several seemingly related subplots that Koontz attempts somewhat unsuccessfully to bring together.
Some of the characters were reminiscent of other Koontz creations. The drug-crazed mother brings back memories of another drug-crazed mother in "Intensity," and the wonderdog is back, bringing to mind the lovable Retriever in "Watchers," who was much more believable than Ol' Yeller.
Not a total disappointment; however, I long for the Koontz of "Dragon Tears," "Lightning," and Mr. Murder." I want a novel, not a collection of short stories, which is how this book reads.
Rating: 
Summary: As Satisfying As Watchers, Brought Be To Tears
Review: First off, I admit I am HUGE Koontz fan; his writing is phenomenal. I have read nearly all his books. Ever since I have read Watchers, it continued to be the best book I ever read, until now. One Door Away From Heaven is a COMPLETE equal to Watchers, if not better, and when you near the end a melancholy sadness emerges in you, for you can't bear to put the book down, yet you don't want to finish it. You feel as if you are right there with the characters experiencing everything with them. When I finished the book, it brought me to tears, which no book has ever done. This book is truly inspiring and no description could do it justice.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent But Not Koontz's Best
Review: ONE DOOR AWAY FROM HEAVEN is yet another "New Age" cross-genre suspense thriller that Koontz seems enamored of these days. Yes, he includes the requisite Koontz cast that he's developed over the years: the lovable and super-intelligent dog; a precocious pre-teen; and adults who are tormented by psychological demons from their childhood. Yes, he aims to mix up these characters in a twisty, suspenseful plot. And yes, like most of his books, this story has a message that Koontz is not ashamed to deliver. I had two primary problems with this novel. First, the story lacks the cohesion and tight structure that Koontz normally brings to his work. The various characters are engaged in their own adventures (a familiar Koontz device) and any long-time reader of Koontz knows that these people will eventually discover one another and work together to defeat Evil. But the characters' subplots are so disparate that at many points I felt as though I were reading a collection of short stories, not a novel. When the characters are finally united, the anticipated union seems forced. More connections between characters, earlier in the story, would have helped to solve this problem. Second, the book is overwritten. Many reviewers before me have noted this, and it serves to be mentioned again. The hardcover edition tipped the scales at 606 pages--and it easily could have been shortened down to 450 pages or so without ruining the impact of the story. I understand that Koontz likes to work hard at constructing highly visual, lyrical prose, and that is an admirable goal, but when the prose begins to disrupt the flow of the story and call undue attention to itself, the author needs to be reined in. Of course, if anyone has, Dean Koontz has earned the right to be self-indulgent from time to time. :-) Overall, a decent effort, but not the author's best. I hope he gets back on track with the next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but a little too X-Files
Review: I enjoyed this book, particularly the first half. In the second half my willingness to suspend disbelief was a little tested. In an afterword the author praises a particular musician for being life affirming. This book is life affirming too. I loved the riddle from whence the title comes even if it's not a knee-slapper.
Rating: 
Summary: Six hundred pages away from freedom...
Review: Somewhere off in trailer park heaven, a strange little girl mysteriously appears with her temporarily relocated parents. Seeming quite theatrical, albeit intelligent she raves of strangeness that her temporary neighbors just can't seem to believe. But little by little, dear neighbors and readers find that this strange young girl isn't quite as imaginative as they first thought. Koontz tries to weave a story that contradicts first impressions, but pulls it off poorly and imprisons his audience for six hundred pages. Using characters that could have been interesting in an all-American white trash kind of way would be admirable. The characters in this story were so dull and seemingly far-removed from Koontz's own acquaintance experience that he seemed to be trying to describe the personality of someone he has only seen in a photograph. The audience is forced to endure what seems to be a story that could have been abbreviated to one third of its present length. It rambles and introduces characters that seem to be only peripheral distractions. Also, the constant attack of collegiate-style, sarcastic banter becomes annoying in a very short period of time. I suggest that this Koontz creation is yet another in what seems to be a long, downward and hopefully temporary cycle in the career of a creative author.
Rating:
Summary: Who's missing from the lineup?
Review: Well, let me start by saying I've read almost every other book that DK has published to date and am a BIG fan. However, this was a long and drawn out story with so much going on that it was confusing compared to his other works. As to my review title "Who's missing from the lineup?" lets see...we have a handicapped little girl, a drug addict mother, a serial killer step-father, a drunk, an habitual lying old lady, a washed out private eye, TWO former vegas show-girls, and space aliens etc. etc. everything but the kitchen sink. No, wait, i think a kitchen sink WAS in there somewhere. WHEW! I was glad when it was over. I'm still a fan, but it almost was like DK threw a little of everything into the characters because the story line was so [bad]. Looking forward to the next book in spite of this one...
Rating:
Summary: His worst by a long time fan
Review: This is Dean's worst book because he spends the most time preaching a silly new age Christianity based type belief (mixxed in with dog worship... I think he most not like cats or thinks we cat people most be perverted) while demonizing the ideas of others that don't come close to his. Of course all his characters agree with him, except the evil ones who he alludes are controlled by what I assume is the Devil. He does this while also making fun of New Age believers, people into health foods, and so on. Weird and hypocritical. The story becomes a vehicle to spew this nonsense while letting the story take a back seat. Those that agree with his selective logic and particular myths will enjoy the book. Those that don't will hope he gets back to telling stories or retiring before he ruins a career I have, up till recently, enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: A Koontz fan "becoming"
Review: This is a great read, pardon the cliche. Mr Koontz is growing as a writer as he ages. Each time I pick up one of his newer works I am "becoming" more and more a fan. The characters he spins, and stories he welds, I find myself never wanting to leave. As the pages unfold and the end grows nearer, a deep sadness builds up within. The only choice for now is to turn the book over and read it again. Keep working Mr. Koontz. And please stay away from drunk drivers in vans as Mr. King has learned the hard way.
Rating:
Summary: Ugh! A labor to read and I'm a Koontz fan
Review: The book jumps chapter to chapter slowly describing the characters and does little to tie them together. I usually read Koontz's books so rapidly that I'm disappointed when they're over. This book has been a trudgingly slow and boorish read. In comparison to "Ticktock" or "Watchers" or a host of others, this one is a real sleeper. Sometimes I scan a chapter and see nothing, then go back to read it in detail and find the same. What a disappointment. Pick another one of Koontz's books. Not this one.
Rating:
Summary: Corny Dialog Dooms This Story From The Start
Review: I've read and ejoyed many of Dean Koontz books. This one, however seems to have been written by someone else. Koontz tries to make the characters of this story interesting by pouring on lots of colorful dialog. Unfortunately, the dialog is more corny than colorful. I listened to the audio version of this book and found myself turning it off time and time again. I just couldn't stand listening to the long-winded rants and multi-adjective descriptions that pepper much of the book. Koontz tries hard to make his characters "hip", but he does not succeed. One tip off to this is the unbelievably lame character names. Leilani Klonk?????? C'mon Dean... what were you thinking. I was very dissapointed in this offering from a writer who has proven he is capable of much, much better.
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