Rating: Summary: Knock, Knock, Knockin' at Dead Man's Door Review: Considering this is a heavy revision/rewrite of one of the author's earlier, less-developed, short sci-fi originals, it's really not bad.An old hermit in Montana experiences numerous odd phenomena around his remote home. The animals don't act naturally. They gaze at him with an unearthly intelligence - an analogy that proves too true for comfort, when he receives one unnatural nocturnal visitor too many, and his heart gives out with the shock. A family seeking escape from the dangers of California jump at the chance to move, when they inherit his ranch house...and whatever it is that's been stalking him. The novel is uneven. Too much time is spent dwelling on the California family's history and woes, which would have been better dealt with in a backstory chapter upon their arrival in Montana than a number of chapters that diffuse the focus of the plot. However, the Montana scenes all have atmosphere to spare, and there's a pervasive sense of menace throughout. Fans of the old Outer Limits series will recognize elements from the second season "Cry Of Silence" episode, and should especially enjoy this book. Not the author's best, not without flaws, but a good, creepy-crawly read.
Rating: Summary: One of Koontz's Best! Review: Being an avid fan of Dean Koontz, I've read my share of his novels. But Winter Moon takes the cake. Koontz's writing in the book is superb. There are a few flaws (Anson Oliver's shooting spree and the events at Quartermass Ranch aren't linked together too well), but everything else makes up for it. Two more notes: I finished reading the book in about two days. You'll hopefully like it as much. Also, the part where Ed finds evidence (dirt, fabric) of the "intruder" is trully creepy. I couldn't sleep!
Rating: Summary: All right but not masterpiece Koontz quality Review: I have read nearly everything Koontz has written and this certainly wouldn't be anywhere near the top of a ranking of books in order of quality list. He has written worse though. I would recommend Watchers, Mr Murder, Night Chills, Intensity and The Voice of the Night to name but a few of the Koontz masterpiece novels instead of this but if you can get this cheap or free it is a worthwhile read to pass the time. In Winter Moon Jack McGarvey almost dies after he and his partner encounter a Hollywood film maker high on drugs with a sub machine gun who flips after receiving a Pepsi from a vending machine which he didn't order in a petrol station. Meanwhile Eduardo Fernandez witnesses strange things at his Montana ranch and then something knocks on his door. Stressed and targeted by Beverly Hills rich kids with spray paint whilst her husband is recovering in hospital Heather McGarvey is paranoid for the safety of her young son and herself and growing to hate LA. They are also having money problems so when they find out they have inherited a Montana ranch from a relative of Jack's ex partner who died a year before the petrol station incident they are thrilled to escape the cesspool of LA. Of course what knocked on Eduardo's door will also knock on theirs too.
Rating: Summary: Keep the night light on! Review: I really enjoy reading a book that can give me a hair raising scare. In this story by Dean Koontz "Winter Moon." I get that effect. This is a story about a family that falls on hard times and gets a chance to start their life anew in a seemingly perfect piece of heaven. The story starts out running in the first chapter, but then slows down to an almost Hitchcock quality. You don't actually see any monsters, but the suggestions and impressions that Koontz leaves you with get your imagination rolling 100 miles an hour. Koontz really hit a nerve here, by allowing the reader to use his/her own imagination in picturing what evil lurked around the corner, it was far scarier than if he just revealed it outright. When the creatures finally appear and your fears are confirmed its pretty heart racing. My only complaint about the whole story is that it ends too abruptly and with a lot of unanswered questions. These creatures use mind control, but why are some affect and others not? Did they finally destroy it at the end or is it just hiding waiting to strike again? It leaves you with the idea that there should be a sequel.
Rating: Summary: Dean Koontz--Winter Moon Review: Copyright: 1994 Pages: 472 Yet another supernatural thriller from Koontz, proving that an experienced writer always needs old tricks to satisfy his ever-growing audience, as well as his dedicated early fans. Telling the story of two very different men, Jack McGarvey, a Los Angeles cop whose greatest fears as a polic officer come true when he is shot down by a psychotic film director, and Eduardo Fernandez, a Montana native who discovers an extra-terrestrial force that no one would be able to believe. When McGarvey recovers from his injuries, fate brings his famiy to Fernandez's ranch and into the deepest part of Montana, where they come face-to-face with the evils that have surfaced to destroy the current human race. Koontz spends much too long developing the McGarvey family and he finally gets to the roots of his story well past halfway through the novel, causing him to rush the latter part. "Winter Moon" does incorporate many fast-paced chase scenes, a terrifying alien villain very similar to that of "Phantoms", and a climax that seems to end too quickly and leaves a few unanswered questions up in the air. Koontz proves that he can still write with the best of them, but he may want to consider staying with his recent "Dark Rivers of the Heart" formula rather than relying on those old tricks he has already mastered.
Rating: Summary: Yes siree, it's creepy for sure. Review: I have read many of Koontz's books, and honestly there wasn't one that I didn't like. He is pretty consistent with his writing. That aside, this was a good book. I am not sure why it's titled as such, but I liked how the stories of the family in Los Angeles and of Eduardo on Quatermass ranch, got brought together in the middle, only to finish in an explosive end. Without giving the plot away, and writing yet another summary, I liked this book for a few simple reasons; -The main characters, Jack and his family are really likable. They are storing people, and I found myself reading thoughts they expressed, and feeling that I feel the same way about things in life. -Eduardo is an older man, living alone on Quatermass ranch, far away from any cities or people, and he discovers creepy things. Animals around him acting weird, dirt and stench in his house, scary pulsating and noises that grows stronger and stronger. It was hard to read it at night, because the old man was alone, and I literally had to remember to breather when he kept discovering things. Good read after all, another nice book form Koontz. I only with the ending was longer, in so many Koontz books, the fight up the hill gets to a dramatic climax only to let go and end very quickly on a page or two. -
Rating: Summary: Dean Koontz--Winter Moon (1994) Review: One of the last traditional Koontz "creature features", this piece of work is not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but still a fast-paced, moderately enjoyable read none-the-less. The setting initially begins in Montana, where Eduardo Fernandez comes upon an evil presence in the woods. The solitary man begins a battle against the horrific unknown, only to succomb to its terror. Skip to Los Angeles, California, where police officer Jack McGarvey and his partner are ambushed by a killer, murdering the partner and serverely injuring the protagonist. To avoid the dangers of the big city, the recovering Jack decides to take his family away to a secluded old ranch in Montana. The new lives of the McGarvey family seem simple and enjoyable enough. They do not have too many nearby neighbors, but they are happy enough in their new sanctuary and are ready to begin a new life together. However, this was before some strange occurences start to take place in the home. This is before they realize that a merciless, undead terror is about to make their lives a living hell. Not as symbolic as many of his other novels, this Koontz romp is strictly horror business without the extraneous variables. The McGarvey family is only fairly likable; readers obviously are not rooting against them, but they are slightly under-developed compared to other character families in some of his past tales. Overall, "Winter Moon" will not put you to sleep, but it not cause you to read the last page in triumph either.
Rating: Summary: Supernaturally Scary Review: Koontz manages again to take a supernatural story, and scare the pants off of his readers! Well, he managed to at least scare me! Winter Moon takes place in the woods, in a cabin, among all of the creatures who live in the dark- that picture he paints alone is enough to freak anyone out! But when strange things start happening, it's nail biting time. Winter Moon wasn't my favorite of Koontz's, but it certainly left a lasting impression. That alone earns it some stars!
Rating: Summary: Not the best but still good. Review: Even though this was not the best book Dean Koontz has written it still grabbed my attention to the point where I did not want to put it down. The ending is somewhat surprising and it gets you really into it.
Rating: Summary: Creepy but a bit slow Review: This is definitely one of Koontz's spookier works, the kind of thing that gets under your skin. The story seemed a bit lacking however, and a bit anti-climatic; however if you're looking for a good horror story this one is worth having a look at.
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