Mr. Murder

Rating:
Summary: Koontz can do better...
Review: Dean Koontz is a great writer, there's no doubt about that. But MR. MURDER, no matter how entertaining and delightful to read, falls far short of some of his finer efforts.

Koontz is similar to Stephen King in the scope of his novels, spinning yarns of supernatural horror. Unlike King, however, Koontz tries to explain the HOW and the WHY of the phenomenons he describes. He makes things like telepathy or severe espionage brainwashing seem totally plausible in THE DOOR TO DECEMBER and THE HOUSE OF THUNDER, respectively.

MR. MURDER, which attempts to explain cloning issues from a mysterious "Network," is not given Koontz's usual care and consideration. Though the conclusion wraps up with some satisfaction, Koontz underdevelops the story of the "Network," which should have had a far greater focus in the novel. Instead, readers have to read through 150 pages of fairly dry exposition before an initial confrontation even takes place.

I give this book 3 stars, but in all fairness, Koontz did a fine job on this one. Because I have seen him do so much better, I can't help but be a bit disappointed. New readers should start with the above-mentioned books, or perhaps DARKFALL, NIGHT CHILLS or WATCHERS.

An interesting side note - "Santa's Twin," a poem the book's protagonist wrote for his children, has since been turned into an illustrated children's book of the same name.

Rating:
Summary: Dead Ringer, Plenty Scary
Review: Thriller writer Martin Stillwater, though not at the top of his game, makes enough money and has enough fame to satisfy himself. He's got a good life, is in love with his wife and he adores his children. His future looks bright. Then a stranger, who happens to be Marty's dead ringer, shows up and accuses Marty of stealing his life and he wants it back.

And that's just the beginning of the book. However, as much as I absolutely love Dean Koontz, this one didn't hold me enthralled the way most of his others have done. I was actually able to put it down to check my e-mail and I didn't pick it back up till the next day. Not a good sign for a Koontz book. However, like all his work, it was an excellent story that scared me plenty.

Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

Rating:
Summary: Take it or Leave it...
Review: I certainly could see a review going either way for this book. As I read the beginning chapters, the development of the characters was very slow, and I was drawn in to keep reading, only because I kept feeling like something was missing. I was waiting for some huge revelation... but it never came.

I loved the characters. They felt like real people, and Koontz allows us to follow each and every one of them. Their POVs, their thoughts, their reactions all feel very real.

The plot, while a bit eccentric, is somewhat believable... up until the end. It all wraps up a tad too neatly for my tastes.

However, the writing style and language certain make this book an easy and entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite works by Koontz.
Review: Dean Koontz is the master of suspense and the King of creating Alter-ego type characters. Koontz doesn't sugarcoat his plots with amazing escapes and death-defying stunts by your average citizen......some people live and...some people die; just like real life. The story is told in two point of views and I think that lends a greater insight into what the counterparts are scheming and plotting throughout the book. A great read, easy to comprehend, and overall satisfying and novel's end. I highly recommend this book along with every other title by Koontz.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than I expected...
Review: Dean Koontz's "Mr. Murder" revolves around a best-selling mystery novelist named Martin Stillwater. He has a loving wife, and two energetic young daughters. Unfortunately, a terrifying incident happens that makes Martin question his sanity. A man that could be Martin's twin brother, breaks into his house claiming that Martin stole his wife, children, and his life. Claiming to be the real Martin Stilwater, the thief threatens to take what is his. Since Martin is an only child, the police think that Martin's overactive imagination is at work again, and refuse to believe him. However, as the stranger repeatedly makes his presence known, Martin and his family have no choice but to believe his threat and run for their lives.

Before reading this book, I figured that "Mr. Murder" was probably not going to be anything special. Mistaken idenitity stories have been done before, and people often claim that Koontz has written a lot better books than this one. After I finished with this book however, I was literally blown away at how great this book actually was. "Mr. Murder" is one of Koontz's best books and is highly underrated in my opinion. The story itself is amazing. It is well written, and provides for non-stop suspense and action that will keep you glued to the pages. The subject of the story switches back and forth between the killer himself, and Martin and his family. It lets you take a look at what's happening through the eyes of both men.

Koontz's character development is amazing once again. Martin Stillwater is great. How do you kill your enemy, when he is claiming to be you? That is the question that drives Martin to the edge, and then some. The conflict and turmoil that he goes through is almost overbearing at times. His wife Paige is great too. She sticks by Marty no matter what with undying love and affection. My favorite character is the killer. Killing is all he has ever known , and he is left with the need for something more. That of course being the family that he never had. His violent and desperate behavior will shock and disgust you. But the longing he feels for Marty's life will almost make you feel for him.

Overall, Mr. Murder is fast paced action thriller that is very fun to read. The characters all offer different emotions and inner conflict that make you like them all, and the ending to the book is shocking and highly satisfying. Suprisingly enough, I would rank Mr. Murder in Koontz's top 10.

Rating:
Summary: Middling
Review: Mr. Murder is the first mediocre Dean Koontz novel that I've read. His writing style here is as tight and focused as ever, but I think the plot is sorely lacking. The Network's role in producing Stillwater's evil twin is given minimal buildup, and is summed up very tidily at the end. I thought it just fell flat. The characters are the same stock ones that Koontz tends to use, and I usually don't have a problem with them, but they feel especially strained when involved in this weak story. Koontz could have done better; in fact, he _has_ done better with a conspiracy novel: Dark Rivers of the Heart is much richer than Mr. Murder.

Rating:
Summary: Koontz re-hash
Review: Marty Stillwater is a writer and a mystery novelist. He has a wonderful (beautiful) saintly wife, two super-cute kids, and the dream job: he writes horror novels for a living. His life takes an abrupt turn, when he is stalked by a serial killer intent on revenge. Can Marty and family survive the encounter?

First, let me state, I liked the first part of this novel. But about halfway through the book rapidly deteriorated. Koontz writing suffers greatly from rehashed characters: Unrealistic-too-perfect bombshell wife, silly and almost preternaturally smart children, and worse of all the evil sadistic sexual-predator villain.

When the villain began fantasizing about raping the hero's wife and kids I had to pass on this book. Just once I'd like to read a Koontz book who with a villain who /wasn't/ a sexual predator... This is a common theme and one that I find tiresome and gruesome. Villians can be evil without being sexually perverted.

Not the best Koontz book I've ever read. If you are looking for good Koontz material pick up a copy of "Fear Nothing."

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, surprising...
Review: This is my first Dean Koontz book, and I must say I was both impressed and disappointed at the same time.

The plot is excellent and keeps you at the edge of your comfy recliner - any other chair will probably give you a back ache, because you'll be sitting in it for a while. The plot has an "evil twin" element to it, and it also has some quite futuristic but "could happen" elements. You've also got the world conspiracy element weaved into it.

The thing I was not all that thrilled about is his writing style. I'm sure this is an element, which you either like or dislik, me being in the latter category.

However, the story itself really kept me intrigued and guessing to till the very end, and I would definitely recomment this book as a whole. Therefore I'll rate it 4 stars - mainly because of the thrilling story.

Rating:
Summary: Did I write this review or do I have a twin?
Review: This is one of the Koontz classic masterpiece collection novels. Order a blank video when you order Mr Murder as you won't be interested in TV again until you've turned the last page.

Mr Murder takes the evil twin theme to new heights. In fact Koontz manages to allow you to feel sorry for Marty Stillwater's twin, named Alfie who has been programmed by evil men to be a serial killer/assassin. Alfie doesn't know he has a twin, nor does Marty and his family, or the detectives investigating the murders. Alfie in fact does not know much about his life, so assumes he actually is Marty upon seeing a photograph of what he assumes is himself on a book cover. This is where the fun begins and the Koontz thrill ride really takes off. Mr Murder is definitely one of the best Koontz novels ever written.

Rating:
Summary: started slow but got better
Review: Had a hard time getting into this one at first but was hooked by the end. Aside from the sticky sweet parenting to two clueless, spoiled, me-me-me girls and a villain whose origins were murky for a large part of the novel, the end more than made up for the long read.