Mr. Murder

Rating:
Summary: Dean Koontz--Mr. Murder (1993)
Review: A grisly satiric look at both the life of a successful suspense novelist and the dangers of genetic engineering, "Mr. Murder" is a somewhat cheesy thriller that has nearly every cliché in the book, but writer Dean Koontz does a fine job creating some unsuspecting twists and turns to keep the readers' interest. Mystery author Martin Stillwater has a near-perfect life-he has a beautiful, successful wife named Paige, two young daughters named Charlotte and Emily that are cute as a button, and a flourishing career that is expected to only get better. One the brink of December and with the holiday season coming soon, Marty sees only brightness in the near future-he is wrong.

An unnerving anxiety torments Stillwater, forcing him to believe that he is perhaps going through some psychological trauma. His fears of psychosis are soon relinquished as a stranger who looks peculiarly similar to Marty invades his home and claims that Stillwater has stolen his identity and life. The imposter is armed, supremely brawny, and can not be killed. As the Stillwater family runs for their lives from this look-alike maniac, two agents from a highly secretive government agency is on hot trail of the crazed author charlatan and if they are not successful at stopping him, the Stillwater family and many others could be in grave danger.

Another appealing look at how the technological and scientific advances of society can create infinite havoc for the existing world, "Mr. Murder" touches on many subtle assumptions and suggestions, mainly that novels are the intellectual backbone of entertainment while television and motion pictures only present a fantasy world that is corroding and weakening our civilization. While Koontz may believe that books are a formidable, if not superior link to pleasurable entertainment compared to the hi-tech media world of today, "Mr. Murder" is only a middling attempt to prove his beliefs. The characters are only tolerable and moderately interesting, but Koontz does a fine job of mixing in some humorous dialogue (especially between the cynical agent Drew Oslett and his Trekking rigid partner Carl Klocker) and a few surprises to keep "Mr. Murder" from becoming a run-of-the-mill thriller. Not one of his best, but certainly enjoyable enough for fans of Koontz and his witty portrayals of American society that are intertwined with some of the most bizarre suspense plotlines every conceived.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Koontz is hard to put down!
Review: After having read most of Koontz's catalogue 5-10 years ago, I've saved a few of his older works for later consumption & enjoyment. Mr. Murder was one of those books, and pulling it out last week & reading it reminded me why I was such an avid fan of his! There's nothing like "classic Koontz".

Mr. Murder is about Martin Stillwater and his family. The book opens as Martin begins to have a weird sense that something is going to happen to him. And sure enough, it does! Within a few days a dead-ringer for Martin walks into his home, claiming Martin stole his identity & then tries to kill Martin. The majority of the book is Martin & his family which consists of a wife & two young girls, on the run from this being that claims to be Marty. We also watch as "The Other" is getting closer & closer; and not too far behind him is people who are after him as well!

The book was full of action & adventure. And of course nail-biting suspense & curiosity of what will happen next. The only thing that could be improved on would be the pace- I think the book could have moved a bit quicker- especially the ending. As usual Koontz's characters take the cake, they make the book. He has a special talent for creating likeable characters & getting the readers to really care about them. Recommended!

Rating:
Summary: close to unbearable
Review: This is not Koontz's best work by far. As usual, Koontz uses his traditional tried but true plot line that comes close to being remarkable as Kafka and Phillip K Dick, only to slip into politically correct mushiness. This book could be viewed as a Christian inspirational text rather than a horror novel. It is always fun to start Koontz's novels because the ideas are strong as always. But it just doesn't follow through with any originality. "Fear nothing," and "Seize the Night," and "Intensity," are my favorite Koontz novels, and would recommend these before `Mr. Murder.' This isn't his worst novel; it just jellies into a pile of sameness with the rest of his gibberish.

Rating:
Summary: Dean Koontz--Mr. Murder (1993)
Review: A grisly satiric look at both the life of a successful suspense novelist and the dangers of genetic engineering, "Mr. Murder" is a somewhat cheesy thriller that has nearly every cliché in the book, but writer Dean Koontz does a fine job creating some unsuspecting twists and turns to keep the readers' interest. Mystery author Martin Stillwater has a near-perfect life-he has a beautiful, successful wife named Paige, two young daughters named Charlotte and Emily that are cute as a button, and a flourishing career that is expected to only get better. One the brink of December and with the holiday season coming soon, Marty sees only brightness in the near future-he is wrong.

An unnerving anxiety torments Stillwater, forcing him to believe that he is perhaps going through some psychological trauma. His fears of psychosis are soon relinquished as a stranger who looks peculiarly similar to Marty invades his home and claims that Stillwater has stolen his identity and life. The imposter is armed, supremely brawny, and can not be killed. As the Stillwater family runs for their lives from this look-alike maniac, two agents from a highly secretive government agency is on hot trail of the crazed author charlatan and if they are not successful at stopping him, the Stillwater family and many others could be in grave danger.

Another appealing look at how the technological and scientific advances of society can create infinite havoc for the existing world, "Mr. Murder" touches on many subtle assumptions and suggestions, mainly that novels are the intellectual backbone of entertainment while television and motion pictures only present a fantasy world that is corroding and weakening our civilization. While Koontz may believe that books are a formidable, if not superior link to pleasurable entertainment compared to the hi-tech media world of today, "Mr. Murder" is only a middling attempt to prove his beliefs. The characters are only tolerable and moderately interesting, but Koontz does a fine job of mixing in some humorous dialogue (especially between the cynical agent Drew Oslett and his Trekking rigid partner Carl Klocker) and a few surprises to keep "Mr. Murder" from becoming a run-of-the-mill thriller. Not one of his best, but certainly enjoyable enough for fans of Koontz and his witty portrayals of American society that are intertwined with some of the most bizarre suspense plotlines every conceived.

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: 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.