It's true. I confess. I am an Odd lover.
I thought it might be love the very first time. The experience left me teary-eyed, and my heart broke when it was all over. Now, at the end of our second encounter, I can tell you there's no doubt. I am truly, deeply, madly, crazy wild about Odd.
Funny, I don't usually go for younger men. He's only a kid, in his early twenties. But my, oh, my, what a great character. Dean Koontz has created a hero who is a regular guy and who is completely good. Even so young, Odd Thomas knows what he has to do with his life. He has to use the ability/curse he was born with to help others. Those others happen to be dead folks who, for various reasons, can't or won't cross over to the next world. Some want their killers caught, which puts Odd in bad situations sometimes. Others just need a friend and a little encouragement.
Odd is humble. He loves deeply. He's not perfect, but unlike many protagonists who survive childhoods of abuse, he does not allow that abuse to contort his personality, make him drink or use drugs, or take over his life. He has a mission for this life, but his real goal is to get to the next one, where he will reunite with his one true love.
Meanwhile, there's weirdness and evil to fight. Along the way, Koontz delivers great humor, his usual masterful suspense, deep thoughts and observations about the world, and of course, two or three words he wants you to go look up.
Sometimes I hear writers talking about how to reach the new generation of readers. Koontz has done two great things to promote this series to that group. He has a new graphic novel just out called In Odd We Trust.
It's a prequel to the series, so any new readers who find him this way haven't missed out on anything, and would, I hope, then go on to buy the first book in the series.
He has also made four 'webisodes' of a new Odd short story. The story events happen between the last book, Brother Odd, and the one just coming out, Odd Hours. Another great idea that should encourage viewers of the webisodes to go out and buy the new book.
I'm sure there are other mystery/thriller heroes out there who, like Odd, are regular good guys rather than tortured kinda good/kinda bad good guys. All I can think of right now though is Ceepak, Chris Grabenstein's hero, the cop with a code. Who am I forgetting?
Check out the Dean Koontz website to read more about Odd and view the webisodes here. I think you'll fall in love with Odd too.
Mary, I love Odd too. He's one of a kind.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 20, 2009 at 03:25 AM
I agree. Odd is unique. I just got my books back from my older son and daughter-in-law, now to pass them on to the younger ones.
Posted by: Jane O'Riva | July 21, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Dang it, Mary, my to-be-read list is already long enough, but now I'm adding Odd to it.
Posted by: Donna Andrews | July 23, 2009 at 08:46 AM
I pass mine on, too, Jane. In the bookstore the other day, I picked up a non-Odd one by Koontz, The Good Guy. The only other stand-alone of his I've read is Darkest Evening of the Year. Golden Retriever lovers should not miss that one!
Sorry about that Donna. Try the first one in audio. That way you circumvent the TBR list somewhat. I like audios for when I've got to organize papers or a closet. Listening keeps me in the room. :)
Posted by: Mary | July 24, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I had never heard of the books, but based on your review I bought Odd Thomas, read and loved it and since I won't be back close to a bookstore until next weekend, I got Brother Odd and Forever Odd at the library. Thanks for the recommendation, I will be passing on the recommendation to others who like the same stuff I do.
Posted by: Susan Neace | July 29, 2009 at 09:55 AM