The Silent Corner

Suspense, well-written

Having been a Dean Koontz fan for over twenty years, I’m always glad to see him start a new series. And, yes, this is definitely Book 1 with more to come. Some issues are resolved, others are left hanging. The main character, an FBI agent on leave, is out to solve the mystery of her happy, well-adjusted husband’s suicide. It quickly becomes obvious that some sort of “mind control” is at work. Game on. The resulting search for answers is part suspense/thriller, part sci-fi. Lots of action, lots to think about.

Koontz does the lone searcher-after-truth as well as any writer on the scene today. Along the way, he introduces our heroine Jane to a steady stream of interesting (and well-written) people, some endearing, others revolting, some of whom are mere “walk-ons”, while others hang around. The main characters don’t live in a closed universe. Kind of like real life — you meet someone in a strange town, interact for a few minutes or maybe an hour, and odds are you’ll never see them again. And sometimes the odds are wrong, but usually not.

I read or listen to Koontz as much for his prose as for his plots. Lovely descriptions and an SAT vocabulary. (Who else can use the word “deliquesce” in such an unselfconscious way?) He doesn’t merely “plot” a thriller, he WRITES it.

I don’t understand the criticisms of the narrator. Dean Koontz writes the way he talks - you can find some fascinating interviews online. When I read his books I “hear” a very soft, even gentle voice, so hearing it read aloud that ways seems right. His main characters always have a quietness about them that reflects their “loner” or outsider natures, and Elizabeth Rodgers captures this in her reading. I agree with those who find the long pauses between chapters annoying, but this is the production crew”s error, not the narrator’s.

Bottom line: only four stars because it isn’t Koontz’s best work. Truth: if I were comparing The Silent Corner to the work of other writers rather than to Koontz himself, I’d probably give it five! And, yes, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

76 of 80 people found this review helpful

Need a new narrator

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book, definately. But read it, don't listen. Elisabeth Rodgers was quite robotic sounding. Like when I had Alexa read a book for me before I got Audible. I hoped that I had bought a kindle version as well, but hadn't so I was stuck listening to her. The story line was good, I enjoyed the book, just not the narration.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silent Corner?

All of it.

How could the performance have been better?

Less robotic... don't pause forever between chapters (often I thought there was something wrong because the pause seemed to go on for so long!)

Was The Silent Corner worth the listening time?

The story was. I just found the narration annoying. If I could have traded for a kindle version, I would have.

Any additional comments?

I would like to be reimbursed for this book. If I see Elisabeth Rodgers again, I won't buy the book in audible form.

74 of 81 people found this review helpful

Very poor narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is a great story and moves along quickly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silent Corner?

When she goes to the house and meets the girl who has had her brain altered.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Elisabeth Rodgers?

Almost anyone. The narration modulated from hardly being able to hear her to her almost yelling. When wearing headphones it is a very distracting quality.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Is this the way the elite see the future?

Any additional comments?

Dean Koontz had created very memorable characters, but develops a scary story that makes one wonder if this could happen.

51 of 56 people found this review helpful

good idea but pretty slow in the beginning

I generally like anything g that Dean Koontz writes, So I am aware that he sometimes goes over the top on descriptive prose, but with this book it almost felt like filler to make the book longer. I liked the premise and will probably get the next in the series when it comes out, but only because I stuck with it long enough to become vested in the heroine. the protagonist was too much a shadowy "they". and the gaps in logic towards the 3rd act were hard to understand considering this was Mr. Koontz. The heroine has to do something, make a mistake that she clearly avoids throughout the thirst two thirds of the story so we can bring everyone e to the last act.

also, it is a small thimg, but research, a helicopter pilot in the Army is never a "Sarge" several characters point out that one character was a helicopter pilot, but later everyone calls him their sergeant. sorry, 23 years as a military helicopter pilot. probably no one else was bothered by that.

hopefully the next in the series is a little faster paced.

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Cannot get past the narration

Horrible narration. I thought I had the speed on slow. Odd timing kept me from actually listening to the story. So disappointing

25 of 28 people found this review helpful

revisiting Koontz

captivating story narrator distracting. I stayed with it to the end. I may have to listen again t a few chapters due to the narrator I believe l zoned out.

17 of 19 people found this review helpful

MEH

I expected more after the hype I'd read... To start the narration is extremely poor, being both slow and bland... The lack of affect probably colored most of any enjoyment... Along w/ that the story started ponderously, and failed to really grab my attention until around halfway through... After that the flow/pace is good, and the story and plot points come together... Nice commingling of eugenics and human slavery to bring about something utterly terrifying... None of the characters really jump off the page, excepting Jane, and in that case the depth seems a bit forced... I've noticed the same of Koontz's past few novels and wonder if he's lost something off his fastball... That being said, the ending does set up a nice followup, and maybe this lacked so much as a result of being largely a setup novel for the series? Dunno, but this one's average, and poor performance brings it down more than that...

34 of 39 people found this review helpful

Readers voice ruined it for me!

Usually I read actual books but when I work I like to listen to them, so I have heard and bought several since I LOVE Dean Koontz as well as Stephen King and his son Joe Hill. However I will never buy another book or listen to one read by this narrator! I could not even get into this after trying for an hour & the story is good as usual, BUT HER VOICE is so BORING, DREARY, & DULL. The reader's voice sounds like she is reading a text book from a master degree program on quantum string theory out loud to a senior citizens and even she is bored herself at that! If I could only return this or change the reader (I know the world has moved on but there are world other that this one) I would do so in a second. Again I will not waste time or money on ANYTHING read by this woman again! It so bad not only are my ears bleeding but my eyes also! Odd Thomas will soon be getting a visit from me if I hear her again! UGGGH!

22 of 25 people found this review helpful

Great story let down by studio recording quality

The sound quality really ruined the story it was inconsistent volume and sounded like it was recorded while in a bathroom.

It really detracted from the story line.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

too slow!

good plot but so long! and slow. kept finding myself wandering off. the book could have been only half as long and it would have been better.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful