As the boy who became Curtis Hammond escapes the terror that ripped apart his mother, Michelina Bellsong is introduced to nine year-old Leilani Klonk and her disability, quick wit, and a spirit desperate to live. Micky soon learns of the horror Leilani speaks of as an inevitable fate if someone does not intervene. However, Micky’s past stands in the way of making her a credible witness; leaving her to face a task of hunting down a murderer to save the young girl alone.
This is the first of Mr. Koontz’s books where I felt fragmented while reading. Early on, we were also introduced to the character Noah Farrel; who played a crucial role at the end of the book. When it was time for Noah to enter a scene, it was as if he appeared magically with very little explanation as to how he got there. It lacked movement from his last action to his next one, and I was hoping that Mr. Koontz would explain Noah’s arrival. This left me feeling disconnected from the storyline, and I was not able to enjoy the ending as I would have liked; with resolution to the questions that continued to run through my head. It makes me wonder if Dean Koontz had intended to create a sequel to One Door Away From Heaven, or if he was in a rush to meet the publisher’s deadlines.
Dean Koontz’s story-telling strikes every curious bone in my body. This riveting page-turner kept me up late contemplating life beyond our world and the reality of the horrors that reside in the minds of our own human race. All in all, I enjoyed Mr. Koontz’s writing style, unique storyline, and comical characters. I recommend this read to anyone who is seeking something different than the norm and are looking for a book that keeps the pages turning.
Stacy N. Elliott 