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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Ah, Deeply Odd. The sixth instalment in Dean Koontz’s increasingly metaphysical misadventures of everyone’s favourite ghost-whispering fry cook turned roaming spiritual warrior. And I must say, despite my slight eye twitch every time another dead celebrity pops up, I found myself falling for Odd Thomas all over again.
This time around, Odd Thomas is on the trail of a sinister cowboy trucker with eyes like a demon and a penchant for truly horrific crimes. The whole good-versus-evil setup is deliciously stark—Odd Thomas and the cowboy are basically walking yin and yang. Psychic magnetism versus something darker, more chilling. Dean Koontz does a cracking job building that tension, making this one of the more disturbing entries in the series. Parents—brace yourselves.
Now, can we talk about Alfred Hitchcock? Because yes, he’s Odd Thomas’s ghostly companion this time and… I’m sorry, but why? I know it’s a long-running quirk of the series, these dearly departed icons hovering around him like spectral cameos, but Alfred Hitchcock felt a bit shoehorned in. I miss the days when Odd Thomas was back in Pico Mundo, flipping pancakes, solving murders, and hanging with the likes of P. Oswald Boone (Little Ozzie) and Terrible Chester. There was charm in the small-town strangeness. Now it’s all souped-up limos and philosophical detours.
That said, Edie Fischer is a brilliant addition—classy, mysterious, and driving a limo that could probably launch into orbit. She’s exactly the kind of strange, warm-hearted character that reminds you Dean Koontz still has his magic touch. And thankfully, the new faces do help fill the void left by Odd Thomas’s hometown crew. The characters really make this book, as they always do in the series.
Plot-wise, it’s a bit of a wander. Deeply Odd does feel like a side quest that somehow got its own full title. There’s a lot of internal musing, the odd bit of recycled backstory from Book One (which, yes, is still the best), and some tangents that could’ve been trimmed. A bit too much navel-gazing at times. I half expected Odd Thomas to break into poetry.
That said, Dean Koontz’s writing is as smooth and readable as ever. He captures Odd Thomas’s voice beautifully—dry humour, gentle soul, courageous heart. Even when I’m side-eyeing the pacing or the ghostly guest stars, I still enjoy the ride. There are some truly unsettling moments, thought-provoking ideas, and that signature Dean Koontz blend of horror and heart.
So yes, 4 stars—maybe not for the structure or tightness of plot, but because it’s still Odd Thomas, and I’ll follow him into the strangest corners of the world, ghostly hitchhikers and all. Definitely not the book to start the series with (you’ll be both confused and slightly traumatised), but if you’re already invested? It’s a weird, wild, worthwhile ride.
This time around, Odd Thomas is on the trail of a sinister cowboy trucker with eyes like a demon and a penchant for truly horrific crimes. The whole good-versus-evil setup is deliciously stark—Odd Thomas and the cowboy are basically walking yin and yang. Psychic magnetism versus something darker, more chilling. Dean Koontz does a cracking job building that tension, making this one of the more disturbing entries in the series. Parents—brace yourselves.
Now, can we talk about Alfred Hitchcock? Because yes, he’s Odd Thomas’s ghostly companion this time and… I’m sorry, but why? I know it’s a long-running quirk of the series, these dearly departed icons hovering around him like spectral cameos, but Alfred Hitchcock felt a bit shoehorned in. I miss the days when Odd Thomas was back in Pico Mundo, flipping pancakes, solving murders, and hanging with the likes of P. Oswald Boone (Little Ozzie) and Terrible Chester. There was charm in the small-town strangeness. Now it’s all souped-up limos and philosophical detours.
That said, Edie Fischer is a brilliant addition—classy, mysterious, and driving a limo that could probably launch into orbit. She’s exactly the kind of strange, warm-hearted character that reminds you Dean Koontz still has his magic touch. And thankfully, the new faces do help fill the void left by Odd Thomas’s hometown crew. The characters really make this book, as they always do in the series.
Plot-wise, it’s a bit of a wander. Deeply Odd does feel like a side quest that somehow got its own full title. There’s a lot of internal musing, the odd bit of recycled backstory from Book One (which, yes, is still the best), and some tangents that could’ve been trimmed. A bit too much navel-gazing at times. I half expected Odd Thomas to break into poetry.
That said, Dean Koontz’s writing is as smooth and readable as ever. He captures Odd Thomas’s voice beautifully—dry humour, gentle soul, courageous heart. Even when I’m side-eyeing the pacing or the ghostly guest stars, I still enjoy the ride. There are some truly unsettling moments, thought-provoking ideas, and that signature Dean Koontz blend of horror and heart.
So yes, 4 stars—maybe not for the structure or tightness of plot, but because it’s still Odd Thomas, and I’ll follow him into the strangest corners of the world, ghostly hitchhikers and all. Definitely not the book to start the series with (you’ll be both confused and slightly traumatised), but if you’re already invested? It’s a weird, wild, worthwhile ride.
Took me a bit longer today finish this one because I got busy with some things but if I wasn’t busy I would’ve finished this so much faster. It’s such a good thriller and it kept me on the edge of my seat up until the end.
I can’t wait to read the series finale and see how the story wraps up. I hope everything makes sense by the end of it!
I can’t wait to read the series finale and see how the story wraps up. I hope everything makes sense by the end of it!
2.5 stars. This book felt pointless and contradictory. How can it both contain homophobic comments from the main character and then later pretend to wave a banner of acceptance and inclusion? This book is not memorable or engaging.
My favorite book in the series since the original Odd Thomas. A perfect mix of despair and hope, horror and humor. I can't wait to read what happens next.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I sure do love Odd Thomas. He's funny and enduring. But just as strange we meet a new face, Mrs. Fischer. I wonder if she will be returning.
I read this book because I liked the Odd Thomas movie and I wanted to compare the novels with the film. I like Dean Koontz style of writing and the flow of events in this book. I also loved Edie and the paranormal theme of the book.
I think the threads of universal spirituality Koontz weaves into his writing are often just right. Though, in some instances, with this particular book, it may have been a bit too much. I also did feel this one was redundant in places, with the overused fry cook line and dogs being the "end all be all." In addition, I wish it had been a little less simple story line with more complexity for Odd to figure out. He is supposed to be a clever character, let's not make it too easy on him. It was still an inspiring Odd story and I don't regret my time spent reading it.
It seems that the Odd Thomas series has some serious ups and downs. This one was a down for me, especially after Odd Apocalypse. There seemed to be so much...filler. Odd going on and on about the evils of the world. I normally find these books to have SOME humor in them, but this one didn't. I don't know how many Odd Thomas books there's going to be, but I kind of feel that it's time for Odd to be over.