by Rebekah Aura Nemethy

Created on: December 24, 2009

Dean Koontz’s "Odd Hours" is the fourth book in the Odd Thomas series. Before you read this review or tackle the book, it would be well worth your time to indulge in the first three books.

Odd wanders into Magic Beach, California and expands his fry cook career by working for a retired actor as his personal chef. He’s been having a recurring dream in which, “The sea had throbbed as some bright leviathan rose out of the deep, and the heavens had been choked with clouds as red and orange as flames.” The dream screams of oncoming disaster, yet Odd is perplexed that he has not yet seen any trace of the bodachs, dark, shadowy creatures that lurk wherever they expect to see massive bloodshed.

In the first chapter, Odd meets Annamaria, a young, pregnant girl who seems to have her own share of supernatural abilities. She needs Odd’s help desperately, but is very vague in offering explanation, “all things in their time,” is her continual answer to Odd’s questions.

Although Elvis has moved on into the light, Frank Sinatra has taken his place next to Odd, and Boo, the ghost dog, continues to accompany him as well.

Throughout the many moments of suspense Odd’s first person narrative offers plenty of comic relief. When he’s making an unlikely escape he not only uses the bathroom as an escape route but he also stops to relieve himself. “Here is another difference between me and the indefatigable Matt Damon. He never has either the time or the need to visit a lavatory unless he has to go there to engage in a fight to the death with an agent of the fascist conspiracy.” Not only is Odd’s pause to pee funny, but it also makes him more believable; as unlikely a hero that he is.

Of course, as a trademark of the Odd series, this book is full of many other references to movies and literature. Odd describes one villain’s resemblance to Hannibal Lector, “The eat-your-liver-with-fava-beans grin melted into the smile of any grandfather.”

Odd Thomas has been described as “Koontz’s most likable creation,” by the New York Times, and it would be hard for anyone to disagree. He’s a tasteful character. There are only two, mild curse words throughout the entire novel. That is, blatant curses. The rest of the curses are described and implied, making them a silly guessing game for readers.

The only disappointment present in this novel is that it did not last longer. As you’re getting through the climax and racing through the last five chapters, you’ll begin to notice that there is so much more to be explained and the pages are thinning way too quickly to make it possible.

Fortunately, the next book will be sure to tie up the loose ends. Dean Koontz has revealed his intentions for the rest of the series on his website: “I did not know that it was going to be a seven book series until I was working on number four. And I now know there are seven books to complete Odd's entire journey.”

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