While I enjoyed the character of Jane Hawk herself, this story was overdrawn out. I love Dean Koontz's ability to take current talked about technology and show readers a horrific aspect that makes us think about all the possible ramifications of such. Early comments compare this new series to Odd Thomas and that is misleading and led to some disappointment in this book. While I don't mind cliffhangers, this book was a long one that held very little resolution to any of the plot and subplots of the story, which made me doubt that I will continue the series. However, I love this author and will continue to read his other works.

“People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers.   When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most wanted fugitive in America.”  Dean Koontz is back and he hits the ground running with his latest thriller The Silent Corner.  This was an intense, gripping read and I am totally digging the powerhouse heroine that is Jane Hawk.  She’s intelligent, she’s cunning and she has an ax to grind with those who she believes drove her husband to take his life.  The action in this book was non stop -- I was exhausted just reading it!  But our heroine does not tire, evading mafiaesque hitmen,  secret government agents and even a few robots to get the answers that she seeks.  The creep factor in this relentless ride was high because many of the things that were happening in the book are already in place now in our daily lives.  Jane attempted to live off the grid as much as possible, avoiding all traffic and security cameras because she didn’t want to be identified by the facial identity recognition software in place.  She chose random vehicles from used car lots and used a burner phone so her exact location could not be pinpointed through GPS.   She had to stay two steps ahead of them to have time to put the pieces of the puzzle together and avoid capture.  “They” are hot on her tail through the whole story, but just who exactly are “they?”   Can she figure that out before they catch up to her and she meets the same fate as her husband?  If you are looking for an action packed, intense thriller then I suggest you pick this one up and follow this bad ass female FBI agent who will stop at nothing until she uncovers the truth.  This book is first in a series and I can not wait to see where Koontz takes Jane next.   Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I think every Koontz book that I'e read is fantastic and this one is no exception. Highly recommended.(5) star review on Amazon.

The Silent Corner is a new series introducing the lead character Jane Hawk. Jane is an FBI agent whom has lost everything that is important in her life. Her husband Nick has inexplicably committed suicide leaving behind a bizarre note-“Something is wrong with me……I very much need to be dead.” Jane is possessed to find answers about her husband’s death and unravels clues of a dark pattern of global conspiracy. In doing so she becomes the most wanted fugitive in America. She does what ever she can to survive: she hides off the grid in "The Silent Corner”. 

This suspenseful novel is fast pace full of interesting and perhaps terrifying technological science. Jane’s character is cultivated with such depth that you rally along side her.  

This my first Dean Koontz novel and it will not be my last. The Silent Corner has left many questions unanswered and to be unravelled in the sequel, The Whispering Room.


Thank You Netgalley, Random House-Ballantine and Dean Koontz for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was given the opportunity via NetGalley to read an electronic copy of The Silent Corner.  I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

After the sudden death of her husband, Jane Hawk uncovers a secret with deadly implications.  As she tries to piece together the truth, Jane places herself and others in grave danger.  A suspended FBI agent whose training at Quantico proves to be invaluable, will Jane be able to dodge all of the technologically advanced gadgets being deployed to track her every movement?  Will Jane be able to take down the shadow network of powerful people and escape unscathed?

The truly untraceable, despite using technology that is at their disposal, are said to be in the silent corner.  As Jane tries to operate on the fringes, in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth, I was struck by the technical relevance of the story.  The technology displayed in The Silent Corner is scary stuff, dreamed up by an excellent storyteller, but it may not be as far-fetched as it seems.  With a great premise and fast paced plot, this book was suspenseful, as well as thought provoking.  I am a long time fan of Dean Koontz, having read all of his previous works under all of his names.  Jane Hawk, although not my favorite character, is among the top of those that this talented author has created.  Her abilities are numerous: strength, intelligence, adaptability, and an overwhelming sense of right and wrong.  Jane is not without faults, but those character flaws just make her more human.  The Silent Corner ends with a promise of more to come, so I look forward to seeing the path that Jane takes in the future.

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz features a strong-willed, strong-armed, and strong-minded female character who does not need to be saved by a knight in shining armor. 

This is the start of a new series by Koontz, and I'm looking forward to reading the next installment! Since this is book one, not all of the story lines are completely resolved; however, The Silent Corner had a satisfying end.

My favorite line from the story:
"Life is complicated, but if it wasn't complicated, it would be a roller coaster on a flat track. Wouldn't be a ride worth taking."

If you're a fan of the Jason Bourne novels, you'll enjoy this engaging read by Koontz. The Silent Corner is psychological suspense at its finest from start to finish.

[I received an advance copy of The Silent Copy from Random House, which in no way influenced my opinion of the book.]

I have been a die hard Koontz fan for decades (I won't say how many because that would date me:). This book did not disappoint me. It's a bit different, but such a great read. I read the ARC, so some of his wordiness had not been edited out. However, his descriptions have hit a new high. Reallly good, very poetic. In fact so poetic that some of them were a little distracting.

The story premise is very good and extremely frightening. Scary because technology can reach this peak, and who's to keep some corporation from doing this very thing? Koontz's mind is a scary place for sure.

Jane Hawk is a marvelous character. She's the only person who realizes what's going on, and she doesn't have anyone she can trust. I felt her frustration, her fear, her courage, and her patience-end. I cheered and I shivered. There are times when I got aggravated with Koontz's plot twists. After all, a hero needs her sidekicks! 

Received the ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

There used to be a time that I read every Dean Koontz book right when it was released.  (Side note: My husband is not a reader but did actually read quite a few Koontz books.  Especially when he was in the Navy and on deployment.) For reasons I’ll get into shortly I had gotten away from this author.  So much so that the last Koontz book I read was Brother Odd from the Odd Thomas series and that was published in 2006!  Yikes!  Over 10 years without reading an author who was a favorite at one time.  Crazy!

In all honesty, before reading this book I could not have pinpointed a reason I had taken such a long break from this author.  In the past, there were times I’d take short breaks because his stories would sometimes blur together if I read too many too close together.  Part of that is the often one word titles that would sometimes make it hard for me to remember which was which.  But he also tends to (as most authors do) stick to a certain “type” when it comes to his heroes and heroines.  The guys are usually ordinary or even a bit unusual looking but they’ll have one feature that stands out (often the eyes) and he’s always brave and kind.  The women are often beyond beautiful and always have the most intense eyes no matter their color.  The ladies are also very brave and no-nonsense and are never stuck-up about their appearance.  So you can see how the stories can start to blur together. 

Within a few chapters of this story I quickly remembered that Mr. Koontz tends to get wordy.  Which is fine at times.  I like to really picture the overall surroundings in stories I read.  But because this book, and many of his other books, have a lot of action and movement there are a lot of scenes to take in.  So if he is describing each scene in minute detail it can get to be a bit much for me.  I don’t need a full page to describe a bathroom to me.  Instead of drawing me into the story, it frustrates me and I tend to NOT pick up the book as often as I usually would.  Unless the precise gun being used by the characters is essential to the story (so far that I’ve read it hasn’t been) I don’t need to know every detail of said weapon. (Another side note: Back in the day when I read his books I knew nothing about guns and would skim over these parts because they meant absolutely nothing to me.  Now I know a lot more so at first, I was excited for the extra info, then I realized I didn’t need it for the story and it just threw the pacing off for me.)

On the other hand, when it comes to action and suspense, Dean Koontz is a master.  His stories always hurl me into a heart pounding, breath-holding state of being.  I will shake my head and audibly gasp at the actions of characters in his books.  That was all here in this story.  Jane is in a race to find answers while staying one step ahead of “them”.  While most of the world goes about their business in blissful ignorance of the true evil this world holds, Jane is hunting down the bad guys and getting to the truth.  She’s trying to prevent others from getting caught in the terrible web of evil she has discovered.  This stuff, the action and intrigue and evil, Koontz writes to perfection.

I can’t tell you if I’ll read the next story in this series.  I’m really not sure.  There is something that happens to Jane toward the end that makes me curious to see if it’ll affect her. I just don’t know if that will be enough to have me returning for more.  On the other hand, reading this story reminded me of all the Koontz books I haven’t read yet that I would like to get into again.  Especially the Odd Thomas series that I never finished.  FYI – as usual the movie adaptation of Odd Thomas was sorely lacking.  If you haven’t read the book, do yourself a favor and read it asap.  The first book is phenomenal as I remember.  Hence, why I would like to pick that series back up.

Summary:  If you are already a Koontz fan you will surely enjoy this story.  If you are new to Dean Koontz might I suggest Watchers or By the Light of the Moon.  Or, to go really old school Koontz, Demon Seed.  That one gets creepier and creepier the more technologically advanced our society becomes.

Dean Koontz once again proves he is the master at his trade.  The Silent Corner is a testament to his ability to leave the reader in a state of panic, wondering if things like this could actually happen...could BE happening in the world today.  A page turner that won't let you out of it's grip until the last page has been read...and that leaves you thirsting for the next novel in the series.

Another winner from Dean Koontz! My only issue with it is having to wait for the next in the series!!!

I haven't read very much Dean Koontz, this is actually my second novel of his, my first one being PHANTOMS. So when Random House/Bantam Books sent me an advanced copy of THE SILENT CORNER I was excited to read more of his works! I definitely was not disappointed and I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. 

"I very much need to be dead." These are the chilling final words left behind by a man who seemingly had everything to live for. His widow, Jane Hawk, is grief- stricken and afraid, decides that she needs to stop at nothing to find the truth behind her husband's apparent suicide. Along the way to find answers, she discovers that there are many other talented, accomplished people that have been committing suicide in large numbers. 

She quickly becomes the most wanted fugitive in America. Being chased by the FBI she needs to go off the grid to avoid getting caught. She's getting too close to some closely guarded secrets that they will execute anyone that gets too close. 

This book has some serious Enemy of the State vibes (the awesome Will Smith movie). Lies, government corruption, espionage, and conspiracy. The use of cameras and surveillance videos in order to find Jane and track her gave it an eerie, unsettling, and creepy vibe. That can happen - and I'm sure it does in the US. This is a fast paced novel with short chapters. I love the shorter chapters since I'm a person that reads chapter to chapter - "oh I only have to read 5 more pages and I'm at the next chapter".

So many unanswered questions and I can't wait for the next book in the Jane Hawk series. The use of technology in this gave it a different element for a thriller. So if you want a contemporary thriller/suspense, then I'd highly recommend this one to you.

5/5 stars!

Big thanks to Random House/Bantam Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I had to go back and check the cover of the book to make sure this was THE Dean Koontz.  It was an absolutely wonderful book...but didn't seem to be a real Koontz type of story.  Nonetheless, it looks like a serial and if it is, then I will definitely buy each one.   Maybe my problem with this book/this author being what I expected (a story on the wild crazy side of normal) is that I don't really see it as impossible.  I think, for sure, that this WILL happen, if it hasn't already.  Distopia has become my new favorite genre of reading....and my judgement of real life has shifted...I can see almost everything I read now happening in the real future.  Excellent book, as always, from Dean Koontz.

The Silent Corner starts slowly but builds surely to the semi-supernatural action we have come to expect from Dean Koontz. Koontz is a master of pulling out the shadowy and evil in everyday actions and people. This novel is no exception. The horror is all based in events that are more than plausible given the political and commercial environment of today.
Dean Koontz is also expert at showing the ability of every day people to rise as heroes. Jane Hawk is one of these heroes. She is determined and creative and you will root for her to the end and beyond.

My first Dean Koontz was a success! I've always been curious about his writing, but believed he would be too scary. I'm not a horror reader, and I have no desire to be. But I couldn't help but want to see why he was such a popular author. I ran across The Silent Corner on NetGalley and the blurb sounded interesting without being too scary.
It was good!
The book itself was much longer than I expected, but I was thoroughly entertained. The mystery within is creepy without being scary and Jane Hawk is pretty much my hero. I did find it a bit too descriptive for my taste in a few places but I still had a hard time putting it down. I will be definitely be picking up The Whispering Room when it comes out in January.

Dean Koontz took me down the rabbit hole and now I'm a big fan of his latest series featuring FBI Agent Jane Hawk. It started a bit slow for me as it wasn't clear immediately what was going on and I had a hard time figuring out Jane. But once things got going, I was hooked. And paranoid. The monsters in this book are regular,  human beings hell-bent on creating their Utopia, which somehow makes these monsters both the most familiar kind and the scariest. I'm already counting down to release of book 2 in January.

Dean Koontz's latest release is nothing like his recent work. Going into it, I expected something totally different. It's an FBI suspense-drama with a similar style and pacing as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. While I did enjoy that series, it's not what I typically read, especially in the summer! There is already a sequel starring the same agent so that means we can expect more of this type of thing from Koontz. I didn't hate it; I just wasn't prepared for him to go this route!

The plot was interesting. It involves mind control and nanotechnology. (Both of which I know nothing about.) Think of The Manchurian Candidate, a movie most people are familiar with. That's basically the inspiration for this story. I don't have a strong interest in watching or reading this type of thing but I know a lot of people who do. The Matrix, Minority Report, Men in Black...all movies that have similar elements. 

I will say that it was a rocky start. Since I don't typically get into this style, it took me awhile to get totally invested. However, once I got about 40% in, I found my stride.

I've been a Dean Koontz fan for over 20 years now. I was insanely excited to have a chance to read an early copy of The Silent Corner! Sadly, it did not live up to the hype for me. TSC reads like your typical Koontz chase novel: someone is driving around trying to escape the bad people chasing them. The problem was the main character and the people chasing her just were not all that interesting 

This is not the first Koontz novel to deal with mind control. . I just didn't care for the way it was handles in this book. Sure it was creepy af, but it was all so boring. I didn't care what happened to any of the characters to be quite honest. 

What annoyed me about this book the most was, the non-ending. The book literally just STOPS. I turn the page looking for more text, and nothing. THE END.

I am a long time reader of Dean Koontz's book, but had gotten away from his books recently.  I am glad to be back reading his book.  Silent Corner reminded me of Dark Rivers of the Heart (one of my favorite books). Jane Hawk is an FBI agent whose military husband commits suicide.  She just can't believe that he would do this and goes on to investigate the suspicious rise of suicides.  When her son is threatened by an unnamed person, she hides her son with a couple who are essentially off the grid while she goes on the run trying to find the reason for suicides. The more Jane digs into this the more danger she gets into.

The story didn't move as fast as I would have liked, but it does give you a complete picture of her investigation. My only complaint (not really) is that the story doesn't end but is continued.  I was so hoping to have a resolution but am really looking forward to the whispering room.

ARC received in exchange for review.

As a self-proclaimed number one Dean Koonz fan, it breaks my heart to only give this a 3/5. This book moved about as fast as my 13 year old getting ready for school in the morning. 
At first, I really liked the main character Jane (think Taya Kyle). The overall plot and mission of Jane is interesting enough, it just seemed to take a long time to actually have some exciting movement. This book overall pales in comparison to Koontz's earlier works. I'm holding out hope that book 2 of the series is better, and that book 1 is necessary background information to get the story really started.

This is unlike any previous titles released by the master himself.  I love Dean Koontz novels and try to get my hands on any and all.  He is a master story teller.  I found this unlike any of his previous novels.  I wouldn't say this book is a flop by any means, and I'm sure many will love it.  This isn't the case for me.  I found myself reading page after page a long way into the book, waiting for it to grab me and take me to Koontz land. This felt like a non stop chase scene without any resolve, or direction to the plot. I Guess we'll have to keep purchasing the novels as they come out, but this one didn't hit the mark for me.  He's written way better novels than this one, and I just couldn't get into this one!