Another thriller from Koontz. I have been reading his books for 30 years and this does not disappoint! Can't wait for the next one!

Jane Hawk is back. She's still on the run....a fugitive....a rogue FBI agent. Following the apparent suicide of her husband, Jane discovered a conspiracy, something so evil and diabolical that she immediately knew she had to find those responsible and stop them. A group of powerful, wealthy people have developed technology that can hijack the will of any person...take over their brain. The person can be made to do anything. No resistance. No conscience. They will obey without question. Some people are made to kill themselves like Jane's husband. Others are made to commit terrorist acts. And some are just used as mindless sex slaves for the wealthy. They made a mistake when they killed Jane's husband. They made a mistake when they threatened the life of her young son. They made a mistake when they tried to kill her. And, they made the biggest mistake of all when they underestimated her power to bring them down, to exact revenge.

This book is hard hitting from the beginning and doesn't let up until the very end. I loved the first book in this series, The Silent Corner.....and I enjoyed this book just as much. Jane Hawk kicks ass. She is intelligent, resilient, and cunning. As a highly trained FBI agent, she knows how to use surveillance, interrogation and techonology to her best advantage. She also knows how to avoid being seen, unless she chooses to be noticed.

Dean Koontz is hit or miss for me. His horror books recycle plot elements a bit too much -- sentient dogs, groups of people battling supernatural forces, etc. But the Jane Hawk series is something from Koontz that's fresh and wonderfully written. He could even write in a talking dog and nobody would see a single eyeroll from me.....that's how much I like Jane Hawk. A strong, hard-hitting, brutal female main character. The story has great realistic action and excitement. It's not often I sit and read an entire book in one sitting, but this series has had me burning the midnight oil twice now. I'm sure I will be totally into the third book, The Crooked Staircase, when it comes out in June 2018.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House - Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

I am a little behind in the world of Jane Hawk. Scratch that- this is my first foray into her world. As a long time fan of Dean Koontz, I expected nothing but an addicting read and he delivered it. I literally need to go back to the first book and start from scratch with the first book, The Silent Corner.

Jane is fierce and relentless. I was sucked in immediately with the gripping suspense and paranoia. Classic and good old-fashioned Koontz storytelling

Being a long time fan of Koontz I was curious about this book. I was running right along with Jane through every ordeal. And I felt I needed to back up Luther when he decided to go and find answers. His talk with Booth left me a little displaced. But I did not see the ending as it was written. Now I want more. I need to know more.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing- Ballantine for a review copy of this book.

This is really almost a 5 * book, at least a 4.5 .

I am so happy to see Koontz back to what I consider his best. This second Jane Hawk book was an absorbing read, starting right in from where we were left in the first book. A page-turning exciting novel with a strong female role as the former FBI agent, now on the most wanted list, as she tries to take down the conspiracy of the powerful organization trying to sublimate and rule the world should be next on your to-read list.

The science part does not seem that far-fetched. The characters are well developed and seem to grow in each book.

Really looking forward to the next one in the series.

Thrilling new hero, Jane Hawk, continues her pursuit and attack on the nightmare-inducing villains of this tale. As she gets closer and closer to the people at the top, the story gets more and more breathtaking. Same thing happened to me in the first book, ‘The Silent Corner’. I recommend this series wholeheartedly.

Published by Bantam on November 21, 2017

Anything that Dean Koontz writes is entertaining by definition, but the Jane Hawk series is far from his best work. The mind-control conspiracy premise is overdone and not particularly convincing.

The Whispering Room gives shape to the “maniacal conspiracy of utopian totalitarians” that Jane Hawk began to uncover in The Silent Corner. As we learned in that novel, the masters of the universe are using nanotechnology to infiltrate brains and force people to kill themselves for the betterment of society (at least as the totalitarian conspirators see it). In this novel, sweet elderly teachers are committing terrorist acts for the same reason. Why sweet elderly teachers are seen as a threat to world supremacy is explained only by the assurance that they were selected by a computer. Presumably the computer had its reasons. Again, I'm not convinced.

The bad guys are “elitists” with Ivy League educations who belittle individuals with “third tier” college educations, which may give the story some populist appeal. Koontz more than once writes about the “foolishness of the elites,” using the kind of divisive political buzzword that stokes fury in certain societal groups but doesn’t really mean anything. That’s unusual and surprising coming from Koontz, who typically embraces unity.

A new addition to the cast is a local law enforcement officer, Luther Tillman, who investigates the murder of a governor, a crime the feds seem surprisingly unmotivated to investigate. Luther stumbles across some journals that refer to a spider building a web in the killer’s brain, and uncovers evidence pointing him to a conference that the sweet killer attended — a conference that seems to have changed her, and perhaps others who were invited so that their brains could be captured.

Another new addition is a kid named Harley who knows that all the adults in his town have taken the Stepford treatment. Luther is a good character but Harley is a bit corny, the kind of brave and adorable kid that has become a stock Hollywood character. I expect more than that from Koontz. I appreciate, however, the minor characters who commit random acts of decency, the sort of people Koontz often scatters through novels to suggest that the human race is not universally awful.

Meanwhile, Jane roars through the novel like a force of nature, moving forward in her investigation from bad guy to bad guy while staying a step ahead of all the bad guys who want to kill her. And since this is a mind-control conspiracy, pretty much everyone wants to kill her. That gives the novel energy and motivates the reader to continue turning pages. And there’s a bizarre fight scene near the end involving nonhuman foes that I enjoyed simply because it is outside the norm of thriller fare. Not entirely believable, but fun.

That is, in fact, my reaction to both novels. I’m just not buying much of what happens, but I’ve enjoyed reading both books. Despite characters who aren’t as meaty as Koontz’s best, an unoriginal premise, and too many unconvincing scenes, Koontz’s ability to hold a reader’s attention makes the novels an easy read. Just don’t expect the books to go where no author has gone before.

The story does not end in The Whispering Room (I'm not sure how many novels in this series Koontz intends to write) but the ending is not a cliffhanger, which I appreciate. The first two novels have enough merit that I'll read the next one without being manipulated by a cliffhanger, but they don't have enough merit to earn wild praise.

RECOMMENDED

Jane Hawk continues to hunt down her husband's killer in this action-packed sequel to The Silent Corner.

Jane is searching for the top man at Far Horizons, David James Michael, to record his confession. His company is using brain nanobots to control people. Some are used as submissive sex slaves, others as guards but worse are the ones forced to commit suicide like Jane's husband.

Cora was named teacher of the year before the headaches started. Why would she set her own car aflame and drive into a crowded hotel restaurant? The local sheriff, Luther Tillman, finds Cora's cryptic notebooks and decides to investigate on his own.

The Whispering Room is a thrill ride that is much better than the previous book in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, it shares so much of the plot of The Silent Corner, there is little point in reading the previous series entry after reading The Whispering Room.

Mr. Koontz' rather flowery writing style seems better suited to his atmospheric horror novels. Here is an example of a single sentence in the book:
The bone-pale skeletonized limbs of winter-pasted trees, chokeberry and moosewood and gray poplars, and the storm-crusted boughs of evergreens more white than black, not green at all in the night, rendered a monochromatic scene in the spectral light of the snowfields.

While definitely evocative, it is a bit distracting in a thriller, where being fast-paced is a major goal.

However, I really enjoyed all the action and the comedic interludes within the novel. The details of the Los Angeles area were spot-on. I'm looking forward to more thrillers from Mr. Koontz (though I do hope he writes at least a few more horror novels as well). 4 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Bantam, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy.

This is the second Jane Hawk novel. It is so suspenseful and action packed. I love the main character, she is a bad ass. This novel continues on from the last one. So great that I cannot wait for the next one.
Jane Hawk reminds me of Lisbeth Salander. You cannot go wrong with this one.

I think that telling you I finished this at 4 a.m. might give you an ideas of my opinion on this book. If you want an intense suspense book, look no further. When you read this, make sure to leave plenty of time to read before you read the last third or you will end up doing what I did. Up until that last third, the book is still pretty intense and interesting with many smaller parts that you'll want to read through without putting the book down but it is possible to tasks a break from it and come back later. Now excise me while I go read the first in the series and lament that I have to wait a while for the next.

Sometimes at night, I come wide awake, I come wide awake, I come wide awake,
I come wide awake and I feel a spider crawling inside my skull,
and it speaks to me…in an evil whisper.

Anyone who knew Cora Gunderson would have told you she was such a sweet person. They would have said she was the epitome of a spinster school teacher. But witnesses say she they could see her laughing as she plowed her car, engulfed in flames, and loaded down with gallons of gasoline, into the hotel killing scores of people. But why? Local sheriff, Luther Tillman was one of the people who knew Cora–and he cannot accept that she could have done such a terrible thing.

With an intro that would have been too shocking to believe a decade ago, but could easily be taken from the headlines of today’s news, Dean Koontz’ latest novel, The Whispering Room, continues the pulse-pounding story of government conspiracies, mind-control, murder, and vengeance. The main character, Jane Hawk is a rogue FBI agent with the skills and determination to track down and stop the powerful people responsible for her husband’s murder. In the process, she uncovered their Manchurian-esque plan of world domination through mind control. In the first book, The Silent Corner, she sought out and killed the scientist that developed the process. But this plot is a Hydra with many heads left.

Jane Hawk is relentless. Her ability to compartmentalize what has happened and still do what must be done is epic. She commands both respect and awe while still being a character that has heart. But, that is what Koontz does best, tearing at your heartstrings while scaring the crap out of you. This series is compelling because of the similarities between the fictional events that happen and what is really happening in the world. The names have been changed to protect the innocent…

Finally another gripping, nail biting, paranoia-fueling, epic tale from Dean Koontz. Thank you Mr. Koontz, we have been waiting.

The Whispering Room is the second installment (The Silent Corner is the first) in the heroic story of Jane Hawk; a rogue FBI agent devastated by the loss of her husband and forced separation from her son, who will stop at nothing to bring down the formidable secret shadow society responsible for destroying her life and the lives of countless others.

The Whispering Room is all the more bone chilling in its probability, with its relevant use of technology and lack of over the top theatrics that fuel most of today’s entertainment. This novel will leave you shaken and just a little bit paranoid in the end, good old fashion fun reminiscent of Mr. Koontz earlier works that made me such a huge fan in the first place. Jane Hawk is a totally cheer-worthy heroine with just the right mixture of badass-ness, intelligence, and real world vulnerability.

While this book can be read as a standalone, you will get the gist of the plot line, why would you want to? If you have not read the Silent Corner by Dean Koontz, buy it, devour it, and get ready for more Jane Hawk adventures in the Whispering Room. The only regret you will have is that you will have to wait for the next Jane Hawk book. Which I am sure will not be long, surely Mr. Koontz will not “snow” us again.

I was given the opportunity to read The Whispering Room through a BookishFirst Giveaway and, additionally, through NetGalley and Bantam. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

Usually, a second book in a series suffers from too little character development and a plot that serves only as a bridge to the next novel. The Whispering Room, however, is even stronger than The Silent Corner. No longer having the constraints of bringing the new character to life, author Dean Koontz gives Jane a strong purpose and an attitude that give her humanity. Along with a host of periphery characters that will, no doubt, be seen again, Jane's awareness of the larger issue will propel her forward in the next book.

Jane's ingenuity, as well as her determination to avenge her husband Nick and many others, allows The Whispering Room to move forward at a thrilling pace. With the science fiction aspects of this novel, the suspense of reality does need to be realized by the reader in places. Although the truth is probably closer to Jane's reality than not, the author has twisted parts of other books and movies to fit his imagined world. The length of The Whispering Room may give some readers pause, but it is a relatively quick read despite its number of pages. I would definitely recommend The Whispering Room to readers, whether they are new to Jane Hawk or have already discovered her in The Silent Corner.

Dean Koontz never seems to disappoint and this book was no exception!

The second installment in the Jane Hawk series continues the relentless pursuit of Jane as she pursues the evil faction behind her husband's apparent suicide. Much like the first novel, The Whispering Room has non stop action and more shocking revelations. Its eeriness invokes the fear that our future might hold such inconceivable possibilities, as well. You will find yourself wanting to "test" your family members by ordering them to "Play Manchurian with me." For me, Koontz is the king of creepy, and I am never disappointed when I pick up one of his tales.

I loved this series and Jane Hawk. I enjoyed both books over the thanksgiving break

This is the second book in a trilogy about Jane Hawk, a former FBI agent who is trying to stop a secret group from using a new mind control device to control people. I enjoyed the first book, and thought this one was even better. I'm excited to finish the trilogy when the third book comes out next year!

What would happen if someone discovered a way to make anyone into an assassin? Unlimited power, wealth beyond your imagings, sexual servitude, and corruption and evil explode.

The Whispering Room immediate follows Jane Hawks experiences and discoveries from The Silent Corner. She is following the trail of the power-players using the nano-tech to control minds and being hunted by the people she is hunting for. You can never know who is friend or foe because your friend can be controlled and under their power and you’d never even know it.

Suspense-filled, action intense and sure to get your pulse pounding. Really good read. I love Jane Hawk as a contemporary heroine but the story didn't take much progression from the previous novel. You learned a little more but most of it was just too similar to her last experiences in THE SILENT CORNER.

I received this ARC copy of The Whispering Room from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Bantam. This is my honest and voluntary review. The Whispering Room is set for publication Nov. 22, 2017.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Dean Koontz
Series: Jane Hawk (Book 2)
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Bantam
Publication Date: November 21, 2017
ISBN-10: 0345546806
ISBN-13: 978-0345546807
Genre: Thriller

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Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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The Whispering Room picks up where we left Jane Hawk at the end of The Silent Corner. Once again Dean Koontz has created a horrifying world of possibilities. Not with traditional mad men swinging machetes or axes, or what we would normally consider zombies. In fact, its all the more terrifying because it begs the question "What if?"

In The Whispering Room, Koontz keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how much longer Jane's luck is going to hold out. Hawk is a brilliantly written protagonist. She's smart, I mean really smart. But more than that, she has a flexibility of mind and morals, that allows her to think on her feet and adapt as the situation changes.

Hawk is also starting to really understand how deep this particular rabbit hole is. Her reality is really starting to sink in and understanding for how far she could fall and the consequences if she does. In fact, we see several of these scenarios played out, at both the micro and macro levels. Koontz does a great job of keeping the playing field balanced, but providing unexpected resources, just when Hawk needs them.

But how long will her luck hold out? You'll have to find the Whispering Room yourself. I can't wait to see how the long game plays out.

Koontz does it again. In the follow up to The Silent Corner, Jane Hawk sets out to find the truth about her husband's apparent suicide. In her pursuit, she stumbles across a conspiracy of vast proportion and as she chases down leads, Hawk herself becomes the target.
Quality writing and expertly drawn characters added to a robust storyline will propel you through this novel.