<b>Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.</b>

After the abysmal <i>The Whispering Room</i>, I was hesitant to continue reading Dean Koontz’s Jane Hawk series. While I loved the first book, <i>The Silent Corner</i>, I felt its sequel was unabashedly cheesy and too much of a retread of its successor.

But I was granted access to a review copy of this, and in the end I <i>am</i> a Dean Koontz fan. I decided to give it a shot. I am happy to say this series is back on track, and I eagerly await the fourth volume, due out in October.

This series takes Koontz’s career-long fascination with governmental technological conspiracy and combines it with modern sensibilities; the whole thing is rather Crichton-esque, and a helluva good time. Unlike the previous volume in this series, <i>The Crooked Staircase</i> is satisfyingly tense — don’t start in on the final hundred pages if you are going to be interrupted — and the body count is shockingly high, for Koontz. Despite the usual moments of cheesy dialogue and schlocky sentimentalism (which is just par for the course with this author), this novel is a barrel of fun. The titular character, Jane Hawk — former FBI agent and most wanted person in America — is coming ever closer to succeeding in her mission to take down the governmental agencies that led to the suicide of her husband and many others via mind control in an attempt to create an utopian society. In this age of constantly-evolving technology, this premise could, frighteningly, become a reality one day. Koontz plays up the paranoia here — which made the first volume in the series so successful - and thus, delivers on the tension and scares.

Though I could have done without the Patterson-length chapters (seriously, after a while the pace was so quick I began to feel exhausted) I can’t bear to take off even one star from a read that had me so enthralled. Isn’t that what matters most? This series will never win any literary awards, but that’s okay: Dean Koontz does here what he set out to do, and that’s entertain. My highest recommendation.

After all that had gone on in this book, how could the single word “mommy” be so heartbreaking? How could a long-winded book boil down to one word that tugs at your heartstrings and turns this battle between good and evil into a desperate struggle for a mother to protect her child.

Each book in the Jane Hawk series is a literal step in a staircase. You cannot begin in the middle; you have to start with the first step, the first book, “The Silent Corner”, since each book build off the previous uninterrupted. Literally book two, will begin the day after book one ended without the neat little bow that readers look for.

If the idea of nanotechnology has not scared the begeebers out of you yet, then book three will cement the fear. As Jane Hawk continues her one-woman crusade against the likes of Booth Hendrickson, she begins to take him and the Arcadians down one person at a time, and this time, it is through his brother Simon and the woman who created them.

Dean Koontz throws in a side story of fraternal twins, but their story pales in comparison to the tale of the Washington’s and their loyalty to Travis, Jane’s older than his years son, who has been entrusted to them until Jane finishes what she has started.

This is not a book that you can put down and pick up something else, something lighter, this is a book that needs to be read (possibly with a dictionary next to you) start to finish. To absorb the drama and the wit, the reader has to be fully enmeshed in Jane’s world, a world of cataclysmic reality.

This is the third Jane Hawk book that Koontz has written and it leaves one wanting more. It also leaves the reader scared about the possibility of what Koontz describes in the book as a huge possibility in our constantly growing tech-savy world, but also compelled to know if Jane can triumph over the evil that surrounds her. I loved the first two books but found parts of this one contained so much verbage that I became bogged down in it. Dean Koontz is a tremendously talented writer but he can be too focused on the correct use of the massive amount of descriptions and commentary. Sometimes one just needs to tell the story and not let the words or unneccessary descriptions get in the way.

Perfect Dean Koontz style. Characters are layered and plot exciting. It's hard to go wrong with a Koontz novel!

This book is the perfect mixture of mystery, female bad-ass and HOLY WOAH! Do yourself a favor and pick it up! I loved the different perspectives in this novel and loved that at the beginning - we were left guessing as to what was happening. Can the next one come out already?

Dean Koontz continues to thrill and terrify with the next in the Jane Hawk series, The Crooked Staircase. I can't rave enough about how Koontz has created a very scary world that isn't outside the realm of possibility.

With technology more terrifying than some of the magic I read in horror or urban fantasy, and megalomaniacs that any comic book fan would appreciate, the Jane Hawk series will keep you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime. Both to find out what happens next, and afraid that this could actually happen.

Koontz takes you on twists and turns, wondering who's going to come up next on the Hamlet list. You aren't going to believe where The Crooked Staircase will take you.

It is important to note that this is book 3 in a series. Koontz does an excellent job of giving you just enough back story to refresh your memory as to what's going down, but it isn't enough information to make this book a stand alone. These books must be read in order. My opinions on the first two books can be found on goodreads as well.
I felt that book one was a great introduction to the series and book two was more of a Koontz story that we all know and love.
This book....grrrr.... is like a huge mountain of meringue on a lemon pie, the extra bit of not much taste that you don't really need. It's just kind of there. (sorry Dean)
Jane has continued on with her search to eliminate the Arcadians. Somewhere in there lies a mini story about young twin authors. Their story alone is a great little horror in itself, but it feels completely separate from Jane and the ultimate story and mission. Just another page filler. The only relevance is that the bad guys are still the bad guys.
The most redeeming part in this book is the following of her son and his guardians. That whole part was fantastic. Jane meanwhile, is still tracking down the top dogs to the Arcadian society in order to break it. There's a little bit of thriller and adventure there, but not enough to really stay engaged this time.
....and suddenly it ends. Seriously. What the crap? Just when I think, "Now we're starting to get somewhere," it ends.
I will read the next book, because there was finally some movement, and I need some closure here. I've always been under the firm opinion that all great stories can be wrapped up in three books (sans Harry Potter). I still stand firmly by that opinion. I thought that if anyone could change my mind, it would be my number one Koontz, but he failed. :( I really hope that book four is a wrap up. I'm not sure how much more blood you can squeeze out of this story line.

I've been a Dean Koontz fan for years and I really enjoy his later books like this where he doesn't rely on supernatural and monsters. In the Jane Hawk books, the monsters are all too human. The writing, of course, is superb with wonderful character studies and enough action for twenty books contained within the pages. I was holding my breath during much of the reading and found myself shouting at the book in shock several times when the action took a particularly painful turn. It's impossible to be bored while reading Koontz!

I thought this was going to be the last in the Jane Hawk series but as I read the last page, I couldn't help saying 'NOOOOOOOOO!!!!' And now I wait impatiently for the next installment.

The Crooked Staircase, by author Dean Koontz, is the third installment in the authors Jane Hawk series. The story is written in alternating, short chapters with differing POVs. FBI agent on the run Jane Hawk, mother of a young son, Travis, grieving widow of a decorated Marine, Nick, has uncovered a terrifying conspiracy behind the death of her husband and scores of other exemplary citizens by suicide and other very public ways. Since then, she's been indicted for espionage, treason, and murder and become the #1 fugitive in the country.

As she wades through the twists and turns and shocking surprises, as well as heart breaking losses, she knows that any day might be her last day alive. Going off the grid to keep all those responsible (Techno-Arcadian's; mostly consisting of politicians, agents of secret/law enforcement agencies, rich business people and techno inventors) off her trail, she knows that she will have to do whatever it takes to bring this cabal to its knees while keeping Travis alive. Travis is her primary mission, exposing the cabal is secondary, staying alive would be third.

The Cabal is looking to take over the world and form some sort of utopia. One way they plan to bring their utopia to bear, is to destroy people with nanotechnology which makes them pliable to certain triggers. These people are picked by a computer algorithm as possible future opponents; basically defined as people who can think and reason for themselves. The author actually inserts two depraved hunters who work for the cabal into the story. They are deeply committed to the cause, and if they can finally catch up to Travis, they can lure Jane to them.

I'm going to say this; my rating is based on how utterly and horribly dark this book is. There is hints of rape, abuse, people losing their minds and their ability to have control over their own actions and doing horrible things. The story truly leaves you with the feeling of being helpless & hopeless to stop the carnage and the twisted machinations of the cabal and those who are working for them. If you are already into this series, you know exactly what I am talking about. The author introduces some villains that could give Kilgrave from the Jessica Jones series a run for his money.

There is an old saying, before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. It suggests that if you plan on getting revenge, you will destroy not only your enemy but yourself as well. Jane's world is about ready to get a whole lot darker. If Jane survives, will she be able to look her son in the eyes and not have fully immersed herself in the evil's that men do?

Brilliantly and starkly fantastic, action packed and frightening all at the same time.

Fantastic because I didn’t want to put the book down and I didn’t want it to end. I want to know what happens, immediately and in the long term. I wish the next book was already out bc there are some major things taking place at the end of this book! This book answered so many of the questions and loose ends from The Whispering Room (again how creepy was that new nugget of information), but left us with so many more questions! Action packed because wow does this woman drive a lot, gather tons of information, work behind the scenes and have to stay a few steps ahead...and then frightening...well if you have read books one and two you know a huge reason for that adjective, but this book introduces some new cringe-worthy moments, people, places and information.

Along with the suspense and thriller aspect of this story, is just the pure emotion. I love to see how strong her love is for her son and deceased husband, but also for the friends and family that are present in each book. Some of the scenes and relationships in this book had me crying. Even though it makes sense that certain things had to happen, I was not ready for it to occur. We meet more characters in this book, both good and evil, and I loved seeing the new quirks, relationships and details unfold. I hope to see more of the cousin, in-laws, sherriff, and the military friend in the upcoming book!

This is the first series I have read from DK and I am a fan. The way that he has built these characters and this world is brilliant. Each book reveals a new layer to the intricacy and depth of this plan. I would love to know how he writes, are there post its all over the house, a book with all the characters and creepy details, because I mean the scene about the crooked staircase...straight horror flick in my mind right there... or something else? I strongly recommend this book and look forward to the next story.

The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz is the very highly recommended third installment of the Jane Hawk series. What is this vexation that Koontz has heaped upon me? The series is NOT over yet! I was sure this third book would give closure to Jane's whole ordeal and all it did was ratchet up the tension even more. The first two books are The Silent Corner and The Whispering Room.

Read this series if you love action adventure thrillers. More importantly, read the books in order for full enjoyment of the series as they are not stand-alone novels. The fourth book, The Forbidden Door, is expected to be released on October 9th.

So, I won't say a lot for fear of spoiling the series for new readers, but basically Jane has uncovered a far-reaching conspiracy that involves taking over the free will of millions of people through nanotechnology. Her husband Nick was a victim of the evil, secret faction, but the incidents of people being destroyed by the conspiracy is growing while Jane is trying to find a way to end it. Now she is trying to find a way to question Booth Hendrickson, a corrupt official high up in the Department of Justice. The problem is that Jane is now the most wanted person in America. She has been indicted for espionage, treason, and murder. All this has done is made her even more careful and determined to end the group's insidious plans.

Jane Hawk is a compelling, fully realized female lead - she a great lead, period. She is intelligent, tough, fearless, and manages to stay so and keep her sanity during the surreal situation the conspiracy entails. Since she's former FBI, she has the training and skills in her background that she can use to assist her own personal investigation.

Koontz presents the action in short, quick chapters, and, yet again, I stayed up way-too-late reading. There is still so much action that finding a good stopping point when reading is almost impossible and left me repeating the just-one-more-chapter mantra. the chapters alternate between the point-of-view of Jane and several different characters. I was shocked when the book ended in a cliff hanger right in the middle of a huge development. I can barely wait for the next book in the series, The Forbidden Door.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of the Penguin Random House Publishing Group.
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Dean Koontz has another winner with the third installment of the Jane Hawk series. Jane continues her quest to destroy the Techno Arcadians she feels are responsible for the death of her husband and countless others. But who is really responsible? This book introduces several new bad guys and adds more layers to the conspiracy. The new characters chosen to be “adjusted” before they carry out the plans of the Techno Archadians are described in more depth than in previous books. I love Jane Hawk. She is a strong and intelligent heroine who is still very human. There is nothing supernatural in this book as there is in many of Mr Koontz’s works. There is a lot of action and some great chase scenes. The suspense is palpable and the crooked staircase was truly terrifying to me. Jane comes very close to getting caught this time, but since this book includes an introduction to The Forbidden Door we know there is at least one more book in this series.

I started this series with the second book (“The Whispering Room”) and was blown away by both the story and author Dean Koontz’ writing style. When I received this book, “The Crooked Staircase”, I was a tad bit afraid that it would not live up to the predecessor. It is even better.

I think it can be read standalone but reading the whole series lets you grow alone with Jane and to meet individuals who might not make it to the next book.


Jane has discovered a secret society that is intent on ruling the world. They do so by hand-picking a very select few members and more, by enslaving or having others killed. The premise of the book, the nanotechnology, while still science fiction, is not so fair afield that one can imagine that one day this story line could read as true. Jane is determined to stop these people, even if the cost is her own life.

Once I had read the second book in the series, I purchased the Kindle version of the first book. I want to know how it all began. I am already looking forward to the next book as well.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Jane Hawk is back - and I am so happy to see her! She is, by far, my favorite kick-ass and take names heroine.
In The Crooked Staircase, Jane's story continues right where it left off in The Whispering Room. One of the things I love most about Jane is that she retains her humanity despite the odds stacked against her. Her one-woman assault against the shadowy government cabal that is attempting to take over continues most gloriously.
I loved the b-plot with Tanuja and Sanjay - they both made me laugh and broke my heart. Their story really brought home the ugliness that Jane is fighting.
Spending more time with Gavin, Jessie, and Travis also helped up the ante and increase the feelings of urgency that Jane has to come through, no matter what.
I am waiting with bated breath to find out what happens next.

Another page-turning thriller in the Jane Hawk series. I love Jane, a former FBI agent who is still the ‘most wanted person in America’ and as kick-ass as ever. The story starts off with a bang and keeps on rolling like a roller coaster. I was especially captivated by the arsenal and usage of high-tech tools/technologies which once upon a time could only be imagined. Fascinating stuff that Koontz masterfully incorporates.

I enjoyed the first two Jane Hawk novels, and was looking forward to this one. Given the length and blurb for this one, along with the way book 2 ended, I thought we would finally get some resolution to Jane's quest for justice. Sadly, that didn't happen. Instead, I now have more questions without answers.
The premise for Jane's story is quite terrifying. The very idea that people could be controlled to the point of suicide, plus the many other ways that the technology is used is more spine-tingling than any of the things that go bump in the night. The problem is that this one seemed to be an almost watered down version compared to the first two books in the series. The edge of your seat tension that was so prevalent in book 2 was missing here. In addition to that we get Jane, who was quite the heroine in beginning but becomes rather unbelievable in this third book in the series. She seems to know everything about everything and borders on invincible.
The story becomes drawn out with overly descriptive prose that sometimes seems to go nowhere. I'm all for setting a scene and painting a picture for the reader, but Koontz went a bit over the top with it here. At a certain point, it began to feel like so much filler and it became more distraction than anything else. We do get some gripping story and even some action in between those descriptions, but in the end, this one was just too easy to set aside. Dean Koontz has proven himself a master at nail-biting suspense, but I didn't find much of that this time around.
To sum it up, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either, and given the time I've vested in Jane Hawk's story, I will read the next book, which hopefully is more story than filler and brings some resolution.

Book Review: The Crooked Staircase (Jane Hawk #3) by Dean Koontz

Techno-thriller, fast-paced, heroic protagonist, odious villains, another thoroughly enjoyable blockbuster read ending on a cliffhanger.

What may be overlooked in a Dean Koontz novel are the intermezzos, those exquisite trou normand sorbets, literary gems of prose unleashed in seamless transpositions.

"...The stormfall drummed the earth and chattered like an infinite number of tumbling die against the blacktop, and on a nearby hundred-year-old live oak, each of the thousands of stiff oval-shaped leaves was a tongue that gave voice to the rain, raising a chorus of whispers that together were like the roar of a distant crowd, all serving to mask to sound of an approaching engine..."

Stephen King wrote about Amy Tan's observation that, "No one ever asks about the language." Perhaps to every writer's credit, there are those sparkling tidbits and heights of creativity which make the writer and which, like white truffles on pasta, are oftentimes taken for granted.

"...A night scene concurrent with the bright daylight all around, yet resistant to the sun's revelation. Hulking, shadow-filled and shadow-casting, soot-stained and fissured, its shattered windows looking in upon cavernous darkness, partly collapsed yet looming with menace, it was like some haunted palace through which a hideous throng stormed ceaselessly in silence..."

Then the other shoe drops and gunfire erupts!

This review is based on an ARC (Advance Reading Copy), with many thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Dean Koontz for the privilege.

The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz--Conspiracy theorists will be captivated by the concept.   Mystery/thriller fans will enjoy the non-stop action and the convoluted plot.

After a hard day at work, Sara Holdsteck drives home through darkness and pouring rain, a .45 caliber pistol by her side.    It is obvious she has something to fear.   She enters her kitchen and smells fresh coffee.  Too late.  She is blindsided by a stranger calmly sipping coffee, reading the paper, clutching a pistol enhanced with a long silencer.  Not to worry, she’s the good guy.   It’s Jane Hawk, rogue FBI agent, recently indicted for espionage, treason, and murder.   Hawk is there to press Sara for information on her former husband, the one who deserted her and bled her dry.  Sara willingly gives Jane the information she needs to make a move on  the abusive husband, Simon Yegg.  Hawk heads out, one step closer to achieving her goal of busting the secret confederacy known as the Techno Arcadians.  Hawk embarks on a labyrinthine journey which brings her closer to the epicenter of the cabal, thus plunging her closer to extrodinary danger. 

The Crooked Staircase, Dean Koontz’s recent addition to his Jane Hawk series, recounts Hawk’s continued efforts to save the country from the diabolical manipulations of a secret organization that plans to take over the minds of the population by creating machines of flesh, humans that are essentially programmable computers.  Conspiracy theorists will be captivated by the concept.   Mystery/thriller fans will enjoy the non-stop action and the convoluted plot.

Soon, Hawk shares the stage with two young people, Tanuja and Sanjay Shukla. However, while Hawk is a skilled hunter, the Shikula twins are innocent prey.  The focus shifts smoothly, back and forth, between Hawk and the twins.  The skillful handling of these differing plot trajectories will maintain a reader’s attention.  While Hawk rushes toward the epicenter of the cabal, the twins run away even they have no idea why they are targeted.

Hawk is a highly trained and intelligent agent.  However, she has one weakness, one chink in her Teflon armor, a son she adores.  Travis lives hidden away from public view, under the protection of a couple that is dedicated to his survival.  Unfortunately, his location is discovered, creating a third plot line.  Evil doers launch a ground and air offensive.  If Travis is captured, Hawk will fall under the control of the cabal, and the cabal will complete their nefarious machinations.

The characters are realistic, believable, and scaffolded by interesting backstories that flesh them out.  The bad guys are easy to hate, and the good guys are all worthy of a reader’s interest and affection. 

The author’s style is the antithesis of bare bones.  Koontz possesses a literary style that is seasoned and enhances the prose with wonderfully complete imagery that creates a powerful sensory experience.   Once in a great while, the imagery slows down the read a bit, but the good outweighs any negative aspects.

The plot is highly complex, mostly due to the use of three plots that are woven together so that while one subplot line rests in a quiescent stage, one of the others takes over and maintains itself as the center of attention.   This complexity creates a highly original reading experience.  The relentless pursuit of good by evil and evil by good is an engrossing battle of competing oppositions.

Even though The Crooked Staircase is not the first of the series, it is carefully constructed in a manner that guarantees that readers will be able to connect with the three plots and enjoy the book as if it were a standalone.  However, there is one caveat.  Readers who expect satisfaction at the end of a read will be disappointed.   The pace speeds up to a lightning pace toward the end.  Readers will be shocked and breathless, wondering who will live and who will die.  Will Hawk succeed and clear her name?  Will she save her son?  Not only does the end fail to satisfy, there is no end.   Readers will have to buy the next iteration of the series to see how it ends.  Fans of the series will no doubt accept this strategy.  On the other hand, readers expending denouement may very well feel manipulated.

The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz is highly recommended to those who love action, danger, admirable characters, acts of love, and dramatic cliffhangers.

This series showcases what I believe to be his best work yet. It's taunt and heart pounding. Hours will fly by in the blink of an eye as you are glued to this awesome book from beginning to the last page. Jane Hawk is a total badass that will have you cheering for her. The plot will have you gasping from the twists and turns that propel the story forward. Don't start this book late at night unless you're prepared to kiss sleep buh bye but definitely go in knowing you will need to devote plenty of time to this awesome book. Happy reading!

This was a wonderful mystery/suspense novel! I absolutely devoured it! I hadn't read any of the other Jane Hawk books, and still found the backstory explained well enough that I didn't need to have read them.
I think Jane is an incredibly smart heroine and I found that as the story progressed, I was hoping she would get her revenge. I could see her making decisions based on what she's learned in past books, I love it when a character learns and develops the way a real person does.
The twins I didn't care for as much.They seemed too innocent and trusting after their past with their aunt and uncle. They should have been more cautious and jaded. When the truck with no headlights blocks your driveway, you should be thinking "danger" already. Then, after they had been tracked using cell phones and GPS, they don't seem to have any sense about stealing a cop car (sure to have GPS) or be cautious about cameras. I always hated when the story switched to their narrative.
I loved the Washingtons, but felt they should have had more sense with the cameras too. You're in a truck, do some back roading! Perhaps I'm only angry because of the ending. I can't wait for the next book!