I’m gonna start with a secret. For long time readers there is some exquisite satisfaction to be found in The Forbidden Door. No, to casual readers of this review-this is not porn. To interested readers of this review, the book could be read as a standalone if you like heart racing action; but why not quadruple your pleasure and read all of the Jane Hawk books?
It is a bit unwieldy to keep referring to the bad guy elites as the techno Arcadians. Let’s simplify and refer them as the Blues. The Blues are mostly made up of the well educated, moneyed people who are often in the tech, media, financial, law enforcement and intelligence fields. Let’s call Jane Hawk, the rogue FBI agent, her amazing friends and the good people of America, the Red Team.
The Blue Team is aiming for world domination by injecting the Red Team with nanoconstructs that cross the blood/brain barrier and changes people into willing slaves. I would say some are now turning into violent zombies, but that would give zombies a bad name.
As a hint to the horror of this adjustment, the first two triggers for these “adjusted people were “Let’s play Manchurian candidate”, then after Jane discovered it, “Uncle Ira is not Uncle Ira”.
Before the Blues started their plans, a computer composed the Hamlet list picking people who showed potential for future greatness and leadership; they were consequently injected with the nanoconstructs and ordered to commit suicide. Jane Hawk’s husband, Nick, was among these people. This terrible tragedy launched Jane into a crusade to bring down the Blue team.
The tension of this book never lets up. There were some heartbreaking losses in the third book. In The Forbidden Door, Jane’s beloved five year old son, Travis, is staying with an autistic genius, Cornell. He is the resident and designer of a library and bunker in case of an “apocagedden” –one of the best portmanteau words evah. The Blue Team knows Travis is in the area and launches a full scale effort to find him. Jane, with the help of two friends launches her own clever plan to rescue him.
There is also a secondary story line concerning the relentless search by a Blue nihilist to find and “adjust” Nick Hawk’s parents. Maybe, parts of this story line were dragged on too long.
I am also irritated that Jane did not search for GPS tracking devices as a matter of basic counter-surveillance.
I am fascinated as always, either by Koontz’s knowledge of or imagination concerning his surveillance and counter surveillance technologies. I wish he had an afterward on which is which. Some I know from experience, I used to watch vehicle surveillances via trackers from 200 miles away. It was an interesting experience.
Dean Koontz is an outstanding writer. He has never gotten stale or repetitive. I know more people who will mention one of his books as being on their personal top ten lists.
The Forbidden Door belongs amongst his best; his characters are better developed, his descriptions more complete, and his plotting more intricate and careful. As to his villains and heroes; they are what I have come to expect from Koontz. Hey, I wonder if there will be a new Orange hero in the final book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for this fair and honest review.

This is the 3rd title in the series dealing with Jane Hawk, who is trying to escape from governmental officials and agencies trying to kill her - and her young son. In the first book, Jane Hawk's husband has killed himself after suffering from influence of nefarious agents that caused him to lose control of his actions. It's spreading - and in this 3rd book, she's still on the run trying to isolate the agencies/agents and eliminate them; and to protect herself and especially her young son who she had "hidden" with friends. The stakes are extremely high now and it's a cat & mouse game. Although it was extremely suspenseful, I think that Koontz needs to change it up at this point and vary the direction of the narrative.

Great to see Jane Hawk again! She is just as intense as ever. Love this character. She was especially brought to life in The Forbidden Door. Dean came through this time, as usual. I couldn't put this one down!

If it's possible to have a love-hate relationship with a book, this is it. On the one hand, the writing is almost exquisite, virtually ensuring my reluctance to put it down. Conversely, wading through page after page hoping that yet another important character won't bite the dust - probably in a most horrific way - is borderline unbearable. Characters I adore; other characters so loathesome that I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemies.

Oh, what a happy conundrum!

This is the fourth book in the series featuring former FBI agent now-fugitive Jane Hawk; the other three are excellent as well. And for the record, although each of the books can stand alone, I daresay I've derived much greater understanding and enjoyment by having read them in order from the beginning (and I recommend this to anyone who's new to this series).

At this point, Jane has been indicted for espionage, treason and seven counts of murder - many of the charges trumped up because she's fighting a nasty group called the Techno Arcadians, who are intent on changing society by injecting select humans (including Jane's late husband) with mind-control drugs. These "adjusted" folks, whose numbers are growing day by day, then can be programmed to do the bidding of the Arcadians - with the possibilities ranging from sweeping floors to murder to committing suicide. All of the above are fast zeroing in on Jane, her young son Travis and her in-laws Clare and Ancel Hawk; torturing or killing the latter three would, in their opinion, bring Jane to her knees. In the previous book, the couple Jane entrusted with hiding Travis were found and dealt with, so he's now living with a slightly autistic but sweet recluse named Cornell. Scared and lonesome, Travis calls his mother, who promises she'll come to get him.

At least that's her intent - but we all know what happens to best-laid plans. Most of us, happily, won't run into fake FBI and Homeland Security officers with murder on their minds nor mind-controlled folks who have been ordered to be on the lookout for us - but Jane isn't so fortunate. And since the brain-altered folks look and act just like they did in their previous everyday lives, who can Jane trust?

The answer is almost no one, thus complicating her attempts to get to Travis and keep both of them out of the hands that would do them wrong. There are several narrow misses (involving some pretty grisly scenes and salty language, for those who may be bothered by that stuff}. And just when you think Jane, Travis and their trusted friends may make it, the nanotechnology begins to go awry; one by one, the recently injected people begin to psychologically regress - euphemistically falling through "the forbidden door" and turning into insatiable killing machines.

I'd love to say there's a happily-ever-after ending, but that's just not the case (well, except that Jane lives to see another day, which one would expect of any character without whom there wouldn't be a series). It's certainly a wild ride, though, and once again I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Another winner that has me chomping at the bit for the next installment ("The Night Window"). Bring it on, please!

This is the first series that I have really enjoyed in a long while! Jane Hawk is hands down the best that you can ask for in a good book. She gets out of all kinds of tight situations. She is being hunted down by the best of the best bad guys. They are right behind her each step of the way. Dean Koontz is such a great author! I can't tell you all the details because it takes away from the story but you have got to try this series and I promise you can't put it down! Start with the first book of this series and get busy reading. If they don't make a movie out of this I will be sure surprised. Trust me it's that good. Enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book.
'

I've really loved this series so far, and have been impressed with the originality and strength of the characters and the complexity and interconnectedness of the plot sub-lines. But I'm starting to think enough may just be enough...

In this latest installment, Jane once again kicks ass and takes names. Her ability to foil the multi-faceted, multi-pronged, technologically advanced, nearly omniscient in its ability to access data, uber-machine that is the Techno Arcadians continues to entertain even when it's seems so far beyond possible that it should be ridiculous. I love Jane. I admire the hell out of her. She's a great character. And she's surrounded by a team of equally great characters, from all walks of life and all sides of the law. That's the part of the book I love. What I struggled with in this book was the overwhelming focus on her opponents in this war, and the insanity and viciousness that underpin their actions. I don't mind reading dark, but when 85% of the book seems to be describing horrors inflicted on people for little to no reason beyond the accretion of power, I find the reading to be a bit of a slog... In the earlier books there was a lot more focus on Jane herself and the good people she found to ally herself with, often in unlikely places, and that gave the earlier books a very different tone and tenor than this one. It's starting to get repetitive - if one can ever call the escalation of evil repetitive - to read about the horrible things that are committed in the name of the Techno Arcadians goals. And I noticed that the preview of the upcoming book that was included at the end of this one calls it the next title, not the last. I'm starting to think that, as much as I've loved the series, it's time for it to end. Book after book describing Horrors and placing Jane and increasing peril are not going to do the series any service. This is a great series with a great idea underpinning it, but all great ideas have a lifespan, and I fear this one is rapidly approaching the end of its own.

I have no idea how Koontz is going to pull it all together, but do hope that he does so in short order, because the pacing is starting to slow as things feel like they are escalating but not actually moving forward... One of the greatest things about the early books was the rapid introduction of a lot of uniquely horrifying ideas. The zombie bit in this book was new and interesting, but a lot of the other "action" felt like it was a caffeinated version of things that happened to Jane in her quest to keep Travis safe in the earlier books.

I have been hanging out for The Forbidden Door since the whopping cliffhanger the previous instalment left us on. And, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, this one offered more closure than it's predecessor, but still gave us the wild ride we've come to expect from Dean Koontz.

Badass Mama Bear, Jane Hawk has learned her best friends, tasked with taking care of her five-year-old son, have been killed. It's up to her to travel to Borrego Springs, where The Arcadians, a group indulged in a conspiracy to take over the world, are no doubt waiting for her. She has to rescue Travis, who has been left in the care of autistic loner, Cornell, and bring him once more to safety. She enlists the help of a couple of characters we've met before, even if they seem a very unlikely group of aides, and springs into action.

Of course, it doesn't all go according to plan. In Texas, her in-laws are being hunted, and in Borrego Springs, a batch of newly adjusted people have gone bat-shit crazy and Jane, along with former lawman Luther and the adorably hysterical grandfather Bernie, must deal with the unexpected.

The Forbidden Door is written from a few viewpoints and focuses on more than a couple of characters. And that's where Mr Koontz really shows his mastery, flitting in and out of each complex, occasionally dark and often seriously disturbing personality with ease. I have no clue how he does it, but I'm a true fan. He keeps up a hectic pace, alternating between the plains of Texas and the Mojave Desert. Having spent a wedding anniversary riding my motorcycle to the Anza-Borrego State Park just outside of Borrego Springs, I could actually picture the places where some of the events took place, which added a terrifying element reality to the whole thing and the short preview of the next in the series automatically threw me in to "I want it now" mode! 

Once again, if you're into strong female characters and fast-paced thrilling action with a heaping helping of conspiracy, the Jane Hawk Series is a must.

The Forbidden Door is a wonderful suspense-filled thriller. It is not the first book in the series that features Jane Hawk, but it can be read without difficulty. Koontz does a terrific job of "catching up" a reader on the series events without being heavy-handed. The information flows naturally within the narrative.

While most readers will want to learn more about Jane and her adventures, the character I was most invested in while reading was Laurie Longrin, a 13 year old girl caught by corrupt FBI officials. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers, but her part in the story is vivid and thrilling. It strikes the right tone for a 13 year old. Laurie's frame of reference for the "bad guys" are Disney villains. It was the one part of the book I could not put down until I was finished with that section.

I would highly recommend reading this novel.

Another great Dean Koontz series. As this is number 4 in the Jane Hawk series it is probably not the one I would say to read first. I have read the others and had a better understanding of our protagonist Kate. Koontz has done a great job with adding new characters with old ones and together it only enhances the read. Jane must find her son before he is captured by evil Techno Arcadians. She does not know if he is safe. Only that no one answered her phone call when she called to check on him. The Techno Arcadians are similar to a mind control group. While the book does drag on some there are many places that I was engulfed and unable to stop reading fearing I would mis something. I have enjoyed Dean Koontz,s books for a very long time and I always wonder how it seems that he can make each book better. I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.

5+ stars ⭐️ out of 5

This is the fourth book in the Jane Hawk series. Jane is an ex-FBI agent on a mission to destroy the men who are planting mind-control technology in people in order to control all of society. She is on the run, trying to wipe out the bad guys without getting herself caught and killed. In this one, Jane needs to get to the safe house where her son Travis is staying, because the people watching over Travis have been killed. It is a race against time to get there before the bad men do and to spirit him safely away to a new safe house.
This book is so full of action and suspense it will keep you on the edge of your seat. I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend this book and this series. If you haven't read any of the books in this series, I suggest you start with the first book 'The Silent Corner', so that you can fully appreciate the the depth of corruption that Jane is fighting against.

The fourth book in the Jane Hawk series is definitely one that should be read after the others. This could be read as a standalone novel (and indeed the first few pages are a recap) but it would spoil the fun if you later decided to go back and read the first few.

I have the book 3 stars as the beginning of this book felt really stilted due to being written in a weird third person tense that jarred as it attempted to tell the story and it just felt like it was interrupting all the time.
The latter part of the book did not have this issue so I was finally able to enjoy the last part of the book.
Note there is a lot of violence in the book and lots of extreme methods of dying so stay away if squeamish, however it does help to paint the dark, screwed up world that would occur when mind control is used for bad purposes and when things go wrong....really wrong.

The ending was very abrupt and almost felt like it was in mid plot. The Kindle version does have the first couple of chapters for the next book but I didn't want to read those until the entire book comes out.

Jane Hawk is back to kick some more butt in The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz, the newest installment of the series! I have been following Jane since the beginning and will follow her through to the end. In this book Jane has got to get to her son Travis before the Arcadians find him and kill him. Lots of action in this book, can't wait for the next Jane Hawk book! Thank you Netgalley and Random House for allowing me to read this ARC book and give my honest opinion.

Devotees of Jane Hawk rejoice! She is back and working hard to bring down the worldwide conspiracy that plans to take over the world by controlling the minds of those with influence. And in the midst of this she must work hard to find and keep her son safe.

Watching Jane and her methods is always entertaining. She’s a master of disguise however by this time the bad guys, the Arcadians, are wise to some of her costumes. She doesn’t seem to have planned for that or else doesn’t realize the possibility. And the Arcaidians seem to have reached a point where sub-radar transformations seem to be boring them. They go all out. Zombies? Really? That’s the only real disappointment with this book. The author seems to be grabbing a bit from here and a it from there and jumbling the story. None the less I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this seies.

With this 4th installment in the Jane Hawk series, protagonist Jane has solidified as my favorite character ever of Dean Koontz, and I'm pretty sure I've read most of his books. Once again, I inhaled this book and couldn't stop reading tonight until I finished. And yes, it's about 1:30 am.

The action never seems to let up as Jane rushes to get her son back before he can be captured by the evil Techno Arcadians after his guardians are killed. A new character is brought in and once again, I absolutely love him. Cornell is strange but he and Travis have bonded deeply and can't be separated.

And, yes! Koontz also brings back two other beloved characters from past installments. This is why I love Koontz so much. As horror filled as his books are, they are always balanced by the most pure of heart characters.

And just when I'm positive that the craziness of the Manchurian Candidate type of mind takeover couldn't be any worse, Koontz comes up with an even scarier side effect that take some of those injected through "the forbidden door".

I can't even fathom how Koontz is going to wind up this series. Although I must have the next book, The Night Window, as soon as possible, I don't want this series to end.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advance copy of this book!*

Jane Hawk has lost her husband due to a secret society who uses nanotechnology known as the Techno Arcadians. The Techno Arcadians intend to remake the world by enslaving people with nano structures that either gives complete control to the Techno Arcadians or reduces them to a primitive state. It is basically a mind-control society as they see the world being perfect according to them. Jane is aware that her five year old son is in danger. When she makes a phone call to the people who are taking care of him, there is no answer. Though the son and couple make a successful escape, the couple are found. They don’t return to the boy. The boy was at the home of a very private and autistic man who has made millions developing apps. He had a “library” bunker that would keep him safe and now wonders if it will keep the boy with his dogs safe in the bunker. Will the bunker be discovered by the enemy? If so, will they survive? Will Jane get there in time to save her son?

Dean Koontz has written a thriller that has non-stop action. The Techno Arcadian characters are mysterious and strange at times with the actions that take place. The book is focused on Jane’s child and the Techno Arcadians. Yet, I still want to know who are the Techno Arcadians are and why they think they know best. I can’t wait for the next book!

Dean Koontz dazzles again with the fourth book in the Jane Hawk series. This book can be read as a standalone or you can really treat yourself and start with the first book, you won't be able to put them down! The tension in this book is palpable and Jane Hawk is one of the best characters that Koontz has created. You will be rooting for her the entire way!

I have to say I'm disappointed in this book. I requested The Forbidden Door from NetGalley and received an ARC version for review. I had previously read The Crooked Staircase (#3 in the Jane Hawk series) and enjoyed it.

All of the problems I had with The Crooked Staircase I have with The Forbidden Door - but now they're less excusable. The Crooked Staircase seemed to have a lot of filler 'issues' that came up for Jane to deal with, and at times it became a tedious description of a series of steps and explanations. The Forbidden Door is all of the same and even worse (or after having read one entire book like this already, maybe I just have less patience for it).

I found myself skimming quite a bit to get through the tedium, but every now and then I would miss something critical and have to go back (most notably the scene with the sassy old lady and her small dog).

I was also frustrated that the Techno Arcadian agents seemed to, in turns, be either preternaturally aware of a situation (e.g., the chalk paint situation) or deliberately choose a terrible course of action (e.g., Laurie's situation).

You feel for Jane and Travis, but there's just not a whole lot of room for character development and tender moments in the midst of all of the 'action.'

Once again, I feel as though I read a book that didn't go anywhere and had no great resolution. I won't be reading future books in the Jane Hawk series.

Once again Dean Koontz creates a Jane Hawk book that keeps you reading into the night. Dean is a such a masterful writer you can count on him to weave a tale that makes you want the next book when you finish one. You believe and love the characters and are kept interested throughout the book. Jane Hawk is the most wanted former FBI agent in the country and not by the good guys. Framed by those in power and they will do anything to bring her down. In order to flush her out they go after her child any friends she has been know to even know casually and any relative to get to her. She must at all costs keep her son safe and hidden. Excellent reading and now I can't wait for the next one! I received an AFC for my honest review. I love his writing and this story of Jane Hawk is a great read.

I just have to throw out there that Jane is my freaking hero! She's a badass and don't take no crap. These books are always so well written that you get lost and lose track of time. By the time you finish you are ready to throw the kindle and scream lol. I absolutely loved it.

I was simply blown away by this novel. After reading the previous novel in this series, I knew it wouldn't be a light read. That said, this book doesn't disappoint as it continues to fill in and build up the characters and plot. The mixture and diversity of the characters and their backgrounds and experiences crafts an intricate story for the reader. Dean Koontz has already shown what a brilliant mind and masterful storyteller he is, and this book is no exception. I would strongly recommend this series and book to any mystery and thriller fans. You will not regret it.