“The Other Emily” by Dean Koontz
What may be inarguable is the fact that I am a professed Koontz mega-fan. True, I have yet to hate anything this master of fiction writes. Thus, am I too prejudiced to be the assigned reviewer? Nope. And I say that only because I know if something is sub-par, I have no problem stating that fact.
Although some might love to hear now that this latest book has failed in some way, my apologies. This, yet again, is one of the best I have ever read. The mixture of out-of-this-world creepy characters, a keep you guessing storyline, sarcasm that creeps in when you least expect it, and writing that flows so easily it feels as if the characters, themselves, are telling their own real-life journey to an interviewer—all combine to prove that the world of suspense fiction would be boring without the talent of Koontz.
Emily Carlino disappeared ten years ago. Her car was found broken down on a highway, and her vanishing became yet another unsolved crime blamed on serial killer Ronny Lee Jessup. David Thorne, a writer, was Emily’s beloved and his life is one of depression and guilt. He even puts himself through more pain by going to the prison and speaking with Jessup, attempting to find answers. Enter Maddison Sutton: This is a woman who knows more than she tells in regard to David’s loss and causes the writer to become obsessed with her. Worse yet is the fact that she’s an identical clone of the missing Emily. The terror that comes with Maddison and her secrets not only put David in the path of evil, but also scares the heck out of the reader.
Koontz throws so many questions into the air that it takes the breath away when he combines the pieces to give you an ending of monumental proportions. The fear, emotion, clues, and mysteries are incredible, and is definitely another Koontz masterpiece you’ll never forget!
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of the Tallent & Lowery series published by Suspense Publishing, an imprint of Suspense Magazine.