A really good thriller. I loved the settings of New Mexico and Montana. Koontz describes the landscape of Montana vividly. I loved the action in the book. It’s been a while since I’ve read a Koontz novel and this one didn’t disappoint.

"When people think their lives are without meaning, they'll seek meaning even from the creepiest of charlatans." Truer words may never have been spoken, whether it's in real life or in a work of fiction like this engaging book that reeled me in fast and kept me on the hook all the way to the last page.

While I'm in accolade mode, I'll add this: Dean Koontz is among very few writers - the other two who come to mind are J.K. Rowling and Stephen King - who never fail to make me wonder how in blazes he (or she) could even conjure up such intricate plots, much less write them down in such cohesive, delicious detail and (no small feat) make the supernatural seem, well, plausible.

This story centers around Rustling Willows Ranch in Montana, where Joanna Chase lived as a child until both her mother and father died, both thought to be accidental. Years later and living on her own as a writer, she experiences a series of strange events, the most troubling a phone message from an unknown female caller begging Joanna - in her former life nicknamed Jojo - to come help her. It takes a while and a few more bizarre experiences, but finally Joanna gets that the unknown caller wants her to return to her Montana home.

But maybe, just maybe, someone (or something) has a sinister reason to draw her to the ranch. And as readers soon learn, she's not the only one being targeted; and elsewhere, a couple of others are being "saved" by the intervention of a strange man dressed in white, while still others, shall I say, aren't quite so fortunate. Lurking out there, just waiting for a chance to get his jollies by mayhem, torture and horrific murder, is a man with a manifesto that claims human extinction is the only way to salvation. He welcomes the sight of a "big dark sky," and he'll do everything he can to make that happen.

Joanna, the man in white and the handful of characters (including a private investigator, a white hat hacker and a disfigured, nonverbal young man once befriended by Joanna) who escape his grasp are coming together as fast as they can grasp what's happening. But can they get the answers they need before the madman gets them? Well of course, I'll never say another word, except that that their trials and tribulations make for one heck of a tale. You'll have to read it for yourself to learn the details of their journey - and I highly recommend that you do (if you do, watch for the sneaky little references to a heroine in one of the author's popular series along the way). As for me, I'll just thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading a pre-release copy.

The Big Dark Sky is an SF/horror thriller by Dean Koontz. Released 19th July 2022 by Thomas & Mercer, it's 390 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 1st quarter 2023. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

I've had varied experiences with Dean Koontz over the last several decades. This is a very *odd* book but universally well written and seriously engaging. There were hours during the read when I was so invested in what was happening that I was even unaware of the passage of time. The plot is quite convoluted and I found it very difficult to keep all the secondary characters straight. It's for that reason that I recommend the electronic format since it makes searches much easier.

There are shades of Canterbury Tales here, with the characters' individual journeys to the meeting place intertwining along the way. There's an overarching plot which defies description and is more or less a world-threatening dark power ranged against the protagonist for the future of humanity (or annihilation).

The denouement and resolution felt rushed to me. I had to go back and re-read it a couple of times and still wasn't 100% sure I understood. There are some foreshadowings hinting at another related book, which would be intriguing.

Four stars. This one, in my estimation, suffers from moderate book bloat in the middle. The intro and denouement are engaging and progress rapidly.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I've been reading Dean Koontz since I was a teenager in the 1980s and have always loved his writing style and how his stories draw you in. This book continues that feeling for me. Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting this down. When an author can bring so many different personalities together and make them believable and real, what a talent. If you like horror, aliens and a story that brings people together, you will love this book! Great book by a great author!

Dean Koontz has again written an explosive, terrifying, sci fi thriller that makes you wonder if this could really happen in real life! He is great at character development. Even if you don't learn much about their past and where they come from, you really get a sense that you know who they are. That's one of Koontz rare talents; writing about characters that you'll cheer for and can't stop reading about! He never lets his fans down.

Joanna Chase left Montana a long time ago when a tragedy turned her life upside down. She is now thirty-four and has been living in Santa Fe where she has let go of the past and moved on. When weird messages start to come to her in many forms she feels a need to return to Montana and to a companion she hasn't thought of for a very long time. She soon learns that she's not the only person who has flocked to the town. A threat is eminent and the group realizes they must work together to defeat the evil that is upon them. Can they come together as one or does it mean the end for all if they fail?

What did I just read? Aliens, cults, ghosts, hackers and a serial killer are all key players under The Big Dark Sky of Montana.

A group of people are called to the Rustling Willows Ranch in Montana. Wyatt Ryder, a private detective, is paid by the ranch’s owner to investigate strange phenomena. Joanna “Jojo” Chase is haunted by her mother, who died decades earlier when both lived on the ranch. Asher Optime is convinced that his life’s purpose is to end humanity’s time on Earth. Ganesh, a government consultant, is also involved.

Dean Koontz wrote some great horror tales in the 1980s. Then he wrote the humorous but spiritual Odd Thomas series. Recently, he has been writing the Jane Hawk action thrillers. The Big Dark Sky is basically a mashup of all Mr. Koontz’ genre experiences in one book.

I’m not sure how well he succeeds. His horror plots are notorious wordy—why use one adjective when ten will really flesh out that sentence. That prose style went out of fashion for thrillers thirty years ago. Fortunately, the plot propels the reader forward just trying to determine what is really happening on the Montana ranch.

This book is an interesting change of pace for the author’s fans. If you want to read a book that is difficult to categorize, but extremely compelling, The Big Dark Sky is a great choice. 4 stars!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

Dean Koontz is one of my "always" authors. I always read his books without checking the cover or synopsis. His books sound weird when you try to describe them, but reading them, you are knee deep in the weird with the bigger than life characters. When a group of strangers that have nothing in common, come together to build a force for good......well it's a Dean Koontz story.

Anytime I pick up a Dean Koontz book to read, I know it will be creepy, and I know it will be good. The Big Dark Sky has not changed that. I haven’t read a book in this genre in a long time, and I have to admit, it just isn’t my favorite type of read anymore. I think the author is incredibly talented, and so creative and imaginative, but I just can’t appreciate this genre as much as I used to. That being said, this book IS captivating, interesting, and very clever. I was truly impressed by so much within this book; from the language, the writing, the storyline and concept, and the flow. I do recommend reading it if creepy thrillers are your choice of genre.

I’ve been a huge fan of Dean Koontz for decades. Each new release brings on a sense of anticipation for me because over the years Koontz has crafted so many incredible tales covering an array genres. The one thing almost all of his books have in common? They all tell wonderful stories filled with memorable characters. I say almost because if I’m being honest over the years even Koontz has had a dud or two. But I’m thrilled to say his latest is no dud. In fact if you ask me there are definite echoes of some of my favorites. As in such classics as Phantoms and Strangers (heck , it even reminded me of a bit of King’s The Stand) a group of strangers are drawn together to confront a terrible evil. The Big Dark Sky features an excellent cast of well fleshed out characters and a delightfully twisted storyline. Thanks so much to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Big Dark Sky.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RBBQZB0IMUQ2B/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Dean Koontz never disappoints and this is a huge, dark novel you won't be able to stop reading! Cults, crazed axe murderers, elks and grizzlies, and a big Montana ranch bring together many memorable characters, all struggling against a mysterious being. Four stars and recommended reading!!

Dean Koontz's latest novel, THE BIG DARK SKY, was published on July 19, 2022. It features a thrilling and suspenseful story about a group of strangers bound by terrifying synchronicity becomes humankind’s hope of survival in an exhilarating, twist-filled novel.

The book tackles a heady subject, but in Dean Koontz’s capable hands, he delivers an action-packed, suspenseful super natural thriller that was an entertaining read.

In typical Koontz fashion, the book combines several genres, delivering a lot of mysterious twist and turns.

There is a large cast of characters starting with Joanna “Jo Jo” Chase who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico when she starts having memories of her childhood in Montana along with mysterious phone calls, dreams and other experiences that seem to push her to return to her childhood home.

There is also a ticking clock aspect to the story, with a cult-like leader and serial killer bomber tied into the plot of the story and another mysterious puppet master behind it all.

The story starts slow but picks up nicely, quickly delivering a thrilling and suspenseful read well worth reading THE BIG DARK SKY.

The Big Dark Sky by Dean Koontz is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Joanna Chase loved Rustling Willows Ranch in Montana as a child, but at 9 years old, her mother died, followed by her father two weeks later.  She was sent to live with her Aunt Kat in Santa Fe.  Her memory of Rustling Willows is a little foggy.  She has even forgotten her best friend.

She hasn't given much thought to the ranch in the last 24 years.  But when she starts receiving messages by phone and through her television which plead with her to return to Montana, saying she is the only one that can help, Joanna decides to go.

She is not the only one headed to the ranch.  They are coming for different reasons, but in the end, they will join together.  A group of people, coming together to fight for the survival of the world.


My Opinions:   
Well, Dean Koontz has once more created a rather crazy, rather complex, rather unbelievable combination of events, but which definitely entertained me.  This is another one of his books where you leave your beliefs at the door, and just prepare for anything.  (My own opinions of the "bad" guy ranged from a government top secret weapon, to an extra-terrestrial, to the devil himself.)

I really enjoyed the rather wild plot.   The idea that everything happens for a reason and that it is much more than coincidence (synchronicity) was one of the main topics of the book.  Then there is the subject of humans destroying the earth, and that it may be time to start fresh.  Of course, being Koontz, you really aren't sure if he's headed toward an evil ET, or just a really bad human.  Then there is the AI side.   This is what he does, so if you aren't prepared for the rather far-fetched, don't read this.

The characters were wonderful, and some a little wacky!  I loved them all, except of course, the ones I hated.

So, overall, I really enjoyed this ride through the unbelievable, because it's Koontz.  His writing is undeniably clever.


For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and contact details, as well as a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

“Humanity is a voracious, billion-headed hydra of hatred.”

This is the killer’s rationalization as he ruthlessly moves forward to save the future Pulled into his machinations are childhood friend Joanna Chase and a handful of others drawn to the mysterious Rustling Willows ranch.

Populated with Koontz’ perennial good-guys and a really nasty villain, The Big Dark Sky is a slow starter, but ended with a bang. And a good hook for next time …

Phew! Reading this took longer than necessary!

This book felt like the author was trying to incorporate too many elements into the storyline and as a result it's all over the place. This is my second Koontz, I think, and I don't recall the last book of his that I've read, but has his writing always been this waffley and overdescriptive?

I really despise it when an author pulls out the "it was aliens all along", when the story didn't allude to that trajectory in the first place. It's just lazy and unoriginal!

Another trope I hate is "it was all a dream!" But I digress...

However, I was intrigued enough to continue reading, and it didn't turn out too badly in the end. Quite enjoyed it, actually.

Will this be my last Koontz? We shall see.

I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz earlier books and I haven't read one of his books in a long time. I was super excited to be approved for this one on #netgalley.
Joanna Chase lives in Montana on Rustling
Willows Ranch. As a young girl both her
parents die and she is sent to Santa Fe to live with an aunt.
At the age of 34 Joanna is drawn back to the ranch along with a group of people from all walks of life.
Unfortunately I cannot describe this book any better as the plot was a mess and hard to understand.
The chapters were short but filled with so
much detail that was unnecessary.
There was also lots of characters that were hard to keep track of.
For at least 50 percent of this book I had no idea what was going on. The big reveal at the end kind of fell flat as I did not really
understand it.

This is truly a one-session reading for me! I stayed up till 3 AM because I knew I couldn't sleep till the end, and The End is exactly the focus of this novel. The End of Humanity is what some have in mind; far beyond a misguided attempt to return Earth to its formerly pristine [Before Humanity] condition, those in question operate from a Narcissistic megalomania which envisions the eradication of human greed and cupidity for eternity.


Because this is a Dean Koontz novel, there is Hope in the midst of Despair, Sanity and Stability in the face of rampant insanity, Perseverance of Determination. Thanks to a few, who become aware, Humanity is not going out of existence willingly nor gently.


Also because this is a Dean Koontz novel, the megalomaniac murderer determined to be the Last Man On Earth is not the only threat, not even the most terrifying. That threat comes From Elsewhere, and it's not new, but it is insanely determined on the COMPLETE destruction of the human race.

I have read many Dean Koontz books that I totally enjoyed but this one was too sci-fi for me. Really enjoyed some of the characters - Joanna and Jimmy Two Eyes especially. The horror parts were truly gruesome, as usual. Liked the abandoned town setting and the father and son stumbling upon it. I lost interest with the technical sci-fi artificial intelligence aspects that didn’t connect or make sense to me. The cult tie in was believable and added to the mystery of who was behind a house blowing up but then…. The ending seemed to make no sense and unfortunately did not tie all the dangling threads and questions I had together. Beginning and middle were a four star read but the ending was a one star so I am compromising with two and a half stars.
Many many thanks to Dean Koontz, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this soon to be published book.

I'm not entirely sure I understood what I just read. This is my first Dean Koontz book and maybe my last. This is not my normal genre but I thought I would branch out of my comfort zone and I can say that wasn't the greatest idea. Definitely not my cup of tea. If you enjoy sci-fi horror this book may be the right cup.

The Big Dark Sky is a stand-alone sci-fi/horror/suspense novel set in Montana, about a mysterious being with a plan that threatens all humanity, and the disparate group of people summoned to stop it.
I hadn’t read any Koontz for at least ten years, having had very mixed results in the past. This one falls bang in the middle - I liked the premise, the characters (mostly), the beginning and the ending, but struggled through the middle, finding myself frequently distracted and frustrated by the choppiness of the story-telling and the absurdity of the writing. It’s hard to say too much without spoilers as this is a book which delays revealing what’s going on until about the last quarter, which I’ll confess added to my frustration.

Joanna Chase is a successful author who has led a life of isolation since losing both her parents in quick succession as a child. Then a voice from her past calls her back, through apparent control of her car’s electronic system, to the remote Montana ranch of her early years. Asher Optime is a man on a mission - he wants to become the last man on earth by beginning a revolution that will exterminate the human species - starting with a collection of strangers to build the necropolis he hopes will inspire others. Ganesh Patel is an extraordinary scientist at the head of a top secret project to find out who is killing specific individuals by internet, and what their objective is. When these and other unique characters converge on the idyllic lakeside homestead of Rustling Willows, will courage overcome madness to save humankind?

First off, it’s unusual to meet a Main Character who shares my given name (but please don’t call me Jojo!) Joanna, Wyatt, Ophelia, Colson and Kenny were likeable characters who were easy to root for, but they didn’t get enough time to be fully developed amongst the large cast of supports - some of whom were introduced as potential victims then never heard of again. The way each chapter moved between them was maddening, and completely disrupted the flow of the story - what I presume was meant to be mini-cliffhangers to keep you turning the pages just ended up disconnecting me from the plot. I therefore found this terribly slow for a suspense novel, until the action ramps up in the final 10% and the various players all come together for the last act.

The writing - oh my, purple doesn’t even begin to describe it! “Slowly sinking toward the great mountains in the west, the sun had for several minutes bathed the ghost town in a honeyed splendor that made some of the weathered buildings appear gilded.” gives you a taste. There are assorted pop culture references, some for the author’s own books, and others that would probably give serious sci-fi fans an early clue as to what’s going on but went over my head. You’re deliberately kept in the dark as to whether the evil antagonist is human, metaphysical, supernatural or alien - I didn’t work it out in advance. It did all make a bonkers sort of sense, and I’ll admit I did like the twist in the final sentence.

I also liked the way pompous ultra-malignant narcissist Asher Optime’s story plays out - he pretends his crusade is for the love of nature, but as one character calls him out: “your crusade is not about serving the planet or bringing a miscreated universe to an end. Instead, it’s about your ambition, your pride, your ego, your sadism.” The chapters from his hateful POV mean that you’ll cheer when his fate is revealed (maybe that’s a spoiler but you don’t expect any other outcome in this kind of book do you?) I was hoping for more of an explanation of the “synchronicities” which are repeatedly mentioned and would’ve liked a more comprehensive wrap-up than the very rushed ending we get, but them’s the breaks! All of my advance reviewing friends have rated this higher than me so I’d say if you’re a big Dean Koontz fan, go for it, but I won’t be rushing to read any more of his supernatural/sci-fi stuff - although I do plan to read the Jane Hawk books some day.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
The Big Dark Sky is published on July 19th.