Watchers: The Book That Proves Koontz Needs Watching

Watchers is one of those rare books that inspires either love or hate. I have yet to find anyone who feel neutral on it. Dean Koontz has created a novel and characters who are so memorable that most people have some strong feelings involved.

A complex novel and one of the rare Koontz's books that does not take place in a day or two time period, it involves an escape at a secret lab that is involved in creating new weapons... new genetic weapons. One of them, a super-intelligent golden retriever (golden and labrador retrievers practically being a Koontz trademark)finds or is found by Travis--an ex-Delta Force member who is convinced he is cursed as he seems to lose everyone and everything he has ever loved. Intrigued by the intelligence of the animal, Travis quicker than he wants, finds himself loving the animal and names it Einstein, based on the dog's incredible intelligence.

Einstein, quickly finds a woman for Travis to protect--Nora. A mousy woman who is being terrorized by a TV repairman. Not the bill, mind you, but the fact that this man has figured out mousy, timid women don't fight back and are perfect victims for his sadistic pleasure.

Saving Nora gives Travis someone else to help discover the true talents of the wonder dog. However, while they are just figuring out the extraordinary dog, someone else is figuring things out quicker. An assassin who has been hired to kill the scientists involved in the project finds out about the research and begins hunting the dog, eager to sell it to the highest foreign bidder. A cold-blooded, psychotic killer who is convinced each death adds to his own immortality, he will allow nothing to stand in his way.

Okay, already we have a standard plot with the familiar Koontz theme about not trusting the government and large corporations, the power of the individual and the redemption of love (for who doubts that Nora and Travis will fall in love?). But an added element, the second secret weapon has a psychic link to Einstein. If Einstein is the favored child, then this is the red-headed, illegimate step-child at the family re-union. A creature designed not only with exceptional intelligence, but a blood-lust. A creature created to terrify and kill. This other creation despises the golden child, uh, retriever, and is bent on killing it.

The psychological drama is probably as intriguing as the horror element. Nora has been convinced that she is unattractive and timid. Her personality crushed by the bitter woman who raised her, Nora learns to love and trust first Einstein, then Travis and finally herself. Travis, who is convinced he is jinxed, finds out that his survival is perhaps for a purpose. However, the horror of a genetically engineered and a psychologically deranged killer searching for the dog and the owners, creates a scenario that makes page turning happen quicker and quicker.

Two other "minor" characters, an NRA agent and a county sheriff prove much information, and ultimately a terrific ending. Their friendship and professional lives clash and mesh and re-blend into the most developed characters of the book. And there-in lie the flaws.

Nora and Travis's romance and even their personal lives can come off a little flat. The machinations of the story require them to fall in love and that is believable, yet the story and even their characters not only survive, but bloom. However, as it happens early in the story, it can come off as two-dimensional as a Harlequin. How much does this detract from the story? Not terribly, in my opinion, and is totally forgivable. The assassin seems to be wasted a trifle, as his character is reduced to a perfect one-liner near the end.

The story and Einstien give more than five stars to the book so any slightly flat character is pardonable. Any machinations can be ignored because it is a page turner. It, perhaps, suffers by what I call "Poltergeistisn" after the movie Poltergeist. Poltergeist was a truly frightening movie--in the theater. After the movie, on closer scrutiny, becomes a scare tactic that defies logic at points. Like why did the tree in the movie try to kill the little boy? It was scary, but later illogical. After the first reading, deep thought about the book could detract from the story. It never has bothered me, nor anyone I've loaned the book to, but it might.

The ending is a little forced, perhaps, but one that constant reader can be delighted by. An ending is one thing, but I am also delighted by the Author's Note at the end. It is one thing for a reader to be delighted by a book, but to read Koontz's thoughts it are funny and as enjoyable as the book. My main regret is that there is no sequel, though my mind has written one again and again. This is one that would make a terrific series, should the networks ever abandon their stupid "reality" TV shows.

Lisa's Final Thoughts

I own this book. I know I will have to replace it in the near future as it is one of the hardest books to retrieve from friends. For some reason, they keep forgetting to return it.

Plot: A+++

Characters: A- (the machinations redeemable by other characters).

Re-readability: A+++ One of the rare books I re-read upon finishing, not wanting the story to ever end. I've re-read it once again in the past 2 months. Can stand up to multiple readings even if you know what is going to happen.

Final recommendation: Buy it, don't borrow it. And if you have my copy, would you please return it. One of Koontz's best stories and one of the best I've ever read.