Customer Reviews:
 very well read audiobook April 13, 2008
Maybe I enjoyed this very much because it was a very well read audiobook. Kirsten Kairos did an excellent job with the voices. I loved this story. Yeah, a bit corny in spots, but well worth listening to.
 Over the top charcters but you know something... April 13, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
im gonna give Darkest Evening of the Year the benefit of the doubt. Dean Koontz hooked me with this quick read of charcters who are so far from normal its...its...good! Like many of Koontz's latest novels, Darkest Evening has heavy religious undertones intertwined throughout the story. The heroes are extremely good. The villians are extremely evil. Not much detail, just a straight out suspense story with a few hokey twists and one hokey ending. Still, like I said, the story worked for me. If you want normal, drop this book like a hot rock. If you want "bizarro",welcome aboard.
NOTE: Strike the phrase "Not much detail"...Koontz gives the reader extensive information concerning golden retrievers and shelters. Very interesting indeed. R.I.P Trixsie
 Less then hoped for April 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm a relatively new reader of Dean Koontz, having been introduced to the author through the Odd Thomas series. Somehow, Koontz is able to take Odd Thomas through situations that require the suspension of disbelief -- sometimes a LOT of disbelief -- with a down-to-earth style and consistent characters.
Not so with The Darkest Evening of the Year. As a dog lover and golden retriever owner, I looked forward to this book, which successfully gives us some good information on animal treatment issues, gives us interesting characters, and builds suspense toward a climactic ending. Unfortunately, the ending is not only anti-climactic, but also unbelieveable. The author introduces events in the book that have a spiritual and/or supernatural element, but explores them only superficially. The final resolution is quite simply ridiculous, and I must admit to feeling a bit cheated!
Hopefully, this is simply a rough patch in an otherwise distinguished career for Koontz. I'm still looking forward to the next Odd book, with the expectation it will follow the others in style and construction.
At times mysterious, suspenseful, frightening, and heart warming, always emotional, The Darkest Evening of the Year has it all April 9, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Amy Redwing has dedicated her life to Golden Heart, a golden retriever rescue program. Her latest rescue operation takes her to the home of an alcoholic, abusive man and his family, to save their dog Nickie. While there, some strange things happen that make Amy wonder about this special dog. Soon, after she takes Nickie home, she realizes there is something about this dog that everyone recognizes, even her own two goldens, Fred and Ethel.
Then strange things begin to happen that link Amy and her boyfriend Brian McCarthy, and the dogs, to others in some very odd ways, leading them all to danger. What is it about Nickie that draws people together in the midst of their personal crises?
At times mysterious, suspenseful, frightening, and heart warming, always emotional, The Darkest Evening of the Year has it all. It is a study in contrasts between the inherently good and the twistedly evil. Our heroine Amy has her secrets, as does her boyfriend Brian, and these secrets have a way of sneaking up on us at the strangest times. Complete with engaging characters, nail biting suspense, and moments of revelation, I was drawn into Amy and Nickie's world and didn't want to come out until the final scene was completed.
The Darkest Evening of the Year begins fairly slowly though entertaining enough to keep me waiting to see what would happen next. Once the story really picked up, I found myself on the edge of my seat, wanting to driver out of my way just so I could continue listening to this story. I was totally absorbed in the story from that point on, watching the puzzle pieces fit into place leading up to The Big Reveal a the end of the story. Let me just say, the conclusion to this story was so totally not what I was expecting, which made it all the more enchanting.
Dean Koontz's love for dogs, specifically the Golden Retriever breed is evident on every single page, a true and moving memorial to his own not too long deceased golden, Trixie. Whether readers are dog lovers or not, they will treasure this story about the unwavering power of hope.
Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2008. All rights reserved.
I like dogs.... April 9, 2008
I'm surprised people are disappointed with the ending of this book. Given a choice recently, at the bookstore, between the latest Stephen King novel and this book, I opted for this one. I enjoy Dean Koontz books because the story will often feature a nasty individual, or several, that treat humans, especially kids, or animals with unthinkable cruelty, and yet the victims are usually rescued in the end and goodness prevails. I enjoy Koontz books because they make me still believe there is hope for us (I know that's putting a lot of responsibilty on the author lol) but I generally always feel happy at the end , and this book was no exception. The reason I didn't get the King book is because I generally feel creeeped out at the end and kinda hopeless (sorry, Stephen King)...So if you enjoy improbable happy endings, then here ya go...I like them and I like dogs.....
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