Finding Greatness

For my sixth book of 50 in 2013, I chose Forever Odd, the follow-up to Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas, which I picked up a couple of years ago in the sale bin at Barnes & Noble. I loved the first installment of the series and when I had the chance to pick up the second and third (Brother Odd, which is on my list to read soon) at a book sale supporting my kids’ school, I pounced.

As a brief, non-spoiler intro, Odd is indeed his first name, which is explained in the first book. He has the ability to see dead people, though he can’t speak to them, nor are they much help in solving mysteries, unlike most other portrayals of such gifted (?) characters. Odd leads a simple life, complicated by his gift, family and friends.

He is a bit anti-hero, which makes him all that much more heroic, supported by Koontz’s keen ability to introduce chapters from what appears to be left field yet has some reasonable bearing on the story. The narration is at times heartfely, sarcastic, panicked and wry. It makes for a fun read, and I find myself rooting for Odd not so much to save the day but just not screw things up too much.

I was fortunate to start this book as I was traveling from Vail back to Phoenix, so I was nearly two-thirds of the way through by the time I got home. I just didn’t want to put it down.