Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bantam (2007), 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Horror. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:With each and every new novel, Dean Koontz raises the stakes�and the pulse rate�higher than any other author. Now, in what may be his most suspenseful and heartfelt novel ever, he brings us the story of an ordinary man whose extraordinary commitment to his wife will take him on a harrowing journey of adventure, sacrifice, and redemption to the mystery of love itself�and to a showdown with the darkness that would destroy it forever. What would you do for love? Would you die? Would you kill? We have your wife. You can get her back for two million cash. Landscaper Mitchell Rafferty thinks it must be some kind of joke. He was in the middle of planting impatiens in the yard of one of his clients when his cell phone rang. Now he�s standing in a normal suburban neighborhood on a bright summer day, having a phone conversation out of his darkest nightmare. Whoever is on the other end of the line is dead serious. He has Mitch�s wife and he�s named the price for her safe return. The caller doesn�t care that Mitch runs a small two-man landscaping operation and has no way of raising such a vast sum. He�s confident that Mitch will find a way. If he loves his wife enough. . . Mitch does love her enough. He loves her more than life itself. He�s got seventy-two hours to prove it. He has to find the two million by then. But he�ll pay a lot more. He�ll pay anything. From its tense opening to its shattering climax, The Husband is a thriller that will hold you in its relentless grip for every twist, every shock, every revelation�until it lets you go, unmistakably changed. This is a Dean Koontz novel, after all. And there�s no other experience quite like it.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Fantasma
I *had* to read this book imediatly, couldn't resist :)
It's a good book, with lots of suspense but not one of Koontz's best. I felt there where few twists and most of them were predictable. Also, I was expecting a surprise in the end, but it never happened and im my opinion there were some loose
The caracters were good, we wish that all ends well for them and, as usual, it does, but there was something missing in it...
It's a good book, with lots of suspense but not one of Koontz's best. I felt there where few twists and most of them were predictable. Also, I was expecting a surprise in the end, but it never happened and im my opinion there were some loose
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ends.The caracters were good, we wish that all ends well for them and, as usual, it does, but there was something missing in it...
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LibraryThing member seldombites
The Husband was an easy but thrilling book with lots of twists and turns. One of Koontz's better novels, the characters are believable and the situations, while a stretch, are conceivable. Koontz takes everyone's worst nightmare - a family member kidnapped for a ransom they are unable to pay - adds
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a few twists and a bit of action, and finishes with a novel that is well worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member KevinJoseph
In "The Husband," Dean Koontz has stripped away the supernatural and science fiction content that gives most of his novels a distinctively creepy and otherworldly aura. What remains is a mainstream thriller pitting ordinary hero Mitch, owner of a modest lawn service company, against a kidnapping
Like many Koontz characters, Mitch isn't what he first appears to be. He's a highly-intelligent young man who has chosen a simple life of tilling the earth as a means of coping with the psychological torments dispensed by his home-schooling parents. Mitch's quick-thinking resourcefulness and grace under pressure come in particularly handy, it turns out, since the kidnappers have not only stolen Mitch's wife, but have framed him for her murder and forced him to turn to a wealthy family member to raise the $2 million ransom. Whenever you think things can't possibly get worse for Mitch, they do, ratcheting the tension to a point that is almost intolerable.
This is top-notch suspense fiction served up in a domestic setting reminiscent of Harlan Coben's best stuff, but infused with Koontz's distinctive metaphor-weaving and emphasis on theme. Here, Koontz is chiefly interested in extolling the virtues of love and humility over the dangers of relying on rational self-interest as a moral compass. All in all, the best thriller I've read this year, with some real substance behind it, too.
-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker"
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conspiracy that threatens his beloved wife. Like many Koontz characters, Mitch isn't what he first appears to be. He's a highly-intelligent young man who has chosen a simple life of tilling the earth as a means of coping with the psychological torments dispensed by his home-schooling parents. Mitch's quick-thinking resourcefulness and grace under pressure come in particularly handy, it turns out, since the kidnappers have not only stolen Mitch's wife, but have framed him for her murder and forced him to turn to a wealthy family member to raise the $2 million ransom. Whenever you think things can't possibly get worse for Mitch, they do, ratcheting the tension to a point that is almost intolerable.
This is top-notch suspense fiction served up in a domestic setting reminiscent of Harlan Coben's best stuff, but infused with Koontz's distinctive metaphor-weaving and emphasis on theme. Here, Koontz is chiefly interested in extolling the virtues of love and humility over the dangers of relying on rational self-interest as a moral compass. All in all, the best thriller I've read this year, with some real substance behind it, too.
-Kevin Joseph, author of "The Champion Maker"
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LibraryThing member TheTwoDs
I was a bit disappointed by this Koontz outing. The pace was lightning-quick, I finished it in 2 sittings. The tale was suspenseful at first, and a few strange twists are thrown in. However, two subplots are introduced that I thought would be explored much further than they were - the unorthodox
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(to say the least) child-rearing methods employed by Mitch's parents and the mysticism-infused ramblings of the kidnapper. When the book ended without delving into these, especially without exploring New Mexico, I was let down. In the end, the bad guy just seemed to be crazy and creepy. The fast pace and twists save it from being a complete disappointment. Show Less
LibraryThing member shivedheart
Easy to read - finished it in one night. Definately one of my favorites.
LibraryThing member blakeja
Another solid, fast paced, Koontz thriller. Nothing special here, just the usual formula, which entails sitting on the edge of your seat unable to put the book down!
LibraryThing member nvteklib
A tale of suspensful tale of the love Mitch has for his wife Holly. Holly has been kidnapped and Mitch, a gardener, has been asked to pay $2 million to ransom her. This is Mitch's harrowing experience of trying to rescue his wife.
LibraryThing member shejake
I loved the twists and turns in this book. At times, it's hard to tell the good guys from the bad.
LibraryThing member jaimjane
This book grabs you and doesn't let go. I picked it up at Target and started to read it and I actually bought the hardback which I do not do often. Koontz's books are always kind of a let down at the climax but it was very enjoyable until then. Buy the paperback.
LibraryThing member veroamore
borrowed from tammy; very different from most koontz in topic - no govt conspiracy, no aliens, barely even a dog (altho a golden does make a brief appearance in a critical opening scene); not bad, quick read, a little predicatable. does suck you in quickly.
LibraryThing member readingrat
I enjoyed this book. Koontz kept the pressure on the whole way through the book. I was really rooting for this average-joe main character as he battles bad guys, good guys, and time itself to try to save his wife. And, unlike the previous couple of Koontz books I have read, this one even had a
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decent ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member jsmith6299
Mitch receives a disturbing call from his wife, she tells him that no matter what happens she loves him. Then his nightmare begins. A kidnapper demands two million dollars. Mitch is incredulous, there must be some mistake. He is afterall only a gardener.
This is my second foray into the literature
This is my second foray into the literature
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of Dean Koontz. I read "The Darkest Evening of the Year" and was so satisfied I decided to read another Koontz novel. Koontz creates an atmosphere of simply contentment in Mitch's world and then goes about destroying it in the most terrifying way. You feel immediately engaged and bonded to the couple who feature in "The Husband". I am thoroughly enjoying this read and I highly recommend this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamaicanmecrazy
This was my second Dean Koontz after The Darkest Evening of the Year. It was a little slow in the hook, but soon turned into quite the little thriller! Something that readers may not know is that Koontz came from a terribly dysfunctional family himself; so he can write about that with authority.
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One thing I appreciated about this book was the random humor bytes...for instance, chapter 43 begins "He ain't heavy, he's my brother. Bull*^$#. He was Mitch's brother, and he was heavy." Show Less
LibraryThing member Jeyra
Koontz takes what ought to be a wrenching and horrible plot-line and makes it into something that is not only amusing, but ultimately hopeful. Contains mild language and some violence.
LibraryThing member sharlene_w
A page turner with not only one, but two very likable protagonists. I couldn't help rooting for both of them as they separately try to outwit the criminals that have unexpectedly inserted themselves into their peaceful life. I enjoyed every minute as there was no let up in the suspense.
LibraryThing member wispywillow
I tend to really like Koontz's protagonists, and this one was no exception. But it seemed there were unexplored options... or characters that made an appearance and then were never really seen again, such as Iggy. The Detective, who I thought was going to be a big help/hindrance in Mitch's
There were a lot of issues that left me wondering, "But whatever happened to so-and-so?"
Still, I liked that Mitch's profession followed him throughout the story, unconsciously to the character. He would notice scents of wood or flowers, see plants, etc.; and he would know their names and characteristics.
Not too bad at all. Not great, but an exciting, interesting read.
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problems, was sort of a non-entity, too. There were a lot of issues that left me wondering, "But whatever happened to so-and-so?"
Still, I liked that Mitch's profession followed him throughout the story, unconsciously to the character. He would notice scents of wood or flowers, see plants, etc.; and he would know their names and characteristics.
Not too bad at all. Not great, but an exciting, interesting read.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
This was a fast-paced thriller with a few slow spots. There's some rather flowery language from time to time that is an interesting when juxtaposed against the urgent pace of the story. The bad guy's ramblings about New Mexico get a little tiresome and are the source of most of the slow spots. The
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climax is satisfying, but the wrap-up is a little too neat for my tastes. It was a messy story, and Mitch gets out of it just a little too cleanly. Show Less
LibraryThing member ctfrench
Mitchell Rafferty’s happy living a middle-class life. He owns his own landscaping company and is deeply in love with his wife Holly. Mitch is somewhat amazed everything seems so normal for him, considering the way he and his four siblings were raised by his nontraditional parents. But his world
From page one, the book is packed with suspense and action, keeping the reader riveted to the story and rooting for Mitch to overcome obstacle after obstacle as he tries to find a way to save Holly. As always, characterization is excellent; no one does evil characters better than Koontz, nor the sweet romance between a good man and woman. Consider this another great book by the master of fiction.
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tilts off balance with one phone call, the man on the other end of the line telling him he has his wife and she will be killed unless Mitch can raise two million dollars within 70 hours. Mitch knows he can’t go to the cops because the kidnappers seem to know his every move, so turns to his older brother Anson. Anson assures Mitch he can get the money, but Mitch’s world crumbles when Anson betrays him. From that point on, Mitch is on his own and will do whatever it takes to return Holly safely to him.From page one, the book is packed with suspense and action, keeping the reader riveted to the story and rooting for Mitch to overcome obstacle after obstacle as he tries to find a way to save Holly. As always, characterization is excellent; no one does evil characters better than Koontz, nor the sweet romance between a good man and woman. Consider this another great book by the master of fiction.
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LibraryThing member SonicQuack
Dean Koontz continues his run of macabre thrillers with The Husband. In leiu of quantum physics and bizarrely intelligent canines the reader gets gritty in-your-face violence, twist after twist and a well painted picture of one man's reality-under-fire from evil. In the first third of the book
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there is a feel that this could have been a short story, however Koontz shifts up a gear and from then on it's a page turner. This one's a great place for any non-Koontz fan to start and existing fans should lap it up. It's easy going and great fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member ktiskewl3
The Husband by Dean Koontz is a novel about a husband’s struggle to get his wife back from kidnappers no matter what it takes. Throughout the whole novel Mitch Rafferty, the husband, is just a simple gardener who is happily married to Holly Rafferty. One day while Mitch is at work, he receives
The whole novel is indeed a page turner that keeps you interested the whole novel. I loved the way Koontz wrote this novel. The ending though was not as good as the rest of the novel. To me it just seemed like everything just stopped and all the bad went away. Overall, people who are interested in novels that talk about grotesque, horrible things that could happen to a happily married couple should pick up the novel. I’m really glad that I choose this as my first Dean Koontz novel.
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the worst phone call anyone could ever get. Holly has been kidnapped and the kidnappers want 2 million in cash from Mitch in exchange for Holly’s safe return. The whole novel is indeed a page turner that keeps you interested the whole novel. I loved the way Koontz wrote this novel. The ending though was not as good as the rest of the novel. To me it just seemed like everything just stopped and all the bad went away. Overall, people who are interested in novels that talk about grotesque, horrible things that could happen to a happily married couple should pick up the novel. I’m really glad that I choose this as my first Dean Koontz novel.
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LibraryThing member AuthorMarion
I have seen the name of Dean Koontz on many books and figured I'd give one a shot. Picked up The Husband since its premise looked promising. Was immediately drawn into the plot: husband (Mr. Average Man) must ransom wife for an exhorbitant amount of money. What to do? How to save the love of his
Midway through the story I became caught up in wonderfully descriptive passages like "agitated spiders plucked silent arpeggios from their silken harps" which seemed incongrous when placed next to the thoughts of Mr. Average Man Husband. I felt the sharp, short sentences that heightened the story's suspense were being abruptly interrupted by these wordy descriptions.
As the story progresses we find Mr. Average Man Husband going through great lengths to save his wife. There are some fine characters introduced along the way but we never really get to know them: Iggy, Detective Taggart, Daniel and Kathy, Julian Campbell. I would have enjoyed seeing more depth in these characters as they seemed to have much more to offer. Although we are given to glimpses of Holly's (the kidnapped wife) internal musings these, too, seem superficial.
The ending of the book seems rather contrived to me. As the suspense builds and we reach the climax, there is a sudden let down at the end - rather like someone who has been in a race that is suddenly called for rain.
I will give another of this author's works a chance to impress but certainly don't recommend The Husband unless you've read everything else Mr. Koontz has written.
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life? Little did I know that the best of the book would be contained in the first one hundred pages. Midway through the story I became caught up in wonderfully descriptive passages like "agitated spiders plucked silent arpeggios from their silken harps" which seemed incongrous when placed next to the thoughts of Mr. Average Man Husband. I felt the sharp, short sentences that heightened the story's suspense were being abruptly interrupted by these wordy descriptions.
As the story progresses we find Mr. Average Man Husband going through great lengths to save his wife. There are some fine characters introduced along the way but we never really get to know them: Iggy, Detective Taggart, Daniel and Kathy, Julian Campbell. I would have enjoyed seeing more depth in these characters as they seemed to have much more to offer. Although we are given to glimpses of Holly's (the kidnapped wife) internal musings these, too, seem superficial.
The ending of the book seems rather contrived to me. As the suspense builds and we reach the climax, there is a sudden let down at the end - rather like someone who has been in a race that is suddenly called for rain.
I will give another of this author's works a chance to impress but certainly don't recommend The Husband unless you've read everything else Mr. Koontz has written.
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LibraryThing member SFM13
This is the first Koontz novel I've read, and I will probably read others by him. He shows the characters' thoughts about the action in a way that you can truly understand their motives. Mitch loved Holly so much that he went to whatever lengths it took to get her back. Holly is able to see inside
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the sickened mind of her abductor and play on his psychotic musings. There are several twists in the story that brings the suspense to another level. This was a real page-turner! Show Less
LibraryThing member BinnieBee
Great! This would make a fantastic movie, IMO.
LibraryThing member Tmtrvlr
I love Dean Koontz books and although this may not rank as one of my favorites, it was still very good. This is a story of a kidnapping with a twist, and the characters are what you would expect from the mind of Dean Koontz. There are many surprises along the way and the struggle between good and
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evil is evident throughout the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Blazingice0608
Tough book to judge. It was an extremly fun and fast paced novel, much like Velocity was if you have read that one. Except this one had much deeper characters and a much more mysterious plot. However it had probably the worst ending from Koontz i have experienced thus far. It keeps you guessing
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until the end, waiting for a major plot twist, but it just never comes, everything turns out to be exactly as it seems after the one and really only major twist which is less than halfway through the book. ALOT of missed potential in this book, but still a fun read nonetheless. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-05-30
Physical description
448 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
0553589091 / 9780553589092