Collection
Genres
Publication
Berkley (2004), Paperback, 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:A man on a mission must come to terms with his forgotten past in this gripping thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz. In Portland, he saved a young boy from a drunk driver. In Boston, he rescued a child from an underground explosion. In Houston, he disarmed a man who was trying to shoot his own wife. Reporter Holly Thorne was intrigued by this strange quiet savior named Jim Ironheart. She was even falling in love with him. But what power compelled an ordinary man to save twelve lives in three months? What visions haunted his dreams? And why did he whisper in his sleep: There is an Enemy. It is coming. It'll kill us all...?
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member Schmerguls
On 2 Sep 1999 I read Chosen to Live and on 3 Sep 1999 I read Miracle in the Cornfield, both non-fiction accounts of the crash of Flight 232 in Sioux City on 19 July 1989 and when I saw in the Wikipredia article on that crash that a fictional account based on that event was contained in this book by
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Dean Koontz I decided to read the book--even though after reading Shattered on 18 Jan 1993 and Watchers on 24 May 1997 I decided I need read no more Koontz books. The incident based on the crash of Flight 232 takes up about 50 pages in this book--he has the crash occur in Dubuque, Iowa, rather than in Sioux City--and I read those pages with interest. But most of the book is fantasy and really boring reading and I had to force myself to keep reading. The ending is not too bad, but even with attempts to make the situation a case of multiple personality and great ESP it is still filled with impossible and nonbelievable events. I much prefer a thriller to be seemingly possible even if most improbable and Cold Fire flunks in that regard. Show Less
LibraryThing member DanStratton
I don't want to talk too much about the plot of this book. It has many twists and turns that are best experienced. It starts out with a man who is drawn to a specific place and time just in time to save a boys life from a drunk driver. A reporter who happens to be there tries to get the story from
Mr. Koontz's style is very polished and very easy to read. He doesn't let the writing stand in the way of the story and it slides easily along, always forcing you to turn the next page. I read this book in a few hours. It was wonderful. And, it taught me something about myself, which is his goal, as stated in an interview he did on ABCNews.com and for that I am appreciative. It is always good to learn something about oneself.
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him can only get a name. He wants his privacy and doesn't want to be made into a hero. The reporter doesn't think too much about it until a few days later she reads of another child on the other side of the country being saved by a mysterious stranger who would only give his name before disappearing into the crowd. A quick search reveals this man has been doing this a lot, all over the nation. The rest of the book is something you should read for yourself. Mr. Koontz's style is very polished and very easy to read. He doesn't let the writing stand in the way of the story and it slides easily along, always forcing you to turn the next page. I read this book in a few hours. It was wonderful. And, it taught me something about myself, which is his goal, as stated in an interview he did on ABCNews.com and for that I am appreciative. It is always good to learn something about oneself.
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LibraryThing member wispywillow
Not horrible, but not great. I recently read "Odd Thomas," and that I LOVED.
"Cold Fire," though, isn't as good. It started out wonderfully and I was extremely intrigued... but as it went on, the plot seemed to weaken a bit, to flounder.
I haven't read enough Koontz novels to know if this one is
"Cold Fire," though, isn't as good. It started out wonderfully and I was extremely intrigued... but as it went on, the plot seemed to weaken a bit, to flounder.
I haven't read enough Koontz novels to know if this one is
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typical of his works, but "Cold Fire" doesn't hold a flame (no pun intended) to "Odd Thomas." Show Less
LibraryThing member Mumugrrl
Jim Ironheart, a man of mystery, and Holly Thorne, a reporter from Portland, hook up in southern California to unlock the secret of Jim's incredible ability to predict dire circumstances under which someone is destined to die.... and in foreseeing it, he steps in and is able to thwart the
I've only read a few other Koontz books, but this one I really enjoyed because I couldn't see where the plot was going. I love being surprised by a book and this one just kept throwing plot twists throughout. It was suspenseful and original and I couldn't predict it, which in my mind, makes a great read.
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machinations of fate.I've only read a few other Koontz books, but this one I really enjoyed because I couldn't see where the plot was going. I love being surprised by a book and this one just kept throwing plot twists throughout. It was suspenseful and original and I couldn't predict it, which in my mind, makes a great read.
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LibraryThing member les121
A creepy and suspenseful read. It's right up there with Koontz's best novels like Odd Thomas and it's much deeper and well thought out than some of his more recent works. His writing is excellent, as always, with a fast paced plot and carefully drawn characters that pull the reader into the story.
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This is classic Koontz, a great paranormal thriller. Show Less
LibraryThing member timtom
Mildly entertaining, but easy to read (and to forget), perfect for a long flight. A bit far-fetched.
LibraryThing member ScribbleScribe
This book, is a very forgettable book. Don't bother with it.
LibraryThing member ajlewis2
My first, and my last Koontz. In spite of the fact that action happens and I was curious what on earth was going on, this book got boring fast. I only read a few chapters.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Others rate this book as "forgettable" and I already have. However, it was enjoyable and I finished it with relish.
LibraryThing member sallyawolf
Holly Thorne’s life and job as a reporter was at a stalemate until she meets a mysterious Good Samaritan named Jim Ironheart. Right before her eyes, he plucks a young boy from the street just minutes before a deadly truck comes sailing over the crest of a hill. Captivated by his blue eyes and
This book is about the power of literature to influence the mind of a boy to do extraordinary things with his gifts a force so influential that it last until his adult life, and the power of love to tame it all. I love this book and unlike Dean Koontz’s other books Cold Fire is not as filled with horror, just suspense and mystery that will keep you turning the pages. This was my second time through this book and it will not be the last. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Sci-Fi, mystery, suspense, love, romance, and books that change your life forever.
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humble manner she decides to use her skills as a reporter to track him down. What she finds was more bizarre then she could have imagined. The boy is not Jim’s only heroic act; stories all over the wire tell of a blue-eyed man who saves people just in time and then disappears into the shadows. When Holly finally catches up with Jim, she learns that he needs her. His gift of being lead to save people is tearing him apart, and without a little love to keep him together he may just go mad.This book is about the power of literature to influence the mind of a boy to do extraordinary things with his gifts a force so influential that it last until his adult life, and the power of love to tame it all. I love this book and unlike Dean Koontz’s other books Cold Fire is not as filled with horror, just suspense and mystery that will keep you turning the pages. This was my second time through this book and it will not be the last. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Sci-Fi, mystery, suspense, love, romance, and books that change your life forever.
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LibraryThing member andyray
This is surely worth the read, but it is not going to impress anyone as one of Dean's best work. It deals with telekenesis and is imminently forgettable after a few days.
LibraryThing member sallyawolf
Holly Thorne’s life and job as a reporter was at a stalemate until she meets a mysterious Good Samaritan named Jim Ironheart. Right before her eyes, he plucks a young boy from the street just minutes before a deadly truck comes sailing over the crest of a hill. Captivated by his blue eyes and
This book is about the power of literature to influence the mind of a boy to do extraordinary things with his gifts a force so influential that it last until his adult life, and the power of love to tame it all. I love this book and unlike Dean Koontz’s other books Cold Fire is not as filled with horror, just suspense and mystery that will keep you turning the pages. This was my second time through this book and it will not be the last. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Sci-Fi, mystery, suspense, love, romance, and books that change your life forever.
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humble manner she decides to use her skills as a reporter to track him down. What she finds was more bizarre then she could have imagined. The boy is not Jim’s only heroic act; stories all over the wire tell of a blue-eyed man who saves people just in time and then disappears into the shadows. When Holly finally catches up with Jim, she learns that he needs her. His gift of being lead to save people is tearing him apart, and without a little love to keep him together he may just go mad.This book is about the power of literature to influence the mind of a boy to do extraordinary things with his gifts a force so influential that it last until his adult life, and the power of love to tame it all. I love this book and unlike Dean Koontz’s other books Cold Fire is not as filled with horror, just suspense and mystery that will keep you turning the pages. This was my second time through this book and it will not be the last. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Sci-Fi, mystery, suspense, love, romance, and books that change your life forever.
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LibraryThing member Kimmyd76
As I finished the last line in this book I let out a sigh. Not for relief that it was the end but because it has taken me way too long to read it. It was my car book so I only read it in the car if we were running errands and I had a few minutes while waiting in the vehicle. So many times I wanted
This is an older book then my most recent reads by Dean Koontz. I love his writing style and have yet to read one I haven't loved! The beginnings of the story with the ability of the main character to predict disaster in order to save a person reminded me of the great Odd Thomas. I love the paranormal/sci-fi twist in a lot of Koontz novels. I can't wait to choose my next Koontz read, maybe will go in search of another oldie!
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to take it in the house to devour in one sitting but I fought the urge. I was able to drag it out, which is always nice when it comes to a favorite author.This is an older book then my most recent reads by Dean Koontz. I love his writing style and have yet to read one I haven't loved! The beginnings of the story with the ability of the main character to predict disaster in order to save a person reminded me of the great Odd Thomas. I love the paranormal/sci-fi twist in a lot of Koontz novels. I can't wait to choose my next Koontz read, maybe will go in search of another oldie!
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LibraryThing member ko40370
Started good and exciting, but just when the reporter hooked up with him, and I thought things would really get exciting, them perhaps as a team performing heroic, life saving feats, the book disintegrated into a psycho-babble mess. Ironically, the book ended on the note I thought it should have
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taken much earlier. Disappointing. Show Less
LibraryThing member SaschaD
Typical of Dean Koontz, this was an engaging and well-written read that falls short of five stars only because the ending left me feeling deflated for a reason I have yet to put my finger on; perhaps because it felt as though the book was a gift package that had been finished with a polyester bow
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when I wanted silk. Show Less
LibraryThing member sami7
Excellent book but the ending was kinda meh. But the journey was definitely worth it.
LibraryThing member PaulaGalvan
Jim Ironheart seems to be the ultimate superhero. He's good-looking, super strong, kicks ass, and saves lives, but he's also humble. He keeps to himself, never sticks around to take credit for his actions, and lives a quiet secluded life. That changes when he crosses paths with Holly Thorne, a
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reporter that witnesses one of his miraculous interventions. Having reached a low point in her own life, Holly sees the discovery of this vigilante as a boost to her career but soon discovers there's something sinister lurking beneath Jim's good-guy act. The first half of this book moves quickly as it chronicles Jim's conquests, but the second half gets bogged down in the supernatural aspects of the story as Holly helps Jim come to grips with his power and his past. The end brings it all together, but this is still not one of Mr. Koontz's best efforts. Show Less
LibraryThing member NaggedMan
Good writing and well paced but it really is fantasy and unashamedly so, and any suspension of disbelief is dispelled by the author himself in a plot twist towards the end. Not one of his best.
LibraryThing member SharonMariaBidwell
A re-read for me. Cold Fire feels like an unfortunately overlooked book, rarely mentioned and possibly not as remembered as many of his other titles. Yet it’s definitely one of his most solidly plotted books. Sure, the novel insists we suspend disbelief, but this is a supernatural thriller, so no
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one should have a problem with that. Koontz gives us a hero who has a power working through him. Our hero calls this power God, but it may not be a benevolent one. May not be good at all. Part of this book works mainly owing to the portion of human nature, which knows some humans don’t deserve to be called animals, because animals behave better. Ultimately, it addresses many questions. The two most important being, how damaged can a person be by disaster and grief? And how strong is the healing power of love? Show Less