What We’re Reading

Brother Odd | Dean Koontz

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Unable to deal with life in his hometown, Pico Mundo, Odd Thomas has retreated to St. Bartholomew’s, where he hoped to find some peace. Telling his secret only to those necessary, he manages for a time to live a quiet life, piquing curiosity, but being left alone. The arrival of bodachs with his first ever snow storm changes all that.

What begins as the mystery of Brother Timothy’s disappearance quickly spirals into an ever-growing and changing puzzle. While Odd knows something is coming and the children must be protected, he can’t explain to anyone what, why or how, which makes the planning more than a little difficult.

Elvis continues to pop in for comic relief as Odd struggles to make sense of things he’s never seen and can barely comprehend. The trusty Boo offers some help as well, but as a dog can only go so far.

In a race against not only the unknown but also the clock, Odd struggles to find a way to communicate with those who rarely do, in hopes of solving the riddle before it’s too late for anyone else.

I’ve loved Odd Thomas since his first story. Apparently some found his second tale to be lesser than the first. I’m not sure I was of that opinion, but for any who were, I can say that this installment should definitely please.

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Ruby | Francesca Lia Block & Carmen Staton

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An intertwining tale of two magical and troubled lives, Ruby is a gripping mix of fantasy and reality.

Ruby has always been different. Not just because she hides things.

She sees things. She hears things. She knows things. Her father has always ignored it. But she knows it’s real.

She moves across the country, to LA, to take a job as a nanny. She wants to be able to leave herself behind. An ex-boyfriend shows up at her employer’s door. Some things are easier said than done.

She leave LA and travels to England. Here the magic is stronger than ever. In the midst of what feels like only lies, she finds a family, her dream, and even herself. What started as a good cover story turns into a reality, freeing her from life-long demons.

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Life Expectancy | Dean Koontz

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Jimmy Tock came into the world on a night his family would never forget.

On his deathbed, his Grandfather awoke long enough to predict five terrible dates in the life of his grandson. Pacing between the ICU and Maternity, Rudy Tock had a stressful night, added to by the anger of his Maternity Ward mate, Konrad Beezo. Of course, a murderous clown would be a lot to handle any day of the week.

Despite the odds, the Tock family survives that fateful night at the hospital. What none of them realize is that the echoes of that ordeal will sound throughout their lifetimes, in ways they couldn’t imagine.

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