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Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
512 Pages
Synopsis: “I could be dead tomorrow. Or something worse than dead.”
Jane Hawk knows she may be living on borrowed time. But as long as she’s breathing, she’ll never cease her one-woman war against the terrifying conspiracy that threatens the freedom—-and free will—-of millions. Battling the strange epidemic of murder-suicides that claimed Jane’s husband, and is escalating across the country, has made the rogue FBI agent a wanted fugitive, relentlessly hunted not only by the government but the secret cabal behind the plot. Deploying every resource their malign nexus of power and technology commands, Jane’s enemies are determined to see her dead…or make her wish she was.
Jane’s ruthless pursuers can’t stop her from drawing a bead on her prey: a cunning man with connections in high places, a twisted soul of unspeakable depths with an army of professional killers on call. Propelled by her righteous fury and implacable insistence on justice, Jane will make her way from Southern California to the snow-swept slopes of Lake Tahoe to confront head-on the lethal forces arrayed against her. But nothing can prepare her for the chilling truth that awaits her when she descends the crooked staircase to the dark and dreadful place where her long nightmare was born.
Like the first two books in Koontz’s Jane Hawk series, The Crooked Staircase is a wild ride from start to finish. For a quick recap: A sinister and secret organization calling themselves the “Techno Arcadians” are planning on reshaping society to their liking through the use of nanotechnology. They are implanting nanos into the brains of certain people who they feel, according to their computer’s algorithm, will “turn society in the wrong direction.” Once the nanos are in place the Arcadians use them to control the “adjusted” person. Some, they have commit suicide, usually taking other people with them. Others are enslaved and either forced into sexual slavery or made to serve the organization in various functions. Jane’s husband, a former soldier, was one of their victims and as Jane, an FBI agent, began investigating his suicide, she discovered the horrifying plot. Now she’s been publicly discredited and after some horrifying threats, has been forced to place her young son in hiding with close friends, she’s now determined to bring the Arcadians down.
Before reading this series, you have to accept that reality gets skewed at times, particularly in regards to Jane. While this isn’t a fantasy and she doesn’t possess superpowers, given the sheer number of people she’s going up against, there’s no way she wouldn’t have gotten caught by now. The Arcadians have infiltrated virtually every segment of society, including law enforcement, the government, and the media. While she’s had several close calls, she somehow manages to not only escape but also to take out a few Arcadians as well. But Jane is such a phenomenal character, you really don’t mind suspending disbelief. The secondary characters, whether they be allies or villains, are always interesting and well rounded. In this installment, I was surprised that there were a few moments where I actually felt sorry for the main antagonist because of his backstory.
As with the previous books, this ends with a cliffhanger, but it seemed a little too abrupt especially given that what happens hits so close to home for Jane and her son. At the end there is the option of reading the first few chapters of the next book, The Forbidden Door, which is due out in October, but I personally don’t like reading excerpts in advance, so I’m just going to have to suffer until October.
I highly recommend The Crooked Staircase to readers who love strong female characters and high octane thrillers. If you haven’t read the previous two books though you might wind up a bit muddled, so you should definitely check those out first.
robbiesinspiration said:
I have read a couple of Dean R. Koontz books, Kim. Some of them are very good and some less so. This one does sound interesting. Thanks for the review.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ve had the same experience Robbie. I think this series is so far is his best work in quite awhile.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ve found the same thing Robbie. I honestly feel though that this series is shaping up to be one of his best in years.😊
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pcochrun said:
I liked it too. You’re right about her escaping every bullet, but the ride is fun!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
She’s such an awesome character you just have to make allowances.
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beetleypete said:
I once read all of his output, Kim. But then it all started to get very ‘familiar’ and rather formulaic, I’m afraid. But he is still a best-seller, and has legions of loyal fans. So he won’t miss me…
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’ve had mixed results with his books myself Pete. When he’s on his game, I can devour a book in one sitting. Other times, I feel like beating my head against a wall. I have to say though that I think the Jane Hawk series is some of the best writing he’s put out in years.
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beetleypete said:
I think the last one I read was Mr Murder, in the 90s. I never got into any of his ‘series’ books.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Besides this series, which is one of his few that are pure thriller with no hints of supernatural elements, Odd Thomas is my all time favorite series by him.
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beetleypete said:
I have only seen that film. It was pretty good. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It was a great adaptation and Anton Yelchin’s portrayal of Odd was spot on.😊
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Beware Of The Reader said:
Excellent review Kim! But as I don’t like cliffy I’ll wait for the next one 😉
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie. Can’t blame you there.🤗
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fragglerocking said:
Like Pete I used to read all of his books and then gave up along the way. I might just check the out- but not until the whole series is finished 😀 I hate waiting for the next book to be written. In fact, I think if an author is going to write a series, he should get them all done and put them out all at once! 🤣🤣
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you might like these Fraggle. No “woo woo” stuff. And I absolutely agree with you. Stop the torture!😁
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The Cozy Pages said:
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been seeing mixed reviews of his more recent books but I still want to try.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think this series is one of his best in years.
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The Cozy Pages said:
Good to know! Thanks!
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deesradreadsandreviews said:
Sounds like an interesting series! Great review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Deanna! It’s crazy good.😁
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Claire aka Coffeeholic Bookworm said:
Jane sounds like a very strong character.. I would love to read this. Love the review!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
She is such an amazing character. I’d love to know what you think Claire if you decide to read it. Definitely start with the first book though.
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Claire aka Coffeeholic Bookworm said:
Will do!! Thanks 🙂
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Diana said:
Great review, Kim. I have never read anything by Dean but this sounds like a great series!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you’d like this series Diana.😊
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lostartofreadingblog said:
This series sounds pretty interesting and different from a few other Koontz I have read. I find his books to be a little hit or miss for me but I think I have only read about 3 if I remember right
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
When he’s at his best he’s up there with Stephen King for me, but other times he seems to go off the rails. The Jane Hawk series in my opinion is one of his best in years. You just have to be willing to suspend disbelief and hang on for the ride!😁
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lostartofreadingblog said:
I would agree that when it works for me his writing is comparable to King. But I might have to check out the Jane Hawk series at the library and jump in see how it goes 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay! You have to let me know what you think.🤗
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Carrie said:
Great review Kim! I keep avoiding Koontz but you certainly get my curiosity up with each of your reviews of his work.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie. I think you would like this series.
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Carrie said:
At this point I have no idea what books of his I tried way back when or I’d ask if they were similar. Of course we’re talking years ago and I may feel differently not too.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Here’s a few of my favs:
Odd Thomas -the last few books were a little wonky, but the last book finished the series with a bang and Odd is on my top ten list of favorite literary characters.
Mr. Murder, Intensity, Phantoms, Watchers, Sole Survivor, Lightning, Whispers, Cold Fire, The Bad Place.and the as of yet unfinished Moonlight Bay trilogy whose hero, Christopher Snow, is almost as brilliant as Odd Thomas.
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Carrie said:
I’ll jot these down and look them up at the library some time. Of course that list on there probably could be printed out and stretched around the globe at this point. I’ve done good to pick a few random ones off my Kindle that I own and read them lately instead of all ARCs though so maybe I could check out a title or two here eventually too.
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Jen said:
Well thank goodness you don’t have to wait a year for the next one, yay for that! And I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this series so far and it definitely has me considering trying one of his books again. I use to love him a very long time ago and then stepped away from this genre.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know! I’d be pulling my hair out!
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Didi Oviatt - Author said:
Dean Koontz is my step dads favorite author. I’m yet to read this one, but your review is excellent. I’ll have to check it out! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Didi. I think Jane Hawk is a heroine you’d really like.🤗
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Didi Oviatt - Author said:
I think so too! 🙂
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Zoë said:
Great review! I need to catch up on this one still.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Hi Zoe! I hope things are well with you and your husband. Have you read the first two books?
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Zoë said:
Things are going well thanks Kim, hope you are too! I have read the first two books and quite enjoyed them.
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Michelle Morrison said:
This sounds like a good book. I’ve read several books by Dean Koontz, and he is a talented writer, but I agree, sometimes his stories stretch reality a bit. I think the good writing makes up for it though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can’t stress enough tha I think this series is his best writing in years.
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