Every once in a while, a literary piece is birthed that does nothing less than leave an indelible impression upon you. I think back to some giants of fiction that I read so long ago… Of Mice and Men or Lord of the Flies just to name a few.

While having been in the hands of readers for over 7 years now, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz is just one of those types of novels.

I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz. I remember reading my first Koontz novel in 1992… Phantoms I believe it was. I was hooked than. But I while I have been collected his novels over the years, I have only read about half of his collection. Why? So I can savor it and every now and than, one or two a year, I can pick up one of his novels that I have not yet read and dive in deep.

That being said, I just finished his masterpiece with the strange name. Odd Thomas is the title of the lead character and the first in a disconnected series of 4 novels, the latest being released in 2008. Now, I have yet to read the other three, but my first comment is that instead of waiting 4 or 6 months, I am diving into the next one merely hours after having reached the last page.

Not only does this book’s narrative travel along the familiar prose of Koontz’s language, but it does what he is so good at doing. Weaving a spell-binding tale amongst eccentric, yet believable characters. The plot has twits and lurks with suspense, but is laced with a witty flavor and there are strong currents of human themes of deep friendship, dysfunctional family, true love, and raw heroics.

Odd Thomas is one of those characters that you find yourself caring so deeply about that I continued to think about him hours after I had closed the book jacket. I am left with his closing thoughts on the final page:

My name is Odd Thomas. I am a fry cook… and I have unusual days.”

Without discussing too much about the plot, I will say this: Odd Thomas has a sixth sense, a gift if you will, to view life that is somewhere between here and the afterlife. And he manages it with such a deep, human connection to himself, life around him, and those he holds dear and encounters.

Mr. Koontz has really outdone himself. I know I am only one in thousands of readers that have marveled at this book, but mine will be one voice that will be telling my friends who like a good read, to please pick this up and prepare yourself to be delighted, thrilled, scared, amused, and endeared to one very memorable character.