Helpful Score: 6
I made a comment somewhere else on this site that my favorite Dean Koontz books were Darkfall and Twilight Eyes. I mis-spoke. I have to add this one to my list of favorites. This is an excellent, creepy, scarey book that will have you looking at R.V.'s as you go down the road in a whole new light! The movie I thought was great and followed the plot pretty well, but of course just cannot compare to the multitude of details in the book. One of Koontz's finest works. AND I liked the fact that the hero in this book is actually a heroine. One who is an everyday, normal (though somewhat dysfunctional) woman who could be any one of us.
Helpful Score: 5
Intensity is a scary, scary book! The story concerns Chyna, a young woman with a troubled past, who through bad luck attracts the attention of a serial killer. Though she is relentlessly pursued, Chyna puts her fear aside to help another young victim.
I read this book in two sittings, though I would have read it in one had my vision not stared blurring. Intensity is like a really good scary movie - you are scared to look but you'll be unable to look away. Highly recommended for those who can handle reading about a sadistic killer without getting nightmares.
I read this book in two sittings, though I would have read it in one had my vision not stared blurring. Intensity is like a really good scary movie - you are scared to look but you'll be unable to look away. Highly recommended for those who can handle reading about a sadistic killer without getting nightmares.
Helpful Score: 5
I love Dean Koontz. I've read most of his works. THIS is definitely one of my favorites (the other is Twilight Eyes). This story is fast-paced....I didn't find it dragging at all. And I liked that it went into detail about the heroine's past. I thought the look into her past showed where her strength of character came from and why. I liked having that little bird's eye view. Needless to say this is an excellent book and difficult to put down once it's started. They made a mini-series out of it a while back which was good too.
This was the creepiest book I have ever read! I can't park next to or even drive down the freeway next to run down RV's anymore thanks to this book!!!
Helpful Score: 4
This is the book that got me started on Dean Koontz. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand out. Worth the read for any horror fan.
Helpful Score: 3
Very suspensful, nail bitting, edge of your seat. These are all words that describe this book. I found myself saying out loud "No, No, Don't" and "Hurry Hurry" to the main charicter, several times through this story. Very Very good.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the book that made me fall in love with Dean Koontz -- I listened to it on audio book while entering data at the IRS. I couldn't catch my breath it was so 'INTENSE'. Thank you Dean for such a ride!
Helpful Score: 2
This book was great! I love Dean Koontz, but this book took it to the next level for me. I couldn't put it down!
Helpful Score: 2
As an avid Dean Koontz fan, I couldn't NOT read this book. And I wasn't disappointed. "Intensity" is a good read. Perhaps not my favorite of his, but still very typically Koontz.
This novel starts out slower than most of his novels --- usually I'm entirely captured by the first or second page, he gets right into the guts of the story, but this time he paced the beginning a lot slower.
But in a relatively short time, things start to get --- well, intense.
Chyna Shepherd is staying with her best friend's parents over a school holiday and suddenly her entire host family is dead, and only she remains living. Having always been a passive person, not wanting to get involved in anything frightening or risky (thanks to a very nasty childhood), she suddenly decides this is something she NEEDS to put herself in the middle of, to vindicate her friend.
So she follows the killer. Learning that he has a 16-year-old captive, she vows to rescue her as she was unable to rescue her friend.
At first, the killer has no idea she's there, but when he finds out, things heat up a bit, and there are a few heart-stopping scenes of suspense.
The book takes place in only a 24-hour period, and each moment counts. And, as always, Koontz has a couple of intriguing surprises up his sleeve --- the identity of the killer, for one thing.
"Intensity" follows the story from both viewpoints, the killer's and Chyna's. Chyna's portions are told in typical 3rd person past-tense, but the killer's sections are told in the rarer PRESENT tense. It's a tad distracting at first, but you'll get used to it. My major complaint with this one was that sometimes, things went a little too slowly for me --- especially with a book called "Intensity." Sometimes Chyna seemed a little TOO smart, a little TOO lucky with the ingenious ways she came up with of escaping, and at times the suspense lagged simply because I knew she was going to get out and remain alive by the end of the book, I knew she wasn't going to have any problems. I wanted to see a little bit more of a struggle for her life and her freedom, more at close quarters with the killer. Most of her struggle came when the killer wasn't anywhere near, and wouldn't be anywhere near for hours.
One of the earlier reviews for this book was, I have to say, a tad misleading, because he DOES employ a couple of his usual devices, though not in the same way. There are definitely dogs --- several of them, in fact --- though they don't save the day. And there IS a law officer in this book --- though, again, not in the typical way he uses them. And I'm not too sure about everyone's assertions that the french film "Haute Tension" was a rip-off of Dean Koontz's novel. There also happens to be a french novel called "Haute Tension" that the french FILM is more likely to be based on --- that book was published three years earlier than Koontz's "Intensity." Just because it has a similar set-up doesn't mean it's BASED on this novel --- TONS of films have similar set-ups, especially in the horror genre! And I think it's fairly insulting to Dean Koontz to try and attach his name to such an awful excuse for a movie.
On the whole, "Intensity" was wonderfully written, and exciting to read. Yet another fantastic adventure from Dean Koontz.
This novel starts out slower than most of his novels --- usually I'm entirely captured by the first or second page, he gets right into the guts of the story, but this time he paced the beginning a lot slower.
But in a relatively short time, things start to get --- well, intense.
Chyna Shepherd is staying with her best friend's parents over a school holiday and suddenly her entire host family is dead, and only she remains living. Having always been a passive person, not wanting to get involved in anything frightening or risky (thanks to a very nasty childhood), she suddenly decides this is something she NEEDS to put herself in the middle of, to vindicate her friend.
So she follows the killer. Learning that he has a 16-year-old captive, she vows to rescue her as she was unable to rescue her friend.
At first, the killer has no idea she's there, but when he finds out, things heat up a bit, and there are a few heart-stopping scenes of suspense.
The book takes place in only a 24-hour period, and each moment counts. And, as always, Koontz has a couple of intriguing surprises up his sleeve --- the identity of the killer, for one thing.
"Intensity" follows the story from both viewpoints, the killer's and Chyna's. Chyna's portions are told in typical 3rd person past-tense, but the killer's sections are told in the rarer PRESENT tense. It's a tad distracting at first, but you'll get used to it. My major complaint with this one was that sometimes, things went a little too slowly for me --- especially with a book called "Intensity." Sometimes Chyna seemed a little TOO smart, a little TOO lucky with the ingenious ways she came up with of escaping, and at times the suspense lagged simply because I knew she was going to get out and remain alive by the end of the book, I knew she wasn't going to have any problems. I wanted to see a little bit more of a struggle for her life and her freedom, more at close quarters with the killer. Most of her struggle came when the killer wasn't anywhere near, and wouldn't be anywhere near for hours.
One of the earlier reviews for this book was, I have to say, a tad misleading, because he DOES employ a couple of his usual devices, though not in the same way. There are definitely dogs --- several of them, in fact --- though they don't save the day. And there IS a law officer in this book --- though, again, not in the typical way he uses them. And I'm not too sure about everyone's assertions that the french film "Haute Tension" was a rip-off of Dean Koontz's novel. There also happens to be a french novel called "Haute Tension" that the french FILM is more likely to be based on --- that book was published three years earlier than Koontz's "Intensity." Just because it has a similar set-up doesn't mean it's BASED on this novel --- TONS of films have similar set-ups, especially in the horror genre! And I think it's fairly insulting to Dean Koontz to try and attach his name to such an awful excuse for a movie.
On the whole, "Intensity" was wonderfully written, and exciting to read. Yet another fantastic adventure from Dean Koontz.
Helpful Score: 2
I think I might be the only person I know who doesnt like this book. I hated it. I got about halfway through before giving up. It started out good but quickly went downhill. I disliked Chyna, I thought she was a fool. Edgler was some serious kind of messed up. And I find Dean Koontz's writing style to be overly descriptive. I can't even express how much I dispised this book.
Helpful Score: 2
The title describes this book perfectly. I thought this book was scarier than any other Dean Koontz book I've read. Reason being it is more realistic than any other of his. No mystical powers or oddities of nature. No this book is just about a sadistic killer and the girl that tries to stop him.
Helpful Score: 2
I read a lot of Koontz, most of it being sci fi did not unnerve me. This however I had to read in a day or I would have never slept that night. Great book cover to cover! Intensity is a prefect title for this book. Need I say more?
Helpful Score: 1
Very good!! It had its scary moments, but I loved it!
Helpful Score: 1
Quick paced thriller.
Helpful Score: 1
Jump into the seat and be ready for one thrilling roller coaster ride. Intensity grabs ahold of you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the end. Even though there was times that I wanted to reach into the book and slap the main character, Chyna. Only because of all the thinking and not doing. This does not deter from the book though.
Helpful Score: 1
I must say, what a ride! There were times I wanted to strangle the main character myself asking out loud, "what are you doing?!". I thought I had the end figured out and even tho I was close, I didn't entirely get it. Great read & my first by Koontz. I'll be checking out more from this author!
Helpful Score: 1
I just can't get enough of Koontz when he is really on a roll. This one has very, very wierd connotations involved.
Helpful Score: 1
By far my favorite Dean Koontz book, even the movie was great and intense (no pun intended). I didn't like the 2nd one though as well that he wrote that followed this book. Wonderful read, and highly recommended and suspensful!
Helpful Score: 1
I dont typically read horror and I am not a fan of Stephen King. I read this book one weekend because there was nothing else at the beach house to read and it scared me to pieces. The descriptions in some areas were so compelling to me I had to close the book and walk away. Well worth the read.
Helpful Score: 1
An amazing story! My favorite Dean Koontz book of all!!
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Koontz read. It sunk the hook deep! The only book I have finished in one sitting in my whole life! It grabbed my attention and refused to let go. I love this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Another phychological thriller from the best
Helpful Score: 1
Chyna Shepard is a twenty six year old college student who decides to take the first vacation of her adult life, with her one and only friend. Life QUICKLY does a turn for the worst, and Chyna is in a rescue mission, that turns into much, much more than she ever expected!
This book is the best book I have read in a LONG time! And as the title reveals....it is VERY INTENSE!!! It has you acheing for more! You can't go wrong with this book, if you love mystery, thriller books!
This book is the best book I have read in a LONG time! And as the title reveals....it is VERY INTENSE!!! It has you acheing for more! You can't go wrong with this book, if you love mystery, thriller books!
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not a big Koontz fan but this book grabbed me from the get go. It's exciting and contains many twists. See if you can figure out the surprise ending by seeing the clues Koontz scatters throughout! Exciting, quick read.
Helpful Score: 1
Love Mr.Koontz!!! This is great in his style and kept me eager for the next page.
Helpful Score: 1
Super intense reading. Drags somewhat in middle and I found myself skimming. Most definitely a must read for Koontz fans.
Helpful Score: 1
This book will pin-you-to-your-chair with the suspense in it. This book has posssibly the best female character yet in a thriller.
Helpful Score: 1
This book lives up to its name.
Helpful Score: 1
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite author's, its a great book!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very scary!
Helpful Score: 1
oh my gosh, talk about intense! i could not put this book down, the first book i've ever read from koontz, but i seriously want to start reading more from him after this!
Helpful Score: 1
Intensity by Dean Koonz. As with his other novels, this one will chill you to your bones.
If you enjoyed Paul Harvey on the radio, youll love his book on the rest of the story of real life mysteries.
If you enjoyed Paul Harvey on the radio, youll love his book on the rest of the story of real life mysteries.
Helpful Score: 1
Really scary and yet you can't put it down
Helpful Score: 1
Prepare to be scared!!!!!
Helpful Score: 1
Koontz is a writer that makes you sit on the edge of your chair and jump at what happens. Typical Koontz. Great exciting reading
Helpful Score: 1
Great book--impossible to stop reading. Nothing but page-turning suspense all the way thru.
Helpful Score: 1
thrilling read, scary
Helpful Score: 1
Chyna Shepherd faces indescribable emotional and physical challenges on what should have been a relaxing four day college break. Seeing those close to her murdered forces an intense, yet brief self-evaluation that changes her life forever. The killer, who never knows fear faces Chyna, an unexpected passenger on his murderous rampage. Chyna realizes her whole life has prepared her for the most intense moments of her life.
Helpful Score: 1
A sociopath leaves death and destruction in his wake. A woman struggling to conquer childhood demons. She bears witned to his senseless slaughter and wants to stop him.. I enjoyed readig this. Read it in 3 hours...
Excellent reading
Another Koontz great read, hard to put down!
This is the best book that I have read so far by Dean R. Koontz. Very fast paced and deep in suspense.
A great author who always writes well. This is a very spooky and intense story with a courageous heroine and a very evil guy. I think they made a TV movie from this one.
This was a good read. I liked that it grabbed my attention from the very beginning, then held on till the last page. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good thriller!
Koontz at his best! Can't put it down!
This is one of my favorite Koontz books. Very suspenseful and believable. Not his typical writing.
This book is well named. It was very intense at times. Chyna is a survivor and kept fighting back against the murderous sociopath. I had to put the book down at times and come back to it.
This book lives up to it's title, Intensity. Can you say suspense? Reading this book was just like watching a movie. Intensity has an interesting story line and captures you the whole way. Some of the situations were a little drawn out but overall this is a great book. I will be reading more books by Dean Koontz and will recommend it to others.
Totally engrossing, couldn't put it down!
You won't be able to put this one down once you start! Though not his usual fare, was a very good read.
very intense
Great read! Very fast paced and intense. Could not put it down!!
good book
Read it in one day, what a great read!
great book
I love Dean Koontz and out of all of his books, this is my absolute favorite. I've lost count of how many times I've read it and loved it even more when the tv movie of it was made. Totally "intense" and just excellent!
This book was very good from page 1 to the end.This book was so hard to put down I read it in 1 day.
The title says it all! It is Intense!! Great book!
At one o'clock in the morning, in a house in Napa Valley, California, Chyna Shepherd, twenty-six, sits at a guest-room window, gazing at the moonlit vineyards. A dark and turbulent childhook has taught her to fear strange houses. Now she cannot sleep on the first night in the home of her college friend Laura. Instinct proves reliable. A muffled scream from another room alarms her. Soon it is evident that a homicidal sociopath, Edgler Vess, is intent on killing everyone in the house. Life has taught Chyna to be a survivor, but now she will be tested as never before.
Through a series of astonishing developments, Chyna finds herself inside Vess's motor home-a dungeon and morgue on wheels-without his being aware of her presence. Vess lives for one purpose: to satisfy all appetites as they arise, to seek ever more outrageous experience, to immerse himself in sensation, to live with intensity. And now Chyna is trapped in his dangerous orbit.
At first her sole aim is to get out alive. But when she learns the identity of the killer's next intended victim and when circumstances ensure that only she can save that precious life, she must face the fact that a moral life requires the acceptance of unwanted responsibilities. She discovers depths of courage that she didn't know she possessed-and takes risks beyond any that she ever imagined she could endure.
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors and this book IS intense. It's quite the page-turner.
Through a series of astonishing developments, Chyna finds herself inside Vess's motor home-a dungeon and morgue on wheels-without his being aware of her presence. Vess lives for one purpose: to satisfy all appetites as they arise, to seek ever more outrageous experience, to immerse himself in sensation, to live with intensity. And now Chyna is trapped in his dangerous orbit.
At first her sole aim is to get out alive. But when she learns the identity of the killer's next intended victim and when circumstances ensure that only she can save that precious life, she must face the fact that a moral life requires the acceptance of unwanted responsibilities. She discovers depths of courage that she didn't know she possessed-and takes risks beyond any that she ever imagined she could endure.
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors and this book IS intense. It's quite the page-turner.
My husband read this and said that the name is VERY appropriate. Very intense, very graphic. Kept him on the edge of his seat!
Out of the thirty-plus Dean Koontz books that I've read, Intensity is my favorite. Edge of your seat type of suspense you're sure to enjoy.
I'm going to give this a medium rating, because it IS well written, but it was just too scary for me, so I couldn't finish it.
From back cover: Past midnight, Chyna Shepherd, twenty-six, gazed out a moonlit window, unable to sleep on her first night in the Napa Valley home of her best friend's family. Instinct proves reliable. A murderous sociopath, Edgler Forman Vess, has entered the house, intent on killing everyone inside. A self-proclaimed "homicidal adventure," Vess lives only to satisfy all appetites as the arise, to immense himself in sensation, t o live without fear, remorse or limits, to live with intensity. Chyna is trapped in his deadly orbit.
Chyna is a survivor, toughened by a lifelong struggle for safety and self-respect. Now she will be tested as never before. At first her sole aim is to get out alive-until, by chance, she learns the identity of Vess's next intended victim, a faraway innocent only she can save. Driven by a newly discovered thirst for meaning beyond mere self-preservation, Chyna musters every inner resource she has to save an endangered girl--as moment by moment, the terrifying threat Edgler Foreman Vess intensifies.
From back cover: Past midnight, Chyna Shepherd, twenty-six, gazed out a moonlit window, unable to sleep on her first night in the Napa Valley home of her best friend's family. Instinct proves reliable. A murderous sociopath, Edgler Forman Vess, has entered the house, intent on killing everyone inside. A self-proclaimed "homicidal adventure," Vess lives only to satisfy all appetites as the arise, to immense himself in sensation, t o live without fear, remorse or limits, to live with intensity. Chyna is trapped in his deadly orbit.
Chyna is a survivor, toughened by a lifelong struggle for safety and self-respect. Now she will be tested as never before. At first her sole aim is to get out alive-until, by chance, she learns the identity of Vess's next intended victim, a faraway innocent only she can save. Driven by a newly discovered thirst for meaning beyond mere self-preservation, Chyna musters every inner resource she has to save an endangered girl--as moment by moment, the terrifying threat Edgler Foreman Vess intensifies.
I loved this book. It was my first Koontz and it got me hooked forever. I read this outloud to my husband on a road trip and we could not wait to get back in the car to hear the rest of the story.
The most heart-stopping novels I've ever read! Left me breathless throughout.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat from start to end. I finished this book in two days.
I read this book years ago; and yet there are still scenes that I can remember so vividly as if I just read them.
A great thriller!
A great thriller!
This is THE most terrifying and fantastic book that I have ever read. It grabs you from the first chapter and holds you right on through to the ending. I read the book first and then saw the movie-I couldn't tell you which was better. After you read this book, you will ALWAYS think about leaving a room like you have never been in it. Think "Norman" stayed with you from the shower scene at Bates Hotel? HA! That was nothing! You have got to read this one!
This is Dean Koontz near his best form. He has created a scenario that is , at twenty four hours, very intense indeed. The three main characters are a young adult woman, a very young girl, and a supremely evil adult male. As the story unfolds, the young adult woman discovers far more character than she was aware that she possessed. A short read, but a good "edge of your seat" story that does a good job of entertaining. Well done.
I read about half and the story didn't move very fast for my taste.
I was screaming at the end of this book. EXCITING!
Riveting!! One of only a few books that I could not put down.
Dean Koontz is always a thrilling and great read.
Scary Book. Could not put it down.
This is far and away the best one of Dean Koontz's books. I could hardly put it down. Keeps you on the edge of your seat through the entire story.
A pin-you-to-the-chair tale of suspense,with a protagonist who is possibly the best female character yet in the genre. Classy..swiftly paced, and as largely and sharple tetailed as an IMAX movie.
heres a book, that will keep you on your toes!
If you are a Stephen King fan, and haven't read Dean Koontz, you owe it to yourself to discover his writing!
intensity lives up to its name
a taut nerve tingling thriller from page one.
a taut nerve tingling thriller from page one.
Chyna Shepherd is visiting her best friend's family. Sociopath Edgler Vess sneaks in the house intent on killing everyone on the premises.
Chyna must escape for her own sake and for the sake of his next victims.
Dean Koontz at his finest!
Chyna must escape for her own sake and for the sake of his next victims.
Dean Koontz at his finest!
Gosh! This is my favorite Koontz novel yet! I felt as though I were right there with Chyna, Laura, and Ariel when Vess was after them. The ending was very different than I expected and I was totally shocked! Very good!
A really creepy, fascinating book by Koontz. One of my favorites by him.
Chyna Shepherd is a twenty-six-year-old woman whose deeply troubled childhood taught her the hard rules of survival, and whose adult life has been an unrelenting struggle for self-respect and safety. Now rare trust has blossomed for Chyna into friendship with the woman whose family home she is visiting for the weekend: a farm in the Napa Valley surrounded by vineyards and hills, which Chyna can see from the guest-room window where she sits at one o'clock in the morning, fully dressed, unable to sleep. Suspicions she learned in childhood still make her uneasy in unfamiliar houses - even this one, where her closest friend is sound asleep down the hall. And in this case her most disturbing instincts prove reliable. A man has entered the house, a man who lives for one purpose: to satisfy all appetites as they arise, to immerse himself in sensation, to live without fear, remorse, or limits - to live with intensity. His name is Edgler Foreman Vess. He likes to make words from the letters of his name - God, Demon, Save, Rage, Anger, Fear, Forever, are just a few of them - and then make sentences of the words. One of his favorites, God Fears Me, is sometimes the last thing he whispers to his victims. Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer": On this night, his adventure - murdering everyone in the house - becomes Chyna's long nightmare. Trapped in Vess's deadly orbit, Chyna thinks only of getting out alive. But when she inadvertently learns the identity of Vess's intended next victim, waiting for him far from the Napa Valley, Chyna is gripped by concern for this other person, who is as innocent as Chyna, and as endangered. Driven now by a sense of responsibility for another, by a purpose and meaning beyond mere self-preservation, Chyna rises to unexpected heights of courage and daring - her only hope as the threat of Edgler Foreman Vess closes in and grows more horrifying moment by moment.
I couldn't put this book down.
If you like a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of story, with a strong heroine and a sick serial killer, then this book is a must read.
If you like a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of story, with a strong heroine and a sick serial killer, then this book is a must read.
WOW! Intense it is! A great book that keeps you on edge from the very beginning.
Chyna Shepherd is a twenty-six-year-old woman whose deeply troubled childhood taught her the hard rules of survival, and whose adult life has been an unrelenting struggle for self-respect and safety. Now rare trust has blossomed for Chyna into friendship with the woman whose family home she is visiting for the weekend: a farm in the Napa Valley surrounded by vineyards and hills, which Chyna can see from the guest-room window where she sits at one o'clock in the morning, fully dressed, unable to sleep. Suspicions she learned in childhood still make her uneasy in unfamiliar houses--even this one, where her closest friend is sound asleep down the hall. And in this case her most disturbing instincts prove reliable. A man has entered the house, a man who lives for one purpose: to satisfy all appetites as they arise, to immerse himself in sensation, to live without fear, remorse, or limits--to live with intensity.
His name is Edgler Foreman Vess. He likes to make words with the letters from his name--GOD, DEMON, SAVE, RAGE, ANGER, FEAR, FOREVER, are just a few of them--and then makes sentences with the words. One of his favorites, GOD FEARS ME, is sometimes the last thing he whispers to his victims. Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer": On this night, his adventure--murdering everyone in the house--becomes Chyna's long nightmare.
His name is Edgler Foreman Vess. He likes to make words with the letters from his name--GOD, DEMON, SAVE, RAGE, ANGER, FEAR, FOREVER, are just a few of them--and then makes sentences with the words. One of his favorites, GOD FEARS ME, is sometimes the last thing he whispers to his victims. Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer": On this night, his adventure--murdering everyone in the house--becomes Chyna's long nightmare.
Great book. Very scary, the title says is all.
read it in one day, could not put it down
Harrowing story of a survivor .... toughened by a lifelong struggle for safety and respect... Now she's tested as she's never been tested before.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
i had to put it down a couple of times, take a deep breath, then pick it back up. it's one of his most intense, thrilling books ever, and i've read all of his!
"Intense" mad but intelligent killer...very suspenseful.
Great book!
As a Koontz fan this was a good read, but not one of my favorite Koontz books. A substantial portion of the story was looking back into the past of the main character. Possibly excessive?
I wasn't really impressed wit hthis book. It seems that Mr. Koontz took a departure from his normal writing.
My all time favorite Koontz book. Heard it as Audio CD and watched the movie version as well. Lovers of horror and thrillers won't be disappointed.
A terrifyingly suspenseful novel.
Synopsis: Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer." He is determined to kill everyone in a house, on a farm located in Napa Valley. Trapped in Vess's deadly orbit, Chyna (a visitor) thinks only of getting out alive, only to learn that he intends to kill her childhood friend.
Synopsis: Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer." He is determined to kill everyone in a house, on a farm located in Napa Valley. Trapped in Vess's deadly orbit, Chyna (a visitor) thinks only of getting out alive, only to learn that he intends to kill her childhood friend.
A book that is hard to put down- what a creep.
Past midnight, Chyna Shepard, twenty-six, gazes out a moonlit window, unable to sleep on her first night in the Napa Valley home of her best friend's family. Instinct proves reliable. A murderous sociopath, Edgler Vess has entered the house, intent on killing everyone inside. A self-proclaimed "Homicidal Adventurer, Vess lives only to satisfy all apetites as they arise, to immerse himself in sensation, to live without fear, remorse, or limits, to live with INTENSITY!
4.7 out of 5 stars
This was a thrilling read. I liked the tone and the characters. Those long over detailed descriptions just kill me though. If those were toned down and made simpler I would have given this one 5 stars as well.
This was a thrilling read. I liked the tone and the characters. Those long over detailed descriptions just kill me though. If those were toned down and made simpler I would have given this one 5 stars as well.
Chyna Sheperd is a 26 year old woman whose deeply troubled childhood taught her the hard rules of survival, and whose adult life has been an unrelenting struggle for self-respect and safety. Now rare trust has blossomed for Chyna into friendship with the woman whose fmily home she is visiting for the weekend:a farm in the Napa Valley surrounded by vineyards and hills, which Chyna can see from the guest-room window where she sits at one o'clock in the morning, fully dressed, unable to sleep. Suspicions she learned in childhood still make her uneasy in unfamiliar houses-even this one, where her closest friend is sound asleep down the hall. And in this case her most disturbing instincts prove reliable. A man has entered the house, a man who lives for one purpous:to satisfy all apetites as they arise, to immerse himself in sensation, to live without fear,remorse,or limits-to live with intensity. His name is Edgler Foreman Vess. He likes to make words from letters of his name-GOD,DEMON,SAVE,RAGE,ANGER,FEAR,FOREVER,are just a few of them-and then make sentences of the words. One of his favorites , GOD FEARS ME, is sometimes the last thing he whispers to his victims. Edgler Vess is a self-proclaimed "homicidal adventurer":On this night, his adventure-murdering everyone in the house-becomes Chyna's long nightmare.Trapped in Vess's deadly orbit, Chyna thinks only of getting out alive. But when she inadvertently learns the identity of Vess's next victim, waiting for him far from the Napa Valley, Chyna is gripped by concern for this other person, who is as innocent as Chyna, and as endangered. Driven now by a sense of responsibilty for another, by a purpous and meaning beyond mere self-preservation, Chyna rises to unexpected heights of courage and daring-her only hope as the threat of Edgler Foreman Vess closes in and grows more horrifying moment by moment.
Why on earth would anyone want to read this grotesque and insane book. I couldn't stomach past the first 100 pages. As an avid Dean Koontz fan, I found this book to be a total dissapointment.
