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Tick Tock
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Tick Tock
Author: Dean Koontz

Book Information
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780553582925 - ISBN-10: 0553582925
Publication Date: 10/3/2000
Pages: 352


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Audio Cassette

Book Description:
Tommy Phan is a successful detective novelist, living the American Dream in southern California. One evening he comes home to find a small rag doll on his doorstep. It's a simple doll, covered entirely in white cloth, with crossed black stitches for the eyes and mouth, and another pair forming an X over the heart. Curious, he brings it inside.  That night, Tommy hears an odd popping sound and looks up to see the stitches breaking over the doll's heart. And in minutes the fabric of Tommy Phan's reality will be torn apart. Something terrifying emerges from the pristine white cloth, something that will follow Tommy wherever he goes. Something that he can't destroy. It wants Tommy's life and he doesn't know why. He has only one ally, a beautiful, strangely intuitive waitress he meets by chance--or by a design far beyond his comprehension. He has too many questions, no answers, and very little time. Because the vicious and demonically clever doll has left this warning on Tommy's computer screen: The deadline is dawn.

Ticktock

Time is running out.

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Top Member Book Reviews

Krstine K. wrote on 9/27/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Very odd book. So odd it's intertaining.

Kari L. wrote on 1/4/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not Koontz usual writing style in my opinion, there is not much "depth" to the story. One of the funniest things he's ever written though! I laughed ALOT..very fun book to read! Worth an evening in front of the fireplace, yaya.

Nicole N. (drnikki) - Arlington, VA wrote on 4/16/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

As an avid reader of all the Koontz novels, I thought I knew what to expect, but he "got me" once again! As always, Mr.Koontz does a wonderful job of character development, with a fast paced and suspenseful plot. The closer I got to the end of this book, the more I felt like a joke had been played on me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! After "Intensity" I felt as if I had been through a grist mill...after "Tick Tock" I felt as if I had been through an amusement park ride and was still grinning.

Danny J. (DanJohnson) wrote on 5/4/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A little lighter fare than most of Koontz' work, but still an enjoyable read.

Carlos H. (TiTo) wrote on 3/14/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

A quick and fun read. Laugh out loud horror(?) best describes this book.

Vikki P. (vikki322) wrote on 2/4/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

C'mon how could you not love a book about a Voodoo doll that goes rogue and chases a man around town trying to kill him. There are scary moments in this story, but sometimes it is funny how the doll acts and what is done by the man in response to it. Then of course there is also the love story that develops and no not with the doll and the man.

Angela T. (angelatres) wrote on 2/18/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

By far the worst book I have ever read. The end was so bad. I read it about five years ago and I still feel very passionate about how much I hate it.

Christine P. (chrissy77) wrote on 3/19/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Tommy Phan is a successful detective novelist, living the American Dream in southern California. One evening he comes home to find a small rag doll on his doorstep. It's a simple doll, covered entirely in white cloth, with crossed black stitches for the eyes and mouth, and another pair forming an X over the heart. Curious, he brings it inside. That night, Tommy hears an odd popping sound and looks up to see the stitches breaking over the doll's heart. And in minutes the fabric of Tommy Phan's reality will be torn apart. Something terrifying emerges from the pristine white cloth, something that will follow Tommy wherever he goes. Something that he can't destroy. It wants Tommy's life and he doesn't know why. He has only one ally, a beautiful, strangely intuitive waitress he meets by chance—or by a design far beyond his comprehension. He has too many questions, no answers, and very little time. Because the vicious and demonically clever doll has left this warning on Tommy's computer screen: The deadline is dawn.

D. B. (Mahala) wrote on 9/8/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I'm not a great fan of Koontz and this book turned out to be not to my liking. It starts off great, I settled in for a good scary ride. BUT..... it turned into a comedy-horror story. Not my cup of tea at all.

If you want a good book for a teen or feel like some light reading (I read the book in 3 hours) then this one is for you.

Worth a read if you aren't looking for a fright, it is entertaining in an off-beat spoofy type of way.

Kathy J. wrote on 6/26/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great book. Funny, exciting, great characterization. I really enjoyed it.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Sheryl S. (sunshine79) wrote on 10/3/2009...


Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors but this book was not up to his usual standards. I read it when it was first released and recently decided to re-read it. The story had some scary moments and was a quick read but I really didn't care for the ending and thought it was dumb and kind of came out of nowhere.

Still, if you're a fan of his, it's not a horrible book and you will probably want to read it.

Raea B. wrote on 8/24/2009...


I have read most of Koontz's work and have liked, if not LOVED all of them. This book I was especially excited to read because it seemed to deal with *actual* paranormal phenomena instead of the usual Koontz "make it look paranormal to throw the reader off" style. So it pains me to say that this is the ONLY Koontz book that I have absolutely HATED. It's been a few years so I don't remember any specifics about why I hated it, but I clearly remember utterly hating this book. Such a shame.

Colette B. (gracy66) wrote on 8/23/2009...


I enjoyed this book it was fast paced and suspensful. It had great, likeable characters. There were some scary parts and then some funny parts. This is not one of Koont's better works but it was readable.

Sherry R. (Saffron) wrote on 6/5/2009...


This was a very quick read but full of suspense and humor. One of the funniest books I've ever read! Koontz keeps up the pace but also gives alot of laughs. Love it!

Caroline A. (Lilyflower) wrote on 1/9/2007...


Tommy Phan is a successful detective novelist, living the American Dream in Southern California. One evening he comes home to find a small rag doll on his doorstep. It's a simple doll, covered entirely in white cloth, with crossed black stitches for the eyes and mouth, and another pair forming an X over the heart. Curious, he brings it inside.
That night, Tommy hears an odd popping sound and looks up to see the stitches breaking over the doll's heart. And in minutes the fabric of Tommy Phan's reality will be torn apart. Something terrifying emerges from the pristine white cloth, something that will follow Tommy wherever he goes. Something that he can't destroy. It wants Tommy's life and he doesn't know why. He has only one ally, a beautiful, strangely intuitive waitress he meets by chance-or by a design far beyond his comprehension. He has too many question, no answers, and very little time. Because the vicious and demonically clever doll has left this warning on Tommy's computer screen:
THE DEADLINE IS DAWN.
TICKTOCK.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Sage W. wrote on 10/2/2006...


This is just an ok Dean Koontz book. There are a couple of good lines but it's not really scary.

Debra M. (dreamer) wrote on 9/11/2006...


Tommy Phan is a successful detective novelist, living the American Dream in southern California. One evening he comes home to find a small rag doll on his doorstep. Its a simple doll, covered entirely in white cloth, with crossed back stitches for the eyes and mouth, and another pair forming an X over the heart. Curious, he brings it inside. That night, Tommy hears an odd popping sound and looks up to see the stitches breaking over the dolls heart. And in minutes the fabric of Tommy Phans reality will be torn apart. Something terrifying emerges from the pristine white cloth, something that will follow Tommy whereever he goes. Something that he can't destroy. It wants Tommy's life and he doesn't know why. He has only one ally, a beautiful, strangely intuitive waitress he meets by chance or by a design far beyond his comprehension. He has too many qestion, no answers, and very little time. Because the vicious and demonically clever doll has left this warning on Tommy's computer screem,: The deadline is dawn.

Ty S. wrote on 4/16/2006...


this is a good book, rather sreepy. one of my favorite books by Koontz.

Casey M. (moraldeginerate) wrote on 7/23/2005...


As usual, a great Koontz book. Fastpaced, gripping, and satisfying!


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