More of wot I have read…

Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz

I have read a few of the Odd Thomas stories and I guess the novelty and originality of them has started to wane as this book was a difficult read, slow and dull it failed to grip me and I struggled my way through it feeling unsatisfied overall. The writing was fine and the humour was sprinkled with a light touch but it lacked drama and felt unconvincing. Nevertheless it could just be me so if you are a fan I am sure you will make your own mind up.

‘Odd Thomas sees dead people…

They cannot speak to him or do him harm; but still, it’s unnerving, living between two worlds, facing our darkest fears.

Just off California’s Pacific Coast Highway stands Roseland: a mansion, protected by high walls. Odd finds refuge there, with the very pregnant, and very mysterious, Annamaria.

But the house contains terrible and bloody secrets. It is haunted by lingering spirits, and by nameless beasts which lurk in the grounds, riding the shifting tides of time.

Lately, Odd has suffered dreams of doom and terror. Roseland has welcomed him in; but will it ever let him leave?’

The Man Who Was Thursday by G K Chesterton

This is an odd little book that suffers somewhat from dated attitudes and sensibilities that are possible lost on me. The writing is interesting if occasionally archaic and the humour is often baffling. The plot seems to be obvious at times but this might be intentional, I am not sure if it was planned this way or is just naive. But for all of this the story is entertaining and rattles along at a good pace to its conclusion making some interesting political, social and religious comments along the way. I think it is worth it to read something different from the often hyper real violent crime / spy stories of today.

‘In this strange, haunting novel of anarchists and undercover policemen, Gabriel Syme is sent by Scotland Yard to infiltrate the Central Anarchist Council, and soon finds himself voted to the position of ‘Thursday’. As Syme digs deeper, his discoveries about the anarchists and their plans lead to a desperate chase across Europe. But he has still to face the greatest terror that the Council has: the leader, Sunday…’