Loading
Lightning
Summary
Two perps-one a serial killer and the other a rapist who revisits his victims-test the limits of the 87th Precinct's detectives as they race to catch these maniacs loose on the city's streets.
"McBain has the ability to make every character believable-which few writers these days can do." -Associated Press
"McBain forces us to think twice about every character we meet…even those we thought we already knew." -New York Times Book Review
Read on the Scribd mobile app
Download the free Scribd mobile app to read anytime, anywhere.
Reviews
This is a really juicy one, lots of stuff going on. Eileen poses as a serial rape victim hoping to catch a rapist who is--get this--raping Catholic pro-life supporters in the hopes of getting them pregnant and forcing them to have abortions to show how hypocritical they are deep down. Yikes! Eileen does indeed attract the serial rapist, who ends up cutting and raping her. As if that wasn't enough, the 87th has to deal with a murderer who's killing promising young female track stars, and one is found in Ollie Week's precinct (the 83rd in this book; later, it's the 88th). Turns out the killer was a former Olympic gold medalist track star who missed the fame and attention. In this book it seems like McBain was trying to show just how crazy people can be. He succeeded.
Laura has a guardian angel who throughout her life helps her through trials & saves her from disaster. Turns out her "angel" is actually a time traveler from 1944 Berlin, Germany. She is an author & writes several books. Her "angel" falls in love with her & tries to save her & her son, Chris, from SS/KGB agents trying to kill them.
This was a great read. My one beef is the ever tidy ending it had. Things just worked out a little too well. Other than that- I was completely enthralled in the storyline and it kept me up reading a few times because I didn't want to put it down. It is one of Koontz better reads.
Suspense, Action/Adventure, A must read is what this is. I enjoyed all the characters in this book, they were real, interesting, I wanted to know what was next for them. This is an action packed story of Destiny. A quote from the book ‘Destiny struggles to reassert the pattern that was meant to be.’Would you like to have a guardian angel watching over you, protecting you, choosing your destiny? This book was jammed packed with greatness, I could easily see this as a series but Dean Koontz gave it all at once.I liked the fact that we follow Laura’s life from birth onwards. Her life journey seems like she doesn’t get any breaks but she begins to realize 3 things that are consistent, the trouble that follows her, lightning and her guardian angel. All the different emotions she goes through trying to figure out if she really has a guardian angel or has she imagined this savior during her times of being frightened, angry, shocked, confused and dealing with grief. Laura deals with so much in her story but I don’t want to spoil it for you, go out and buy this one if you have never tried a Dean Koontz book. It makes you think why do bad things happen to good people? And you understand how and why her savior loves and wants to protect her.The only part I didn't enjoy that much was the detail into the guardian angels world, a bit to much history for my liking.
**spoiler alert** I should have known from the scifi category that this was time travel and stayed away from it. The illogical time loops and resultant paradoxes that resolve key plot points drive me nuts. At least the story had an exciting main plot with only limited reliance on time travel and interesting twists. For my taste, way too many unneeded scenes that slowed down the plot, though.For those who've read the spoilers this far, you can start the book at chapter 2 of part three without much loss. The real excitement starts there. Much of the earlier parts is recapped in more unneeded scenes, but you won't have to read them twice.
One of his better books. Can't really think of a bad one.
Lightning by Dean Koontz is the first Dean Koontz book I have read. I had intended to read one of his books for quite some time and just hadn’t gotten around to it. However, on April 10, 2011 I just happened to see a story about Koontz on CBS Sunday Morning. I already knew he was a very successful author, but they reported that he had written more than 100 books, including 13 best sellers. They also advised that he ranks number 6 among the World’s best paid writers. As I watched the story, I realized that I liked the guy. Of course a TV news story on him is not necessarily an accurate depiction of who he really is. However, he seemed to be a likable, reasonable, and normal guy who just happened have a talent for writing that made him extremely successful. Therefore, decided I really did want to read a Dean Koontz book. My wife happened to see a list of time-travel books that are available as eBooks on the Kindle Reader blog. She gave me the list, which contained Lightning by Dean Koontz. I have liked to read time-travel books for many years so I decided to read Lightning. Oh my, I really liked this book! It’s a time-travel book, but it’s also a book about the first thirty years of Laura’s life, which are filled with the sorrow of losing loved ones and many difficult times living in orphanages and foster homes. It’s about Stefan, her mysterious “guardian”, who rescues her when her life is in danger several times during those thirty years. It is about her strong and enduring friendships, and her love for others. It’s about Laura growing into a very strong woman who takes control of her life. It’s also about Stefan’s love for Laura. Yes, Stefan is a time traveler who is in love with Laura and comes to her when she needs his help. That may not be an original idea. However, Koontz’s time traveler comes from a time and place you would never guess, and his agenda involves more than just saving her life. This book is an excellent read with lots of action, suspense, and engaging characters. I believe it is one of the best time-travel books I have read, and I recommend it strongly.
Time Traveler’s Wife-esque plot. This was one of those Koontz books in which it would have been better if he didn’t give balanced points of view; I don’t think any of the scenes from the villain’s POV were necessary. Some of Stefan’s were unneeded. Second half is a pretty standard chase thriller, with some boring paradox talk, meta self-indulgence and stock characters. Second quarter has a bit of a dip into that territory, but is relatively readable and there isn’t a forced rushed pace. First quarter is the most real and interesting, with character development and genuinely felt emotion. Laura’s also the most likable and relatable in the first quarter.
For the genre, it's a five star book. The best of the dozen or so Koontz I've read.
Koontz uses a dimension-based time-travel device to travel between Nazi Germany and the present.
I absolutely loved this book. I also read it when I was 15. I'd be curious to read it again to see if it has the same impact.
A fantastic novel, my first Koontz book and one of my favorates. The last third of the book wasnt quite as good as the rest, got a little too action/shoot em up for me, kind of brought the book down. But overall, a fast paced suspense novel that is impossible to put down.
It's been awhile since I've read a Koontz book even though I have quite a few on the shelf. This was a pleasant read. I wouldn't really consider this in the horror genre as he's typically grouped, but more of a suspense novel with a touch of sci-fi thrown in for good measure. Without giving too much away, it's basically a time-travel story with good character development. I really felt for the characters and was intrigued how things turned out for them. There was a twist about 2/3 in that I didn't expect though looking back, may have been hinted at and I was just not paying enough attention. This is also not a typical sci-fi time travel novel in that time travel is purely a plot element to move the story forward. So for you hard-core sci-fi readers, nothing new here and in fact there are some inconsistencies in the time-travel that you may pick up on if you pay attention.I did enjoy this and this just affirms why I enjoy Koontz so much.
This year, along with my King reread, I'm delving into my top 10 Koontz books again. (Probably Top 12, just so I have a book for every month, but I'm having trouble picking two more.) I have a theory about Dean Koontz, and it goes like this: He's only written ten stories in his career, and he's been rewriting them ever since. This one is structured an awful lot like From the Corner of His Eye and the absolutely terrible Life Expectancy, which is the only Koontz book I've ever given a single star to, other than his money-grabbing short story tie-ins.
Lightning has everything I miss about Koontz. Coherent plot, a theme, no uber-smart dog character, and enough heart to choke a cannibal. It's a damn fun book, if a little... old fashioned where ideas are concerned. Let's completely overlook the concepts borrowed from the movie Terminator. Let's also overlook the fact that a man changes the future because of instalove. Let's furthermore overlook that there are two stalkers in this book: one's a secret admirer and the other is a "guardian", so that's okay. After all, what's the difference between a stalker and your boyfriend? Your boyfriend's hot.
(These are the jokes, fuckface. Deal with 'em.)
If we're to forgive all this, then we can safely enjoy the book. I'm willing to do that for nostalgia's sake alone. I'd hate to think that a younger version of me passed by these things without so much as a raised eyebrow, but he did. So, because I'm cutting that blind douchepickle some slack, I'll cut Koontz some slack, too.
In summation: I wish I could travel back in time and slap myself for enjoying this book so much, but I can't Paradox!, as Chris says, over and over and over... I get it. Doctor Who is a lie, and H. G. Wells was on that rock. I can dig it. Read it for a healthy dose of 1989. Because not being confined to a wheelchair is worth risking Hitler winning the war. Logic. Set. Match.
(This review is brought to you by Sarcasm. I received this book free of charge in exchange for puberty.)
Lightning has everything I miss about Koontz. Coherent plot, a theme, no uber-smart dog character, and enough heart to choke a cannibal. It's a damn fun book, if a little... old fashioned where ideas are concerned. Let's completely overlook the concepts borrowed from the movie Terminator. Let's also overlook the fact that a man changes the future because of instalove. Let's furthermore overlook that there are two stalkers in this book: one's a secret admirer and the other is a "guardian", so that's okay. After all, what's the difference between a stalker and your boyfriend? Your boyfriend's hot.
(These are the jokes, fuckface. Deal with 'em.)
If we're to forgive all this, then we can safely enjoy the book. I'm willing to do that for nostalgia's sake alone. I'd hate to think that a younger version of me passed by these things without so much as a raised eyebrow, but he did. So, because I'm cutting that blind douchepickle some slack, I'll cut Koontz some slack, too.
In summation: I wish I could travel back in time and slap myself for enjoying this book so much, but I can't Paradox!, as Chris says, over and over and over... I get it. Doctor Who is a lie, and H. G. Wells was on that rock. I can dig it. Read it for a healthy dose of 1989. Because not being confined to a wheelchair is worth risking Hitler winning the war. Logic. Set. Match.
(This review is brought to you by Sarcasm. I received this book free of charge in exchange for puberty.)
This book is hard to review without giving away the plot twists; I can't even explain what the book is actually about without ruining it. I love this book. I have read it multiple times. For anyone who enjoys romance (without fluff,) and action, I recommend it. The heroine in the story is wonderfully strong. No fifties Lois Lane here. The hero is fantastic.
I almost rated it 4 stars because it got really good at the end, but I disagree with many who seem to think this is his best work. The plot was very intriguing, but to me did not compare with his Odd Thomas series. The characters here, unlike with Odd Thomas, felt underdeveloped and often annoyed me.
Interesting thriller about time travel. First half of book was a bit tedious, long in set-up. Second half quickened the pace.
I'm a bit disappointed in my first Dean Koontz novel. I know he's a very popular writer and I chose to read Lightning from all the rave reviews it got, plus I'm a fan of time travel novels. He does know how to write good action scenes, but for me, this book missed the mark. I found the set up way too long, taking up a good 40% of the book. There was a lot of details of Laura Shane's life that I found extraneous, if not outright boring. His use of humor wasn't really welcome either and it continues throughout the story. He does a good job of mystifying you with the guardian's appearances. Once the big reveal happens, you do have to suspend your belief quite a bit. Then the last part of the book is basically one long shoot-em-up chase scene. Hard to keep the level of excitement going, but Koontz does a pretty good job at this.Also, he explains the technicalities and paradoxes inherent in time travel relatively well. His characterizations are just okay for me and I found they really didn't hold my attention as I might have liked. The dialogue for the eight year old son was totally unbelievable. So this book was okay as light entertainment, easily forgettable beach reading. I might try one more Koontz book just to be sure of my opinion..
Fun story well told. Really, if you tell a story that involves time travel, Nazis as the bad guys, a bit of romance, and lots of shoot-em-up, it's a pretty good start. And as always, Koontz is a darned good storyteller.
Officially my favorite Koontz novel (so far).
It has been years since I read this but I remember it as being a great and inovative story. I still talk about it, and would list it among my favorite books.
If you're looking for the mystical, funny, always good for a quick escape from reality writer known as Dean Koontz, do not look for him in this novel. Found here is a writer that returns to his roots (those which lie at the surface still struggling to learn how to craft a novel). Extremely, predictable and B or C rated .... like a bad indie scifi film. mystery science 3000 -- take me away!
Koontz + Time Travel = Blowing my mind. What a great book, very unique when compared to most of his books. Full of action and mystery, great twists and surprises.Defintely one of my favorite Koontz books.
It wasn't a time travel book until about halfway through, then it became a suspense novel with a time travel twist. The reader is always hoping for a happily-ever-after outcome and history keep getting changed. Somehow, I hope that we humans never develop a time travel capability...fun to read, nasty to imagine for real.
This book tells the story of Laura Shane, born during a mysterious lightning storm, who is twice saved from being murdered during childhood by a mysterious stranger whose arrival is connected to the lightning. She grows up to become a famous writer, marries, has a child and attempts to live a normal life, but is again attacked by a killer and rescued by the stranger. She learns eventually that her rescuer is from another time, and that her survival is tied in to the fate of the world. Together with her rescuer, she fights for her life and that of her son against an enemy who can travel through time and find her no matter where she goes.
I felt that there was a good amount of mystery in Lightning. Most of the mystery was focused on why Stefan was interfering in Laura's life and how he was able to do it. He knew things that he shouldn't know. Stefan was a mystery for the first part of the book, popping up in Laura's life to try to protect her at certain times.
Lightning was a little different from some of Koontz' more horror-related plots but I enjoyed the science fiction elements in the book and I thought they worked very well. Lightning was first published in 1988 and, along with Watchers, remain a couple of my favorites. Lightning was a bit different, but it was a very entertaining book and I definitely enjoyed reading it again after so many years.
I felt that there was a good amount of mystery in Lightning. Most of the mystery was focused on why Stefan was interfering in Laura's life and how he was able to do it. He knew things that he shouldn't know. Stefan was a mystery for the first part of the book, popping up in Laura's life to try to protect her at certain times.
Lightning was a little different from some of Koontz' more horror-related plots but I enjoyed the science fiction elements in the book and I thought they worked very well. Lightning was first published in 1988 and, along with Watchers, remain a couple of my favorites. Lightning was a bit different, but it was a very entertaining book and I definitely enjoyed reading it again after so many years.
I was not as happy with this book as I had been with some of his others. Was a struggle to get through for me.
Even better the second time and I'm glad I decided on the audible version! Dean Koontz I love your writing!
Still remains one of my all time favorites.
I read this because my husband is a huge Koontz fan, and I'm a huge Time-Travel fan. I admit it was an exciting and interesting read, fairly intelligent. I still do *not* like thriller stuff, nightmare stuff, like child predation. I don't expect to become a Koontz fan that's for sure - however if you already are, I'm sure that this is one you'll enjoy.
My favorite Koontz book and I have read almost everything he has written. I love the character development in this story so much!