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kir416's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lasairfiona's review
1.0
Yes, Koontz has come up with a really cool idea. This is a serious psychological thriller. A woman has a friend who has a bad case of agoraphobia. Wait, now she has a crazy phobia. And now her husband too!
Koontz delves into phobias and how they might affect a person. The character's journeys are intense and seemingly real. The antagonist is horrible and evil. The writing is really interesting...
Until the end. Koontz couldn't write himself out of a paper bag. As good as the character's trials are written, I was expecting something better. To be honest I didn't finish the book because the ending was so random, so out of left field, so pulled out of his butt that I couldn't finish it (I think I was short 30 pages. I was listening to it on tape so I can't be sure).
Three books by Koontz showed me that it is a disturbing trend in his writing. I avoid Koontz these days.
Koontz delves into phobias and how they might affect a person. The character's journeys are intense and seemingly real. The antagonist is horrible and evil. The writing is really interesting...
Until the end. Koontz couldn't write himself out of a paper bag. As good as the character's trials are written, I was expecting something better. To be honest I didn't finish the book because the ending was so random, so out of left field, so pulled out of his butt that I couldn't finish it (I think I was short 30 pages. I was listening to it on tape so I can't be sure).
Three books by Koontz showed me that it is a disturbing trend in his writing. I avoid Koontz these days.
sporkfoo's review
2.0
It was okay, but nothing special. Certainly not as good as the Odd Thomas books. I think this thriller would have been better if the protagonists would have been allowed to expose the plot, rather than shifting the point of view back and forth from hero to villain.
bookdarling1987's review
5.0
[b:False Memory|182425|False Memory|Dean Koontz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388447589l/182425._SY75_.jpg|1133939]
I slightly feel like I am cheating on Stephen King. Funny statement I know but when I want my horror or creepy that is my go-to author. False Memory was recommended to me by my PT of all people. She kept talking about this book and telling me about it and it sparked my curiosity enough to want to read it. It took her a week to find the title and took me about a week to read it. My sister says big books are simply for door stoppers I say they are an onion you have to peel back layer by layer. This story is different in the sense that I do not typically pick up books that deal with mind control because of my degree in psychology I think I will over think the story but this one I loved. Martine “Martie” Rhodes, a video-game designer, has developed a rare mental disorder: autophobia, fear of oneself. Meanwhile, her husband Dusty’s young half-brother, Skeet Caulfield, has decided to jump off the roof of a building the two men are repairing—because Skeet has seen the Angel of the next world. Then you meet more friends like Susan who is suffering from the same fear. I loved how everyone is seamlessly connected to the bigger picture and I love how the villain thinks he is smarter than he is. I don’t really want to give away too much of the story just know that your biggest fears are often used against you in the most interesting of ways. I know that many people in skimming other reviews have said that this is a slow start but it is for sure worth the time. I have read a few of Dean Koontz’s new books this makes me want to read more of his older works. Do not let the size of it scare you.
I slightly feel like I am cheating on Stephen King. Funny statement I know but when I want my horror or creepy that is my go-to author. False Memory was recommended to me by my PT of all people. She kept talking about this book and telling me about it and it sparked my curiosity enough to want to read it. It took her a week to find the title and took me about a week to read it. My sister says big books are simply for door stoppers I say they are an onion you have to peel back layer by layer. This story is different in the sense that I do not typically pick up books that deal with mind control because of my degree in psychology I think I will over think the story but this one I loved. Martine “Martie” Rhodes, a video-game designer, has developed a rare mental disorder: autophobia, fear of oneself. Meanwhile, her husband Dusty’s young half-brother, Skeet Caulfield, has decided to jump off the roof of a building the two men are repairing—because Skeet has seen the Angel of the next world. Then you meet more friends like Susan who is suffering from the same fear. I loved how everyone is seamlessly connected to the bigger picture and I love how the villain thinks he is smarter than he is. I don’t really want to give away too much of the story just know that your biggest fears are often used against you in the most interesting of ways. I know that many people in skimming other reviews have said that this is a slow start but it is for sure worth the time. I have read a few of Dean Koontz’s new books this makes me want to read more of his older works. Do not let the size of it scare you.
brandonstanwyck's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
becr34reads's review
4.0
No doubt about it, False Memory is the definition of slow-burn psychological thriller. Aside from a few page-turning moments, this book is slow paced, which actually works well in this instance. There is something about Koontz’s writing that makes the mundane interesting and a slower pace really compelling to read.
Both the plot and characters are strong, neither one being overshadowed by the other. The characters were well defined and had a lot of depth. The two main protagonists were actually quite intelligent and much to my appreciation we didn’t have to waste time with them making stupid choices.
Although I found myself being able to predict what was coming next, the ending did come as a surprise.
High recommend to any Dean Koontz fans or to psychological thriller lovers who don’t mind the slower pacing.
I will mention a content warning for suicide.
Both the plot and characters are strong, neither one being overshadowed by the other. The characters were well defined and had a lot of depth. The two main protagonists were actually quite intelligent and much to my appreciation we didn’t have to waste time with them making stupid choices.
Although I found myself being able to predict what was coming next, the ending did come as a surprise.
High recommend to any Dean Koontz fans or to psychological thriller lovers who don’t mind the slower pacing.
I will mention a content warning for suicide.
ermohai14's review
4.0
Crazy good thriller - I was a little lost in the beginning...but after about 3 chapters I was hooked! The ending was a total blindside!
gsteinbacher's review
3.0
I wish I could give this book 3.5 stars because it is worthy of more than 3 stars but not quite worthy of 4 stars. The book has a very interesting plot but it goes off on rants in numerous places. Mr. Koontz could have cut this book down by about 300 pages and it would have been a much better book. Mr. Koontz delves into the lives of the main characters in a way that makes you root for them. But the story seems to go off into areas that seemed the only purpose was to add more pages. Really trying to understand what was the purpose of travelling to New Mexico since there was absolutely nothing discovered or resolved by going there. Also the way in which the bad guy perishes leaves a lot to be desired, it was a very anti-climatic moment. I have difficulty recommending this book but I think there will be some that really like it.
paulag's review against another edition
3.0
My rating: 7 out of 10
My full review: https://www.storybookem.com/post/book-review-false-memory-by-dean-koontz
I'm not going to lie, I'm fascinated by serial killers (not in person, not in my life but as a theory). It's the psychological side of things. That combined with having read some Dean Koontz books many years ago that I really enjoyed, I was excited to pick this up. It's not the hard hitting, Go! Go! Go! that some suspense thrillers are, but it still sucked me in and kept me eager to come back when I had to put the book down. Sure, there were times when I was disturbed (WARNING: Some scenes may be triggering to some readers)but it left me intrigued and curious. There was something about being in the enemy's mind as said enemy uses a weapon unlike any most of us has known before...the victim's own minds! And, there was something poetic about watching a life built and thriving on the enjoyment of unraveling others' own life begin to unravel as revenge.
My full review: https://www.storybookem.com/post/book-review-false-memory-by-dean-koontz
I'm not going to lie, I'm fascinated by serial killers (not in person, not in my life but as a theory). It's the psychological side of things. That combined with having read some Dean Koontz books many years ago that I really enjoyed, I was excited to pick this up. It's not the hard hitting, Go! Go! Go! that some suspense thrillers are, but it still sucked me in and kept me eager to come back when I had to put the book down. Sure, there were times when I was disturbed (WARNING: Some scenes may be triggering to some readers)but it left me intrigued and curious. There was something about being in the enemy's mind as said enemy uses a weapon unlike any most of us has known before...the victim's own minds! And, there was something poetic about watching a life built and thriving on the enjoyment of unraveling others' own life begin to unravel as revenge.
paulag's review
3.0
Official rating: 7 out of 10 Haikus
Full length review: https://www.storybookem.com/post/book-review-false-memory-by-dean-koontz
I'm not going to lie, I have an infinity for the psychological side of things, so it's no wonder I was excited to read this one! I feel as if I must say that there may be some triggers in this book, so some people may want to beware. With that said, there were so many places that this book rode the line, and did it well, though there was one major time when I found myself thinking, "You really didn't need to go that far. We would have gotten it if you had stopped a little sooner."
Over all, it had a way of seeping in your brain and really making you question what you think you know, who you trust and every time you've forgotten something.
Full length review: https://www.storybookem.com/post/book-review-false-memory-by-dean-koontz
I'm not going to lie, I have an infinity for the psychological side of things, so it's no wonder I was excited to read this one! I feel as if I must say that there may be some triggers in this book, so some people may want to beware. With that said, there were so many places that this book rode the line, and did it well, though there was one major time when I found myself thinking, "You really didn't need to go that far. We would have gotten it if you had stopped a little sooner."
Over all, it had a way of seeping in your brain and really making you question what you think you know, who you trust and every time you've forgotten something.