Another good one by Koontz.
This book has been all but rewritten. reflects his aged and total ability to hold ones interest and is as smooth as butter when it switches from scean to scean thus a joy to read. The suspense and solutions are just right. All of the elements are taken on and leaves nothing uncovered. you will fully enjoy this book.
One exciting stem-winder,'many keys to midnight', or 'roll back time' ... maybe, 'dreams without memory,' any of those could have been a title for this book. A grand read, nearly an experience.
joanna rand was not who she thought she was, and there was only one way to unlock the dark secret of her soul. the key to midnight, alex delaware
I read "The Key to Midnight" during hurricane Sandy (Oct. 30, 2012) and during the nor'easter almost a week later.
You (the reader) follow Joanna and Alex on a wild goose chase almost all over the world in order to find out ALL the information. First and foremost, what was done to Joanna? Naturally followed by why and by whom?
Coincidentally, it all starts when Alex decides to take a month long vacation in Japan. One of his first stops: Gion. More specifically, the Moonglow Lounge where he discovers one of his unsolved cases walking, talking, and singing in front of him.
Again, all coincidence...or so it seems.
* * *
After all is said and done have to admit it was an entertaining read. I felt small parts were dated and expected, but then it was printed in 1975, 1995 and again in 2010.
Two teeny, tiny points that are slightly unnerving. First, the ultimate bad guys are power hungry and sexual sadists. Second...I'm still questioning whether or not that counts as a "happy ending." Unfortunately, this might be a biased thought since I'm one of those "Disney Programmed" people!
Last and pretty much the least - if you were happy with the book don't read the "new afterward." However, if you agree with my programming and need a good laugh or a happy ending after the read then by all means read the "new afterward."
I had a hard time putting this book down! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
I enjoyed this book very much. A little graphic with some of the violence, but not too bad. I'd read another Dean Koontz book.
Unpredictable and tense, Koontz' first "stab at an action-suspense romance novel with a background of international intrigue" is a page-turner. Even when you suspect you might be able to predict what's happening, Koontz ensures you'll never figure out the whole of it.
Cautionary note for sensitive readers: a rape scene is described; even without the detail found in other books, it is disturbing.
The afterword in the 1995 edition (released under Koontz, not the pseudonym Leigh Nichols) provides a short, humorous look at the author's thoughts of himself and is a delightful way to finish.
