Good horror book by a great horror writer with some good plot twists.
This is the only book by Koontz that I have every read. I chose it from the description on the back and while I do not agree with the LA Times that it was âbone chillingâ it was a good read. The basic premise of the book is that small town of Moonlight cove is having an issue with its citizens dying. In a town with no unusual deaths in 20+ years the FBI gets involved after they find out about 12 accidental deaths and suicides, but find that the actual number is closer to 20.
Four people join together, each with a piece of the puzzle that is Moonlight cove. A eleven year old girl, a wheelchair bound vet, a grieving sister, and an undercover FBI agent. They have until, you guessed it, Midnight, to get out of town.
Futurologists led by a weasely mastermind have invaded Moonlight Cove, a sleepy lagoon town in Northern California sort of like Bodega Bay where Hitchcock's THE BIRDS took place. The entire population of the little town has become a race of guinea pigs that New Wave Technologies can play with like a puppeteer a bunch of puppets. What's worse, they don't even know what's happening to them.
Men at the top are covering up a rash of mysterious deaths that have been occurring all over the village, but the FBI is on the case and has sent in their top agent, a man with secrets of his own, to uncover who or what is behind the murders. They suspect a serial killer, but the truth is far worse. This man, Sam Booker, blends in easily with the lackluster villagers, and yet when night falls he finds that he is the prey, and they become predators. It's all part of a scheme to advance human consciousness and to upgrade humanity to a new level, but inevitably there are drawbacks to any utopian scheme. In this case, a certain percent of the lab "rats" become monsters!
Others drawn into helping Sam include the lovely Tess Lackland, whose poor sister died in Moonlight Cove, and little Chrissy, whose parents have changed beyond recognition as a result of New Wave's consciousness altering drugs. An appealing VietNam vet has a handicap but that doesn't stop him for entering the ultimate battle between good and evil. Of course it all begins at . . . midnight! Dean Koontz has written many skillful bestsellers and this is one of his signature titles.
The citizens of Moonlight Cove, California, are changing. Some are losing touch with their deepest emotions. Others are surrendering to their wildest urges. And the few who remain unchanged are absolutely terrified--if not brutally murdered in the dead of night...
!! THE BEST FROM ONE OF THE BEST !!
Edge of the seat reading. Will keep you up at night.
Excellent book that will keep you guessing.
