Member Reviews
Jane Hawk is an FBI agent whose husband recently passed away. When his death is ruled a suicide, nothing add ups and Jane is determined to get to the bottom of things. Noting that many people have also allegedly died by suicide, Jane knows that there is something else more sinister afoot.
As Jane researches more into the dramatic increase in suicide rate, someone or something is after her trying to get her to stop. The threat to her son makes Jane even more determined to find the truth, no matter the cost.
This was my first Dean Koontz novel and I think I'm ready for the next one. The pace was fantastic!
3.5 stars (rounded to 4) out of 5 stars.
First off, I have to preface my review by saying that Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors and I don’t make enough time to read his books anymore. I need to remedy that. The Silent Corner is book 1 of 5 in the Jane Hawk series.
Jane Hawk is an FBI agent on leave after her husband Nick commits suicide and she discovers his body. Nick did not seem like suicide would be something he would do and Jane has a suspicion something was behind his death. She begins to look into it and learns that suicides are up nationwide by 20% and rising in the last year. As she delves deeper into the rise in suicides, Jane finds herself and her 5-year-old son Travis in danger. She places Travis in hiding with her good friends while she continues searching for answers.
Overall I enjoyed The Silent Corner but I won’t be rushing to read the second book. The ending wraps most of the story up but also leaves it wide open for the second book.
I liked Jane and that she’s on a mission to expose the truth, she’s strong and she’s a mom. Koontz captures her voice well. I always enjoy Koontz’s descriptive and lyrical writing style. He’s poetic. I want to read another of his books soon, I have a few on my wishlist.
Dean Koontz's The Silent Corner marks the gripping debut of the Jane Hawk series. It is a high-octane thriller that seamlessly blends suspense, intrigue, and a dash of science fiction. In this taut narrative, Koontz introduces us to Jane Hawk, a resilient and resourceful former FBI agent who finds herself on a relentless quest for truth after her husband's inexplicable suicide.
The novel opens with a heart-wrenching premise: Jane's husband, a decorated soldier, inexplicably takes his own life, leaving behind a cryptic message that thrusts Jane into a world of grief and suspicion. Refusing to accept the official explanations, Jane uncovers a disturbing pattern of suicides among seemingly content and successful individuals. Her investigation points to a powerful and covert organization wielding advanced technology to manipulate minds and orchestrate deaths.
Koontz excels in crafting a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Jane Hawk is a compelling protagonist—intelligent, determined, and deeply human. Her grief and rage drive her relentless pursuit of the truth, making her a character readers can root for. The supporting cast, including allies and antagonists, is well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the story.
The pacing of The Silent Corner is impeccable. Koontz deftly balances moments of intense action with quieter, more introspective passages, allowing readers to catch their breath while delving deeper into the characters' psyches. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers on edge and eager to see what happens next. Koontz's skillful storytelling ensures that the suspense never wanes, maintaining a sense of urgency throughout the novel.
One of the standout aspects of The Silent Corner is its exploration of technology and control. The novel delves into the ethical implications of advanced technology, particularly in the context of surveillance and mind control. Koontz raises pertinent questions about privacy, free will, and the potential for abuse in an increasingly connected world. These themes add depth to the narrative, elevating it beyond a mere thriller to a thought-provoking commentary on contemporary issues.
Koontz's prose is as polished as ever, with vivid descriptions that bring scenes to life and sharp dialogue that enhances character development. His ability to create a palpable sense of atmosphere, whether it's the oppressive tension of a chase or the eerie calm of a suburban neighborhood, adds to the immersive experience of the novel.
The Silent Corner is a masterful start to the Jane Hawk series, showcasing Dean Koontz's talent for crafting suspenseful, emotionally resonant, and thematically rich stories. Jane Hawk emerges as a memorable heroine, and her journey promises to be one that readers will eagerly follow. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of technology and human nature. Koontz has once again proven his prowess as a storyteller, leaving readers clamoring for the next installment in this riveting series.
#NetGalley
There is a lot of backstory and world building in this book for a book that is a normal straight fiction book (more like it's a fantasy, which it is not). This book does have a cliffhanger which would have been nice to know going in but I enjoyed it.
I have finally read the oldest book on my Netgalley shelf. I am trying to actually read most of my shelf instead of saying I will and then not getting around to it. Overall this book did take me a little while to finish. I was invested in it but I ended up getting into other books and found myself picking those up instead. However I did enjoy this. I was debating if I want to pick up the second one and I do. I want to find out what happens to Jane Hawk.
I have read several books by Dean Koontz and enjoyed them all . This one, however, lost me from the start. I was unable to finish the book. Not the classic Dean Koontz I expected.
**Book Review**
The Silent Corner is a promising first book in the Jane Hawk series by Dean Koontz.
Jane, an FBI agent, is on a mission to uncover the reason why her husband has suddenly committed suicide. During her investigation she realized that there is a surprising uptick in suicides nationwide. She quickly becomes a wanted fugitive as she gets closer to uncovering the truth.
This was a pretty fast paced novel with relatively short chapters. Really interesting premise and the use of technology in the storyline was frightening. I’m excited to see what happens next in the series.
Please See Us was a powerful, disturbing, suspenseful, honest and unusual novel. A story about the current day run-down and devastated Atlantic City, with its desperate habitants. A serial killer is murdering "Janes" whom engaged in prostitutions, then staging them in a hidden location. An unlikely friendship is formed between a young psychic and an artist, which try to help each other and the "Janes", as well as hope for a better future for each other. Very well written and built up! Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early reader edition for my review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a Great action story of a broken hearted woman out to seek the truth about her husband's suicide. I found it to be exciting and engaging througout the story. A solid Koontz story that will definitely become a classic.
Recommended to fans of Koontz, Action and Crime thrillers.
'The Silent Corner' by Dean Koontz is the first in the Jane Hawk series about a weird conspiracy and the one person who knows and wants to stop it.
Jane Hawk is an FBI agent on the run. Her military husband committed suicide in an uncharacteristic manner, and when Jane looked in to it, her son was threatened. Now she is on the run to uncover a vast network of people who have created a way to control people. Jane encounters mindless sex slaves and mindless killers on her way to stop the people behind this.
I've been a fan for a while of Dean Koontz, but I'm kind of an on again/off again fan. I always love his take on kooky theories, and he has created memorable characters along the way. Jane is one of those characters with her unstoppable determination.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
This was like a modern Manchurian Candidate, which at least they acknowledged. I was really curious the entire time how the conflict would resolve. There was clearly no easy solution since she had no way of knowing who were enemies and since the enemies had infiltrated every government agency. The problem was too complex to merely release it to the media. Most people would probably not understand or believe it anyway. As I was getting near to the end of the book, I was getting worried how it would be resolved. I was incredibly nervous that the ending would be thrown together quickly and sloppily. I was surprised and a bit upset that there was no resolution. I admit that it has been some time since I have read a Dean Koontz novel, but my past experience had always been that each could be read as a stand alone story. I was not prepared for the lack of resolution.
I haven't read Koontz in a while. This was superb. The main character Jane is wonderful. She is brave, fierce, and family oriented. She seems to change her moral standing. I can't wait to read the next one to see if she has or not. This book has a lot of action, which I like.
An exciting, suspenseful thriller! This book is a full scale chase scene with a diabolical plot. I didn't really want to get involved with another series, but I will certainly have to read the next in this series. I'm hooked! Loved the characters Jane and Dougal and the unpredictable plot.
Thanks to Dean Koontz and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly Mr. Koontz started off great, but took a complete nose dive down. I grew up reading his mysteries and enjoyed his style of writing. This isn't the man I'm used to....sadly the rest of the series is like this as well
Dean Koontz!!!
This is a fantastic new series! So different for some of his previous works but just as amazing! I was swept up in the character of Jane and was very moved by her story. The story line is realistic and makes you consider the implications of today's technology. I look forward to the next novel and I thank Netgally for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
Definitely a thriller. Keeps your heart pumping. I kept waiting for the resolution and was disappointed to discover that this is a series that continues the same story line. There is no resolution. I found that to be very annoying. If you love Koontz and don't mind the cliffhangers this is the book for you.
you rarely go wrong with Dean & Gerda (& Elsa) -- especially as long as Dean makes sure to use his wit and sense of the ridiculous to keep the tension loose.
Jane Hawk is a badass! I loved this book and the story is very interesting. The plot really got me hooked and wanting more from this story and the conspiracy that drives it. This book had a ton of great moments, usually, one-liners from Hawk and I would definitely recommend to someone who enjoys a good action movie or thriller.
Solid read, I was kept interested throughout. I like Koontz's writing style so this felt very familiar. I got invested with the character, and I know that this is a series so I never felt worried that anything would happen to her. Not sure if anything will in future installments, but for this one I didn't get too anxious.
Got a little repetitive at times, as well as far fetched, but that's the kind of book this is, so take it or leave it.
I listened to it on audio as well as read the hard copy sometimes, the narrator does a great job of being "Jane", quite believable.
I love a good mystery and chase! It’s scary to think about the role technology can play in our lives and this book exposes the possibilities! I love reading Jane’s story and watching her learn from her mistakes. I thought the scene is Alapasia should have been a little more detailed.. I can’t believe that she just walked in and out after a short discussion. I expected her to question the other patrons in the club for information and leads. I’m looking forward to the next books!