Jane Hawk is the real Wonder Woman -- no super powers, just an amazing, highly skilled ex FBI agent who sees a wrong and needs to right it.

This third in the series (yes, there will be a #4) takes up right where the second left off so you absolutely need to read these from the beginning, in order. From the blurb, the reader knows that Jane is running for her life as she is hunted by some of the most skilled and highly placed government agents who have a way to track even those who are completely off the grid as is Jane. Her son, Travis, hidden in the care of friends, is safe FOR NOW, and Jane is seeking out members of the Techno Arcadians to eliminate them and shut them down. Remember, this hideous elitist group is intent on implanting nanobots and converting them to automatons to use as they wish. The Hamlet list, devised by those members at the very top, is a computer generated program that identifies those at greatest risk to the new planned utopia where the Arcadians will reign supreme.

Incredibly fast-paced with lots of action and bloody murder, the book zips along so quickly that you barely have time to take a breath, gasp, sob or sigh. No spoilers, but some of those deaths were really hard to take. Conversion is a nasty, scary business.

Despite Koontz's penchant for ten dollar words and maximum verbosity -- with metaphors and similes galore -- I love this series and cannot wait for the next. I had NO idea that this third was not the end, so the cliffhanger ending made me want to throw the book across the room in frustration at now having to wait to see what happens next. Not nice, Mr. Koontz! All the loose ends are coming together as Jane gets nearer to the rotten core at the center of this terrible conspiracy. The characters are so well drawn that the reader is drawn completely into this world and fears the consequences of world leaders gone mad, drunk and euphoric with their power.

This would make the most fantastic movie or miniseries evere -- do you hear me out there, producers? Option it already!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Random House for the e-book ARC to read and review. PLEASE hurry, Mr. Koontz, so I can relax.

Disclaimer that I didn't know this book was part of a series, and I have not read the books before it. I was looking forward to reading a Dean Koontz book as I am a fan of his writing, and was overall pleased with he book. The plot involves a government secret group injecting certain people with some sort of nanotechnology which changes a person's behavior and allegiance. Jane is the woman trying to bring down this little origination and expose their plans. A plot mostly involves the feds hunting Jane and Jane hunting down the feds and this plot I did like. It seems the beginning of the book distracted with a subplot of a brother and sister, but their story went nowhere and in the end I was trying to figure out why it was even in the book. I was disappointed in the ending as it wasn't just a massive cliffhanger, but it was such an abrupt end that I thought my kindle cut off the rest of the book. Very unsatisfying way to end a book, even if there will be another in the series. So only 4 stars for me.

I thought this would be the final book in the Jane Hawk series. Well, I was sadly mistaken and a little disappointed.

I liked this series when it first started with a frighteningly scary scenario of power hungry madmen with a new nanotechnology in their hands. In comes Jane to stop them, the widow and ex-FBI agent trying to protect her son and save the country.

Well I felt the book was a little long and wordy, one of the bad guys is described as your stereotypical West Virginia (I am so tired of that), and this story just needs to end. I’m not sure if I will even read the next one.

I'm totally addicted to the Jane Hawk series. Can't wait for the next book!

Jane is on the run, being chased by some very powerful bad guys. The powerful can put her name in databases where it looks to authorities as if she is a criminal. Her son is hidden away with friends for his safety, but can he ever be safe enough.

As in the other books Jane progressively gets closer to the head of the snake, add is to determined shut them down at whatever cost.

I love a good mystery. The story is told very well.. I love a good suspense/mystery book and Koontz is up there with the best.

Book Description
"I could be dead tomorrow. Or something worse than dead."

Jane Hawk knows she may be living on borrowed time. But as long as she's breathing, she'll never cease her one-woman war against the terrifying conspiracy that threatens the freedom--and free will--of millions. Battling the strange epidemic of murder-suicides that claimed Jane's husband, and is escalating across the country, has made the rogue FBI agent a wanted fugitive, relentlessly hunted not only by the government but by the secret cabal behind the plot. Deploying every resource their malign nexus of power and technology commands, Jane's enemies are determined to see her dead . . . or make her wish she was.

My Thoughts
The Crooked Staircase is the third in the series featuring Jane Hawk. I have read and reviewed the first two books and the fact that I have just finished this one confirms the fact that I am a fan of this character. I have read almost every book Mr. Koontz has written and apparently as long as he keeps writing, I will keep reading and enjoying his books. I have been fortunate to discover quite a few very good books and new authors lately, but that doesn't mean that my 'go to authors' don't still have the most prominent place on my bookshelves. I was under the impression that this was going to be the end of Jane's story, so imagine my delight in discovering that the author has more to say before I have to bid a fond farewell to Jane.
If you have the opportunity to read the books in order, you will not miss out on any of the details that make each book so good. However, there is more than enough backstory in The Crooked Staircase to allow it to be read as a standalone. Jane is still determined to ensure her son's safety and prove that her husband did not commit suicide but that there is a mind control conspiracy being orchestrated by many who hold positions of power and privilege. There is almost no one she can trust since members of this organization are everywhere and they will stop at nothing to silence Jane, permanently. The story is dark and twisty and not every character I liked has a happy ending, but I still have my fingers(and toes) crossed that Jane will succeed in exposing this conspiracy, be reunited with her son and get some semblance of her life back. With the odds stacked so much against her, I realize I may not get my wish and numerous characters I like may not get happily ever after endings, but I believe Jane will expose the truth( Please, Mr. Koontz!).
No question the story ends with a cliffhanger, but there is a preview included at the end for the fourth novel, The Forbidden Door. Since the publication date for The Crooked Staircase is listed for May, I am hoping perhaps the next book will be released before the end of the year(a girl can hope, right?). If you like a fast-paced story with a heroine who is an amazing, gusty character, I recommend this book.
Thank you, Dean Koontz, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced digital edition to read and review. I will be happy to purchase the hardcover and have already found the perfect spot on my shelf. I like to think that I would recognize the writing style of an author whether they wrote under a pseudonym or not. With Dean Koontz, I do believe I would know his work no matter what name was on the cover. His style is so distinctive and if you love it, you just love it.

It's a book that you need to read the first 2 books before you read this one .You will be lost if you start with this book. I hope the next book is the last one in the series.

The Jane Hawk series is simply fantastic and thrilling. The Crooked Staircase is the third book in the series. The story follow rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk as she continues her fight to avenge her husbands death and protect her son from evil. Jane Hawk is a bad-ass and the novels are great but I think this character can really bring some excitement in a TV series or film. Dean Koontz is a masterful writer I can't recommend this series enough. This is a must read for all fans of suspenseful thrillers.

For every really good Dean Koontz book, there is also a good one, and a bad one. This is the latest bad one.
Jane Hawk continues her search for evidence against the Arcadians. Meanwhile a new brother and sister pair are targeted and Hawk's is final located.
The book starts off on the wrong foot. Gone suddenly and without much explanation is Lucas.
There is no mention off his family. Instead, we end up following a brother and sister who are being targeted for transformation by the Arcadians. But they have any real substance with in the first third of the novel.
In fact, this story is exceptionally padded because Jane really doesn't do as much as I'm the other novels. Instead, you spend a substantial amount of time with NSA agents and the people guarding Travis.
This book could be summed up in three sentences but I won't do that to you. Just know this is such a disappointment after the previous books in the series.

My thanks to Random House/Bantam books and Netgalley.
I loved the first book of this series, then hated the second book. So it was with a bit of trepidation that I requested this third book in the series. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I'd have to finish the series. Well, this third book wasn't the end, but it did move us much closer to an ending. I confess that I kind of loved this book. The baddies were so freaking evil, but a few were funny. Make me laugh, and I'm all in. Sadly, some really decent people were lost in this book, and its a credit to Mr. Koontz' writing that my heart was broken and I was crying like a dang fool. I guess I'll be sticking around for the final book,"whenever that may be."

Another excellent book series by Dean Koontz. This was my first Jane Hawk book and need to catch up by reading the first one. Can't wait till the 3rd installment, The Forbidden Door, is out. A must read that you can't put down till the very end. Full of thrills and suspense.

Fast, violent, deadly, with intense suspense.
I think an ultimate fear is losing control of our own minds, or choices. This book dives into that fear and drags it into that dark place, then it adds rape, torture, sex salvery, and running for your life. It is intense. Jane the main character, rams though her targets, try to find her husbands killer, and save her son from an unspeakably horrific threat. The bad guys are so ruthless, my stomach churned during several scenes. Jane is an incredible character, smart, and twisted enough to do what needs to be done.
Why only 3 stars ? Several reasons. One, it was too dark, there was so little hope and too much taken away. It left me with a hopeless feeling, I didn't want to continue many times. Oi, to feel such despair it hurts. The threat to the child, was too much for me. I will not continue the series for fear of where Mr. Koontz will go with that. I can't go there, can't fear for that happening. Then there was the fact that this book had two separate time lines going on switching back and forth with each short chapter. I found that really disruptive. Finally the ending, it just stoped, like mid breath just stoped-cliffhanger extreme.
I think it did what it was ment to do. It shocked, upset and drove adrenaline rushing through my body. It just wasn't my idea of an entertaining read.

Grabs you from page one a real edge of you seat thriller the plot moves along nicely

Interesting premise about controlling people. Although I prefer to read a series from the beginning, it was not difficult to pick up the back story of Jane and her quest to avenge her husband's death, protect her son, and expose an ugly secret threatening to eliminate the world as we know it.

I had never read anything by Dean Koontz before (though I had heard good things about his writing). As this is the third book in a series, it means I have not read the first two books. However, there is enough detail and explanation of the backstory that the book can be enjoyed without having read the earlier books in the series. I did not care for the nanomachine brain implant aspect of the plot, but overall I enjoyed the book. Jane Hawk is a well-developed and intriguing character. I liked how Koontz used the pressures she was under to push her psychologically to the point where she was unsure if she might break. This book was much darker than I expected, with some of the vilest and most disturbed characters you are likely to find in literature. Koontz has great character and plot development. The psychological deterioration of Booth is fascinating to witness. There is a great supporting cast, from the Washingtons to the Arcadian enforcers Dubose and Jergen to Gilberto to Tanjua and Sanjay. However, my favorite character, only a minor character so far, is probably the eccentric Cornell. I will probably go back and read the first two books and I will definitely be interested in reading book four.

In this third installment of the Jane Hawk series, Jane is still on the run, still trying to take down those who are trying to make a better world by pacifying millions with implanted nanobots. Somehow, she still finds a way to elude capture yet get closer to the answers. This is one determined woman! Like the others before this, the book is filled with action, suspense and a lot of unanswered questions. It is never-ending and ends on a cliffhanger, drawing me in to want, no need, to read the next installment. Koontz hasn’t certainly created an intense series and a heroine in Jane Hawk.

A book of substance and not a quick read. This will work you as it seems to have worked both the author and the characters.

With her husband dead and her child in hiding, Jane, is taking the fight to them with the knowledge that this may be the end for her.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again Koontz has a well written thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat at times. The characters come to life and make you feel their happiness and misery.
i read this book in tribute to my late mother, she was a major Dean Koontz fan and after reading it, I have decided to take the time to go back and read all the other books he has written.

One of the better series I have read very refreshing. Every girl has a Jane Hawke in her. Edge of your seat page turning book.

(Thank you Netgalley for an early reader copy!)

Wow, what an amazing book! Having not read the first two in the Jane Hawk series, The Crooked Staircase was an unexpected but wholly worthwhile departure from previous Dean Koontz books. In spite of not having read the previous two books, it was possible to quickly come up to speed on the situation and what drives Jane's quest.

In a nutshell, Jane Hawk is a former (or rogue, depending on your point of view) FBI agent who is on the run from a shadowy organization that has infiltrated all levels of the government, including organizations like the FBI, NSA, Senate, and so on. This group of elite individuals who reside in the shadows are known as the Arcadians, and they have a plan to rule the world by reducing lesser humans to something akin to robots who function at their command. This might sound like science fiction but the impact in the story is scary beyond belief. This secret group has already murdered Jane's husband and would do anything to get their hands on her. Jane is determined not only to thwart them but to expose them a bring them down, while protecting her young son and the friends who are hiding him from the ruthless killers who are determined to see her fail. What Jane must do to succeed is frightening, heartbreaking, and bone chilling...can she meet her goal without becoming as bad as they are?

The Crooked Staircase is full of suspense, action and mystery...but most of all it is one of the scariest things I have ever read! Can it happen here? Or has it maybe already begun....The Crookest Staircase is one of the most enthralling things I have ever read. Don't miss it!