I have not read any of the other parts of this series. I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz. I love the short chapters. Makes it seem like you are getting a lot farther faster in the story. This story is non-stop action and adventure.

very good book suspenseful and acton packed lookforward to the end of this serie would make great movie or tv serie

Mr. Koontz has me hooked! Can't wait for the next one. I love this series, and I will go back and re-read them all when the series is finished. Like his Odd Thomas books, I feel like I have gotten to know the characters personally. Mr. Koontz is a master at drawing you in!

This latest installment in the story of Jane Hawk had me closing my eyes and catching my breath. The words on the page created pictures that I couldn’t un-see, and I couldn’t stop reading this very emotional revealing of the life that has become Jane’s. Dean Koontz has never written a better character, and I am so looking forward to the continuation of this drama.

Excellent installment in the Jane Hawk saga. I thought I would have been tired of Jane by now, this being the fourth book in the series, but find that I still love the books and can't wait for the next one. Koontz is doing a great job of stringing us along but keeping the action and intrigue going at a pace that leaves us turning the pages as quickly as we can until the very last page. As a long time reader of his books, I think this series is his best work..

Suspenseful and engaging. I couldn’t put this book down! The characters are engaging and the story keeps you guessing and turning to the next page anxiously. This is a truly great read!

If you are reading this review for book 4 in a series, I am going to assume that you have read the other 3 books first. Warning for spoilers from the previous books. I do highly recommend that you read this series in order.

I have been reading Dean Koontz books since high school and he is one of my favorite authors. I loved the Odd Thomas series and was excited for the Jane Hawk series. This one relies much less on the supernatural and more on technology. Forbidden Door especially reminded me of some of the themes of one of his earlier books, Midnight (also a good read). This book also felt more personal than some of the others because of the family's life on the line. In the other books, Travis was safely ensconced with her friends in Southern California. In this book, it was focused on her getting to him and making sure he was safe. The suspense because a five-year-old's life is on the line is insane, especially when things start to go wrong.

There were many of the same characters that carried forward from previous books, including one of my favorites, Bernie. In some instances, they talk about how much time has passed across all of the books and it seems like such a short period of time that it is surprising. Because Jane was so focused on Travis in this book, it doesn't feel like any progress was made on the true leaders of the Tech Arcadians. It will be interesting to see how that all wraps up in the final book.

Side notes:
- The relationship between Dubose and Jergen was a little different than the previous book. It felt that Jergen had more admiration for Dubose than before. Based on what Dubose could do, I kind of felt the same way.
- I was not a big fan of the Unknown Playwright. It is a very strange philosophy that agent (Egon Gottfrey) had. It could be that I just don't understand it but it felt contrived.

Now the wait begins for the final book in the series, it is going to be a long six months!

Provided by NetGalley, thanks!

The Forbidden Door by Dean Koontz is the very highly recommended fourth thriller in the Jane Hawk series.

Jane Hawk is still on the run from the Techno Arcadians, a secret widespread secret group whose nefarious plans include enslavement of most of society through mind-controlling nanotechnology. They have killed her husband and others. They have enslaved even more. Jane is using all her skills to escape capture by them. Now her son Travis is in danger of being captured by them and she has to save him.

For those reading the series, it is a given that you will want to continue it to find out what happens next. Jane herself is not quite in the forefront as much in this novel, but we are introduced to some new characters. The bad guys are terrifyingly evil and their reach is widespread. Those Jane can trust and the people who are fighting for the truth are wonderfully heroic. The crossing into the forbidden door is a ghastly and horrifying event. The heart-pounding action is non-stop and relentless, ensuring that you will read this at a fast pace since it will be difficult to set it down.

The series now includes: The Silent Corner; The Whispering Room; The Crooked Staircase; The Forbidden Door. While this fourth book in the series isn't quite as strong as the previous three, it is an essential bridge novel that is likely setting up the series for an explosive fifth installment, The Night Window. The Jane Hawk series is a winner!

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/10/the-forbidden-door.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2565037706
https://www.librarything.com/work/21413818/book/161521344
https://twitter.com/SheTreadsSoftly/status/1052600594635083776

Dean Koontz is the best. The last two Jane Hawk books have been so hard to put down! Another great installment of a great story.

When we last saw Jane, she was still confident her son was safe. We knew better and knew there would be a reckoning when she found out. The technology used by her enemies, the Arcadians, has advanced to the point that no one can be trusted. Dean Koontz is known for writing stories that seem to be outside the norm, but writing in such a manner to make you wonder. This book/ series is no exception. Nanobots and trigger words...…
Jane is a very strong character, waging war against a vast enemy who has so far remained outside the public awareness. While Jane is trying to combat this evil, she has lost her husband and friends. All she has left is her son and she will do anything to save him. While the story might not be completely believable, Jane's battle to save her son is as old as the bible. This is book 4 of the series. It will make a huge difference to your reading experience if you read the first three before this one. Looking forward to the next installment.

The Forbidden Door is book 4 of the Jane Hawk series. This novel was a rather quick read as we see young Travis depend on Cornell, as he gets comfortable with Travis enough to divulge his family history and why he's alone. We see everyone around Borrego Valley get implants and they struggle to find Travis' grandparents. Jane has a plan to get Travis to safety before the Arcadians find him. Let's hope she does before it's too late.

What a thrilling edition to the Jane Hawk series! Action packed from beginning to end and sometimes this reader had to take a quick break just to catch my breath! Jane is my hero and I can’t wait to see how Mr. Koontz wraps up this heart stopping series!

When I started reading this book, I didn’t realize it was in a series. I enjoyed this suspenseful story and now I want to go read the rest of the series from the beginning. I have always enjoyed Dean Koontz books. He never disappoints. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

After the revelations and cliffhanger from The Whispering Room, I was ready for The Forbidden Door. I had so many questions and concerns and anxiety over different characters! Well, let me just say that...this series, Jane Hawk, the story, the characters ...it keeps getting better.

Fast paced and full of intricate details that share full bodied stories of all the characters, I cannot stop thinking about Jane, her friends, the enemies or the innocent citizens who got in the way. Karma made an appearance in this book and I was pumping my arm up and screaming with glee on some of it! The ways that some of the individuals looked at their revolution and actions was mind-boggling, but so perfect to set the framework for how this could occur. I thought the introduction of the Whispering Room was terrifying in the last book, but oh no, DK took that level to a whole new height when something goes wrong.

The suspense and emotion had me captivated the entire time. Along with the gripping nature of what the group is trying to do by altering the brains of so many, Jane and her group shows the heart and beauty in humanity. Luther, Bernie, Cornell and Travis are pure perfection. Their stories and loyalty are beautiful to see at any time, but especially in this storyline. My heart feels for so many people, yet I am still laughing at many of the conversations and events that take place. Texas is a brilliant place for many of these actions to take place and I can't make up my mind on which side action is my favorite. Let's just say the neighborly way and karma were felt in Texas:) The way these characters are so vibrant makes it hard to determine because they all hold strong with their role in the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and Bantam for the chance to read this book and share my opinions!

Dean Koontz’ Jane Hawk series keeps getting better and better. It also continues to be terrifying. I love a good horror story, and Koontz delivers in with this series, but not like you’re expecting. This series is chilling in the idea this could happen today and we wouldn’t have a clue.

In The Forbidden Door, Jane is faced with the most terrifying challenge yet. The TechnoArcadians are closing in on what’s left of her family and have her son cornered. Not only that, but they’re getting closer and closer to catching Jane herself. Her almost magical power of knowing when and where to be is being stretched thin. And like any apex predator, her maternal need to protect is riding her hard. Yet she still manages to control both herself and her resources to her advantage.

But the TechnoArcadians are starting to unravel all on their own. It’s a enough to make one wonder if it has something to do with the type personality that is drawn to the organization or is it more? I’ve wondered more than once while enjoying the chase in this installment if the TechnoArcadians mighty be testing more than one form of control.

I love the progression of this series. We started in the Silent Corner, then found the Whispering Room. Jane discovered what was hiding at the bottom of the Crooked Staircase. Now it’s time to find out what’s behind the Forbidden Door.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

If you have been reading this series to-date, especially The 3rd book, The Crooked Staircase, be reminded that Jane Hawk was racing to keep her five-year old son Travis out of danger. The Techno Arcadians, a powerful group of extremists with connections to the highest level, have been a major threat to Jane, who is a former FBI agent, but is now the nation’s most wanted fugitive. The group is closer than ever would have been believed possible when the very life of Travis is threatened.

A bit more about the Techno Arcadians. This group has a far reach, with the end goal of controlling humanity. Their methods are nothing less than terrifying. If you’ve been following this series, then you will see that is patently obvious that they’ve come close to perfecting the brain implants they are doing via injections. This is utterly eerie as they are out for complete control. The victims can and will do horrifying things. It is due to such horrendous actions that have Jane both on the run of her life, all the while striving to save Travis.

It has been months since I read the third book in the series, The Crooked Staircase, but the overwhelming loss of life that has already occurred, as well as the most recent with Travis’s protectors, is utterly fresh in my mind. As in the three previous stories, the danger is ever-present and the action is nonstop. Page after page of nefarious characters and terror are never ending.

The Forbidden Door is presented to us in six thrilling parts, each getting more captivating as the story intensifies. There was one particular trigger referred to more than once in this series “Uncle Ira is not Ira”. Sound familiar? Remember the novel and film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Yes, that. Creepy.

While this chilling story carries you through, there was often heartbreak. It is at this point that I will generally mention two characters who had my heart in a bind, but I am working really hard at not allowing any spoilers into this review.

While this book may seem long at 480 pages, don’t let that deter you. The chapters are short enough to entice you into continuing to turn pages. So, if you are a Dean Koontz fan, and have been enjoying this stunning series so far, then definitely pick this title up! I can't wait to see what happens with Jane next!

Many thanks to Random House LLC and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dean Koontz has created such an amazing character in Jane Hawk. Jane is an unstoppable force which is why she is such an amazing rogue. The FBI couldn't contain or control her and now she is on a mission. Readers will be on the edge of their seat and waiting for the next installment in this series

I am not going to go on a crazy fangirl but I love me some Dean Koontz. I have fangirled in earlier reviews and in hindsight, it made me look like a nerd. So, yes I love Dean Koontz. And yes, I have read almost every single book that he has written. That includes what he was written under his pseudonym and excludes any books written from 2007-2017. I have enjoyed reading the Jane Hawk series. So when I saw that The Forbidden Door was up for review, I jumped on it. And did a happy dance when I got accepted.

The Forbidden Door is the 4th book in the Jane Hawk series. Jane is trying to get to her son after learning that her friends died protecting him. Her son is safe with an autistic genius. A genius who is nervous about being in charge of a child but determined to protect him as much as he can. While she is traveling to get her son, the Arcadians are searching for her in-laws. They want to adjust Nick’s parents and use them to find out where Jane’s son is. They think that if they have the son, then they will be able to bring Jane to her knees. But, that is not the case. Nick’s parents have become ghosts and force the Arcadians to search for them. The Arcadians also have another huge issue, besides Jane trying to take them down. Recently adjusted people are being driven insane. They are committing heinous crimes. Can Jane reach her son before the Arcadians? Can the Arcadians contain the epidemic of adjusted people going insane? Will the Arcadians find Nick’s parents?



What I liked about The Forbidden Door:

I loved Jane. She was as fresh and as complex as she was in the first 3 books. I like that the author chose to highlight her maternal instinct. I also liked how he balanced it with her need to find justice for Nick’s and all the other adjusted people’s deaths. Her interactions with Luther, Bernie, Travis, and Cornell were awesome. Plus, I liked seeing a heroine that wasn’t afraid to use shady connections to help her.

I was so happy to see Luther make an appearance in the book. I had missed him in book 3. I was wondering what happened to Rebecca, Jolie, and Twyla (and yes, I am still tickled that I see my name in a book!!). My wondering about them wasn’t answered. I was glad to see that Jolie was safe. It was Rebecca and Twyla that was my concern. I wanted to know where they were. I am hoping that my questions are answered in book 5.

I loved that Cornell was in this book. I liked that the author went more into his background and his autistic tendencies. I liked, that in spite of his limitations, that he was able to hide Travis for as long as he did. His terror at taking care of Travis made me sad for him. He was afraid that he was going to fail him. He was a gentle giant.

Travis was a remarkable kid. It didn’t seem like all the upheavals that went on in his life affected him. The only sign I saw was when he called Jane “Mommy” instead of “Mom“. I am wondering if his character will be in book 5 and what will happen to him.

As with all books, the secondary characters are key to keeping the book flowing. The author did a great job at introducing various characters and keeping them constant for the entire time they are in the book. He also brought in secondary characters that were in the other books. Techno Arcadians and good guys.

There were 3 major plotlines in The Forbidden Door. What I enjoyed was that the author was able to bring them all together at the end of the book. I also liked that none of them were resolved. None. It made me very excited about book 5!!

The first plotline is the one involving Jane and her trek to get Travis. She revisited some familiar people. She also made some new allies. Ferrante was a remarkable one. His obsession with blood skeeved me out. What he asked Jane to do got me even more skeeved.

The second plotline involved the Arcadians and their search for Nick’s parents. I loved it because I had no clue where they went. That ending chapter, when all was revealed, was interesting. I am hoping that this plotline is revisited. I want to know what happens to Egon.

The third plotline involved the Arcadians and the people that they adjusted going insane. This plotline was introduced late in the book. I am curious to see what is going to happen with that. Will all the adjusted people start going insane? Or just the ones recently infected?

What I disliked about The Forbidden Door:

There were a few things that I didn’t like about The Forbidden Door.

I did not like the Arcadians. The single-mindedness that they showed to their cause. They kept using the brain-altering drug even though they knew that it was driving people insane. They turned almost a whole town to track Travis down. And how did that turn out? Not so great for their cause. I also didn’t like how Laurie was treated by Janis. And man, Janis’s psychotic break. It was awful.

I did think that the storyline with the Arcadians hunting down Nick’s parents was a bit drawn out. While I understand why it went on for so long, I started to get bored by it.

The end of The Forbidden Door was great. None of the storylines were ended. Instead, they were all left up in the air. Normally, I would be complaining about this. But because there is going to be a book 5, I know that the storylines will be ended in that book. So, it is fine with me.

I gave The Forbidden Door a 4-star rating. I liked the plotlines and the characters. The only thing that I didn’t like about The Forbidden Door were the Arcadians. I also thought that storyline about them hunting down Nick’s parents dragged on for longer than it needed to.

I would give The Forbidden Door an Adult rating. There is no sex. But there are scenes that discuss child sexual abuse and one man contemplating raping a child. There is violence. There is a disturbing scene where a man is attacked and his chin is almost bitten off. There is language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would reread The Forbidden Door. I would also recommend this book to family and friends. I would include a warning about possible triggers (see above).

I would like to thank Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Forbidden Door.

All opinions stated in this review of The Forbidden Door are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I have read a multitude of Dean Koontz books in my thirty-one years of living. Unfortunately, I have not yet read the first three books in the Jane Hawk series. With that being said, I was given the opportunity to read “ The Forbidden Door” and I had to take it because I love his work.
I was pleasantly surprised, and relieved, to learn that this could be read as a standalone because you do get some background information and such. It picks right up after the events of book 3, “The Crooked Staircase”
This book was intense and suspenseful. It definitely left me wanting more. I will be sure to go back and read the previous three books in the series so that I can be prepared for the next book that’s coming in 2019!

**I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

While I love Dean Koontz I had a little trouble getting into this book. I gave it a chance, and though, not my favorite, it turned out pretty well. The characters are well written and the series is good.