I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Saint Odd
by
Dean Koontz
horror in Hardcover edition that was published by Bantam Books on January 13, 2015 and has 352 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd, Odd Hours, Odd Apocalypse, Deeply Odd, The City, Odd Thomas: You Are Destined to Be Together Forever (Short Story), The Silent Corner, The Whispering Room, The Crooked Staircase, The Forbidden Door, The Night Window
Seventh and last in the Odd Thomas horror lite series and revolving around an “ordinary” young man with a conscience who can see ghosts.
My Take
I’ve been impressed with how Koontz makes me see Odd as an upright, idealistic young man, and his odd (unusual) way of looking at the world.
This particular story is well-written and unsatisfying. It ends pretty much the way you expect — and as the title leads you to believe. But I hate being left hanging about who Annamaria was. Yes, she does give Odd an enigmatic explanation at the end about herself and the baby, and it’s not enough. Nor is there the usual companion ghost along with Odd. Well, okay, there is Rob Norwich and then at the very end, but it’s not the same as when Elvis, Frank Sinatra, or Alfred Hitchcock were hanging about.
Oh, I’m probably whining simply because the series has come to an end. I should be happy for Odd.
I’ve noted a few bits, and on the plus side, the fortune teller’s prognostication foretold in “You Are Destined to Be Together Forever“, 0.5, is true, with a twist. There’s a bit of promise in this story of Edie’s organization continuing on with the good fight. We also get more information on Stormy’s horrible childhood and how she chose her name.
As for Odd, he’s certainly going out with a bang: he’s using guns and killing. It’s a stark reminder of the mall shootings and the events of that fateful day that force Odd to realize the truth of today’s bombings.
I’m going to miss Odd.
The Story
Two years after the cataclysmic events that sent him journeying into mystery, Odd Thomas, the intrepid fry cook who sees the dead and tries to help them, has traveled full circle, back to his beloved hometown of Pico Mundo and the people he loves. He has come to save them — and perhaps humanity — from the full flowering of evil it is his destiny to confront, as he draws ever closer to the truth of the world and his place in it.
Stronger, wiser than he started, and with the help of the friends he has made along the way, Odd prepares to confront the terrible forces arrayed against him and possibly to journey still farther, to his long-awaited reunion with his lost love, Stormy Llewellyn.
The Characters
Odd Thomas is a fry cook. A very good fry cook who wishes he’d be left alone to keep being a fry cook. Instead he has the ability to see dead people and the need to help them. Pearl Sugars was Odd’s poker-playing grandmother. Bronwen “Stormy” Llewellyn is the love of Odd’s life. Her uncle, Sean, serves St. Bartholomew’s Church as priest and rector.
Friends along the way include…
…Annamaria is the pregnant woman Odd met and befriended in Odd Hours, 4. I think she’s been pregnant forever and will never give birth! The nine-year-old Tim is the dead boy they rescued in Odd Apocalypse, 5. Raphael is the golden retriever who joined their troupe in Odd Hours. Blossom Rosedale is the horror, the Happy Monster, who was burned horribly by her father when she was six. They arrive in Pico Mundo with Edie.
Pico Mundo
Ozzie Boone is Odd’s very overweight writer friend and surrogate father (to Stormy also) who has encouraged Odd to keep a journal. These journals resulted in this series of books. It’s a cute idea. Terrible Chester is Ozzie’s feet-peeing cat. Terri Stambaugh owns the Pico Mundo Grille where Odd learned and worked.
Pico Mundo PD
Wyatt Porter is the chief of police in Pico Mundo, and he knows all about Odd’s abilities. Karla is the chief’s wife, and she adores Odd as well. Officers Sonny Wexler and Billy Mundy are sent to the dam. Taylor Pipes and Nick Korker will guard Woodrow’s carnival concessions. Rosalia Sanchez was Odd’s landlady and friend.
Blue Sky Ranch had been…
…a quarter-horse operation that fell on hard times and is now owned by Lauren Ainsworth (her husband, Dave, died after they made it a success again). They had twin daughters, Veronica and Victoria. Mugs is their yellow Lab.
Members of Edie’s group
Edie Fischer is an old, very rich lady Odd met in Deeply Odd, 6. She’s part of a group battling the wicked and has welcomed Odd into the organization. Deacon “Deke” and Maybelle Bullock run a safe house in Pico Mundo where they take Odd in.
The Sombra Brothers Midway Show at the Maravilla County Fairgrounds is…
…where Stormy and Odd received their fortune. Lionel Sombra is one of the brothers. Connie is the young woman who does face painting. She has a brother Ethan. Ollie is the strong man while Lou Donatella is a dwarf with his own psychic ability.
Members of the ancient cult worshipping Meridian
We first meet Wolfgang Schmidt, Jonathan, and Selene (a.k.a., Woodrow Creel and Drs. Jeremy and Sibyl Witzleben) when they’re playing nighttime tourist in the mall, relishing the death and mayhem visited upon the victims. Jim Sterling and Bob Cokeberry were the men in the trailer. Emory and Carl are chasing Odd through the orchard.
The Green Moon Mall victims…
…included Stormy and Rob Norwich and his daughter, Emily who were shot down by Simon Varner; Bern Eckles, a former Pico Mundo cop; Gosset; and, Robertson.
The corrupt Mr. and Mrs. Hellborn adopted Stormy after her parents died.
Bodachs are said to be mythical beasts who carry off children. In reality they are harbingers of horrific events. Never speak about them out loud or let them know you know they exist. Contumax is Latin for “defiant” or “disobedient” and is the greeting used by the satanists.
The Cover and Title
The cover is perfect with its hazy, star-filled lilac sky and the cracked ground on which a purple and weary Odd walks toward us, his head down, one hand in his pocket.
The title is how we’ve always seen Odd: Saint Odd, a man too good for this world.
