Intense (Intensity - Dean Koontz)

Member Name: jenmck

Product:	Intensity - Dean Koontz
Date:	02/11/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great thriller

Disadvantages: Won't be able to put it down.

I have reviewed a number of Dean Koontz books previously as he is one of my favourite authors.

I was off work sick last week and while resting in bed decided to re read Intensity. It is one of the best books he has written, and it is very difficult to put down once started as it lives up to the title.

From the first chapter you are drawn into the troubled personality of Chyna Shepherd, a young woman who has suffered more than most, raised by an abusive mother and her numerous boyfriends, Chyna has learnt to be a survivor. She has struggled to become close to people, but when she starts college she is drawn to the vivacious Laura who embraces life and brings joy and hope into Chyna's life.

Then on a weekend visit to Laura's family, Chyna is disturbed in the night by suspicious noises, her survival skills kick in, and while hiding she realises than something terrible has/is happening to Laura's family. Her parents have been murdered, but Laura herself has been raped but still alive. Evading the killer, Chyna creeps around her friend's house to find an escape or a weapon, but to no avail. When the killer returns in motor home to take her friend away, she hides aboard in the hope of helping her friend.

Later when the killer stops for petrol, she overhears him talking about a young girl who is holding at his house. Drawn back to him, in the hope of saving Ariel, she gives chase.

The killer is fascinated by Chyna and her efforts to rescue Ariel, and therefore after he captures her keeps are alive in order to find out about her.

The rest of the book is the ongoing battle between Chyna and the killer, and Chyna and her demons which she must conquer in order to save herself and Ariel.

There are numerous twists and turns in this book, which keep you surprised and since it is set within a short time span (48hours max) you really get the sense of time ticking away. The main character Chyna is well written, and the killer is also intriguing and complex.

Well worth reading.

Summary: heroine tracks down serial killer