Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

I've been reading the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It's an interesting series. I'm on book three, Brother Odd, where Odd Thomas is living in a monastery. He's not a regular at St. Bart's Abbey. He had decided to go there after book two. Odd was seeking some peace and tranquility and perhaps some direction.

Odd Thomas was told as a child that his name was meant to be Todd, and that there was a mistake on the birth certificate. No attempt was made to fix the error and he was called Odd from birth. This fits the young man since he can see the dead. Odd always seems to get himself into trouble, but he's always hell bent on helping people.

This third book in the series is definitely a supernatural thriller. It plays with the idea that your mind is your reality. Our antagonist in this is Brother John who has developed a way to make his mind reality. He creates creatures that wreak havoc on the monastery and it's inhabitants. It is up to Odd to stop him with the enlisted help of a few others.

What's my favorite part so far? In all of the books thus far, my favorite thing is that Odd Thomas shares a special ghostly friendship with no other than Elvis Presley. Up until the middle of book two there hasn't been much communication on Elvis's behalf. Ghosts don't talk to Odd although he can see them and speak to them, and they can understand him. We do see attempts at communication on Elvis's part at some points (read the books to find out more because it's really good). In this third installment I see this friendship come to an end and it makes me sad. Elvis finally crosses over. I have high hopes for Frank Sinatra though. He appears to Odd at the end. Maybe this will be another ghostly friendship I will come to love.

I am enjoying the Odd Thomas series. He is a peculiar character that grows on you. He has loved and lost, had a sad childhood and is growing up to be a sweet young man despite the odds. You don't eve have to be a supernatural fan to delight in Odd's story. Give it try.

Enjoy! Read often!