False Memory

Title: False Memory

Author: Dean Koontz

Published in: 1999

Date read: 11th August 2000

Score: 3/5

Genre: Psychological, Crime, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"False Memory" by Dean Koontz is a psychological thriller that delves into the terrifying concept of mind control and the insidious manipulation of memory.

The story revolves around Martie Rhodes, a successful video game designer, who begins to experience a series of bizarre and inexplicable phobias. It starts with a fleeting, irrational fear of her own shadow, which quickly escalates into a profound and debilitating "autophobia" – the fear of oneself, particularly the fear of harming herself or others. She is plagued by vivid, terrifying visions of committing violent acts.

Her devoted husband, Dusty Rhodes, a house painter, struggles to understand his wife's sudden descent into mental chaos. Simultaneously, Dusty is dealing with his troubled half-brother, Skeet, who has severe drug addiction issues and has just attempted suicide.

Martie seeks help from Dr. Mark Ahriman, a renowned psychiatrist who has also been treating Martie's agoraphobic best friend, Susan Jagger. However, as Martie's condition worsens and Dusty tries to piece together the events, they begin to suspect that Dr. Ahriman is not what he seems. Dusty notices peculiar coincidences and subtle cues, and as he digs deeper, he uncovers a horrific truth: Dr. Ahriman is a master manipulator and a sexual psychopath.

Ahriman has been systematically brainwashing and programming his patients, including Susan, Martie, and even Skeet, to obey his commands. He uses drugs, hypnotism, and psychological conditioning to make them commit heinous crimes, including murder and suicide, for his own twisted amusement and a perverse, self-proclaimed goal of "improving" society by forcing legislative change through chaos.

The novel becomes a desperate race against time as Martie and Dusty realize they are both victims of Ahriman's intricate web of control. They must fight against the insidious programming within their own minds, trying to distinguish between true memory and the "false memories" implanted by the doctor. The climax involves a tense confrontation with Dr. Ahriman, as the couple attempts to break free from his horrifying influence and bring his reign of terror to an end. "False Memory" explores themes of psychological manipulation, the fragility of the human mind, the dark side of ambition, and the enduring power of love and free will against overwhelming evil.

Comments:
Apologies in advance. I am 100% convinced that the reasons that I didn't enjoy this as much as his other books was down to me and where I was in my life at this time. I just could not get through it and it took all of my British resolve to battle on to the bitter end. I know now that I should have quit and returned years later. I carried the enormous green covered hard back book around for months and although I did enjoy the ending when I got there, it was not worth the effort. I know that it is better than my experience says.

Books that we've read by Dean Koontz (27):
Demon Seed (1973), Icebound (1976), The Voice of the Night (1980), Phantoms (1983), Darkness Comes (1984), Watchers (1987), Dragon Tears (1993), Mr. Murder (1993), Tick Tock (1996), False Memory (1999), The Face (2003), Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas, #1) (2003), The Taking (2004), Forever Odd (Odd Thomas, #2) (2005), Velocity (2005), Life Expectancy (2005), Brother Odd (Odd Thomas, #3) (2006), The Husband (2006), Odd Hours (Odd Thomas, #4) (2008), Breathless (2009), Relentless (2009), The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk, #1) (2017), The Whispering Room (Jane Hawk, #2) (2017), The Crooked Staircase (Jane Hawk, #3) (2018), The Forbidden Door (Jane Hawk, #4) (2018), The Night Window (Jane Hawk #5) (2019), The Other Emily (2021)