Mr. Murder

Title: Mr. Murder

Author: Dean Koontz

Published in: 1993

Date read: 11th December 2007

Score: 4/5

Genre: Thriller, Psychological

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Mr. Murder" by Dean Koontz, published in 1993, is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that delves into themes of identity, duality, the nature of evil, and the dangerous consequences of scientific hubris. It features a relentless pursuit and a shocking twist on the concept of a doppelganger.

The story centres on Martin Stillwater, a successful and happily married mystery novelist with two beloved young daughters, Charlotte and Emily. His life seems idyllic, but it's about to be shattered by an unimaginable threat.

One ordinary afternoon, a stranger breaks into Martin's seemingly secure home. This intruder is no ordinary burglar or psychopath. He is an exact physical duplicate of Martin Stillwater himself – down to every minute detail. The terrifying part is that this doppelganger, who calls himself "Alfie" or "The Killer," believes he is the real Martin Stillwater, and that the Martin we know has stolen his life, his wife, and his children. He is filled with a murderous rage and a twisted determination to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.

The police are initially sceptical of Martin's story, suggesting he's imagining things or experiencing a breakdown. However, Martin and his wife, Paige Stillwater, a counsellor, quickly realize the horrific reality of the threat. The Killer is not only identical to Martin but also possesses superhuman strength, incredible resilience, and a chilling lack of empathy. He is a remorseless killing machine, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake as he relentlessly pursues the Stillwater family.

The bulk of the novel becomes a desperate, high-stakes chase. Martin, Paige, and their daughters are forced to abandon their comfortable life and go on the run, trying to evade this seemingly invincible doppelganger who always seems to find them, no matter where they hide. Koontz excels at creating a sense of suffocating claustrophobia and relentless pursuit, as there is no "safe space" for the family.

As the story unfolds, the true origins of "Mr. Murder" are gradually revealed. It becomes clear that he is the product of a secret, sinister government experiment involving genetic engineering and cloning. Martin Stillwater's DNA was accidentally used to create this perfect, untraceable assassin, "Alfie," who was then conditioned to be a remorseless killer. However, unbeknownst to his creators, Alfie developed a telepathic link with Martin and began to crave the normal, loving life that Martin possessed, leading to his deranged belief that Martin had stolen it from him.

The novel also introduces shadowy government operatives, Drew Oslett and Karl Clocker, who are tasked with cleaning up the mess and retrieving "Alfie." Their involvement adds another layer of conspiracy and danger to the already perilous situation, as they too are willing to eliminate the Stillwaters to maintain the secrecy of their project.

Themes explored in "Mr. Murder" include:
Identity and Self: What defines a person? Is it memories, experiences, or simply genetic makeup?
Duality of Human Nature: The stark contrast between the kind, loving Martin and his brutal, soulless clone.
The Dangers of Playing God: The ethical implications of genetic engineering and creating life without a conscience.
The Power of Family and Love: Martin's fierce protectiveness of his family is a central driving force in the narrative.
Relentless Evil: The terrifying nature of a killer who is both physically unstoppable and driven by a warped sense of entitlement.

The climax involves a brutal showdown where Martin must confront his identical, homicidal reflection, not just for his own life, but for the lives of his wife and daughters. "Mr. Murder" is a prime example of Koontz's ability to blend intense suspense, elements of horror and science fiction, and deeply personal stakes into a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative.

Comments:
I had completely forgotten about this one until I was putting this page together. I loved this book and could not put it down.

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)