The Husband

Title: The Husband

Author: Dean Koontz

Published in: 2006

Date read: 31st January 2012

Score: 5/5

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Husband" by Dean Koontz, published in 2006, is a standalone thriller that plunges an ordinary man into an extraordinary and terrifying ordeal, forcing him to confront ruthless criminals to save the person he loves most. It's a high-octane race against time, exploring themes of love, desperation, and unexpected courage.

The protagonist is Mitch Rafferty, a seemingly unremarkable landscape gardener leading a quiet, contented life with his beloved wife, Holly. Their peaceful existence is shattered by a single, chilling phone call. A distorted voice informs Mitch that Holly has been kidnapped.

The kidnapper's demand is utterly outrageous and seemingly impossible: Mitch must deliver two million dollars in cash within a very short, specified timeframe – just a matter of hours – or Holly will be killed. What makes the demand even more sinister is that the kidnapper knows intimate details of Mitch's life, suggesting a deep level of surveillance and planning.

Mitch, a man of modest means, has no way of acquiring such a vast sum of money. The kidnapper, however, has anticipated this, outlining a series of escalating, morally compromising, and increasingly dangerous tasks Mitch must complete to raise the ransom. These tasks push Mitch far beyond his comfort zone, forcing him to break laws, confront terrifying individuals, and utilize skills he never knew he possessed.

As Mitch desperately races against the clock, he realizes that the kidnapper is not merely a common criminal. This unseen tormentor seems to derive pleasure from Mitch's suffering and is playing a twisted psychological game, manipulating him through a series of chilling instructions delivered via phone. The motive behind the kidnapping appears to be more complex than mere financial gain, hinting at a deeper, more personal vendetta.

The novel is a relentless, pulse-pounding thriller, characterized by Koontz's signature blend of suspense, dark humour, and philosophical undertones about the nature of good and evil. Mitch, an everyman hero, is driven by his profound love for Holly, transforming from an ordinary citizen into a resourceful and determined survivor.

The climax involves Mitch reaching the final, most dangerous stage of his desperate quest, leading to a tense and violent confrontation with the kidnapper. He must outwit his tormentor in a desperate attempt to save Holly before time runs out, unravelling the mystery behind the kidnapping and facing the true face of evil. "The Husband" is a testament to the lengths one man will go to protect the one he loves.

Comments:
Very enjoyable fast-paced thriller.

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)