Watchers

Title: Watchers

Author: Dean Koontz

Published in: 1987

Date read: 26th September 1999

Score: 5/5

Genre: Horror, Science fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Watchers" by Dean Koontz, published in 1987, is a classic techno-thriller with strong elements of horror and the supernatural, focusing on genetically engineered animals and a relentless pursuit by dangerous forces. It's a hallmark Koontz novel, blending suspense, emotion, and philosophical inquiry.

The story centres on Travis Cornell, a troubled former Delta Force operative haunted by his past. One day, while seeking solitude in the remote California hills, he encounters an extraordinary golden retriever named Einstein. Einstein is no ordinary dog; he possesses incredibly advanced intelligence, capable of complex thought, reasoning, and even communication through a modified voice box (though his speech is limited).

Einstein is on the run, and Travis soon discovers why. The dog is an escapee from a secret, highly illegal government genetic research facility. He is the product of a clandestine experiment aimed at creating hyper-intelligent, militarily enhanced animals. The project, codenamed "Project Clean Sweep," also produced another creature: a monstrous, shapeless, and utterly malevolent entity known as The Outsider (or "The Thing"), which is also on the loose and killing indiscriminately.

As Travis bonds with Einstein, their quiet refuge is shattered by the arrival of deadly, professional assassins sent by the shadowy government agency behind Project Clean Sweep. These ruthless operatives, led by the chillingly efficient Vince Nashton, are determined to recapture or eliminate Einstein, The Outsider, and anyone who has come into contact with them, to keep their secret safe.

Travis and Einstein are soon joined by Nora Devon, a beautiful but deeply introverted and traumatised woman who also seeks solace in the secluded area. She too becomes a target, drawn into the terrifying hunt. The trio forms an unlikely, desperate alliance, fighting for their lives against seemingly insurmountable odds.

The novel is a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase, filled with intense action sequences, narrow escapes, and a constant sense of dread. It explores themes of scientific ethics, the definition of humanity, the power of love and loyalty, and the corrupting influence of unchecked power. Einstein's remarkable intelligence and unwavering loyalty make him a deeply sympathetic character.

The climax involves a desperate confrontation with the assassins and The Outsider itself, revealing the full horror of the experiments and forcing Travis, Nora, and Einstein to make a final stand against the forces that seek to eradicate them. "The Watchers" is a thrilling and poignant tale of survival, unlikely heroes, and the battle between good and monstrous evil.

Comments:
I don't know the date that I read this book but it was before the end of 1999. I remember this so well because this is when I fell in love with horror books and it was because this book scared me to death. I was at university and had nightmares about the Outsider and I was sure that I heard it in the hall or saw its shadow as it watched me sleep. It is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it. Also, if you ever think that you do not like reading, it is just that you have not yet found the right book.

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)