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Watchers
Watchers
Watchers
Audiobook16 hours

Watchers

Written by Dean Koontz

Narrated by Dean Koontz and Edoardo Ballerini

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

()

About this audiobook

Winner of the 2019 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator with an afterword read by the author

A “superior thriller” (Oakland Press) about a man, a dog, and a terrifying threat that could only have come from the imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

On his thirty-sixth birthday, Travis Cornell hikes into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. But his path is soon blocked by a bedraggled Golden Retriever who will let him go no further into the dark woods.

That morning, Travis had been desperate to find some happiness in his lonely, seemingly cursed life. What he finds is a dog of alarming intelligence that soon leads him into a relentless storm of mankind’s darkest creation...

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMay 22, 2018
ISBN9781978637160
Watchers
Author

Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the author of more than a dozen New York Times No. 1 bestsellers. His books have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, and his work is published in 38 languages. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania and lives with his wife Gerda and their dog Anna in southern California.

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Reviews for Watchers

Rating: 4.670788253477589 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

647 ratings111 reviews

What our readers think

Readers find this title to be one of their favorite Dean Koontz books. They love the suspense, the engaging and suspenseful story, and the well-developed characters. The book is described as compelling, inspiring, and a wonderful story. Some readers have read it multiple times and still enjoy it. Overall, this book is highly recommended and considered one of the best books they have ever read.

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the first Dean Koontz I read, and I loved it. It could happen, too...

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great story telling and great story. Koontz's writing style keeps you captivated throughout the story and wanting to read more and more. It's hard to put his books down. Although the ending was predictable, it was still very well written and fun to read. I definitely recommend this book!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Such a touching story. Read this in the fall of 2006, and it made me yearn for a dog. (Even one of normal intelligence.)

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was the first book that I read repeatedly as a teen. At it's core, this is a story about love and the search for belonging. The fact that these values are taught through an epic battle between a super intelligent dog and a genetically engineered killing monster is just good horror fun.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A man must help an intelligent dog fend off the attacks of the product of a brutal genetic engineering experiment.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    I'm reading this one because of the dog. The horror sections are nasty, and the other story expositions are eye-rollingly bad. There isn't anyone in the book who thinks well, not even the hero. Nope, not even the guvmint agent. But then, I guess, if they did, that would blow the entire plot. I am not sympathetic to the conundrum. Nor to any of the human characters. The dog gets the star.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    While reading this book I was glad that it opened up quite quickly with the events that transpire. However, there came a slow stage shortly after. During which time I really didn't want to trudge through so I decided to read another book instead. Finally, I got back to reading and once past the slow section the book picked up the pace nicely and was completed in a short amount of time. The character development was good. One character really began to grate on my nerves. That was Vince Nasco the hitman, he was so psychotically retarded and I began to really detest his internal dialogue. Lastly as I continue to work my way through this novel, I began to realize in comparison to Einstein (the dog) just how dumb my own golden retriever was most of the time. I mean he had his moments, but for the most part pretty silly.Overall, I could relate with a lot of the places in the book because I have visited so many of the locations. Although, this wasn't my favorite Koontz novel but it was an enjoyable read none-the-less. I'm very interested to get started on the Odd series at this point.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was one of the best I've read in a long time. You can't help but fall in love with the dog in this book. One of the few books I could give a 5 star rating to.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I've read so many of this guys books that they all start to run together after a while. But this one sticks out. Cool story, creepy, cold and well stitched.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I know, I know - Dean Koontz. But this one was from before he jumped the shark (although he might have jumped back with the more recent Chris Snow and Frankenstein books). ANYWAY - I loved this book, especially the dog, and it was impossible to put down. GREAT airplane/beach/sitting in a boring seminar reading.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is my all time favorite Koontz book. Stayed up all night reading it. 1st book I cried over, at the end when...(wont give it away). Koontz's formula works. Its his characters we care about, even an animal. The humanity he brings to a dog is a rare gift, without making it seem silly. He shines light into the darkest of characters, gives us hope they can be redeemed. That is what makes this book work. As so many of his others.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I literally could not put this book down. I sent my date away for a half hour so I could finish it. Once again, Koontz finds a way to help the reader commiserate with the evil entity of the book. I particularly liked this one because it revolved around a dog -- and what a dog! Well-crafted page-turner with great major and minor characters. It made me want to read more by him!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Like many of Koontz's books it's about a man, a woman, and a golden retriever who outsmart the bad guys and then live happily ever after. Formulaic but still fun nonetheless.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Characters, all of them. Even felt a little sorry for " The Outsider".
    Super book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one of my 2 most favorite books, the first being 'The Godfather'.
    This book has everything one might want. It's a suspenseful thriller that is parts science fiction, drama, love story and thriller! It has it all and comes highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The best book Dean Koontz has written! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Fantastic story, loveable characters, diabolical villains - the height of good and depths of evil on full display.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What an amazing story of love, loyalty, terrifying, cry worthy moments. I'm mad at myself for not listening or reading this book sooner, it was fantastic!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The reason I always get sucked into a DK book is because of the characters he creates. Even the outsider in this story has a story and Koontz explores the complexity of the monstrosity. You really can't help but partly pity the outsider. Einstein is so adorable and what a sense of humor. I love Nora and Travis' love story it is so wholesome and sweet. This is one of the better books I have listened to by Koontz recently. I have listened to and/or read many of his books and even the worst ones will hook me in. My only complaint was that a few innocent zoo animals and a cat were killed. I really get upset by this, not sure what is says about me as a person when I am less bothered by humans meeting their doom or demise. I sort of wished the outsider could have dispatched with Vince, now that would have been karma. Part of me wonders if Koontz has ever owned a cat? If not I think he should try one as they are just as wonderful and intelligent as many dogs. The narrator of this audiobook was very, very talented and did an excellent job. Good story with nice happy ending. The best line in the whole book was when Travis and Nora were relaxing and it is narrated, "and Einstein was reading a book", that was just so funny and tickled my funnybone.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I had no idea this was the author's most famous novel when I started it, but I can certainly see why.

    In the beginning, when Travis first meets the dog, it was honestly one of the scariest things I've heard in a long time. That includes other books, video games, movies, TV shows, and the internet.

    The rest of the book doesn't disappoint either. The pacing is fantastic. Even when the plot was relatively calm, I was filled with anticipation for the next time the plot took a grisly turn.

    The ending, which I won't spoil here, was very satisfying. If the author never writes a sequel, I'll be perfectly content to appreciate this story as it is.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I did indeed laugh and cry listening to Watchers!
    Having read the book sometime ago, listening to the narrator was an absolute pleasure. He really brought the characters to life. Thank you Mr Koontz … love, love, love
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I find Koontz reliably entertaining. I don't know I'd call him exactly a favorite author, because too many of his books blur in my mind, feel too alike. But this novel happens to be my favorite of his, and if you're a dog lover at all I think irresistible. You see, the most memorable character--arguably the protagonist, is "Einstein" a very intelligent genetically enhanced golden retriever. He can't talk--but give him a stick he can spell... This does belong in horror--that dog isn't the only genetically enhanced creature on the prowl. But this particular book is also filled with love, warmth and humor. Koontz has a clean style, storytelling skill and great pacing. This is a quick, engrossing fun read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was craving some Stephen King style thrills but ran out of King books to read, so decided to give this book a shot. I'd never read Dean Koontz before.

    Generally said, this was a compelling thriller with interesting characters, nicely varied storylines, and timeless themes. This book gives Stephen King's best a run for its money.

    I'm a bit sad that I listened to the later-added Afterword by the author, where he mentioned that Watchers was one of his first novels and he has yet to write a better a book. Oh well, I guess it's good to start with the best and work your way down. :D
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book if your a dog person this book will make you look at your dog a little different and wonder. Enjoy the store it’s a great one
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved it!!! Just the right amount of everything. On to the next Dean Koontz book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A wonderfully told tale that made me laugh, cry, cringe with anxiety and left me feeling good! One of Koontz better novels! ??
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was the first Dean Koontz I ever read, and it definitely made me want to read more! The blurb on the jacket mentions two creatures escaping from a research lab, but there is so much more to it than that. This book has plenty of gore and violence for those who enjoy that type of thing, but also a really heartwarming story alongside, which sort of balances it.Just a small niggle. What on earth did the exchange about dancers in Las Vegas add to the story? It just struck me as a bit of gratuitous crudity, and I'm pretty broad minded.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Awesome and inspiring. There is hope for us in these dark negative times
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is an old book by Koontz, and the main character is a very smart golden retriever dog. I enjoyed this book much more than his novel published last year 'The Darkest Evening of the Year' also featuring a unique dog.This is Koontz at his best and this was a great thriller. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character 'Einstein' the dog, and found his ability to communicate with people both fascinating and heart warming. Of course there is always a dark side to a Koontz novel, and this book was no exception. The polar opposite of Einstein is the 'Outsider' who pursues them across the country leaving carnage in its path.Highly recommended for any Koontz fan or anyone who is a dog lover and enjoys a good thriller.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Speechless, I'm beyond astonished at the narrators amazing ability to bring this book to life...