Midnight by Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is one of those authors who writes just about everything, and yet regardless of genre I have come to love anything written by him. Midnight is no exception. This was my first taste of Koontz works, and I was not disappointed.

The story is very reminiscent of works such as Prey by Michael Crichton or Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. The back reads, "The citizens of Moonlight Cove, California, are changing. Some are losing touch with their deepest emotions. Others are surrendering to their wildest urges. And the few who remain unchanged are absolutely terrified-if not brutally murdered in the dead of night."

A hard-boiled detective  arrives in the small coastal town of Moonlight Cove to investigate the deaths of Janice Capshaw and eleven others, after Janice is attacked and killed by a group of mysterious, nightmarish beasts. Not too far behind is Janice's sister, Tessa Jane Lockland, who is also suspicious of the town's covering up of such horrific events. We also have the point of view of eleven-year-old Chrissie Foster, who finds herself running for her life from her own parents as they lose control of their humanity. These various points of view weave within one another to form this beautifully intriguing mystery surrounding the people of Moonlight Cove, then converge into one in an incredibly thrilling, un-put-down-able surge of events.

Dean Koontz manages to create one of the most thrilling mystery novels I've ever read while subtly and seamlessly integrating a unique strain of the supernatural. A must-read for anyone who loves the tension and intrigue of a mystery, and the darkness that comes out of the supernatural science fiction genre.