Thanks to my friend Dayle who has been demanding—er, coaching—me to read a Dean Koontz novel, thanks to his generosity to send me one, I can now proclaim to have read From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz, originally published in 2000. Hmm. Here are my thoughts on this novel experience.
Let’s start with Dean’s writing. Imaginative, using many points of view, unafraid to make his own rules, metaphorically enchanting as well as caustic and haunting. Intellectually stimulating while capturing banality with precision. Suspense building and often shocking. Meandering yet pointed. Not sure I’d care to take a ride in Dean’s brain.
I thought I’d experienced some weird and lethal killers in the novels of Robert Liparulo, Steven James, and Ted Dekker to name a few, but honestly none compare to Enoch Cain, aka Junior, aka Eenie for utter creepiness. His insidious evil captures the insanity of extreme narcissism magnificently. He’s a horrifying specimen. The spiritual irony of his name was not lost on me.
Detective Thomas Vanadium, friend to Pastor Harrison White, recognizes the false front portrayed by this evil young man and is determined to nail him for his first known crime and those which follow.
Little Bartholomew is born to Agnes (The Pie Lady) and Joe Lampion under tragic circumstances. His name came to Joe as a result of listening to a preacher named Harrison White who used the little-spoken-about disciple Bartholomew to highlight his sermon about “this momentous day”. That sermon touched so many who had yet to connect but eventually would. “Barty’s” eyes play an important part in this novel and give the title a personal touch.
Little Angel is born to Seraphim White (daughter to Harrison and Grace and younger sister to Celestina) under tragic circumstances with a sad and horrible connection to her grandfather’s sermon.
These two unique and gifted children serve as destined clarions of unseen existences and will be hero and heroine to many.
Quantum physics and mechanics play an obscure role in this story until the end of the chase to apprehend Cain and result in a not-so-satisfying but interesting and surprising conclusion to this unusual story of horror amidst the miraculous.
If you’re looking for rock solid theology dispersed throughout the story, probably better not look in this novel. The religious themes definitely occupy an important part of this story, but some generous liberties accompany them. However, if you enjoy speculative fiction, for me this is the epitome of speculative.
The abundant production of bestsellers by Dean Koontz proves to me that literary fiction with religious undertones and scary subjects is not unwanted in the secular market. You simply have to make it known to that market which pursues haunting horror written with extreme care, a unique style, and characters you’ll have a hard time finding anywhere else.
Thank you, Dayle, for this reading experience.
Father, your creation is untapped by humanity. We only know so much, so little. Thank you for what you’ve allowed us to know. Your signature is everywhere. Lovely and terrifying. We’re desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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