Dark Rivers of the Heart
by Dean Koontz
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dean KoontzEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-08
ISBN: 0553582895
Number of pages: 576
Publisher: Bantam
Book Reviews of Dark Rivers of the Heart
Book Review: A Dated Techno Thriller Wrapped in Conspiracy Theory
Summary: 2 Stars
I remember reading this novel almost 2 decades ago, but could only remember the climax nothing that came before it...after re-reading it I can understand why.
The cover of the novel should have been bare white with a black bar code and called "Generic Dean Koontz Thriller" as "Dark Rivers of the Heart" really doesn't break new ground. Actually, it's a hodge-podge of cliches taken right out of other (better) Koontz tales.
1. - Hero with a haunted past. Spencer Grant definately fits the bill, even touting a scar as a daily reminder of his horrific past. Unfortunately Grant is such a snooze, spouting his love for a woman he met for 20 minutes at a bar.
2. - The brunette heroine with a haunted past. Valerie Keene is a mysterious figure who finally makes an appearance halfway through the story. Once she comes on the scene you almost wish she stayed in the shadows.
3. - The dog. Meet Rocky, an animal rescue dog with a haunted past.
4. - The Killer. Roy Miro is a compassionate man who feels so bad for some people he thinks they will be better off in the next world, and does his best to send them there. He is also the point man for a shadowy government agency out to nab Valerie Keene. This character is one of the few bright spots in the novel.
Koontz lets the technology get in the way of the tale, spending quite a bit of time talking about modems, laptops, passwords, codes, satellites, computer access, computer hacking etc. all cutting edge circa 1993. Now a decade later, we can sit and smirk when Roy has to use cellular phone to connect to a modem so that he can then use his laptop to access a computer in Washington (think of how much easier Roy's job would be with an iPad??).
As if the dated technology doesn't dilute the story enough, Koontz takes up quite a bit of the novel talking about how the US Government can steal from any individual using the Asset Forfeiture laws. All of the horror Koontz talks about where the government can seize someones property with little or no reason were basically made obsolete with 2000's Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act. (and besides with most of our liberties being threatened by The Patriot Act on a daily basis...Asset Forfeiture looks pretty mild in comparison).
"Dark Rivers of the Heart" does contain a few action scenes that are fun nail biters, Grant's ride down the river, and mini-mall encounter were top notch fun...unfortunately they are buried in a dull and dated story.
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