Relentless (Koontz novel)
Author | Dean Koontz |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | Suspense, Psychological novel |
Publisher | Bantam Books |
Publication date | 2009 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | |
Pages | 356 pp |
ISBN | 978-0553807141 |
OCLC | 259265978 |
813/.54 22 | |
LC Class | PS3561.O55 R45 2009 |
Relentless is a 2009 suspense thriller from The New York Times #1 best selling author, Dean Koontz. The story follows the plight of best selling author Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich, his wife, son, and family dog, Lassie, who are being stalked and hunted by a feared and revered national book critic, Shearman Waxx. The novel was released in the US on June 9, 2009[1] by Bantam Books.
Plot Summary
Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich has just released his sixth novel, One O'Clock Jump which is generally well received in the literary community. However, Shearman Waxx, considered to be a preeminent literary critic, writes a scathing, albeit somewhat inaccurate review of Cubby's latest work.
Against the advice of his wife, a children's book author in her own right, Cubby attempts to gather some information about his new nemesis. Cubby learns that he and the critic share a favorite dining locale. Accompanying Cubby to the restaurant is his six year old prodigy son, Milo. A chance encounter in the men's room foretells the ensuing chaos when Shearman Waxx simply utters "Doom."
Receiving a fortuitous call from a fellow writer who had previously endured a similar slandering at the hands of Waxx, Cubby is told of the horrific manner in which the writer's family was murdered. The writer encourages Greenwich to abandon his home and flee.
Set into motion are a series of violent events, beginning with the destruction of the Greenwich home. All members of the family, rescued pup Lassie included, flee to the presumed safety of a friend's real estate investment project. When their moves are quickly countered by the escalating psychopathy of their pursuer, it becomes evident they need to seek armament and information.
The family seeks refuge with Penny Greenwich's apocalypse-fearing family who conveniently have fortified an underground bunker and stocked it with a cache of weapons. Not content being forced into the role of reclusive prey, the family embarks on a journey of discovery to determine who it is they're dealing with and what can be done to stop him.
Their journey takes them to the hometown of two former artists in an attempt to digest the brutality with which they and their families were dispatched. Along the way, the family counters the rising tension and ever-present shadow of death with bits of sarcastic humor and Milo, by engrossing himself in his scientific projects.
The story continues to follow the Greenwiches through a series of tense and suspenseful events as they search for clues into the past of their tormentor and seek to discover his hidden motives. After an encounter in which a former victim named Henry. Former Sheriff Truman is shot and killed by Waxx's associates, Waxx himself is captured by the family. They take him to his own house, and encounter his mother, Zazu. Zazu orders her servant to make sure that Waxx is in the car. The servant stabs Waxx, killing him, and Zazu is enraged. Somehow she summons a gun and shoots the servant, and then shoots Cubby. Cubby falls to the floor and dies. Then, suddenly, salt shakers which Milo had given them both previously activate. Time goes backwards and Cubby is saved.
Characters
Cullen "Cubby" Greenwich: A best-selling author, and gentle family man, who has just released his 6th novel, One O'Clock Jump. He enjoys a harmonious relationship with his wife and is unceasingly mystified by his 6 year old son. His charmed life quickly erodes, however, as he is taunted and pursued by a sinister and psychopathic book critic. Forced to confront the demons of his past while eluding the tormentor of his present, Cubby finally comes to terms with the details of his destiny.
Penny Greenwich: The Greenwich matriarch is also a children's book author, devoted wife, and loving mother. Penny's soft outer beauty belies a hidden intensity and temper and resourcefulness. She evolves from a tender wife and mother to an assertive, gun-wielding warrior dedicated to the preservation of her family.
Milo "Spooky" Greenwich: A precocious virtuoso, 6 year old Milo reads at a college level, is a student of philosophy and physics, and aspires to one day head the FBI to rid the world of the thugs who run it. Adept at manufacturing elaborate and baffling contraptions, Milo is constantly in the charge of Lassie, the Australian Shepherd mix who he insisted the family rescue. Milo's cunning and acute awareness of adult scenarios is engaging and interesting, albeit requiring some suspension of disbelief.
Shearman Waxx: Reclusive literary critic, revered by some, feared by most, he also harbors a secret psychopathic tendency to hunt and kill artists to whom he's just delivered bitter, unflattering reviews. He is a stout man with white hair and a signature red bow tie. He maintains an aura of mystery and seems to have substantial resources at his disposal to hunt his prey.
Grimbald Boom: Penny's father, a demolitions expert by trade, and paranoid, prepared apocalypse-fearing man of Viking-esque characteristics. He is protective of his family and assists in their armament and provides a brief reprieve from their pursuer.
Clotilda Boom: A physically imposing woman, insistent that humans should remain obligate carnivores, and able to decode bits of the future from soup and coffee grounds, she raised her daughter to be strong yet compassionate and exhibits such traits herself.
Vivian "Vi" Norbert: A fifty-something widow, preoccupied with pink, is Milo's babysitter. She is tough and ferocious and comes to the aid of the Greenwiches when their situation turns from bad to worse, providing food and transportation.