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    The Watchers
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    The Watchers
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    The Watchers
    Audiobook21 hours

    The Watchers

    Written by Jon Steele

    Narrated by Jonathan Davis

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Every hour, childlike Marc Rochat circles the Lausanne cathedral as the watchmen have done for centuries. Then one day a beautiful woman draws him out of the shadows-the angel his mother once promised him would come.

    But Katherine Taylor is no angel. She's one of the toughest and most resourceful call girls in Lausanne. Until something unnatural seething beneath a new client's request sends her fleeing to the sanctuary of an unlikely protector.

    Into their refuge comes Jay Harper. The private detective has awakened in Lausanne with no memory of how he got there-and only one thing driving him forward: a series of unsettling murders he feels compelled to solve.

    Pray for the three strangers. They have something in common they can't begin to imagine.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 29, 2012
    ISBN9781101564264
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Watchers

    4/5

    1,506 ratings60 reviews

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    • 3/5
      I haven’t had a lot of luck with my most recent books so I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this one. The characters are likable and very relatable. The author really has the reader develop a strong interest in Einstein and how is story is going to end. You can put yourself in many of the characters shoes and understand their motives. The book has an excellent beginning and you feel the intensity of the storyline. So the timeline in this book is very long which causes the book to have a very long middle that doesn’t necessarily move the story along. It helps in developing a connection to the characters but reduces the intensity that the initial start of book had. By the time the end got here, I was just glad it was time for it to end. I think even the author was ready for the book to end because the final climax was very fast. J. Charles is a good narrator whose best side was emoting just how important Einstein is the Travis and Nora.
    • 4/5
      3.5 stars

      I read this for the '80s Horror square for Halloween Bingo

      When the telephone rang, it startled her. She put down her pencil and reached for the receiver. "Hello?"
      "Funny," a man said.
      "Excuse me?"
      "They never heard of him."

      I know this story has monsters, psycho killer, semi-curses, awful bitter aunt, and government agents, but this was the moment that sent a chill down my spine.
      Nora's aunt that kept her just about child protective services needed isolated dies and leaves Nora alone and fearful of the world. When a tv repairman comes and seems to be hitting on her, she can't believe it and thinks she misinterpreted things. Of course she was right because no matter our upbringing, us women seem to have an innate sense of dude's up to no good. TV repairman turns out be a sexual harasser and stalker to the nth degree. Hence, the phone call where he lets her know he checked up on her she has a husband and is a police officer lie. This stalker plot introduces us to Nora and is a way to connect her with Travis and Einstein and then fades into the distance pretty quickly.

      In the distance, very far away no, something shrieked, something that was not of God's creation.

      Travis is out hiking contemplating his life as a cursed man. His mother, father, and brother are all dead, dying from circumstances that seem to be his fault, his delta force platoon all perished while he was only shot in the leg, and his wife only last a year before she died of cancer. He thinks he's cursed and has stayed away from making connections with people for the last couple years. When a dog comes out of the woods and warns him away from some noise that has Travis' neck hair rising, he finds himself the owner of a dog. The Travis curse thread fades out a bit too but he occasionally worries about it later with Nora.

      Einstein our lovable Golden Retriever is on the run from government agents who are trying to bring him back to the lab he escaped from. Well him and The Outsider, an animal mixed DNA mashed up monster created to be a kill machine. The Outsider hates Einstein because he was the beloved smart dog in the lab and people couldn't bear to look at The Outsider because he was so ugly, so he is driven to kill Einstein.

      If that wasn't enough for you there is a contract killer who is being paid by the Russians to kill the scientists responsible for Einstein and The Outsider. Because they're jealous? Angry? The Russian connection was a bit muddled. Anyway the contract killer thinks every time he kills someone he absorbs their essence, but he also values the dollar because he puts two and two together and figures out the scientists he has killed created Einstein and he wants to capture the dog and ransom him back to the G-men or Russians.

      The contract killer plot could have been left out as we get pov's from him early on but then he basically disappears until the very end and then gets a very rushed ending. I thought the beginning was interesting but then the middle sagged a bit as the focus on Nora and Travis falling in love was focused on more and them trying to figure out a way to communicate more concisely with Einstein. I wanted more of the suspense and horror feel we go from The Outsider but I was reading this for Halloween Bingo and was probably looking for something slightly different from the book.

      What man had begun, man now ended.

      I enjoyed the themes of morals in science, relationships, society, and oneself and I delighted in Einstein, the only thing that could have made him better was if he was a Rottweiler :) I wish the ending hadn't felt so rushed with all the villains being dealt with at once, it really made the pacing feel even more off kilter. A few technology and culture references show the story's age but otherwise, this hold up nicely.
    • 5/5
      Personally, this is one of my favorite books that never gets old no matter how many times I read it. For me, I still get chills in a few places, I love watching Nora blossom into this amazing woman despite her upbringing, and the dog, Einstein, is just...wow. But, I think my favorite thing about it all was how Koontz was able to make me feel this conflict of emotions when it came to the Outsider. On the one hand, there's a lot of fear and the mentality that this thing has to be put down without question. Then, on the other, there are these rare moments where I actually felt a little compassion for it in spite of everything the creature had done. I loved how this conflict reminded me of Mary Shelley's, Frankenstein.
    • 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.
    • 5/5
      My favorite of his books. We share an opinion about monkeys.
    • 5/5
      Read it five times, still love it every time. Einstein rules!
    • 5/5
      Very interesting. I started "The Di Vinci" once a long time ago and was so bored by the second chapter - some "Perils of Pauline" silliness where the hero ends up trapped in a vault with no way out - that I cared neither to know how the hero escaped or to turn a single page. I feared that "The Watchers" would be of the same ilk, but it was in fact interesting. The main characters were intriguing (the female lead less so than the two men), and the plot satisfying. The mythology was interesting, the locale no less so. I am definitely moving on to the second novel in the trilogy.
    • 5/5
      I really love Dean Koontz and WATCHERS is one of his best books. Both dogs, one good and one evil, are genetic mutations and both cause conflicting emotions. Some of the characterizations and descriptions seemed a bit heavy-handed, but the plot runs smooth and kept me fascinated the entire time. This is a mainstay of both suspense and horror. Highly recommended!
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 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!
    • 5/5
      A great story! Like Old Yeller on steroids.
    • 5/5
      I love the concept of a dog with almost human intelligence. This a scary, exciting, and touching story. One of my favorite Koontz tales of all time.
    • 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!
    • 4/5
      Really enjoyed this book, particularly everything that had to do with Einstein.
    • 4/5
      dean Koontz can write good thrillers/horror. unfortunally most of his book have some characteristics that annoy me.

      First - There are dogs in it. Special dogs for that matter.
      Second - The shallow uber perfect characters.

      The story resolves around a perfect being (dog) being created and it's evil twisted "brother".

      Of course, reading other Koontz books you know how it ends... because Koontz and really make changes on the plot/finale.

      Dog People vs Evil (type here) = Winner Dog People (without casualities or suffering.
    • 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.)
    • 5/5
      This is the first Dean Koontz I read, and I loved it. It could happen, too...
    • 5/5
      I absolutely LOVED this book! I loved the characters and their development and how everything came together in the end! I can't believe I had never heard of this book before and I am so thankful for the challenge I am completing to have me ask for my mom's favorite book! I am always a little cautious about reading books with animals because I hate to read about them being hurt or dying but I had no problems with this one! I recommend it to any dog lover!
    • 3/5
      It's been a while since I have read this, but I do recall that I quite enjoyed the perspective of the monster in this even if it was through the eyes of something abominable. Reminded me a little of the Beowulf & Grendel story.
    • 4/5
      Man's best friend, a monster, a bit of romance, horror, and communication between a dog and humans... quite a feat! Dean Koontz pulls it off rather well, although it is a little hokey. But, who can really call horror classics like Dracula, Frankenstein, or any werewolf story realistic? I enjoyed this book for exactly what it is, a somewhat scary journey into the unbelievable!
    • 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.
    • 3/5
      Good nostalgia read from the mid 80's when some might argue saw Mr K on top form. The story is a mix of horror and fantasy with at it's heart a rather lovey dovey story of Travis Cornell and the virginal Nora Devon...and of course the cute little dog Einstein. Einsteen is part of a secret gov experiment and he can actually communicate with humans although we do have the rather farcical 200 page interlude of Einstein learning to reading and playing scrabble (I kid you not!) Having said that there are some strong characters as always in the writing of Dean Koontz which makes Watchers an enjoyable read. Of special mention is the somewhat despicable Arthur (do people really still call their kids Arthur?).....unfortunately his appearance in the story was much too brief and the equally adventurous hired hitman/assassin Vincent Nasco. I am not sure I would agree with the quotation on the front of this 2015 addition "Not just a master of our darkest dreams but also a literary juggler" but a good read still the same.............
    • 5/5
      My all time favourite Koontz book. I recently revisited this book and found some of the references which were current at the time to be dated now, but that did not deter from my enjoyment of the story. I want Einstein!!
    • 3/5
      Nice and suspenseful. Someone told me that this was one of the scariest books they had ever read, but I didn't find it scary at all. It was well done, going back and forth between good and evil, with a serial killer thrown in. I was sympathetic to both of the "beasts", and found the ending satisfying.

      Recommended.
    • 3/5
      The book of the month for my university book club for December 2017. What a way to end the year with a sci-fi suspense novel by Dean Koontz.

      Unfortunately, I read this book after reading 2 others by Koontz and I think it influenced how I read this one. On top of that, I was in a bit of a reading slump with the holidays, birthdays, and chaos that starts around December and ends in January.

      But, here is what I thought...

      Every writer has a signature, something that a reader can pinpoint as being unique to their writing style. A character, a setting, or the ability to be descriptive to an extreme or not descriptive enough.

      In Koontz's novels, there is always a do-gooder. A good Samaritan that is placed in just the right moment, has just the right connections, and wants nothing in return from the main character he/she is helping. In both Jane Hawk books, there was a well-placed Samaritan that saved her life and helped her succeed. In Watchers, there are 2 well-placed and perfectly timed do-gooders. It almost doesn't feel believable, which bothered me. I would like to think there are do-gooders everywhere you go, someone who would help a stranger and not think twice about it, but I also feel like our society has started to shun these people away for fear of being reprimanded. That makes these characters seem like they were placed to keep the story moving along in a certain direction that it would otherwise diverge from.

      With that said, this was an interesting story. I liked Einstein. Hell, I want Einstein! If my dogs were half as obedient and interesting to be around (or my cat), my life would be a lot easier. But alas, they chew up things they aren't supposed to and can't read or write and I don't think I want to know what my cat really thinks.

      I also enjoyed watching Nora blossom. Her character went through huge life changes from the beginning to the end and it was the subtle story behind the main story that I was almost more interested in finding out how it ended.

      There was a bit of a hole to the story though. I wanted to find out more about Vince and his story. Bits and pieces were given, but that man had some interesting things going on and his back story was never fully explained. It isn't vital to the novel, but I would have liked to have more information about him.

      I wanted more closure too. The entire novel leads up to this battle with the Outsider. It was a little anti-climactic. Travis set up all these traps but because of other circumstances, none of the traps engaged. I felt like all the planning Travis and Nora did, there should have been a Plan B, C, D, and E. There was still closure, but I felt like the "battle" scene could have been a bit longer, more engaging, and really serve as the climax to the whole novel.

      Overall, a good read. If I read it at a different time, I think I would have enjoyed it more but...

      I read too many Koontz novels too close together and I think that really took a toll on how I received this one. :(

       

       
    • 5/5
      excellent read !
    • 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!
    • 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!
    • 2/5
      Easily the WOSRT Dean Koontz novel I have read (I love the Odd Thomas series). I can not understand why this is 5-stars on Amazon. This is a romance novel disguised as a "thriller/horror" novel. Not scary at all, zero thrills...but lots of touchy-feely moments. The dialog in the book (which is far less than the author narrative) is forced, choppy and completely unbelievable. Characters basically explain everything in their dialog even if the other character already knows some of all of what they saying just to have the read "filled in". There are pages and pages of unneeded story about how the main characters train/teach the "super dog" and all the "cool" things Mr. Super Dog (aka fur face - annoying nickname for the dog!!!!!!!) can do.I swear, if this was not a Dean Koontz book I would have thrown it in the trash after chapter 2, maybe 3. I only finished because of my respect for Mr. Koontz but even after saying that, I did skip chunks of text that dealt with the stupid dog.The best parts of the book were when the "outsider" was discussed or was the topic of the text.
    • 5/5
      Everyone in my family loves this book. I hadn't read it in two decades so I decided to read it again. The story opens with Travis Cornell, a former Special Forces soldier who is suffering deep depression. He’s heading into the Santa Ana mountains to see if he can reignite some of his will to live. While hiking he finds a lost dog - a golden retriever who is acting quite anxious. Eventually Travis gets him back to his car and discovers how smart he is. He begins to think the dog can understand English but he knows that's just crazy. He decides to keep him and name him Einstein. Soon Travis and Einstein meet Nora Devon, a shy woman who has led an extremely sheltered life. She is being stalked by a violent predator until Travis and Einstein save her.

      It turns out Einstein is an escapee from Banodyne Labs, where he's the experimental animal that's being studied to infiltrate the enemy and report back, since no one would expect a dog to be a spy. Meanwhile, other experiments haven't worked out as well and “The Outsider”, a mutant killer from the same laboratory has also escaped and is tracking Einstein so he can kill him. There is also a deranged hit man who is tracking Einstein, while killing off Banodyne's scientists to keep what they were doing a secret.

      Told in a simple, straightforward story Watchers is part novel, part thriller, and part romance. Einstein is a wonderful dog who has a spirit you won't soon forget. Despite his incredible intelligence he remains a simple dog who wants to stay with the family he has come to love. I can see why so many people like Watchers.