Intriguing hook, fast-paced body, disappointing ending. This is my second recent read of Koontz’ 130+ novels, and while I did thoroughly enjoy it, I desperately wanted more in the end. The dialogue and settings reads like a 50s crime noir but tweaked for the modern era; some scenes play out as quite Lynchian.

“The Good Guy” is a cat and mouse thriller where I found myself quietly wanting the cat to win, just to see what would happen. Regardless of the soft corniness that sometimes exudes from certain Koontz books, I had a hell of a time with this one.

I do agree with a few other reviewers critiquing the rather unbelievable dialogue and character dynamics. These aspects took away from the tension and action of the book, but I think Koontz returned us to that with careful and creative prose.

In the language of cinema, you have films, flicks, and
movies. “The Good Guy” was definitely a flick, but I’d grab a bucket of popcorn and put my feet up for a good time anyways.