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The Bad Place cover art

The Bad Place

By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Carol Cowan, Michael Hanson
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Summary

Frank Pollard awakens in an alley, knowing nothing but his name - and that he is in great danger. Having taken refuge in a motel, he wakes again only to find his hands covered in blood. As far as he knows, he's no killer. But whose blood is this, and how did it get there?

Over the next few days Frank develops a fear of sleep, because each time he wakes, he discovers strange objects in his hands and pockets - objects far more frightening than blood.

Husband-and-wife detective team Bobby and Julie Dakota specialize in high-ticket corporate security investigations, but when a distraught and desperate Frank Pollard begs them to watch over him, they can't refuse. Out of compassion - and curiosity - they agree to get to the bottom of his mysterious, amnesiac fugues.

It seems a simple job: just follow a client who wants to be watched and tell him where he winds up. But as the Dakotas begin to discover where their client goes when he sleeps, they are drawn slowly into ever-darkening realms where they encounter the ominous figure stalking Frank. Their lives are threatened, as is that of Julie's gentle, Down's-syndrome brother, Thomas.

To Thomas, death is "the bad place" from which there is no return. But Julie and Bobby - and their tortured client - ultimately learn that equally bad places exist in the world of the living, places so steeped in evil that, in contrast ,death seems almost a relief.

©2004 Dean Koontz (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"A master storyteller, sometimes humorous, sometimes shocking, but always riveting. His characters sparkle with life. And his fast-paced plots are wonderfully fiendish, taking unexpected twists and turns." ( The San Diego Union-Tribune)

What listeners say about The Bad Place

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Going to give up - can't bear the narrator.

The male narrator is really weird and annoying - its like those hammy 1970s intro speeches off Star Trek "to boldly go" style throughout, with odd pauses and too many false crescendos - which loses all subtlety and is hugely distracting. Also, I didn't buy a play, it is an audo book, just read it well. The female one isn't a lot better and is too mumsy. Michael Hanson is spoiling it - should have been done drier by Will Paton (Mr Mercedes, King, or John Bedford Lloyd, Crais Cole novels, or Eduardo Ballerini - or anyone. I normally like Koontz but its also dragging too and isn't enough to hold my interest through this dreadful acting. And I never give up on a book once I've started.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Didn't get through first hour

Couldnt listen to this due to narration. Am sure the story is probably good (it seemed interesting, as Koontz's storys tend to be), but sadly I wont find out.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Could not stop listening

This is actually a good listening to. I sometimes wonder where some writers get their ideas from. crazy as it maybe, it is very interesting.

The characters are well written, the narrator and voice acting are well done. I was full engaged in the story, not once did it feel boring or I wanted to stop listen.

Even for a thriller/horror book, there were moments I found myself laughing at some of the seen and action that were explained in the book.

The only thing that I felt wasn't really utilised was the planet. Without going into too much details, I felt there isn't any really reason to include this part.

Nevertheless, I am still given this a 5*.
Could not stop listening





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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Awful narration

I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book as much as the other Dean Koontz ones I've read but have up after 30 mins because I couldn't listen to the narrator's voice for any longer! Book reluctantly returned.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Definitely in my top 10 books of all time

Beautiful narrative by both narrators. Very imaginative story, with super characters. nicely wrapped up at the end, and a heck of a journey throughout. Dean.... your a legand.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

As with all of Dean Koontz books this was spectacular from beginning to end and I was impressed with the end in particular, interesting and exciting throughout

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A classic

wonderful to revisit this spine tingling book. Classic Koontz. worth a read, ageless story telling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loved every second.

I read this book years ago and loved it. kind of forgot the plot so thought i would get the Audible version.
Loved every second.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Helps insomnia!

Narrators were good. The story started off well with an interesting plot, but around a third of the way through the book the descriptions of everything began getting unnecessarily complicated to the point that the book was now only good for helping me sleep! I'm an avid Dean Koontz fan and love most of the books I've read, but would not recommend this one.

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