Frankenstein: Prodigal Son

Written by Kevin Anderson and Dean Koontz

Narrated by Scott Brick

From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the story, you know only half the truth. Get ready for the mystery, the myth, the terror, and the magic of…

Dean Koontz's Prodigal Son

Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who's traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O'Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself-and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O'Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn't merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker.


From the Paperback edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Audio
• Release date: Jan 25, 2005
• ISBN: 9781415921944

Reviews for Frankenstein

[ron18-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not half bad, and a little more than half good.
I would have liked if it stood alone better, and didn't leave 2 or 3 of its 5 or 6 sub-plots for the next book(s) - but it was enjoyable, and led me to ask myself why I don't read more Koontz. When he's good, he's good - and it's clear that he had some enthusiasm for this series.

[ct4bergeron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Every city has secret. But none as terrible as this. His name is Decalion, a tattoed man of mysterious origin. A sleight of reality artist who's traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalkes the streets, a killer who's carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O'Connor is cool, cynical and every bit as tought as she looks, her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself, and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no nonsens O'Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more and less - than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn't merely a homicidal maniac - but his deranged maker.

[autumnturner76 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I started reading but tossed this back into the TBR pile in September. I recently tried giving it another shot. It quickly found itself being removed from my Kindle. I do not recommend. I love Koontz, but this one just did not hold any interest.

[booklover3258 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn't think I would love another Koontz series like I did with Odd Thomas. I was wrong. I love everything about old monsters, aka Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy. This book was absolutely great! I loved all the characters (side note should be more Deucalion in the book but I digress). The spin on the story was wonderful as well as Victor Frankenstein continues in the modern day to make more of his monsters into an army to take over the world. I did not guess the killer at all... kudos. And of the course ending is left wide open for book 2.

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not Koontz's best work unfortunately. But still, it is easy to sink into the story to read.

[bradsucks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

read because my father liked it. it was okay but a lot of the writing bugged me and the characters were extremely shallow. premise was sort of interesting and i got through it.

[pink123_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Who knew Frankenstien's monster had a heart. Great series. I loved the characters and the internal termoil. Awaiting the third and final book. A must read for Koontz fans.

[sarah_buckley-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I almost didn't finish this one. It was just so boring and convoluted for me. I sighed and rolled my eyes constantly. I pushed through to the end only because I hate to leave a book unread.

[bke-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't ordinarily care for Dean Koontz's writings, but I found this series to be a cleaver and engaging retelling of the Frankenstein monster story.

[carol420 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This novel brings a "new and improved" classic legend up to date by replacing Victor Frankenstein's previously crude monster creation techniques with biotech engineering, cloning, and computer programming. Victor has learned the secret of long life and is still alive and well in 21st century New Orleans. Now a respected scientist and wealthy member of high society by day, Victor practices his high-tech life creation projects by night in order to create perfect beings, totally obedient to his will. He seeds his creations throughout the city so that they can undermine, and eventually replace, humanity and lead to a perfect New Age society. In the meanwhile, Frankenstein's original monster, now called Deucalion, is also gifted with immortality. He learns of his creator's existence and sets off for New Orleans to seek revenge. When a series of gruesome murders occur where body parts are removed from the victims, two police detectives try to track down the killer. Is one of Frankenstein's creations to blame? I am a big fan of Dean Koontz but not this book. The character Decaulion was boring. I didn't think much of the ending (I don't want to give it away). Usually I'm surprised by the ending, or satisfied. A predictable conclusion. Sorry Dean but I don't care for your Frankenstein series. Write more scary stuff that you are well known and loved for.

[marlene9nl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite Dean Koontz books. I know lots of people prefer his Odd Thomas books but I like the Frankenstein books better.
Can't wait to finally be able to read book 3.

Re-read and finished Aug. 11 2009 because book 3 can arrive here any day now.

first read July 2005 4th

[wispywillow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Koontz is sometimes hit-and-miss for me, but so far I'm enjoying his take on Frankenstein. As usual his characters sometimes engage in mundane-but-amusing dialogue that I find charming. And the token golden retriever? I'm sure there was one, but it's been a couple months since I've read this.

[tbones-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First, this is a Koontz book and he has entertained me with every title of his I've read, which have been many. So, I thought mixing two really great names together on a book cover, Koontz & Frankenstein, this was too good to be true. It was better than too good, it was such a clever/creative twist to the whole Frankenstein story. Within this title Koontz sets things in modern times but respectfully makes references to the classic tale. As well as creating such a wonderful caste of characters thrown into scenes so cinematic, full of action, suspense and even humor that to put this title down you will become instantly bored and have to pick it back up. The great and generous thing that Koontz has done with this title is he's made it a series. Thankfully, I now have 4 more books of this amazing story to read, and he definitely leaves the first off for the second so get ready for quite a ride.

[borhap-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The beginning was quite ordinary and the ending typically thriller-gruesome. In between, though, were some of the original's core issues worked in.

[readingrat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book and City of Night comprise Koontz's musings on the premise of "What would happen if the Frankenstein legend were true?" He brings the man and the monster into present times and lets his imagination run free. I really enjoyed this first volume and am interested to see how well everything is resolved in volume 2.

[rumpeltje · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book started promising, fast and funny. But it didn't last long. Only in the last 50 pages or so does the pace pick up a bit again.
This is the first book of the series and it introduces all the characters, establishes their background and personality. But I feel that's it's only function. Of the three storylines only one is resolved at the end of the book. To me it feels like the story is originally longer and it's been cut in two.
I did like the characters, because Koontz takes the whole book to introduce them the main characters are well rounded. The story itself is okay, nothing special but I think this book's function is to introduce the characters.
What I did find annoying is how often Koontz tells the reader, explicitly, that the members of the New Race heal very fast when hurt. After a couple of times I knew and didn't need constant reminders that way.
I might get the second book of the series to see if it improves, because the concept of the series seems promising.

[jcmontgomery · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book 1 of a trilogy, well trilogy 1 as I hear Koontz has continued and started a second trilogy, I couldn't wait to read the remainder. I downloaded the rest onto my eBook from the library and am now on Book 3, Dead and Alive. If you love Koontz, you will LOVE this series. Run, don't walk, to your nearest library or book store and get yours. Now.

[mrdrewk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

really cheesy dean koontz book. Nice trash reading IMO

[trishaj-2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I thought it lacked imagination by saying that Shelley's Frankenstein was really non-fiction thus giving a foundation for Koontz's version. On the other, Koontz tells his story well and from many different angles which can be hard to do.

Overall, I liked it and will read the second installment. Hopefully, Koontz will get around to writing the third one which is overdue.

[marysneedle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a cannot put it down kind of book. Koontz and Anderson really took the Frankenstein story into our century while still maintaining the old story. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

[sereq_ieh_dashret · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Possibly the highest concentration of psychos in a book ever

[blazingice0608 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good start to the series, really love the concept behind the plot as well as all the different creations and their own individual strengths and weaknesses, unfortunatly the rest of the series went downhill from here imo.

[crazycatlady35 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had stopped reading Dean Koontz a while ago because it seemed like he kept rewriting the same story. A friend gave me Frankenstein, which I just finished and really liked. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

[nkscf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Deucalion, the newest name of the Monster from Frankenstein, is brought to America when he receives news that a ghost from his past is back and causing problems in New Orleans. Joining up with a young police officer, he sets out to fix his mistakes.I'm under the impression that Koontz goes all out when it comes to books that will inevitably have sequels, because they look like he has put a whole lot more work into them than his stand alone novels. Kevin J. Anderson's hand may have helped a bit in that area as well. This book was a lot of fun, and a good read.

[dbhutch_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i used to be a huge dean Koontz fan, and for a good while - about 8 years - I let it go. I'd seen this on the shelves many times and wanted to read it, and ended up picking it up at a local library fundraiser. Glad I did.According to Koontz's intro, this really began as a project for USA network to develop into a series for TV. Sounded like it had all the right backign and help to make it akiller series, and someone wanted to edit too much for Koontz. Typical network junk. Shame. Would have been great from what I've read.Premise - Mary Shelley wrote that Dr. Victor Frankenstein died. well - he didn't. He is alive and well, and living in New Orleans. And he hasnt stopped his work on creating life - he's perfected it. No more lightning storms, and criminal body parts. He's cloning, bio-engineering, etc to make a New Race. And they have started getting out of hand, some actually killing people to try to find what is missing inside them. 2 detectives from New Orleans have been working the murders, and are getting more and more frustrated. Then the really bizzare happens - one of the lead detectives runs inot Victor's first creation from 200+ years ago at one of the crime scenes. And he (Deucalion) wants Victor stopped for good, and helps enlighten the detective as to what they are really facing.An excellent thriller, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, Koontz delivers a new twist on an old classic with gusto.

[meags222_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was an interesting murder mystery/horror book. It was centered on Frankenstein and his monster who are both still alive and well in modern day society. I found it to be an interesting concept but I wouldn't say the book is brilliant. It is the first in a series and the book doesn't have a clear ending. I guess I will have to go out and buy the next two. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars

[thoss_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Modern version of Frankenstein. A fun tale.

[kat32969 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is Frankenstein with a modern twist. It's written in a way that almost makes you believe it's real.

[kr_patterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not as good as Odd Thomas, but I enjoyed it.

[carpe_librum · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If you've been following my reviews here for a while, you'll know I'm a big fan of Dean Koontz. I've read 27 books by Koontz, reviewed 18 of them and Frankenstein - Prodigal Son is the 28th.The first in a series, Frankenstein is a mash-up of genres, including crime, science fiction and supernatural elements and while the character of Deucalion intrigued me, the story fell kind of flat.Having said that, here's a great quote from page 41:"Anger, like a long-repressed hunger, rose in Deucalion. Once anger had been his meat, and feasting on it, he had starved."Prodigal Son is the first in the Frankenstein series, which contained five books at last count, but unfortunately I don't think I'll be reading any further.