Ticktock: A Novel

Written by Dean Koontz

Narrated by Graham Halstead

Tommy Phan is a successful detective novelist living the American dream in Southern California. One evening he comes home to find a small rag doll on his doorstep. It’s a simple doll, covered entirely in white cloth, with crossed black stitches for the eyes and mouth, and another pair forming an X over the heart. Curious, he brings it inside.

That night Tommy hears an odd popping sound and looks up to see the stitches breaking over the doll’s heart. And in minutes the fabric of Tommy Phan’s reality will be torn apart. Something terrifying emerges from the pristine white cloth, something that will follow Tommy wherever he goes. Something that he can’t destroy. It wants Tommy’s life, and he doesn’t know why. He has only one ally, a beautiful, strangely intuitive waitress he meets by chance—or by a design far beyond his comprehension. He has too many questions, no answers, and very little time. Because the vicious and demonically clever doll has left this warning on Tommy’s computer screen: The deadline is dawn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Aug 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543698831

Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the author of more than a dozen New York Times No. 1 bestsellers. His books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, and his work is published in 38 languages. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania and lives with his wife Gerda, and their dog Elsa, in southern California. Dean Koontz is the author of more than a dozen New York Times No. 1 bestsellers. His books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, and his work is published in 38 languages. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania and lives with his wife Gerda, and their dog Elsa, in southern California.

[Caio Cardoso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator makes it very funny! It's the first Koontz I read. I hope the others are as good as this one.

[Jerred Dack · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Listening to the first part of this book, I couldn’t help but think of the song “entityy” by Twiztid. (They’re a horrorcore rap group). Great book, wish there were more audiobooks available from this author!!

[Glenna Beth Dorcheus Shipman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite Koontz novel. Have reread many times. Very fun read.

[Craig Beane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every time I think Mr. Koontz has exhausted the options available to write books, he comes up with a new one. This book was funny, full of suspense and a love story to boot. The cherry on top of the cake was Del being a star child. This book is rich in tradition, some naughty spell casting that causes all the suspense. And, of course, a dog who is also an extra terrestrial. Splendid mix of elements that really made this book very charming and very good as well. A must read for any Dean Koontz fan but not the same old stuff so be prepared for this.

[Ken · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The worst Dean Koontz book I have read. Way below his standard. The story concept is interesting but the execution produced a frustratingly poor read, suitable for readers of romantic fiction with a supernatural flavour.

[Nathaniel Hudson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very interesting and it went to a lot of places I wasn't expecting and it kept my attention and it was wonderful

[Thomas Cunningham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story and wonderful narration. I recommend it very much.

[Janvier Schutz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this quirky exciting book, reader was excellent except for the word “Jagwear” made me cringe every time I heard it!

[Monica Schroeder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful story. It even made me tear up at the end. Just wonderful!

[Doug Webb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was pretty good up until the last hour or so. Then took a stupid turn... Dean K can be hit or miss this was a miss for me.

[KIM WITCRAFT · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As always excellent story from the author. So many twists and a ending I didn't expect at all.

[Ginnie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't picked up a Dean Koontz book in forever, so I gave this one a shot. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed it. It was creepy and weird, fast-paced, funny, had touching moments, and a little romance. I really enjoyed Del's character. She is a little loopy at times, but nonetheless I loved her vibes. She was so much fun! She made me enjoy this book even more. I feel the ending was a bit weird and I was like HUH... but it was cute at the same time.

[Caleb S · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such an interesting storyline. I didn’t expect even half of what I got at the end lol weird weird concept but nevertheless I loved it. Kept me going just like he did with Twilight Eyes. Definitely worth a listen!

[Ashley Noel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant and creepy! The Nonstop Suspense makes this a kick ass page turner!!

[Tracey Cardus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed alot and giggled in some places too. Very good

[Sarah Gatson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It’s so interesting when it first starts out. It lees you to believe that there’s stone great big revelation ahead. Only to be let down with the most basic of explanations. I love koontz but this books ending felt like koontz had just given up

[Patrik · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting... where is part 2? liked the story but the ending was too fast, much info in the end and then... you have reached the end of this audio book.. What about the rest?

[Sarah Wiman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good, fast paced monster story. Nothing amazing but by no means a bad story.

[Jennifer Cress · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Second by second action and adventure. Don’t bring strange dolls into your house.

[sawchmo · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Worse Koontz book I ever read. Skipped much of it. Maybe he wrote this one when he was 7 years old.

[Rlynoyb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A quirky, fun creep out with lots of action. This is really not scary except for the suspense of whether Tommy and Del will be caught by the entity. The thing I liked most about this book was the character of Tommy. Here is a story that portrays the American Dream, something it seems has been forgotten. Tommy is proud to be an American and I liked his immigrant story of success. When will people realize you can be and do anything in America if you are willing to W.O.R.K!!!! I know lots of people who grew up with nothing and have become successful, my own grandparents included (who were immigrants). I am sick to death of all the woke, hate on America nonsense of the 2020's. Of course this book was written in 1996 but it was so refreshing to escape the usual nonsense I read. Is this DK's best book, probably not but it is light, entertaining fun and fit's in with my new decision of no longer reading books written after 2020 (at least until this woke nonsense ends but I am not super hopeful of this).

[jdavidhacker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quite possibly one of my favorite and least characteristic Koontz novels. Silly, strange, and lots of fun.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I almost stopped reading this, but I'm glad I powered through. The early part with Tommy Phan discovering the cursed doll was a bit uneven. I wasn't sure where the author was going with it. But once Del Payne entered the scene, it was a fun, fun ride and I'm glad I was along for it. Del Payne was a great character ... let's just say unique and leave it at that. The interactions between Del and Tommy keep things lively while they run for their lives from whatever it is they're running from.

[paulagalvan-323293 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was a crazy ride inside Dean Koontz's wild imagination. When Tommy Phan buys his dream car—an aqua Corvette—he's convinced it's the best day of his life. Nothing could have prepared him for what was coming…like a demonic rag doll and a night of pure terror. Throw in a beautiful, magical girl with a dog who's the most intelligent person in the room, and you have one heck of a wild tale.

[sharonmariabidwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mingle a devil doll, an unexplainable creature, a mad headlong dash to escape its deadly intent, a woman who seems more capable than any secret agent, and a dog with more abilities than your most intelligent canine and to some this book may seem ridiculous. The author explains his reason for writing this, but on this re-read, all I can say is it’s a lot of fun. Suspend belief and go along for the ride and the book reaches a satisfying if extraordinary conclusion. Some books are purely there to entertain.

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dean Koontz is one of my many favorite authors. I haven’t been disappointed in any of his books and this one is certainly no exception. While it doesn’t seem to be typical of Koontz other books…it does have some supernatural elements and a few tense scenes but overall it's not as “heavy” as many of his others. I didn’t care much for Tommy to start with but he does grow on you and before long you find him to be a great character. He’s a Vietnamese-American… a struggling author that finds himself pulled into strange events beyond his understanding and certainly out of his control. The entire book is a semi-scary story with a lot more humor than Koontz fans are accustomed to…but absolutely worth the time to read it.

[harpua_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's actually been a bit since I read a Koontz book. Feeling the need to fill some time in between other larger books, I chose a Koontz at random. Tick Tock, as with many of his novels, is a quick and easy read. There is nothing that truly stands out or is completely memorable, but I did enjoy this. It was a fun read. An interesting idea that took me some time to figure out what was going on. It wrapped up nicely, in fact it had a happy ending, though there were a few questions I still had and would be interested in reading more of the back story on this.

[joe73-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a pretty good little story. Koontz changed his drive and decided to channel some Lovecraft. This book has been reviewed as being racist. That is malarkey. There is nothing racist whatsoever about this story. First of all. Using ethnic dialog IS NOT RACIST. I have been to many Southeast Asian countries....this is how many speak. Other than things that are penned for the purpose of plot there is no hatred towards any race or culture in the pages of this book. It is a story plain and simple. A fictional suspense story with some horror thrown in. Koontz is not trying to hurt anyone in this story. As for the story itself....it is quick, simple and to the point. After reading so much Koontz and usually knowing what to expect; this one left me guessing until the end. Not a bad read at all. Thumbs up Mr. Koontz.

[joligula · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was a pretty good little story. Koontz changed his drive and decided to channel some Lovecraft. This book has been reviewed as being racist. That is malarkey. There is nothing racist whatsoever about this story. First of all. Using ethnic dialog IS NOT RACIST. I have been to many Southeast Asian countries....this is how many speak. Other than things that are penned for the purpose of plot there is no hatred towards any race or culture in the pages of this book. It is a story plain and simple. A fictional suspense story with some horror thrown in. Koontz is not trying to hurt anyone in this story. As for the story itself....it is quick, simple and to the point. After reading so much Koontz and usually knowing what to expect; this one left me guessing until the end. Not a bad read at all. Thumbs up Mr. Koontz.

[thetreereader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! This book has everything you could possibly want. It has incredible characters, an interesting plot, creepy moments, funny moments, action, and on top of all that, it’s well written.

This was my first Dean Koontz book. I had been wanting to read something by him for a long time but just never got around to it until I picked up this book. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much while reading a book. Del is by far my favorite fictional character. I love her so much.

This may have been my first Koontz book, but it wont be my last. You need to read this one.