Dean Koontz reveals 6 new thrillers — and why you won’t find them in bookstores by Jim Ruland

November 7, 2019

Built-in bookshelves line both sides of the hallway that leads to Dean Koontz’s office at his sprawling home in Newport Coast, and every one of them is crammed with books. Not just any books. His books.

“When I’m having a bad day,” he says as we pass through the hallway, “this reminds me that I’ve done this before.”

That’s a bit of an understatement.

Dean Koontz is one of a handful of writers whose name people recognize even if they haven’t read his work. He’s written more than 100 books, 14 of which have landed on the top spot of the New York Times Best Seller list. He’s sold more than 450 million copies of his work.

But his latest project, “Nameless,” isn’t on these shelves. Nor will you find a copy at your local library or bookstore.

Published by Amazon, the “Nameless” series is being released only in electronic and audio formats. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can download the first installment free starting Nov. 12. It’s an unconventional approach for an unconventional book.

I spoke with Koontz about “Nameless” at his home office, where he says he spends a minimum of 10 hours a day, six days a week, typing away on a computer that does not have access to the internet.

Like much of his home, the room’s furnishings and design reflect an Art Deco aesthetic. “I just love the Art Deco period,” Koontz says. “Common everyday objects were made like works of art. That’s all lost now.”

His latest project is a bit of a throwback to the Parker novels by Donald E. Westlake (writing as Richard Stark): short, gritty crime stories with a no-nonsense protagonist. In one scene, Koontz even drops the name “Alan Grofield,” a recurring character in Parker’s capers.

Read the full article @ the LA Times
Image: Author Dean Koontz at his Newport Coast home with Elsa. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)