For almost a decade, I wanted to write a novel with dog-rescue as the background, using the title THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR.
Many thousands of people do volunteer work for groups who rescue abused and abandoned dogs, and most of the groups specialize in a single breed. Such an organization in one metropolitan area can save 400 or more dogs in the chosen breed in a single year, rehabilitate them physically and emotionally, and find them homes. I have considerable admiration for the people who give their time and money to this humane work.
I tend not to write about superspies and forensic-science genius detectives, but instead about people in ordinary occupations --bartenders, fry cooks, and gardeners--who have extraordinary experiences in which they find more courage and savvy in themselves than they knew they had. I celebrate the common man and woman, who in most instances, in my experience, are anything but common. I have much more faith in "average" people than in the elites in almost any field, and it is generally these people who found and operate dog-rescue groups.
In addition to providing me with my kind of characters, this background is colorful, as well as rich with humor and emotion. It offers fertile ground in which a writer can seed themes like mercy, redemption, compassion, hope, humility, and courage.
Besides the background of dog rescue, I had a story premise, a narrative hook, that excited me. But there was one element of the premise that presented what I thought was an inevitable narrative problem. I couldn't see a way around it. Eventually, I stopped thinking about the book. Indeed, eventually I nearly forgot it, and didn't have a thought about it for at least two years.
Then one day, when I was working on another book, into my head came the solution to the narrative problem in THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR. Apparently, my sneaky subconscious had been working on it all along. Some would think it coincidental that two weeks later, my publisher would ask about "the dog-rescue book" that I had mentioned in passing to him five years earlier, asking if I was ready to write it yet. Because I don't believe in coincidences, I took the cosmic hint and decided it should be my next novel: this story of a woman with secrets in her past who, in a quest for redemption, is absolutely reckless, at times, in her determination to save golden retrievers that are at risk.
I was halfway through the novel when our own beloved golden, Trixie, a child to us, was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and was gone a week later. Never in my life have I suffered writer's block. But my grief was so deep that for five weeks, I could not write a word. When at last I returned to the book, I had to write daily about golden retrievers, which reminded me page by page of our loss.
Because I do not believe in coincidence, however, I knew that I was meant to write this novel at this time, that grief could be an engine that powered me to write a better book than otherwise I might have been able to do. The experience became so intense, that by the time I wrote the last line, I had no idea whether the book worked or not. I was too close to it to tell. Happily, my editors and publishers in many countries have received THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR with great enthusiasm, and the early reviews have been lovely.
In this story, you'll notice that most of the characters have secrets, and some have secrets within secrets. Many of them go--or have gone--by more than one name. In part, this is a novel about identity, about how we become who we are, and how we come to believe the things about life that we believe.
This is also a story about how underlying every apparent chaos in life is a strange order. Any physicist or molecular biologist or climatologist will tell you that every apparent chaos in nature, if analyzed more deeply, reveals a new order beneath, and I believe the same is true of chaos in human activities. Amy Redwing, the lead character of this novel, notices subtle patterns in her life, and it is the recognition of these patterns that, ultimately, helps her find her way through the chaos into which she has been plunged.
THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR is a suspense novel, a love story, at times a comic novel, a story about the human-dog bond, a story about redemption and responsibility, about the importance of making promises and vows--and keeping them. I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to responding to your comments and questions.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 57
I have been a fan and reader of Dean Koontz, who just happens to be you, from what I understand, for many years. I won't go into a long drawn out list of all your books I've read, I'll just say that I started reading your offerings in the late 1980's. It's been a fun, scary and insightful journey.
Thank you for taking the time to give me the background on this book. I plan on reading it as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.
I'm so sorry for your loss of your Trixie, I know how painful that loss can be. I've got 3 dogs & 2 cats, all rescues, and my most loved dog, my Australian Love Dog Simon, died - completely unexpectedly - early on Easter morning just a few months ago. Tears still fill my eyes each time I think about him (which is daily, and currently), he was such a special dog and truly my child. I get all choked up just thinking about him.
Thanks Dean!
Looking forward to reading this, as I do all your books. My deepest sympathy for your loss of Trixie. Sometimes our grief leads us to profound places, whether we desire to go there or not. Peace to you and yours.
Animal rescue is a topic near and dear to my heart, I look forward to reading this new book from you.... I am sure I will enjoy it already.
I also wanted to take this fortuitous time to let you know that I have always wanted to contact you ever since I read the book Whispers. Once I turned the last page of that book, I knew what my floundering spirit wanted to do with her life: write. I have always been an avid reader, but not once had an author move me to the point that I had to state out loud to myself "I want to an author and write and move people too!"
You have been my favorite author since Whispers, and the next book in line as my all time favorite story is Watchers. The way you brought the dog's main character to life was beyond words. I loved that dog and secretly wished I could find one just like him. Einstein was so warm, brave, intelligent, funny and delightful -- he could have been the epitome of what I wanted in a husband and friend!
I believe I have read every last one of your books. Keep on writing and encouraging amateur writers such as myself…I thank you for your inspiration.
Once again, God bless you and your family.
The new book sounds fantastic - I can't wait to get it. I'm reading Brother Odd now and savoring every page. I adore your usage of the word "buttered" as a verb. This was one of my favorite passages: "The room was illuminated only by a fat candle in an amber glass on the corner desk. Each time a draft found the flame, melting light buttered the limestone walls and waves of fluid shadows oiled the corners." Pure artistry here - the words sang to me. I found myself stopping to savor each word of that graph.
And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for still taking the time to write well, to craft your sentences with care and polish, in spite of the fact that in your position you really wouldn't need to do this to survive or sell books. Kudos!
A thousand curses on you. I came to this page out of my love for your work and curiousity over your new book. Instead of that I find that I am not as unique as I thought I was. You have legions of fans who love animals, rescue animals, and connect with your work. I'm one of those people too and the knowledge of that ruins everything. Thanks. I guess I'll have to go buy your book and cheer myself up.
Glad to see you on Gather.
Very good premise and great writing.
Because your characters are common people, it's always been easy to relate to them. I'm looking forward to reading this new story. A woman with a compassion for animals and a drive to survive the chaos is my kind of lady.
Add to that, I'm a woman who believes in signs so there's a triple promise for enjoying your latest book. People/animals connect for the right reasons and you were meant to write this book at this time!
I hope you and your wife find some peace in your loss! Trixie will definitely live on in this book.
Dog-rescue groups are amazing. My oldest dog came from a rescue group while the middle one was a nearly unadoptable puppy that survived parvo at the SPCA. Our third dog was our own rescue. he was living under the house Elvis Presley was born in in Tupelo MS and we took him home because the dog catcher was coming out the next day and the shelter he would go to was one that euthanized dogs. i wish I could take in more dogs that are abandoned but circumstances do not permit. The last dog I rescued had to be turned over to the SPCA. It nearly broke my heart.
I really enjoy your books and am looking forward to reading this one. When will it be released? I am exxcited already. I just finished The Good Guy a couple of days ago and really enjoyed it. It was somewhat of a switch from your other books with such an identifiable bad guy but the suspense and intrigue was there anyway. i couldn't stop reading it and kept going long into the night.
I am so glad you got past your writers block.
We recently lost a well-loved dog to an aggressive pair of cancers as well, so I sympathize with your loss. Your lab was a beautiful animal. I saw pictures on some of the dust covers.
I have already ordered this book and can't wait for it to arrive, though I definitely wish I had not as I saw copies of it in Costco when I was there earlier today. It was all I could do not to grab it then.
Please keep on writing.
Congrats of being featured on the homepage today!
My bookshelves hold many of your titles, Dean. "The Darkest Evening of the Year" will be the next.
I am looking forward to the new book "The Darkest Evening of the Year!! I have read soo many of your books and I know I will like this one too!!
I am a huge fan of your work and I'm definitely looking forward to this one!
I always enjoy your books; I think The Face is my favourite, or Life Expectancy, but I have never read one that I didn't love.
Your loss of Trixie, was a terrible one but did serve as a catalyst and inspiration for your new book as you have so eloquently described. I am sorry for your loss. I hope that I don't have to endure one like that at any time in the near future.
I thank you for the background and synopsis on your new book and look forward to your very next one as well!!
This is great insight into the process of how a writer comes to write what he does. I think you should consider adding these kinds of introductions to your books to really enhance your readers' appreciation of the story. Such honest information gives depth to the readers' experience when they read your stories, like helping them dip their toes in the water before they plunge in. Good job on this.
One of my favorite books you've is 'Watchers'. I've read it twice and bought it as gifts for many friends and family. I'm excited about your new novel and plan to read it soon.
I'm very sorry about Trixie. Those of us who have lost a beloved pet & family member know the pain of that loss. I have heard that when dogs die, they get to wait at the other side of the rainbow for their owners to come. I'm sure Trixie will be waiting for you.
Three of our four dogs were rescued. We couldn't ask for more affectionate and fun pets! We had to put one of our Boston Bulls to sleep earlier this year due to the complications of age. I struggled so with that decision and it still pains me even though I know it was the right thing to do for her.
I even got my first horse from a rescure shelter.
I have the highest respect for the people who rescue animals. It seems the animals know that a favor has been bestowed on them and they work the rest of their lives to repay that favor. It has been my experience that rescued pets are the best.
I am currently reading "The Good Guy" and enjoying it.
Anyway thank you forthe review and background.
Blessings
Garrison Keillor's "The Writer's Almanac" shared that today is your birthday.
So, Congrats on making it through another one.
..and here's wishing you a great next one.
Happy Birthday !!
I have three whippets, one a rescue. They are the love of my life. I try not to think about that day they begin to leave me. It will be one of the most difficult trials of life - but without a moment of regret.
The best to you and your family.