Prodigal Son

January 17, 2005
In this grisly thriller, the first in a new series by bestsellers Koontz and Anderson, Dr. Frankenstein has survived into the 21st century, masquerading as biotech tycoon Victor Helios. Helios wants to replace flawed humanity with his New Race, people born and fermented in pods, their personalities programmed by him, their imperfections removed in the lab. But at least one of his creations has become a serial killer, trying to assemble the perfect woman from parts of many. Like expert plate-spinners, the authors set up a dizzying array of narrative viewpoints and cycle through them effortlessly. These include one of Victor's creations who suffers from autism and is trying to understand it; a cloned priest who serves as a clandestine member of Helios's army; Helios's custom-made wife, unique among his creations in that she's allowed to feel shame; and, tying it all together, a classic buddy-cop set of homicide detectives who slowly come to understand that the butcher they're chasing isn't quite human. The odd juxtaposition of a police procedural with a neo-gothic, mad scientist plot gives the novel a wickedly unusual and intriguing feel. The familiarity of the Frankenstein myth makes much of the story arc predictable, but it's still a compelling read, with an elegant cliffhanger ending.

February 1, 2005
In Koontz's (Hideaway) latest series, Deucalion lives in a Tibetan monastery, where he hides from his mysterious origin and the man who created him. Meanwhile, two detectives in New Orleans are hunting down a serial killer who makes off with various body parts of his victims. Their worlds collide with the hidden madness of Victor Helios, a scientist bent on creating a new race of beings subservient to him. Victor is hundreds of years old, and to keep his work secret, he has changed his last name from Frankenstein. Imagine that the Mary Shelley story actually happened, and the participants are still alive today. This first book in a multipart saga features fascinating characters and an intriguing premise. The only disappointment is the suspense-filled ending. The next title is more than six months away, so a wrap-up won't be coming anytime soon. For all library collections.-Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.