A “superior thriller”(Oakland Press) about a man, a dog, and a terrifying threat that could only have come from the imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.On his thirty-sixth birthday, Travis Cornell hikes into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. But his path is soon blocked by a … Mountains. But his path is soon blocked by a bedraggled Golden Retriever who will let him go no further into the dark woods.
That morning, Travis had been desperate to find some happiness in his lonely, seemingly cursed life. What he finds is a dog of alarming intelligence that soon leads him into a relentless storm of mankind’s darkest creation…
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One of my all-time favorites with a DOG that thinks–and converses (a super dog of course!). But aren’t they all?
Travis Cornell is hiking through the woods, feeling like his life has steadily gone downhill and he doesn’t know how to climb back up, when he is stopped by a filthy, bedraggled golden retriever, whom will let him go no further. Deciding to take heed of the dog and take care of it as well, he heads out of the woods and into the biggest, most horrid adventure of his life. Something is different about this dog. He seems intelligent beyond what is normal for any animal so he is dubbed Einstein. Einstein, and his intelligence, are a product of genetic engineering, but so is the Outsider. The Outsider is a beast, genetically built to kill, who is telepathically tied to Einstein and is hunting him down to kill him and anything that stands in his way. The two were able to escape when the Russians tried to sabotage the research project at the lab in which they were housed. Travis and Einstein meet up with Nora Devon, who is befriended by both man and dog, who joins them in their attempt to keep Einstein safe. Now on the run, they must flee from a vicious hit man who wants Einstein for himself, government agents intent on getting the dog back and the Outsider who will eventually track them down through his telepathic connection with the dog.
This book kept me awake all night, with my nose firmly in its pages, trying to find out what happened to my heroes. I was drug through a plethora of emotions. The ending left me satisfied yet hoping for more. Another winner for Koontz!
This book was made into a horrible movie many years ago. I woulkd love to see it remade with a better attention to the storyline. This was a unique story with great characters. Read this and you will want your own Einstein!
One of my all-time favorite books!! The story line is still original and the characters (especially the dog, Einstein) are wonderfully developed, If you’ve never read anything by Dean Koontz, this is a great place to start. Also, if you happened to see the movie, and have doubts about the book, ignore them – the movie changed so many details of the book that it was no longer recognizable.
Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy, Romance at a can’t put it down pace, I love this book! I love Koontz anyway, but this combines a great story with an adorable dog and a sympathetic monster (without giving too much away)
The Watchers by Dean Koontz was not my usual kind of read. I found it well written although I could have used some brevity on the descriptions that set the scene. Einstein, a golden retriever, brings together Travis and Nora. The three of them become one happy family which turns out to be a good thing, because Vincient, a wacko mob hitman and a real sicko, is about to become involved.
This was one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was memorable. I read it years ago when it first came out. It made an impression and I am now on my second reading. It was scary, loving and sad.
Dean koontz puts dogs, especially Golden Retrievers together with special people and always ends up a terrific read. Great for anyone who wants a great read and loves dogs.
Favorite all time book
One of Dean Koontz Best!
This was the first Dean Koontz book I ever read and it is the one that hooked me. It had me hooked from the beginning. Loved it. I think I will go read it again.
I very good read.
Mr. Koontz says this book is unique in his writings, and I certainly won’t soon forget it. I usually hate science fiction or any plot that requires unrealistic power to resolve. But this is an exception. Except for the main premise (!) the rest of the book is realistic. The characters are loveable, if a bit too good to be real, and although I’m usually a tough critic, I fell in love with most of them. Even the villain ends up sympathetic. The ending is abrupt, and thinking about it goes on long after the cover is closed.
Read this years ago and it is still a favorite. Stephen King’s characters are so vivid in this book, and the storyline is so very entertaining— loved it!
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors. This is my favorite of all his books. I too, love golden retrievers. His writing is always engaging and entertaining.
I recommend anything Koontz writes.
Watchers is a Koontz classic. His ne west “brilliant dog” novel, Devoted, is a follow up… over 20 years later.
I really liked it
just one of my all time favorite Books. excellent read. characters are just easy to like
I live the book Watchers. I think it is one of Dean Koontz best. I fell in love with the characters.