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Read Chase (1990)

Chase (1990)

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3.84 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0747235252 (ISBN13: 9780747235255)
Language
English
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Chase (1990) - Plot & Excerpts

This is an early book by Dean Koontz written under a pseudonym. It is still recognizable as one of his stories. The story and plot are tight and quick paced. The characters are real and for the most part likeable. The main character is a man named Ben Chase who has returned from Vietnam war disillusioned and plagued by guilt which he tries to fix through therapy and bottles of whiskey. The whiskey seems to be more effective. He lives a lonesome and lonely life. Then he wins a medal for valor in the war and is rewarded with a car as well. Drives around and ends at lover's lane where he gets involved in saving a young lady whose boyfriend has been murdered and injuring the murderer. The police and his shrink do not believe his story even when he begins being stalked by a voice on the phone called (aptly) Judge. Along the way,in trying to find Judge he meets different characters-some sympathetic and others not so much. He makes a good friend and struggles with right and wrong. This is recognizable as a Koontz story but an early one. His style improves in later books. Even saying that, this is a good and fast-paced story that most who like suspense and thrillers will enjoy.

Great vintage Koontz, tightly plotted, full of twists and well written. Ben Chase is a Vietnam vet, feted as a war hero but fighting traumatic memories with drink and social withdrawal. When he stops at the local lovers' lane he cannot but intervene when he hears screaming, and disturbs a vicious attack on two teenagers, the boy dead from multiple stab wounds, the girl curled with fear in the other seat. But the killer has carefully selected the couple, does not appreciate Chase's intervention and starts making threatening phone calls naming himself only as 'Judge'. The killer makes it clear that he knows a lots about Chase's past and is prepared to hurt him and those he cares about to punish him. The police don't believe Chase, believing him delusional after consulting with his psychiatrist, and when Chase meets the beautiful Glenda and suddenly has a lot more to lose he turns the tables and the hunted becomes the hunter. Really good, satisfying and makes you think about judgement and the lack of right we have to judge others.

What do You think about Chase (1990)?

Ben Chase is a war hero with bitter memories. Vietnam left him with a hard drinking habit, a mental breakdown -- and massive guilt. So who will believe him when he swears a psychopath is out to get him? When society is sick, the mad are sane -- and persecution is a killer's game! About the Author Dean Koontz was born into a very poor family and learned early on to escape into fiction. His novels have sold over 200 million copies worldwide and more than thirty have appeared on national and international bestseller lists. He lives in southern California with his wife, Gerda and a vivid imagination.
—Al

First released in 1971, this is an edited (by the author) update of the original novel. Ben Chase is a Vietnam vet suffering from what would now be called PTSD, who finds himself embroiled in an ugly situation.This is old-school suspense, a taut mystery with no supernatural elements. It's short, cutting and a decent outing for an early effort. This is the Dean Koontz who wrote under a pseudonym and who wasn't yet quite sure that this writing gig would take off the way that we now know it has. I was second-guessing throughout the story, and didn't really know what was going to happen at any point until whatever it was actually occurred. I so rarely get to say that about a novel anymore. Some of the dialog was a little formulaic, which is the only reason the fifth star is missing from my review. For a nifty little novel to read in a hotel on a chilly spring evening, this was just the ticket.
—Graceann

I’m a big fan of Dean Koontz’s writing and so when I noticed this short novel I picked it up immediately. From some of the synopses that I read I must admit that I was a little disappointed that there would be nothing supernatural about this one, but with unwavering dedication I pushed ahead. I’m so glad that I did; best described as a psychological thriller the story captured me from the start and the reader forms an immediate connection to the main character Ben Chase. I think it’s because of all Ben’s flaws, yet innate goodness, that the reader finds him so easy to identify with. Ben has returned from the Vietnam war, a decorated war hero, but with terrible guilt over choices he had to make in the line of duty... Read more
—Catherine Alexander

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