Koontz’s early-career banger, Chase, hits like a nightmare you can’t wake up from—lean, fast, and razor-tense. After a Vietnam vet rescues a young girl from a deranged killer, he finds himself stalked by a psychopath who’s turned the act of “gratitude” into a personal vendetta. What follows is pure dopamine-spiked suspense: late-night phone calls, shadowy street corners, a hero grappling with PTSD and guilt, and a villain who seems to know every move before it’s made.
This is Koontz before the blockbusters—hungry, gritty, and writing like he’s got something to prove. A tight, propulsive thriller perfect for readers who crave menace, momentum, and that classic 70s paperback chill.
