One Door Away from Heaven

Dean Koontz

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

Leilani Maddoc's tenth birthday is nine months away. Micky Bellsong is convinced that in nine months and one day, the girl will be dead. And no one seems to care but Micky herself. She has a history of making wrong choices and living only for her own desires, but her decision to save the child's life - and pit herself against an adversary as fearsome as he is cunning - takes her on a journey of incredible peril and stunning discoveries, a journey filled with tragedy and joy, with humour, terror and hope, a journey that will change her for ever.

Review by Nigel (310106) Rating (9/10)

Review by Nigel
Rating 9/10
I'm a great fan of Dean Koontz and read all his books, good or bad. The last couple have been a little disappointing in that they were over long for the stories being told. I therefore picked up One Door Away from Heaven with a little trepidation as it is another monster at nearly six hundred pages. I am please to say that this time that was not nearly long enough.

The main story is about Micky who has fallen on hard times, mostly of her own making, and is temporarily living with her Aunt Gen. Micky befriends Leilani, a strong willed 9 year old girl who lives next door. Leilani is disabled and walks with the aid of a brace. Her stepfather, Preston Maddoc, believes Aliens will cure Leilani before her tenth birthday or take her away forever. Micky discovers from Leilani this is what happened to her disabled brother... taken to the stars never to return. Mickey suspects foul play and between Leilani's seemingly wild stories and her own imagination isn't sure. As the relationship with Leilani builds Micky becomes more and more concerned until, one morning Leilani has gone. Desperately worried, Micky sets off to follow Maddoc before any harm can befall Leilani.

All standard stuff I hear you say. True enough, only this is just one part of the whole. Running alongside is the story of the boy. Without giving too much away the boy, Curtis, is being relentlessly pursued. Wherever he goes 'they' are not far behind, and wherever 'they' go death follows, ruthless and indiscriminate.

Other stories are told and as you read you are carried along knowing everything is on a collision course where all will be revealed. This is all done very well and you find the scenes described unfolding effortlessly in your mind in glorious Technicolor... with full THX sound.

A fantastic story that you will not be able to put down. Everything fits together perfectly, with characters you really care about. Leilani is not someone you will forget in a hurry and Curtis' story will have you on the edge of your seat. Almost, but not quite, a 10/10, but only by the smallest of margins.
Nigel (31st January 2006)