The third installment in, hopefully, a series of many

I received this book for Christmas from my husband. He knew that I was enthralled with the first book, somewhat content with the second book, and anticipating the third.

Dean Koontz has stumbled upon a character that just resonates kindness, intelligence and wit. In the first book, Odd Thomas, we were introduced to Odd and the fascinating menagerie of supportive souls in his unusual life. We laughed as he was disrespected by Terrible Chester. We gasped as he followed the bodachs into unknown risk. And we wept as he lost a loved one.

In the second book, Forever Odd, we had to endure seeing Odd leave the people who cared for him behind as he ventured alone into a web of insane manipulation. This book fell far short of its predecessor because of the overwhelming sense of gloom and negativity that filled the void left by the absence of his friends in Pico Mundo.

So here we have the third book and it is a delight. Odd is just as we knew him, perhaps a little wiser, but not jaded. He has sought sanctuary in the company of a monastic order. Also finding solace behind these ancient walls are disabled children, so easily discarded by society; so easily adopted into the family of St. Bart's.

Months pass without a hint of the supernatural world. Odd finds comfort in the simplicity of the lifestyle. Then, one day, he sees a dreaded bodach, an uninvited guest whose presence, history has taught him, foretells devastating events. He investigates, chasing the shadow-like figure through the halls and rooms of his new home. The search ends in the room of two little girls, their bodies broken by disability, their spirits hovering between both worlds. Perplexed by the bodachs presence, and helpless to confront the creature for answers, he despairs. Breaking the silence, one of the sleeping girls speaks, with the words of a friend who has passed into eternity.

The Brothers and Sisters are described in such thoughtful detail that they were characters that were easy to embrace. Mystery and suspense lurked in the shadows with the vile and curious bodachs. The children that Odd cared for, and the depth of his compassion and respect for them, made parts of this book beautiful to me. I was compelled to read a few lines out loud to my husband so that he could see what prompted the tears to flow.

The character of Odd is maturing. His exposure to the children elicits from him a depth of compassion and love. Many were victims of abuse and rejection, like Odd himself. As he seeks answers from them, these souls so perfect in their brokenness, he finds that he is finally in a place that he can call home.

The threat in 'Brother Odd' is a mysterious, shape shifting creature. Like the children, it hovers between two worlds, although not the same particular worlds. How does one fight something that can't be understood? As Odd follows clues and relies on both his psychic magnetism and his uncanny ability to attract unique and mysterious characters, he is forced to have to reveal his 'gift' to the people of St. Bart's. Fortunately, Elvis, is on his side.

The ending was not particularly satisfying to me. It's a typical Koontz ending that wraps up quickly while boring with technological chatter. But the character of Odd was true and I was left wanting more.