This is my favorite "modern" Koontz. It was a great leafy companion on a long road trip, and my human companion got to hear the whole story as I read a couple pages and then recounted excitedly with, "Guess what happened now!" 
 This book appealed to me with its delving into the quaint particulars of the two families chosen vocations (clowning and baking), and there were some twists and turns that I, even after reading Koontz since I was 12, didn't see coming. 
 I would much, much rather has seen some more books featuring these characters than have had Odd Thomas evolve into a trilogy.