Odd can see dead people. Spirits come to him, sometimes seeking closure, sometimes just to hang out. This ability sets him apart from the other people of his town, though most of them don't know just how odd Odd is. When a strange man comes to town, trailed by dozens of spirits that Odd recognizes as harbingers of disaster, Odd takes it upon himself to save everyone. 
 Although the voice rings a bit odd (heh) for a 20-something-year-old fry cook, I can make allowances because it seems as though the story's being told by an older Odd, not immediately as it happens. There are a few scattered phrases that indicate that Odd is looking back on this time from at least a few years, if not longer. With that in mind, the story is wonderfully structured and paced, with an ending that will rip your heart out of your chest. 
 On a personal note, my father-in-law (who we lost a few years ago), loved Dean Koontz and I regret not reading these while he was alive so we could share them. While reading, I could see the appeal they would have for him, and I felt a bit closer to him for a few days.