Two centuries after Victor Frankenstein created a man from dead tissue and the power of a lightning bolt, a series of brutal killings are occurring in New Orleans, and the killer is taking body parts. Detectives Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison are on the case, but they’re about to find out that these killings are linked to something far more sinister than they could ever imagine. . .and that the man once known as Victor Frankenstein has defied death and begun a new mission to replace mankind with a race entirely of his own creation.
Did you know that Mary Shelley actually wrote Frankenstein based on facts – actual events? Dr. Frankenstein really did create a monster from body parts of murderers, thieves and other hooligans. He did – true story. Oh, and did you know they are both alive today? In New Orleans.
Leave it up to Dean Koontz, with Kevin J. Anderson, to hatch a story where characters created years ago are alive and well and wreaking havoc to this day. Frankenstein: Prodigal Son is an entertaining look at how these two well-known characters would behave in the modern world. The monster (Deuclian) has learned to control the violence within him. The doctor (Victor Helios) has learned that advances in science and technology will allow him to create a Utopian society in which he will be God.
There are some grisly murders, possible serial killers, bantering detectives (think a male/female Lethal Weapon with some sexual tension), Stepford-like creations with super-human strength and speed and an autistic boy whose smile may very well cause his demise. The book is a fast-paced read with short chapters (not a very Koontz thing) that jump from one set of characters to another in a coherent fashion.
This said, not my favorite Dean Koontz. The idea is great and the basic elements were there but parts of the story and characters were very cliche. I realize the banter between the detectives was an effort at character development but it was over the top and distracting at times. I truly enjoyed the sections concerning Dr. Frankenstein/Helios and his attempts to create a super race. His relationship with his “wife” and descriptions of his household were very enjoyable and did create a diabolical character that I had no problem disliking and fearing.
I would recommend this book to a Koontz fan or anyone who likes a good, easy monster story. I will be reading the next two books in the trilogy since there was nothing concluded in Prodigal Son and I am interested enough to want to see what happens.
Other Koontz and Frankenstein info:
Frankenstein: Prodigal Son actually started as a screenplay written by Mr. Koontz for the USA cable network. When the television show strayed so drastically from his vision, Mr. Koontz pulled-out of the project and decided to write his story as a novel. The original Frankenstein actually gave the author nightmares into his thirties. He describes this in his Frankenstein website:
From the time I saw the best of the Frankenstein films on TV when I was eleven–the original featuring Karloff’s remarkable performance, Bride of Frankenstein, and Son of Frankenstein–I relished them even though they gave me the worst nightmares of my life. In fact, I continued to have Frankenstein-themed nightmares into my thirties, a few times a year crying out in my sleep and waking in a sweat. Interestingly, when the Frankenstein dreams stopped, I ceased having nightmares of any kind; and for many years, my sleep has been undisturbed.
And now I leave you with the best interpretation of the original:
Twitter: bluestockingbb
30. Sep, 2009 at 2:51 pm #
ThIs sounds really good!
This one is in my TBR pile. Very nice review.
I love the idea. A murder mystery with Frankenstein at the helm, that is totally up my street. Thanks for the nice review.