Elsewhere

In the town of Suavidad Beach, Jeff Coltrane is raising his daughter Amity on his own, ever since his wife Michelle went missing seven years ago. One day, their friend Ed hands into Jeff's care a small box containing "the key to everything," worth around $76 billion. Jeff quickly hides it away, but some sinister federal agents turn up on his doorstep, making threats and looking for Ed. With the key in his possession, Jeff is tempted to open the box and activate it, but he notices subtle differences around the house and outside. Down in the town, Amity kicks over some pebbles, before realizing they are bloodied teeth. And up on the ridgeline overlooking the town, thirteen large crows are perched like the living totems of a clan of malicious wizards.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Elsewhere, master storyteller Dean Koontz has crafted a brilliant and terrifying speculative thriller that pays homage to George Orwell, Ray Bradbury, and HG Wells. Set in the picturesque town of Suavidad Beach, California, Jeff Coltrane is a single father raising his daughter, Amity, on his own, ever since his wife, Michelle, went missing seven years ago. Despite his best efforts, Amity yearns for her mother's presence and showers her affection on her pet mouse, Snowball. One day, their itinerant friend Ed, known locally as "Mr. Spooky," entrusts Jeff with a small box containing "the key to everything." He warns Jeff that the key is worth around $76 billion and that a demonic posse is relentlessly pursuing it, as it possesses immense power and value. Ed promises to return for the box in a year, but under no circumstances is Jeff to open it during that time. Fearing for his friend's safety, Jeff hides the box, only to have sinister federal agents show up at his doorstep, making threats and demanding Ed's whereabouts.

Overwhelmed by the temptation of having the key to everything in his possession, Jeff eventually opens the box and activates its power. At first, it seems as if nothing has changed. However, Jeff begins to notice subtle differences around the house and in the surrounding environment. The weather has altered, and their neighbors seem unfamiliar. Down in the town, Amity stumbles upon bloodied teeth among the pebbles in the park. The air carries the scent of burning books, and on the ridgeline overlooking the town, thirteen large, ominous objects are perched ominously.

As Jeff delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the key, he uncovers a dark and sinister plot that threatens the very fabric of reality itself. The key is connected to a powerful entity that seeks to manipulate and control the world for its own twisted purposes. Jeff must navigate through a web of lies, deceit, and danger, using his wits and resourcefulness to protect his daughter and stop the evil entity from achieving its goals.

In the end, Jeff confronts the entity head-on, facing off against its minions and using the key to unlock the ultimate power that lies within. With a final act of bravery and determination, Jeff emerges victorious, preserving the world from the clutches of darkness.

Dean Koontz's "Elsewhere" is a masterpiece of speculative fiction that blends elements of horror, mystery, and science fiction into a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative. The book is a testament to Koontz's skill as a storyteller and his ability to create vivid, immersive worlds that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a fan of horror, science fiction, or just a lover of great storytelling, "Elsewhere" is a must-read that will leave you pondering its implications long after you've turned the last page.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008291273