An original short story from No.1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz. A prequel to THE CITY, his gripping and moving new novel.
Every city has its wonders and mysteries. For the Pomerantz family, the most disturbing mystery at the moment is the identity and the intentions of their new neighbour...
The year is 1967. Malcolm Pomerantz is twelve, geeky and socially awkward, while his seriously bright sister, Amalia, is spirited and beautiful. Each is the other's best friend, united by a boundless interest in the world beyond their dysfunctional parents' unhappy home. But even the troubled Pomerantz household will seem to be a haven compared to the house next door, after an enigmatic and very secretive new neighbour takes up residence in the darkest hours of the night.
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My name is Malcolm Pomerantz, and I'm an axe-man, though not like those guys on that reality TV-show about loggers. 1
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(@HarperCollinsUK, 5 June 2014, ebook, 49 pages, bought from @AmazonKindle)
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I read and really enjoyed The City years ago but completely forgot I'd bought this as well. It's linked to the novel through the setting and characters but it can be read as a stand-alone separate to the novel. You don't need to have read The City to enjoy it. A few years back the author had a habit of bringing out connected novella's just before a new book was released. I have a bunch of those. He's not done this for a while though. I enjoyed this novella. Koontz covers familiar ground with this tale of a creepy neighbour and a creepy house. I thought it was well-written and engaging. I may re-read The City at some point as I can barely remember it.