Odd Thomas, the man from Pico Mundo is back and ready for the adventure of his young life. In Koontz's three previous "Odd" stories fans have become familiar with Odd's strange powers like the ability to see and talk to the dead (they never talk back), and then there's the magnetism that just draws the weirdest folks into Odd's life.

Those new to this series may want to go back and read "Odd Thomas," "Forever Odd," and "Brother Odd." This really isn't necessary as Koontz delivers enough information for our hero to stand alone in his new story, but it is something you won't be able to resist.

With great gifts Odd knows the responsibility to meet great challenges will come, and come they do as we find our little fry cook in the employ of an 88-year-old retired actor named Lawrence Hutchinson. Now Hutch lives right on the Pacific coast in the little town of Magic Beach. Here Odd prepares meals for this dear man who also writes profitable children's books. Like many people Hutch, in the first decade of the new century, fears everything except what he ought to fear. For some inexplicable reason Odd has been drawn to Magic Beach a small coastal town where nothing is as it seems.

Odd often has dreams that have a disturbing way of coming true. His most recent dream is of an all-encompassing red tide, and a disaster infinitely more sinister than anything Odd has yet faced. ". . . in this dark night of the soul, dawn will come only after the most shattering revelations of all."

Boo, Odd's very special dog, and companion, now that Stormy Llewellyn has gone on to her evenly reward, is again with Odd. Oh yes, Boo is a ghost dog and only Odd can see him. Also along for the ride is the ghostly presence of "Ole Blue Eyes," a.k.a. Frank Sinatra. Frank plays in an integral role in the new adventure which adds to the intricate nature of Koontz's fanciful plot.

Then, there's the "Lady of the Bell," one Annamaria, who is a real person. Odd knows this because she talks to him. She is young and very pregnant. Odd recognizes her as a person who appeared in his cataclysmic dream. Is she mysterious? You bet she is.

Once Odd runs into Annamaria on the Magic Beach pier, you might say, "the game is afoot!" The two are threatened by three very much alive miscreants. Odd manages to get Annamaria away from the thugs but he finds himself embroiled in a life threatening situation.

Unfortunately, Odd's predictive dreams do not provide the month, day, and hour of the probable cataclysm coming, or even the precise location. He only knows he feels morally obliged to prevent the foreseen evil. He lives always with the crushing stress of this prognostic gift.

When Odd escapes the goons he goes in search of Annamaria. He has no idea where she ran to, but using his gift of psychic magnetism which draws to him the person or persons he's trying to find, he does find her, and yes, she does need his help. She asks Odd, "Will you die for me?" Without hesitation Odd answers, "Yes."

The plot thickens as Odd gets deeper and deeper into the mystery unfolding about him. Once he has found a safe haven for Annamaria with Blossom Rosedale, he sets out to find the men who not only tried to kill him but who are also involved in his dream of the disastrous Red Tide.

Koontz is in his element with one riddle following on the heels of yet another. While suspense builds to the nth degree, this hellbent race to beat a ticking clock explodes. The expertise Koontz employs in his characterizations and word usages reveal a master novelist working at the zenith of his career.

The end of "Odd Hours" all but cries out for . . . MORE.