Ticktock
Published: July 1996
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Literature, Suspense, Thriller
Check out the review of this book here:
Summary
Tommy Phan is a popular mystery author and first-generation Vietnamese American in southern California. His ultimate aim is to live the American Dream.
The plot begins with Tommy purchasing a new Corvette. He disputes with his mother, declining her invitation to supper. In an act of defiance, he consumes two cheeseburgers, something his mother despises.
There he encounters a gorgeous waitress (whom he will meet later in the story again). During one of these two travels, his radio stops working, and creepy voices can be heard in the static.
When he returns home, he discovers a Rag doll on his front steps, as well as a message written in Vietnamese that he learned as a youngster but has forgotten in his effort to be a genuine American.
When Tommy takes the doll inside his study, it breaks open to reveal a terrible entity bent on murdering him.
Tommy's computer screen is left with a message indicating he has till daybreak, but he has no idea what will happen at dawn.
They go on a race to flee the beast after encountering Del, a lady who appears to talk rather cryptically. She believes him too soon and frequently has conflicting explanations for all of her skills. (At one point, she stole an automobile, claiming she hotwired it one minute and the key was in the ignition the next.)
As their adventure proceeds, the doll appears to expand in size. They go to Tommy's brother, Gi, to try to decipher the note.
They then proceed to Del's place, where we find she is incredibly wealthy yet still works as a waitress. She also reveals a different side of herself when Tommy asks to view her paintings and threatens to shoot him if he does. Tommy is concerned because her dog appears to be extremely intelligent.
Tommy's Corvette is damaged, two automobiles are stolen, and one enormous boat is trashed on their drive to escape the ever-growing doll.
They arrive at Del's mother's house, which appears strange. They claim to be able to listen to live radio broadcasts from the past using their radio. Del's mother has an unusual sense of timing when she predicts when the rain will end.
Gi calls and warns Tommy not to bring the blonde with him to their mother. Tommy drags Del along nevertheless, where he discovers the doll was created by a friend of his mother to terrify him back home. They start a rite that, after a few terrifying minutes, utterly extinguishes the creature.
Tommy notices Del's paintings, which are of him. She had been watching him from afar for the past two years because she knew he was her fate.
He and Del marry in Las Vegas. They then return to their hometown.
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Deliverance Payne, Edge Of My Seat, Fast Paced, Highly Recommend, Koontz Books, Page Turner, Rag Doll, Really Enjoyed, Screwball Comedy, Tick Tock, Tommy Phan, Years Ago
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/namsu
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
