Night Chills

By Dean Koontz

The plot is very straightforward. A group of three scientists have come up with a devious, horrible experiment for them to take control of the world. They have discovered a way to brainwash people and to open their minds using subliminal ads, and then programme them to do whatever they like. Their experiment is going to take place in the secluded town of Black River, before they move on in order to take over the subconscious minds of every person in the world.

The idea is to introduce subliminal messages in television programmes. It is really quite a frightening thought. You cannot help but wonder if there is something to it. In the book they use it in commercials and ads, and if that is true, well, then I cannot look at another ad for the rest of my life...

So, a drug is placed in the town’s water supply, which is supposed to help make people ‘riper’ for the subliminal messages. Because of this drug many people in the town are plagued by night chills and vomiting. However, obstacles arise for the three scientists when a handful of people do not respond to the drug. Shop owner, Sam, and daughter, Jenny, together with the out-of-towners, Paul (dad), Rya and Mark (daughter and son), are not affected. After a tragic event that unfortunately kills Paul's son Mark, they are able to find out what is going on and set out to save the town of Black River.

Not the best book I have ever read but it definitely makes you look at any kind of media (magazines, television, radio and the Internet) in a different way. Chilling.