The Funhouse

By Dean Koontz

The plot of this novel centres around carnival life. It starts in August 1955 when Ellen Straker marries the owner of a carnival funhouse, Conrad, after she running away from her repressive mother. She drinks to forget her tormented childhood and to cope with her present. A baby boy is born. They name him Victor, but Ellen cannot bring herself to love this ‘thing’. She thinks it is evil, so it has to die.

From there, the story shifts to Ellen's 17-year-old daughter Amy. Amy is pregnant and totally alone after her uncaring boyfriend dumps her. She desperately wants an abortion, but has no way of paying for it other than using her savings. But in order to do that she will need her mother’s permission to withdraw them. Although a strictly religious and a practising Catholic, Amy’s mother agrees. She even insists that the abortion is the only course of action to be taken and that Amy must get rid of the evil inside her as quickly as possible. After the abortion Amy’s mother wants little to do with her and because she now no longer has any curfews or restrictions, she can finally live her life.

Joey, Amy’s little brother, is not so lucky. His mother is even more protective of him. When the carnival arrives in town one day, he sees it as his way to freedom.

The main attraction of the carnival is Conrad’s Funhouse. It offers the ultimate ride, a thrill to beat all others and an experience of a lifetime. However, it does not take long until Conrad finds Ellen, and even better, her children. He sees an opportunity to revenge Ellen’s murder of his beloved Victor. Therefore Conrad is going to keep his ride open, open for as long as it takes to ensure that special children get just what they deserve.

I have not read many books by Dean Koontz but I felt that this one was not as sinister as the others I have read. Unlike other Koontz novels I have read, the author reveals nearly the entire plot within the first 50 pages and the ending is also rather quick and unsatisfying.

Country Wives

By Rebecca Shaw

This is the second book in the Barleybridge series about life at Barleybridge Veterinary Hospital. I have to admit I love these books. They are so easy to read, and such fun. Very straightforward and very predictable, but I suppose that is part of the enjoyment.

A new locum, Dan, arrives at Barleybridge. He stirs up things a bit, much to everyone’s annoyance. The wives connected to the practice are determined that something has to be done. However, Dan and Kate soon become friends. He is there for her when her father passes away very unexpectedly and when her birth mother very suddenly enters her life and claims her. Kate is now torn between the love for her stepmother Mia and a need to know her own mother. Dan, with a secret of his own, again helps her through a traumatic period.

A book filled with warmth, humour and predictability.