“Some friends bring sunshine. Some bring an umbrella. Spike brings a
thunderstorm.”
Review & Summary
I really enjoyed The Bad Weather Friend. It’s classic Koontz in pacing
and tone, with his trademark suspense and warmth—but this time wearing a
detective/mystery hat more than the usual thriller/fantasy coat.
The central mystery—why someone is dismantling Benny Catspaw’s life—
unfolds differently than expected. The who and why come into focus
earlier than in most Koontz novels, shifting the tension from what’s
going on? to how will this end? That change in structure doesn’t
lessen the fun; instead, it makes the book feel like a high-energy
mystery drama, with the pleasure coming from watching Benny, Harper, and
the towering wildcard Spike work through the chaos.
Beneath that surface is a slower, more haunting suspense rooted in the
past—a time when strange events hinted at something not quite human
brushing against our world. Koontz lets this thread unfold in shadows,
with unsettling fragments and cryptic clues that keep the reader
wondering what’s real and what might be imagination. True to form, he
reminds us that the past is never really past, and its reach can be
longer—and darker—than we think.
Character work is top-notch. Benny’s good-hearted nature makes him
instantly likable, Harper’s curiosity adds spark, and Spike… well, Spike
is the kind of friend you’re glad is on your side, even if you’re not
entirely sure you can sleep with him in the same zip code. Humor runs
strong throughout, something I’ve noticed Koontz leaning into more in
recent years—it balances the darker moments without deflating them.
The pacing stays tight, and while the ending might not deliver a
jaw-drop twist, it lands with a satisfying mix of justice and heart.
Both the personal showdown and the deeper, more enigmatic threat resolve
in ways that feel earned, while leaving enough mystery to linger after
you close the book.
Final Verdict
If Watchers is Koontz’s heartfelt sci-fi thriller and Odd Thomas is
his supernatural empathy engine, The Bad Weather Friend is his oddball
buddy-cop mystery—only one cop is seven feet tall and possibly
terrifying. With an undercurrent of danger rooted in long-buried
secrets, it’s a ride that mixes humor, suspense, and just enough
darkness to keep you thinking about it afterward. The early reveal means
it’s less about the puzzle and more about the ride, but it’s a ride well
worth taking.
Recommended for: Koontz fans who enjoy his lighter, humor-infused
side; readers who like detective-style adventures with a twist; anyone
curious about what would happen if Columbo teamed up with a polite
kaiju.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5. Not his most shocking, but an absolute blast to
read.
Attribution: Written with help of ChatGPT 5.