Finished 1-8-09, rating 4 1/2, fiction, pub.1987

“We have a responsibility to stand watch over one another, we are watchers, all of us, watchers, guarding against the darkness.  You’ve taught me that we’re all needed, even those who sometimes think we’re worthless, plain, and dull.  If we love and allow ourselves to be loved…well, a person who loves is the most precious thing in the world, worth all the fortunes that ever were.”    -Chapter 9

A top secret lab in California has created two new weapons for the US government – a gentle golden retriever and a savage best, both astonishingly intelligent.  One night they both escape and the NSA mounts a search, but before either can be found one is taken in by a lonely man and one begins killing at will.

Cursed Travis Cornell was looking for some happiness and found the golden retriever, who he named Einstein because of his human-like intelligence.  Through Einstein he found an equally lonely woman, Nora, and the three became inseparable.  The three found happiness together, but danger lurked because not only was the government still looking for Einstein, so was the beast and a crazy assassin. 

This is the ultimate book for dog lovers.  Einstein was nothing short of a miracle and I fell in love with him, just as you will.  He was playful, a protector, a source of comfort, and also possessed the intelligence to communicate fully with Travis and Nora.  The vision of Einstein lounging on the floor reading novels is one that warms this book lovers heart.  I confess that my dog received a lot of extra love and a few extra treats as I was reading this book.

Koontz writes books that move at lightning  speed, but also have heart, three dimensional characters, and a range of storylines that all move together perfectly.  He can do it all and with this book he does.  In the Afterward of my edition Koontz admits that this is probably his favorite book and that should be recommendation enough.

This is a suspenseful thriller, but also addresses some big issues like good vs. evil and the government playing God.  There is DNA mixing going on right now, but this was written 20 years ago!  This book will entertain you, make you think, and definitely encourage you to look at your dog and wonder how much of Einstein is in there.

This a must read for any dog lover!