Strangers, by Dean Koontz

The Tranquility Motel stands in the desert, the only civilization for miles in any direction. The nearest town is Elko, Nevada. Big rigs and travelers stop at the motel and restaurant to grab a room for some sleep, or for the food at the restaurant.

Sounds peaceful, but for Dominick Corvaisis, Ginger Weiss, Faye and Ernie Block, Brenden Cronin, Jack Twist and Ned and Sandy and Ned Sarver, along with Jorja Montanero and her daughter, Marcie, it would prove to be anything buy tranquil.

Each of these people is having increasing nightmares, but believe they are the only one. They don’t remember the summer the ‘moon’ fell to earth.

Ginger Weiss is a determined and brilliant young woman just weeks away from hanging her shingle to practice medicine. She performs delicate heart surgery with swiftness and precision; until she goes to the deli one night. There is another customer there, one who bumps into Ginger and steadies her with his black-gloved hands. Ginger is thrown into a fugue and awakens to find herself huddled in an alley.

Dominick Corvaisis has just finished his second novel as his sales begin and he is courted by big book houses. Dom has just one small problem. He sleepwalks, and great distances during which he is unaware of himself. He resorts to tying himself with a tether to his bed to avoid wandering into danger.

Brendan Cronin, known as Pudge to the children in the hospital where he has been sent by a worried curate, is a Roman Catholic Priest – who has lost his faith. One day during mass he hurls the chalice against a wall. All he ever wanted to be was a priest.

Faye and George Block own the Tranquility Motel. In their fifties, still very much in love, things seem idyllic. However, George is becoming increasing terrified of the dark. A soldier in Nam, George was a hero, but now he goes into panic as the sun leaves the world.

Ned and Sandy Sarver run the Tranquility Café. Sandy, an abused child and woman suddenly finds herself outgoing and interested in life. While it delights Ned, he too wonders about the changes.

Jorja Monatello and her daughter Marcie are on the run again. Jorja’s abusive ex-boyfriend has found out where they live again. Fearing for her life and her daughter’s, Marcie starts out to find a new hiding place.

Marcie has become obsessed with a fear of doctors. He becomes hysterical when she thinks Santa had not brought her the Little Ms. Doctor kit she coveted. Her intensity on the set and practicing medical skills is frightening. She keeps saying she has to become a doctor so no doctors could hurt her again. Only Marcie has never been in the hospital. She becomes more and more withdrawn and goes into an obsession over the moon.

Eventually all of them end up at the Tranquility Motel together. What they discover there shocks all of them. What happens then is sheer suspense that keeps you up all night reading. What do these people have in common? What has drawn them to this little bit of desert?

The answers are intriguing. Dean Koontz winds other characters into the story, like a fine woven blanket. He teases with little clues and you race on to find out what happens next. This book is a mystery lover’s delight. Sharp writing, intriguing characters, all work together to give the reader the read of their life.