The Bad PlaceThe Bad Place
Score Modern
What it's about
Frank Pollard wakes up in a parked car with no memory of who he is, his hands covered in blood, and a bag full of cash. He hires Bobby and Julie Dakota, a husband-and-wife team of private investigators, to follow him at night and find out what he does while he sleeps. They discover he can teleport, and that something monstrous from his family is hunting him.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It's one of Koontz's scariest thrillers, with a warm married couple at its center.
You'll love it if you liked
Intensity
Watchers
One Door Away From HeavenGood to know
There's gruesome violence and incest. Julie's brother, who has Down syndrome, is an important character.
By the numbers
- Readers32 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller38 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #231 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #355 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #1262 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2320 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Dean Koontz
Watchers
From the Corner of His EyeIntensity
Odd HoursIf you like this, read next
Gideon the Ninth
All Systems Red
Promises in Death
Innocent in Death
The Blind Assassin
Jade CityExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Bad Place worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #2,320 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 60.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Bad Place about?
Frank Pollard wakes up in a parked car with no memory of who he is, his hands covered in blood, and a bag full of cash. He hires Bobby and Julie Dakota, a husband-and-wife team of private investigators, to follow him at night and find out what he does while he sleeps. They discover he can teleport, and that something monstrous from his family is hunting him.
How long does it take to read The Bad Place?
About 10 hours (382 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Bad Place?
If you liked it, try Intensity by Dean Koontz, Watchers by Dean Koontz or One Door Away From Heaven by Dean Koontz.