WatchersWatchers
Score Classic
What it's about
Travis Cornell, a lonely ex-soldier, goes hiking in the California hills and meets a golden retriever who seems almost human, smart enough to communicate and terrified of something in the woods. The dog has escaped from a secret government lab, and so has another creature, made to kill, which is hunting him. Travis, a shy woman named Nora and the dog become a family on the run.
Why it's worth reading
It was voted onto PBS's Great American Read. It's a thriller with a lot of heart, and the dog, Einstein, is one of the most beloved characters in popular fiction.
You'll love it if you liked
The Stand
Jurassic Park
The InstituteGood to know
There's violence and a hitman subplot, with some gore. The ending is warm.
By the numbers
- Readers77 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller44 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
- #17 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #91 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #297 of the 762 classics we rank
- #970 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Gripping, Adventurous
More by Dean Koontz
From the Corner of His Eye
Intensity
Odd Hours
One Door Away From HeavenIf you like this, read next
Swan Song
Frankenstein
The Gunslinger
I Am Legend
The Road
The TruthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Watchers worth reading?
Yes. It was voted onto PBS's Great American Read. It ranks #970 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Watchers about?
Travis Cornell, a lonely ex-soldier, goes hiking in the California hills and meets a golden retriever who seems almost human, smart enough to communicate and terrified of something in the woods. The dog has escaped from a secret government lab, and so has another creature, made to kill, which is hunting him. Travis, a shy woman named Nora and the dog become a family on the run.
How long does it take to read Watchers?
About 10 hours (404 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Watchers?
If you liked it, try The Stand by Stephen King, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton or The Institute by Stephen King.