The Moonlit Mind was published in the back of 77 Shadow Street, but it’s a stand-alone story and over 100 pages, so I’m counting it separating. It’s tied into the Pendleton (apparently it’s going to be a series–quit working on new series, Koontz, and go finish the final Fear Nothing!!) by taking place across the street but other than a constant presence of evil, they don’t really seem to be connected. Maybe Koontz’s plan is to write a novel for every house on the block? A Fear Street homage, perhaps?
“Only the moonlit mind allows wonder, and it is in the thrall of wonder that you can see the intricate weave of the world of which you are but one thread, one fantastic and essential thread.”
Moonlit Mind stars a 12 year old boy named Crispin and his intelligent golden retriever have been living on the street for several years, following a horrible event at Crispin’s house (something involving his younger sister and brother). He meets up with a girl living in a department store, and alternates between telling her the story and experiencing flashbacks to it. She think he’s should return to resolve things; he can’t bear to. Oh, and evil people keep hunting him down.
It’s a short story, but a pretty freaky one. This novella & the much thicker 77 Shadow Street are both jam-packed with potential nightmare material. This shorter tale has less twists and turns than 77 Shadow Street , and leaves more unresolved, but it’s a good quick horror story nonetheless. And I liked the dog.