Life Expectancy

Written by:
Dean Koontz
Narrated by:
John Bedford Lloyd

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
188
Narrator
15
Release Date
December 2004
Duration
11 hours 34 minutes
Summary
With his bestselling blend of nail-biting intensity, daring artistry, and storytelling magic, Dean Koontz returns with an emotional roller coaster of a tale filled with enough twists, turns, shocks, and surprises for ten ordinary novels. Here is the story of five days in the life of an ordinary man born to an extraordinary legacy—a story that will challenge the way you look at good and evil, life and death, and everything in between.

Jimmy Tock comes into the world on the very night his grandfather leaves it. As a violent storm rages outside the hospital, Rudy Tock spends long hours walking the corridors between the expectant fathers' waiting room and his dying father's bedside. It's a strange vigil made all the stranger when, at the very height of the storm's fury, Josef Tock suddenly sits up in bed and speaks coherently for the frist and last time since his stroke.

What he says before he dies is that there will be five dark days in the life of his grandson—five dates whose terrible events Jimmy will have to prepare himself to face. The first is to occur in his twentieth year; the second in his twent-third year; the third in his twenty-eighth; the fourth in his twenty-ninth; the fifth in his thirtieth.

Rudy is all too ready to discount his father's last words as a dying man's delusional rambling. But then he discovers that Josef also predicted the time of his grandson's birth to the minute, as well as his exact height and weight, and the fact that Jimmy would be born with syndactyly—the unexplained anomal of fused digits—on his left foot. Suddenly the old man's predictions take on a chilling significance.

What terrifying events await Jimmy on these five dark days? What nightmares will he face? What challenges must he survive? As the novel unfolds, picking up Jimmy's story at each of these crisis points, the path he must follow will defy every expectation. And with each crisis he faces, he will move closer to a fate he could never have imagined. For who Jimmy Tock is and what he must accomplish on the five days when his world turns is a mystery as dangerous as it is wondrous—a struggle against an evil so dark and pervasive, only the most extraordinary of human spirits can shine through.
Reviews
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Katrina J.

Extremely boring. I love Dean Koontz but this book is definitely lacking

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Ken B

I have read this book a number of times, this was the first time I’ve ever heard it. Reading or listening, it is still a great book.

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Eric C.

Props to the narrator, he really did a great job highlighting the details and the emotions. However...this book is really boring. It sets you up with so much hype, but it is awfully boring as everything unfolds. I gave up half way through, so I'd say skip this one.

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Phyliss A.

This book was so boring, that I could not get past the 3rd CD! This happens so seldom, I was completely ready to throw it our the window!

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Erin Wigton

I loved this book in paperback I loved it even more on audio.

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Rhonda Bradley

Surprising, suspenseful and the narrator makes it fun!

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Susan Remaly

I really enjoyed this book, definitely entertaining! I loved the characters, and laughed out loud a few times, which surprised me. I couldn't stop listening.

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Anonymous

Strange, but loved it. This book made me laugh quite a bit, and it also kept me sitting in my car in the driveway..not wanting to stop listening. Totally worth the listen.

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Anonymous

I really liked this book. It was a bit different and it does take a bit of time to get into it, but it is worth it.

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Mickye Way

WOW!!! OK, first I'll say that as far as Dean Koontz stories go, I've read about 10, and out of those 10 only Watchers was a keeper for me. No real attraction to search out Dean Koontz novels with that ratio. However, what with the availability of the Simply Audiobooks library, I found myself back at the Dean Koontz shelf. The ratio is still about 1 out of 10 for me. This one is a keeper. I agree with other reviewers that it takes time for this one to get hooked into, but from the first disc, it was just weird enough to keep plodding along. There is really good, enjoyable humor in this story, but the overall dark side of what the people in the story have to endure lead me to think how terrible it would be to have something this bizarre happen to anyone! If Hollywood could for once follow the story exactly as written, this would be a very creepy blockbuster movie for sure.

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Cindy

I normally love Dean Koontz but was very disappointed with this one. It was sappy! By the 4th CD I had to give up. I couldn't get into it at all. Not worth your time.

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Anonymous

I have to admit, when I started the first CD, I wasn't very impressed, but it turned out to be a really good book. This was my first Koontz book, and i am adding a few more to my list of future listens. Alot better than expected.

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Anonymous

This is a really intriguing story that kept me riveted from beginning to end. It's one of those that stuck with me long after I finished it. In my view, one of Koontz's best.

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Anonymous

If you want a really good read with wit, humor and excitement this book is for you. Great, funny, exciting with a wonderful family.

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Doc Stone

Good book! I enjoyed the sense of comedy amidst the story. Plenty of twists too!

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Paul White

This was one of the best books I ever "read". I so thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and especially the "good" characters that I listed to it twice back to back and will be buying this for my personal collection. I would love to see Koontz feature these characters in future books. GREAT BOOK, GREAT READ!!

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Anonymous

Not your average Dean Koontz book. Odd Thomas lovers you may be disappointed. It started off kind of slow with an obvious attempt at humor, but it just wasn't Koontz's style. Admittedly the book did get better, but just don't expect too much from it.

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Dee

I nearly quit listening after the third disc because it wasn't at all like "usual" Dean Koontz. Didn't deliver the promised "rollercoaster" for me. However, I finally realized he'd planted tongue firmly in cheek and spoofed his usual work, and with that in mind I enjoyed the rest of the story a lot. He does his usual thorough character development and scene-setting, but don't expect his usual nail-biter story.

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Ed Jacques

I didn't love it, but I liked it. In some ways it was uncharacteristic Koontz. He drew me in with his focus on the importance of family. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. His strong charter development style really shined in this one. I truly enjoyed how he developed the two lead characters and built the story around their lives and relationships. There was also more focus on humor. In many ways It felt a bit like a John Updike novel. I liked the twist on his normal writing style. Very good work in that respect. Of course there was the odd and unexpected classic Koontz too so fans will not be disappointed. What seemed like loose ends at times were neatly tied along the way. There were some times things didn’t seem to quite fit and maybe some points were drawn out a bit more than necessary, but not enough to make me lose interest. Keep an open mind, and be willing to accept something a bit different from the author and you will not be disappointed.

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Robert Lanois

As with all of the Dean Koontz novels I have read so far, twists and turns in the plot are unexpected and sometimes eerie. This well written and read novel is quite entertaining. Although it is not his best this one will delight Koontz fans. Stealing a line from this book "Be prepared to be enchanted."

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Bryan Ross

I found the book decent enough for reading. It didn't change my life or provoke deep philosophical thought. It wasn't a thriller and I never felt that deep page-turning need for the next line. Even so, the book nagged at me to continue and gently pulled itself along. Certainly funny and exciting at times. It's worth a read, but don't expect a lot.

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Vivian

Certainly kept my interest! the usual Koontz depth of characters and wonderful descriptive writing. It's ALWAYS difficult to figure out, in the midst of the story, where it's going...fun

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Anonymous

Not at the top of Dean's best novels, but still a very good read with lots of unexpected and exciting moments.

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Anonymous

I found the book very edge of the seat exciting. Could not wait to get the rest of the book in to find out what happened. Another success from Koontz.

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Judy Benenfeld

This book was an exceptional story by Dean Koontz at his best with great use of words. The narration by John Bedford Lloyd was exceptional and spectacular, clearly a pro! I hope to listen to his readings again as the narration could make or break any book. I wished the story would never end, and I would highly recommend this book.

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Doug Reed

Not a favorite of mine, slowly and unrealistically you plod through the unbelievable. I sat a goal to never leave a book in the middle so I saw this one through to the end, made me wish I had not set the goal. I just never fell into the story, it remain weak from start to finish.

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Wendy

Although this wasn't the typical Koontz story involving something supernatural, I still enjoyed it. Sometimes it's nice when an author goes off his beaten path into somthing else. This was a good story, if not a bit pecualiar, but that's what kept me listening!

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Mary Hansen

Dean Koontz at his best again. It was an excellent book with an unexpected ending. Great mystery with a twist.

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Anonymous

This is one of Koontz's best. As typical for a Koontz novel there is a odd quality about the seemingly normal characters that embrace the paranormal. It makes for a great story with a protagonist that captures both your heart and imagination. A must listen if you like Koontz.

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Bob Switalski

The story of killer clowns may seem ridiculous until seen from Koontz's eyes. Thriller that keeps you thankful that these five days never happen to you.

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DEBBIE G.

This was a great book. Kept me on the edge of the seat. Lots of turns and unexpected twists in the story. I really enjoyed it.

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Christine Beck

Excellent. A story with suspense, as well as humor. Can't wait till the next shipment.

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Carlos Reyes

It was an Utter Delight. Mr. Koontz's emotional Roller-Coaster.

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Cari Berggren

Koontz is a hit-or-miss writer and for me this was a hit. Entertaining and unpredictable, it was so much fun that i finished it in one day.

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Kathy Patterson

Not a usual Dean Koontz book but this was even better! Great narrator too. Fantastic listening!

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Jessica

Fun story, great narration. I found myself completely absorbed in this book the entire time I listened to it. Very enjoyable.

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Jo Ann

I couldn't stop listening to this book. It was interesting and heartwarming and scary all at the same time (I laughed I cried :-P). The readers were perfect.

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Anonymous

Once again Dean Koontz proves why he is my favorite author.

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Anonymous

I'm a huge Koontz fan & I'm thinking this one is now in my top 5 favorites of his books! Kept me on edge & wanting to keep listening!

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Anonymous

This was my first Dean Koontz novel and maybe it's just that this isnt my style but I found the book to be very dull. No excitement or surprise at all. The readers voices were a bit annoying as well.

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