The Face (novel)
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| Author | Dean Koontz |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Bantam Publishing |
| Released | 2003 |
The Face is a novel by Dean Koontz published in 2003 by Bantam Books.
[edit] Plot
The main plot of the story follows Ethan Truman, an ex-cop who now works as the head of security for the most famous actor in Hollywood, Channing Manheim, a.k.a "The Face." Ethan is trying to track down the sender of several gruesome "messages" that were received in black boxes. Ethan now has six black boxes to figure out what the contents of the boxes mean. After chasing down leads and tracking the ghost of his dead friend Duncan "Dunny" Whisler. Ethan finally uncovers the plot and races to stop the kidnapping of Manheim's son, Aelfric.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Major characters
- Ethan Truman - An ex-cop/detective who now works as the head of security at Channing Manheim's Bel-air estate.
- Aelfric "Fric" Manheim - Son of Channing Manheim. He is very small and quiet and is often described as "an invisible little mouse."
- Hazard Yancy - A cop in the homicide division who assists Truman on his search. Yancy is a large, bull-like man who is not afraid to put himself in the line of fire. Most shot at man that Ethan Truman has ever known.
- Vladimir "Corky" Laputa - An English professor who also happens to be an anarchist that practices satanism. Corky spreads chaos wherever he goes and plans to kidnap Aelfric. Has already kidnapped a important doctor and starved the doctor. Feeding the doctor only as much minerals and vitamins as the doctor needed to stay alive.
- Duncan "Dunny" Whistler - Ethan's friend from his childhood that died while in a coma. His body disappears from the morgue and seems to be walking around. Dunny acts as Ethan's guardian throughout the story.
- Mrs. McBee - The main caretaker/maid at the Manheim estate. She is very observant and seems omnipresent in Fric's mind.
- Rolf Reynerd - A petty crook who delivers the "black boxes" to the Manheim estate. Was killed by a hitman sent by Dunny.
[edit] Minor characters
- Channing "The Face" Manheim - Considered the world's most famous actor and the top actor in Hollywood. Fric's father, whom Fric calls "Ghost Dad."
- Freddie Nielander - Fric's mom who is divorced from Channing. Fric refers to her as "Nominal Mom". Was supposedly sent to mental hospital for some time.
- Typhon - The "spirit" that helps Dunny Whistler. Revealed to be a demon at the end of the book.
- Hannah - Ethan's deceased wife and the woman that both Ethan and Dunny love.
- Chef Hachette - The main chef at the Manheim Estate. Fric believes he is a demon/monster/cannibal just waiting for his chance to strike.
- Ming du Lac - Manheim's spiritual advisor. A little bit nutty since she keeps a phone line separate for the dead.
[edit] Trivia
A note from Dean Koontz at the end of the book states:
"In Chapter 32, Mr. Typhon counsels Dunny Whistler that he should take inspiration from Saint Duncan, for whom he was named. No Saint Duncan has ever been canonized. We can only speculate on Mr. Typhon's motives for this seemingly minor deception. -DK"
