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Extended Audio Sample Life Expectancy Audiobook, by Dean Koontz Click for printable size audiobook cover
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (16,492 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Dean Koontz Narrator: John Bedford Lloyd Publisher: Penguin Random House Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: December 2004 ISBN: 9780739315545
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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.


From the Hardcover edition. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “Funny, scary and entertaining.”

    Washington Post Book World
  • A master storyteller and a daring writer... he gives readers bright hope in a dark world.... Life Expectancy pits good versus evil and carries a persuasive message, about the power of love and family and the miracle of existence... Koontz is a true original and this novel, one of his most unusual yet, will leave readers aglow. Publishers Weekly, starred review.

  • “Koontz writes of hope and love in the midst of evil in profoundly inspiring and moving ways.”

    Chicago Sun-Times

  • “Prepare to be enchanted.”

    Sunday Oregonian

  • “Koontz is a master storyteller and a daring writer, and in his novels he gives readers bright hope in a dark world. Life Expectancy is an exemplar of his extraordinary work and one of his most unusual yet, will leave readers aglow.”

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)
  • A New York Times Bestseller
  • A USA Today Bestseller

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Bob | 2/19/2014

    " read this book, you'll never look at Clown the same way again. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jessica Trotto | 2/13/2014

    " Five Terrible Days...or are they? Are we able to make lemonade when handed lemons? Do the days have to be terrible? Or can we triumph over adversities? Great story! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jo | 2/7/2014

    " While all of his more recent books (that I've read, at least) seem to follow similar themes, they do each manage to be different enough to really enjoy them. This was fast paced and cleverly done with multiple twists - great thriller. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Tony Ivey | 2/3/2014

    " Another excellent read from Koontz. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Rochelle K. | 2/2/2014

    " If I wasn't terrified/freaked out by clowns before, I am now. Crazy book with interesting twists and turns. There is always some violence in Koontz' books, but this one was probably the most mild of all of them that I've read. I recommend this one. Kept my turning pages. I love his writing style. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Remme | 2/1/2014

    " This was a great book. I have read it once and I plan to read it again. Its evil clowns done in a whole new way. Lol "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Missyk | 1/25/2014

    " A great story, and more delicious food descriptions. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ash McPerk | 1/22/2014

    " A quick, fun read for fans of Koontz, both old and new. It's full of quirky twists, turns and suspense, but isn't very dark. It's a great stand-alone work with characters that really come to life. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Melissa Gonzalez | 1/19/2014

    " I was actually reading this book when I was in labor at the hospital with my daughter. It is such a good book that it made the time go by so fast. The doctor that delivered me had just finished reading this book as well and loved it! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Mgw | 1/8/2014

    " This was a very strange book to read. I really enjoyed it and it was really surprising through out. Enjoyed it. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Kathy | 1/4/2014

    " This was not the type of story I had expected from Dean Koontz. The main character has an unusual set of events in his life. It was OK, but not great. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Katie McKelley | 12/29/2013

    " also known as "Tick Tock" - pretty good "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Erin Painter | 12/10/2013

    " My 1st Koontz novel so I wasn't sure what to expect....which was good because it was by far on of the strangest books I've ever read! However, I couldn't put it down!!! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Tara | 11/15/2013

    " favorite koontz book. must read "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Steven | 6/7/2013

    " If you liked the Odd Thomas books, you will like this one as well. No ghost of Elvis, but the same flippant, fun tone. And who doesn't love a hero who is also a first class pastry chef? "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Sarah Jane | 4/10/2013

    " One of my favorites. Koontz has the wonderful ability to combine humor with thriller effortlessly. This book had a family that you adored, with characters you loved. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kathleen | 10/25/2012

    " This book was so amazing. Twisty. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jake | 9/26/2012

    " The book didn't feel realistic at all, and the characters didn't really strike me as genuine. Not a great one from Koontz. Interesting concept, not executed well. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Creative Mir | 8/22/2012

    " I loved loved loved this book! The characters were charming, the story was playful and inventive and the text was quotable and so many passages stood alone to speak out loud to me. I'll definitely read this one again. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jackie | 8/17/2012

    " This one is funny! Nate and I listened to it on a long trip one time and laughed the entire way. I am not sure it is intended to be funny, but we enjoyed it. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Lambknitj | 8/7/2012

    " Okay, I gave it a try. Like Crystal said, it was rather slow getting started, but once things got moving I got more interested. I almost gave it only two stars -- just too much violence for me. It did have some interesting twists as the book went along. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jeremy Morgan | 8/4/2012

    " I don't know Koontz. Leave the clowns either to Barnum & Bailey, or to King. Both seem to do better going full into their chosen paths, then you seem to by combining both of the paths together. However, I still can't stop reading your works, so I guess I can forgive you. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jean Doolittle | 6/8/2012

    " Scary, funny, moving, surprising, well-plotted and constructed...lots of positive adjectives for this story by Dean Koontz, a master storyteller in the company of Stephen King. Prolific writer who produces quality work every time out. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Samantha Webb | 2/10/2012

    " So many twists and turns you won't know what hit you! Hilarious and touching. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Geokowgurl | 7/2/2011

    " A great book by Koontz. Heart pounding action in the way of creepy clowns! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Monica | 7/1/2011

    " Just read this book and I couldn't put it down.
    I like books that stay interesting and I loved that this book had a new "incident" around every corner. The characters are bizzare, entertaining, and easy to fall in love with. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Brenda | 6/29/2011

    " Jimmy Tock comes into the world with ten predictions made by his dying grandfather. This book is all about the five bad days that his grandfather predicts Jimmy is going to have. I found the book to be a good read. I was enticed to find out what happened. I enjoyed the book. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Barbtimering | 6/27/2011

    " One of my favorite Dean Koontz books. Surprised at how much I enjoyed it. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Tim | 6/24/2011

    " Very cleverly written! LIFE EXPECTANCY is a quick read with a good mix of action, suspense, humor, and voice. It will appeal to fans of Koontz and King alike! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 SueAnn | 6/20/2011

    " I could not get through the fourth cd, it could not hold my interest. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jessica | 6/16/2011

    " This book was rather bizarre but then again what Dean Koontz book isn't?! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Karen | 6/13/2011

    " FABULOUS....you don't know everything until the very last chapter......GREAT "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Roxanne | 6/7/2011

    " Great book! One of my favourites. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Scot | 6/7/2011

    " Koontz's humor shines through in this one. Not what I expected at all but a very pleasant surprise. Rich characters that you really pull for. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Walter | 6/6/2011

    " Good characters and action. A little strange at the end. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Michele | 5/17/2011

    " I really liked this book. The plot line was new to me. Creepy because there is a clown in it... I don't much care for clowns. Good read. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Kate | 5/16/2011

    " Sucked me right in! Haven't read Koontz in a long time. "

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About the Author
Author Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is one of the most popular writers in the world. When he was a senior in college, he won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition and has been writing ever since. His books are published in thirty-eight languages with worldwide sales over 400 million copies. Fourteen of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list and sixteen have risen to the number one position in paperback. Several of his books have been adapted into feature films and television miniseries, including the highly rated Intensity on the Fox Network. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever Anna, and the enduring spirit of their golden retriever Trixie.

About the Narrator

John Bedford Lloyd, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, has appeared in many major motion pictures, including The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Delancey, The Abyss, The Manchurian Candidate, and Philadelphia. His television credits include Suits, Pan Am, Law & Order, Spin City, and The West Wing. A critically acclaimed audiobook narrator and winner of the Edgar Allen Poe Award, his voice work includes reading for such authors as Michael Crichton, Nicholas Sparks, Paul Doiron, and Atul Gawande, among others.

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