Odd Thomas (Series) by Dean Koontz - 9/10

Accompany the charismatic Odd Thomas as he uses his supernatural sensitivities to solve mysteries and thwart evil.

Odd Thomas wants nothing but to live a simple life in his hometown with the girl of his dreams, but his supernatural ability to see spirits and sense connections others cannot leads him on a series of adventures where he solves mysteries, foils plots, and saves many lives. This series explores the darkness of the world, including the occult, and tackles heavy issues of the battle between good and evil, exploring a lot of the brokenness of human experience, as well as broaching many philosophical questions. Despite this weight, I think they are well balanced because but they never lose sight of where hope can be found: Every book incorporates glimpses of light, including secondary characters who go out of their way to help. In addition, the reader is never without Odd, the series' narrator and protagonist, who's strength of heart is a constant comfort. He reflects on his experiences with insight and good humor and almost always reminds us that the world contains light and laughter as well.

This series conveys a Catholic undertone throughout. Even though Odd is not a practicing Catholic and some of his views are not quite orthodox, his outlook is heavily influenced by the faith (most obviously, he speaks about his abilities as a gift of divine origin that come with a mission, but he also has a strong moral compass and finds beauty and goodness wherever he goes), and Koontz's Catholicism bleeds through into the writing style through the examples used and language choices. The third book - which is my absolute favorite - is set at a monastery bordered by a convent, and I think that Koontz pulls it off quite well.

*These books contain a lot of information about the occult as most of the antagonists are linked with dark supernatural forces in some way or other.