Odd Thomas (fictional character)
Encyclopedia
Odd Thomas is a fictional character who first appeared in Dean Koontz
's 2003 novel of the same name, Odd Thomas. He is a twenty-year-old man who lives in the fictional desert town of Pico Mundo, California, and is able to see the spirits of the dead. He is able to make himself heard to them but they cannot speak to him, although they may make signs or mouth words. This fact complicates much of the books.
The ghost of Elvis Presley
was once a constant companion to him, until the end of Brother Odd
, at which time Elvis moved on and the ghost of Frank Sinatra
became Odd's new companion. Sinatra similarly left at the end of Odd Hours
, shortly after an impressive display of poltergeist activity.
uncle whom he has never met and may not exist) and his actual name stems from an error on his birth certificate that eventually became permanent. Odd lived at home until he was 16. His mother is a neurotic who refuses responsibility and has a psychotic fixation with handguns. Odd's father divorced her when Odd was one year old. He never remarried but has become a serial dater of girls that are barely/questionably legal. Odd was severely neglected and emotionally abused by his mother after his father left. If his mother couldn't hide from him, she would threaten to kill herself or Odd if he created 'stressful' events, i.e. he was very sick as a child and wanted her to comfort him when she told him if he didn't stop crying she was going to shoot herself. During this same incident she also made him (Odd) to look down the barrel of her gun.
Odd's unique ability to see the dead (among other paranormal gifts) complicates his life and forms the basis of the novels. When the first novel begins he is a 20 year-old fry cook, with a particular proficiency for pancakes, living in the fictional California town of Pico Mundo. He uses his abilities to aid the lingering spirits who seek him out. The plot of the first novel centers on Odd and his girlfriend Stormy Llewellyn's attempt to prevent a mass murder in his hometown. Odd successfully minimizes the casualties of the scheme but Stormy is killed, changing the course of Odd's life.
The second novel, Forever Odd
focuses on a battle of wits between Odd and an occult-obsessed seductress who has kidnapped Odd's childhood friend, hoping to attract Odd and learn about his gift. In Brother Odd
, Odd has retreated to a quiet life in St. Bartholomew's Abbey, where children are being stalked by paranormal creatures outside of Odd's experience. In the fourth and most recent novel, Odd Hours
Odd is drawn to Magic Beach where he experiences an apocalyptic dream and investigates a plot of cataclysmic proportions. During this novel he meets Annamaria, a mysterious woman who dubs Odd during their first conversation as her protector. At the end of the novel Annamaria accompanies Odd as the two depart Magic Beach, and Annamaria comforts Odd by mimicking a favorite pastime of Odd's and Stormy's.
Odd's primary power is sight of ghosts and other departed spirits, primarily humans and dogs, though Odd has made allusions to others. The spirits never speak, though Odd does not know if this is due to inability or by choice until Odd Hours, when the spirit of a recently killed criminal attempts to speak to Odd and is surprised to find that it cannot be heard. Odd's second frequent ability is a form of psychic magnetism, an ability to be drawn to places of import by allowing his instincts to take over. Another, less beneficial aspect of this ability is that if Odd is consciously trying avoid a particular someone or something, he will inevitably find or be found that very person or thing. Despite the hapless danger and misfortune this ability causes, the character usually finds humor in the irony and speaks of it in an anecdotal fashion.
Additionally, Odd is able to 'foresee' events due to his ability to see Bodachs, a term identified by a child he met who shortly after voicing the word, and in the presence of Bodachs, was killed in a somewhat mysterious accident by a truck driver.
, Datura kidnaps him after he tells her about Odd's ability to see the dead on a phone sex line. His bone disease makes him susceptible to bone fractures.
Dean Koontz has stated (in an essay at the end of the Odd Thomas graphic novel) that he "now believe[s] that, God willing, there will be six Odd Thomas novels," although at the 2008 Comic-Con in San Diego Koontz amended this by stating there would be a total of seven Odd Thomas books. "I know how it ends," said Koontz. "But I don't know how he gets there yet."
and Odd Hours
. They were directed by Jack Paccione Jr., with Odd being played by Anthony Marks. In it, Odd encounters a fellow ghost-seer who has been driven mad by his visions of the lingering dead. This leads Odd to fear for his own sanity, and ponders whether or not he too will be driven to madness by his second sight. The series ends at the beginning of Odd Hours, with Odd witnessing a vision of the end of the world while visiting Magic Beach.
Dean Koontz
Dean Ray Koontz is a prolific American author best known for his novels which could be described broadly as suspense thrillers. He also frequently incorporates elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, and satire. A number of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with...
's 2003 novel of the same name, Odd Thomas. He is a twenty-year-old man who lives in the fictional desert town of Pico Mundo, California, and is able to see the spirits of the dead. He is able to make himself heard to them but they cannot speak to him, although they may make signs or mouth words. This fact complicates much of the books.
The ghost of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
was once a constant companion to him, until the end of Brother Odd
Brother Odd
Brother Odd is a novel by Dean Koontz, published in 2006. The novel is the third book in Koontz's series focusing on a young man named Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
, at which time Elvis moved on and the ghost of Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
became Odd's new companion. Sinatra similarly left at the end of Odd Hours
Odd Hours
Odd Hours is the fourth novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It was released on May 20, 2008.-Plot summary:The story begins with Odd finding a woman who featured prominently in his dream, a young, pregnant woman who calls herself Annamaria. After being assaulted and nearly killed by a...
, shortly after an impressive display of poltergeist activity.
Fictional character biography
Odd's name was originally intended to be "Todd",(or possibly "Dodd", after his EuropeanEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
uncle whom he has never met and may not exist) and his actual name stems from an error on his birth certificate that eventually became permanent. Odd lived at home until he was 16. His mother is a neurotic who refuses responsibility and has a psychotic fixation with handguns. Odd's father divorced her when Odd was one year old. He never remarried but has become a serial dater of girls that are barely/questionably legal. Odd was severely neglected and emotionally abused by his mother after his father left. If his mother couldn't hide from him, she would threaten to kill herself or Odd if he created 'stressful' events, i.e. he was very sick as a child and wanted her to comfort him when she told him if he didn't stop crying she was going to shoot herself. During this same incident she also made him (Odd) to look down the barrel of her gun.
Odd's unique ability to see the dead (among other paranormal gifts) complicates his life and forms the basis of the novels. When the first novel begins he is a 20 year-old fry cook, with a particular proficiency for pancakes, living in the fictional California town of Pico Mundo. He uses his abilities to aid the lingering spirits who seek him out. The plot of the first novel centers on Odd and his girlfriend Stormy Llewellyn's attempt to prevent a mass murder in his hometown. Odd successfully minimizes the casualties of the scheme but Stormy is killed, changing the course of Odd's life.
The second novel, Forever Odd
Forever Odd
Forever Odd is a 2005 novel by Dean Koontz, and the sequel to Odd Thomas. The plot takes place six months after the events of Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
focuses on a battle of wits between Odd and an occult-obsessed seductress who has kidnapped Odd's childhood friend, hoping to attract Odd and learn about his gift. In Brother Odd
Brother Odd
Brother Odd is a novel by Dean Koontz, published in 2006. The novel is the third book in Koontz's series focusing on a young man named Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
, Odd has retreated to a quiet life in St. Bartholomew's Abbey, where children are being stalked by paranormal creatures outside of Odd's experience. In the fourth and most recent novel, Odd Hours
Odd Hours
Odd Hours is the fourth novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It was released on May 20, 2008.-Plot summary:The story begins with Odd finding a woman who featured prominently in his dream, a young, pregnant woman who calls herself Annamaria. After being assaulted and nearly killed by a...
Odd is drawn to Magic Beach where he experiences an apocalyptic dream and investigates a plot of cataclysmic proportions. During this novel he meets Annamaria, a mysterious woman who dubs Odd during their first conversation as her protector. At the end of the novel Annamaria accompanies Odd as the two depart Magic Beach, and Annamaria comforts Odd by mimicking a favorite pastime of Odd's and Stormy's.
Odd's primary power is sight of ghosts and other departed spirits, primarily humans and dogs, though Odd has made allusions to others. The spirits never speak, though Odd does not know if this is due to inability or by choice until Odd Hours, when the spirit of a recently killed criminal attempts to speak to Odd and is surprised to find that it cannot be heard. Odd's second frequent ability is a form of psychic magnetism, an ability to be drawn to places of import by allowing his instincts to take over. Another, less beneficial aspect of this ability is that if Odd is consciously trying avoid a particular someone or something, he will inevitably find or be found that very person or thing. Despite the hapless danger and misfortune this ability causes, the character usually finds humor in the irony and speaks of it in an anecdotal fashion.
Additionally, Odd is able to 'foresee' events due to his ability to see Bodachs, a term identified by a child he met who shortly after voicing the word, and in the presence of Bodachs, was killed in a somewhat mysterious accident by a truck driver.
"Little Ozzie"
A morbidly obese, extremely successful mystery novelist, with six fingers on his left hand.Danny Jessup
Danny is Odd's best friend, in Forever OddForever Odd
Forever Odd is a 2005 novel by Dean Koontz, and the sequel to Odd Thomas. The plot takes place six months after the events of Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
, Datura kidnaps him after he tells her about Odd's ability to see the dead on a phone sex line. His bone disease makes him susceptible to bone fractures.
Bronwen "Stormy" Llewellyn
Odd's girlfriend, soulmate and fiancée in the first novel (and the prequel graphic novel).She would often call him "Odd one". Odd believed that he and Stormy would be together forever due to an encounter with a carnival fortune telling machine. Stormy was killed in a rage of gunfire at the end of the first novel. Since then, Odd is driven by a constant desire to use his supernatural gifts for good, so that he can be reunited with Stormy after death.Chief Wyatt Porter
The Chief helps Odd many times, acting almost as a surrogate father. He is one of the few people that know Odd sees the dead. He is shot by one of the people who would later shoot people at the mall, but survives. His wife, Karla, also cares deeply about Odd in a somewhat maternal role.Novels
- Odd Thomas (2003)
- Forever OddForever OddForever Odd is a 2005 novel by Dean Koontz, and the sequel to Odd Thomas. The plot takes place six months after the events of Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
(2005) - Brother OddBrother OddBrother Odd is a novel by Dean Koontz, published in 2006. The novel is the third book in Koontz's series focusing on a young man named Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
(2006) - Odd HoursOdd HoursOdd Hours is the fourth novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It was released on May 20, 2008.-Plot summary:The story begins with Odd finding a woman who featured prominently in his dream, a young, pregnant woman who calls herself Annamaria. After being assaulted and nearly killed by a...
(2008) - In Odd We TrustIn Odd We TrustIn Odd We Trust is the first Graphic Novel featuring Dean Koontz's character Odd Thomas. It was released June 24, 2008. It is written by Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan, with illustrations by Queenie Chan in a Manga style.-Plot summary:...
(2008) (graphic novel prequel) - Odd is on Our Side (2010) (graphic novel prequel)
- House of Odd (To be release February 2012) (graphic novel prequel)
- Odd Apocalypse (Tentatively scheduled for release June 2012)
Dean Koontz has stated (in an essay at the end of the Odd Thomas graphic novel) that he "now believe[s] that, God willing, there will be six Odd Thomas novels," although at the 2008 Comic-Con in San Diego Koontz amended this by stating there would be a total of seven Odd Thomas books. "I know how it ends," said Koontz. "But I don't know how he gets there yet."
Odd Passenger
A four-part webisode series debuting in April 2008, Odd Passenger detailed events between Brother OddBrother Odd
Brother Odd is a novel by Dean Koontz, published in 2006. The novel is the third book in Koontz's series focusing on a young man named Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
and Odd Hours
Odd Hours
Odd Hours is the fourth novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It was released on May 20, 2008.-Plot summary:The story begins with Odd finding a woman who featured prominently in his dream, a young, pregnant woman who calls herself Annamaria. After being assaulted and nearly killed by a...
. They were directed by Jack Paccione Jr., with Odd being played by Anthony Marks. In it, Odd encounters a fellow ghost-seer who has been driven mad by his visions of the lingering dead. This leads Odd to fear for his own sanity, and ponders whether or not he too will be driven to madness by his second sight. The series ends at the beginning of Odd Hours, with Odd witnessing a vision of the end of the world while visiting Magic Beach.