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Darkness Under The Sun
Dean Koontz

Darkness Under The Sun

Quick Answer

"Darkness Under The Sun" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Standalone Novels.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: While this novella provides deeper world-building, it is a standalone story and can be read at any stage.

Is this helpful?
201060 ppNovellaOptional Side Story
The chilling account of a pivotal encounter between innocence and ultimate malice, Darkness Under the Sun is the perfect read for Halloween—or for any haunted night—and reveals a secret, fateful turning point in the career of Alton Turner Blackwood, the killer at the dark heart of What the Night Knows, the forthcoming novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.   There once was a killer who knew the night, its secrets and rhythms. How to hide within its shadows. When to hunt.          He roamed from town to town, city to city, choosing his prey for their beauty and innocence. His cruelties were infinite, his humanity long since forfeit. But still . . . he had not yet discovered how to make his special mark among monsters, how to come fully alive as Death.          This is the story of how he learned those things, and of what we might do to ensure that he does not visit us.
Next Recommended Book

Going Home In The Dark

Book #1999.2 of 524 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Standalone Novels conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Darkness Under The Sun?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read Darkness Under The Sun before Beautiful Death?

Yes. Darkness Under The Sun is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Darkness Under The Sun required reading for the Standalone Novels?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Darkness Under The Sun in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Darkness Under The Sun is Going Home In The Dark (Book #1999.2).