Reality vs Perception

In Mr. Murder, Dean Koontz does a wonderful job of presenting the reader with the consequences of reality when confronted with an alternate perception of reality. The Stillwater family lives a fairly modest lifestyle, where Marty is a mystery writer of talent, published many times over, and Paige is a child psychologist. Their two girls are normal, outgoing children, who enjoy the love and positive reinforcements of stable and well rounded parents. All in all, their lives are ideal. Marty's parents are loving and supportive, and though Paige has come from a troubled background, Marty has had a calming and positive influence on her, making her believe in the family unit again. When Marty and Alfie first meet face to face, Marty begins to wonder if he is losing his mind, seeing double and questioning his grasp on reality.

Alfie is a clone created from the...