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Koko

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description Koko Overview

"Koko" is a psychological horror novel written by Peter Straub and published in 1988. The narrative follows four Vietnam War veterans who are reunited years after the conflict to track down a serial killer committing murders across Southeast Asia. The perpetrator leaves behind a playing card inscribed with the name "Koko," which connects the crimes to a shared traumatic event from their wartime service. The novel is targeted at readers of psychological thrillers and was followed by two loosely connected sequels.

help Koko FAQ

What is Peter Straub's Koko about?

Koko is a 1988 horror-mystery novel about four Vietnam veterans who reunite to investigate murders connected to their wartime past. The story moves through locations in Southeast Asia and Washington, D.C., combining crime investigation with psychological horror.

Who are the main veterans in Koko?

The central veterans include pediatrician Michael Poole, lawyer Harry Beevers, restaurateur Tina Pumo, and construction worker Conor Linklater. Their search becomes tied to missing veteran and crime novelist Tim Underhill.

Is Koko part of a Peter Straub series?

Yes, Koko is the first book in Straub's Blue Rose Trilogy. The other novels are Mystery from 1989 and The Throat from 1993, which brings together characters and threads from the earlier books. [Penguin Random House](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/C8P/blue-rose-trilogy/)

Is Koko supernatural horror or a crime thriller?

Koko sits between psychological horror, crime fiction, and war trauma rather than functioning as a conventional monster story. Its serial-killer investigation is driven by the veterans' memories of Vietnam and the disturbing meaning attached to the name Koko.

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