'After the Last Race' (1974) by Dean Koontz

'After the Last Race' by Dean Koontz is a 1974 crime thriller that marks his first and only attempt at a straight hardboiled-style heist novel, representing a departure from his later supernatural and horror works.

The story follows Edgar and Annie, a couple disillusioned by poverty and loneliness, who plan a dangerous robbery of a thoroughbred race track on Sweepstakes Day, aiming to steal the cash from the cash room and mutual windows, plus a displayed one million dollars as a promotional gimmick.
The narrative weaves together the main heist plot with several sub-plots involving a psychopathic killer, a terminally ill gambler, a pyromaniac horse groom, a corrupt track manager, and a determined young detective.

Reviews of the novel are mixed. Some readers appreciate its fast-paced, suspenseful nature and the sharp, varied characterizations, noting its resemblance to "Ocean's Eleven" and its effective use of plot twists.

It is described as a "decent heist story" with "excellent characterization" and a "fun and fast-paced caper novel," though it is acknowledged as somewhat dated.

However, other reviewers find the book's beginning slow and its overall execution sloppy, criticizing the unresolved character arcs and the lack of a compelling reason to root for the protagonists, who are portrayed as unlikable and morally ambiguous.

The novel's exploration of 1970s excesses and its critique of thriller tropes are noted, but some find the sub-plots, like the manager's dysfunctional relationship with an actress, underdeveloped or irrelevant.

Overall, while 'After the Last Race' is considered a worthwhile early work for Koontz fans, offering a glimpse into his versatility as a writer before he became a superstar, it is also recognized as one of his hardest-to-find books, often commanding high prices on the secondary market.