Odd Thomas; Entry one

Currently, I am reading Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. I have just started last night, and I am at chapter 3 as of right now, so I'm not very far into the book yet. So far I have gathered that the main character, Odd Thomas (his name really is Odd) is a kind of interpreter for the dead, lives above a 2 story garage, and is in a relationship with a woman named Stormy Llewellyn.
In the first three chapters, we are told about Odd's morning, which is an ordinary morning from him. He tells us that he was awaken from a dream that has been haunting him for about 3 three months, and that the dream is about two dead bowling-alley employees. He comments, "The details are not yet specific enough to act upon. I will have to wait and hope that clarification doesn't come to me too late."I gather that Odd's self-declared purpose in life is to help the dead make peace with what happened to them on Earth, and help them move on.
In chapter 2, Odd is exiting his apartment with the intent of checking on his land lord, an elderly lady, and then going to work. Outside, he is met by a character named Penny Kallisto. Odd describes her as a girl of 12 that is different from her peers because she does not ordinarily seem to be bothered by the same pre-adolescent troubles as them. He says she wears red sneakers, white shorts and a sleeveless white blouse. Today, we are told, she seems troubled. Odd seems intent on following her when she gets up.
Penny leads Odd through properties in the neighborhood. He describes her as 'shimmering and darkle' in the shadows, which made me realize she must be a "spirit" (I'm not far enough into the book to understand what she should be called...). Penny does things as she leads Odd that suggest she was raped.
When the two reach a street, they see a red Firebird, and Harlo Landerson is introduced. Harlo had been in Odd's graduating class in High School. They weren't friends, but they were acquaintances. Odd stops Harlo, and says hello. As the two are talking, Odd sees ligature marks on the "skin" of Penny's neck. As the men are talking, Odd goes into a story that describes the brutal rape/murder of Penny Kallisto. Startled that Odd knew this, Harlo runs, which ends up to be more of a chase, ending up in someones home. Police arrive at the scene, arresting Harlo. They (the police) found pictures proving Penny's murder.
I am only that far into the book. It is very suspenseful, and murder mysteries are not the kinds of books I normally read, but so far i really like it. The book was suggested to me by my mom.