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Mr Mercedes
A retired cop and a couple of unlikely allies race against time to stop a psycho-loner intent on blowing up thousands...
Stephen King is on a roll, this time with the heart-pounding suspense that he does best. A cat-and-mouse suspense thriller featuring a retired homicide detective who's haunted by the few cases he left open, and by one in particular - the pre-dawn slaughter of eight people among hundreds gathered in line for the opening of a jobs fair when the economy was guttering out.
Without warning, a lone driver ploughed through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes. The plot is kicked into gear when Bill Hodges receives a letter in the mail, from a man claiming to be the perpetrator. He taunts Hodges with the notion that he will strike again. Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing that from happening.
Brady Hartfield lives with his alcoholic mother in the house where he was born. And he's preparing to kill again.
Only Hodges, with a couple of misfit friends, can apprehend the killer in this high-stakes race against time. Because Brady's next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim hundreds, even thousands.
Stephen King is on a roll, this time with the heart-pounding suspense that he does best. A cat-and-mouse suspense thriller featuring a retired homicide detective who's haunted by the few cases he left open, and by one in particular - the pre-dawn slaughter of eight people among hundreds gathered in line for the opening of a jobs fair when the economy was guttering out.
Without warning, a lone driver ploughed through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes. The plot is kicked into gear when Bill Hodges receives a letter in the mail, from a man claiming to be the perpetrator. He taunts Hodges with the notion that he will strike again. Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing that from happening.
Brady Hartfield lives with his alcoholic mother in the house where he was born. And he's preparing to kill again.
Only Hodges, with a couple of misfit friends, can apprehend the killer in this high-stakes race against time. Because Brady's next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim hundreds, even thousands.
405 pages, Paperback
Published June 3, 2014
16 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,390 books890k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
March 6, 2016
What i liked about Mr Mercedes by Stephen is how he takes you into the darkness from the very first page. The premise for the story was well thought out & highly entertaining.
Retired homicide detective Bill Hodges is haunted by a few cases he left open one in particular in the early hours hundreds of unemployed people were lined up for a spot in the job fairin the distressed mid western city where he worked.
Without warning a lone driver plowed into the crowd in a stolen mercedes eight people killed fifteen people injured the killer escapes.
Months later Bill receives a taunting letter from the perp known as the Mercedes Killer Hodges is determined to catch the killer no matter what
Brady Hartfield is living with his mother & is preparing for another kill but it turns out to be a lot more his mother is an alcoholic & he struggles to deal with that situation.
Hodges & his friends are determined to get the killer its a race against time to stop him but Brady's next mission is to kill thousands.
I really enjoyed this book by King & going onto Finders Keepers.
Highly recommended for King Fans.
Retired homicide detective Bill Hodges is haunted by a few cases he left open one in particular in the early hours hundreds of unemployed people were lined up for a spot in the job fairin the distressed mid western city where he worked.
Without warning a lone driver plowed into the crowd in a stolen mercedes eight people killed fifteen people injured the killer escapes.
Months later Bill receives a taunting letter from the perp known as the Mercedes Killer Hodges is determined to catch the killer no matter what
Brady Hartfield is living with his mother & is preparing for another kill but it turns out to be a lot more his mother is an alcoholic & he struggles to deal with that situation.
Hodges & his friends are determined to get the killer its a race against time to stop him but Brady's next mission is to kill thousands.
I really enjoyed this book by King & going onto Finders Keepers.
Highly recommended for King Fans.
July 5, 2018
A retired detective is brought back into the criminal fold when he receives a disturbing letter from someone claiming to be responsible for the hit and run murder of 8 people whilst driving a stolen Mercedes. Billy Hodges is the stock standard ex cop who drinks too much, lives an uneventful life and on occasion thinks about eating his gun. Using the tried and true formula, King gives his protagonist meaning through his antagonist. Not only does the letter confess to the crime, it goads Hodges into action, re kindling a long extinguished flame for life.
I enjoyed King's venture into mainstream crime fiction yet felt it would've been better had the story been condensed and the identity of the killer hidden rather than given to the reader early on, essentially eradicating any element of mystery.
A staple in King novels is the emotionally complex and disturbing characters that bleed over the pages and here it's no different. Hodges has blood on his hands, his sidekick a target on his back, and his partner's cousin madness on the mind. As for the serial killer, his motives are without reason and his relationships unhealthy. If nothing else MR MERCEDES is worth reading for these diverse and intrinsically linked characters.
Hardboiled MR MERCEDES is not but reading it did conjure subtle images of Bosch for some reason. Not necessarily in the description but more in Hodge's voice and dedication to justice, even if it meant turning 'uncle'.
Overall I thought this was an OK venture into mainstream crime fiction that, with a couple tweaks could've been great.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
I enjoyed King's venture into mainstream crime fiction yet felt it would've been better had the story been condensed and the identity of the killer hidden rather than given to the reader early on, essentially eradicating any element of mystery.
A staple in King novels is the emotionally complex and disturbing characters that bleed over the pages and here it's no different. Hodges has blood on his hands, his sidekick a target on his back, and his partner's cousin madness on the mind. As for the serial killer, his motives are without reason and his relationships unhealthy. If nothing else MR MERCEDES is worth reading for these diverse and intrinsically linked characters.
Hardboiled MR MERCEDES is not but reading it did conjure subtle images of Bosch for some reason. Not necessarily in the description but more in Hodge's voice and dedication to justice, even if it meant turning 'uncle'.
Overall I thought this was an OK venture into mainstream crime fiction that, with a couple tweaks could've been great.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
May 21, 2017
Told from the perspective of the overweight retired cop and the psychopath killer. This is typical detective fair but with a very Stephen King opening.
I enjoyed the detective team of retired cop, mentally and emotionally unstable middle-aged woman and brilliant seventeen-year-old.
I enjoyed the detective team of retired cop, mentally and emotionally unstable middle-aged woman and brilliant seventeen-year-old.
May 27, 2015
King’s writing at its best has a tendency to linger long after reading, his phrasing and choice of words staying viscerally in your mind. Put simply, I expect a fairly vivid emotional response when reading a Stephen King book, so on hearing that he had written a new crime novel, I was thrilled. The master of suspense, writing crime? It seems to be a match made in heaven (or perhaps somewhere less holy).Unfortunately, Mr Mercedes falls rather short of such high expectations.
As the book progresses, the story makes less and less sense. Hodges makes increasingly idiotic decisions, and the final showdown with Mr Mercedes seems completely unbelievable and unnecessary. The supporting characters sit oddly in the story and Hodges’ assistant’s “joke” jive-talking I found quite offensive – I really can’t think of a single reason why King wrote his dialogue in this way.
Full review here
Review copy recieved from publisher through NZ Booklovers
May 22, 2015
Hasta que no lo he terminado no he parado. Es tremendamente adictivo y los personajes están increíblemente bien definidos(uso mucho adverbio porque se que no le gustan a King), quizá un poco arquetípicos, pero la novela negra en general es "Sota, caballo, Rey"...
Lo más increíble es el retrato de la mente del asesino que realiza. Te mete tanto en su piel que en cierto modo te crea afinidad con él.
Las cinco estrellas no las tiene porque me sigue pareciendo un contador de historias alucinante recubierto de un velo literario demasiado fino.
Ya haré una reseña más detallada... pero lo recomiendo al 99% de los lectores. El otro 1% seguramente esté tan loco como el asesino y este libro puede que les asuste demasiado.
Lo más increíble es el retrato de la mente del asesino que realiza. Te mete tanto en su piel que en cierto modo te crea afinidad con él.
Las cinco estrellas no las tiene porque me sigue pareciendo un contador de historias alucinante recubierto de un velo literario demasiado fino.
Ya haré una reseña más detallada... pero lo recomiendo al 99% de los lectores. El otro 1% seguramente esté tan loco como el asesino y este libro puede que les asuste demasiado.
December 14, 2015
When I picked up Stephen King’s new novel Mr Mercedes, I felt anxious and nervous. This novel has been billed as King’s first hard-boiled detective novel and it reminded me of his past attempts at pulp fiction. Joyland was billed as a pulp novel and by all accounts it had the makings of a good dime-store novel but the end result felt like King stuck to what he does best and only paying homage to the genre. Mr Mercedes has all the hallmarks of a hard-boiled novel, a brooding and jaded detective, a femme fatale and mysterious villain but this read more like a cat and mouse suspense thriller. Don’t get me wrong, this novel is a homage to detective fiction; Philip Marlow gets a mention and a fedora even makes an appearance. Though the third person narrative and chapters focusing solely on the killer meant we are in a thriller and I had to adjust my expectations.
Bill Hodges is a retired cop with not much to do; when he was on the force he was highly decorated but now he is left alone with the thoughts of all his unsolved cases. One of those cases was the psycho-loner who ploughed down a crowd of people in a stolen Mercedes. One day Hodges receives a letter from this killer taunting him into a little game of cat and mouse. This is a high-stakes race against time; can Hodges catch the Mercedes Killer before he strikes again?
I found it interesting that Stephen King picked the fundamental character archetypes found in hard-boiled fiction, in particular to Bill Hodges, and made it his own. On the other hand the plot felt into the typical tropes found in suspense thrillers. So we have a book that is walking a fine line between homage and cliché. When it comes to hard-boiled detectives, there has been a great evolution in the genre and character archetype; it was felt a little dated to see an old white guy again. I felt it to be unnecessary, in fact I am struggling to think of any ethnicity within the book that didn’t come across as stereotypical. It was a shame because you can do so much with a hard-boiled detective and still keep him as a homage to 1940’s crime novels.
I get the impression that maybe Stephen King is the kind of writer that sticks to the tried and true methods of writing within a genre. As prolific author, I’m beginning to question if he ever takes a risk in his writing. I am not one to judge King’s work, I’ve only read a few of his books (I think five) but they all seem to follow the typical tropes found within their genres. Does he take risks?
It is starting to bug me this whole ‘old white guy’ category of novels all feature non-multicultural characters and if we do have some ethnicity, they all feel a little too stereotypical. It isn’t necessary in today’s novels; there is room to explore some diversity within a book. I won’t go into anything about feminism because I fear I would give spoilers with what I want to say but we need more strong/independent women in novels like this.
Having had a bit of a rant, I found that I’ve managed to talk about the novel and not give any spoilers. I did in fact enjoy the ride this took me on, it was predictable and typical of the genre but sometimes it is fun to go on that journey again. In fact (with the exception of On Writing) I think this is the first Stephen King novel that I have actually enjoyed. I find some parts of his other books entertaining but on a whole they do not work for me. Maybe I’ve just read the wrong King novels. Bill Hodges is returning in another two more novels and I will be picking them up and using the books as a little entertaining read when I need them.
This review originally appeared on my blog: http://literary-exploration.com/2014/...
Bill Hodges is a retired cop with not much to do; when he was on the force he was highly decorated but now he is left alone with the thoughts of all his unsolved cases. One of those cases was the psycho-loner who ploughed down a crowd of people in a stolen Mercedes. One day Hodges receives a letter from this killer taunting him into a little game of cat and mouse. This is a high-stakes race against time; can Hodges catch the Mercedes Killer before he strikes again?
I found it interesting that Stephen King picked the fundamental character archetypes found in hard-boiled fiction, in particular to Bill Hodges, and made it his own. On the other hand the plot felt into the typical tropes found in suspense thrillers. So we have a book that is walking a fine line between homage and cliché. When it comes to hard-boiled detectives, there has been a great evolution in the genre and character archetype; it was felt a little dated to see an old white guy again. I felt it to be unnecessary, in fact I am struggling to think of any ethnicity within the book that didn’t come across as stereotypical. It was a shame because you can do so much with a hard-boiled detective and still keep him as a homage to 1940’s crime novels.
I get the impression that maybe Stephen King is the kind of writer that sticks to the tried and true methods of writing within a genre. As prolific author, I’m beginning to question if he ever takes a risk in his writing. I am not one to judge King’s work, I’ve only read a few of his books (I think five) but they all seem to follow the typical tropes found within their genres. Does he take risks?
It is starting to bug me this whole ‘old white guy’ category of novels all feature non-multicultural characters and if we do have some ethnicity, they all feel a little too stereotypical. It isn’t necessary in today’s novels; there is room to explore some diversity within a book. I won’t go into anything about feminism because I fear I would give spoilers with what I want to say but we need more strong/independent women in novels like this.
Having had a bit of a rant, I found that I’ve managed to talk about the novel and not give any spoilers. I did in fact enjoy the ride this took me on, it was predictable and typical of the genre but sometimes it is fun to go on that journey again. In fact (with the exception of On Writing) I think this is the first Stephen King novel that I have actually enjoyed. I find some parts of his other books entertaining but on a whole they do not work for me. Maybe I’ve just read the wrong King novels. Bill Hodges is returning in another two more novels and I will be picking them up and using the books as a little entertaining read when I need them.
This review originally appeared on my blog: http://literary-exploration.com/2014/...
June 2, 2017
I’ve read quite a few of King’s book, and this is definitely not his usual style.
The story is excellent as always, but the style - sometimes confusing - made it not as enjoyable as I’ve come to expect from King. The characters is to similar and will say or think the exact same thing, which is annoying in view of the fact that it gives away a lot of the suspense this book could have had.
I will be - not so patiently - waiting on the other books in the Trilogy. I see great opportunity in this book and sincerely hope I’m won’t be disappointed.
The story is excellent as always, but the style - sometimes confusing - made it not as enjoyable as I’ve come to expect from King. The characters is to similar and will say or think the exact same thing, which is annoying in view of the fact that it gives away a lot of the suspense this book could have had.
I will be - not so patiently - waiting on the other books in the Trilogy. I see great opportunity in this book and sincerely hope I’m won’t be disappointed.
December 27, 2015
Although this is Stephen King, it was not horror, as such. However it was horrifying the insight that we are given into the mind of the character called the Mercedes Killer. It was spine-chilling to read his reasons for doing what he did in this story and the way his mind worked. And the way he could pass himself off as a normal, friendly guy!
I am looking forward to reading the second, Finders Keepers.
I am looking forward to reading the second, Finders Keepers.
March 29, 2020
The opening is Stephen King as he always is. A Mercedes drives into a crowd of people in a queue waiting at a job fair.
(bringing back thoughts of Christine). Then it drifts into a crime novel where Hodges tracks down the culprit and becomes more involved than he should. Alone it is quite a good story and I enjoyed it. In fact definitely read it as a crime thriller. I only didn't give it full rating because as a Stephen King fan I wanted a horror story.
(bringing back thoughts of Christine). Then it drifts into a crime novel where Hodges tracks down the culprit and becomes more involved than he should. Alone it is quite a good story and I enjoyed it. In fact definitely read it as a crime thriller. I only didn't give it full rating because as a Stephen King fan I wanted a horror story.
August 16, 2014
I've been a Stephen King 'Constant Reader' since I first fell in love with books. I read Stephen King for the joy he gives me in immersing myself in his stories and stepping away from the real world for the time you are between the pages. I don't care what genre the story falls into, I care that King wrote it and I know even if it doesn't match up to my absolute favourites of his titles I will connect with his characters and enjoy the ride.
Yes I am a fan of all things King. Whenever I hear of a new release I get that same feeling of Christmas Eve butterflies I had as a child. Mr. Mercedes wasn't one of his best works but it still had that King stamp of superb characterisation. I missed being in the King world where the roses are black, childhood friendships can beat all odds and things float in the sewers. But he does a great job of the cat and mouse tug of war between the lead characters and Mr. Mercedes is a page turner nevertheless.
If you follow a team you know they are not always going to win every match. You go to the game, you cheer the players, your own adrenaline rises and falls during the play, you can be on the edge of your seat one moment and with your head in your hands the next. When they lose, you've had a great day just not the outcome you really wanted.
This is how I felt about Mr. Mercedes - but I'll definitely be back in the stands eager to support and enjoy my next King offering.
April 1, 2016
When I finished this book yesterday I was gobsmacked and just didn't know where to start writing a review. Once again Stephen King has delivered a brilliant, spine chilling story. I was hooked right from the start and found myself rushing to get to the amazing climax. Unfortunately I had to stop reading right at the point where everything was happening....but luckily it was only a short break before I could get back to it. I really liked King's choice of leading characters, an unlikely trio that you found yourself cheering for. His ability to let us into the mind of a psychopathic killer was frightening and the unfolding of the story truly incredible. Cannot wait now to read the next book in this trilogy.
January 30, 2019
EDIT: Making it a 2.5, it's an ok book but I wasn't a fan.
I'm sort of confused as to rate this 2 or 3 stars. There were times when I felt fairly invested, and others where I admittedly ended up skimming because it wasn't holding my interest much. Additionally, I just don't think I'm the biggest fan of how Stephen King writes? I don't know what it is but, to me, it feels quite clunky, which isn't helped by how soap-opera-esque this novel ended up being, especially in the second half.
I really wish I'd enjoyed this more than I did. I've given Stephen King a fair few shots in the past, without a great amount of success. However, I'd heard good things about the Bill Hodges trilogy. So, when I saw that this was on the shelves at the library, I figured I'd attempt it despite my so-so reading experience with King last year.
As for the good, that last part when full-on action happens were definitely the strong-point. I did find myself racing through at a pace I don't think I've reached since my teens when I read a fair few of James Patterson's 'Alex Cross' books. I will be reaching for more crime/thriller novels as I think it's a genre I do enjoy which I have been neglecting for a few years. Also, I think the dual perspective worked well in this novel. You know who the serial killer is from the offset - it's literally on the blurb of my book. And he is all kinds of screwed-up. It's an interesting viewpoint to read from to say the least, but his level of f***ed up is to the point where it feels like a caricature. It's like the ABC of how to write a serial killer character as cliched as possible.
1) Screwed up childhood ✓
2) Mummy issues ✓
3) Inflammatory temper ✓
4) Really bad mummy issues ✓
5) Looks like an average-Joe and works in non-descript jobs ✓
Did I mention just how screwed up his relationship with his mum was?
Then you have Bill Hodges, our protagonist, a retired police-detective losing the will to live before he is contacted by the serial killer himself. Aside from the number of times he comments on women's breasts, he's an all-round good guy who's finally found his purpose in life. He's divorced, got a grown up kid, is on just about civil terms with his ex. Just as with Brady your average serial killer, Bill Hodges is your archetypal detective. I've not read a TON of crime novels, but at least 70% of them have detectives who match his description, they just happen to be about half his age. Putting a standard one-dimensional serial killer with a run-of-the-mill detective doesn't make for the most compelling narrative, although the book does get a lot better once side characters such as Jerome a brought further into the central plot.
Overall, I did sort of enjoy it, but I don't know if I'll be reaching for the next book any time soon. Although that ending has me kind of intrigued, but also felt a bit like a cheap trick at the same time? I have such mixed feelings, I'll give it a 2.5-3 for now but that might be lowered on reflection.
I'm sort of confused as to rate this 2 or 3 stars. There were times when I felt fairly invested, and others where I admittedly ended up skimming because it wasn't holding my interest much. Additionally, I just don't think I'm the biggest fan of how Stephen King writes? I don't know what it is but, to me, it feels quite clunky, which isn't helped by how soap-opera-esque this novel ended up being, especially in the second half.
I really wish I'd enjoyed this more than I did. I've given Stephen King a fair few shots in the past, without a great amount of success. However, I'd heard good things about the Bill Hodges trilogy. So, when I saw that this was on the shelves at the library, I figured I'd attempt it despite my so-so reading experience with King last year.
As for the good, that last part when full-on action happens were definitely the strong-point. I did find myself racing through at a pace I don't think I've reached since my teens when I read a fair few of James Patterson's 'Alex Cross' books. I will be reaching for more crime/thriller novels as I think it's a genre I do enjoy which I have been neglecting for a few years. Also, I think the dual perspective worked well in this novel. You know who the serial killer is from the offset - it's literally on the blurb of my book. And he is all kinds of screwed-up. It's an interesting viewpoint to read from to say the least, but his level of f***ed up is to the point where it feels like a caricature. It's like the ABC of how to write a serial killer character as cliched as possible.
1) Screwed up childhood ✓
2) Mummy issues ✓
3) Inflammatory temper ✓
4) Really bad mummy issues ✓
5) Looks like an average-Joe and works in non-descript jobs ✓
Did I mention just how screwed up his relationship with his mum was?
Then you have Bill Hodges, our protagonist, a retired police-detective losing the will to live before he is contacted by the serial killer himself. Aside from the number of times he comments on women's breasts, he's an all-round good guy who's finally found his purpose in life. He's divorced, got a grown up kid, is on just about civil terms with his ex. Just as with Brady your average serial killer, Bill Hodges is your archetypal detective. I've not read a TON of crime novels, but at least 70% of them have detectives who match his description, they just happen to be about half his age. Putting a standard one-dimensional serial killer with a run-of-the-mill detective doesn't make for the most compelling narrative, although the book does get a lot better once side characters such as Jerome a brought further into the central plot.
Overall, I did sort of enjoy it, but I don't know if I'll be reaching for the next book any time soon. Although that ending has me kind of intrigued, but also felt a bit like a cheap trick at the same time? I have such mixed feelings, I'll give it a 2.5-3 for now but that might be lowered on reflection.
November 3, 2015
The start really pulled me in, but then Mr Mercedes turned into a really predictable and standard detective story. It was all a little too obvious.
September 30, 2022
En las horas de la madrugada de una pobre ciudad americana, cuando cientos de personas cansadas y esperanzadas hacen fila frente a las oficinas de desempleo, un Mercedes-Benz robado se precipita contra la multitud a gran velocidad, ocasionando ocho muertes y decenas de heridos. El asesino logra escapar y el crimen, que ha dejado una llaga abierta en la mente de la ciudad que no deja de sangrar, queda sin resolver.
Meses después, Bill Hodges, el retirado inspector de policía que estuvo a cargo del caso, se pasa los días contemplando el suicidio ante una vida monótona y llena de arrepentimientos. Pero todo eso cambia cuando un día recibe una carta en el correo que tiene como remitente nada más que una carita feliz con gafas de sol, la firma de "Mr. Mercedes", el elusivo asesino apodado así por los medios. Con energías renovadas y el deseo de enmendar sus errores, el inspector Hodges comienza a investigar el caso. Porque Mr. Mercedes quiere jugar, y si Hodges no está a la altura del juego decenas de personas podrían morir.
Mr. Mercedes es el libro número 64 de Stephen King, la primera entrega de la Trilogía de Bill Hodges. Con esta obra se inicia un nuevo camino que marcará los siguientes años de su extensa carrera, uno con el que ya había jugado en obras como Colorado Kid (2005) y Joyland (2013): la novela policial y detectivesca. Dejando de lado lo sobrenatural y lo fantástico, King nos introduce de lleno en un mundo decadente, donde los peligros y el terror están presentes de una manera palpable y tangible, y el monstruo no es nada más que un ciudadano cualquiera, trastornado y peligroso.
Empleando una prosa cargada de ansiedad y una sensación de inseguridad constante, King nos muestra el clásico juego de la cacería del gato y el ratón sin perder ni un momento los detalles y el estilo de su obra, perfeccionados por décadas de trabajo. Con pocas líneas, escenas bien elegidas y un diálogo preciso, el inspector Hodges y su poca convencional y excéntrica ayudante, Holly Gibney, así como el epónimo Mr. Mercedes, cobran vida y saltan de la página, posicionándose entre sus personajes más memorables.
El resultado es una novela policial que demuestra el talento de King, y a pesar de que para muchos lo sobrenatural será extrañado a partir de ahora, para otros presenta una emocionante y nueva alternativa al futuro de su obra, demostrando así que no hay nada que no pueda escribir ni género al que no pueda hincar los dientes si se lo propone.
Meses después, Bill Hodges, el retirado inspector de policía que estuvo a cargo del caso, se pasa los días contemplando el suicidio ante una vida monótona y llena de arrepentimientos. Pero todo eso cambia cuando un día recibe una carta en el correo que tiene como remitente nada más que una carita feliz con gafas de sol, la firma de "Mr. Mercedes", el elusivo asesino apodado así por los medios. Con energías renovadas y el deseo de enmendar sus errores, el inspector Hodges comienza a investigar el caso. Porque Mr. Mercedes quiere jugar, y si Hodges no está a la altura del juego decenas de personas podrían morir.
Mr. Mercedes es el libro número 64 de Stephen King, la primera entrega de la Trilogía de Bill Hodges. Con esta obra se inicia un nuevo camino que marcará los siguientes años de su extensa carrera, uno con el que ya había jugado en obras como Colorado Kid (2005) y Joyland (2013): la novela policial y detectivesca. Dejando de lado lo sobrenatural y lo fantástico, King nos introduce de lleno en un mundo decadente, donde los peligros y el terror están presentes de una manera palpable y tangible, y el monstruo no es nada más que un ciudadano cualquiera, trastornado y peligroso.
Empleando una prosa cargada de ansiedad y una sensación de inseguridad constante, King nos muestra el clásico juego de la cacería del gato y el ratón sin perder ni un momento los detalles y el estilo de su obra, perfeccionados por décadas de trabajo. Con pocas líneas, escenas bien elegidas y un diálogo preciso, el inspector Hodges y su poca convencional y excéntrica ayudante, Holly Gibney, así como el epónimo Mr. Mercedes, cobran vida y saltan de la página, posicionándose entre sus personajes más memorables.
El resultado es una novela policial que demuestra el talento de King, y a pesar de que para muchos lo sobrenatural será extrañado a partir de ahora, para otros presenta una emocionante y nueva alternativa al futuro de su obra, demostrando así que no hay nada que no pueda escribir ni género al que no pueda hincar los dientes si se lo propone.
August 13, 2016
Change of style for King Retired Detective Bill Hodges is being terrorized by Brady Hartfield who happened to murder some 8 innocent people at the wheel of a stolen Mercedes. He was never apprehended and in this cat and mouse thriller makes every waking day a nightmare for RD Hodges. The problem I have with this story is the style is a departure from the usual Stephen King brilliance. It is told almost as a homage to the "detective" genre...you know the idea lonely retired overweight cop, all the women in his life have departed and there is only our hero sitting alone at night contemplating a lonely future with his service revolver for company. So it could be argued that when Hartfield returns to haunt BH he is actually saving the former detective's sanity. There is certainly a lot of tension between the two and the characterization is par excellence (I would expect no less from King) Brady Hartfield, not surprisingly, is a loner with severe sexual backwardness not helped by a drunken and rather "over familiar" mother. As the story proceeds Hodges regains some of his former sparkle helped by the attractive Janey Patterson, Janey's cousin Holly and the young energetic computer whizz Jerome Robinson.
The style of the story is somewhat satirical and mocking and therefore the events that unfold cannot be taken seriously. This is obviously the intention of the author but I found that it became a little fatiguing and wearying indeed the conclusion was somewhat comical and not quite what I was hoping for or expected. You, of course, may choose to differ, this is certainly not a bad story and although not to my liking SK is without a doubt one of the greatest writers of the last 40+ years.
The style of the story is somewhat satirical and mocking and therefore the events that unfold cannot be taken seriously. This is obviously the intention of the author but I found that it became a little fatiguing and wearying indeed the conclusion was somewhat comical and not quite what I was hoping for or expected. You, of course, may choose to differ, this is certainly not a bad story and although not to my liking SK is without a doubt one of the greatest writers of the last 40+ years.
June 27, 2014
I enjoy an occasional crime novel. I love Stephen King novels. If you mix the two, you should come up with something that is exceptionally enjoyable; but for some reason, this one just didn't sit right with me.
While I did like the fact that we know straight away 'whodunnit', the characters involved in this cat-and-mouse story were far too clichéd and uninteresting for me to feel in any way invested in their plight. Brady is the typical Stephen King crazy guy with an unhealthy relationship with his mother (I'm drawing strong similarities between him and Junior Rennie, for those who have read Under the Dome); while Hodges is the same depressed, retired detective who doesn't speak to his daughter and is recently divorced. There's really nothing new there, and that was my main issue with this book.
I did enjoy the concept, however, and the frenetic pace of the final third kept me turning the pages until the end (which, I was pleased to note, is a much more satisfying climax than a lot of King's novels). Those bland characters, though...he's gotta do better.
While I did like the fact that we know straight away 'whodunnit', the characters involved in this cat-and-mouse story were far too clichéd and uninteresting for me to feel in any way invested in their plight. Brady is the typical Stephen King crazy guy with an unhealthy relationship with his mother (I'm drawing strong similarities between him and Junior Rennie, for those who have read Under the Dome); while Hodges is the same depressed, retired detective who doesn't speak to his daughter and is recently divorced. There's really nothing new there, and that was my main issue with this book.
I did enjoy the concept, however, and the frenetic pace of the final third kept me turning the pages until the end (which, I was pleased to note, is a much more satisfying climax than a lot of King's novels). Those bland characters, though...he's gotta do better.
December 25, 2024
Bill Hodges is a retired detective, bored with his retirement, facing the question "why kill time when you can kill yourself" when a letter drops into his mail box, claiming to me from the perpetrator of one of his biggest unsolved cases, a mass murder in which a stolen car was driven into a queue of job seekers.
Bill knows he should take the letter to his old colleagues in the police, but the letter invites him to an internet chat site, where the killer taunts him, and he turns private detective, seriously seeking to catch the killer before he kills again. And the closer he gets, they more it becomes clear that only he, and his associates, a young black student and a middle-aged woman with mental health problems, will be in a position to stop the killer before he kills again.
It's not a whodunit, since the reader knows who that is all along, but rather the story of a race against time to find where the killer is going to strike next, and to stop him.
Bill knows he should take the letter to his old colleagues in the police, but the letter invites him to an internet chat site, where the killer taunts him, and he turns private detective, seriously seeking to catch the killer before he kills again. And the closer he gets, they more it becomes clear that only he, and his associates, a young black student and a middle-aged woman with mental health problems, will be in a position to stop the killer before he kills again.
It's not a whodunit, since the reader knows who that is all along, but rather the story of a race against time to find where the killer is going to strike next, and to stop him.
January 21, 2016
Like most retired cops Bill Hodges is haunted by old cases. Not knowing, that soon an old case will come knocking.
Retirement can go one of two ways. People adjusting and doing everything under the sun or not knowing who you are without work or what to do. Hodges gets nudged back to reality when his post comes one day. Underestimating where it'll lead.
We come across other characters that I liked and hated at the same time. Jerome, I loved, but his behaviour at times just became annoying. Janey, angled a bit unbelievable in one respect. Holly, and her family from hell, pissed me off at times (moreso, her Mom).
The story flowed well, was told well, and started with a bang! The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was the angle with Janey, but I still felt it, which shows how awesome King is.
Retirement can go one of two ways. People adjusting and doing everything under the sun or not knowing who you are without work or what to do. Hodges gets nudged back to reality when his post comes one day. Underestimating where it'll lead.
We come across other characters that I liked and hated at the same time. Jerome, I loved, but his behaviour at times just became annoying. Janey, angled a bit unbelievable in one respect. Holly, and her family from hell, pissed me off at times (moreso, her Mom).
The story flowed well, was told well, and started with a bang! The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was the angle with Janey, but I still felt it, which shows how awesome King is.
February 21, 2017
My first King! This book is a quintessential thriller. The story grows over you an inch at a time. As you approach the end, this rate of growth increases manyfold so much that you get completely engulfed by the events. The rush and simultaneity of two sides of the same story, the classic uncannily motivated pure evil vs. the not-so-well equipped but wise old-timer, hits you hard in your face perhaps sometimes hard enough to make you question is it possible in a realistic setup.
I will refrain from commenting on the writing style as I am quite unexposed to King's writing. Nonetheless, King is a master of adding small details that bring the characters to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book especially the last arc as was obvious by the attempts my heart made to escape the confines of my chest.
I will refrain from commenting on the writing style as I am quite unexposed to King's writing. Nonetheless, King is a master of adding small details that bring the characters to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book especially the last arc as was obvious by the attempts my heart made to escape the confines of my chest.
April 26, 2015
I loved every second of this! By the third page I was hooked! And what an ending! The last third of the book! I don't think I even breathed! I had to force myself not to read too fast because I was starting to miss things! It was thrilling and intense and bloody brilliant!
OK, I will breathe before I continue writing this. King is masterful at plot development, suspense and character. There was absolutely nothing I didn't enjoy in this book. It was a ride from the beginning right through to the end. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
OK, I will breathe before I continue writing this. King is masterful at plot development, suspense and character. There was absolutely nothing I didn't enjoy in this book. It was a ride from the beginning right through to the end. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
December 8, 2014
I had a great time with Mr Mercedes, I think I even preferred it to Doctor Sleep in fact. I liked the lack of supernatural elements, made a nice change, just a straight crime thriller told in the inimitable King style. I think the two things Stephen King does better than just about anyone are tension and sentiment, and he nails both here. It's also nice that it's a shorter book than his usual work, so less padding to be seen! It'll certainly make a great (if inevitable) movie!
March 19, 2017
Mr Mercedes was a definite page-turner. It's pretty much the exact opposite of 11/22/63 which I sometimes struggled to get through. While that book felt about 50% too long, Mr Mercedes feels perfectly paced and doesn't overstay its welcome at all. Towards the end of the book I was thinking there weren't nearly enough pages to wrap everything up, which is generally what you want in a book of this nature. I'm not sure where the series will go from here, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
December 20, 2017
Retired detective Bill Hodges is so bored and unfulfilled that he casually contemplates suicide. But then he receives a letter from the "Mercedes Killer" - a sociopath who killed eight people when he drove a stolen Mercedes into a crowd at a job fair. Hodges doesn't turn the letter over to the police but decides to start his own investigation.
Well-developed characters and lots of suspense. Worth reading!
Well-developed characters and lots of suspense. Worth reading!
June 15, 2014
WOW I loved this book Stephen King is a true genius. I devoured every page. Thoroughly enjoyable
August 22, 2020
I gave this book a 2/5 because it is simply not what I have come to expect from the great Stephen King. The storyline was a bit predictable and not very gripping.
June 2, 2016
Stephen King is one of my favourite authors, so I was really looking forward to reading his latest book. And boy, this turned out to be an awesome thriller that hooked me in right away!
Bill Hodges is a retired homicide detective. Nowadays, he spends most of his days lazing around on his La-Z-Boy with a gun nearby, too many snacks, and so much daytime TV it might end up being enough to push him over the edge. His life has become useless, and he's constantly haunted by the few cases he was never able to solve.
The day he receives a letter from someone claiming to be responsible for one of those unsolved cases--The Mercedes Killer--his life takes an unexpected turn. The letter sets him off on a personal investigation that gets him deeper into what really happened that foggy morning when a bunch of jobless people were run down by a psychotic killer, than he ever did during the initial investigation. It also lights a fire within him that he was sure would never be sparked again after retirement. He even finds a little romance along the way. But it's with the help of his intelligent, computer-savvy teenage neighbour and the oddball woman who turns out to be a lot more intuitive than even she imagined, that he manages to crack the case.
Brady Hartsfield is an unstable man who appears as average as can be on the outside, but is rotten to the core on the inside. He hates everyone. He also lives at home with his mother and has a very creepy relationship with her. He has two jobs, both of them give him the opportunity to peek into people's lives. As well as the opportunity to spy on his next victim--the Det.-Ret.
He has plans for the old, overweight has-been, and he's going to relish every moment of the detective's downfall by taunting him until he can't take it anymore. But when his conniving plan starts to crumble around him because he underestimated the retired cop, Brady is forced to hatch up a new hateful plan. One that will take a lot more victims than his last stint. It might also end up being the last thing he ever does.
OMG. This book was seriously tense. Starting from the very first page, where the awful scene is set and we meet some of the jobless people in line for the Job Fair at City Center. We know what's about to happen to them, but you keep reading... This story is a psychological, tense thriller that keeps you glued to every page because you can't stop until you find out just how this is all going to end.
I also got a kick out of reading the many references to some of his other novels. :)
Mr. MERCEDES is an amazing, nail-biting suspense thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. As usual, Stephen King has created an amazing ensemble of characters that you get to know so intimately you're either rooting for them, or hoping they will die a slow and very painful death. This story's a hell of a ride. It's got heart, scares, and a good dose of sadness too.
I absolutely LOVED every single minute of this brilliant book!
Bill Hodges is a retired homicide detective. Nowadays, he spends most of his days lazing around on his La-Z-Boy with a gun nearby, too many snacks, and so much daytime TV it might end up being enough to push him over the edge. His life has become useless, and he's constantly haunted by the few cases he was never able to solve.
The day he receives a letter from someone claiming to be responsible for one of those unsolved cases--The Mercedes Killer--his life takes an unexpected turn. The letter sets him off on a personal investigation that gets him deeper into what really happened that foggy morning when a bunch of jobless people were run down by a psychotic killer, than he ever did during the initial investigation. It also lights a fire within him that he was sure would never be sparked again after retirement. He even finds a little romance along the way. But it's with the help of his intelligent, computer-savvy teenage neighbour and the oddball woman who turns out to be a lot more intuitive than even she imagined, that he manages to crack the case.
Brady Hartsfield is an unstable man who appears as average as can be on the outside, but is rotten to the core on the inside. He hates everyone. He also lives at home with his mother and has a very creepy relationship with her. He has two jobs, both of them give him the opportunity to peek into people's lives. As well as the opportunity to spy on his next victim--the Det.-Ret.
He has plans for the old, overweight has-been, and he's going to relish every moment of the detective's downfall by taunting him until he can't take it anymore. But when his conniving plan starts to crumble around him because he underestimated the retired cop, Brady is forced to hatch up a new hateful plan. One that will take a lot more victims than his last stint. It might also end up being the last thing he ever does.
OMG. This book was seriously tense. Starting from the very first page, where the awful scene is set and we meet some of the jobless people in line for the Job Fair at City Center. We know what's about to happen to them, but you keep reading... This story is a psychological, tense thriller that keeps you glued to every page because you can't stop until you find out just how this is all going to end.
I also got a kick out of reading the many references to some of his other novels. :)
Mr. MERCEDES is an amazing, nail-biting suspense thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. As usual, Stephen King has created an amazing ensemble of characters that you get to know so intimately you're either rooting for them, or hoping they will die a slow and very painful death. This story's a hell of a ride. It's got heart, scares, and a good dose of sadness too.
I absolutely LOVED every single minute of this brilliant book!
June 17, 2016
No hace mucho que leo a King. Es un autor que tiene montones de admiradores y que ha sido muy ovacionado. Por eso siento que no tengo derecho de quejarme de sus libros, no lo he leído tanto. Peeero esta vez no me gustó. No lo odié. Pero no fue wow, lo quiero volver a leer (que generalmente es lo que hago con los libros de detectives, thrillers y cosos criminales que siempre se disfrutan mucho cuando toca repasar la historia y ya puedes fijarte en “los detalles”).
En fin, un buen intento, pero no un gran logro.
En fin, un buen intento, pero no un gran logro.
August 31, 2023
I am going back to some of the older works of the legendary Stephen King lately, starting with his compelling and intense psychological thriller, Mr Mercedes, an excellent and captivating read that I had an outstanding time reading.
On a dark and cold morning in a depressed mid-western city, a desperate crowd gathers outside a jobs fair, hoping to turn their lives around. However, many never got the chance, as a lone driver in a stolen Mercedes drives into the crowd, killing eight people and wounding more, before managing to escape. This gruesome crime has haunted the community, and especially detective Bill Hodges, who was unable to catch the “Mercedes Killer” before he retired.
Years later, Hodges is living the solitary and depressed life of a former police officer who has seen too much. Barely managing to get through each day, Hodges is suddenly revitalised when he receives a disturbing letter from someone claiming to be the Mercedes Killer. Now more determined than ever to hunt down this killer and bring him to justice, Hodges jump-starts an unofficial investigation, hoping that his prey’s decision to contact him will be his biggest mistake.
Hodges’s new search leads him back to the owner of the Mercedes, who committed suicide from the guilt of her car being used in such a horrendous attack. Teaming up with the dead woman’s sister and a band of unlikely helpers, Hodges begins to finally unravel the case. However, the Mercedes Killer is a far more dangerous prey than Hodges ever realised. Not only is he obsessed with killing Hodges, but he also has a nefarious plan that will rock the city to its core. Can Hodges finally defeat his nemesis before it is too late, or will the Mercedes Killer once again get away with an outrageous act of violence?
This was a very impressive novel from King, who masterfully explores the psychological thriller genre the way only he can. Featuring some powerful and complex characters, an elaborate cat-and-mouse plot, and King’s intense and addictive writing style, Mr Mercedes is a masterful novel that proves near impossible to put down.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/08/31/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
On a dark and cold morning in a depressed mid-western city, a desperate crowd gathers outside a jobs fair, hoping to turn their lives around. However, many never got the chance, as a lone driver in a stolen Mercedes drives into the crowd, killing eight people and wounding more, before managing to escape. This gruesome crime has haunted the community, and especially detective Bill Hodges, who was unable to catch the “Mercedes Killer” before he retired.
Years later, Hodges is living the solitary and depressed life of a former police officer who has seen too much. Barely managing to get through each day, Hodges is suddenly revitalised when he receives a disturbing letter from someone claiming to be the Mercedes Killer. Now more determined than ever to hunt down this killer and bring him to justice, Hodges jump-starts an unofficial investigation, hoping that his prey’s decision to contact him will be his biggest mistake.
Hodges’s new search leads him back to the owner of the Mercedes, who committed suicide from the guilt of her car being used in such a horrendous attack. Teaming up with the dead woman’s sister and a band of unlikely helpers, Hodges begins to finally unravel the case. However, the Mercedes Killer is a far more dangerous prey than Hodges ever realised. Not only is he obsessed with killing Hodges, but he also has a nefarious plan that will rock the city to its core. Can Hodges finally defeat his nemesis before it is too late, or will the Mercedes Killer once again get away with an outrageous act of violence?
This was a very impressive novel from King, who masterfully explores the psychological thriller genre the way only he can. Featuring some powerful and complex characters, an elaborate cat-and-mouse plot, and King’s intense and addictive writing style, Mr Mercedes is a masterful novel that proves near impossible to put down.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/08/31/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
March 18, 2021
Stephen King – Mr Mercedes.
Mr Mercedes is King writing a thriller, which he pulls off in an entertaining style. The story is a cat-and-mouse chase from start to end. Retired detective Kermit William Hodges (known as Bill to his friends) passes time by watching TV and gaining weight, until a letter arrives from the perpetrator of an unsolved crime, goading him back into life.
Brady Hartsfield is a man without conscience; he takes enjoyment from inflicting misery and has a somewhat unhealthy relationship with his mother. And Hodges is his latest target.
As ever, King creates characters that are believable. Writing in the third person, which gives the story an air of suspense. King has a way of drawing you in and keeping you there until the end. The pace of the book is unrelenting. There are several natural pauses as characters develop their relationships – and the plots twist in a way that real life does.
Hodges becomes our friend; his good nature balanced by the ability to be tough when the going demands it. This type of character development is what King excels at. The insight into his thought processes, as he tracks the letter's writer, is as enjoyable as the plot. Brady's mind works differently and he's the counterbalance to Hodge's morality. Outwardly Brady is so ordinary that he's forgettable but inwardly as dark as anyone King has created.
The entire book kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I enjoyed all of the characters, Hodges and Jerome and even Brady, although they felt a bit cliched at times. Overall, Mr Mercedes is a well-written story that kept me entertained until the last page.
Mr Mercedes is King writing a thriller, which he pulls off in an entertaining style. The story is a cat-and-mouse chase from start to end. Retired detective Kermit William Hodges (known as Bill to his friends) passes time by watching TV and gaining weight, until a letter arrives from the perpetrator of an unsolved crime, goading him back into life.
Brady Hartsfield is a man without conscience; he takes enjoyment from inflicting misery and has a somewhat unhealthy relationship with his mother. And Hodges is his latest target.
As ever, King creates characters that are believable. Writing in the third person, which gives the story an air of suspense. King has a way of drawing you in and keeping you there until the end. The pace of the book is unrelenting. There are several natural pauses as characters develop their relationships – and the plots twist in a way that real life does.
Hodges becomes our friend; his good nature balanced by the ability to be tough when the going demands it. This type of character development is what King excels at. The insight into his thought processes, as he tracks the letter's writer, is as enjoyable as the plot. Brady's mind works differently and he's the counterbalance to Hodge's morality. Outwardly Brady is so ordinary that he's forgettable but inwardly as dark as anyone King has created.
The entire book kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I enjoyed all of the characters, Hodges and Jerome and even Brady, although they felt a bit cliched at times. Overall, Mr Mercedes is a well-written story that kept me entertained until the last page.
January 24, 2016
I've only just started reading Stephen King books (as in the last year) but I've known about him my whole life (seen most King films too) since my dad was and I imagine still is a huge fan. I don't know why it took me so long to get into his stuff (daddy issues, no doubt). Where was I? Ah yes, so even to me it's obvious this is not his standard fare.
This is a crime thriller. The plot? Basically, disturbed dude goes on killing spree and retired cop has to stop him before he strikes again.
What I liked: It's entertaining and suspenseful. It presses all the right buttons. It's also part one of a trilogy so there's more fun to come.
What I didn't like: No, scratch that... What I found peculiar: The characters. With the exception of the villain and his mother who were a bit unoriginal though very well written and utterly repulsive the rest of the characters were weird. It was as if he had taken quirky characters from one of his other novels and thrown them into a crime story. Know what I mean? Yes? Really? 'Cause I'm not even sure I know what I mean. They just didn't seem to fit in. Like Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. And yet, not quite. Wonka Depp was bad while this was odd but not bad odd. Hmmm Or as if Detective Hodges had asked the Scooby-Doo gang to help him out (I might edit this part when I realise what the heck I'm trying to say).
It's OK. My mother loves it. *shrugs*
This is a crime thriller. The plot? Basically, disturbed dude goes on killing spree and retired cop has to stop him before he strikes again.
What I liked: It's entertaining and suspenseful. It presses all the right buttons. It's also part one of a trilogy so there's more fun to come.
What I didn't like: No, scratch that... What I found peculiar: The characters. With the exception of the villain and his mother who were a bit unoriginal though very well written and utterly repulsive the rest of the characters were weird. It was as if he had taken quirky characters from one of his other novels and thrown them into a crime story. Know what I mean? Yes? Really? 'Cause I'm not even sure I know what I mean. They just didn't seem to fit in. Like Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. And yet, not quite. Wonka Depp was bad while this was odd but not bad odd. Hmmm Or as if Detective Hodges had asked the Scooby-Doo gang to help him out (I might edit this part when I realise what the heck I'm trying to say).
It's OK. My mother loves it. *shrugs*
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