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 Hartsfield 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.
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After mowing down many and killing eight with a stolen Mercedes, Brady Hartfield decides to keep his perversely titillating memory alive by goading the lead detective assigned to a case growing arctic.
Detective William (Bill) Hodges — now retired and as entertaining as Spillane’s Mike Hammer, though more relatable — removes his father’s gun from his mouth, wrenches his escalating weight from his La-Z-Boy, and bids a hearty farewell to the likes of Judge Judy and Jerry Springer. Despite knowing his adversary missed the conscience-carrying boat, is drowning in superior intellect and a heaping helping of crazy, Bill is ripe for the hunt and repeatedly rattles the animal’s cage.
A poignant shift takes place with Hodges’s notion: “It’s as if there’s a fumble-fingered but powerful universal force at work, always trying to put wrong things right.” And there’s no one more fumble-fingered than the woman King enlists to assist Bill: Holly Gibney — a middle-aged, neurotic chain smoker who sees Hartfield as one of many childhood bullies in need of a little payback. Perhaps the author is reminding us there are no superheroes, that it takes a village to save humanity. Fast-paced and brimming with intriguing characters, I highly recommend Mr. Mercedes.
Absolutely love this book and this series. One of my favorites. It proves that Stephen King isn’t just great at writing horror novels. Always love his sense of humor!
Great murder mystery/thriller. Couldn’t put it down and ended up getting the other two books in the trilogy. Loved the characters and now I must watch the mini series.
Awesome story. Loved the main characters. I will be reading book 2 soon
A fantastic read. The epitome of suspense with characters that feel real.
Satisfying and suspenseful crime thriller that’ll keep you reading….
While Stephen King might be known for stories with a paranormal edge he’s more than capable of delivering one in the realms of a modern crime thriller. Of course he keeps the depravity and absurdity close nit because that’s what he does and I might be questioning my own tastefulness here when I say I kind of enjoy where he goes sometimes; even if its on the fringes sick. This is for all intents and purposes to tell a story and that he does here.
We see the typical loner/mother issues/tech nerd killer who takes his own aspirations to more and more depraved heights while he also taunts the cop who could never catch him, a retired detective. This could have been a police procedural if the main character ‘ Bill Hodges’ hadn’t given back his badge so instead its a cat and mouse private investigator type set up that grows more and more dramatic. While he chooses not to confide in old colleagues about a still to be caught perp, he takes the taunting personally and this sets up the perfect conflict that double backs on the story.
There are secondary characters that bring possibly more dimension than the mains and they become needed by ‘Hodges’ in this world of computers, social media and technology. By the end you’re rooting for them to pull out the win. It’s dark, urban, mystery intertwined and thrilling fun written in the highest quality.
Great cast and storyline
I just reviewed this for Book Bub, not 10 minutes ago. Why is it listed twice?
Loved it. Wad so excited when tv series came out.
As with most of Mr. King’s books, this is another one that kept me up reading too late in the night. The best authors are the best story tellers. The ones that can make you feel like you’re right there in the midst of the chaos. Mr. King is one of the best story tellers I’ve read.
Love Stephen King, period
A heart-pounding introduction to the trilogy. I had sworn off Stephen King for many years – too scary – but I’m back and this was a very rewarding return. Great characters – I loved Bill Hodges and his gang of crime-solvers. Mr. Mercedes is a horrifying villain. I immediately read my way through the other two books in the trilogy. Chilling!
My favorite kind of King book.
I believe this trilogy is Stephen King’s first attempt at writing a detective series. I have to say, he did a stellar job! My book club read this and loved it. The trilogy was made into a TV series (which was excellent), but read the books.
I love Stephen King – he is the master of horror and this book doesn’t disappoint – this first book in the Bill Hodges trilogy has fascinating characters and wonderful plot development – I couldn’t wait to read the next books in the series – I loved it
Action packed, great characterization. This is a trilogy series, but you could read the first book and leave the rest. A few of the characters are certainly twisted, and a few are ones that you really care about. This is King at his best.
Really loved this book, and once I got started on reading it I had a hard time putting it down.
The best book of the trilogy. A page turner for sure. Not a typical king book but action packed and suspenseful.
This whole trilogy is excellent. If you’re a King fan, what are you waiting for???
This was an okay read. The movie they made from it was better.