Stephen King conclude his riveting Bill Hodges trilogy with End of Watch. The final installment not only ties together loose ends from the preceding novels Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, but it also elevates the trilogy to a new level of supernatural suspense.
For nearly six years, in Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, Brady Hartsfield has been in a persistent vegetative state. A complete recovery seems unlikely for the insane perpetrator of the “Mercedes Massacre,” in which eight people were killed and many more maimed for life. But behind the vacant stare, Brady is very much awake and aware, having been pumped full of experimental drugs…scheming, biding his time as he trains himself to take full advantage of the deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room.
Brady Hartsfield is about to embark on a new reign of terror against thousands of innocents, hell-bent on taking revenge against anyone who crossed his path—with retired police detective Bill Hodges at the very top of that long list….
Bill Hodges, who has been the focus character pursuing justice throughout this trilogy, finds himself facing perhaps his most formidable adversary yet–this is beyond Brady Hartsfield–but something that is hitting a bit more close to home. King’s portrayal of Hodges as he navigates this journey provides depth and relatability; he is flawed yet resilient—a hero whose strength lies in his persistence rather than invincibility. Hodges, alongside Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson, are characters who have developed profoundly over three books. Their camaraderie adds warmth and humor amidst dark moments while showcasing King’s skillful character development.
King’s ability to weave psychological tension is unparalleled; he creates an atmosphere where paranoia seeps through every page. Where the first two books in the trilogy seemed a bit more in the thriller genre, End of Watch falls directly in the prevue of King’s supernatural horror. This not only gives the Bill Hodges story a fitting end but allowed me of the reader to get the most Stephen King book out of the series. King can cross genres, weave them together, and stir the pot like not many authors to date.
Stephen King closes the chapter of Bill Hodges in End of Watch. Hodges relentless pursuit against evil–personified through Brady Hartsfield–comes full circle while finally reaching crescendo point. King crafts a tale that is gripping, thrilling, horrific and satisfying with End of Watch, giving the trilogy a fitting ending.
End of Watch is available at bookstores everywhere, along with the rest of the Bill Hodges Trilogy of books. The End of Watch audiobook, narrated by Will Patton, is available at Libro.fm!
