Acceptance is the first step to recovery…I accept the fact I was late to the game on Stephen King novels and catching up has been a journey. This ride continues with Mr. Mercedes, a thrilling horror that had us hooked from the very first page.
In the frigid pre-dawn hours, in a distressed Midwestern city, desperate unemployed folks are lined up for a spot at a job fair. Without warning, a lone driver plows through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes, running over the innocent, backing up, and charging again. Eight people are killed; fifteen are wounded. The killer escapes.
Months later, a retired detective named Bill Hodges is still haunted by the unsolved crime. When he gets a crazed letter from someone who self-identifies as the killer and threatens an even more diabolical attack, Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing another tragedy. Only Bill Hodges, with two new, unusual allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again.
Mr. Mercedes is a novel with a good amount of subjects that might make some people shy away from finishing the book, but these things such as opening the book with a terror attack on a group of innocent job seekers give the book a more authentic feel and had us wondering where King would take us next. The death and destruction was gut wrenching on its own, but toss in taunting of the detective who was unable to catch the killer made us so much more uneasy.
While some readers may expect a typical Stephen King horror novel with Mr. Mercedes, what lays between the pages of this novel is something a bit different. This novel offers a refreshing change of pace with a focus on psychological suspense than supernatural elements. The subtle hints of horror throughout the book add such a wonderful mix of feelings.
Over the years we have heard some readers annoyance with the characters in Mr. Mercedes, however we did not feel that way at all. From the complex and flawed detective Bill Hodges to the chillingly killer, each character is brought to life with Stephen King’s special touch. I found myself drawn into their lives and connecting with them on a personal level. You felt for them in the good and bad. The characters are well-developed and kept me glued to their story.
In Mr. Mercedes, Stephen King’s mastery for storytelling is on full display. He weaves together mystery, suspense, horror, dark, and thrilling moments to create an unforgettable reading experience. His writing skill is evident on every page with a compelling plot, engaging characters and expertly place moments of horror. Mr. Mercedes is now one of our favorites and cannot wait to continue to follow along with Bill Hodges.
Mr. Mercedes is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook narrated by Will Patton is available on Libro.fm!
