Helpful Score: 12
I was excited for the release of Mr Mercedes as soon as I saw the premise on King's website last year. When the book came out in June, I was in the middle of reading 2 other books. Then, I started reading the review on here and they were all over the place. This caused me to hesitate and read something else hoping that there would be a more clear consensus after some more time. No such luck. The reviews spanned both ends of the spectrum. It's great. It's terrible. It's only ok. Ugh. Finally, I got tired of listening to all the noise and decided to read it and decide for myself.
What I found was a great detective story with shades of the Dead Zone, Carrie and Psycho. Now, before those of you that have already read Mr. Mercedes start getting your pitchforks and torches ready to storm my house while shouting at the top of your lungs about blasphemy, let me explain. The story is a straight up detective story. If you're waiting for something supernatural or Twilight Zone-esque to happen, you're going to grow cobwebs waiting for it. But that shouldn't deter you from enjoying the story. It still has the interesting characters that King can do so well. Bill is the retired detective not enjoying his retirement and stews over the murder he never solved. When a letter comes through his mail slot from the killer gloating about Bill not catching him and that he should just kill himself, this is the spark that Bill needs to get "back on the case". Trying to solve the mystery of the unknown killer that happens to "live among us" is where it evoked a little déjà vu of The Dead Zone (minus the supernatural). The sheltered "weird" girl with the overbearing mother reminds me of Carrie (again, minus the supernatural). And, the relationship of the killer with his mother is very reminiscent of Psycho. Even the killer himself feels like someone we all know. The whole time while reading Mr. Mercedes, I had the feeling that I've met people like the killer and that he could truly be "among us". Is the story original? No. Do I care? No. It was an entertaining story with good characters and plot that made you turn the pages and I enjoyed every bit of it. Now does it rank up at the top of King's best work? I don't know. If you're the type of person that whines that everything King puts out these days is not The Stand or The Shining, then you'll probably find a reason to bitch about Mr. Mercedes. If you're simply looking for a good story told with King's flair, pick it up and decide for yourself. 4 1/2 stars.
What I found was a great detective story with shades of the Dead Zone, Carrie and Psycho. Now, before those of you that have already read Mr. Mercedes start getting your pitchforks and torches ready to storm my house while shouting at the top of your lungs about blasphemy, let me explain. The story is a straight up detective story. If you're waiting for something supernatural or Twilight Zone-esque to happen, you're going to grow cobwebs waiting for it. But that shouldn't deter you from enjoying the story. It still has the interesting characters that King can do so well. Bill is the retired detective not enjoying his retirement and stews over the murder he never solved. When a letter comes through his mail slot from the killer gloating about Bill not catching him and that he should just kill himself, this is the spark that Bill needs to get "back on the case". Trying to solve the mystery of the unknown killer that happens to "live among us" is where it evoked a little déjà vu of The Dead Zone (minus the supernatural). The sheltered "weird" girl with the overbearing mother reminds me of Carrie (again, minus the supernatural). And, the relationship of the killer with his mother is very reminiscent of Psycho. Even the killer himself feels like someone we all know. The whole time while reading Mr. Mercedes, I had the feeling that I've met people like the killer and that he could truly be "among us". Is the story original? No. Do I care? No. It was an entertaining story with good characters and plot that made you turn the pages and I enjoyed every bit of it. Now does it rank up at the top of King's best work? I don't know. If you're the type of person that whines that everything King puts out these days is not The Stand or The Shining, then you'll probably find a reason to bitch about Mr. Mercedes. If you're simply looking for a good story told with King's flair, pick it up and decide for yourself. 4 1/2 stars.
Helpful Score: 8
I read it in two nights. After the first horror of a Mercedes plowing down people at a job fair, it hooked me. No one does "insane" as well as Stephen King! Except for one other horrifying event, the rest of the book hints what was going to happen next However, it kept me reading on with anxiety!
Mr Mercedes had an exciting ending. I'm sure there will be a sequel. I'll give it 4 stars because there was more anticipating what was "going" to happen throughout. However, the ending didn't fall flat by any means!
Mr Mercedes had an exciting ending. I'm sure there will be a sequel. I'll give it 4 stars because there was more anticipating what was "going" to happen throughout. However, the ending didn't fall flat by any means!
Helpful Score: 2
An excellent detective mystery, no supernatural "stuff" just a persistent detective (retired) who is not content to sit around and watch TV and vegetate, especially when a killer seems to be stalking him, and those he cares about. A new direction for Mr. King, well worth another several books to make it a series featuring this new sleuth.
Helpful Score: 1
stephen king-enough said! and the best part--my library had it!
Stephen King at his best...which I guess is always. That said, this is not a supernatural horror story although it is horrific. A thriller with enough suspense to keep one glued to its pages to find out how this all plays out. What a ride!
This was one of those King books that had me from the very first page. It was intriguing, horrifying, and sometimes surprising. I could hardly put it down once I started reading. I was so anxious to get to the end to find out what happens yet I didn't want the book to end. I loved the character of Bill Hodges. Don't let the size of the book intimidate you - every minute I spent reading it was very worthwhile.
terrible terrible terrible and not worth picking up
