Mr. Mercedes

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

2015 Audie Award Finalist for Fiction and Solo Narration—Male

In a mega-stakes, high-suspense race against time, three of the most unlikely and winning heroes Stephen King has ever created try to stop a lone killer from blowing up thousands.

In the frigid pre-dawn hours, in a distressed Midwestern city, hundreds of 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.

In another part of town, months later, a retired cop named Bill Hodges is still haunted by the unsolved crime. When he gets a crazed letter from someone who self-identifies as the "perk" and threatens an even more diabolical attack, Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing another tragedy.

Brady Hartfield lives with his alcoholic mother in the house where he was born. He loved the feel of death under the wheels of the Mercedes, and he wants that rush again. Only Bill Hodges, with a couple of highly unlikely allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again. And they have no time to lose, because Brady's next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim thousands.

Mr. Mercedes is a war between good and evil, from the master of suspense whose insight into the mind of this obsessed, insane killer is chilling and unforgettable.

©2014 Stephen King (P)2014 Simon & Schuster

Good story but creepy and disturbing

This novel has all the elements of a great thriller. There were some parts that took me out of my comfort zone, but they needed to be in the story to fully understand just how, and why, disturbed "Mr Mercedes" really is. Also, the story seemed to be just the right length for a great story and to tidy up the ending. Nothing felt rushed or long winded.

Mr Mercedes

I didn't know what to expect having not read a Stephen King in a few years. Overall I liked the story, it kept me interested and I liked the characters. The narrator was good.

Great read

Wonderful. It's been a long time since I couldn't wait to get back to a book or planned my day around getting back to it. Downloaded the 2nd book halfway through the 1st.

Stephen King & Will Patton BFFs!

Terrific non horror detective story which is book one of proposed trilogy. Will Patton (wonderful actor...made reading the story play like) makes this a 5 star performance read.

Glimpse inside insanity

Would you listen to Mr. Mercedes again? Why?

I skipped one section of this is queer little peek inside the mind of a mass murderer. So eventually, I will listen again in full. Floating around the head of Mr Mercedes for a few chapters reveals a totally unsympathetic character with no redeeming qualities. I just couldn't handle him in full in one plunge. The conversation going on inside this boys head is disturbing on many levels. As a dog lover, I had to pass on knowing his details gleefully made to off a family pooch. There were areas of that deeply disturbed mind I had no need to visit.

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This narrations seem to disappear into the story as I think the best ones tend to do.

If you could take any character from Mr. Mercedes out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I wouldn't mind a dinner with the sexy love interest in the book. Although I am sure the morbidly obese multiply decorated 'detective retired' would have better stories. I just don't think I would want to watch him eat.

Any additional comments?

Solid King story read well. A perfect summer listen for any fan of King or the criminally insane.

Fun Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an engaging story and the narrator's voice fits Bill Hodges' voice perfectly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Holly's character was a lot of fun. She's a mix of messed up wicked smart, and it was fun to see her show different sides of herself.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

He adjusts his voice when the story centers around a different person enough to remind you what's going on, without being overly obvious or obnoxious about it.

If you could take any character from Mr. Mercedes out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Holly would be fun to spend an hour with.

Any additional comments?

Will Patton's gravely voice works great for Bill Hodges, and fine for other men, but is a little weird when he tries to sound like a woman.

Great throughout

I really enjoyed this book.
Fantastic read and the narrator did a great job too!
Can't wait to read the next one.

Totally lost in the story

Great narrator. enjoyed it a lot. great story. I can't wait to start the next book.

Will Patton is a great Narrarator!!

If you could sum up Mr. Mercedes in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't stop listening.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Original plot with realistic and likable characters

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. Right on par

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

King at his best!

Edge of my seat!

Mr. Patton performed a great narration. He brought to life all of Kings characters. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.