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

fun, good

this is a good book and worth the credit. has the same humor that other King book s have.

Loved the story,, narration a little slow..

Loved the story,, narration a little slow, but. very clear at 2x-3x speed increase. My husband thinks I'm crazy listening to it that fast, but really loved it at high speed. Riveting crime novel, Retired cop finds new meaning to his life after retirement ... catch the infamous Mercedes killer

Not your usual Stephen King novel

The book begins with a job fair where many people are killed when a crazed killer drives a stolen Mercedes into the crowd at dawn, killing and maiming many people. We meet Brady, a totally screwed up computer dude and his mothers 'honey boy'.

The novel features a retired cop who's planning on eating his gun, Kermit William Hodges, Bill. As a 40 year veteran cop, he dwells on the cases he never solved.

He has a 'lawn boy' who's a computer genius named Jerome.

Eventually we meet Holly - a total nutcase!

Their interaction is memorable yet often troubling. How they all meet and what happens during this time is almost spellbinding.

As we used to say at the end of an oral book report in grade school - "If you want to know what happens, you'll have to read the book!"

Another Great One!

Great story from The Master! Plus Will Patton reading? You cannot go wrong! I have a many favorite authors and a few favorite narrators and this is a double whammy- get it!

Gripping story teller

Any additional comments?

Once again, Will Patton proves that he should be the only narrator for Stephen King's novels. As for the story, it was a really fun and gripping read. I'm glad he's still writing such enjoyable and well-written novels. Like Doctor Sleep, I could see this novel as a movie.

Edge of your seat thriller!

Loved it, great narration by Will Patton. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Another great Stephen King novel

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

Yes, if they are fans of Stephen King.

What did you like best about this story?

Thought provoking.

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

No, but I will listen again! He does a great job on King's novel.

I swear he could write anything!!

I'm impressed, enough to buy the 2nd book!! it's aways a good read when the last chapter or 2 has u squirming in ur seat! in the 20 years i have been reading him, King never let's me down.

Perfectly chilling

Its the character development that keeps me so into this book. All the little details that make you 'know' these characters and get close to them. I loved this book and could barely put it down. Without spoiling anything, the issues played on in this book are so very sadly timely. As usual with Stephen King, there are characters you desperately want to win, and some you really want not to. Enjoy this roller coaster!

Stephen King has REALLY done it this time!

Would you consider the audio edition of Mr. Mercedes to be better than the print version?

I think Stephen King is one of our best American authors, and either in "sound or sight" his books are memorable. I will say that Will Patton is the consummate King reader.

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

Stephen King has appropriate vocabulary, incredible character development, and is a perfect story teller. Don't miss a word.....everything is relevant.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

Will Patton successfully delivers the dialogue, changes voices, and gets the emotion of the moment. He makes you "feel" the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Mr. Mercedes will invoke a wide range of emotions. You will laugh, you will cry, you will hate, you will be disgusted, and you will almost feel guilty for negative feelings about a vile character when you discover his background. However, Stephen King ties everything together in the end....both positive and negative, and is the consummate storyteller.

Any additional comments?

This was the first King book that I have read without some psychic overtone. It just proves he can write it either way.