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

Didn't like the narrator

The book itself is okay. Stephen King claimed it to be a hardcore mystery. I guess writing a mystery isn't his strength. The narrator made it worse.

Stephen King paint-by-numbers

This is a basic police procedural, though it's a retired detective doing the investigation rather than (what might happen in another book or movie) it being a cop doing his own after-hours investigation. The story of a psychopathic mass murderer isn't really that different than a fleshed-out episode of Law & Order. Like in many other Stephen King books, this one illustrates the dark and hateful evil in some people, though in this one there is no supernatural cause or mystical appearance to cover up the face of that evil. To some, that might be better, but I prefer that fantasy Stephen King to the Law & Order Stephen King.

Things just don't seem to flow as naturally in this story - it feels more like a pre-set pattern is being followed. And the characters don't seem as real as they usually do in his stories - it feels more like he's filling a pre-set pattern. It seemed all too standard, like a pre-produced pop song, with much less of his usual creativity. Oh, it's still good, but it's not good Stephen King.

I certainly won't be lining up for the sequels.

Gritty Crime Novel

We have what seems to be a normal every day Joe. He works a normal job, he has normal (well, different, but still normal) friendships. It doesn't seem as though he'd have any reason to want to hurt a fly.

But the thing is, he loves to drive his car into crowds of people and kill as many as he can- just for fun.

Then, he likes to taunt the retired Detective who never could solve the crime, but certainly obsesses over it every day. And our killer knows just how to press the Detective's buttons- but our hero copy starts to learn, quickly, how to press those buttons right back.

King has been showing off his ability to write suspenseful crime dramas with some 'King-esque' twists. They aren't his usual horrifying things that go bump in the night/ghosts/scary clowns/gunslingers. This is a very good crime drama/mystery with a fantastic set of characters and true suspense. I loved it, and I look forward to the second part.

5 stars!

One of best of the revival of SK!

What made the experience of listening to Mr. Mercedes the most enjoyable?

Gosh, where do I start? This is one of the best he has done during his recent period of activity ( 11-22-63, Revival, Mr. Mercedes ) are all stunning in content, characters and story arcs. This one is somewhat more graphic and brutal at times, but it is a tour de force in this listeners opinion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr. Mercedes?

The first half sets the listener up with the major characters, and they do stay with you after listening.

Which scene was your favorite?

The crime scene investigations are impressive.

If you could rename Mr. Mercedes, what would you call it?

Ice Cream Man

Any additional comments?

The performance of this bears noting. Will Patton is deeply involved in the characters, and does an excellent job of being consistent with their voices and tone. Impressive throughout.

Reluctant King fan

I would give it five stars but it is part of a series which means it doesn't seem finished. I don't want to be a Stephen King fan but I somehow love reading his books. They aren't perfect in my opinion, whatever that means, but I find myself returning to his books frequently. I can count on that book-aholic high of finding life difficult when I have to stop reading to actually be a responsible adult when I am in the middle of a Stephen King novel. I hate that. And I love that. (Isn't that the definition of an anything-aholic?). So this will probably not be my last King novel, I say with reluctance.

I enjoyed the story of Mr. Mercedes, even though I had a good idea of how it would end. It's part of a series after all. It has its share of gore and horror and cussing and all the other King markers, and also the suspense and empathy for the characters that make it worth reading. And yes, I'm excited for the next book. . . And the next . . . Then I'll stop . . . Or not . . .

Will Patton is among the very best narrators. What a good choice for Stephen King!

Superb detective/Psychological thriller

A real page turner. Not a typical King novel that incorporates fantasy. Just a pure fast paced detective thriller. Loved it!

The King is Back!

What made the experience of listening to Mr. Mercedes the most enjoyable?

Will Patton is a delight and the protagonist is one of my favorites-flawed, confused and very very courageous.

What other book might you compare Mr. Mercedes to and why?

King's "Lissy's Story" and "Bag of Bones" are the two that come to mind. For a while I felt he had lost his mojo but with "Lissy's Story" I knew he was back. Like this book it was written from a female protagonist's point of view and was very authentic in the voice.

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think Mr. Patton is the zenith of male narrators. I identify him most closely with the James Lee Burke series of novels set in Louisiana but he did a masterful job with this book. He was the perfect choice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I hated to stop listening and even held my Ipod in my teeth while bathing a time or two just so I could continue the story.

Another Great Story From the King

Stephen King is a great storyteller. He leaves aside the supernatural horror and goes for terror, the kind that lurks behind the bland gaze of a psychopath. A definite page turner. Good narration by Will Patton.

WOW...WILL PATTON

Will Patton has singlehandedly made this one of the most enjoyable series ever. He literally brings to life the characters presented in King's masterful written work. I'm now looking for more Stephen King/Will PATTON collaborations

Good listen but not classic Stephen King

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jerome, a.k.a. "Tyrone Feelgood" - just a great lovable character.

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Patton's voice is very well suited for reading Stephen King. Favorite narrator is Frank Mueller (whom I dearly miss) but I think, for this particular story, Patton was perfect.

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

Brady Hartsfield scared the crap out me - he could be kid living next door.

Any additional comments?

A little deviant from a normal King novel as King creates fear and tension without the use of the supernatural. Brady Hartsfield is the most well developed "bad guy" character I can remember. King's characters are so terrific often because his good guys are flawed enough to be real. In this case, Hartsfield is terrifying in that he is a bad guy but normal enough on the surface to be living next door. King is a master and, although is not my favorite of his works, it is worth the investment. Good story that is greatly told by King and well played out by Will Patton.