Mr. Mercedes

A Novel

De: Stephen King

Narrado por: Will Patton

WINNER of the EDGAR AWARD for BEST NOVEL and #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

In a high-suspense race against time, three of the most unlikely heroes Stephen King has ever created try to stop a lone killer from murdering thousands. “Mr. Mercedes is a rich, resonant, exceptionally readable accomplishment by a man who can write in whatever genre he chooses” (The Washington Post).

The stolen Mercedes emerges from the pre-dawn fog and plows through a crowd of men and women on line for a job fair in a distressed American city. Then the lone driver backs up, charges again, and speeds off, leaving eight dead and more wounded. The case goes unsolved and ex-cop Bill Hodges is out of hope when he gets a letter from a man who loved the feel of death under the Mercedes’s wheels…

Brady Hartsfield wants that rush again, but this time he’s going big, with an attack that would take down thousands—unless Hodges and two new unusual allies he picks up along the way can throw a wrench in Hartsfield’s diabolical plans. Stephen King takes off on a “nerve-shredding, pulse-pounding race against time” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) with this acclaimed #1 bestselling thriller.

King and Patton create a winning combo

I don't love Stephen King. The last I listened of his was 11/22/63 because the reviews were so good and I loved it. Before that, I felt burned by a couple of his books because they just weren't very good. I love creepy and twisted, I just don't think that King is very consistent.
I took a chance on Mr Mercedes because I think Patton can do no wrong, I have an admitted voice-crush on him.
I lucked out, we all got lucky in this combo coming together because this is a GREAT audiobook.
The bad guy is perfectly sinister. He's young, and egotistical. His character is developed so well that I truly hated him. I didn't just fear what he would do next, I felt myself really hating him as a person, I'm tense just writing this about him.
The reluctant hero is always my favorite character in any book like this, and Hodges is perfect. Again, King was masterful in developing a depth of character that made me really feel like I knew him well. I cheered for him, and found myself talking outloud to him, offering unsolicited advice.
The action built in a perfect way. I wish I could describe it better, but the pace was just as it should be. To me, this was character driven, I cared because I cared about them and had that emotional connection, then the action and story were the perfect foil for them.
The ending was great. It wrapped in a way that did the characters justice, nothing was over-done, or unbelievable, it was genuine.

I loved and recommend this book.

It Wasn't Easy!!!

Reading this book wasn't an easy thing... Mr. Mercedes is a disturbing character and all his actions and thoughts were very disturbing..
Stephen King really knows how to make someone creepy... It was a good read and i enjoyed it.

The narrator did a great job

Just a Great Story, Exciting Climax

What did you love best about Mr. Mercedes?

Stephen King, has shifted Gears to just a great story teller. I thought after 'Joyland' which I really enjoyed, could he do it again and he did.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All Characters from the Evil Ice Cream Man to Mr. Hodge's the Retired Cop. One last run in Retirement showed more than he bargined for. Some truly Sad 'Oh No' Moments to Surpise Ending...I found myself glued to this book.

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

The Same. "Mr. Mercedes"

Any additional comments?

I am picky, I want a Great Story I can get lost in, this was just the right mix of 'Dectective' to 'Love' to 'Friendship' and 'Suspense'

Everyone likes the ice cream man.

Stephen King gets into the detective/csi business!

This was a quick (for a Stephen King book) listen in which a retired Detective tries to catch a mass murderer who got away from him the first time. The hero is flawed but very human and we certainly want Bill Hodges to get his man.

The killer is so creepy that I am tempted to call this a horror story, but not in the usual definition. He loves his mother, and I mean he REALLY loves his mother, so if those kind of things make you cringe, (and who doesn't?) be prepared. We are really pulling for this guy to get his comeuppance and you will have to tell me if you think he did. I have mixed feelings about the ending.

The various other characters are fun, freaky and real. There are the various "bad" people, but the wonderful thing about this book is the people that some might feel weird are the real heroes in this story. I give King kudos for his drawing of autistic and OCD characters.

Will Patton is the narrator and he again shines through on his characterizations and nuances to the speech of various people. He is one of my favorite readers.

Even if you are not a Stephen King fan, say you only like Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption, you will enjoy this book. The master shines again!

Very good considering the change of genre

First things first - This is not a fantasy/horror novel. It's a crime drama/thriller.
Good points:
Will Patton nails the narration. Very enjoyable portrayal of the characters.
The storytelling is true to classic King. Compelling and detailed.

Bad points:
King's style is great, as always, but it needed to be in order to save a weak storyline.
Very predictable. You know what's going to happen well ahead of the actual events.

All in all, well worth the listen for hardcore King fans and for crime/thriller fans.