Bill Hodges Trilogy, Book 1

Synopsis: 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.

Review: It’s been years since that I have not read a Stephen King novel and I admit that this is the first time I read one of his novels without any trace of fantastic elements (or at least from what I remember). I was very curious to rediscover this book, especially because I heard great things about his latest novels. Sp here I am with Mr. Mercedes.

We begin the story with a terrible murder where the persons where crashed by a car. Alas the killer was never found. The officer in charge of the case is now retired and thought it all behind him, until he receives a letter from the killer, taunting him and trying to enrage him. Yet Bill Hodges will not indulge in that game, and although he doesn’t go to the see the police, he is determined to understand what happened and to find that this killer who disappeared. But nothing will be easy and the culprit is on the alert, ready for anything to make the cop pay as he does not follow the rules.

I confess that I was completely carried away by the story. I was not sure what to expect but Stephen King has really mastered his story. Indeed, he takes us into a dark story, full of twists and he surprises us constantly. Yes, the atmosphere is unhealthy and the author is not afraid to use difficult topics, but it’s also what keeps us curious along the chapters. Brady, the killer is a complicated character and we will learn to discover him little by little. We try to understand his motivations, to see how he will act, but it is difficult to understand someone who is crazy like that. And we also have Hodges … It’s quite sad to see what retirement did to him but he eventually acquires a taste for things now that he has a new goal. Thus he will meet a wonderful woman, will help another ill person and will enroll many more persons in this story despite what he wanted to. But this investigation is not easy and our policeman will have to go through many difficult events to get a track. What about Janey, Jerome or Holly, the secondary characters who assist our hero? I confess that they’re all well done. It’s quite surprising to discover so many interesting characters, especially when they are not major. But yes, they all bring a special touch to the story.

Now you understand my enthusiasm for this new story. We’re taking away, abused and we hope throughout the story and I must say that it was a very good and captive investigation. I recommend it!