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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In short:
I’m never sorry to have read another Stephen King novel. This one touches on the horror of humanity rather than the supernatural. When fandom for an author becomes an obsession becomes murderous.
I’m never sorry to have read another Stephen King novel. This one touches on the horror of humanity rather than the supernatural. When fandom for an author becomes an obsession becomes murderous.
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"For readers, one of life’s most electrifying discoveries is that they are readers—not just capable of doing it (which Morris already knew), but in love with it. Hopelessly. Head over heels. The first book that does that is never forgotten, and each page seems to bring a fresh revelation, one that burns and exalts: Yes! That’s how it is! Yes! I saw that, too! And, of course, That’s what I think! That’s what I FEEL!"
Wow, this book was very layered. It managed to simultaneously be a love letter to literature, and a criticism of obsessive fans. I loved the premise of an author who has left the public scene but continued to write. Morris Bellamy felt like Annie Wilkes if she'd hunted down Paul Sheldon instead of stumbling upon him. I love how much time we spent with him and his obsessive, narcissistic behavior. The way he blamed everyone else for his life in prison, his drive to get John Rothstein's notebooks back at all costs, his troubled musings on other people . . . it was all very interesting to watch. A completely distinct villain to Brady Hartsfield.
I absolutely loved the character of Peter Saubers as well. I loved watching him develop a love of literature, and how he selflessly cared for his family with the stolen money he found in Morris's chest. The fact that they'd lived in the same house was interesting. The whole book is really a foil between those two. I loved their final showdown, and Morris's death burning with the coveted notebooks. By the end, Pete worries that he could have been Morris as well, but thankfully Hodges was there to remind him that that just wasn't true.
Which brings me to my singular gripe with the book. This was a sequel to Mr. Mercedes, an installment in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, yet Hodges was only in maybe 15% of this book. 20 if I'm being generous. He showed up for the first time at the 36% mark, and only made sporadic appearances until the climax. I didn't mind this too much in the scope of the novel itself, because Pete and Morris's intertwining stories were so compelling, but in the scope of the trilogy I am left a little bothered. Hodges had sooo much change and development from the start to the finish of the first novel, so I was hoping we'd be able to explore that more in the sequel. Instead, he and Holly were just kind of there to figure things out at the end and be there to help Pete. I love their characters, so I was just left wanting more.
That said, that only brings it down to 4.5 stars, it was still an absolutely phenomenal read, and I have to once again hand it to Will Patton for his spectacular narration. I'm so glad to have several more books of his voice.
Also, lastly, I loved Brady's brief appearances in the book. Hodges' obsession with visiting him and his suspicions that he's faking his brain damage was super interesting. Also, the possibility that Brady drove one of his nurses to suicide . . . I imagine this'll be a prevalent piece to End of Watch. Super excited!
Wow, this book was very layered. It managed to simultaneously be a love letter to literature, and a criticism of obsessive fans. I loved the premise of an author who has left the public scene but continued to write. Morris Bellamy felt like Annie Wilkes if she'd hunted down Paul Sheldon instead of stumbling upon him. I love how much time we spent with him and his obsessive, narcissistic behavior. The way he blamed everyone else for his life in prison, his drive to get John Rothstein's notebooks back at all costs, his troubled musings on other people . . . it was all very interesting to watch. A completely distinct villain to Brady Hartsfield.
I absolutely loved the character of Peter Saubers as well. I loved watching him develop a love of literature, and how he selflessly cared for his family with the stolen money he found in Morris's chest. The fact that they'd lived in the same house was interesting. The whole book is really a foil between those two. I loved their final showdown, and Morris's death burning with the coveted notebooks. By the end, Pete worries that he could have been Morris as well, but thankfully Hodges was there to remind him that that just wasn't true.
Which brings me to my singular gripe with the book. This was a sequel to Mr. Mercedes, an installment in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, yet Hodges was only in maybe 15% of this book. 20 if I'm being generous. He showed up for the first time at the 36% mark, and only made sporadic appearances until the climax. I didn't mind this too much in the scope of the novel itself, because Pete and Morris's intertwining stories were so compelling, but in the scope of the trilogy I am left a little bothered. Hodges had sooo much change and development from the start to the finish of the first novel, so I was hoping we'd be able to explore that more in the sequel. Instead, he and Holly were just kind of there to figure things out at the end and be there to help Pete. I love their characters, so I was just left wanting more.
That said, that only brings it down to 4.5 stars, it was still an absolutely phenomenal read, and I have to once again hand it to Will Patton for his spectacular narration. I'm so glad to have several more books of his voice.
Also, lastly, I loved Brady's brief appearances in the book. Hodges' obsession with visiting him and his suspicions that he's faking his brain damage was super interesting. Also, the possibility that Brady drove one of his nurses to suicide . . . I imagine this'll be a prevalent piece to End of Watch. Super excited!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Homophobia
Minor: Racial slurs, Rape
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as good as Mr. Mercedes, but another solid installation of the Bill Hodges trilogy.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced