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cinemazombie's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent piece of mystery thriller from King. Quick pace, small cast, and the whole thing wraps up nicely. Not as dynamic as Me Mercedes, but a decent change in tone.
riestenberger's review against another edition
5.0
If I didn't know any better, it would've taken me a while to realize this was connected to [b:Mr. Mercedes|18775247|Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1)|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468705326l/18775247._SY75_.jpg|26680281]. In fact, I think my dad read them in the wrong order since the connection is so vague.
Anyway, this was a really interesting story and I liked how all the pieces fit together. I really like how Bill and Holly have continued with their detectiving and were able to help with this case that just so happened to kind of have a connection to Mr. Mercedes.
The bit at the end with Brady had me anxious to start the next book though!!
Anyway, this was a really interesting story and I liked how all the pieces fit together. I really like how Bill and Holly have continued with their detectiving and were able to help with this case that just so happened to kind of have a connection to Mr. Mercedes.
The bit at the end with Brady had me anxious to start the next book though!!
kaebirdie's review against another edition
5.0
Still my favorite of the trilogy, and even better once you've read Holly, in my opinion.
quietmachine's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
The beginning was slow, but the last third was excellent.
anredman's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe more like 2.25 stars. The plot was unremarkably straightforward, the pace was slow. New characters were developed and the returning cast fell flat, were under-utilized and kinda plot adjacent. The beginning and end were action packed. Most redeeming quality was theme and constant referencing of literature.
defaultnamespace's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mathman329's review against another edition
4.0
2024 Book Review - Book No. 1: “Finders Keepers” written by Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton
Date started: 1/2/24
Date finished: 1/10/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like crime novels, hard-boiled protagonists, and unfinished business)
Spoiler free review: The second novel in King’s Bill Hodges trilogy is a fast, easy, and mostly compelling read. The first third of the book focuses on new characters that drive “Finders Keepers”. Specifically, they are an imprisoned man who once stole the unpublished writings of a famous American author and found himself locked up for life before he could read the stolen notebooks, and a young boy who finds the aforementioned stolen notebooks and just so happens to share an affinity for the same author. King’s typical views/impressions of prison and its own horrors show through here, as does his admiration and love of writing and the classic American novelist. Much like his classic “Misery”, there’s also the hint that perhaps some of King’s fears as a famous novelist lend themselves to the opening stanza, possibly in more ways than one.
Once we get to the 2nd third, though, we become reacquainted with Hodges, his “new” partner Holly Gibney, and his original “partner” Jerome Robinson. Needless to say, the two parts intertwine themselves and eventually lead to a finale that was a bit predictable, if I’m being honest. That doesn’t mean I disliked it, but it seemed like a fairly logical conclusion. If I had any complaints, it would be that I wish there had been more to parts 2 and 3. Were this King’s intention, it would not be entirely surprising given one of the main plot conceits.
On the whole, Morris Bellamy isn’t nearly the level/type of villain Brady Hartsfield was in “Mr. Mercedes”, but that isn’t a bad thing. Similarly, there are echoes of Jake Chambers of “The Dark Tower” series present in young Pete Staubers, though with no Billy Bumbler to accompany him through his journey and with a slightly different gift of “the touch”. As one of the few series in the prolific writer’s catalogue, King allows Hodges and co. to be the stars that carry the story. Revisiting them and seeing them as a team of “seasoned vets” is the real pleasure here. So, too, is Will Patton’s narration once again. Listening to both of these novels, I’m not sure I can read the final book in the series and will surely be glad to hear Patton’s take on Hodges and whoever else shows up for the series finale.
Date started: 1/2/24
Date finished: 1/10/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like crime novels, hard-boiled protagonists, and unfinished business)
Spoiler free review: The second novel in King’s Bill Hodges trilogy is a fast, easy, and mostly compelling read. The first third of the book focuses on new characters that drive “Finders Keepers”. Specifically, they are an imprisoned man who once stole the unpublished writings of a famous American author and found himself locked up for life before he could read the stolen notebooks, and a young boy who finds the aforementioned stolen notebooks and just so happens to share an affinity for the same author. King’s typical views/impressions of prison and its own horrors show through here, as does his admiration and love of writing and the classic American novelist. Much like his classic “Misery”, there’s also the hint that perhaps some of King’s fears as a famous novelist lend themselves to the opening stanza, possibly in more ways than one.
Once we get to the 2nd third, though, we become reacquainted with Hodges, his “new” partner Holly Gibney, and his original “partner” Jerome Robinson. Needless to say, the two parts intertwine themselves and eventually lead to a finale that was a bit predictable, if I’m being honest. That doesn’t mean I disliked it, but it seemed like a fairly logical conclusion. If I had any complaints, it would be that I wish there had been more to parts 2 and 3. Were this King’s intention, it would not be entirely surprising given one of the main plot conceits.
On the whole, Morris Bellamy isn’t nearly the level/type of villain Brady Hartsfield was in “Mr. Mercedes”, but that isn’t a bad thing. Similarly, there are echoes of Jake Chambers of “The Dark Tower” series present in young Pete Staubers, though with no Billy Bumbler to accompany him through his journey and with a slightly different gift of “the touch”. As one of the few series in the prolific writer’s catalogue, King allows Hodges and co. to be the stars that carry the story. Revisiting them and seeing them as a team of “seasoned vets” is the real pleasure here. So, too, is Will Patton’s narration once again. Listening to both of these novels, I’m not sure I can read the final book in the series and will surely be glad to hear Patton’s take on Hodges and whoever else shows up for the series finale.
lesliekyla's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
5.0
This book, by Stephen King, is the second book in the Bill Hodges trilogy. In the first book Hodges (a retired detective) discovered who murdered 8 people by driving into a crowd, before getting away.
In this book, which indirectly focuses on the same incident (a character was present at the scene), a famous writer (a John Updike/JD Salinger type) is murdered, and the murderer returns to Hodge's town with the booty. The booty is discovered while the murderer is away, and the book boils down to a simple battle between the protagonist, aided by Hodges and his gang, and the murderer.
The book isn't... the most innovative mystery around (even if the idea of steeling manuscripts wasn't something I remember reading about before), but it rattles along at a good rate. If you like page turner mysteries, you'll likely enjoy this book.
In this book, which indirectly focuses on the same incident (a character was present at the scene), a famous writer (a John Updike/JD Salinger type) is murdered, and the murderer returns to Hodge's town with the booty. The booty is discovered while the murderer is away, and the book boils down to a simple battle between the protagonist, aided by Hodges and his gang, and the murderer.
The book isn't... the most innovative mystery around (even if the idea of steeling manuscripts wasn't something I remember reading about before), but it rattles along at a good rate. If you like page turner mysteries, you'll likely enjoy this book.
kennethhill0729's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5