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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 Specifically, they are an imprisoned man who once stole the unpublished writings of a famous American author and found himself locked up for life before he could read the stolen notebooks, and a young boy who finds the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
itsheyfay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Rape
Minor: Racism, Suicide, Racial slurs, Incest, and Fatphobia
lethaldose's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a tough read, too much of this book feels like a set up. The early chapters are fantastic, meeting our antagonist Morris Bellamy and our protagonist Pete Saubers was great, both were interesting and compelling. And almost all of the beginning of the book is those two characters which had me constantly looking back to make sure I picked up the right book, the story is over a third of the way in before Bill Hodges even shows up. And maybe that is for the best because once Bill, Holly, and Jerome are back in the book is when it loses almost all steam.
After the great opening setting up the characters and the initial events that propel them forward the book just becomes a game of chess. After that nothing about the story feels particularly natural and it is all about pushing the characters together. How does Morris find out that his chest has been taken? How does he find out it is Pete? How does Bill become involved with Pete and Morris? How do we force a confrontation? None of it feels like it happens organically within the book and while Stephen King is nudging these characters one way or another there isn't anything compelling in the tale. At the climax the story is very good again. The ending of their adventure feels predictable too but still very satisfying. There is a nice setup for the third book here at the end too that is very exciting because these books have been very detective story so far, but the third book is promising a Stephen King twist that makes me very happy. I have loved the detective tale here, but it will be awesome to have a supernatural Stephen King aspect to the finale of the trilogy.
Now one thing I definitely want to commend here is Stephen King writing about writers. This is always fun in his books. Stephen King has given most of the population nightmares at one time or another, he always seems able to tap into what scares people, clowns, children, the unknown, death. He is able to draw upon these common fears and use them to great effect. But I think it is clear what scares King, obsessive fans. Makes me wonder if his fan base gives him as many scares as he has given us. But one of the most interesting concepts that King touches on here is one that I see debated all the time. Once the story is written and the books published, once a character and his adventures becomes one with pop culture, who then owns that character and story. Clearly the royalty checks still go to the creator, but are they the owner anymore. That is the question at the heart of the this book, and it is an interesting question and concept to build a story around. I just wish it had been more interesting in the middle.
After the great opening setting up the characters and the initial events that propel them forward the book just becomes a game of chess. After that nothing about the story feels particularly natural and it is all about pushing the characters together. How does Morris find out that his chest has been taken? How does he find out it is Pete? How does Bill become involved with Pete and Morris? How do we force a confrontation? None of it feels like it happens organically within the book and while Stephen King is nudging these characters one way or another there isn't anything compelling in the tale. At the climax the story is very good again. The ending of their adventure feels predictable too but still very satisfying. There is a nice setup for the third book here at the end too that is very exciting because these books have been very detective story so far, but the third book is promising a Stephen King twist that makes me very happy. I have loved the detective tale here, but it will be awesome to have a supernatural Stephen King aspect to the finale of the trilogy.
Now one thing I definitely want to commend here is Stephen King writing about writers. This is always fun in his books. Stephen King has given most of the population nightmares at one time or another, he always seems able to tap into what scares people, clowns, children, the unknown, death. He is able to draw upon these common fears and use them to great effect. But I think it is clear what scares King, obsessive fans. Makes me wonder if his fan base gives him as many scares as he has given us. But one of the most interesting concepts that King touches on here is one that I see debated all the time. Once the story is written and the books published, once a character and his adventures becomes one with pop culture, who then owns that character and story. Clearly the royalty checks still go to the creator, but are they the owner anymore. That is the question at the heart of the this book, and it is an interesting question and concept to build a story around. I just wish it had been more interesting in the middle.
jdb7488's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
krysalid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
plasm4_4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
willenhall's review against another edition
3.0
This is really a 3.5 but Goodreads doesn't allow that.