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felipemrocha's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
midici's review against another edition
4.0
Every reader has that one book that remains more important to them than most childhood memories. The story that sets them alight, that makes them dream of things outside the realm of possibility. And sometimes it lights a flame that is far more dangerous than it should be.
Morris Bellamy is obsessed with a series of books written by John Rothstein. Bellamy is enraged by how the series ends, and the knowledge that since the last book Rothstein published, Rothstein has written hundreds of notebooks; work locked away that he doesn't intend to publish. Bellamy manages to kill the author, steal his work (and quite a bit of money) and hides it all away - only to be locked up for a completely seperate crime.
Decades later, Peter Saubers finds the books, and the money. He knows exactly what to do with the money - his parents are in desperate need after his father was injured by the Mercedes killer. But the books are his treasure, and he doesn't plan on letting them go. Until the money runs out and Peter decides that selling some of the notebooks might be the answer to his family's continuing money issues.
Of course, with Bellamy out on parole and enraged to find his trophies stolen from their hiding place, Peter's decision comes with potentially fatal consequences.
I really enjoyed the second book to the Bill Hodges Trilogy. Peter is a likable character: serious, caring, a bit introverted, literary minded. His younger sister Tina is adorable. The character growth of the original trio from the last book, Holly, Jerome and Billy fits well with how the last book ended. The hints of what's to come concerning the Mercedes killer Brady are suitably creepy.
The build up was a bit long, but by the last act everything became extremely fast paced and I couldn't put the book down. I loved the ending.
Morris Bellamy is obsessed with a series of books written by John Rothstein. Bellamy is enraged by how the series ends, and the knowledge that since the last book Rothstein published, Rothstein has written hundreds of notebooks; work locked away that he doesn't intend to publish. Bellamy manages to kill the author, steal his work (and quite a bit of money) and hides it all away - only to be locked up for a completely seperate crime.
Decades later, Peter Saubers finds the books, and the money. He knows exactly what to do with the money - his parents are in desperate need after his father was injured by the Mercedes killer. But the books are his treasure, and he doesn't plan on letting them go. Until the money runs out and Peter decides that selling some of the notebooks might be the answer to his family's continuing money issues.
Of course, with Bellamy out on parole and enraged to find his trophies stolen from their hiding place, Peter's decision comes with potentially fatal consequences.
I really enjoyed the second book to the Bill Hodges Trilogy. Peter is a likable character: serious, caring, a bit introverted, literary minded. His younger sister Tina is adorable. The character growth of the original trio from the last book, Holly, Jerome and Billy fits well with how the last book ended. The hints of what's to come concerning the Mercedes killer Brady are suitably creepy.
The build up was a bit long, but by the last act everything became extremely fast paced and I couldn't put the book down. I loved the ending.
thewriterrose's review against another edition
4.0
That last third of this book makes the slower pace in the beginning worth it.
joelypop's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ramona_reads_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
08naterd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
protoman21's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sure that I am not the only one to want to read the Jimmy Gold books after this, but they are as good as burned for all of us and that might be enough to put some people over the edge with frustration. King did a brilliant job of tying this novel into Mr. Mercedes in a way that told a completely new story but still felt familiar with the ghost of Brady Hartfield looming over everything. I knew this tied in with that story, but didn't really think much about it once I got involved in the lives of Morris and Pete and so when part 2 began and we were back with Bill Hodges it was quite jarring at first, but once I got over that initial shock, I realized that King introduced Hodges back into the story in the perfect spot. If he had been around from the beginning working some other case or tying up loose ends from the last story it would have taken away from what was building with Morris and Pete.
It was interesting to see the similarities between Morris and Pete and at the same time the similarities between Morris and Brady. The reader can see how obsession and greed can lead someone down a certain path, but their character ultimately determines what is at the end. King always does a great job of writing about moral ambiguity and that every present grey area.
Everything came together here and told an excellent story. The premise with the notebooks is bound to capture the imagination of any reader. The timing of this book is interesting with the imminent release of Harper Lee's long lost novel, Go Set a Watchman. I may not be able to read the Jimmy Gold novels, but at least I get to read that one!
It was interesting to see the similarities between Morris and Pete and at the same time the similarities between Morris and Brady. The reader can see how obsession and greed can lead someone down a certain path, but their character ultimately determines what is at the end. King always does a great job of writing about moral ambiguity and that every present grey area.
Everything came together here and told an excellent story. The premise with the notebooks is bound to capture the imagination of any reader. The timing of this book is interesting with the imminent release of Harper Lee's long lost novel, Go Set a Watchman. I may not be able to read the Jimmy Gold novels, but at least I get to read that one!
kcusimano's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0