Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Mr. Mercedes

One of the first Stephen King books in a while I've had trouble putting down. I really like it when King leans into crime/thriller versus horror, it's a nice change of pace.

I would've rated it 5 stars, but the child death in this book really upset me, so it probably wouldn't be something I'd read again on a whim.

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bokslukaren's review against another edition

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dark tense

3.0

A different sort of story than the usual King , and a bit too many clichés for my taste, but unsettling nonetheless. Also in typical King fashion, a slightly underwhelming ending, though the build-up and tension were absolutely fantastic. The typical straight male gaze as well as the racism and stereotypes was unnecessary and didn't add to the plot or world-building. Finally, is this the same Holly Gibney as in “The Outsider”, and if so: HOW is that possible?

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jomojobo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Wow. Wow wow wow. Talk about a tense emotional roller coaster! As usual, King brings characters to life in a way that few other authors can. Their motivations, emotions, and responses feel realistic, even when the plot requires suspension of disbelief. Though this isn’t necessarily a “horror” novel, it’s plenty horrific, and even the slow parts maintain a sense of foreboding. Our antagonist and his thought process are also particularly relevant given the state of the alt-right manosphere today.

There was a stretch of several pages (and there is always a stretch of several pages in a King book) that I just skipped right over because it was too distressing.

Freddy’s final disposition.

I wasn’t sure while reading if I would continue with the series, but after finishing Mr. Mercedes I will definitely be checking out book #2!

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kittygasm's review

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dark tense medium-paced

4.0

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jackbifrost's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

3.75

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jourdanicus's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This was a good King for me. Not a perfect 5, cuz I still find it hard to get past some things with him, like the whole including a Black character who is really smart and Ivy League-bound... but still uses AAVE in reference to the 'chores' he does for his adult white friend as a 'joke' because that's funny right? Steve, I get that you're the King of Horror (pun intended); does that preclude you from hiring sensitivity readers?

I actually thought his representation of Holly's neurodivergence was pretty well done though. And I laughingly wondered whether the feds have Stephen on some sort of list for how much he must have researched explosives and strychnine for this one?! Brady is probably one of the most creepily realistic portrayals of a domestic terrorist and psychopath I've read in fiction thus far.

Anyways, Jerome 4ever. Holly 4ever too. Looking forward to finishing the Bill Hodges trilogy and moving on to the Holly trilogy!

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ultramariikka's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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outofthepinksky's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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