Minnie's Fiction Addiction

Mr. Mercedes kicks off Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy with a gripping blend of crime, suspense, and psychological tension. The story begins with a horrific act: a stolen Mercedes ploughs into a crowd of jobseekers, killing eight. The case goes cold, until retired detective Bill Hodges receives a cryptic letter from someone claiming to be the killer. Suddenly pulled out of his post-retirement slump, Hodges finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a disturbed and brilliant killer. As the chase escalates, so do the stakes, and Hodges isn’t the only one in danger.

👀 First Impressions:
I’ve been meaning to dive deeper into Stephen King’s work beyond the classic horror, and Mr. Mercedes felt like the perfect entry point, and it absolutely delivered. This book had me hooked from the chilling prologue to the explosive finale. I wasn’t expecting it to feel so grounded, and I loved the shift into crime thriller territory while still carrying King’s signature tension and depth.

✅ What I Liked:
The plot is tight and incredibly satisfying. It’s more of a slow burn than some of King’s other work, but it builds with purpose and delivers some brilliant moments of dread and suspense. The chapters from the killer’s perspective are especially chilling, King gets into the mind of a psychopath with terrifying clarity.

I also really enjoyed the characters. Bill Hodges is instantly likeable, a flawed, retired cop who finds new purpose in the case. The supporting cast, especially Holly and Jerome, add colour, humour, and humanity. Their dynamic brings a nice balance to the darker themes, and I can already tell I’ll love following them through the rest of the trilogy.

❎ What Didn’t Work for Me:
It’s a solid read with far more highs than lows.

💭 Overall Thoughts:
Mr. Mercedes is a clever, character-driven thriller that proves Stephen King is just as masterful outside of the horror genre. It’s tense, thoughtful, and surprisingly heartfelt in places. If you’re new to King or looking for a gripping series to dive into, this is a fantastic place to start. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the trilogy.

🛍️ Where to buy:
To grab your own copy of Mr Mercedes visit HERE

Final Rating ★★★★☆ – Mr. Mercedes gets 4 stars for its gripping cat-and-mouse tension and compelling characters, though it leans more thriller than classic King horror.