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Finders Keepers Review

Stephen King, American, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Literary, Literature, Literature, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Suspense, Thriller

Finders Keepers

Published: 2, June 2015
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Literary, Literature, Literature, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Suspense, Thriller
Book 2 of 3: The Bill Hodges Trilogy

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Finders Keepers is a fantastic crime thriller written by Stephen King. It is the second chapter in the Bill Hodges Trilogy, which continues after Mr. Mercedes and focuses on Detective Bill Hodges. The novel is a mix of J. D. Salinger, John Updike and Philip Roth and is about the murder of reclusive writer John Rothstein, his lost notebooks, and the release of his assassin from jail after 35 years.

Even though the first two books, Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, did not include any supernatural characters or supernatural beings, it does not make them any less terrifying and leaves us with the impression that there may be some very real monsters that live next door or can be anyone around us and we just don't know about it.

Every aspect of it was enjoyable to me. I listened to the audio versions of these two volumes and have to say that the narration was one of the finest I've ever heard and was well suited to both Stephen King novels. It could only have been improved by having Stephen King narrate them.

These two books are vintage Stephen King, which means they are true page-turners with riveting tension till the very end.

The reason I am talking about the first two books here is that I feel it is better to discuss both of these books here even though they don’t have any story connection except for the characters from the first book and kind of continuation of the first book.

This novel was not what I expected. For one thing, Bill Hodges and his courageous companions, Jerome and Holly, didn't emerge until much later in the novel. But it was Okay, and I think the author made a fair decision not to include them until it was appropriate for them to appear.

Because of several comparable story mechanics, this novel reminded me of Misery, but I'm assuring you, Misery can frighten the living daylights out of readers. It was horrifying and terrible, and it was so skillfully portrayed that it made it much scarier.

The plot revolves around the writings of a great novelist who retired after finishing a well-known and contentious series. One obsessed fan is dissatisfied with the series’ conclusion and follows down the old author with a few of his thug cronies to plunder and pillage, and the plot develops from there.

Bill Hodges and his friends take a back seat to adolescent teen Pete Saubers and villain Morris Bellamy in this second installment of the Bill Hodges Trilogy. Of course, as the tale gets going, Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney, who now manage a company called Finders Keepers, play a key part.

While suicide remains the series' main issue, Finders Keepers is also about literature and how stories can captivate and influence people's brains. This is a compelling novel that serves as a suitable middle to the Bill Hodges trilogy.

Mr. Mercedes isn't the main menace in Finders Keepers, but he's lurking in the shadows.

Finders Keepers is a crime thriller with barely a smidgeon of Stephen King's trademark otherworldly happenings. It's not a mystery, like Mr. Mercedes, with whom it shares several characters, because the villain is revealed right away. 

It is about a fan's infatuation with a fictional character, similar to author's earlier work Misery as I mentioned earlier, although it is not quite as spooky and suspenseful as that one.

Mr. Mercedes was an incredible work that I adored, but I believe this is much better for the middle of a trilogy. Without delving into story details, I'd say it's a little constructed, relying on some improbable coincidences but it was all done beautifully and convincingly. 

As is customary with the author, the tale moves quickly and keeps the reader involved, and it can be easily remembered and recalled whenever the subject of this novel comes up.

The antagonist in this book is crazy, yet he is not a monster. He performs horrific things because his fuse has gone haywire. What made him terrifying is that, up to the end, he believed he was a hero. 

These kinds of personalities and individuals are considerably more frightening and dangerous than any demon or monster. 

The author, as always, does an excellent job with his characters. This is especially true with his adolescent characters. 

I knew from the beginning of this book that I would read at least one more book in this series, and my instinct proved correct as I reached the conclusion of this book.

Stephen King has stated that he does not write about remarkable individuals dealing with ordinary problems, but rather about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. That nearly sounds like a straight quotation from him.


Final Thoughts

The author provides his readers with a narrative that is full of drama, suspense, and a thriller that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Many fans want Stephen King to publish horror stories all of the time. But I believe he is the king of any genre he chooses to write in, and I really enjoy it when he performs in-depth character development and examines ordinary people from many perspectives. 

And because that's what he's done in the first two novels of this trilogy, I believe we should refrain from asking him to write what we want and instead allow him to do what he's doing.

Simply told, this is an outstanding series. The characters are well-developed, the plot is full of surprises, and it gets better with each volume. 

The author has done an excellent job of constructing a very plausible set of circumstances for the characters to navigate, and the reader is quickly drawn in. 

I couldn't wait for the third book, End of Watch, to come out after finishing this one because I wanted to see what type of fresh plot the author would present or whether it would be an all-out war of smarts between the Bill Hodges gang and Mr. Mercedes.

We, the readers, get a glimpse of the muddy, disgusting, sinister side of some of the individuals in these stories, which, to me, is even worse than fictitious creatures.

I wholeheartedly endorse these two volumes and can unequivocally claim that this is one of the greatest Stephen King works he has done in the past few years.


Synopsis

“The second book in Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders KeepersEnd of Watch)—now an AT&T Audience Original Series!

Stephen King’s superb stay-up-all-night thriller is a sly tale of literary obsession that recalls the themes of his classic 1987 novel Misery” (The Washington Post)—the #1 New York Times bestseller about the power of storytelling, starring the same trio of unlikely and winning heroes Stephen King introduced in Mr. Mercedes.

“Wake up, genius.” So announces deranged fan Morris Bellamy to iconic author John Rothstein, who once created the famous character Jimmy Gold and hasn’t released anything since. Morris is livid, not just because his favorite writer has stopped publishing, but because Jimmy Gold ended up as a sellout. Morris kills his idol and empties his safe of cash, but the real haul is a collection of notebooks containing John Rothstein’s unpublished work...including at least one more Jimmy Gold novel. Morris hides everything away—the money and the manuscripts no one but Gold ever saw—before being locked up for another horrific crime. But upon Morris’s release thirty-five years later, he’s about to discover that teenager Pete Saubers has already found the stolen treasure—and no one but former police detective Bill Hodges, along with his trusted associates Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson, stands in the way of his vengeance...

Not since Misery has Stephen King played with the notion of a reader and murderous obsession, filled with “nail biting suspense that’s the hallmark of [his] best work” (Publishers Weekly).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Another Great Book, Bill Hodges, Hodges Trilogy, Holly And Jerome, In The Trilogy, Jimmy Gold, John Rothstein, Looking Forward, Morris Bellamy, Read Mr Mercedes, Third Book


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Mr. Mercedes Review

Stephen King, Action, American, Crime, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Murder, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Mr. Mercedes

Published: 3, June 2014
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Action, American, Crime, Drama, Fiction, Hard-Boiled, Horror, Media Tie-In, Murder, Mystery, Police Procedurals, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller
Book 1 of 3: The Bill Hodges Trilogy

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes is a detective thriller. This narrative was inspired by a true story of a lady who drove her automobile into a McDonald's restaurant. Stephen King refers to it as his first hardboiled detective novel, but after reading these words, you'll remember the other three hard-boiled novels he produced for Hard Case Crime (Colorado KidJoyland, and Later.)  But don't worry, those three novels aren't like this one and can't be termed true hardboiled detective novels, therefore yes, the author is accurate in claiming this to be the first hardboiled detective novel. 

It's the first of a trilogy, with Finders Keepers following in 2015, with the first draft completed around the same time as Mr. Mercedes, and End of Watch following in 2016. The novel received the 2015 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America, as well as the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery and Thriller.

If you haven't read The Outsider yet and want to learn more about some of the characters in that novel, this is the best place to start. Since Holly Gibney was introduced in the Bill Hodges trilogy, it's best to wait until you've finished this series before diving into The Outsider

If, on the other hand, you are not an obsessive reader and only read randomly or on occasion, it will not matter and you will be able to pass this trilogy, although you may become confused at times when the characters from this series begin to emerge in The Outsider. Unless you're a voracious reader, this isn't a significant deal.

Mr. Mercedes is essentially the story of a retired investigator who comes out of retirement to seek the one who escaped — The Mercedes Killer — after being provoked by the killer to attempt suicide.

The novel begins on a high note, with the Mercedes Killer driving a stolen Mercedes into a job fair, murdering several people, and injuring many more. 

Then we go to retired detective Bill Hodges, who is sitting in his living room considering gulping down a bullet when a letter arrives through the mail chute, a letter that basically urges him to go ahead and do it. That suggests the assailant has been keeping an eye on him.

Instead of driving Hodges insane, it energizes him, and before you know it, he's back on the case, although unofficially.

The story proceeds at a quick speed, at least for the first half of the book, and then I have to say, the author lost me, and I was inclined to put the book down. It was a true eye-roll moment for me when something that a lady does, since it can't really be called straightforward, and you just sit there in dumb astonishment, wondering, "Really, is this happening?"

After that, I lost interest in the book, which was my fault, but I had to remind myself that this is a Stephen King novel, and anything can happen at any time, with a hidden purpose. So I kept going, and... It never happened... 

I actually enjoyed it, and what I just said was intended for some readers who may not understand what Stephen King is doing when he writes. He actually shows us the reality of our lives with so many twists that people sometimes despise him because he is just showing us the mirror and we despise our reflection.

As a result, when the legendary Stephen King writes a novel, and now a trilogy, like this one, it takes some time and effort for his fans, particularly those who are accustomed to an otherwise dominant style and themes, to adapt to and comprehend this new form and design to his writing and appreciate the genius that he brings. 

I, for one, was astounded by the breadth of knowledge the author gathered and then flawlessly incorporated into this super duper thriller. 

This work, in my opinion, is on par with anything Connelly, James PattersonJeffrey Deaver, or Lee Child has done and, as such, deserves the same level of real criticism and acclaim. 

Mr. Mercedes is a fantastic novel and a dramatic departure for the author, one that every fan should look forward to in the series' subsequent works. We see a creative talent at work here, with outstanding research, terrific writing, and completely convincing characters.

I usually avoid discussing movies or television shows because I am 90% disappointed when an adoption is ruined. I recently re-read Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes series. It was quite appealing to me. Then I saw the Peacock miniseries. 

I wish I could ask Stephen King why he allows these people to change so much of his work for TV and film adaptations. 

It irritates me greatly. The worst thing is that he not only permits them, but he is also one of the executive producers. 

It's not the first time this has happened to him and his books, but it's something that almost always happens to books and comics regardless of the author, with the exception of some amazing adaptations where it's the word for word from the book directly to the big screen or small screen and always turns out to be a hit. 

Other of his writings have been adapted for television or film, and it makes my blood boil to watch my favorite stories and characters transformed into something they were never meant to be.

Mr. Mercedes' greatest sections were either omitted or completely redone. Characters that weren't in the novels were added. Characters that have previously appeared in the novels were eliminated. "THAT didn't happen!" I said many times as I shook my head. Or "Just who the hell is that?" Jerome's character was not nearly as charming as he had been in the books.

Warning: There may be a lot of spoilers here that may ruin the shows and the novels for you. If you don't want to know anything that will make you lose interest in the show or the novels then jump to the Final Thoughts

I don't believe the program is horrible, and it is really a nice show using content from the novels, but I still wouldn't call it a Mr. Mercedes adoption.

Barbara did not attend a boy band concert, which I believe would have been a fantastic addition to the show. They assassinated Hodges' former colleague, Pete, who survived to see the end of the series. 

In the book, Holly was in her fifties, while in the TV show, she was 31. In the novels, Lou didn't kill Brady or go to trial. 

Brady was not found in a cabin in the woods in the dead of winter by Hodges, Holly, or Jerome

There were so many changes that I didn't think were for the best. Why bother naming the TV show "Mr. Mercedes," I kept thinking. The narrative contains so many twists and turns that you could just name it something else and ignore the books!


Final Thoughts

This novel also has portions in which the narrative shifts into the head of the murderer. For the most part, these are more unsettling than gruesome, particularly the killer's bond with his mother.

This really kicks in around halfway through, and you get a sequence of typical Stephen King characters: the friendly older man, the young man who grows connected to the older guy, the young character who is different or autistic or super powered, etc... The middle-aged lady who is drawn to the older, kindly man, etc... All of these characters are believable and lovable, thanks to the author's touch.

The second half picks up speed, and there are a few surprises that I won't reveal.

So, if you like Stephen King, you'll probably enjoy this book. If you're unfamiliar with him, don't stop reading after the first fifty pages, which are a touch talkative and seem like a draft, with lots of authorial references to other writers and societal themes.

I wish authors would stop writing cheap "mind of the killer" sections and flashbacks. They appear to be a low cost method of incorporating thrills and gore. Just my perspective, but when Stephen King does it, it becomes flawless.


Synopsis

“Now an AT&T Audience Original Series

WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL
#1 New York Times bestseller! In a high-suspense race against time, three of the most unlikely heroes Stephen King has ever created try to stop a lone killer from blowing up thousands. “Mr. Mercedes is a rich, resonant, exceptionally readable accomplishment by a man who can write in whatever genre he chooses” (The Washington Post).

The stolen Mercedes emerges from the pre-dawn fog and plows through a crowd of men and women on line for a job fair in a distressed American city. Then the lone driver backs up, charges again, and speeds off, leaving eight dead and more wounded. The case goes unsolved and ex-cop Bill Hodges is out of hope when he gets a letter from a man who loved the feel of death under the Mercedes’s wheels…

Brady Hartsfield wants that rush again, but this time he’s going big, with an attack that would take down thousands—unless Hodges and two new unusual allies he picks up along the way can throw a wrench in Hartsfield’s diabolical plans. Stephen King takes off on a “nerve-shredding, pulse-pounding race against time” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) with this acclaimed #1 bestselling thriller.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bad Guy, Bill Hodges, Breeda Wool, Brendan Gleeson, Cat And Mouse, David E. Kelley, Harry Treadaway, Highly Recommend, Holland Taylor, Jack Bender, Jharrel Jerome, Justine Lupe, Kelly Lynch, King Novel, Looking Forward, Marty Bowen, Mary-Louise Parker, Page Turner, Really Enjoyed, Retired Cop, Retired Detective, Robert Stanton, Scott Lawrence, Twists And Turns, Well Written, Wyck Godfrey


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Blaze Review

Stephen King, American, Classics, Fiction, Horror, Kidnapping, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Suspense, Suspense, Thriller

Blaze

Published: 12, June 2007
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classics, Fiction, Horror, Kidnapping, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
Blaze Summary


The Review

Stephen King's work Blaze was published under the alias Richard Bachman. On his website, Stephen King stated that he "discovered it" in an attic. It was written before Carrie, according to the afterword of Different Seasons. The first manuscript of the novel was sent to Doubleday publishers at the same time as Salem's Lot; the latter was chosen as his second novel, and Blaze was relegated to a trunk novel

Stephen King reworked the manuscript, removing much of what he saw as the original text's over-sentimentality, and offered the book for publishing in 2007. Memory, a short tale initially published in 2006 and incorporated into Duma Key by the author, is also included in the collection.

It's difficult to have high expectations for a book that begins with the author admitting in "Disclosure" that he has no feelings for his own work and has discarded the original hardcopy. 

In my perspective, the "Disclosure" is essentially a part of the tale and helps to generate excitement, and I enjoyed reading it even if it does make you reconsider the novel after reading it.

However, I think Blaze is a fantastic book. It immediately draws you in with its compassionately sluggish main character and drags you along to the inevitable conclusion.

The author always understands what works and what doesn't in his books, and he's right that this book's flashbacks are its strongest feature. They had a clear sweetness that I like, even when they occasionally drift into Near-Upton Sinclair-Esque melodrama. 

If we're being honest, they're a touch clichéd, but author has always been a master of the little aspects of spirit and humanity. That's on a full show right now.

In this work, author does a fantastic job of making you appreciate someone who is doing something he knows is wrong. Blaze is the ultimate pulling on your heartstrings huge stupid person — Actually, he's the original John Coffey in my mind. 

Blaze is a clever youngster who had his brain scrambled by a drunk, abusive father and now stands a gigantic 6'7". He is a small-time con artist whose partner dies just before their big final score, and Blaze must carry on alone, with the assistance of his partner's spirit. 

Blaze thinks he's outsmarting everyone, but he's clearly building a trail that will lead directly back to him, so you almost have to shake your head in compassion. The unraveling of his crime is as predictable as his reaction to the items he has taken.

Blaze's tragic increasing attachment for the infant he kidnaps is almost funny in its melodrama, yet you can't help but be affected by it. That's all down to author's skill to make you care about such a situation and the person involved.

Stephen King's Blaze is a plain, almost romantic novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed every nostalgic bit of it.

This is a short book with an excellent narrative. It was written in the 1970s, but Stephen King refused to publish it because he didn't think it was a decent story. You come to know the characters and experience a sense of intimacy with them, as you do in all Stephen King books.

This one is the same, and you'll find yourself rooting for the bad guy since he'll remind you of John Coffey from The Green Mile, as I mentioned before.

If you like Of Mice and Men, this is a terrific Stephen King novel to read. Both involve a couple of guys attempting to make ends meet, one of which is the smarter of the two, and the other is this 6'7" gentle giant who isn't that bright owing to his father's beatings as a child.

This does not, in my opinion, belong in the Richard Bachman vault, but it was a good read with a sentimental crime fiction flavor rather than suspense, thrills, or terror. A must-read for Stephen King fans and serious collectors, but not one I'd suggest if you're looking for his best horror stories.

Although the author is well renowned for his horror novels, his non-horror works are equally as outstanding. Billy Summers comes to mind, as does this older book.

Blaze, like Billy Summers, is about a criminal, a damaged individual who commits evil acts but whom you can't help but like since the amazing author portrays him sympathetically.

We are reminded that there is a huge range of tones between black and white. Blaze, the titular character, is lost in the mists of time. He's a con artist, yet he's likable. He commits atrocities, but one can't help but feel sad for him. I believe his life might have turned out quite differently if he had a better start in life if his father hadn't pushed him down a flight of stairs and harmed his brain.

But, like the rest of us, Blaze can't change his history. He's a victim of circumstance who is eking out a living the best he can.

Stephen King's writing style astounds me, and his ability to make any scenario appear genuine. I had to tell myself that Blaze is a fictional character, and I don't have to feel sorry for him. But I adore it when I feel so strongly about a character that it's nearly difficult to believe they're not a real person.

If you're a fan of Stephen King or simply enjoy a well-told narrative, you should read this one. You won't be scared, but you'll most likely love it.


Final Thoughts

Stephen King's stories are usually dripping with bleak reality. I've always believed that's one of the reasons he's been so successful. One of his specialties is bringing the horror genre out of the gothic castles and into the American breakfast table and it always seems to work. 

This narrative is really no different in that it depicts a tragic situation that, hopefully, most of us will never have to face. It was fantastic!

This narrative has the same relatively similar tone as every previous novel Stephen King has written as Richard Bachman, with the exception of Thinner

With the lengthy, Lisey's Narrative being the last Stephen King novel released before this one, the compact, brutal storytelling is a wonderful surprise. This work might easily be categorized as the fifth in The Bachman Books

The tone is almost identical to that of Road Work and Rage. This is a definite winner if you enjoy either of those. I believe King mentions "Of Mice and Men" as a source of inspiration somewhere in the preface, and the influence is undeniable. However, there is a definite Stephen King spin to it.

You owe it to yourself to take up this book if you like the old stuff.


Synopsis

“Master storyteller Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) presents this gripping and remarkable New York Times bestselling crime novel about a damaged young man who embarks on an ill-advised kidnapping plot—a work as taut and riveting as anything he has ever written.

Once upon a time, a fellow named Richard Bachman wrote Blaze on an Olivetti typewriter, then turned the machine over to Stephen King, who used it to write Carrie. Bachman died in 1985 (“cancer of the pseudonym”), but this last gripping Bachman novel resurfaced after being hidden away for decades—an unforgettable crime story tinged with sadness and suspense.

Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., was always a small-time delinquent. None too bright either, thanks to the beatings he got as a kid. Then Blaze met George Rackley, a seasoned pro with a hundred cons and one big idea. The kidnapping should go off without a hitch, with George as the brains behind their dangerous scheme. But there's only one problem: by the time the deal goes down, Blaze's partner in crime is dead. Or is he?”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bachman Books, Bad Guy, Character Development, Clayton Blaisdell, Dent In His Forehead, Duma Key, Even Though, Highly Recommend, Main Character, Mice And Men, Trunk Novel


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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