Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1)

by Stephen King

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

For all its technical failings, Mr. Mercedes was a great book.

King writes across so many genres, sometimes it's difficult o know what you're in for. Mr. Mercedes is a thriller, leaning toward a psychological thriller. The book is told mostly from two perspectives - retired detective Bill Hodges and murderer Brady Hartsfield. Bill is all rough around the edges and intent on justice, and Brady is an oedipal case with a taste for blood.

It's really, really easy to want Brady to get caught. He kills people. He's a sociopath. But it's even at the most minute levels... he's racist, a homophobe... just a generally unlikable character in every way. A great villain - King always does well with his villains.

There are definitely some inconsistencies in details that could have been ironed out with more careful research, but one of the perks of being Stephen King is that when you know the craft as well as you do, you get away with skimping on the research. Technical details in computer repair and police procedure are clearly off even to those with a limited knowledge of these things. There's also an instalove relationship that I was not onboard with... but... well... that sorta resolved itself anyway. I really didn't like Jerome's "Tyrone" impression, especially being written by a white author??? But I'm probably being a bit too sensitive on this one... just rubbed me the wrong way.

I was able to overlook the bits and pieces and enjoy the story as a whole - it was a predictable, fast-paced thrilled with an excellent twist at the very end.