Stephen King's new Trilogy - Mr. Mercedes (New novel - Holly - Sept ‘23)

Discussion in 'TMB Book Club' started by laxjoe, Jun 12, 2015.

  1. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    He debuted this trilogy last year with Mr. Mercedes and has now followed up with Finders Keepers. Since Mr. Mercedes was a staple on the NYT Best Sellers list last year, and Finders Keepers just debuted at #1, I can't be the only one here who read this.

    I started Mr. Mercedes last Friday and finished on Tuesday of this week (I'm on a bit of a reading kick right now, which is fun). But the point is, it was a very addictive and enjoyable novel. If you haven't read it and are looking for a new book to start, I'd definitely suggest Mr. Mercedes. I'm starting Finders Keepers this weekend.

    If you have read it, then come on in and lets discuss
     
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  2. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I really enjoyed Mr. Mercedes, and I am excited to start the next book in the series.

    King has been hitting pretty positively for me with most of his last works. I have the same issue most have with him, and that's the fact he is just flat out terrible at concluding his books. With that said, Under the Dome was probably the last book I really walked away from dissatisfied. Revival was depressing, but I appreciate the risk he took with it and the ending did work for the most part. Thoroughly enjoyed 11/22/63 and Dr. Sleep.

    I'll probably buy Finders Keepers tonight and read it this weekend.

    I'd suggest everything from Mr. Mercedes can be brought up without spoilers, but everything from Finders Keepers stays in spoilers for at least a couple weeks?
     
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  3. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    I started listening to Mr. Mercedes on audible while in the car with my wife. We have gotten away from it. I'm going to see if she is still interested in finishing it, and if not just finish it myself. I've been enjoying it, but we only got about 1/4th of the way through it.
     
  4. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I'm a little over halfway through. Like most King books, it's a very quick read.

    Kind of a slow burn with a lot of character and situational development to start, but definitely starting to pick up. I'm enjoying it, but probably a little less than Mr. Mercedes at this point in the respective stories.
     
  5. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Finished it. I'd probably give it a 3.5/5. Not a bad book, by any means, but it definitely has the feel of a book 2 in a trilogy really bridging the gap between 1 and 3. I think the final book is going to be fantastic.
     
  6. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    didn't get to start it until yesterday, but I just finished it. I enjoyed it (probably 4 out of 5). am very excited for the third book
     
  7. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    i understood and appreciated what he was doing with the first 150ish pages focusing on Morris and Pete with no sign of hodges, holly and jerome. but i thought it definitely picked up when they came back. i definitely like hatsfield more than i did morris as a villain. like you said, i think the 3rd book is going to be fantastic
     
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  8. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I agree with the first 150 pages. King likes to do that when he drops new characters into an established storyline.

    Like you, Morris just didn't hook me as a villain like Hartsfield did in Mr. Mercedes. I liked Pete, but not as greatly as many of King's young male protagonists. He just can't compare to characters like Jake Chambers, Jack Sawyer, and any of the young Gunslingers in Wizard and Glass.

    I'm pleased it seems like the third novel is going to have more of a supernatural element that the previous two. Honestly, a telekinetic Brady Hartsfield against Hodges and crew has all the makings of a fantastic conclusion to this series.
     
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  9. Codename Duchess

    Codename Duchess Well-Known Member

    Had no idea King was doing a trilogy with these characters. I agree with the those that said FK wasn't as good as MM but still a good read. I'm ready for Part 3. 2016 release for that?
     
  10. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    believe so
     
  11. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Started it a couple days ago, bout 50% done with the first book. Really enjoying it. Love that we're going back and forth between the antagonist and protagonist. Makes for a fun/interesting read.
     
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  12. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    So I'm 28% in on Finders Keepers with 30 minutes left in a chapter I just started that is flashing back to 79-14. I'm about to get 35%+ into this thing with none of the returning characters from Mr. Mercedes (sans Mercedes himself in a brief appearance when he ran people over that time). Ballsy move by King and one I didn't love that much right away.

    Now though? I'm all in. Creating some great characters. That said, I'm excited to see how this will tie into what will happen with Bill and the crew. Good stuff so far though.
     
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  13. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Bill Hodges 2: Where is Bill Hodges?
     
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  14. Lorne Malvo

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    And of course I got to 35% last night and the next chapter was going to be on him. Went to bed because it was late, but I'm excited to get back to it tonight.
     
  15. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Mr. Mercedes was really good. Finders Keepers was a notch below, IMHO. Looking forward to book three.
     
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  16. Lorne Malvo

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    So because of The Stand, I stopped reading Finders Keepers for a bit. Just finished it tonight after picking it up again a week ago. Big fan. I think I might have liked it more than Mr. Mercedes tbh.
    While I would agree on the Morris not being as good of a villain, Peter was a really interesting character to me. And I thought the story with him and the books was really good. Definitely weird that so much of the book didn't involve Hodges and crew but I thought that paid off as the book went on.

    Also, supernatural stuff in the final book of the trilogy has me really fascinated to see what happens.
    Mr. Mercedes - 7.5/10
    Finders Keepers - 8/10
     
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  17. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I think most of us who have read the first two expect King to deliver a great concluding novel to the trilogy.

    In my opinion, the quality of his novels significantly dropped after his accident, but he's come back strong with works like 11/22/63, Doctor Sleep, Revival (very dark, but I enjoyed it), and this series.
     
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  18. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Finished Finders Keepers

    3.5/5

    I enjoyed it, fast fun read, but didn't quite hook me as much as Mr. Mercedes. I agree with everyone else, Morris just wasn't the villain that Brady was. I really was caught off guard with the addition of the supernatural at the very end of the book. I thought the whole trilogy would be set in the normal world. Not sure how I feel about the first two books being 100% normal, 99.9% normal and then introducing a third book which will seemingly have at least a minor focus on supernatural abilities. We'll see how it turns out. I'm excited for the 3rd book (1 month 3 days away)
     
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  19. Codename Duchess

    Codename Duchess Well-Known Member

    First book is being developed into a TV series. I assume the other two books will be additional seasons if the first season is successful.

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mr-mercedes-series-starring-brendan-897416
     
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  20. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    Final book is out next week already. Cool
     
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  21. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Will be copping.
     
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  22. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I cannot wait for this book.

    Like I said earlier, I thought the first was fantastic, and, while the second was very good, it felt more like a setup for this novel.

    Along with most readers, my main complaint with King was how he really struggled to conclude his novels/series in a satisfying way. Honestly, a problem that really only seemed to emerge after his accident, for whatever reason.

    With that said, I've been really pleased with that aspect of his most recent books. I really hope the trend continues.
     
  23. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    The Stand released in 1978.
    Accident happened in 1999.
    Does not compute.
     
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  24. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Just downloaded it.

    I'm pretty excited.
     
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  25. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Got it today as well. Have a book to read before it but then I'll get to it. Looking forward to discussing it itt.
     
  26. Rebelution

    Rebelution I'm not superstitious but I am a little stitious.
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    Just started it, been looking forward to this one.
     
  27. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Me, too. Will start tonight.
     
  28. Arkie Proud

    Arkie Proud The Dungeon Master
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    Finished it today.

    Really good, IMHO. For me, they go 1,3,2. King nailed the ending, which has been his Achilles's Heel. I'm glad it was all wrapped up and doesn't leave room for a sequel or anything. That's refreshing.

    Like someone stated earlier, I wasn't to keen on book three delving into the stereotypical King supernatural realm. Still not sure I was 100% behind it, but King made it work as best he could. And it was fine. Quick read, good character development, good story. 853/1000
     
  29. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    I'm about 55-60% in and don't have a lot to say yet other than I'm enjoying it but I think it's a step down from the first two. Super busy over the next few days into next week so I'm hoping to find some time to be able to finish it next week.
    The way Brady has taken control of people is interesting but I'm not super all in on that because the first two were so grounded in reality. That said, him doing so via an old video game is a nice twist on the idea. Interested in Brady's end game besides killing everyone.
     
  30. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Agree with everything.

    I think the first book is the best in the trilogy by a long shot. The other two are good, but not on the level of Book 1.
     
  31. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Also finished
    I liked it but I not as much as you. I thought the ending was really good. I'm honestly kinda happy that Hodges died. Didn't want to finish the book knowing he had like tow months left. The closure with everyone was really good.

    But it was missing something in the middle portion that put it just below the level of the other two books. Maybe it was that Brady was the villain again. Idk. Still happy with the ending but I thought the book could have been a tad better. 7/10.
     
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  32. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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  33. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    I'll type some when I get a chance
     
  34. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    7.5 / 10

    Rambling thoughts spoilered

    I really enjoyed it. I too did not know what to think about the supernatural element introduced at the very end of Finders Keepers but like Arkie Proud said, I think King made it work. I think my favorite thing was delving into the issue of suicide. He built it up well in Mr. Mercedes and really dove deep into it in this book. Brady was such a great villain, I was glad he was back and more powerful. I thought the fish thing was a little weird, but it worked and I could understand how that would be hypnotizing and it makes sense that it would be easier for Brady to overtake a hypnotized person.

    I also like the setup of the text notification sound early in the novel.

    Overall series thoughts, I really enjoyed the trilogy even though its not really what I usually read (would not have read if it wasn't King or a book club book.) I thought Bill, Brady and Pete were really good characters. Morris was alright. I felt like Jerome was never as fleshed out as much as the others... However, best character for me was Holly. I really enjoyed parts with her in it. I think King did a great job of developing and growing her character across the three novels. I thought her running out on Bill's funeral like she did at the funeral where they first met was great. "He found me. He FOUND me." great, bittersweet ending.

    1a. Mr. Mercedes
    1b. End of Watch
    2. Finders Keepers
     
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  35. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Also i kept singing

    "By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
    you and me, you and me, oh how happy we'll be"

    in the creepy voice that Will Patton did in the audiobook and my wife thought I was crazy.
     
  36. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    Didn't even know they made this info a TV show

     
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  37. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Just came to post that trailer.

    Not really sure how I feel about it.
     
  38. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Show premieres tonight at 8pm EST.

    Sitting at 80% positive on Rotten Tomatoes.
     
  39. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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  40. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Audience Network.

    I downloaded the torrance and I'm watching it right now.
     
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  41. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Let me know if it's any good.
     
  42. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    I really enjoyed it.

    I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
     
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  43. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    Nm don't want to spoil anything
     
    #43 laxjoe, May 25, 2018
    Last edited: May 25, 2018
  44. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Season 2 of the series premieres August 22nd.

     
  45. Gonff

    Gonff Prince of Mousethieves
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    Started Mr. Mercedes today
     
  46. Doc Louis

    Doc Louis Well-Known Member
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    Reading through 3 now,
    kind of wishing the first two ladies who get killed, the one who was thinking about taking accounting class or whatever, that she was getting taken for money by Brady via microtransactions in the apps.
     
  47. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    Just started this series last night. Is it worth it?
     
  48. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    “Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town.

    “Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.” —BILL HODGES

    Stephen King’s Holly marks the triumphant return of beloved King character Holly Gibney. Readers have witnessed Holly’s gradual transformation from a shy (but also brave and ethical) recluse in Mr. Mercedesto Bill Hodges’s partner in Finders Keepers to a full-fledged, smart, and occasionally tough private detective in The Outsider. In King’s new novel, Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries.

    When Penny Dahl calls the Finders Keepers detective agency hoping for help locating her missing daughter, Holly is reluctant to accept the case. Her partner, Pete, has Covid. Her (very complicated) mother has just died. And Holly is meant to be on leave. But something in Penny Dahl’s desperate voice makes it impossible for Holly to turn her down.

    Mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live Professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: married octogenarians, devoted to each other, and semi-retired lifelong academics. But they are harboring an unholy secret in the basement of their well-kept, book-lined home, one that may be related to Bonnie’s disappearance. And it will prove nearly impossible to discover what they are up to: they are savvy, they are patient, and they are ruthless.

    Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver the shockingly twisted professors in this chilling new masterwork from Stephen King.

    “I could never let Holly Gibney go. She was supposed to be a walk-on character in Mr. Mercedes and she just kind of stole the book and stole my heart. Holly is all her.” —STEPHEN KING”
     
  49. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Excited about that one, already pre ordered it on Audible