Reviews with content warning for Death - Mr. Mercedes

This was my first modern crime type of book to read & it was done very well. I loved that it was dual POV and not only do we get the retired detective’s perspective, but also that of the serial killer he’s tracking down. There was a surprising romance subplot I thought was sweet, and I genuinely adored the side characters of Jerome and Holly which helped our detective with his investigation. While this wasn’t as riveting as The Institute was for me, still a solid book and one I’d recommend to fans of classic cop/bad guy contemporary fiction stories.

Content Warnings

jourdanicus's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!

Content Warnings

greendog1200's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

ultramariikka's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

outofthepinksky's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

brendontyler's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Content Warnings

reeltomi's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

celina246's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.75

if you came here looking for a SK book because you're familiar with his work, you probably know what to expect. if you aren't - it's an excellent crime thriller, grabs you and doesn't let go til the end. but it's a veeery dark ride, full of gore and hatred and some racism and shock value (only thing stopping me from giving it a 5), so proceed with caution.

Content Warnings

More...