Finder's Keepers; Stephen King
Scribner - 2015
(Book 2 of a trilogy)
(Book 2 of a trilogy)
I was anxious to see what would follow Mr. Mercedes (2014), and Finder's Keeper's did not disappoint. I must admit that after the first chapter, this one seemed more like Misery, an all time favorite King book.
This review was tough to write but I tried to keep out spoilers as most every review I've read since finishing this one gave away the whole story.
The story begins in 1978 with 20-something Morris Bellamy and two buddies breaking into the home of reclusive author, John Rothstein. Rothstein hasn't written anything in decades, but was famous for his Jimmy Gold character. Morris, the ringleader here, had been a huge fan seeing himself in the Jimmy character until, in Morris' opinion, Rothstein ruined the character in his last novel. By the end of the night Rothstein is dead, Morris' buddies are out of the picture and Morris now has the contents of Rothstein's safe --plenty of cash, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and loads of filled Moleskine notebooks which includes another unpublished Jimmy Gold story.
Fast forward to 2009, Pete Sauber's is a teenage who now lives with his financially strapped mom, dad and sister in Morris Bellamy's old house. Morris, has spent the last 30 years in prison for another crime and is about to be released. Pete is another fan of the late Rothstein's work. So how exactly are Morris and Pete linked and what happened to the loot from the robbery?
The story jumps back and forth in time between these two characters. There are references to the Mr. Mercedes killer and, several characters from that novel reappear in this novel as well: retired detective Bill Hodges, Holly and Jeremy. IMO new readers to this series would be just fine reading this one as a stand-alone, but as with any trilogy, most readers will want to begin with book one.
I liked Finder's Keeper's, it was a story that had me quickly turning the pages, and there wasn't any blood or gore in this one either. King fans will be happy to know that the seed has been planted for the reappearance of Mr. Mercedes for the final installment. I think most King fans will be pleased with this one.
4.5/5 stars
(library copy)
I loved Mr. Mercedes and have bought this one but haven't started it yet. Glad to see it's so good!
ReplyDeleteYes, I like when I just want to keep reading and not take a break....good sign of a good story.
DeleteI really enjoyed Mr. Mercedes, but then kind of got less excited about reading this one. But, glad to hear you enjoyed it and thank you for not spoiling the story! Why do people do that?!
ReplyDeleteLOL -- not sure, I've been guilty of "spilling the beans" om occasion, but try to warn readers first.
DeleteWe do like most everything the creepy dude writes!
ReplyDeleteUs too, but I do prefer her less gore stories --like this one these days.
DeleteI really need to read this series everyone has been raving about it. Are they stand alone or is this a direct sequel to Mr Mercedes?
ReplyDeleteIf you read this one alone, I think you'd be fine. I prefer to start with book one though whenever possible.
DeleteI like the sound of this but haven't read Mr. Mercedes. Do I need to?
ReplyDeleteIf you read this one alone, I think you'd be fine. I prefer to start with book one though whenever possible.
DeleteThat happens to me a lot with library books as well LOL
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good. I've been wanting to read Mr. Mercedes and I really like that these don't rely on blood and gore. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it! I totally forgot about it. In between the Atlas Shrugged reading, I've been cramming in review reads. After reviewing Murakami I will pick this one up.
ReplyDelete