Simon & Schuster Audio and Scribner - 2021
Who is Billy Summers? At 44, Billy has seen a lot, a decorated war vet who served in Iraq, a professional sniper and a calculated killer with one last hit to accomplish before that part of his life is over. While waiting for just the right moment to make that final hit, he uses not only multiple disguises but, also poses as an author who needs quiet and seclusion to work on a book his is writing.
It is through this therapeutic writing exercise that we learn so much about Billy and his childhood tragedies as well as the horrors he experienced in Fallujah. The internal struggles that Billy deals with help the reader to understand the real Billy, a man ultimately in need of redemption. When a young, college student named Alice is drugged and viciously raped and dumped on the side of the road, it is Billy who rescues her and helps her heal from the physical and emotional trauma. We suddenly see the softer side of Billy, a man with compassion but also one who understands in the need for justice.
I will admit this story took a while to get going but, once it did, everything just flowed making this a book that was so hard to put down. Through Billy we get a taste of small town life as he goes about his business using different aliases along the way, talking with some towns people while he poses as a writer. There are loads on literary references in this story which I enjoyed. Some of the locations where Billy finds himself are "red state areas" that allows the author to make several political observations which may annoy some readers, but that is a rather small insignificant part of what what ends up being a very satisfying crime novel. I could definitely see this story playing out on the big screen. Highly Recommended
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
This was a combo read for me. The audio book, read by Paul Sparks was very well done. The audio download was made available at no cost to me by Simon & Schuster Audio and the print edition I borrowed from my local library.
Yes, I felt this story had so much heart. Billy will stick with me for a long time. I enjoyed the literary references too. I always get excited when King mentions one of his books in the book I am currently reading.
ReplyDeleteTi, I agree. I also love when he uses real places in his books. One of his older books mentioned the library in the town I grew up and this one also had a town when I had lived. Very fun.
DeleteThis one is coming up quickly in my reading queue and I am very much looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteOh good Dorothy, It's a real good one and no horror. Stephen King is still an excellent writer IMO.
DeleteIt's a good one Vicki - no horror.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't King's usual fare, but I often like his non-horror stories/books better than his horror ones.
ReplyDeleteMe too, I'm glad his more recent novels are no longer as gory/scary.
DeleteI think I'd probably enjoy that one too!
ReplyDeleteIt is very good.
DeleteI just got a copy of this book and plan to read it in October as part of the RIP challenge. Thank you for a great review!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it Helen, a very good story.
DeleteI've been seeing so much about this one, and I'm looking forward to it. No horror, but an assassin--can't understand my attraction to assassins.
ReplyDeleteLOL - we all have weird obsessions when it comes to books. I like a sociopath in my thrillers:)
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this, Diane - another hit for King!
ReplyDeleteYes, I liked that it's not a horror-fest.
DeleteKing is undeniably a talent! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
ReplyDeleteYes, one wild career for sure!
DeleteI think my hubby just started this one.
ReplyDeleteI hope he will enjoy it Stacy. A really good story.
DeleteI've only read King's horror stories but I need to read some of his more general fiction. I think I would like this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that this is another winner by SK. I was just thinking about how much I enjoyed 11/22/63, Bag of Bones, Dreamcatcher, Hearts in Atlantis, It and, of course, The Stand. I'm eager to get back to reading more by King.
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