End of Watch
The last number in Stephen King's mystery is a bit stranger than the first two, and there's a very big believability factor. Even King seems to know that as he spends more time explaining how what happens could be possible. Maybe in a robotic future.
Bill Hodges, the retired detective, has always suspected that Brady Hartsfield, Mr. Mercedes, from the first book, was still somewhat lucid behind his brain dead mask. He'd been hit in the head by a bag of ball bearings before he could blow up a concert where thousands of teeny boppers were in attendance. The nurses were telling stories about Brady turning on the TV, rattling the shades, among other telekinesis episodes. But eventually Bill stopped going to see Brady to avoid harassment charges.
Enter Library Al with a defunct Zappit Game Boy. There's a game on it called the Fishing Hole that's somewhat hypnotic, and Brady uses it to get inside Al's head. Another culprit is Dr. Babineau, a neurologist who thinks he might have a cure for Brady's condition. Thing is it hasn't been approved for humans by the FDA. It works, and Brady begins to grow back brain cells. Brady still has murder on his mind. There's this nurse who has a wee bit of an epilepsy problem. During her weak moments, Brady finds he can see out the window while still helpless in bed. He's seeing the world through the nurse's eyes.
By using Library Al to distribute the Zappit and another former IT coworker , Freddi Linklatter, to adapt the Fishing Hole to his needs, Brady is able to target former attendees at the concert, convincing them to commit suicide. When he takes aim at Barbara Robinson, Jerome Robinson's sister, Bill takes notice. Jerome is Bill's former lawn boy and helper, along with Holly Gibney, who is now Bill's partner is a detective agency called Finder's Keepers, the title of the second book. Barbara walks into traffic due to the hypnotic effects of the Zappit's pink fish, but a boy saves her life. Jerome is presently helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity; he's only reachable by phone or text, so it's mostly Bill and Holly against the nefarious Brady, who has also set up a web site encouraging suicide.
Bill and Holly must find Freddi Linklatter, who is on Brady's visitor list. She's the key to stopping the suicide epidemic.
But I've said too much. This is the most enjoyable King book/books since MISERY. The characters are likable if not lovable, especially Bill and Holly, who used the ball bearings to take out Brady in the first place. As I've said above, this one stretches believability a bit too much, but I was able to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy it. I highly recommend all three. King won the Edgar Award for MR. MERCEDES. King doesn't usually win literary awards.
Bill Hodges, the retired detective, has always suspected that Brady Hartsfield, Mr. Mercedes, from the first book, was still somewhat lucid behind his brain dead mask. He'd been hit in the head by a bag of ball bearings before he could blow up a concert where thousands of teeny boppers were in attendance. The nurses were telling stories about Brady turning on the TV, rattling the shades, among other telekinesis episodes. But eventually Bill stopped going to see Brady to avoid harassment charges.
Enter Library Al with a defunct Zappit Game Boy. There's a game on it called the Fishing Hole that's somewhat hypnotic, and Brady uses it to get inside Al's head. Another culprit is Dr. Babineau, a neurologist who thinks he might have a cure for Brady's condition. Thing is it hasn't been approved for humans by the FDA. It works, and Brady begins to grow back brain cells. Brady still has murder on his mind. There's this nurse who has a wee bit of an epilepsy problem. During her weak moments, Brady finds he can see out the window while still helpless in bed. He's seeing the world through the nurse's eyes.
By using Library Al to distribute the Zappit and another former IT coworker , Freddi Linklatter, to adapt the Fishing Hole to his needs, Brady is able to target former attendees at the concert, convincing them to commit suicide. When he takes aim at Barbara Robinson, Jerome Robinson's sister, Bill takes notice. Jerome is Bill's former lawn boy and helper, along with Holly Gibney, who is now Bill's partner is a detective agency called Finder's Keepers, the title of the second book. Barbara walks into traffic due to the hypnotic effects of the Zappit's pink fish, but a boy saves her life. Jerome is presently helping build houses for Habitat for Humanity; he's only reachable by phone or text, so it's mostly Bill and Holly against the nefarious Brady, who has also set up a web site encouraging suicide.
Bill and Holly must find Freddi Linklatter, who is on Brady's visitor list. She's the key to stopping the suicide epidemic.
But I've said too much. This is the most enjoyable King book/books since MISERY. The characters are likable if not lovable, especially Bill and Holly, who used the ball bearings to take out Brady in the first place. As I've said above, this one stretches believability a bit too much, but I was able to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy it. I highly recommend all three. King won the Edgar Award for MR. MERCEDES. King doesn't usually win literary awards.
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