110. End of Watch

Rating:  ☆☆☆1/2

Recommended by:   

Author:   Stephen King

Genre:  Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Suspense

432 pages, published June 7, 2016

Reading Format:  Audio Book

 

Summary

End of Watch is the third and final book in Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy (the first two books were Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers).  Hodges is a retired detective who matches wits with several bad guys.  Hodges’ most diabolical foil is Brady Hartzfield who is known as the “Mercedes Killer” and is Hodges’ antagonist in the first book.  Seemingly in a permanent vegetative state, Hartzfield is back In End of Watch with powers that enable him to the drive his enemies to suicide.  Hodges and his compatriots Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson must figure out a way to stop Hartzfield before they become victims themselves.

 

Quotes

“It’s about how some people carelessly squander what others would sell their souls to have: a healthy, pain-free body. And why? Because they’re too blind, too emotionally scarred, or too self-involved to see past the earth’s dark curve to the next sunrise. Which always comes, if one continues to draw breath.”

 

“bad luck keeps bad company.”

 

“Being needed is a great thing. Maybe the great thing.”

 

“The seeds sown in childhood put down deep roots.”

 

“That’s me, Brady thought happily. When they give your middle name, you know you’re an authentic boogeyman.”

 

“Payback is a bitch, and the bitch is back.”

My Take

I enjoy Stephen King generally and enjoyed both Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, the first two books in the Bill Hodges trilogy, in particular and was therefore looking forward to finishing off this series.  I was not disappointed.  King knows how to both create indelible characters and build suspense.  Both skills are on full display in End of Watch.  Not the best Stephen King book I’ve read, but it is certainly worth the time.