55 pages • 1 hour read
Stephen KingMr. Mercedes
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, retired detective Bill Hodges investigates a mass murderer who drove a Mercedes into a crowd, killing eight people. The killer, Brady Hartsfield, taunts Hodges with letters, leading him to reignite the case. With the help of neighbors Jerome Robinson and Holly Gibney, Hodges uncovers Brady's plan to strike again, culminating in a tense confrontation at a concert. The novel contains incidents of mass violence, suicidal ideation, child abuse, mental illness bias, and racism, including racial slurs.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes is praised for its gripping and fast-paced narrative, compelling character development, and successful shift from horror to the crime thriller genre. Some critics note predictable plot points and occasional pacing issues. Overall, it stands out as a strong, enjoyable entry in King’s diverse body of work.
Who Should Read Mr. Mercedes?
Fans of thrilling crime novels with a psychological twist will relish Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes. Readers who enjoyed Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs are likely to be captivated by the cat-and-mouse chase between a retired detective and a diabolical killer.