Master of horror Stephen King has delighted his fans by announcing – just days after the launch of his latest novel Mr Mercedes – that it is to be the first novel in a trilogy featuring the book’s main characters.
The basic storyline of the first instalment is “tried and tested” – a retired detective going after “the one that got away”.
In this case, the young man – seemingly normal, working as a computer repairman and ice cream seller – who stole a car and ploughed into a crowd at a job seekers’ fair, killing and maiming men, women and even a baby.
Now he’s back and goading the detective who investigated the case, but can he be caught before he strikes again?
Tried and tested it may be, but throw the masterful story-telling skills of King into the mix and there’s no way that equates to “tired”.
It’s the way King builds a character – even the killer has a back story which means that although you don’t exactly sympathise, you can see why he has turned out the way he has – that lifts Mr Mercedes head and shoulders above your run-of-the-mill detective story.
The detective, Hodges, and his sidekick – the mentally ill Cousin Holly – are both very complicated characters, making life and death judgements on the case they are pursuing while battling their own demons and dealing with their own baggage.
You find yourself rooting for them and continue turning the pages long after time for lights-out as you are swept away in the drama of their quest, willing them to succeed as the clock ticks down to the possibility of a second mass murder.
It’s another winner from the author who just keeps on giving and in my eyes is a true master of our time.
Long live the King!
