I’m sad to come to the end of this trilogy because I’ve become so (cerebrally) fond of the characters in the Bill Hodges books. As are many of SK’s fictional characters, Bill, Holly, Jerome, et al, are normal people confronted with weird and horrific situations and forced to pull all kinds of superhuman bravery out of thin air. In the most extreme scenarios imaginable, they embody the best parts of every human, and they sparkle with the typical pathos and everyday challenges we all face in our lives, just ratcheted up a supernatural notch or two.

This trilogy is a mash-up of murder mystery, police procedural, monster hunt, love story, and buddy comedy. But it also boldly tackles big issues like depression, anxiety, grief, child abuse, toxic relationships, and suicide. In the Author’s Note, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is provided, along with words of encouragement for anyone who might need them.

The story is delivered at a driving pace, and for those who’ve been traveling the Mr. Mercedes roadway from start to finish, it’s a page turner with a bittersweet but inevitable conclusion. Is it satisfying? Sure, it does the story justice. But at the same time, it’s like moving out of your parents’ home or leaving college - you’re excited to finish that phase of your life, but sad that it’s something being left behind forever because you can’t go back.

I listened to the audiobook and once again, Will Patton is an incomparable narrator. He superbly voices and gives life to all the book’s characters in the most professional and endearing way. His narration is so well fitted to SK’s writing style and characterization. A match made in heaven!