Great review! I met Holly first in If it Bleeds, then read the Outsider, and just finished the Bill Hodge’s trilogy tonight. So out of order but for me it didn’t matter. Love these characters and really like Holly. So neat to see her evolve. Loved Det Ret Hodge’s evolution as well and seeing how much they helped each other.
This is the video I've been waiting for for so long. I totally agree Mr. Mercedes is the best of the three (I have 2 non-Jing readers read it and LOVED it). And although I actually really like Holly Gibney I LOVE your feelings about her. Hope the rest of your day is good and I'll be here again next week.
Enjoyed all three of them, with the first one definitely my favourite of the three. I get why people would be annoyed at their perception of a supernatural element springing from nowhere in the third book, but if you're paying attention, this is more than signposted during the second one. Loved the Outsider too, but I wasn't keen on If It Bleeds which all felt a little forced. Be interesting to see where he goes with the solo Holly book though.
I really did like this trilogy and will revisit it this autumn, paying particular attention to Holly. I don't remember her pissing me off thaaaaat much, but it was good to hear what you had to say. Great video mate, thank you. I was worried when I saw you'd lumped them all together, I thought you might have hated them. But alas, you were just being effecient!
Another great video thanks again for all the work! Sweet ass Nirvana shirt too. I'm a fellow musician too we could probably have a badass jam session haha
5:23 I always knew that Bill Hodges was going to pass away in the final book but I didn’t realize it was blatant. I thought I got it spoiled but he has terminal cancer so I mean…
Part one is one of my favorite King books. It's impossible to tell what's going to happen next, and I think about the death of Brady's mom on the regular. I like part two, but I feel like it would have been better if they removed Bill, Holly and Jerome and any references to the first one, and instead have it been a shorter book focused entirely on the conflict between Morris and Pete. Haven't gotten to End of Watch yet, so I don't have any thoughts on it.
@DaveReadsKing well, I can't seem to get my head around that Holly is 44, white and frumpy in Mr. Mercedes. I guess I was distracted, the first time reading, by all the other great characters. Also, when I watched The Outsider on HBO I got this in my head that Holly WAS young, black and thin. I liked that idea of her much more. So reading on that's how I saw her. But SK does that to you 🤔.
The only other actress that I could see as her would be Kathy Bates according to SK's description. But she's way too old now as much as I love all of her work!
Do you think that the Mr Mercedes trilogy is a good jumping off point for later King? I have read 10 books but, aside from Doctor Sleep, they are all older works. I’m basically looking to fall down a rabbit hole. If so, would it make sense to start with Finders Keepers and zip back
It’s certainly the place to jump into his crime stuff. But read the trilogy in order - Mercedes, FK, then EOW - otherwise stuff will get spoiled for you. Then you go right into The Outsider, If It Bleeds and Holly!
The dog is doomed..... King heard it's interrupting bark during a review 🤣🤣. I've not read any from this trilogy will defo give the first one a spin, do like a crime thriller from time to time
Jerome is fully aware of the sterotypical way is speaks sometimes. He does it on purpose to try and lighten the mood of all the crazy situations the characters are in.
I totally get that. My problem is more that King thought it was ok to include those parts in the first place - it’s misguided at best and offensive regardless. And he tried the same thing in The Plant years earlier with equally cringeworthy results…I just don’t get why he thought it was ok, it really devalues Jerome’s character for me 🤷🏻♂️
I just started reading the finders keepers series (decided it was easier to refer both trilogies as a whole as finders keepers) and its pretty good. Of course I started with outsider and if it bleeds, so I already knew what was gonna happen to hodges in End of a watch. However I'm still looking forward to reading both Finders Keepers and End of Watch before Holly comes out.
I'm personally really mixed on this series. I think I like it?? Mr Mercedes is ok imo. I really loved the cat and mouse stuff between Bill and Brady on Debbie's blue umbrella and certain moments such as the opening and pretty much everything to do with Frankie Hartsfield, but the characters felt really paper thin (except for Brady) and the pace was too slow for my liking. Finders keepers is definitely my favourite from the original trilogy even though I still have loads of problems with it. I think the plot is genius and it somewhat reminded me of Misery at points because of how it commentates on the relationship between an author and his fans and I mostly liked it in execution. The family drama and Pete's dilemma were really interesting and I liked how threatening of an antagonist Morris was, but I thought the parts of him getting ready to get his notebooks back after getting freed from jail were really repetitive and the stuff with the book dealer pretty much brought the novel to a screeching halt. Also... I'm pretty sure this is an unpopular opinion, but I really loved the Bill Hodges stuff in this book. I get that people wish it wasn't included and I can see where they're coming from but at the same time it really fleshed the characters out in ways Mr. Mercedes just didn't. End of watch is an objectively bad book that shoehorns in a supernatural aspect into the series. I would be fine with it if the supernatural aspects were atleast interesting but the Zappit shit just wasn't. The only reason I actually finished the book was because I grew attached to Bill, Jerome and Holly over the course of Finders Keepers and was interested in how their stories ended. The cancer subplot was really gripping and I wish it was followed through more. And I slightly prefer The outsider over finders keepers because of how amazing it is up until Terry Maitland gets shot. Afterwards it's just decent. I didn't really mind Holly intruding in the story because I like her character. Here's hoping Holly continues or ends this series well 🤷♂️
I get you completely - it’s definitely a series where you most people seem to have a strong favourite and then like bits of the others. For me I like it most at the start and then less each time. Great shout on the Finders Keepers/Misery similarities though 👌
I love these novels the most when the the 3 heroes are together. They are all great, including Holly. I read the outsider before this trilogy. Now I have to re-read it. 😅
That explains a lot. Especially the Detective named Bill, the driving into a line of unemployed people, an autistic character cast in a leading role and the adult incontinence theme. Thank you.
I really enjoyed finders keepers book 2 in the trilogy it's definitely my favourite of the three end of watch was nice but not good in my opinion I finished watching the tv series which was really great
I can't wait for the new line Cinema adaptation of the long walk I also can't wait for a remake of The Running Man because they said there's going to be a remake of The Running Man coming out I also can't wait for the remake of Salem's Lot to come out
@@samtubebackagainramey6971 Yeah, Edgar Wright is doing the Running Man, isn't he? Should be fine. I'm both excited and nervous about Salem's Lot - I think them having to push it back for loads of reshoots is a little concerning!
Francking poppy Holly! How can Bill be so well written, and then we have Holly Bloody Gibney. Really enjoyed the trilogy,but jeez steve!!! The Jerome stuff!! Reel it in!!!
I like these books ok. I'm not a big fan of Bill Hodges as a character though, same with Holly although I find her a little interesting. Mr Mercedes is good. Finders Keepers is actually one of my favourite King books, and End of Watch is mid.
Fair enough - the more I think about it, the more I reckon Finders Keepers would have been stronger as a non-Hodges book. Same general story, but without the Mercedes characters
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Great review! I met Holly first in If it Bleeds, then read the Outsider, and just finished the Bill Hodge’s trilogy tonight. So out of order but for me it didn’t matter. Love these characters and really like Holly. So neat to see her evolve. Loved Det Ret Hodge’s evolution as well and seeing how much they helped each other.
Nice, glad you enjoyed Bill and Holly - you must be excited for the Holly standalone coming this September!
This is the video I've been waiting for for so long. I totally agree Mr. Mercedes is the best of the three (I have 2 non-Jing readers read it and LOVED it). And although I actually really like Holly Gibney I LOVE your feelings about her. Hope the rest of your day is good and I'll be here again next week.
Thanks so much - catch you next week!
Enjoyed all three of them, with the first one definitely my favourite of the three. I get why people would be annoyed at their perception of a supernatural element springing from nowhere in the third book, but if you're paying attention, this is more than signposted during the second one. Loved the Outsider too, but I wasn't keen on If It Bleeds which all felt a little forced. Be interesting to see where he goes with the solo Holly book though.
For sure - I’m much more hopeful and interested about the Holly book after what King said about it when he was on The Losers Club podcast
After watching this video I'm going to put the trilogy in my tbr list thanks dave 🙂👍📚
No worries - it’ll certainly be time well spent!
I really did like this trilogy and will revisit it this autumn, paying particular attention to Holly. I don't remember her pissing me off thaaaaat much, but it was good to hear what you had to say. Great video mate, thank you. I was worried when I saw you'd lumped them all together, I thought you might have hated them. But alas, you were just being effecient!
Thanks! Efficient, yes, and also realising that finding 19 reasons for each of books 2 and 3 would have been a stretch 😂
Would the Bill hodges / Holly reading order go:
Mercedes trilogy
The outsider
If it bleeds
Holly
You got it!
Another great video thanks again for all the work! Sweet ass Nirvana shirt too. I'm a fellow musician too we could probably have a badass jam session haha
Oh nice! What do you play?
@@DaveReadsKing I like to play chunky metal riffs on the gutar
@@timwmofo1 oh nice - sounds like we would get along fine!
5:23
I always knew that Bill Hodges was going to pass away in the final book but I didn’t realize it was blatant. I thought I got it spoiled but he has terminal cancer so I mean…
Totally...I suppose the ticking time bomb element added something to it
Part one is one of my favorite King books. It's impossible to tell what's going to happen next, and I think about the death of Brady's mom on the regular.
I like part two, but I feel like it would have been better if they removed Bill, Holly and Jerome and any references to the first one, and instead have it been a shorter book focused entirely on the conflict between Morris and Pete.
Haven't gotten to End of Watch yet, so I don't have any thoughts on it.
Nice - I think you’ll dig End of Watch
I hate that I even glimpsed at this comment. That's what I get for watching boom review videos before I even finish it
Just finished reading mr Mercedes it was good definitely will be reading the other books I'm also will be watching season 1 of mr Mercedes soon
Nice, enjoy! I thought the series was excellent
Rereading all 3 since I finished Holly. Wanted to get a better picture in my head of what she looked like and her age in the beginning.
Nice idea - how are you finding them?
@DaveReadsKing well, I can't seem to get my head around that Holly is 44, white and frumpy in Mr. Mercedes. I guess I was distracted, the first time reading, by all the other great characters. Also, when I watched The Outsider on HBO I got this in my head that Holly WAS young, black and thin. I liked that idea of her much more. So reading on that's how I saw her. But SK does that to you 🤔.
@lindag2035 Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of her is so good!
The only other actress that I could see as her would be Kathy Bates according to SK's description. But she's way too old now as much as I love all of her work!
@@DaveReadsKingI preferred the younger actress in the Mr. Mercades series on peacock. She played the character perfectly.
Do you think that the Mr Mercedes trilogy is a good jumping off point for later King? I have read 10 books but, aside from Doctor Sleep, they are all older works. I’m basically looking to fall down a rabbit hole. If so, would it make sense to start with Finders Keepers and zip back
It’s certainly the place to jump into his crime stuff. But read the trilogy in order - Mercedes, FK, then EOW - otherwise stuff will get spoiled for you. Then you go right into The Outsider, If It Bleeds and Holly!
@@DaveReadsKing thank you
I want to start this trilogy but I'm not sure if its crime thriller or supernatural thriller.
It’s mainly but with a couple of supernatural bits here and there. Definitely worth a go!
@@DaveReadsKing thanks. Ordering it today. Cheers
The dog is doomed..... King heard it's interrupting bark during a review 🤣🤣.
I've not read any from this trilogy will defo give the first one a spin, do like a crime thriller from time to time
😂
Im currently reading the outsider and i sae the name holly in the book so idk if i should read the trillogy first
It depends how you feel about spoilers...The Outsider will spoil a few parts of the trilogy if you read it first
Jerome is fully aware of the sterotypical way is speaks sometimes. He does it on purpose to try and lighten the mood of all the crazy situations the characters are in.
I totally get that. My problem is more that King thought it was ok to include those parts in the first place - it’s misguided at best and offensive regardless. And he tried the same thing in The Plant years earlier with equally cringeworthy results…I just don’t get why he thought it was ok, it really devalues Jerome’s character for me 🤷🏻♂️
I just started reading the finders keepers series (decided it was easier to refer both trilogies as a whole as finders keepers) and its pretty good. Of course I started with outsider and if it bleeds, so I already knew what was gonna happen to hodges in End of a watch. However I'm still looking forward to reading both Finders Keepers and End of Watch before Holly comes out.
Nice! Hope you enjoy those last two!
I’m almost done with Finders Keepers and I’m not sure if I want to get the third one but I feel like I have to
End of Watch is very different to Finders Keepers - I’d definitely recommend giving it a try!
Like so many trilogies, the middle volume is sorta "meh", but (at least to me) worth the effort.
@Ferd414 it would have benefitted so much from *not* being part of this series
I'm personally really mixed on this series. I think I like it??
Mr Mercedes is ok imo. I really loved the cat and mouse stuff between Bill and Brady on Debbie's blue umbrella and certain moments such as the opening and pretty much everything to do with Frankie Hartsfield, but the characters felt really paper thin (except for Brady) and the pace was too slow for my liking.
Finders keepers is definitely my favourite from the original trilogy even though I still have loads of problems with it. I think the plot is genius and it somewhat reminded me of Misery at points because of how it commentates on the relationship between an author and his fans and I mostly liked it in execution. The family drama and Pete's dilemma were really interesting and I liked how threatening of an antagonist Morris was, but I thought the parts of him getting ready to get his notebooks back after getting freed from jail were really repetitive and the stuff with the book dealer pretty much brought the novel to a screeching halt. Also... I'm pretty sure this is an unpopular opinion, but I really loved the Bill Hodges stuff in this book.
I get that people wish it wasn't included and I can see where they're coming from but at the same time it really fleshed the characters out in ways Mr. Mercedes just didn't.
End of watch is an objectively bad book that shoehorns in a supernatural aspect into the series. I would be fine with it if the supernatural aspects were atleast interesting but the Zappit shit just wasn't. The only reason I actually finished the book was because I grew attached to Bill, Jerome and Holly over the course of Finders Keepers and was interested in how their stories ended. The cancer subplot was really gripping and I wish it was followed through more.
And I slightly prefer The outsider over finders keepers because of how amazing it is up until Terry Maitland gets shot. Afterwards it's just decent. I didn't really mind Holly intruding in the story because I like her character.
Here's hoping Holly continues or ends this series well 🤷♂️
I get you completely - it’s definitely a series where you most people seem to have a strong favourite and then like bits of the others. For me I like it most at the start and then less each time. Great shout on the Finders Keepers/Misery similarities though 👌
I agree with every single word of this comment
I love these novels the most when the the 3 heroes are together. They are all great, including Holly. I read the outsider before this trilogy. Now I have to re-read it. 😅
Any excuse for a reread is good!
That explains a lot. Especially the Detective named Bill, the driving into a line of unemployed people, an autistic character cast in a leading role and the adult incontinence theme. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
I really enjoyed finders keepers book 2 in the trilogy it's definitely my favourite of the three end of watch was nice but not good in my opinion
I finished watching the tv series which was really great
Nice! I’ve still only seen season 1 of the tv show
@@DaveReadsKing you definitely need to check out season 2 and 3
Loved the video
Thanks!
Haven’t read the trilogy yet, but I was a fan of the tv series!
Nice - the books are definitely worth a go!
Good review of a brilliant trilogy. Mr Mercedes just edges it as the best of the three.
Thankee-sai
Did you watch the TV show
I’ve seen season 1 - liked it a lot!
I can't wait for the new line Cinema adaptation of the long walk I also can't wait for a remake of The Running Man because they said there's going to be a remake of The Running Man coming out I also can't wait for the remake of Salem's Lot to come out
@@samtubebackagainramey6971 Yeah, Edgar Wright is doing the Running Man, isn't he? Should be fine. I'm both excited and nervous about Salem's Lot - I think them having to push it back for loads of reshoots is a little concerning!
@@DaveReadsKing same I heard we're also supposed to be getting a TV series of Carrie
If you want to find out how I know all this I can give you the link to the video I watched
I never seen this show or heard of it before and you look like Robert Stanton.
Having googled Robert Stanton I can’t say I see the resemblance!
@DaveReadsKing it's a compliment,but a little rougher looking than him .
Francking poppy Holly! How can Bill be so well written, and then we have Holly Bloody Gibney. Really enjoyed the trilogy,but jeez steve!!! The Jerome stuff!! Reel it in!!!
Urgh, damn straight. reel it in, then DELETE IT!
I like these books ok. I'm not a big fan of Bill Hodges as a character though, same with Holly although I find her a little interesting. Mr Mercedes is good. Finders Keepers is actually one of my favourite King books, and End of Watch is mid.
Fair enough - the more I think about it, the more I reckon Finders Keepers would have been stronger as a non-Hodges book. Same general story, but without the Mercedes characters
@@DaveReadsKing yeah I reckon it could’ve been a better standalone without Hodges and Holly
@@GetFramed totally!
Ah, Lowtown. Perhaps the most laughable 6 pages in King's canon.
That's a kind way of putting it 😂
Oh no! Authenticity, can't have that!
@darkwitnesslxx but that’s exactly the thing, it’s not at all authentic 🤷🏻♂️
It seemed very much like neighborhoods I'm familiar with. You must suffer from affluence.
I love Holly and this trilogy. Of my entire King collection I’ve read this one 4 times and book 3 always makes me cry like a 2 year old.
You must be excited for Holly in September!