I would actually move Mr. Mercedes to number two and put HOLLY in the number one spot, because we're talking about Holly, after all. And for me, Finders Keepers would move down to six, simply because I didn't love it as much as the others and, of course, it was less about Bill and Holly. They almost seemed like afterthoughts to me.
Still trying to finish holly but have read the other 5! The outsider and mr Mercedes being at the top of the list works great for me, can’t argue much! But I do love finders keepers a lot more than most seem to. I thought it was unique and thrilling!
After thinking long and hard, it’s obvious to me that Brady Hartsfield’s evil actions were due to negative emotions derived from the loss of his father, resentment towards his mother for convincing him to kill his younger disabled brother, and his mother’s insistence on pursuing an incestuous relationship with him due to him resembling his father.
Cannot believe that less than 10 years ago, was chatting to Cynthia Erivo after her performance in The Color Purple at the Young Vic - TINY Brit theatre - and here she is.
I loved "Mr. Mercedes". I started reading the second one "Finder's Keepers"... I had been excited, since I loved "Mr. Mercedes," and loved the fact that it was just a great crime thriller, no supernatural element. I was confused off the bat with "Finder's Keepers", because the leads from "Mr. Mercedes" don't even show up for a LONG time, which is rare in a series, but, I figured, I would trust him. And I did start to get really sucked into the story. By the end, I wanted to throw it against the wall. I mean love Stephen King's supernatural stories, but to introduce a supernatural element almost two books in? Doesn't feel right to me. Because of this, I never read "End of Watch". I was mad. I suppose I should, though, at some point. I can never stay mad at Stephen King for too long (even when he brought back the Ritual of Chud in "Later").
That's fair... The list is from a couple surveys... but it's pretty close to my personal preference... Except I would switch 4 and 6, placing If It Bleeds at the bottom.
Lucky readers will read the books (in chronological order, of course) before watching the series. Justine Lupe was the perfect casting choice for Holly Gibney.
Okay. Don’t read this if you prefer bumper stickers and fortune cookies over novels. It’s a big deal for me to be able to read a SK novel the same year it comes out. I’m what you might call a Constantly Catching Up Reader. Almost succeeded with Fairy Tale, but opted to wait for the paperback instead. With Holly, I thought I would break the cycle. And you know what? I did! But allow me to tell everyone the journey I took up this literary mountain. I only own copies of the Dark Tower novels, DT adjacent novels, and all the short story/novella collections. (I’ve read s few of the stand-alone books not truly connected to the Tower, but not many.) so when Mr. Mercedes came out, I pretended to be busy with other things. Then the sequels followed, and still I waited. Then the Outsider. Finally If It Bleeds was announced. “Hell, yeah!” I thought. “A new collection? Sign me up!” But when I learned it contained a story connected to the Bill Hodges trilogy AND The Outsider… So I spent the next two years reading all four books just to read If It Bleeds. After returning each of them to the library in turn, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Then Holly was announced. YOU’RE TEARING ME APART, STEPHEN!!!!! But, in the end, I finished it last week. If you made it this far, thanks for listening to my rant. Happy reading, everyone!
I haven't read these....so I'm going to have to put this on pause for now :) Edit: Only read Mr Mercedes; haven't been reading new King....work work work, no time to read novels :(
I’d move If it Bleeds higher, but I guess it’s lower due to its shorter storyline. I still loved the read. I kind of agree with the top three; however, at the moment I’m biased, as Holly is fresh in my mind. I would rate these as a three way tie for first. I know that’s a sellout; however, each, in their own way, show a different dimension of Holly and, when combined you get a true idea of this very complex character. I can see why SK likes this character so much, as IMHO, she lets him go in so many directions, all of them being good, with no detriments to the other books. I can’t wait for the next upcoming Holly novel. He says it’s going to be a big one, with many things happening. ❤
I’ve stayed away from Holly because of the politics. Not that I disagree with him politically I’m just exhausted from our political discourse. I’ll read it eventually but not anytime soon.
Yeah, same here. I loved the Hodges trilogy but have had zero interest in 'Holly'. We're pretty much identical in terms of politics but that stuff being shoehorned into stories just always comes off weird and super awkward regardless of my agreement or disagreement on the issue. Another huge part is that my schedule leaves very little time for actual reading so like 90% of my 'reading' is listening to audiobooks while working. After having Will Patton narrate the first 3 books, and him being pretty much in my Top 3 best narrators, the change in the voice even just from listening to some sample clips was just way too jarring. Idk if I'll ever get to it
@@stephenkingbookclub1054 One that a retired detective did so much work on a case without involving the police, which ... I guess I can forgive for sake of story. The BIGGEST plot hole to me was the fact that a janitor allowed a group of people into the back entrance of a concert venue just because they said they were cops. Just completely unbelievable that no one would be posted at a security station and a janitor would allow them in.
I have read all in order almost done with Holly. Going to start and read them all in order again. Love love love Stephen King.
Love Mr Mercedes...have to read more of this character.
Read Holly. Have to read the rest, in order.
That was fun! Thank you!
Keep on rocking!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
You know
Roland Deschain from the Dark Tower might be the "main hero" of King's universe.... But I think Holly is the best written one
Mr. Mercedes was my first King. Oh man, I love that book.
Thank you for this! It made my night ❤.
Love the latest novel and the quirky character that is holly gibney. Hope there’s more to come. Good video.
I would actually move Mr. Mercedes to number two and put HOLLY in the number one spot, because we're talking about Holly, after all. And for me, Finders Keepers would move down to six, simply because I didn't love it as much as the others and, of course, it was less about Bill and Holly. They almost seemed like afterthoughts to me.
Oh I read Mr Mercedes, loved that
Still trying to finish holly but have read the other 5! The outsider and mr Mercedes being at the top of the list works great for me, can’t argue much! But I do love finders keepers a lot more than most seem to. I thought it was unique and thrilling!
After thinking long and hard, it’s obvious to me that Brady Hartsfield’s evil actions were due to negative emotions derived from the loss of his father, resentment towards his mother for convincing him to kill his younger disabled brother, and his mother’s insistence on pursuing an incestuous relationship with him due to him resembling his father.
Cannot believe that less than 10 years ago, was chatting to Cynthia Erivo after her performance in The Color Purple at the Young Vic - TINY Brit theatre - and here she is.
Have not read a one of them...
Will start soon... 📚
Okay, I've read "End of Watch" and the eponymous book. Only reading them out of order because I got them for free.
And I'm hooked...
Watched the HBO series The Outsider then read the book and started on the others too as I definitely could not get enough of Holly!
Thanks! I’d fallen off reading King but I think I’ll give this characters series a go 📚
Yes! Try Mr. Mercedes, and you'll pretty much know if you'll like the rest of the Holly books.
I checked Mr Mercedes out from my local library! I’m enjoying it 🤓
Thank you Stephen❤
I loved "Mr. Mercedes". I started reading the second one "Finder's Keepers"... I had been excited, since I loved "Mr. Mercedes," and loved the fact that it was just a great crime thriller, no supernatural element. I was confused off the bat with "Finder's Keepers", because the leads from "Mr. Mercedes" don't even show up for a LONG time, which is rare in a series, but, I figured, I would trust him. And I did start to get really sucked into the story. By the end, I wanted to throw it against the wall. I mean love Stephen King's supernatural stories, but to introduce a supernatural element almost two books in? Doesn't feel right to me. Because of this, I never read "End of Watch". I was mad. I suppose I should, though, at some point. I can never stay mad at Stephen King for too long (even when he brought back the Ritual of Chud in "Later").
Love Holly.❤
I would switch #2 and #3 on your list.
That's fair... The list is from a couple surveys... but it's pretty close to my personal preference... Except I would switch 4 and 6, placing If It Bleeds at the bottom.
Lucky readers will read the books (in chronological order, of course) before watching the series. Justine Lupe was the perfect casting choice for Holly Gibney.
great story - the outsider. actually made a pretty good mini series too
The Outsider lands at the top of my list! It's so weird and spooky, and a good mystery, too!
I love most all of SK books but I don’t buy Holly’s character.
Okay. Don’t read this if you prefer bumper stickers and fortune cookies over novels.
It’s a big deal for me to be able to read a SK novel the same year it comes out. I’m what you might call a Constantly Catching Up Reader. Almost succeeded with Fairy Tale, but opted to wait for the paperback instead. With Holly, I thought I would break the cycle. And you know what? I did!
But allow me to tell everyone the journey I took up this literary mountain.
I only own copies of the Dark Tower novels, DT adjacent novels, and all the short story/novella collections. (I’ve read s few of the stand-alone books not truly connected to the Tower, but not many.) so when Mr. Mercedes came out, I pretended to be busy with other things.
Then the sequels followed, and still I waited. Then the Outsider.
Finally If It Bleeds was announced. “Hell, yeah!” I thought. “A new collection? Sign me up!” But when I learned it contained a story connected to the Bill Hodges trilogy AND The Outsider…
So I spent the next two years reading all four books just to read If It Bleeds.
After returning each of them to the library in turn, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
Then Holly was announced.
YOU’RE TEARING ME APART, STEPHEN!!!!!
But, in the end, I finished it last week.
If you made it this far, thanks for listening to my rant.
Happy reading, everyone!
I haven't read these....so I'm going to have to put this on pause for now :)
Edit: Only read Mr Mercedes; haven't been reading new King....work work work, no time to read novels :(
So many books, so little time!
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...
I’ve read all the books and this was somewhat disappointing but I’d read anything with Holly in the story line
I don't know. I liked them all. But if I had just to pick a #1...Outsider, I suppose. But in fairness, I have not read Holly yet.
It’s an enjoyable read. I’d give it 4/stars.
I just (finally) read Holly, and I loved it. It might even make the #2 spot on my personal list here. But The Outsider still takes the top spot!
@@thing_under_the_stairs Ditto.
I’d move If it Bleeds higher, but I guess it’s lower due to its shorter storyline. I still loved the read.
I kind of agree with the top three; however, at the moment I’m biased, as Holly is fresh in my mind. I would rate these as a three way tie for first. I know that’s a sellout; however, each, in their own way, show a different dimension of Holly and, when combined you get a true idea of this very complex character.
I can see why SK likes this character so much, as IMHO, she lets him go in so many directions, all of them being good, with no detriments to the other books.
I can’t wait for the next upcoming Holly novel. He says it’s going to be a big one, with many things happening. ❤
xx
Top 6?
Uh...is there a 7th that didn't make the list? Cause I think this is _all_ 6 books with Holly. Did I miss a book?
I haven't read much recent King. Please tell me this series isn't one of his power of friendship overcoming evil joints.
..
I’ve stayed away from Holly because of the politics. Not that I disagree with him politically I’m just exhausted from our political discourse. I’ll read it eventually but not anytime soon.
I read it but like you by the last one I couldn’t take it anymore either and returned it.
Just started end of watch haven’t noticed anything too bad. The closest is fairy tale where king mentions the ridiculous white power signal 👌
Oh I’m even more excited to read it now
Yeah, same here. I loved the Hodges trilogy but have had zero interest in 'Holly'. We're pretty much identical in terms of politics but that stuff being shoehorned into stories just always comes off weird and super awkward regardless of my agreement or disagreement on the issue.
Another huge part is that my schedule leaves very little time for actual reading so like 90% of my 'reading' is listening to audiobooks while working. After having Will Patton narrate the first 3 books, and him being pretty much in my Top 3 best narrators, the change in the voice even just from listening to some sample clips was just way too jarring. Idk if I'll ever get to it
I must be in the minority here, but Mr Mercedes was awful, even by King’s standards. Serious plot holes and flawed story, especially at the end.
There are a lot of folks who aren't fond of the Bill Hodges books. What was the biggest plot hole for you?
@@stephenkingbookclub1054 One that a retired detective did so much work on a case without involving the police, which ... I guess I can forgive for sake of story. The BIGGEST plot hole to me was the fact that a janitor allowed a group of people into the back entrance of a concert venue just because they said they were cops. Just completely unbelievable that no one would be posted at a security station and a janitor would allow them in.
@@OwenL2020 I cannot believe a mega boy band was playing to a 4000 seat stadium too. I hated the book, it was full of holes