I've been pleasantly surprised by Mr. M. If memory serves, I read an excerpt from it at the end of another SK novel, and was not really impressed. But that first chapter dealt with only the beginning homicide, which was a bit of a throwaway, and the book never really got rolling until much later. I get a bit of a Peter Straub "Koko" vibe here. I'm loving the cat & mouse between retired detective Hodges and the self grandiose yet weak-kneed psychopath Brady Hartsfield. Remember Mrs. Trelawney and the key? Man it has me perplexed. It's my "at work" book, so I'm not mowing thru the chapters at a shocking pace. Knowing SK, there is a simple explanation. But damned if I can figure it out! But I'm loving the read so far. It's a joy to find an SK novel you missed, but then it just hooks you. Good! I hope I've missed a lot more.

I love the characters. No, not Mr. M so much. I'm torn on Olivia. I was a bit PO'ed at how Hodges seemed to believe she deserved a measure of guilt. How come? A Mercedes is not a weapon, it's a damn car! She would have been no more accountable than if she had inexpertly chained up a motor-scooter! I now see the public & private hatred of her was something that "moved the plot". But I still don't like it. ![MV5BMTYwNjIyNTY3NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTUwMzg4OA@@._V1_UX214_CR0,0,214,317_AL_[1].jpg MV5BMTYwNjIyNTY3NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTUwMzg4OA@@._V1_UX214_CR0,0,214,317_AL_[1].jpg](https://stephenking.com/xf/data/attachments/27/27995-7d58ee82e3bb38a1b0eb6625e14001f2.jpg)
