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2015 selection · Mystery & crime

Mr. Mercedes

by Stephen King

Edgar Award for Best Novel · Winner

Retired detective Bill Hodges receives a taunting letter from the unidentified driver who deliberately killed people waiting at a job fair. The correspondence pulls Hodges out of depression and into an unofficial pursuit as the killer plans a larger attack.

01

Why it matters

King applies his gift for sustained dread to a largely non-supernatural detective duel rooted in loneliness and obsession.

02

Read this if…

You want a cat-and-mouse thriller with strong character work and mounting menace.

03

Ideas inside

ObsessionRetirementMass violenceInvestigation

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Further reading

Read the critics

Independent reviews and criticism from established publications. Links open at the original outlet.

The GuardianMr Mercedes by Stephen King review – a crime thriller from the horror master (opens in a new tab)

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Edgar Award for Best Novel — official winner recordOfficial record (opens in a new tab)

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