2 Bloggers 1 Series - Fatal First Edition (Library Lovers #14)

 

Wow, every time Stormi and I see a new Library Lovers book is set to release, we always try to score an ARC and read it together.  We both love this series and this installment did not disappoint.  So read on to find out why I loved it so much and then hop over to Stormi's at Storm Reads and see her thoughts. 

TITLE: Fatal First Edition (Library Lovers #14)

AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: February 13, 2024

PAGES: 280   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: People are dying to get their hands on a rare, valuable book in the newest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Plot and the Pendulum. 

Briar Creek Library director Lindsey Norris and her husband, Sully, are at a popular library conference in Chicago to hear book restoration specialist Brooklyn Wainwright give a keynote address. After the lecture, Lindsey looks under her seat and finds a tote bag containing a first edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, inscribed to Alfred Hitchcock. Brooklyn determines the novel is one of a kind and quite valuable, so Lindsey and Sully return the book to the conference director, not wanting to stir up any trouble. 

But just hours after the pair boards the train back to Connecticut, rumors that the Highsmith novel has gone missing buzz amongst the passengers, and they soon find the conference director murdered in his private compartment. And worse—the murderer planted the book in Lindsey and Sully’s room next door, making them prime suspects. Now, they must uncover the murderer and bring them to the end of their line, before they find themselves booked for a crime they didn’t commit.

MY THOUGHTS: Hands down if push came to shove, I'd have to say this is my favorite cozy mystery series.  What's not to love in a book featuring libraries, reading, fun characters and a great small-town Connecticut setting. I honestly can't believe I remain caught up with the series considering this is book #14.  I also realized today that there is even another set to release in November.  I'm so excited, it's a Christmas one!

So, this one starts out in Chicago with Lindsey and her husband Sully for a library conference.  They find a rare book beneath Linsey's conference chair and upon returning it, think all is well.  However, after the board their train back home, they learn that not only are a lot of the conference participants also on the train, but the book is missing, and someone is willing to kill to find it.

It was fun seeking the two MCs in another setting besides their hometown, but I will admit it meant we didn't see all my favorite characters quite as much which was a bit sad.  However, the murder mystery element was exciting and kept me guessing plus we ended up with the entire train getting snowed in as a horrible blizzard arrives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cozies, especially ones that feature libraries or books.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Haunt Your Heart Out

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

OCTOBER 8, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: A dashing ghost hunter and the bookseller who made up the ghosts he’s chasing wind up entangled in more ways than one in this steamy contemporary romance from the author of Text Appeal, perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Chloe Liese.

Homebody Lex McCall loves her sleepy Vermont town and quiet bookstore job. After her family, friends, and exes all moved away to seek futures elsewhere, Lex set one rule: no dating tourists, newcomers, or anyone else who is bound to leave her behind. When the bookshop owner, eager to offload the supposedly haunted building, offers to sell the store to Lex at an unbeatable price, Lex jumps at the chance to further put down roots.

Then handsome stranger James stops by the bookstore. Lex assumes he’s just another tourist passing through, but it turns out he’s part of a ghost-hunting documentary crew that’s looking into the many “verified” ghost stories in town. Lex can’t resist getting involved—especially because these so-called ghosts are actually made up stories from Haunted Happenings, her hobby vlog from a decade prior. Worried her ghost-faking secret will get out and ruin her chance to buy the store, she tampers with the ghosthunters' research and skews the results. After all, James’s stay is only temporary and her career dreams come first.

But as they spend more time together, Lex realizes she’s falling for James. Worse, there’s more at stake than her simply being found out and losing his affection: his mission isn’t as frivolous as it seems and her interference may cost him much more than a spooky story.

This not-quite-ghost-story is sure to delight Gilmore Girls fans and anyone who loves flirty romances with a little extra spirit.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  Gilmore Girls comparison - yes please!  Say nothing else.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Guess Even Zombies Suffer from Depression Too!

 

TITLE: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues (White Trash Zombie #2)

AUTHOR: Diana Rowland

PUBLISHER: DAW

PUBLISHING DATE: July 1, 2012

PAGES: 312   

SOURCE: Own

FROM GOODREADS: Angel Crawford is finally starting to get used to life as a brain-eating zombie, but her problems are far from over. Her felony record is coming back to haunt her, more zombie hunters are popping up, and she’s beginning to wonder if her hunky cop-boyfriend is involved with the zombie mafia. Yeah, that’s right—the zombie mafia. 

Throw in a secret lab and a lot of conspiracy, and Angel’s going to need all of her brainpower—and maybe a brain smoothie as well—in order to get through it without falling apart.

MY THOUGHTS: I am surprised at how much I am enjoying this series so far.  I have always been curious about it and even ended up buying this book years ago, but it wasn't until I saw that series readalong that I decided to give it a go.  Glad I did.

This second installment sees Angel still struggling with the ramifications of becoming a zombie and what that means going forward.  She is now seeing the local law enforcement officer, working at the city morgue, and trying to get off probation, when a body she transported gets stolen at gunpoint.  Because of her past, not everyone buys into what happens and feels she is just covering for losing the body. This leads her to clear her name and investigate what she suspects are nefarious activities at a local lab in town.  Throw in a shady character who reappears from book one and her boyfriend's mom uncle and Rowland takes the reader on a ride that isn't soon forgotten.

This book shows a lot of character growth from Angel.  And growth is a strange word to use when she is coming to terms with the fact that she may "live" much longer than those around her.  She is starting to question her new relationship as well as realizing she really wants to turn her life around and make a future for herself.  I enjoy seeing Angel and her father trying to repair their relationship and when a character who I thought was long gone makes another appearance, my concern quickly morphed into excitement and I have to admit, I'm curious what the author has planned for him in the future.

If you have ever enjoyed urban fantasy, then this series is one to consider.  It is quickly becoming a fave and I can't wait to read book three!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - A Cold Night for Alligators

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

April 10, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: A determined CDC epidemiologist goes rogue to tackle a mysterious outbreak in Savannah, only to find himself entangled with a pair of urban explorers and a dangerous, tortured soul in an abandoned theme park where dark forces stir.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  This isn't much of a synopsis for this new horror release but the setting of an abandoned theme park in Savannah definitely sells it for me.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Sometimes I Question My Own Reading Choices

 

TITLE: The Woman in Me

AUTHOR: Britney Spears

PUBLISHER: Gallery Books

PUBLISHING DATE: October 24, 2023

PAGES: 277   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. 

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

MY THOUGHTS: Let me start by saying that overall rating is not a reflection on what has or has not happened to Britney Spears.  Who am I to put a rating on her life or her experiences?  That being said, I do have some thoughts I'd like to share.

I was never a huge fan of Britney and her music wasn't something I gravitated toward.  I liked as song here or there and didn't turn them if they came on in the car, but also never sought them out.  I saw the same media coverage about things in her life that many did and will admit to making some judgement calls when I had limited information.  I picked up this book out of curiosity and hype, not because I thought it would be some in-depth look at her life and where she is right now with all that has happened.  Good thing because this book was nothing but chaos.

I can best compare the reading experience to reading a high school diary.  It's choppy and even when she admits she did some things that weren't very thought out and which probably were not the smartest moves, she flippantly makes an excuse.  I also personally feel that her discussions on her love for her children and her desire to do anything to protect them could be compared to a little girl playing with her favorite dolly.  Harsh, I admit it. I hope her children have a good trust fund because I'm putting it out there, they are probably going to need to use it for therapy for many years to come.

So, the positive takeaways... Britney definitely loves her children.  I never doubted that.  Britney experienced some very bad men in her life and made poor partner choices which were probably a direct correlation to her childhood.  Her parents probably should not have had kids (which makes me think of cycles repeating themselves), and they were horrible to Britney on many occasions.  Britney is very famous and has HUGE fanbase and I feel sad that no one taught her what that would mean for her life and all the negative that comes along with the positives.

If you like Britney, love Britney or are just curious, you might want to consider this read. I don't regret grabbing it from the library but am grateful it was relatively short.  

MY RATING: 2 PAWS

2 Bloggers 1 Series - Beneath a Blood Red Moon

 

I'm not sure how she did it but Stormi roped me into ANOTHER series by Heather Graham (under the name Shannon Drake).  Actually, she didn't have to try too hard because all I heard was vampires and I was in.  So read on to see what I thought about the first book in the series and then hop over to Stormi's at Storm Reads to see hers. 

TITLE: Beneath a Blood Red Moon (Alliance Vampires)

AUTHOR: Shannon Drake (Heather Graham)

PUBLISHER: Zebra

PUBLISHING DATE: October 1, 1999

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: Own

FROM GOODREADS: A tale that sweeps the reader from the antebellum South to contemporary New Orleans, the dark, sensuous world of love and immortality of the beauty and the beast whom some call vampire... 

Maggie Montgomery, the owner of Magdalena's an elegant New Orleans boutique, gasped when she learned about the mysterious beheading of a local street person, and the trail of blood that led from the corpse to her building. Her shock turned to turmoil when she met Sean Canady, the police officer who arrived to question her...and inspired a dangerous desire.

Something powerful--and beyond reason--had brought Maggie and Sean together. Something that spoke of an interwoven past, and a passionate torment that began generations before under a blood red moon. For on that night of erotic seduction, Magdalena Montgomery became a vampire, and began a century-long quest to find the one man whose love was pure enough, strong enough to save her from the darkness within...

MY THOUGHTS: I will admit that at first, I found this book kind of slow.  I wasn't that invested in the story or the characters and may have secretly thought, "What did I get myself into?"  However, after about 75 pages, it picked up and the last 50 or so pages were so action-packed, and the ending was very satisfying.

Maggie runs a boutique in New Orleans and meets Sean, a detective, and his partner, Jack, when there is a pimp murdered outside her headquarters.  Someone is killing the seedier characters of New Orleans in very disturbing manners, reminiscent of Jack the Ripper.  Maggie and Sean grow closer as the mystery unravels and slowly, both seem to realize Maggie may know more about the killer than even she initially realizes.  Oh, and did I mention Maggie is a centuries-old vampire and in order for the killer to be stopped, Sean and Jack may just have to believe in something they always considered to be a myth. 

This book is told in current-day time as well as historical flashbacks where we get to learn more about what make Maggie such an unusual vampire.  Sean and Maggie cannot fight their attraction and as the book progresses, the reader learns how destined to be together the couple really is.  If you enjoy paranormal romance, which is a bit heavy on some thriller aspects, then this might be something you want to check out.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - The Hunt (The Moon Blood Saga)

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

March 12, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: Charlotte has survived transforming into a werewolf, but now she must face her new life and the new world that she has been thrown into. To become part of the pack, Charlotte has to not only prove to the new pack that she is capable, but she must embrace her new beast to survive the Hunt in the Trappers Forest. A forest that is forbidden for most to enter and littered with traps from the past fur trade―but it’s not the traps that scare Charlotte the most, it’s the ghosts that seem to keep following her and Levi, leading them directly to this forest for a hunt that will test her and her beast. Budding love interests, new friendships, and a future pack are all what awaits Charlotte, but what she can’t get her head around is why everyone is so scared of a forest―and why does it feel like rogue wolves are still following her . . .

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: I picked up the first book in this series from my local library last year when I saw it on the "new releases" shelf.  I ended up loving it and have been looking forward to continuing it for what seems like forever. 

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Farm News - February 12, 2024

 

Wanted to hop in with a quick post and share some reading and book news.  We watched the Super Bowl last night and since our team wasn't in it, we chose to cheer on the Chiefs.  It was a really good game and excited to see it go into overtime.  Both teams played great, but I am glad the Chiefs came out on top.  

Zeke had his 6-month shots on Friday and the vet said he's looking great.  He weighed in a 51.5 pounds.  Here is a picture of my sweet boy recovering from his Super Bowl party last night (he wasn't thrilled about Usher and opted to play catch with Mr. Barb and Apollo during the show).

I have several books I am either currently reading or picking up next.  Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues is for a 6-month readalong of the series.  Episode 13 is the book choice for my Mel Screams Facebook book club at the end of the month and Beneath the Blood Red Moon is a buddy read with Stormi. 

I have been lucky to get some arcs this week.  Four came from Netgalley, one is a physical copy from Tor and one was sent to me from the author.

Dark Roots (The Thornhill Vampire Chronicles #1) - Lucius Valiant (thanks to the author)

Projections - S.E. Porter (thanks to Tor for a physical copy)

The Night Guest - Hildur Knutsdottir

The Madness - Dawn Kurtagich

Bloodwork - Melissa Demirel

Heads Will Roll - Josh Winning

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoys a great week ahead!  Thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm.

Well, That Was a Lot to Take In

 

TITLE: The Death of Prince Rogers Nelson: An Investigation

AUTHOR: Jay Corn

PUBLISHER: Independently Published

PUBLISHING DATE: November 20, 2018

PAGES: 389   

SOURCE: Kindle Unlimited

FROM GOODREADS: Follow law enforcement's two-year inquest into Prince's death, from the first 911 call through present day. Authored by an independent observer with extensive journalism experience, the book includes interviews with family, friends, current and former staffers, doctors and fellow musicians. Based on thousands of official documents, images, videos, audio recordings and lab reports. No hearsay. No anonymous sources. No theories or conspiracies. Welcome to the investigation.

MY THOUGHTS: I ran across a mention of this book in a Prince Facebook Group I'm a member of an was curious.  I saw it was available on Kindle Unlimited, so I grabbed it and over the course of about a month, read it in between other things.  I will say this book isn't for a lot of people.  It's a detailed collection of police interviews and activities surrounding Prince's death.  Having a criminal justice background, I probably found it more interesting than most, but even people in the group were slamming it and its contents.

While this really isn't something easily reviewed or even rated (I am rating my experience of reading it along with the writing style - not the actual events that happened), I did have a few takeaways.  One, Prince must have clearly suffered for a long time.  If you have ever seen any concert footage, or even the movie Purple Rain, Prince was extremely active on stage and over time, that, coupled with a what has to be Type A personality and working 18-20 hours a day every day, took its toll on his body.  Secondly, while no one was ever charged with providing Prince with the drugs which led to his death, a lot of people enabled his addiction and disguised it as his extreme desire for privacy.  Prince could have and should have been saved.  People who care about him should have been more concerned more about his welfare than just a paycheck. And finally, I never knew that Prince felt the elevator in Paisely Park was the Devil and always took the stairs.  This only ties in because his body was discovered inside the elevator.  Surely, he may have been feeling so badly he could not fathom using the stairs, but no one can explain why all his clothes were on backwards only adding to the fuel that the body was moved, and the death scene was staged. I always felt it was either a little odd or a little prophetic that he died in an elevator when one of his most famous songs states "When the elevator tries to bring you down, go crazy. Punch a higher floor."

Overall, I found this an interesting read that left me with a few questions which I accept will never be answered.  Luckily for me I can continue to enjoy the music Prince left behind and am appreciative that I lived in a time where I could witness his genius.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS

Feed Your TBR - Dead Girls Walking

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

March 26, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: A shocking, spine-chilling YA horror slasher about a girl searching for her dead mother’s body at the summer camp that was once her serial killer father’s home—perfect for fans of Friday the 13th and White Smoke

Temple Baker knows that evil runs in her blood. Her father is the North Point Killer, an infamous serial killer known for how he marked each of his victims with a brand. He was convicted for murdering 20 people and was the talk of countless true crime blogs for years. Some say he was possessed by a demon. Some say that they never found all his victims. Some say that even though he’s now behind bars, people are still dying in the woods. Despite everything though, Temple never believed that her dad killed her mom. But when he confesses to that crime while on death row, she has no choice but to return to his old hunting grounds to try see if she can find a body and prove it.

Turns out, the farm that was once her father’s hunting grounds and her home has been turned into an overnight camp for queer, horror-obsessed girls. So Temple poses as a camp counselor to go digging in the woods. While she’s not used to hanging out with girls her own age and feels ambivalent at best about these true crime enthusiasts, she tries her best to fit in and keep her true identity hidden.

But when a girl turns up dead in the woods, she fears that one of her father’s “fans” might be mimicking his crimes. As Temple tries to uncover the truth and keep the campers safe, she comes to realize that there may be something stranger and more sinister at work—and that her father may not have been the only monster in these woods.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  Slashers? Camp?  Need I say more?

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Blog Tour - The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

 

TITLE: The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

AUTHOR: Kylie Scott

PUBLISHER: Graydon House

PUBLISHING DATE: February 6, 2024

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: “Be quiet and listen: He is cheating on you. The name of your soulmate is Alistair George Arthur Lennox. You will be passed over for the promotion. The winning numbers are 5-8-12-24-39-43. And I’m very sorry to tell you this, but you will die next Sunday.” 

When Lilah Goodluck saves the life of Good Witch Willow as they’re crossing a busy L.A. street, the last thing she expects is five unwanted predictions as a reward. Who gives someone the winning lotto numbers then tells them they’ve only got a week to live? And who believes in that nonsense anyway?

But when the first three predictions come true within twenty-four hours, Lilah’s disbelief turns to mild panic. She’s further horrified when she nearly runs a car off the road that belongs to Alistair Lennox, who just happens to be the illegitimate son of the British king. 

While Alistair is intrigued by her preposterous story, Lilah is adamant about resisting the heat between her and the playboy prince. If she denies he’s her soulmate, then the last prediction can’t come true, right? As the days count down, they become maybe friends…and then maybe more. But between the relentless paparazzi and some disapproving royals, finding time for love isn’t easy, especially when her days may be numbered

MY THOUGHTS: Every once in a while, I pick up a book on a whim and end up wanting to gush about it to everyone and demand everyone read it as soon as possible.  The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck is one of those books.

Lilah is coming back from best friend's birthday party when she sees one the guests, Good Witch Willow, in the path of a moving car.  Lilah jumps into action and saves the "witch" who them shares with Lilah 5 predictions as repayment for her heroic actions.  Lilah is skeptical but when the predictions start coming true one by one, she wonders if Willow really has "the sight."  The only problem is, if the predictions are true, Lilah may have just met her soulmate which is great news, except their days are numbered.

I loved Lilah.  She is a breath of fresh air and her outlook on life, even when faced with possibly horrible news, rarely entered defeatism.  I enjoyed seeing Lilah grapple with the predictions as they each start coming true, and I REALLY enjoyed it when Alistair enters the picture.  

Alistair is the illegitimate son of British royalty.  His father has never really acknowledged him, and his childhood has left him with all kinds of trust issues.  He is a playboy and only meets Lilah when she almost careens into his Aston Martin.  Little by little they are drawn together, even if Alistair thinks the predictions are nothing but luck at best. Alistair comes across as a jerk many times throughout the book, but it's been AGES since I've encountered such a lovable jerk.  I wouldn't say this is actually a grumpy sunshine book, but it's close enough that it worked for me.  I adored both main characters and couldn't devour this book fast enough.

If you are looking for a wonderful read with some depth as well as a lot of fun and characters you can root for, look no further.  I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

Farm News - February 5, 2024

 

I meant to get this up yesterday, but you know what, I'm gonna stop making excuses.  It is what it is, and I guess I can technically post updates whenever I please.  I was able to spend some time with my mother yesterday instead and of course, Mr. Barb and the puppies so it was all good.

Life has been a bit weird lately.  A guy in our neighborhood was found deceased in his house about 2 weeks ago.  Apparently, he had fallen down his stairs and died.  We weren't close to him and don't know any more details, but he was often outside and always said hello to us and the boys when we walked them, and I know they are kind of looking for him now when we walk which is kind of sad.  

We've been watching some really good movies/series lately. We managed to binge all 4 seasons of The Servant on Apple TV after signing up for 3 free months of the streaming service.  I LOVED it and miss not tuning in each evening for a few episodes.  I definitely recommend it.  We also watched The Beekeeper, which was your typical Jason Statham action movie, but I liked it and the new Aquaman, which was a tad disappointing if you ask me.  We also watched Night Swim which was one Mr. Barb was really looking forward to.  He didn't really like it which didn't surprise me at all, but it was a decent enough way to spend the evening.

I ended up grabbing a few books for my Kindle last week even though I have no idea when I will get them read.  

The Traitors - C.A. Lynch

The Riley Effect - Nicole Marie

Curse of the Werepoodle - Paul Lubaczewski

Almost Surely Dead - Amina Akhtar

And finally, I finished up a book Friday night and another Sunday morning, so I have a fresh bunch of starts this week.  

Beneath a Blood Red Moon - Heather Graham (writing as Shannon Drake)

The Woman in Me - Britney Spears

The Invocations - Krystal Sutherland

So I hope everyone has a great week ahead and thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

January 2024 Wrap Up

 

I wanted a quick way to track and share my reads each month and I think I may have hit on something that will work for me each month.  I also plan on updating my challenges each quarter.  Let me know what you think? 

                       

Wreck the Halls

The Devil Came Down the Mountain

The Heiress

End of Watch

The Shuddering

My Life as a White Trash Zombie

Birdie and Harlow

Haunted

Pretty Boys Are Poisonous

When in Doubt, Play Dead

So I had some pretty good reads and not a bad way to start the month.  Of course, I didn't get to everything I wanted but such is a bookworm's problems, right?

Did you read anything this month I absolutely need to add to my TBR?

2 Bloggers 1 Series - End of Watch

 

We did it!  Stormi and I finally finished the Bill Hodges trilogy by King.  We still need to read the Holly story in If It Bleeds as well as Holly, but we've conquered the first part of this task and we've already read The Outsider so we are kind of ahead of the game.  So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Storm Reads to see Stormi's! 

 

TITLE: End of Watch (Bill Hodges #3)

AUTHOR: Stephen King

PUBLISHER: Scribner

PUBLISHING DATE: June 7, 2016

PAGES: 432   

SOURCE: Own

FROM GOODREADS: The spectacular finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes (winner of the Edgar Award) and Finders Keepers—In End of Watch, the diabolical “Mercedes Killer” drives his enemies to suicide, and if Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney don’t figure out a way to stop him, they’ll be victims themselves. 

In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something has awakened. Something evil. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were badly injured, has been in the clinic for five years, in a vegetative state. According to his doctors, anything approaching a complete recovery is unlikely. But behind the drool and stare, Brady is awake, and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room.

Retired police detective Bill Hodges, the unlikely hero of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, now runs an investigation agency with his partner, Holly Gibney—the woman who delivered the blow to Hartsfield’s head that put him on the brain injury ward. When Bill and Holly are called to a suicide scene with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find themselves pulled into their most dangerous case yet, one that will put their lives at risk, as well as those of Bill’s heroic young friend Jerome Robinson and his teenage sister, Barbara. Brady Hartsfield is back, and planning revenge not just on Hodges and his friends, but on an entire city. 

In End of Watch, Stephen King brings the Hodges trilogy to a sublimely terrifying conclusion, combining the detective fiction of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers with the heart-pounding, supernatural suspense that has been his bestselling trademark. The result is an unnerving look at human vulnerability and chilling suspense. No one does it better than King.

MY THOUGHTS: I think this synopsis probably gives too much away but I'll try to avoid spoilers. The key takeaway is that this book is my second favorite of the trilogy with book #2 being the first and book #1 coming in third.  Which is odd for a series but hey, it's King so nothing is ever normal, right?

So, the old team gets together one final time to fight Brady Hartsfield.  Due to some mad doctor, Brady has come out on top of his life-threatening injuries with new abilities.  And he has a plan to take out everyone that has wronged him, including a bunch of people that survived his previous attempts. Bill and his business partner Holly set out to fight one last battle, and since Jerome's sister Barbara is one of Brady's targets, he comes home from Arizona to assist.

As much as I HATE Brady, I LOVE it when Holly, Bill and Jerome are all together and working for a common purpose. Their found family is one of my most favorites of all time and is probably the best thing about this trilogy in my opinion.  I felt this book was fast paced, yet still left me plenty of time to spend with my old friends.  Th ending was satisfying, and also a bit sad, but that was to be expected.  This trilogy is going on my list of some of my favorite King reads and I'm so glad Stormi and I stuck with it!

MY RATING: 4 PAWS