Stephen King’s “Mr. Mercedes” is a terrific thriller that will be sure to please his fans.  It’s the story of very unlikely heroes and friends pursuing an at-large, highly intelligent and remorseless spree killer/serial killer.

It is occasioanlly slow.  We spend way too much time getting to know Hodges, for example, before his character becomes either likable or even plot-relevant.  But this is forgivable for such a great book.  I loved the characters and found certain scenes touching.  And the character development for the eponymous Mr. Mercedes is consistently disturbing.

And for horror fans … Jeez, does this book deliver.  It’s a frightening story, to say the least.  One part, involving a certain mixup (I can’t say more without spoilers), is positively horrifying, even by Stephen King standards.

My pal Steve Miller told me that this is the start of a trilogy — I can’t wait for the next installment.