I'd seen some reviews of this book where other readers didn't think it was as good as Mr. Mercedes. I respectfully disagree. Goodness knows I'm a huge fan of Stephen King, and I'm probably definitely guilty of rating the books I love with a certain bias in his favor. But I can also honestly say that there are plenty of King books I've picked up and never finished. (It, From a Buick 8, and The Shining all come to mind- and yes, I do know at least two of these are classics. Don't ask me what's wrong with me, I don't know.) So yes I'm a fangirl, take my review how you will, and know that I know that King is not perfect. 
 I really loved this book and thought it had a much more personal feel to it than it's predecessor. There are a couple reasons for that. The main reason being that the villain of this story is not a serial killer, out to simply cause as much destruction as he can. His evil is much more personal in nature. He murders his favorite writer (John Rothstein) because he had the audacity to turn one of his characters into a "sellout" (not a spoiler, it's literally the first chapter of the book). He then goes on to steal that writer's many personal notebooks, containing more novels that pertain to his favorite character, Jimmy Gold. 
 This second book in the Bill Hodges trilogy follows many more characters/plot threads than I remember following in Mr. Mercedes, but they were all tied together so flawlessly, so completely, that you'll hardly notice. I absolutely love Peter Saubers. If there is one thing King writes very well, it's somehow children. Always filled with innocence and integrity and secrets and curiosity and an eagerness to help. It helps of course, to showcase how depraved his villains happen to be, how far their mind is gone. 
 Peter is interesting because he has a lot in common with the villain, Morris Bellamy. They both share a love of Rothstein and books. They both write, but know they will never be novelists. They both share a secret obsession with Rothstein's notebooks and the character Jimmy Gold. It gives the reader a lot to think about in the grand scheme of good vs. evil. What's the difference between Peter and Morris? What is it precisely, that pushes someone over the edge? 
 Hodges, Holly and Jerome are all here, though they aren't center stage. Holly has grown as a character, losing some of her nervous tics and living on her own, while Hodges may be slipping down the slope of depravity and obsession himself. Given the ending, (it was such a teaser!) I am so excited to jump into End of Watch. If you enjoyed Mr. Mercedes at all, you owe it to yourself to check out Finders Keepers!