You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Sarah, Kristie and I are going to read End of Watch, the final book in the Bill Hodges trilogy by Stephen King. We are aiming towards the end of July. How about Friday, July 22nd?

Everyone is welcome to join in.

The last two books were so tense. I can't wait to see how it all ends. There were some interesting hints at what was to come at the end of last book. I remember it had me thinking wildly on the possibilities. I hope some of the people who read book 1 and 2 with us in the buddy reads will join us too.

22nd is good by me. :-)

Works for me too.

I agree, Sarah. The second book hinted that Mr. Mercedes (can't think of his name) was able to either control thinks supernaturally, or was coming out of his coma. Or both? I'm really looking forward to learning what Uncle Stevie has in store for us.

I expect that this one will have a more paranormal aspect to it due to that, Janice.

Audible is profiling the book with "The Shocking Finale" as the caption. I can't wait!

I saw that too! :D

Ooh! I hope we don't loose anyone we love. But you can't trust King to keep likeable characters alive.

So true, Sarah! I hadn't even considered that. I just assumed our faves would be ok and the good guys would win, but you can't make those assumptions with King.

This is what Simon & Shuster say about it in their newsletter:

"In the spectacular finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, the diabolical “Mercedes Killer” is driving 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.

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. "

Sarah wrote: "Ooh! I hope we don't loose anyone we love. But you can't trust King to keep likeable characters alive."

So true! He spectacularly killed off a whole bunch of them in Under the Dome.

I should partake in this as I did the first two. Although now I remember I kind of never concluded the buddy read for Under the Dome

Travis of NNY wrote: "I should partake in this as I did the first two. Although now I remember I kind of never concluded the buddy read for Under the Dome"

You finished it though didn't you? Under the Dome that is.

Glad you'll be joining us Travis. We've missed you about ylto!

Janice wrote: "This is what Simon & Shuster say about it in their newsletter:

"In the spectacular finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, the diabolical..."

I've not read any blurb on this book - that's the first bit. Sounds like it's going to be another tense, on the edge of your seat read.

Travis of NNY wrote: "I should partake in this as I did the first two. Although now I remember I kind of never concluded the buddy read for Under the Dome"

You can still throw in some comments on that buddy read, Travis.

Good to see you posting again.

I'm probably going to start later than the planned 22nd as i still have half of the group read to finish. I have got a number of reading hours later and tomorrow though so who knows - perhaps I'll surprise myself and be ready after all. Everyone else ready?

I plan to be ready, but starting a day or two later would lighten my reading load so I'm fine with that if you need more time. I'm hoping to finish before the end of the month for a challenge.

Gavin has already started, but I'm not sure if he was planning on doing the buddy read or not. I have about 8 or 9 hours yet to go in the audiobook I'm listening to, so I will likely start End of Watch sometime on the weekend.

I have more left my current audiobook than I expected, so I'm sure I'll be starting a day or two late also. Looking forward to it though.

I'm looking forward to it as well. Wooohoooo!

I will be starting today although I doubt I'll get much read over the weekend so you guys are bound to catch up (and pass me by). Excited.

You're starting right on schedule, Sarah. I didn't read anything on my current audiobook yesterday so I'm even further behind.

I know. I really didn't expect to either. And I'm already 15% in. I can't wait to move the boat later so we can get a better Internet connection. I hate waiting to write what I think, foe this one and the group read.

I haven't started it yet either, Janice.

I'VE STILL GOT ABOUT 3 DAYS LEFT IN MY HARRY POTTER BOOK THEN i hope to join in too. Didn't mean to come in yelling. Sorry.

Which HP book are you reading, Travis? I've got the last book holding for when I finish End of Watch.

Half Blood Prince

I really enjoyed that one. Well, I like them all, but that one edges the others out a bit.

I wasn't able to finish my other book over the weekend, but I plan to start this one tomorrow anyway. The two books are very different, so it shouldn't be a problem. I probably won't get very far until I finish the other one, but at least it will be a start.

How far have you gotten, Sarah? Has anyone else started yet?

I was going to start today, but somehow it's already 9:00 PM and the day is almost over. LOL!

I'll start this morning. Harry Potter was too intense I had to take a break after I finished.

I started it and have got to about 15% so far. It feels a little slower at the beginning compared to the other two from what I recall. It's more setting the scene. We also get some flashes back to the Mercedes Massacre.

Martine Stover section - up to chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Something bugged me early on, in just the first chapter in fact. The ambulance guys were called to a guy with chest pains as the "job" before they were called to attend the Mercedes Massacre. They didn't take the guy in to hospital with chest pains as it would seem it was wind after all. Now I didn't know what procedure is in the US but here in the UK, any suspected chest pains have to be taken to hospital regardless. A few years back I had an oesophagial spasm (which I didn't know at the time) - I just thought it was indigestion and went to the chemist to buy some gaviscone or some such medicine. I looked rough and the pharmacist called an ambulance. One of the paramedics in cars came out and gave me aspirin and he was followed up by an ambulance who did an ECG on me. All came back normal and things had started to ease off BUT they still had to take me in to hospital for an ECG there. To cover their asses I guess. Really embarrassing and ruined a lovely day out. I even missed seeing a band (Therapy?) that I had tickets for that night ;-(

Anyway, back to the story. At the end of the last book, we had started to see that Brady had a penchant for suicides, in particular making other people commit suicide. That seems to be continuing. Martine Stover, one of Brady's original victims has been murdered by her mother who then committed suicide. I reckon they both committed suicide. Definitely Brady's doing I'd say given hearing about what they were like.

I didn't realise helium could kill you!

This book is called End of Watch. I'm curious why. Hodges mentions that as a policeman is gearing up to retire from the force, that is their "end of watch". Is it because this is going to be the end of the Mercedes/Brady case for Bill (I know he isn't a cop anymore), is it because Bill's old partner Pete is retiring soon? Is it Brady's last watch and it will be the end of him killing anyone once and for all? It is end of watch for Bill because he's going to die? Or all of the above?

It's looking like Bill has something wrong with his stomach. And I get the impression it's more serious than an ulcer. The Drs reaction to having to "give news" didn't seem all too promising. I can't believe we have to wait to find out!

I was very curious as to why Holly and Izzy didn't get along.

The Zappitt! I remember a handheld device in the last book right at the end which Brady had. Was he controlling things with it?! I can't remember. Anyway, it seems that this has something to do with the suicides. How is Brady getting them out to people?! Other people are involved somehow. Are they his victims/pawns too or accomplices?! And who are they?!

The new nurse at Brady's facility seems a battleaxe. She has a dislike for Brady understandably. She doesn't trust himself around him and I don't blame her. Twisting his nipple is pretty cruel, mass murderer or not. She is a caregiver! Something is going on though and she seems to be starting to believe "the rumours" about Brady after the buttons on her top popped open.

Brady seems to have made a pretty good recovery. Still clearly brain damaged to a certain degree but can speak a little and walk too. That must be pretty creepy to work with. I know I couldn't do it. Just imagining his room, his ward, with him in it, late at night, having to assist with toilet, feeding, changing clothes, washing, etc. possibly on your own. Gives me the creeps. I've done all of these things when I was an auxiliary nurse many years ago, just in a normal hospital with normal patients and at night, especially night shifts, I got the creeps walking though corridors and the low level lighting on the wards with the steady beeps of the machines. Just creeps me out.
(hide spoiler)]

Oh that's great! We're not too far apart then. :)

I only made it to 4% today - just the Mercedes Massacre from a different perspective so far. I'm listening to the audio and it says I'm at chapter 6, but sometimes those chapters are off, so I'll keep an ear out for the next time he says what chapter I'm really on to be safe. I hope to get to a bit more tomorrow than I did today.

I think the audio is running 2 chapters to 1. I ginished on 11 or 12 and it says i'm on 25

Or I am at chapter 25 and 11 was the last one I heard announced. Now I'm confused but I'm about right with Sarah's spoiler

Travis of NNY wrote: "I think the audio is running 2 chapters to 1. I ginished on 11 or 12 and it says i'm on 25"

Oh wow, that's way off.

Ok I'm at 25% and says chapter 25. Sarah was at 11 at 15%. I still think they are off but maybe not asuch as I thought. I'll try to pay attention better in morning. Amd I did want to comment on the book but maybe rhat will be in morning I'm beat

I'm listening to the audiobook as well, and I'm at Chapter 16 according to Will Patton, but 17 according to the audiobook.

All great observations, Sarah. I wonder (view spoiler)[ if Brady isn't faking some of the disability. He seems to be more cognizant than he's believed to be. I also wonder if he doesn't have some kind of mind control over people.

It seems like he has help. People are getting the Zappitt out to others and monitoring their homes. It seems like those who survived the massacre are the ones being targeted. Why?

Another thought about End of Watch. When a policeman retires, they call it 'end of watch'. What about when he dies? Is Bill going to die from stomach cancer. Or?... is his pain being controlled in some way? When the old guy drove by in the paint chipped car, Bill's pain in his leg intensified. As the old guy drove away, the pain abated.

Lots of teasers going on! (hide spoiler)]

@ Travis - that was an intense Harry Potter, wasn't it? When I finish End of Watch, I have the last HP downloaded.

I like your thoughts on Bill's pain Janice (view spoiler)[That had not crossed my mind at all. That said, he is getting it at other times without any of those people around but who knows. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11 - 17 (view spoiler)[It looks like someone has been watching the Stover's place from the house across the street. I keep screaming at Bill "Please go to the doctors". I want to know if you're going to die even if you don't!!!

That Chevrolet going by was interesting. Bill and Tom were clocked but they didn't see him. Is it the same guy who broke in to the garage to watch the Stover place?!

Dr Babineau's visit to the head nurses house was creepy. I felt very on edge and uncomfortable. He knows what she did. At first i wasn't sure whether he knew because of a camera in the room or because Brady told him (being more capable than he appears). Turns out it was a camera. However Brady is definitely more on it than people think. Interesting the Dr note about no one interrupting Brady when semi conscious state. I doubt this is for his medical welfare but because he is using that time to control people. Ahh! Another pink ereader thingy. Babineau is in on it although I'm thinking he might just be another one of Brady's victims. I wonder how much of what he's doing is actually him. It seems he is Dr Z. This made me think it was a little too similar to Doctor Sleep. I wonder if a link will come up. Does he have a similar ability to Danny Torrance?!

I was curious about the pink fish, numbers and music. I'm guessing King is alluding to the fact that this zappitt device hypnotises people in some way making them suggestible and the Brady show up on screen to do his thing. Both King and Hill have a thing about hypnosis which i both love and hate at the same time. I guess being a hypnotherapist it has me questioning the ability and the reality of what is happening more than if I didn't work in that field. I can also see why so many people still see it as a scary thing when it really isn't. That said, i still wouldn't take on Brady. Just in case ;-)

As for why Brady is targeting the massacre victims Janice, I think it's unfinished business. I think his death count wasn't as high as he'd have liked. He's also very arrogant and pretty fucked up.
(hide spoiler)]

Pleased to see you've all started too. :-)

In response to Sarahs last spoiler (view spoiler)[Is the Dr a victim? Or is the Dr using Brady for his own evil designs? Could work either way. I jist wish wed find out the mystery chevy driver though (hide spoiler)]

In response Travis (plus i've read a few more chapters) (view spoiler)[I agree the Dr used Brady by giving him experimental drugs for own gain.But he didn't see it working and lost interest just as it actually starts working. Not sure if he knows or not. I thibk the Dr is getting what he asked for though. He's turned a monster in to an even bigger monster. I thibk the Dr is under Brady's cobtrol. (hide spoiler)]

Sarah. Agreed. I've read far enough to understand wuite a good deal of whats going on now. W

What section are you on? I've just started Blackish.

I'm almost exactly half. At this point things are sonewhat predictable but what I like is how all the characters from all the books are being tied together. That really is the unoredictable part, not kbowing which character will come to play next

@Janice. Yeah I almost brushed off this buddy read for the last Harry Potter. I've never read the series and only saw the first 3 movies so I really am clueless to how it all ends. And now dieing to find out

Travis of NNY wrote: "@Janice. Yeah I almost brushed off this buddy read for the last Harry Potter. I've never read the series and only saw the first 3 movies so I really am clueless to how it all ends. And now dieing t..."

I read the whole series a number of years back, shortly after they were all released. I've also watched the movies several times. But, I never tire of them.

That's interesting to hear Travis about the predictable and unpredictable. I'm enjoying it so far. I'm not on the edge of my seat (yet) like the previous books but it feels good to be back in Hodges' world. I want to know how it all ends.