Book Review: Finders Keepers

FINDERS KEEPERS | Stephen King
(Bill Hodges Trilogy #2)
06.02.2015 | Scribner
Rating: 5/5 stars

John Rothstein is an iconic author known for his famous series centered around Jimmy Gold. He hasn’t published a book in decades and has retreated to a solitary life. Rothstein may have become a recluse, but he hasn’t stopped writing in his free time. Morris Bellamy is Jimmy Gold’s biggest fan, but he doesn’t feel that way about Rothstein. He thinks the author sold out in Gold’s last book and gave him one of the worst endings to a great life. Morris catches word that Rothstein may have secretly been writing more Jimmy Gold books and is determined to get his hands on them.

Morris breaks into Rothstein’s home and brutally murders him, taking with him a large sum of money and the much desired notebooks filled with stories about Jimmy Gold. He hides away both the money and the notebooks just before being locked away for decades for committing another crime. A boy named Pete Saubers knows none of this story. He knows he has just found a trunk buried in the woods containing money his family desperately needs and a literary treasure. As Morris’ thirty-five year prison term comes to an end it is inevitable that he will be on a warpath after discovering his cache has been looted. Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney, and Jerome Robinson will join forces to attempt to rescue Pete from the man he unknowingly stole from.

Potential for spoilers ahead…read at your own risk!

For readers, one of life’s most electrifying discoveries is that they are readers – not just capable of doing it (which Morris already knew), but in love with it. Hopelessly. Head over heels. The first book that does that is never forgotten, and each page seems to bring a fresh revelation, one that burns and exalts: Yes! That’s how it is! Yes! I saw that, too! And, of course, That’s what I think! That’s what I FEEL!

I wrapped up book one in the Bill Hodges trilogy, MR. MERCEDES, and immediately picked up book two, FINDERS KEEPERS. I loved book one so much that I wanted to continue on with those characters right where we left off. That’s not what I found once I turned the first page. Instead of leaping back into the lives of Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney, and Jerome Robinson, King chooses to drop the reader back where book one started. We’re back at the City Center, the location where the Mercedes Killer first struck. This time we’re meeting a new character whose entire family will be impacted by this tragedy, which is how we meet the Saubers’ and one of our new main characters, Pete Saubers.

I absolutely loved the direction that King took with this book! It’s so different from what you expect with the second book in a series. If he had chosen to introduce us to Pete through any character, but his own narrative, I would have missed the connection I ultimately built with him. The impact of the City Center attack on his entire life and the choices that ultimately lead him to encounter the villain of this book, Morris Bellamy. King wisely chooses to lead up to their meeting by flashing back in time to the murder/robbery of John Rothstein. From here we get alternating narratives from Pete and Morris until the time where their lives ultimately cross.

Shit don’t mean shit.

Once their lives have intersected we’re treated to Bill, Holly, and Jerome showing up! This trio works together so well and their genuine friendship and care for each other truly shines through King’s writing. Despite not being the main focus of this story, their presence plays a pivotal role in the conclusion of events and keeping the story progressing forward. I thought King included just enough of this group to make the story connect with book one and set the stage for book three.

FINDERS KEEPERS is another brilliant example of King’s ability to build truly meaningful characters. While there were some moments in this book that lacked the endless thrill ride vibe of MR. MERCEDES, I never lost my desire to keep reading. I never stopped wanting to know more and needing to read just one more chapter. I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the finale, END OF WATCH!

This book is available to buy from: Amazon | Book Depository

Disclosure: What Jess Reads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way influences my opinion of the above book.