End of Watch by Stephen King

July 7th, 2016 Kimberly Review 54 Comments

7th Jul
End of Watch by Stephen King
End of Watch
by Stephen King
Series: Bill Hodges Trilogy #3
Narrator: Will Patton
Length: 12 hours and 54 minutes
Genres: Suspense Thriller
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 5 cups

Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were badly injured, has been in the Traumatic Brain Injury 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, who delivered the blow to Hartsfield's head that put him on the brain injury ward. Brady also remembers that. When Bill and Holly are called to a murder-suicide with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find themselves pulled into their most dangerous case yet, one that will put not only their lives at risk, but those of Hodges’s friend Jerome Robinson and his teenage sister, Barbara. Because Brady Hartsfield is back, and planning revenge not just on Bill Hodges and his friends, but on an entire city.

Fave Narrator freaky thriller SUSPENSE

End of Watch by Stephen King is the final book in the Bill Hodges trilogy and it was brilliant. I love King’s work from his classic horror to his twisted tales of supernatural suspense. The Bill Hodges series was the perfect blend of both. I continued listening on audio with End of Watch. Will Patton once again narrated, and I love listening to him. Suspenseful and twisted, End of Watch had me holding my breath, shivering and wiping tears from eyes.

About the trilogy: In Mr. Mercedes, our hero, retired police detective Bill Hodges along with his motley crew of misfits hunted Brady Hartfield who killed eight people in what is now referred to as the Mercedes Massacre. In Finders Keepers, they handle the case of villain Morris Bellamy who went off his rocker when an author changed a character. All the while Bill has been keeping tabs on Brady and in End of Watch Bill’s worst fears are confirmed.

End of Watch weaved the elements of classic King horror and paranormal into a brilliant, fast-paced suspense thriller that had me listening into the wee hours of the evening. The tale unraveled like a symphony and the diabolicalness of villain Brady Hartfield along with the twisted delivery made me deliriously giddy. Stephen King used technology to deliver this tale as he blended a psychopathic mind seeking revenge along with the chills and thrills of a classic suspense novel. The supernatural elements were well done, with an air of believability that is classic King. I found myself holding my breath as King delivered one harrowing scene after another. The chase to solve the mystery was an intense joyride with clever twists and shocking discoveries.

What brought End of Watch to a steaming hot foaming cup of five-star coffee was the cast of characters and how emotionally attached I became to them. I have loved Bill from the start. Bill is not your typical hero. He is, in fact, a seventy-year-old man who has retired from the force. Prior to the events in Mr. Mercedes, he spent most of his days watching television and avoiding people. He is a little gruff and driven but he also has a soft side he rarely shows. Secondary characters added depth to the tale from Holly Gibney his partner at their five-year-old investigation agency to their friend on and off the force. King’s characters are unique, a tad quirky and very real. Throughout the course of the trilogy, I became attached to this motley crew. In End of Watch Stephen King reminded us just how fragile life can be. Maybe I am overly sensitive since I faced a great loss this year, but King had me weeping like a baby.

Will Patton narrated all of the Bill Hodges books. For me, he was the voice of Bill Hodges adding another layer to this trilogy. From his pacing to different voices, I find myself quickly caught up in any novel he narrates. Because of this, he is one of my favorite narrators.

End of Watch captured all of the elements I have come to love in a Stephen King novel and left me with one heck of a book hangover.

Listen to a Sample


Caffeinated's 5 cup audiobook review of End of Watch by Stephen King Share on X

Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

54 Responses to “End of Watch by Stephen King”

  2. La La in the Library

    This reminds me how long it has been since I have read a King novel..Years and, years, and years. I have wanted to read the sequel to The Shining for the past year. I didn’t know there was one until someone listed it on a Top Ten Tuesday. One of the perks of book blogging. Ha ha. Thanks for this wonderful review. 🙂

  3. RO

    I love Stephen King, and have for years. In fact, I have an entire box of books that I’m in the process of selling as I downsize a little. I can tell you that hearing this on audio, probably would have scared me to death, (lol), so I would have to read it. Sounds amazing and your review is wonderful! Hugs…RO

  4. Tracy

    Okay, first of all I have a question. Where did you get your book tags? Did you make them? This is the second blog I’ve seen them on today and now I kind of want to steal them! XD

    Now onto the book… I don’t know why I haven’t started this series yet! I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King books but I’ve heard great things about these, although I don’t think they sound as terrifying as some of his others. I’m glad you loved it! Great review 😀

  5. Candace

    I tried reading Stephen King years ago but he writes a certain kind of freaky that I just can’t seem to handle. I’m sure there’s a book of his I would enjoy but for now I just avoid him so I don’t terrify myself to death. I’m glad you enjoyed this one, it definitely sounds freaky!

  6. Lisa

    You liked it!!!! I’m so hesitant because I’ve never read a Stephen King book AND the last time I heard a book narrated by Will Patton I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped… but for some reason this book totally calls to me. Maybe I’ll wait a bit and listen to it closer to Halloween when I’m in the spooky mood. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I adore Will as a narrator. This trilogy isn’t horror, or is more detective, suspense etc. Perhaps get book one from the library and see how it goes. It does have a little spook factor and should be read in order.

  11. Lauren

    Glad its great! I have it under my bed ready to wrap and gift to my dad next month for his birthday ;’)

  12. Katherine

    I still need to read Mr. Mercedes and King in general. This sounds so good and so wonderfully creepy!

  14. Kristin

    OMG – Will Patton is the voice of Stephen King!!! I need to send your review to my mom and dad. Trust me when I say they will flip and totally appreciate the voice with the book!!! Creeeeeeepy!! And I can’t believe you cried!! Well, it is Stephen King… he is capable of doing that to readers 🙂

  15. Julie

    I am a little ashamed to admit that I’ve never read a Stephen King novel before. I want to but I’ve just never gotten around to it. lol! He has so many that I’m not sure what one to start with.

  16. Leona

    I have never read or listened to a Stephen King story (I have yet to forgive him for It) but you really have me wanting to change that. Great review, and another 5 star read!

  17. Sophia Rose

    I generally don’t read horror, but for some reason I am drawn to King. His creative plots are what pull me in along with the way he wields tone. I love that this one really grabbed you. Great review, Kimberly!

  19. Stormi Johnson

    I haven’t read King in a long time and I am really curious about this trilogy. I might have to put it on my audio wishlist.

  20. Laurel-Rain Snow

    The character of Bill sounds like the kind I enjoy….Gruff and driven characters reel me in, and how he isolates himself makes me want to know what is beneath the surface.

    I’ve been eyeing this trilogy. Thanks for sharing.

  22. Tyler H. Jolley

    Oh snap, Kimba! I stayed up late last night finishing End of Watch. I was so sad to say goodbye to this series. Sometimes King lets me down with his endings, but not this time. I’m so happy you enjoyed it too. I really hope he has another series with a great balance of mystery, suspense and horror cooking.

  24. Melliane

    It’s been a while since I haven’t read a King novel but it’s great to see it was a great end there!

  25. Nick

    Sounds like a terrific series, Kim. I love how much love you have for this author and his books.

  26. Mary Kirkland

    I’ve always liked King. Cujo was the very first book that I read for my own pleasure and I haven’t stopped reading since then. I started out reading every Horror novel I could get my hands on and then I switched to mostly romance but I still love my Thrillers and Horror.This sounds like a great series and a great book.