When I think of movies or TV series that were based on books that turned out well, “Mr. Mercedes” is definitely in my top five. Stephen King is mostly known for horror, but “Mr. Mercedes” is just a flat-out mystery and suspense novel. I loved the Bill Hodges trilogy too, which was “Mr. Mercedes”, “Finders Keepers”, and “End of Watch.” Right up to the end it has you on the edge of your seat. The TV series turned out so well it makes me want to say that it was even better than the book. They have also made “Mr Mercedes” seasons two and three for both of the other books in the Bill Hodges trilogy.

“The story follows Bill Hodges, a retired detective, as he becomes haunted by a cold case from earlier in his career — the infamous Mr. Mercedes. During a local job fair, an unidentified man took a Mercedes and drove it through a line of people looking for a job, killing 16 people. With only a car to go on as identification, Hodges is quickly met with a dead end. This doesn’t sit well with Brady Hartsfield, the man behind the wheel, as he feels deprived of the glamour that he once sought. Now, Hodges and Hartsfield begin to engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with lives constantly on the line.”

When I read a story I can get a pretty good picture of the actors and what they look and act like. Let’s just say that the casting directors did a great job of choosing the actors. Each of the cast members brought these fictional characters to life. They brought the story to life. The only thing I wasn’t expecting was the actor they chose for Bill Hodges. Brendan Gleeson is an Irish actor. I think the whole idea of having an Irish cop is kind of a funny idea, but it also fits the Bill Hodges role. And the actor for Brady Hartsfield was amazing, too. He played the role of the Mercedes killer.

I think the directors were smart with their season theme choices. Season two focuses around the events in “End of Watch,” the third Bill Hodges book. Out of the three books in the series there are only two books that have Brady Hartsfield in it, and “End of Watch” is the second. Thus, it makes sense to make “End of Watch” the second season of the “Mr. Mercedes” series. Then the third season tells the story of the novel Finders Keepers, which is a Bill Hodges story but does not include Brady Hartsfeild.

It doesn’t bother me that they made that change. I can’t wait to see the other two seasons to see if they are as good as their inspiration. I would recommend the Bill Hodges trilogy novels by Stephen King, and I would recommend the first seasons of Mr Mercedes.

Warning: The TV series is rated TV-MA for mature audiences. Material may be disturbing to some viewers.