A Book A Week

Next year will begin Stephen King's sixth decade as a bestselling author (with his initial hit, Carrie, hitting shelves in 1974). In that time, he's certainly earned the freedom to explore any genre that captures his imagination. Recently, the horror maestro has developed a keen interest in crime fiction. His 2021 release, Billy Summers, is a testament to this fascination. The acclaimed author takes on the narrative of a killer for hire, presenting a hitman with a moral compass reminiscent of Jeff Lindsay's iconic character, Dexter. Given my enduring appreciation for King's literary prowess, it was the perfect choice to bring my year of reading to a close. 

In the novel's opening, King skillfully acknowledges the well-worn trope he's about to delve into. Billy Summers, an Iraq War veteran turned assassin, is on the verge of concluding his career with one last job. Fully aware of the tendency for final assignments to go awry, Summers, nevertheless, decides to take on this task. For this ultimate job, he adopts the guise of a fictitious author, settling in the vicinity to complete a classified project as part of his massive book deal. While awaiting the arrival of his target, Summers uses his time to craft a fictionalized narrative of his own life. This pursuit unexpectedly becomes a source of genuine enjoyment for him.

As anticipated, the job takes an unexpected turn. This is the juncture where the narrative truly intensifies. Summers, compelled to go into hiding, finds his aspirations for a seamless departure from his criminal life delayed. Lacking the payment from this pivotal assignment, he's left without the means to execute his planned disappearance. While grappling with his dilemma, he unexpectedly crosses paths with a young woman facing an even more dire situation than his own. What ensues is a tale of an improbable partnership, propelling these two individuals on a riveting journey of revenge and redemption.

Billy Summers is a solid three-star thriller from Stephen King, blending elements of pulp fiction with in-depth character explorations that affirm the author's enduring literary heft. While the novel takes its time to gain momentum, and the initial character establishment of the eponymous Billy Summers may feel prolonged, the narrative becomes thoroughly engaging once the action kicks in. King skillfully manipulates well-worn genre tropes, infusing each with his signature twist. Introducing a female character serves to counterbalance Summers' ruthlessness, providing a necessary foil to the main character. It's essential to note that the novel contains prevalent triggers of rape and violence; however, King handles these darker elements with purpose, adding depth to his characters and driving their connection. If there's a critique, it lies in the book's length, which could have benefited from some trimming to enhance the overall storytelling. Nonetheless, concluding 2023 with this novel was a thrilling experience.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 93)