Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Mr. Mercedes represents one of King’s first attempts to write hard-boiled detective fiction. How might you compare this novel to other staples of the genre, such as The Long Goodbye and The Maltese Falcon?

2. Evaluate Bill Hodges as a protagonist. Do you think his characterization merits his status as a recurring hero in King’s work, like Roland Deschain from The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger or Danny Torrance from Doctor Sleep?

3. King is best known for writing terrifying supernatural villains like Pennywise the Clown or Randall Flagg. Do you think King manages to create a compelling villain in Brady Hartsfield, despite the fact that he isn’t presented as a supernatural character? How does he rank among King’s villains?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Do you feel like you have a strong relationship with your job or the work you do? How much does it define your identity? How might you relate with Bill Hodges’s challenges in coping with life after retirement?