I'm not yet sure about Mr. Mercedes. 3 stars? 4? I don't know. The team is unconventional and diverse, which I like, the killer not so much. He has a very strong been there, done that feel to him.
I do like the unpredictable victims. Often in books it's quite clear that no established character is going to die, but here anyone can die at any time (or at least almost, since the trilogy is named after the retired cop).
I always connected Stephen King with horror, so I was honestly surprised to find a crime novel. Probably should have read the description 😃