Bill Hodges / Mr. Mercedes reading order
Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy in publication order — Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch — and why Holly’s later books are a second path.
Start here
Mr. Mercedes
It is the first Hodges novel (2014). Holly Gibney walks in here as supporting cast. Do not start with Holly because the later spine has her name on it.
King’s detective run splits in two for readers. This page is the three Hodges books. They are a complete trilogy. The later Holly novels assume you know how this partnership started.
If you want Holly’s full path, including The Outsider and Never Flinch, use the Holly Gibney guide. If you want a first King that is not a series, use the starter path.
The trilogy
| # | Title | Year | Notes | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mr. Mercedes | 2014 | Start here. | Amazon |
| 2 |  Finders Keepers | 2015 | Amazon | |
| 3 |  End of Watch | 2016 | Closes Hodges’s three. | Amazon |
Publication order is the only path. Finders Keepers looks like it could be a standalone about a manuscript. It is still book two. End of Watch leans on both earlier cases.
The Audience Network / Peacock adaptation is a cousin. Season order is not a reason to skip a novel.
After the trilogy
Holly continues. That is a different page so this one stays a trilogy you can finish.
| Title | Year | Notes | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Outsider | 2018 | Next if you are continuing. Holly arrives mid-book. See the Holly guide. | Amazon |
Do not treat The Outsider as Bill Hodges 4. Hodges’s three are done. Holly’s job is not.
Common mistakes
- Starting with Holly (2023) because the cover is a name you recognize from TV.
- Starting with The Outsider because the HBO series is easier to find.
- Reading End of Watch first because someone said the last one is “the King one.”
- Waiting for Never Flinch before opening Mr. Mercedes.
What to read next
- Holly Gibney path — If you want the rest of this investigator, in order.
- Jack Reacher (Lee Child) — If you want another long crime run that admits which books are prequels.
- Cormoran Strike (Robert Galbraith) — If the partnership accumulating book by book was the hook.
- Stephen King starter path — If you came for King and want single-volume doors next.
- The Dark Tower — If you want King’s other long path, which is not a detective trilogy.
FAQ
Do I have to read all three?
If you want End of Watch to land, yes. Mr. Mercedes can stand alone as a first visit.
Is Holly in all three?
She matters more as the books continue. Book one is still the door.
Can I skip to The Outsider?
You can follow that case. You will not follow why Holly is expensive. Use the Holly page if you are skipping.
TV first?
The show is a cousin. Start the novels at Mr. Mercedes.
Sources
- Stephen King, Mr. Mercedes — official book page. Opened 2026-09-13.
- Stephen King — bibliography hub for the trilogy titles. Opened 2026-09-13.
Same shelf
