King, who we all know is one of my favorite authors, has written over 50 books, including "It," "Carrie" and "The Shining," appeared in Jersey City on June 7 at an event sponsored by the Newark Avenue independent book store Word Bookstores.
The event took place at the historic Loews Jersey theatre which has been under renovation as well as talks about conversion into a condominium but once it got its historic landmark status, the fair citizens of Jersey City cried out in glee. When this was announced back in March -- teasers were on Word's website that said workers there were "beyond excited" about King coming to Jersey City to promote his new book, "End of Watch." They were not the only ones. This lifelong resident of Jersey City who has had to go into New York City to meet her favorite authors; which I do not mind as I consider NYC my lover like Carrie Bradshaw does, was beyond excited as well. I fought tooth and nail to get into this event. Plus, judging by King's website, which cautions fans that he will not be signing books on his tour (he will pre-sign copies that will be for sale), this will be his only appearance in the tri-state area to tout the book. Think about that my readers -- JERSEY CITY IS HIS ONLY APPEARANCE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. Take that NYC!
"End of Watch" is the conclusion of King's Hodges trilogy, which includes "Mr. Mercedes" and "Finders Keepers." In 2015, "Mr. Mercedes" won a Best Novel Edgar Allan Poe Award, presented by the Mystery Writers of America. Here is the book description for those who would love to get it. It was released on June 7, 2016: The spectacular finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with Mr. Mercedes (winner of the Edgar Award) and Finders Keepers—In End of Watch, the diabolical “Mercedes Killer” drives his enemies to suicide, and if Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney don’t figure out a way to stop him, they’ll be victims themselves. In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something has awakened. Something evil. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, where eight people were killed and many more were badly injured, has been in the clinic for five years, in a vegetative state. According to his doctors, anything approaching a complete recovery is unlikely. But behind the drool and stare, Brady is awake, and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room. Retired police detective Bill Hodges, the unlikely hero of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers, now runs an investigation agency with his partner, Holly Gibney—the woman who delivered the blow to Hartsfield’s head that put him on the brain injury ward. When Bill and Holly are called to a suicide scene with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find themselves pulled into their most dangerous case yet, one that will put their lives at risk, as well as those of Bill’s heroic young friend Jerome Robinson and his teenage sister, Barbara. Brady Hartsfield is back, and planning revenge not just on Hodges and his friends, but on an entire city. In End of Watch, Stephen King brings the Hodges trilogy to a sublimely terrifying conclusion, combining the detective fiction of Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers with the heart-pounding, supernatural suspense that has been his bestselling trademark. The result is an unnerving look at human vulnerability and chilling suspense. No one does it better than King.
Stephen King regaled us with stories concerning Bruce Springsteen, the Boston Red Sox, his writing process, and by being America's boogeyman. It was a wonderful event ran by a wonderful independent bookstore. The fact that the old school organ was brought out says a lot about the power of this great author!
One of the stories that made me jump out of my skin and immediately send a message to my love was the fact that he brought up the book "Cell" which has not received as much publicity as it should. Luckily the movie adaptation, which he wrote the screenplay for, will be released on July 8th but I digress -- He was telling a story about cell phones and safety and how we dont go anywhere without our cellphones but might have forgotten to lock our doors and he goes "if only someone would write a story about that....oh wait.....I did.....Its called Cell." Cell has to be one of my favorite books of his so I am glad he mentioned it.
Unfortunately due to a raffle system -- I did not get an autographed copy of "End of Watch." Someone who went to the event who got one let me take a picture of the autograph you see here. But I do have this though --- the opportunity to say that I have been in the same room with one of the greatest authors of all the time.
For your book needs -- please visit Word Bookstore located at 123 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, NJ. Their store hours are 8am-9pm every day. In case you can not visit them check out their website at this link Word Bookstores
Now -- all that I ask of you, the next time you go to your bathroom, ask yourself -- DID YOU CLOSE YOUR SHOWER CURTAIN?
