“Billy Summers” by Stephen King

The Story of “One Last Job”

By: Matthew Zeichert

One of the greatest misconceptions about Stephen King is that he is simply a horror writer. With works like “IT,” “Salem’s Lot,” and “The Shining,” this misconception is understandable. But as it turns out, Stephen King is also the master of another literary genre: suspense.

“Billy Summers” is the newest Stephen King thriller to hit bookshelves around the world, and the story of its titular character is incredibly compelling. Hired for one final murder-for-hire plot, Marine-veteran-turned-mercenary Billy Summers must attempt an assassination that would make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. Unfortunately for Summers, the job entails more than he bargained for, and he is forced to maneuver around the countless roadblocks presented to him as he treks across rural America with the help of an unlikely acquaintance. 

For the first time since his 2011 novel “11/22/63,” Stephen King has managed to create a story that sticks with the reader long after they have finished reading the final page. Through his impeccable ability to create memorable characters, settings, and plot twists, King is able to keep readers on the edge of their seat throughout the novel’s 514 pages. Every chapter is written with such skill that it is hard to pinpoint any area in which the plot tends to drag on for too long. My only complaint directed towards “Billy Summers” is how it occasionally reminds readers of its present day setting with references to semi-current events, but this literary sin is easily forgivable. So far, Stephen King’s “Billy Summers” is my favorite novel of 2021, and I cannot wait to see what the prolific King has in store for his next book.