Billy Summers

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Paul Sparks

Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

The number one New York Times Best seller

An Esquire Best Book of the Year

A Wall Street Journal Favorite Book of the Year

A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist

From legendary storyteller Stephen King, whose “restless imagination is a power that cannot be contained” (The New York Times Book Review), comes a thrilling new novel about a good guy in a bad job.

Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He’s a killer for hire and the best in the business. But he’ll do the job only if the target is a truly bad guy. And now Billy wants out. But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong?

How about everything.

This spectacular can’t-pause novel is part war story, part love letter to small town America and the people who live there, and it features one of the most compelling and surprising duos in King fiction, who set out to avenge the crimes of an extraordinarily evil man. It’s about love, luck, fate, and a complex hero with one last shot at redemption.

You won’t put this story down, and you won’t forget Billy.

©2021 Stephen King. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Stephen King in the style of Scorsese and Stone...

with a dash of Shyamalan. Billy Summers is a side of King I've not had a chance to experience before. Although there is still a lot of King I have yet to read. This is not the, Master of Horror I've come to expect. Instead this is a King that would be right at home crafting Martin Scorsese's next film project. For fans of King's prior darker writings, there is a nice little Easter Egg to his past. A recommendation for fans and for those looking for something a little different from King.

Initially I was nervous with Paul Sparks narration, but soon that faded away and I found myself enjoying his talents.

This is a good book but

I really enjoyed this book but why oh why does he go crazy over Trump over and over. How hard is it to talk about it alilttle bit then move on with the story. No you get a 16 hr book and a political talk thur out.

Just When I Thought I Knew King's Writing..!?!?

When choosing a Stephen King novel or short story is like looking through an expensive wine cellar, marveling at all the different vintages, trying to select the best year, to go with your mood, rather than your dinner. I always compare my, for now, complete Stephen King Library to a remarkable wine cellar, not only because, like a fine bottle of wine, he only gets better with age,. but because the analogy fits perfectly! King has proven time & time again! From novels like Gerald's Game, A Good Marriage, The Long Walk, & Thinner, to some of his classic works, like 'It', Carrie, Salem's Lot, Cujo, The Dead Zone, The Mr. Mercedes Trilogy, &, of course, The Stand; This proves what a diverse writer he is! Unlike 90% of King's novels & short stories, Billy Sommers DOESN'T CONTAIN a Supernatural aspect whatsoever! This is the first time he's ever written about a professional mob hit, with the narrative being from the point of view of the shooter. The closest thing that ever came to this was 11/22/63, but even that had a lot to do with science fiction, mainly time travel. The narrator was phenomenal, to the point where I was gripping my see the entire time I read this story! Normally, a book that is 16 hours long, would take me a week or more, I got through this baby in four days, that's how good it is! If there were actual men like Billy summers in the world, Trust and Believe, the world would be a better place!! If you don't get this book, you'll be missing out on one of the best Stephen King novels I've ever read!! Bon appetit..

I Am Blown Away…..

I’ve been reading Stephen since my teenage years, but I’ve never had his work read to me. I love his books! They’re like secret treasures in my mind. But, I’ve been reluctant to try a King story on Audible. Like, somehow it wouldn’t feel as special of I wasn’t reading it. I was so wrong!

I just finished binge listening to Billy Summers. Paul Sparks narrates this book flawlessly, and the characters are brought to life in a way I never imagined possible. He was a perfect fit for this story! I laughed out loud, cried more than a handful of times, and didn’t want it to end.

I loved getting to know Billy as he told his story in his own words. I loved the way he struggled with his desire to have friendships, despite the work he was there to do. I loved the added surprise character of Alice, who was exactly what Billy needed. Actually, I miss all of the characters already. And wow, what an ending!

If you’re considering reading this book, I highly recommend the Audible version! Now, I’m off to find my next treasure…..

Worth a listen

I disagree with some reviews here. The narrator was fine. The references to Trump unimportant to me as Stephen King doesn’t decide my politics or irritate me with his. I can respect that he wants to share his in his book. I don’t think the political references added anything to the story and a story should be like a good recipe, there should be no unnecessary ingredients included that don’t contribute to the final product substantially. I liked the story although I did find it a bit plodding at times and quite predictable. I liked it because there were no giant spiders, aliens or clowns as protagonists. I liked it because it was just about people, even though those people were neither particularly remarkable or exceptionally interesting. I’ve always thought Stephen King had a gift for writing dialogue between characters. For me the book had a bit of an unfinished quality, as if it meandered around so much that it finally just had to come to an end for loss of ideas. I would’ve like the characters to be a little bit crisper, the actions taken by characters to be a bit more engaging and interesting, the relationships a little more believable. This is by no means the worst audiobook I’ve listened to or the worst book Stephen King has ever written. I think this was written in the twilight of his life exactly he wanted to write it and as he has always said, he writes for himself first, and he did just that with this book. We just may simply never know the ‘why’ behind this story at this time.

A riveting road story...

I've read Stephen King in the past and thought some of his work was great. Books like Cujo, The Stand. and The Shining I especially liked. Some of his other stuff that involved really far-out, phantasmigorical stuff I didn't enjoy as much. I'm a big fan of writers like Ross MacDonald, his wife Margaret, Connelly, McCarthy, Grafton, Adrian McKinty, and others of their ilk.
For that reason, my wife urged me to read Mr. Mercedes. At first I was a little skeptical that King could write a detective story without some supernatural goings-on. But I became a true believer after reading the series...to the point that I wondered: where has this writer been all my life?
After reading Billy Summers, there can no longer be any doubt that the man can write a hard-boiled tale about an anti-hero with the very best of them. And I absolutely loved his smattering of ittle jabs at Trump. I've heard King doesn't like him much. Anyway. no washed-up has-been is King.
Such a beautifully written and thoughtful book is Billy Summers that I was left feeling downright bereft upon finishing it. Oh please Mr King, write more like this one.
Highly, recommended!

Must read

Another fabulous tale by my favorite author.
He once again spins a yarn with fascinating characters and a suspenseful plot.

Wow

Well I just don’t even know what to say other than thank you so much Stephen King ❤️

Wow what a journey.

Mesmerizing and Exciting..
You feel like You are along with Billy the hit-man on his dangerous journey.... Awesome Dangerous Adventure. Not to give anything away, but the ending will pull on your heartstrings ❤️
Excellent plot with Great characters.
Excellent Narrator he really brought the characters to life. 👍

Superb

Very nicely written and performed..no scary parts like a lot of Stephen Kings books.
The characters are well developed.