The Colorado Kid

I'm not sure what to think. The logical side of me wants to give it one star because it's a mystery novel, with a real corker of a mystery, but that mystery's conclusion is...unique. (Without giving anything away.)

Now, I know the point of the book is the storytelling itself. And I know that King connects the book to his Dark Tower series in several ways. And I know that King purposely made the story's ending and connections to the Dark Tower painfully ambiguous on purpose. But it does not make the ending any less frustrating after riding through the tale for 18 chapters.

The storytelling in the book is a masterclass, though. Told through dialogue of two old-timers to a young cub reporter, there is no real action in the book–at least not in the present reality of where the story is being told. The characters spend the majority of the book sitting and chatting. But the action is told through the dialogue and lets you truly construct the tale in your mind. The use of vernacular is thorough, but never too heavy. The Maine accent comes through in the men's speech, but never to the point of annoyance.

This was a different sort of story, and told from a unique point of view. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, though.