"For the most part this was an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and will be reading the next book.

"

"Winding down on my journey to read all of Stephen King’s works, I tackled Four Past Midnight. It’s a solid collection, but if I’m being honest, I still prefer Skeleton Crew and Different Seasons. Here are the stories ranked IMO -

The Langoliers � This one was a surprise hit for me. Sci-fi horror is kinda my thing, and this was right in my wheelhouse. The plot was fast paced, the tension was thick, and the sense of isolation kept me hooked. King’s talent for crafting mismatched groups of characters who somehow fit together reminded me of The Mist, The Stand, and The Dark Tower series—some of my all-time favorites. The looming dread and the eerie concept made this one stand out. 4 stars.

The Library Policeman � I was thrilled to see a Paul Sheldon Easter egg in this one (shoutout to Misery—one of my favorites). This story leaned more into the supernatural, which I usually love, but the pacing dragged when a side character’s backstory took over. It had its scary moments and nailed that childhood fear vibe, but something felt off. 3.5 stars.

Secret Window, Secret Garden � I’m a sucker for when King writes about authors spiraling into madness, and this one delivered. There’s no blood, no guts—just pure psychological terror. The idea of losing control of your mind is scarier than any monster, and King nails it. The simplicity of the story made it even more chilling. 3.5 stars.

The Sun Dog � Lots of fun connections here—mentions of Christine, Shawshank, and Cujo. Pop was delightfully creepy, but the story itself felt blah. It had potential but didn’t quite land for me. The body horror at the end gave it a boost, though. 3.5 stars.

Overall, a decent collection, but if I revisit Four Past Midnight, I’ll probably stick with the first two stories and skip the rest"

Kimberly / Love Notes Book Blog is 99% done with Ms. Fortune: RTC