You know, reading this I realised that I'd never read a Stephen King book that I didn't like. I've never read one that I loved, either, but the skill carries me through. I zipped through Bag of Bones really quickly, even though it is enormous, and that too is characteristic of my King reading habits. Reading his books is always so effortless - I get sucked in and carried along and never stumble even when his books are over-long, as I think this is. Could have cut a good 150 pages I reckon.

So, a mixed bag. I love the characters (both creepy and not), but still think it took far too much time to get started. That said, I found the lengthy middle more interesting than the ending. The ratcheting up of "This town is weird and dodgy" was really effective, but once it got to the end and the motivations started being laid bare... let's just say I am beyond sick of seeing rape used as a plot device and leave it at that.

The ending's left me torn, really. I own the book, and I've been reading though my (overstuffed) bookshelves lately, trying to weed out the books I won't read again so they can find more deserving homes. I was all set to keep this for 90% of the book, but that hackneyed, disappointing plot device will probably make sure I never read it again. It's kind of spoilt the wonderful middle for me, to be honest.