Billy Summers

Stephen King

Aug 2021 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Paul Sparks

About this audiobook

Master storyteller Stephen King, whose “restless imagination is a power that cannot be contained” (The New York Times Book Review), presents an unforgettable and relentless #1 New York Times bestseller about a good guy in a bad job.

Chances are, if you’re a target of Billy Summers, two immutable truths apply: You’ll never even know what hit you, and you’re really getting what you deserve. He’s a killer for hire and the best in the business—but he’ll do the job only if the assignment is a truly bad person. But now, time is catching up with him, and Billy wants out. Before he can do that though, there’s one last hit, which promises a generous payday at the end of the line even as things don’t seem quite on the level here. Given that Billy is among the most talented snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, and a virtual Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done, what could possibly go wrong? How about everything.

Part war story and part love letter to small-town America and the people who live there, this spectacular thriller of luck, fate, and love will grip readers with its electrifying narrative, as a complex antihero with one last shot at redemption must avenge the crimes of an extraordinarily evil man. You won’t ever forget this stunning novel from master storyteller Stephen King…and you will never forget Billy.

Ratings and reviews

I'd give it a 4.5, if I could. It's a very enjoyable listen and a great story throughout, but I became engrossed midway through. I also enjoyed the unexpected tie-in to another of King's most famous works. I really hope the film adaptation of Billy Summers doesn't suck. I still haven't gotten over what they did to The Dark Tower.

Hit man Billy Summers is the best in the business. He never leaves much to chance, always vanishing without a trace after a clean kill. Get in and get out that's how Billy operates. But this time the job requires patience. Being a chameleon is an absolute necessity. This contract killing is twisted in a way that leaves Billy wishing he never got involved. Its going to take all of his experience and expertise to come out alive with the riches he hopes will be his swan song into retirement. Stephen King, the master storyteller, amazes his loyal readers once again as he pilots us along the underbelly of our world. So many twists and turns, yes delicious like dark chocolate.

don't read Anthony tucker's review because it has BIG SPOILERS. he hated the book and wants TO RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE. BEWARE I enjoyed it a lot. Billy Summers is a likeable character. The rest of the characters are really interesting as well. The narration is good too. The narrator does great character voices, and his narration is perfectly balanced. Not over-acted, and not at all a monotone either. The voice of Nick is perfect. He nails the organized crime kingpin perfectly, and it's always a pleasure to hear all of his lines.

About the author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.