After reading this book, I got the distinct impression that just like his lead character, King had been keeping this book shelved somewhere "just in case". I was already one third of the way into the book before anything REALLY good (you know the stuff we buy horror books for)happened and I would only consider that a "catflinger". I've read almost all of King's work as well as a great deal of horror fiction and I must say I was disappointed. If not for the distinct Maine-isms it almost felt like it was written by an imposter.