Billy SummersBilly Summers
What it's about
Billy Summers is a hired killer who only takes jobs on people he believes are truly bad. He's ready to retire, but first there's one last job. To wait for his target, he poses as a writer in a small Southern town, and starts actually writing the story of his life. After the hit, everything goes wrong, and he ends up rescuing a young woman who has been assaulted, and setting out for revenge.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It's a crime novel with real heart, and the book within the book is moving.
You'll love it if you liked
Mr. Mercedes
The Outsider
The Bourne IdentityGood to know
There's gang rape and violence. It isn't supernatural, apart from a brief nod to The Shining.
By the numbers
- Readers68 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller69 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #58 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #129 of the 481 new books we rank
- #714 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
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Quick answers
Is Billy Summers worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It ranks #714 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 75.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Billy Summers about?
Billy Summers is a hired killer who only takes jobs on people he believes are truly bad. He's ready to retire, but first there's one last job. To wait for his target, he poses as a writer in a small Southern town, and starts actually writing the story of his life. After the hit, everything goes wrong, and he ends up rescuing a young woman who has been assaulted, and setting out for revenge.
How long does it take to read Billy Summers?
About 11 hours (433 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Billy Summers?
If you liked it, try Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, The Outsider by Stephen King or The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum.