The Regulators by Stephen King - Book Review

It’s a quiet afternoon on Poplar Street, as a bright red van slowly makes its way to the end. As gun barrels gradually protrude from one of its windows, the peace is shattered with the murder of an innocent paperboy riding past.

The shotgun makes short work of the kid, the first of many that day. But as the mysterious red van seems to wait, others soon join it, each as bright and colourful as the first, the occupants just as murderous.

When Johnny Marinville tries to phone for help, some kind of force prevents the call from going through, the residents of the street now cut off to face the threat alone.

As the violence escalates with each new arrival, the van’s strange occupants appear untouchable. But one of the street’s residents is not who they claim to be, instead harbouring a secret that could kill them all.

The Bachman version of Desperation, this is the mirror story of that book, the characters all matching. Because the books were released at the very same time, one can’t help but compare the two since they have so much in common.

But without being able to put my finger on just why, personally I prefer this version, with its sadistic bloodshed and edge-of-your-seat suspense. The atmosphere feels so much more alive than Desperation, the characters more likeable.

The shock of that first murder was enough to grab me right from the beginning, instantly sorry for the kid. And isn’t that what makes a great book? It does for me at least.

Grabbing me from the onset, then dragging me through its narrative with little let-up. This book, like so many of his others, is why I call him the King.