-25% 🔥 Bestseller Mistaken Identity — Horror Fiction

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Mistaken Identity

Name: Mistaken Identity
Price: 19.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781503536616

✍️ Stephen King

Reader Score

4.5

(6 reviews)

$19.99 ~~$27.00~~ Save $7.01 (25%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A WWII vet's death sparks a revenge plot that goes horribly wrong in Bangor, Maine.

The narrative examines the consequences of vigilante justice and institutional failure. King explores how grief can distort perception, leading to irreversible tragedy. The veterans’ initial righteous anger turns into panic as they face the reality of their mistake. The text highlights the fragility of truth in small-town politics, where local power dynamics override proper procedure. The story does not offer redemption for the killers but rather focuses on the unraveling of their lives and the shoddy response from authorities who prioritize covering up errors over seeking justice.

Key Themes

mistaken identity post-war trauma police corruption

Literary Context

The book is situated in Bangor, Maine, in the period after World War II. It draws on the experiences of US Marine Corps veterans and the local law enforcement culture of that era. The setting provides a backdrop for examining how post-conflict society handles guilt and justice.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

James Ellroy · Tana French

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Xlibris 📅 2015 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781503536616

📝 Description: Mistaken Identity

Stephen King’s Mistaken Identity presents a grim narrative set in Bangor, Maine, following the Second World War. The plot centers on United States Marine Corps veterans who seek vengeance for a friend killed by local law enforcement. After a vet suffers vertigo while driving and is struck with a blackjack by an aggressive policeman, his death ignites a revenge pact among his comrades. They plan a hit-and-run execution to punish the officer responsible. The story unfolds during a severe storm, providing cover for the veterans’ ambush. However, a critical error occurs when police shift changes leave the wrong officer in position. The vets kill an innocent man, mistaking him for their target. This blunder triggers a chaotic aftermath involving guilt, flight, and a flawed investigation marked by tunnel vision and local interference with state protocols. King’s background informs this tale of moral decay and mistaken judgment. It suits readers who appreciate post-war American noir and psychological tension. Those seeking lighthearted supernatural tales may find its grounded brutality too heavy.

💎 Our verdict on Mistaken Identity

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This tale delivers a harsh, unflinching look at moral decay and mistaken judgment, driven by King’s background. It suits fans of psychological horror and noir who enjoy exploring the consequences of vigilantism without redemption. However, readers seeking lighthearted supernatural tales or traditional ghost stories will likely find its grounded brutality too heavy and bleak. The narrative focuses on the shoddy response from authorities and the chaotic aftermath of a fatal error, rather than offering closure. It is a dense, atmospheric study of grief and institutional failure that demands patience from those expecting conventional horror tropes or easy resolutions.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate grounded brutality and psychological tension in post-war American noir will find this narrative compelling. It offers a grim examination of vigilante justice, where righteous anger curdles into panic and irreversible tragedy. The story highlights the fragility of truth within local power dynamics, prioritizing cover-ups over proper procedure. Those interested in how grief distorts perception and leads to moral decay will engage deeply with the unraveling lives of the veterans. It provides a heavy, unredemptive look at institutional failure, appealing to those who prefer serious, character-driven horror over supernatural whimsy or lighthearted entertainment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers drawn to gritty, post-WWII noir and complex moral ambiguity will appreciate this tale of veteran revenge. However, those craving lighthearted supernatural escapism or expecting King’s typical horror elements should look elsewhere, as the focus here is on grounded brutality rather than…

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 6 reviews

Adam N.

May 1, 2026

A new favorite

A friend from my book club recommended it. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. Five stars from me.

Greg D.

April 18, 2026

Almost perfect

Finally got around to ordering this. Good introduction if you have not read this author before. Recommended with reservations.

Megan A.

January 9, 2026

Almost perfect

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. The atmosphere builds slowly and then does not let go. My only quibble is that the middle third sags a little.

Lisa N.

October 20, 2025

Genuinely scary

Wanted something for October and it delivered. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. Read it in two sittings; the second one ran past midnight. Would buy from this store again.

Matthew M.

August 30, 2025

Read it in one night

First order from this shop. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. Great value for what you get.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is a grounded tale of human vengeance and moral decay. While King’s background informs the psychological depth, there are no ghosts or demons; the horror stems from realistic brutality and tragic error.

Absolutely. The severe storm in Bangor, Maine, is crucial, providing cover for the veterans' ambush and amplifying the sense of isolation and chaos during their flawed investigation.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This story sits firmly within Stephen King’s early exploration of human nature under pressure, bridging his later supernatural works with hardboiled crime fiction. Set against the backdrop of post-war Maine, it reflects a period where returning soldiers often struggled to reintegrate into society. The narrative contributes to the tradition of American noir, examining how trauma and grief can distort justice, creating a chilling atmosphere that relies on psychological tension rather than overt monsters.