This, the latest novel by Stephen King, is certain to grip the hearts of his faithful readers. Its eponymous character, Holly Gibney, is one known from King’s previous Bill Hodges trilogy of books: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End Of Watch. However, this time she is the main character bound to experience the results of his chilling imagination.
King stated, in an interview last year, “I could never let Holly Gibney go. She was supposed to be a walk-on character in Mr. Mercedes and she just kind of stole the book and stole my heart.” Accordingly, Holly shines in her role as a private investigator and grows as a character – coming to understand that, even if evil will never stop, there is still hope and that she can be the change she wants to see in the world.
The onset of the COVID pandemic is significant to Holly, giving rise to raw and emotional events that touch Gibney personally. As is usual for King, he focuses on the dark aspects of human nature and exceeds that, inviting readers to a gruesome feast of terror and blood. One thing is certain: this is not a book to read before sleep.
Holly, Stephen King (Hodder & Stoughton)
Price: £25/£31.99 audiobook. Info: here
words EWA PAŁKA