Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town. “Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.” — BILL HODGES Stephen King’s Holly marks the triumphant return of beloved King character Holly Gibney. Readers have witnessed Holly’s gradual transformation from a shy (but also brave and ethical) recluse in Mr. Mercedes to Bill Hodges’s partner in Finders Keepers to a full-fledged, smart, and occasionally tough private detective in The Outsider. In King’s new novel, Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries. When Penny Dahl calls the Finders Keepers detective agency hoping for help locating her missing daughter, Holly is reluctant to accept the case. Her partner, Pete, has Covid. Her (very complicated) mother has just died. And Holly is meant to be on leave. But something in Penny Dahl’s desperate voice makes it impossible for Holly to turn her down. Mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live Professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: married octogenarians, devoted to each other, and semi-retired lifelong academics. But they are harboring an unholy secret in the basement of their well-kept, book-lined home, one that may be related to Bonnie’s disappearance. And it will prove nearly impossible to discover what they are up to: they are savvy, they are patient, and they are ruthless. Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver the shockingly twisted professors in this chilling new masterwork from Stephen King.
No posts yet
Kick off the convo with a theory, question, musing, or update
Your rating:
0Stephen King, a literary maestro in the horror genre, has once again woven a tale that leaves readers with mixed feelings in his latest novel, 'Holly.' Finishing the book a week ago, I hesitated to rush my opinion, hoping that my initial distaste would evolve into appreciation. Upon reflection, I acknowledge its merits, yet I find myself categorizing it in the bottom tier of King's extensive bibliography.
Clocking in at 449 pages, 'Holly' is a mosaic of words, a literary hodgepodge that, for me, elicits both enjoyment and dissatisfaction. The surprising number of enthusiasts, both readers and critics, caught me off guard, as I struggle to place this novel among King's best works. However, I recognize the subjective nature of reading preferences; what doesn't resonate with me might strike a chord with others.
The central character, Holly, fails to capture my sympathy. While I can navigate narratives with unconventional protagonists, Holly feels more like a writer's creation than an authentic individual. Her perceived quirkiness comes off as contrived, and her judgmental demeanor proves off-putting. Unfortunately, the artificial suspense King builds by withholding crucial information from Holly's knowledge circle becomes a major stumbling block for me, leading to genuine frustration.
Despite my reservations, I remain a devoted Stephen King reader, having devoured every piece of his extensive body of work. 'Fairy Tale' stands out as a personal favorite, a testament to King's unparalleled storytelling prowess. However, 'Holly' doesn't join the ranks of my cherished reads, and the prospect of a revisit seems unlikely. Still, the loyalty to King's craft compels me to anticipate and explore any future works, even if Holly returns as the lead.
In essence, 'Holly' disappoints, reminiscent of a puppet show where the strings are too conspicuous to ignore. King's attempt at cleverly building suspense comes across as contrived and manipulative, overshadowing any potential enjoyment. Despite my reservations, I encourage readers to form their own opinions by delving into the narrative, as taste in literature is inherently personal. Click the link below to explore 'Holly' and decide for yourself, for the beauty of literature lies in its subjectivity.
0 0
© 2024 Pagebound