Holly: The No. 1 Bestseller, now in paperback Paperback – 12 Sept. 2024

It had been a few years since I had read a Stephen King book although I devoured them in my teenage years. This one had been getting good coverage so I thought I would try it. I admire that he is still writing novels after so many years.I hadn't realised that Holly Gibney had appeared in previous books but hoped it wouldn't matter (and it doesn't).This was first published in 2023. There are 429 pages with chapters labelled by their date, then each being split into smaller sections. Most of the action is in 2021 but we are frequently taken back to dates during the previous decade.There is a feeling of safety with Stephen King - he's an experienced author and every detail is perfect. I had expected more of a horror novel but was delighted that this book is firmly set in the crime genre.2021 is a really interesting setting, socially and politically. The US is polarised by the rise of Donald Trump, splitting up friends and families. Covid is well established with a new strain threatening to escalate and differing personal reactions causing more divisions. Throw in some missing people and this book has great potential.There is a definite sense of stepping into Holly's life and having to catch up with her back story. The author makes sure throughout the book that any new reader gradually gets to understand Holly.The pandemic gives a background ripe for rumour and suspicion. Stephen King takes full advantage of the complete confusion that so many were experiencing at the time.Holly is at her mother's funeral when we first meet her - they had a complicated relationship and the reader is allowed to pick through it with Holly as she processes her grief.The descriptions of Holly's feelings about her smoking habit are particularly well written and must be from the author's own experience. I'm not a smoker but almost wanted a cigarette as I read about her complete enjoyment regardless of the negatives.There are two options with a crime novel - identify the perpetrators for the reader at the start then watch the investigator find them or allow the reader to work it out as the detective does. Here, we see the killers early on through a parallel timeline that gradually catches up with the present day (July 21). This creates a tension making the reader encourage Holly and celebrate with her as she gets close to solving the crimes. There is no doubt that Holly will be in danger at some point but you have to have faith that she can beat such a vulnerable couple - can't she??!I was really impressed with every element of this book and am going to buy a few more of the authors recent books.I took my time to read this and got the best out of the story. The ending was as I expected and I was screaming at Holly to call the police which shows my level of engagement. I've definitely got a renewed respect for Stephen King and was particularly interested to read his author's note.

I'm a King fan. I'm a Holly fan. This is a great read. I tore through this book as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next!

We continue Hollies story, and a damned good story it is too. Good character building with our favourites Jerome to name but one. So why only four stars?I have to be honest Mr King, I did hover my finger over five but having started well, and now I’ve finished it, it certainly ended well, I have to say it became a little flat in the middle, pedestrian even. There I’ve said it and if I hadn’t I wouldn’t be giving an honest review.Now with that said if your wondering whether to purchase this book I’d say no, not yet, read all the Bill Hodges trilogy first and do them in order.THEN you will HAVE to buy this one.It’s still a damn good read.

Loved the characters and the protagonist especially. The story builds and it's a great example of a Stephen King book..

Another excellent Steven King book

Brilliant story. standalone character Holly Gibney a high octane adventure, I couldn't put it down, I do hope that we have more stories about Holly and her adventures

As usual from Stephen, a pretty good read, the details of which I won't go into as it would be too easy to introduce spoilers. My only gripe is that for me Holly has lost a chunk of the quirkiness that has made her such a great character in the earlier novels. She seems much more, dare I say it, conventional in this tale, such that it could almost be any of your standard detectives in the lead role. I would still hope that she will return in some future work, and if so, would probably buy it, but there just seemed to be something missing here.

Edge of your seat novel Holly is becoming a major player in the Stephen King world