I always learn something from King’s books. In “Holly,” I learned that even though you are in your eighties, you can still have a huge impact on other’s lives. It’s not’s too late to take up new things like remodeling your basement or find a passion for food preparation and cooking. ;)

“Holly” is a straight up crime novel – none of King’s signature supernatural in this tale. We follow a well-known King character – Holly Gibney. She has appeared in “If It Bleeds,” “End of Watch,” “Finders Keepers,” and originally in “Mr. Mercedes.” In prior books, Holly is depicted as a bright, shy, but courageous character, with OCD and some emotional baggage. She is a strong character and carries the novel.

I mean this book has no mysterious supernatural element. There is plenty of creepiness and evil, but nothing paranormal. There is little mystery either, as the narrator is omnipotent, and we see both sides of the equation play out. The action is light, although there is a healthy parfait of suspense. The villains are fairly typical these days – racist and narcissistic psychopaths. The twists and turns are fairly limited for a crime novel – I was never shocked about a turn of events (although the crimes are certainly shocking). I also didn’t enjoy the fact that it was set during Covid-19, who wants to relive that!

So, let’s summarize, little mystery, no paranormal, light on action, no big revelations, and it dragged me back though living the pandemic. But guess what, I still enjoyed it. Why, King’s character building is top notch here. Holly is as real a character as you’ll find, and the side characters are strong and unique. King pulls us deep into Holly mind, and that makes for good storytelling. There’s also a bit of nostalgia, connecting back to the past novels that Holly was in. Basically, King makes you like his characters, then lets your root for them, and finally puts them in peril. It works.

Four blood dripping stars for this suspenseful detective novel. In my opinion, it’s doesn’t crack his top ten, but if you enjoy deep character development, you’ll eat-up this book. ( )

I've really enjoyed Stephen King's detective novels, even though he sometimes veers back into horror. He's set up a solid series with Holly Gibney, a socially awkward middle-aged woman, running the Finders Keepers agency, working with Pete, a retired cop, and with part-time assistance from Jerome and Barbara Robinson, teenage prodigies. This installment centers firmly on Holly, with Pete out of action with covid and the Robinson siblings helping out, but preoccupied with their own lives.

King lets readers know from the beginning who the bad guys are, yet keeps the suspense level high as Holly slowly pieces together the clues, missing a few, finding some red herrings along the way. This novel isn't horror, although there is plenty of horrible events along the path to solving this one. I enjoyed this novel and love King's foray into a genre I love and how he has set things up for this to be a solid series. At this point, King is guaranteed a bestseller slot for every book he writes and it's to his credit that he is continuing to write with such energy and imagination. ( )

Cuando Penny Dahl contacta con Finders Keepers para que la ayuden a encontrar a su hija, algo en la voz desesperada de la mujer hace que Holly Gibney se vea obligada a aceptar el trabajo.

A poca distancia del lugar en el que Bonnie Dahl desapareció, viven los profesores Rodney y Emily Harris. Son la quintaesencia de la respetabilidad burguesa: un matrimonio octogenario y dedicado de académicos semiretirados. Nadie diría que, en el sótano de su impecable casa forrada de libros, esconden un secreto directamente relacionado con la desaparición de Bonnie.

Son astutos, pacientes y despiadados, y obligarán a Holly a emplear sus habilidades al máximo y a arriesgarlo todo si quiere cerrar el caso más oscuro al que se ha enfrentado jamás.

While I enjoy most of Kings books this one was a little disappointing to me; King has a strong dislike for President Trump and he lets it show in the book. I read fiction to get a break from "the real world", so to have Trump constantly brought up in the book was a HUGE disappointment. I realize as the author King can work President Trump into his story line all he wants but that doesn't mean I have to like or support it. King should stick to fiction writing and leave politics out. ( )

This is truly memorable story-telling, narrated from several perspectives: the criminal and a detective, as well as the hunted and their hunter. The telling is fuelled by a strong plot and several vivid characters, set against a background of suspense and dread. The sheer ordinariness of evil is highlighted. It's not a story for those with a weak stomach, though in the style of a cozy (this is not one of those), most of the grisly stuff takes place off stage.

The covid "through-line" anchors the story in time, but as time passes, may come to date it.

I was left with a deep sense of regret and melancholia, best described by the police detective to Holly upon her discovery of the crime scene:

"This case has taught me a lesson, Gibney. Just when you think you've seen the worst human beings have to offer, you find out you're wrong. There's no end to evil."

All in all, it's a remarkable story to read and think about. ( )