Stephen King Fans discussion

Always Holly is an upcoming book. We've had an awful lot of Holly. So, what do ya think, are you all looking forward to more, or have you had enough?

P.S. This may be the book previously titled We Think Not.
(edited)

I would rather read the supposed talisman, black house book he’s working on.

I like Holly but I am a bit surprised he would be doing another novel with her so quickly.

Enough of Holly, already! She was never that great of a character, anyway.

Erin wrote: "I like Holly but I am a bit surprised he would be doing another novel with her so quickly."

I really like Holly too.

More Holly is fine with me.

I'm intrigued by Holly. Fine with me.

I’m in!

I'm happy to read about whomever he chooses to write. ;-)

I bought the book 📖 holly about shoot I can’t even remember but I got it a d I was like I don’t know holly. So I had to see where she originated from, and so I had to obtain all the bill hodges novels so I can begin Holly which have been wanting to read, but I also want to read everything else before it. Ugh what a tangled web I weave. Happy reading to all!

The full storyline of Holly:

Mr. Mercedes
Finders Keepers
End of Watch

The Outsider
If It Bleeds (title story in this collection)
Holly

@chris nice 👍🏽, thanks for the order awesome. 😎

I really like her character but can you have too much of a good thing..?

It makes sense for more Holly since almost everyone loves the character and her history with the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. I really loved "Holly" so I'm all for more Holly!

LTJ wrote: "It makes sense for more Holly since almost everyone loves the character and her history with the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. I really loved "Holly" so I'm all for more Holly!"

The main reason I don't get tired of reading about Holly is because her character "evolves" and that is fun to follow.

We all need more Holly in our lives! Looking forward to this one!

@Joan: Same here! I love her character. One of my favs King ever wrote.

I’m for more Holly. Great character with still plenty of potential for growth. I mean John Connolly can write a 21 books series on Charlie Parker so why can’t King go back to this ‘well’ several times? It’s about the plot and how the characters adjust. Those complaining, I honestly don’t get it?

@Glen: Exactly! The majority of Constant Readers love Holly, so I'd be down with more novels about her or even involving her!

I think some King fans don't see King as a serial writer, despite having written The Dark Tower series. I think the Mr. Mercedes trilogy and the following books featuring Holly plant him firmly in that genre. And why not? He's written a bit of everything else!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I am currently reading Holly, and so far it’s good aside from the constant Covid references, and racist language…. I am so far on page 179 and currently reading 📖. Happy reading to all! 📖📚😀

So, the book previously known as We Think Not then Always Holly will be Never Flinch, out on May 27, 2025.

I'm looking forward to more Holly. She is one of my favourite characters written by King and one of the few that actually evolves throughout her appearances. I think King also said that she's one of his favourite characters, so it's really no surprise that he'd do another book about her.

The only thing I hope for is less standing on a soap box and commenting on Covid, anti-vaxxers and Trump, as much as I agree with King's sentiment, and more focus on the actual plot.

I was hoping for something new and fresh. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great character but he’s become fixated with her. I won’t be rushing to buy it, I’ve not read Holly yet because I was sick of reading Gibney stories.

@michaelroch how do you know that’s what’s next? I can’t find any announcement on his site and google doesn’t come up with anything for his next book. Just looking for a good site to keep up with this sort of thing.

Kelly wrote: "I was hoping for something new and fresh. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great character but he’s become fixated with her. I won’t be rushing to buy it, I’ve not read Holly yet because I was sick of r..."

I mean, I wouldn't call 5 novels and one novella featuring Holly over a timespan of 10 years becoming fixated on her with the amount King writes. I'm actually happy that he sticks with a recurring character for once and with at least two King publications coming out every year, I feel there is still enough fresh stuff even for those who absolutely can't stand Holly.

But for someone who grew up reading King from his early years on (when he was actually wrote horror novels), 10 years of Holly Gibney has seemed like 20 years.

The last novel that felt like the old King was Revival.

I would argue that “you like it darker” has a lot of the old style king in it.

Those were short stories, not a novel. But you're right. I like his short stories better than his novels these days.

Nick wrote: "@michaelroch how do you know that’s what’s next? I can’t find any announcement on his site and google doesn’t come up with anything for his next book. Just looking for a good site to keep up with t..."

Try "Never Flinch Stephen King" in google. Several items just came up for me.

(edit) I don't see it on amazon yet, but people've been searching it there

Cemetery Dance is offering the physical book for sale already with the option of having a custom-made slipcase for it, but my experience with that is CD isn't going to have it available the day it officially releases and the slipcase came with a 2nd printing book (if that matters to you--it does to me).

I'm always super excited for more Holly!

I finished Holly less than a week ago and 75% finished with Mr. Mercedes. At this point I can’t wait to get to the next book in the series. I’ve already bought the next 2.
Bring on the newest! Can’t wait…

I just finished the Bill Hodges trilogy and concluded that Holly doesn’t really jump out as anything special. What am I missing? I hope the (three?) other books featuring Holly change my mind, but my glass is half empty.

Maybe they’re just not the books for you? I absolutely loved the Bill Hodges trilogy: the story, the pace, the tension and definitely the characters. Found Holly to be funny, smart and sweet. For me Bill, Jerome and Holly made an awesome investigative trio. Gave all 3 books 5 stars.

Oh..would have liked to read something new. I like Holly, but I’d appreciate something else..I miss old stories like The eyes of the Dragon and The Talisman. 💗

I love Holly.. but maybe King has some surprises in store for her… looking forward to reading…

I thought Holly was predictable. I liked all the other books but that one was just ok.

Just finished Holly and I loved it. always pleased to read more about her so I'm looking forward to Never Flinch.

I preordered my copy of this over the weekend. I can't wait! I love Holly Gibney, and I'm excited to see her next adventure :-)

I’m elated and ecstatic! I just found out about Never Flinch this morning and can’t wait to read it. Looking forward to the interaction between Holly and Izzy. They didn’t always get along in previous books. Just going to have to bide my time and twiddle my thumbs…
Ahh who am I kidding? There’s plenty to read before the release. Still, this news brightens my morning!

hey! feel free to add me, i'm always looking for new friends i love reading reviews and getting different perspectives. Im from the uk and love a thriller book 📕 ❤️💕🙌

Over the moon! I just picked up "Never Flinch" from the local library! So excited to get started (and finished)!!

I started reading it and now am at page 55! Going really good!!

I just hope he keeps his politics out of it. The last 4 or 5 books have been rife with it.

It is long (about 450 pages) and not an easy quick read. There are lots of characters and various plot lines that are starting to merge together (I'm about halfway through). It is more of a psychological thriller than anything and Holly is great along with her friends Izzy and Jerome and others. Then there is her different and new temporary career as a bodyguard for an uber feminist who wouldn't think of having a big male bodyguard. Some may call this stuff "politics" but it is more like the characters displaying their positions and that is fine with me. Again, not a quick easy read but I'm finding it definitely worth the effort to enjoy this complex story. It feels like Stephen King has been reading some Freida McFadden before writing this one.

just picked up Never Flinch. So excited!

I just started this. Always excited to read a new Stephen King.

Yeah, I've had way too much of Holly but I suppose I'll pick this up eventually.

I am a huge Holly fan --- one of my fave characters, but I have to "read" by audio book, and every book that Holly has been in was read by Will Patton ----- except for Holly and now Never Flinch. I am hoping the reader in Never Flinch will hold my attention - because the reader for Holly was a disappointment for me. I know that's just my opinion - and I'll try to actually read the book (my doctors don't want me to read bound books due to the pull on my neck) I am anxious for this book and looking forward to it