Never Flinch: A Novel Hardcover – May 27, 2025

This is an author that I never hesitate to pick up. I have been reading this author's stories since I was really young. I enjoy how they are well written and how his attention to details make the stories realistic. This one is no different. It is a well written story that is hard to put down and engaging. In this story Holly is back in another thriller case solving. She finds herself doing a bodyguarding job on top of a serial killer running around her community. She isn't part of the serial killer case but she finds herself working it behind the scenes. I enjoyed her character and how the others are supportive to each other. Holly, Kate and Izzy are my favorites of the story. They are strong women who know what they want and how to get it. I enjoyed their determination and how they had me coming back for more. I enjoyed watching the growth of the story which made it easy to read. This is a fast paced story that is a must read. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this must read.

The very best thing in this book is the storytelling. I wasn't sure, at first, about the author being in cahoots with the reader and giving out little hints. I began to really appreciate that little quirk. The story itself is the second best thing. The weaving of the two stories together is masterful. Add in the varied characters, especially Sista Bessie, and the result is a very satisfying read.

A new tale from my favorite author—and featuring my favorite character set—didn't disappoint in the slightest. Never Flinch is riveting from start to finish, packed with compelling characters, a gripping plot, and timely nods to current events.I love seeing once again Holly, Barbara, and Jerome—King's recurring ensemble never fails to feel like old friends. Izzy and new character Corrie were great and hope to see them again, and even Sista Bessie left a lasting impression, though I suspect we may have seen her for the last time.King’s ability to blend suspense, emotion, and relevance is as sharp as ever. I couldn’t put it down.

I did not read anything about this book before I read it, so I didn’t know what to expect. It didn’t matter, it was King, right? I was overjoyed to meet my old friends Holly Gibney and the Robinsons in Buckeye City. I think this book is my new favorite. I could not stop reading. Luckily, I started it while on vacation or I may have had to call off work! Loved the delicious twist at the end. Read it now.

There’s not much going on in King’s latest effort.The main conflict is a crazy person who was on a jury who convicted a man whom he considered innocent. The man was later murdered in prison. He wants revenge for the dead person, so he sets out to murder stand-ins for the jury members who convicted him. When he kills one of them, he puts a slip of paper with one of the jury member’s name on it. He plans to kill himself in the end, since he voted to convict the dead man himself.King uses both of his likable characters, Izzy and Holly, to try to apprehend this guy before he can kill more people.King must’ve felt he needed something else to spice up the book. He settles on a feminist named Kate McKay. She’s on a lecture tour and a deranged stalker is after her, too. Holly is hired as her bodyguard.King must’ve felt he needed a little something else. Jerome Patterson and his sister also enter the mix to help guard McKay. About the only nerve-wracking event in respect to them is when Jerome is kidnapped. I wasn’t worried for a minute. One of these times King is going to have to kill off a likable character or readers will stop taking him seriously.There’s a baseball game between the firemen and the police at the end of the book. A notable character named Sista Bessie is supposed to sing the national anthem. She’s also a target, but the main one is Kate McKay, the feminists, who’s supposed to give a speech. Are you worried yet? I wasn’t.

Stephen King has written so very very much that it’s almost impossible to rate one of his books without referencinghis entire works. This one builds upon characters he’s already brought to life for us, characters we already love. And he weaves a plot that has us wondering, of course.So I’m not going to quibble with anything he writes – I have collected his whole works and followed his whole career. I will say Never Flinch is worth reading; it’s deep enjoyment if you love Stephen King.It’s probably not his master work. And, if you have not been introduced yet to Stephen King, I would select another book than this.But if you do already love the man’s work, you will enjoy continuing to follow him in this world that he has created.

but a little too wordy. It's a good story line, with lots of characters from the Mr. Mercedes series. It kept my interest, up until the end actually, where it got slow. But, maybe there will be another Holly Gibney book soon, who knows?

I’ve read a lot of King books and this one was fun. I am a huge Holly Gibney fan so to be in her world yet again was great. Having read all the other novels Holly has been in made me feel special as the reader understanding all the references. I enjoyed the side characters in this as well. The overall story felt a bit rushed but that’s only because I am used to King novels being SO much longer and going into much greater detail so I’m not saying this was a bad thing just felt different being a shorter story. I still enjoyed it!