This latest novel from Stephen King returns to the crime thriller territory he began with the Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch). It’s another Holly Gibney story, with her private investigation business, Finders Keepers, front and center.
King balances two storylines that slowly build and eventually collide in a satisfying conclusion. Holly is tasked with protecting an outspoken abortion rights activist who has become the target of credible threats, while her sometime coworker and fellow investigator, Jerome, works alongside police on a serial killer case that has the whole community on edge.
What I continue to enjoy about these books is Holly herself — smart, observant, and quietly brave, even when she doubts herself. The tension builds steadily, and the alternating storylines keep the pace moving. As an audiobook, it’s especially engaging and hard to turn off. If you’ve been following Holly’s journey, Never Flinch is a strong addition to the series and another reminder that King knows how to keep readers on their toes right up to the final pages.
-Samantha, Development
