Book Review: Never Flinch (Holly Gibney, #4) by Stephen King
As a longtime fan of Stephen King’s work, I was eager to dive into Never Flinch, the fourth installment featuring the enigmatic Holly Gibney. King has a way of weaving together suspense, horror, and poignant character development that always keeps me hooked. However, as I turned the pages, I felt a mix of excitement and frustration. While there are truly captivating elements in this latest outing, they are often overshadowed by some underwhelming choices that left me wanting more.
At the heart of Never Flinch lies a tangled web of narratives that gradually converge toward a thrilling climax. King effortlessly juggles multiple threads—from Trig’s chilling killing spree to Kate McKay’s road trip laden with tension and a captivating stalker. The pacing picks up significantly as the story unfolds, and by the final hundred pages, I was racing through the text faster than I anticipated. It’s here that the tension ramps up into a delightful frenzy, and King proves once again that he can create gripping moments that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
One of the highlights of this book is undoubtedly the villains. Trig stands out not just as a killer but as a deeply unsettling character whose actions are driven by a twisted purpose. The scenes depicting his cold, indifferent approach to murder had me both horrified and fascinated. As King often does, he lets us in on the “how” rather than the “who,” allowing for a dark intimacy with the character that makes the reading experience all the more intense. In contrast, Kate’s stalker presents another layer of intrigue, but I wished for a bit more depth to her narrative arc.
However, some characters fell flat for me. Izzy, while more developed than others, felt like she relied too heavily on a reverence for Holly that lacked authenticity. I expected a more nuanced exploration of Kate McKay as well but found her motivations somewhat muted and underexplored. The Robinsons were also a mixed bag; their seemingly flawless existence started to feel glaringly unrealistic.
I must admit, Sista Bessie took me by surprise. Whereas I approached her character with trepidation, I found her larger-than-life persona a refreshing change of pace among King’s often monochromatic supporting characters. However, her constant reminders about her physical attributes bordered on the tiresome.
Ultimately, Never Flinch feels like a mixed bag of brilliant moments and those that simply fade into memory. King’s effort to bring this story to life, as detailed in his afterword, is palpable, showcasing his dedication to craft. Yet, there’s an underlying sense that this particular venture could have benefited from a bit more time in the oven. A brief pause to recharge might have given us a richer narrative experience.
For readers who are die-hard King fans or those who enjoy psychological thrills intertwined with complex character arcs, Never Flinch is worth picking up. However, if you’re like me and prefer the vibrant stakes and character evolution found in some of King’s earlier works, you may find this one lacking an elusive spark.
As I set this book aside, I couldn’t help but reflect on King’s prolific output and my continuing appreciation for his storytelling, even in moments of mediocrity. While I’ll eagerly await his next offering, I hope it will recapture that distinct magic that drew me to him in the first place.
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