Never Flinch

King’s follow-up to Holly has PI Holly Gibney helping to guard Kate, an outspoken feminist activist who has been receiving messages from an increasingly aggressive stalker. At the same time, Holly’s friend, Buckeye City Police Detective Izzy Jaynes, is assigned a case that involves a threat to kill 13 innocents and one guilty person. At first, Izzy isn’t sure the threat is real, but their doubt disappears after the first murder, with possibly 13 more to come. Izzy has an idea of the “why” of the murders, but hasn’t a clue as to who, so she asks Holly to take a look at the evidence. As Izzy investigates and Holly gets pulled further into Kate’s orbit, their cases converge, forcing them to work together to prevent a larger disaster. Holly’s progression (from supporting character to a protagonist worth rooting for) continues. She’s taking on new challenges and finding support in new relationships, a development that gives heart to King’s novel. While the horror elements are not as prominent here as in other series installments, there is real suspense in the dual narratives and the actions of an increasingly off-kilter villain.