Holly

Stephen King’s Holly marks the triumphant return of beloved King character Holly Gibney. Readers have witnessed Holly’s gradual transformation from a shy (but also brave and ethical) recluse in Mr. Mercedes to Bill Hodges’s partner in Finders Keepers to a full-fledged, smart, and occasionally tough private detective in The Outsider. In King’s new novel, Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries.

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Published Sep 5, 2023

480 pages

Average rating: 7.62

216 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

ljzsreadsandreviews
Sep 13, 2025
8/10 stars
Holy creepy! Stephen King is a master in his craft for a reason. I was on edge the entire time and practically screaming for everyone to put everything together. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives because it allows us as the reader to be in the know but the way it’s written keeps enough of a mystery to bring suspense. I hated liking the characters I knew were going to die and I truly enjoyed our main characters. The biggest hangup for me was the fact that we’re set during the COVID-19 pandemic. I know it’s apart of our history and its inevitable that it’ll be referenced in mediums but I just don’t enjoy it. I read to get away and that time just hits too hard. Plus, although accurate, it was pushing a bit political for me.
thenextgoodbook
Sep 04, 2025
6/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com

What’s it about?

Holly Gibney is back as the sole investigator in this latest Stephen King novel. Set about a year and a half into the Covid crisis, Holly is hired by Penny Dahl to find her missing daughter Bonnie. The police assume Bonnie has just run away from home, but Penny is convinced she has been taken.

What did it make me think about?

How will we remember Covid?

Should I read it?

Stephen King can certainly write a mystery. No one is going to argue that. However, this was not my favorite of his books. I am not sure if it was Holly being the sole lead character or that the novel felt a little preachy to me. I think it was the combination of both. If you like a good mystery then I would still pick this one up. Stephen King is a great storyteller- even when he gets sidetracked.

Quote-

“Holly decides not to listen to the rest of anxious Penelope’s messages. The lady will have to wait. Pete sure isn’t going to be doing any legwork for awhile; he tested positive for Covid a week before Charlotte died. He was double-vaxxed and isn’t too sick- says it’s more like a heavy cold than the flu- but he’s quarantining and will be for some time to come.”
Lyndsey Ercan
Dec 12, 2024
4/10 stars
This “horror” is just an episode of Criminal Minds.
Khris Sellin
Jul 05, 2024
8/10 stars
Fun little read about cannibalism

People go missing in a college town, seemingly unconnected. Did they run away, start a new life? Holly doesn't think so.

I need to do some catching up on my Stephen King reading.
ValkyrieValerie
Jun 17, 2025
7/10 stars
I loved when the story all came together. It seemed random at first but I'm glad I hung in there!

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