Holly – Stephen King
Expectation: The author’s best character in recent years tackles another supernatural mystery.
Reality: Somewhat sidelined by an infusion of current events, it still represents a satisfying entry into King’s recent forays into crime procedurals.
My Take:
After decades as a Constant Reader, I spent the better part of the aughts disappointed by Uncle Stevie’s output. Many of his novels felt bloated, recursive and, at worst, rehashes of earlier, better stories (here’s looking at you, “The Institute”).
While there have been gems — notably “11/22/63” and “Billy Summers” — it was 2018’s “The Outsider” that put Stephen King back into my good graces largely thanks to Holly Gibney, who I referred to as a “shot of adrenaline” and “one of the author’s best characters” in my review of that novel.
It was a no-brainer to dive into “Holly,” Gibney's first standalone narrative after playing a supporting role in five other stories (the Bill Hodges trilogy; short story collection “If It Bleeds” and the aforementioned “Outsider”).
While her charm is on full display in this rather straightforward, plot-driven crime thriller, King’s refusal to allow an editor to trim the fat once again overshadowed what could’ve been a modern classic.
The questionable choices
I can’t be the only long-time fan left scratching my head at a few of the choices our lauded author made with “Holly.”
First, most people know where King sits on the political spectrum — and at this phase in his career he couldn't care less about the cancel culture mob — still his incorporation of MAGA and COVID-19 (the story is set in 2021) did not feel organic to the narrative. Many times his references to current events felt very heavy-handed and scattershot.
Second, sure, this decade has been an absolute dumpster fire of disaster, but the author’s infusion of wokeness (for lack of a better word) did not serve the story nor Gibney well. In some ways it felt like a Boomer grandfather trying to show his Gen Z grandkids that he’s hip, while simultaneously being racist and homophobic.
Once again, the only two queer characters meet grisly deaths and the repeated use of the N-word felt like a challenge rather than a deliberate literary choice. The inclusion of current events pulled me out of the story (I don’t think this will age well) — especially in the second half — and really didn’t add much. Honestly, you could’ve removed MAGA and COVID-19 and not impacted the core mystery at all.
The reasons to still read “Holly”
Expertly plotted (with only one section that truly drags), it’s an old-fashioned cat and mouse game that will make you question the perceived innocent details you share with strangers and acquaintances out of politeness.
There’s no mystery — we learn who the villains are early — the pleasure is simply in seeing how private investigator Gibney unravels almost a decade's worth of disappearances centered around a small liberal arts college in Ohio. Few writers can balance interwoven subplots like King can.
Our main character further cemented herself as one the author’s best creations, but he also paired her with a bevy of strong supporting characters that make me hope Holly Gibney’s universe is just starting to open up.
While aspiring poet Barbara and her mentor Olivia would make for their own interesting story, it was Emily and Rodney Harris, an octogenarian cannibal couple, that stole the show here. They were deliciously dastardly, and you could tell the author had fun piling on the lunacy as readers root for the inevitable comeuppance.
In the end, Constant Readers and fans of King’s recent forays into procedural territory will find a lot to enjoy here.
A note about the audiobook
Do yourself a favor and listen to this one. While I had hoped that Cynthia Erivo would reprise her role as Gibney after the stellar “The Outsider” miniseries, the reins were given to Justine Lupe, an actress who portrayed the private investigator in the “Mr. Mercedes” series.
Lupe’s familiarity with the character clearly showed as she had an almost unnatural embodiment of Gibney’s quirks. However, it was her performance as Barbara, Olivia and the Harris’ that really stole the show. She never veered into sentimentality or camp, which helped make each person feel decidedly real. This was, easily, one of the best narrations I’ve heard all year.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: September 29 – October 7, 2023
Multi-tasking: Good to go, but considering this is more of a mystery than a thriller, ensure you can still pay close attention to the various plot elements casually discussed as Gibney works her process.
