Holly

Stephen needs to leave the politics out of his books. he truly has trump derangement syndrome. and not everyone agrees with your covid "hot takes" , especially not years after the fact.

Even with how unhinged King has been politically, until this book, I've still been able to enjoy his books because he WAS able to separate his political views from his writing. He seems to be totally unable to do so with this offering. I really enjoyed the first three books of this series, and it's a shame how disappointing this book has been so far. Hopefully, King will regain the ability to create wonderful stories without espousing propaganda that advertises his extreme political views. I'm middle of the road politically, but it turns my stomach whenever the extreme drives of the right or left open their mouths to spit venom and waste my time. I'm SO sick of all of the hatred between groups of people that are all being short changed by our corrupt and incompetent governmental "representatives".

The politics was over the top. I miss the other reader. Doesn’t sound like the old Holly Gibney

Completely lost my interest once politics got mentioned and the fake China made Covid was mentioned

Awesome This book scared me.

Had to post a double review for this book after reading the subsequent reviews from everyone. It's funny how people are up in arms and angry about how Mr. King placed a facet of politics in his books yet, mentions nothing about how racial slurs bothers them. Shouldn't that in-turn bother everyone eq2as well? I guess racial slurs from an opposite ethnicity is not as terrible as choosing a political side (Sarcastic). As an African American male I still love his books regardless the implementation racial slurs or politics as they represent some form or fashion of America. This is the country we live in, deal with it, he just incorporates what many are thinking and many are not. Just because we haven't witnessed any of these thoughts in American homes of politics or COVID doesn't mean they are not happening. There are political radicals out there who treat politics like cheering for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, its just unfortunate we as readers can respect the artist but deappreciate his art. It is also unfortunate that we cant use America as mental development to bring a realistic alptitude and attitude to writing without groupthink opinions. We as readers should be able to immerse ourselves into the fantasy of the artist's creativity. This post changes nothing but highlight the tragic differences of how personal opinions (Because that's what they are) fuel perceptions of how we view things in the world. My note: Mr. King, keep writing the way you see the world. Either we are gonna listen or not however, I for one will be signing up for the next book in Holly's chapter. Now the actual book review: This was an amazing adaption of Holly, to give her own in-sight into life without her family and Bill. I have to say it took big adjustment to get used to another narrator, narrating Holly. Will Patton did such an amazing job with her personality. The new narrator often often struggled in sustaining that performance and it often cause discontent within listening. The characters had the essentially the same vocal presence until roughly the end of the book. Another note, hopefully the arc of Barbara is leading to another story as we stepped away from Holly for quite a bit to focus on her writing. Outside of the narrator, loved it and can't wait for the next!

105 minutes in before I realized who Bill and Holly were.. one of Steven's best series 10/10

As one of the few reviewers who’s actually read this book and didn’t just come here as part of their maga cult requirements, I’d just say it’s a solid book. If you like the Gibney character, you won’t be disappointed. And to the maga cultists, get a life. Time and time again you prove why everyone in the real world thinks you’re unhinged losers.

I Used to be a big, Stephen King fan, emphasis on the word “use too”! The last thing I want to read or hear is somebody pushing their political views! I don’t care if you like Trump or hate Trump.. a big no no!

been a king fan all my life. this is him at his worst. It far to political. i wish i hadnt wasted my money on it

Ridiculously political and ignorant. I loved the other Holly books. Won’t even listen to this one. True waste of money.

Couldn’t put it down! Glad to see holly back

What a colossal disappointment. Why do entertainers think we care about their politics? Obviously Mr King has abandoned his audience in favor of a soapbox. Mr Trump is not a character in this book although you wouldn’t know that from the many times he’s mentioned. Do people really begin a conversation with “Are you vaxed?” where he’s from? Holly’s voice and personality are completely missing with the loss of Will Patton as narrator.

I love Kings storytelling generally, and it was okay in this book. I did miss the Holly Gibney quirks though, she seemed more like an "ordinary person" in this book. Also, the one sided political views, and the comfortable laziness of making Hollys mother a MAGA-diehard was not one of Kings brightest moments. I agree with others here: King has his political views, but plastering them all over alienates a large part of his audience. The enjoyment of reading or listening to a book that makes you feel like you should be imprisoned because you don't agree on a very liberal, almost leftist standpoint, isn't the way to keep a loyal constant reader.

Only King book I could not finish. I am a huge fan of everything else he has written though. This book should've just been titled " I am ignorantly terrified of COVID and I hate Donald Trump, loved the main character Holly in all of his other books, too bad he killed her character for me in this blatant blue cult fanatical writing. Couldn't get past the never ending covid, mask and Trumper dialouge. I don't know, maybe I just didn't get it. So no, I would not recommend.

What a horrendous POS of a book. When did Stephan King stop writing the best supernatural murder mysteries, to over the top Trump hating liberal brainwashing propaganda? I love all the stories with Holly in them. I read along as he developed her into a completely bad ass private detective. But this book is just too much. Im no Republican but i also don’t want liberalism shoved in my face. Horrible book do NOT recommend if your not a screaming liberal extremist.

Interesting story, but it's a bit predictable.

Big King fan but this was not one of his best, the writer just seemed to be going thru the motions here

this was a good book but it was too political for me. but it did keep me interested and I did like listening to it. the narrator did a good job and I really enjoyed how she did the characters.

I am usually so impressed with Stephen Kings incredible ability to tell a story and had been anxiously awaiting Holly’s story. However, the constant reminders of the hyper anxiety of the masked and vaxed took so much away from the story. That season of our lives is the main story of this book and Holly is a walk-on cast member.

The character Holly is my favorite from all of the King novels. I hate to give her a 1 star review. It isn't her fault, it's Stephen King's fault. The heavy political spew and all of the Covid references ruined this book for me. We get enough of this stuff thrown at us, the last place we need it is while we're trying to relax with a good book and a coffee. BOO Mr. King BOO! One thing I would like to mention on a brighter note is the narrator. She did an awesome job. I didn't think I could imagine Holly without the voice of Will Patton. He was so perfect and made Holly sound and feel so awkward and socially inept. Which is exactly what she was up until the end of If It Bleeds. In her own book, Holly, she is like a blossoming flower, free of her mother, running her own agency, living her life! Justine Lupe gave Holly that breath of fresh air she needed! Thank you for that!

I mean-come on-it’s King. Great story lines as always. Double scary because it’s just human beings being the creepiest possible.

I normally love Stephen King. This book was disappointing. Not scary, too political, no normal twist or turns.

Love Holly! Mr. KING stays true to her nature and the way she thinks and acts. All the favorites are in the book- with relevant character building, and interesting story lines. Good read!

Usually love king books and absolutely loved mr. Mercedes and the following two books. Good job ruining an amazing character with politics really sad. We get enough crap shoved down our throats in real life don’t need it here as well.

Welp, this was not the Holly book I was hoping for. The Covid propaganda was over the top, and obviously did not age well. We get enough political craziness in the real world, we the King Fandom, don’t want to hear this crap in a horror/thriller book. As for narration, it wasn’t bad, but Will Patten actually did a better job.

Toooooooooo political for me. Want a story not political views. Couldn’t get past 30 minutes.