Books to Borrow Martinsburg Public Library Recommends

“I could never let Holly go.” – Stephen King

A political thriller? A horror novel? A supernatural chiller? If you are a longtime Stephen King reader, you will be thrilled to know that this novel tries to cover them all. Holly, as a novel, finds its roots in four previous books and one novella by King. Holly Gibney, the title character in Holly, is a minor character in the Bill Hodges trilogy (“Mr. Mercedes,” “Finders Keepers,” “End of Watch”). She also finds her way into King’s book “The Outsider” and in a novella included in “If It Bleeds.” In each of these works, Holly is characterized as being obsessive, compulsive, and non-swearing. More importantly, her skills as a computer wizard make her an essential part of Bill Hodges’ detective agency. She first appears halfway through Mr. Mercedes, and her sharp computer skills facilitate the conclusion of these novels.

In “Holly,” she threads her way through a series of disappearances in a college town in the Midwest. Her detective agency is called upon to investigate one of these seemingly unrelated events, each one occurring years apart. Complicating her investigation is the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other recurring characters include Jerome Robinson and his sister Barbara, who assist Holly in her investigation, and the ghost of Bill Hodges who appears in Holly’s dreams.

Holly’s transformation into a strong character is evident throughout the book. She is forced to lead the investigation by herself, interview a wide assortment of characters, and in the final chapter, adopt a strong physical presence.

This is not the first time King has pulled a character out of the bullpen into a new novel. Danny Torrence, who we first met as a troubled youngster in “The Shining,” is met again in “Doctor Sleep.” Danny has transformed from a kid needing adult help to an adult taking control.

Blending politics, COVID issues, and personal transformational growth, King has written a novel that not only will satisfy his fans or constant readers but also others looking for a suspense novel. The ending will be somewhat of a surprise, but it is well worth the time spent reading.