Stephen King reveals why he almost trashed his latest novel — and why his dog may outlive him
Updated 8 hrs ago
May 24, 2025
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By Janet Somerville Special to the Star
'Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.' That's what cop-turned-private investigator Bill Hodges tells his colleague Holly Gibney in Stephen King's 2015 novel 'Finders Keepers.' As Holly returns in 'Never Flinch,' King's new book, out May 27, that wisdom becomes a touchstone in all of the narrative threads.
The Dickens of our time spoke with me recently by phone from Florida where he winters with his wife of 54 years, the novelist Tabitha King, and their 10-year-old corgi, Molly, whom his social media followers will recognize by King's ironic nickname for her: The Thing of Evil. Throughout our conversation his generosity of spirit shone, reverberating, as Fitzgerald wrote, 'like a tuning-fork struck upon a star.'
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Janet Somerville is the author of 'Yours, for Probably Always: Martha Gellhorn's Letters of Love & War 1930-1949.'
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Winnipeg Free Press
37 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Book Review: Quirky private eye tracks a couple more killers in Stephen King's ‘Never Flinch'
Stephen King's favorite private investigator returns in 'Never Flinch,' the sixth novel by King featuring Holly Gibney, who readers first met in the Bill Hodges trilogy ('Mr. Mercedes,' 'Finders Keepers,' 'End of Watch') and who then helped solved the murders at the heart of 'The Outsider' and 'Holly.' In 'Never Flinch,' Holly cracks two more cases, one as the lead security escort for a polarizing author touring the nation to talk about women's reproductive freedom, and the other back home in Ohio, as a serial killer preys on jurors following a miscarriage of justice. The biggest connection between the two cases is classic King — the killers have dead Daddy issues. We meet them both relatively early in the plot and spend time inside their heads, though the true identity of one of them is a mystery until closer to the end. One of the murderers supplies the novel's title, recalling how his abusive and overbearing father berated him to 'push through to the bitter end. No flinching, no turning away.' Even with two killers talking to themselves, Holly is still the star of the book. She continues to 'attract weirdos the way a magnet attracts iron filings,' is how Holly's friend Barbara puts it. More often than not, Holly's obsessive compulsive disorder helps her 'think around corners,' as one of the story's detectives says. King also brings back Barbara's brother, Jerome, and introduces some dynamic new characters, including Sista Bessie ('She's not the Beatles, but she's a big deal'), a soul singer whose comeback concert serves as the nexus for the convergence of the novel's two storylines. When they do, readers will enjoy the very Kingly ending. It's not quite the pigs' blood from 'Carrie,' but it's satisfying. The pages turn very quickly in the final third of the book as all the characters arrive back in Dayton, Ohio ('the second mistake on the lake'), where we first met Holly, and where psychopath Brady Hartsfield began his killing spree in 'Mr. Mercedes.' Will the Mingo Auditorium be the site of another massacre or will Holly and her amateur detectives save the day again? ___ AP book reviews:
Toronto Sun
7 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Final day of King's visit will include parade, throne speech
Published May 27, 2025 • 1 minute read King Charles lll and Queen Camilla (left) with Prime Minister Mark Carney upon their arrival at Ottawa Airport during an official visit to Canada on May 26, 2025 in Ottawa. Photo by Victoria Jones - Pool / Getty Images OTTAWA — King Charles and Queen Camilla will wrap up their whirlwind visit to Canada with a bit of royal pomp today including a parade through downtown Ottawa in a horse-drawn carriage. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The royal couple arrived in Ottawa Monday afternoon and spent time at a local farmers market as well as holding private audiences with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Today they are set to arrive at Parliament Hill in a landau escorted by mounted members of the RCMP and ride a parade route where Royal watchers can catch another glimpse. King Charles is set to read the speech from the throne to open Parliament, making him the first reigning British monarch to do so since his mother Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech in 1977. The King will later lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. King Charles made at least 18 official visits to Canada as the Prince of Wales, but this is his first trip to Canada since his coronation two years ago. Columnists Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Relationships Columnists
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Toronto Star
Stephen King reveals why he almost trashed his latest novel — and why his dog may outlive him
Updated 8 hrs ago May 24, 2025 6 min read Save By Janet Somerville Special to the Star 'Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.' That's what cop-turned-private investigator Bill Hodges tells his colleague Holly Gibney in Stephen King's 2015 novel 'Finders Keepers.' As Holly returns in 'Never Flinch,' King's new book, out May 27, that wisdom becomes a touchstone in all of the narrative threads. The Dickens of our time spoke with me recently by phone from Florida where he winters with his wife of 54 years, the novelist Tabitha King, and their 10-year-old corgi, Molly, whom his social media followers will recognize by King's ironic nickname for her: The Thing of Evil. Throughout our conversation his generosity of spirit shone, reverberating, as Fitzgerald wrote, 'like a tuning-fork struck upon a star.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Janet Somerville is the author of 'Yours, for Probably Always: Martha Gellhorn's Letters of Love & War 1930-1949.' Related Stories 'Poison: A History' and a 100-year-old book signed by Tolkien: a peek at the library of bestselling fantasy novelist Guy Gavriel Kay Toronto novelist Linwood Barclay took a big risk with his latest book, 'Whistle': 'If it sinks like a stone, it will probably be the last of its kind' Forensic anthropology is mainly behind her, but Kathy Reichs is still dreaming up Temperance Brennan novels Report an error Journalistic Standards About The Star More from The Star & partners
