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

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.

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

Awesome This book scared me.

Readers! It's a book of fiction! And A Great Book of Fiction at that. It has nothing to do with Covid, pro or con, Just the era in which it happens. This was one of those "Can't stop or put down" books for me. True to the current times. So Good! Sooo frecking GOOD! "

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!

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!

Another great one by King. I found Holly’s character slightly annoying in the Outsider. She really grew on me in this book. I also appreciated the real world context that King provided with Covid-19 references. Ignore the haters. The book isn’t overtly political. Characters displayed attitudes about the virus that are similar to what we’ve all encountered in the real world.

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!

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

This is one of my all time favorite King books and Justine was excellent. I’ve read it twice already…er Justine has read it to me twice and I will listen again and again.

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

This is one of Mr. King’s best books! For those of you that feel there were too many political and Covid issues in the story…..GET OVER IT!!!!!

This was great. I listened to the other 3 Stephen King novels related to “Holly” BEFORE listening to Holly. Absolutely spell binding and “tied in” all previous novels. It was difficult for me to “stop and start” as I would have LOVED to keep listening to the entire book. Highly recommend and very difficult to put down when “work was calling”.

This was my first Holly Gibney book. I will have to go back and read the others. A horror story Stephen King style. I enjoyed listening to it on my commute. Great narration.

King has done it again! Holly “rocks.” I can’t wait to read the next chapter in Holly, Barbara and Jerome’s journey.

Loved it! Highly recommend but suggest reading Mr Mercedes trilogy and Let it bleed first

This was an enjoyable read and nice to connect with Holly again. It’s set during the pandemic, and Holly, being a germaphobe and a hypochondriac, is greatly impacted by that as well as a very personal reason I won’t say so as not to spoil. King shares his research and reasons for including those views as well as research and presentation of views different than his in the author note at the end. I really enjoyed this!

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.

This book was up to Stephen King’s usual standard of great storytelling.

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.

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.

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.

I loved the plot development and the characterization was so realistic. Stephen King writes in a way that makes you truly experience his stories . I highly recommend this book.

Loved this book!

Great story line. Could have left out some of the political stuff.

Politics aside, this is, as usual, a great book by King! It's a book of fiction..... If you enjoy Stephen King you'll enjoy the book. Just because he mentions Trump doesn't mean the book isn't awesome! Sometimes fact IS stranger than fiction.....Trump, the COVID pandemic, etc. All outlandish things in someone's mind so just enjoy the book!!

Well this will be he last Stephen king book I purchase the politics are over the top. Why doesn’t he understand he’s just an entertainer I guess he’s rich enough he can interject his political views into his entertainment I am out.

Way to political, wouldn't waste my time on this one.

Let me start saying that I LOVE King's books. I have tons on them in my purchased books, and I will keep buying them, but I wish I had read the reviews before getting this one. Although the plot is good, Stephen King's political view and opinion on Trump and covid matters were way, way, WAAAAY over the top!!! As for the narrator, it was hard to discern one character from another. I'm an avid book listener, and this narrator was by far one of the most "blend" ones I've ever listen to. All and all, don't think this book was worth the many hours of my life. And from now on, I'll be only buying his older books only, where I know for sure he doesn't go over the board with his personal political point of view about "the world", and where I know he's simply the good old Stephen King.

horrible book

very well

Disappointing. Tried THREE separate times to continue on with this book over a few days because I had to keep fast forwarding past the sickeningly obvious Trump derangement syndrome drivel. My mistake for not reading the CUSTOMER reviews first. It's too bad the unnecessary jabs ruined what probably would have been yet another great story, I have read Stephen King's stuff for most of my "reading life", and aside from a few small political nuggets here and there, the STORY ITSELF is what the vast majority of readers are there for. Mr. King, you are still a great writer, but your audience generally reads your books to get AWAY from the issues in the real, human world, and it is disappointing when it intrudes onto the otherwise great FICTION you're known for. If I want politics, I'll read political books, or watch the garbage on (all channels) of TV. My two cents. ***However, I agree with another poster- the narrator was good.

I had to stop listening. The political trash was sickening and ruined the whole book. I am done with this guy.

Like others had said leave out politics and the dumb covid BS

Story was solid as usual. Great premise and would make a great movie

I’m so glad I stumbled upon Holly and this little series!

Another great book by Stephen King!

Anything from Stephen King is awesome . I am a fan and so may be biased but Holly’s great. The story is good and the writing is as always excellent but the ending was a little meh !! For me . I was expecting something more . But overall a great read / listen . King is always KING .

Great book, kind of heavy handed politically. That’s Stephen King all over for you though

Another great Stephen King thriller. Narrator was also excellent!

Stephen King never disappoints!

Love Holly Gibney! Creepy parts, signature King. Great story- not a lot of turns but the journey was still fun.

I just can’t get through this. This is one of my favorite series, but the Covid obsession literally makes me sick. Making this series about Covid and anti Trump was the death of King to me.

I have always loved reading Stephen king books. He has been my favorite and only “famous” person I have ever wanted to meet in my life, But I can’t even finish Holly because of the political BS he put in there. I could care less which “side” everyone is on, Today he has lost a fan, which is nothing because he has so many, but I’m sure it will be many if he keeps putting that garbage in his books!

I was a King fan until now. He really started showing BS, left wing, liberal, brainwashed, lemming colors. I wanted to like this book so bad until I continued to listen hoping he would do something to not make me hate it. He didn’t! It was so politically charged and one sided that from now on when I see him as the author i will just keep scrolling.

Good book! It’s the first Stephen King I’ve ever read (heard). The story is creative and held my attention. The characters are likable (or, in the case of the “bad guys”, they’re unlikeable). The reviews that complain about this bring a political novel are ridiculous. King uses a realistic backdrop to his story. He writes about what life was really like in the US IN 2019-2021. There’s no crazy left wing idealism here. Anyway. I would recommend this listen!

They author’s detest for everyone that does not agree wholeheartedly with his political beliefs oozes from the pages. The old people might be the killers in the book, but the true villains are anyone that does not agree with king and looks at the world from a different lens.

The politics in this book were off-putting and to be honest at first I thought it was meant to be funny it was so ridiculous -the story didn’t need it. Still read it with occasional eye rolls for the over the top emphasis on political statements.

Not my kind of book. Very surprising and to bad

Wow, super a trump hating and people who chose not to wear a mask and vaccinate. The opinions in the book are so liberal, basically ruins the book.

I have read King since the 1970’s but I don’t think this is one of his strongest novels. I wanted to read it because it carries a character from two former novels. I was somewhat disappointed in the book.

I’ve listened to this twice now. The second time was even more terrifying. A masterful portrait of evil and the times we live in. Holly Gibney remains one of my favorite Of kings creations. To read triggered reviews by people who are upset about the politics only tells me they have read little of kings work. There is nothing here that doesn’t exist elsewhere in his work. Bravo Mr King for painting a picture of this time that embraces the fear and horror it contains. You are a master and a great American author. Highest rating.

This was a great book, wish it gave just a little more but regardless it was good.

Great book!

This story was amazing. You could never have guessed where the story was going. Very typical Stephen King. An amazing unique story every time.

Another great book from Stephen King!! Narrator did a fantastic job!

Hard book to relax and fall asleep, kept me awake wondering what would happen next.

good read... ending comes quick

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.

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.