Stephen King's 'Never Flinch' Explores the Fading Presence of Heroes in a Troubled World

Upon receiving an email that appeared to be from a major newspaper editor inviting me to review Stephen King's latest novel, I initially suspected a phishing attempt. Could it really be the Stephen King?

After carefully verifying the sender's authenticity—checking the email address, avoiding direct clicks on links, and conducting multiple online searches—I cautiously accepted the invitation, still doubtful the book would arrive.

When the novel did arrive, I pondered whether my caution had been excessive or justified. Stephen King's new thriller, 'Never Flinch,' which follows his 2023 release 'Holly,' poses a similar unsettling question: Is society truly stable, or is it unraveling beneath the surface?

Early in the story, private investigator Holly Gibney, a complex and familiar character from King's previous works, is enjoying fish tacos with Detective Izzy Jaynes, another recurring figure. Their friendship offers a refreshing departure from the typical tension between private investigators and police officers, and Izzy seeks Holly’s expertise on a troubling case.

The Buckeye City Police Department receives an email threatening to kill "13 innocents and 1 guilty" in retaliation for a man wrongfully convicted and killed in prison. The message reads, "Does that make sense to you? It does to me, and that is enough." Though the rationale is perplexing, the underlying demand—that truth is a right to be invented—resonates painfully in today’s world, voiced not only by aspiring killers but by many.

Soon, the anonymous sender, who shares with Holly the trauma of an abusive deceased parent, begins to carry out the threats. The murders unfold rapidly, with cold detachment, leaving readers with a profound sense of vulnerability.