As an example of how age is just a number, Stephen King is still producing best sellers and fresh ideas at 76, having written around 75 books.
Holly was initially a short story, being first published in 1995 as part of his collection of stories called Nightmares & Dreamscapes, but the character went on to appear in Mr Mercedes, The Outsiders, End of Watch and Finders Keepers
King says she is his most compelling and resourceful character with a savant-like memory and razor-sharp observation skills as well as being obsessive compulsive.
King has the ability to delve into the complexities of the human psyche and we see this in the character definition for Holly Gibney.
Through his exploration of Holly’s traumatic past, he addresses themes of trauma, resilience and the power of facing one’s fears and through her he touches on the idea that confronting one’s demons can lead to personal growth and healing.
The protagonist, Holly, is an independent woman haunted by traumatic experiences from her childhood and running a private detective agency hired to find a serial killer
This is no horror like (King’s 1986 novel) It, but a crime thriller that is equally macabre and has all the twists and turns of a roller coaster.
With a talent like no other, he expertly weaves together elements of suspense and psychological exploration, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
It is well-balanced, while still allowing moments of introspection.
King is the absolute master of atmospheric writing; he has the most incredibly unique talent.
He can effectively build tension and create a sense of unease throughout the story, making it a thrilling and immersive reading experience.
Stephen King’s storytelling prowess shines through in Holly and to be fair the last couple of new releases, Billy Summers and The Institute.
Although I will never be equipped or qualified to really give an evaluation on the master’s work, I did subjectively feel that with some of the work in the 2000s we could be forgiven for forgetting books like The Dome.