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Dear listeners and fellow seekers of gripping tales,

Stephen King’s *Holly* is an audiobook that feels like a journey into the darkest recesses of humanity, guided by the sharp wit and unyielding determination of Holly Gibney—a character I’ve grown to admire over the years. Narrated by the talented Justine Lupe, with a cameo from King himself, this story struck a chord with me in ways that were both surprising and deeply personal.

I first met Holly Gibney through *Mr. Mercedes* while traveling through the windswept Scottish Highlands. I remember listening to her awkward yet endearing voice as the mist rolled over the hills, her evolution from a timid background figure to a central, commanding presence mirroring the unpredictable terrain outside my car window. With *Holly*, she takes the reins entirely, and what a ride it is.

The premise is classic King: a small Midwestern town, a missing person, and an ostensibly ordinary couple hiding monstrous secrets. But layered within this suspenseful framework are themes of resilience, morality, and human complexity. Holly, grappling with personal loss and societal upheavals, is a beacon of perseverance. I saw echoes of her struggle in my own life—times when I navigated unfamiliar cities, piecing together stories from fragments of conversations, determined to uncover hidden truths.

Justine Lupe’s narration is nothing short of masterful. She captures Holly’s essence with such precision that you can almost feel her presence beside you—steady, contemplative, yet brimming with unspoken strength. There’s a scene where Holly confronts an uncomfortable truth about her late mother, and Lupe’s voice trembles ever so slightly, a subtlety that makes the moment all the more poignant. It reminded me of evenings in Oaxaca, listening to a grandmother weave stories with a cadence that pulled you into her world. Lupe possesses that same gift.

Stephen King also lends his voice to a few sections, and while his delivery lacks the polish of a professional narrator, it’s imbued with an authenticity that only the author himself could bring. His voice feels like a direct line to his creative mind, a rare treat for any King fan.

The story unfolds like a tightly wound clock, each tick and tock building toward an inevitable, chilling crescendo. Professors Rodney and Emily Harris, the antagonists, are some of King’s most unsettling creations. Their veneer of intellectual sophistication conceals a depravity that will make your skin crawl. It’s a stark reminder of the masks people wear—a theme that resonated with me as I thought back to encounters with seemingly kind strangers during my travels, only to later discover hidden layers of complexity or malice.

King’s prose, as always, is vivid and atmospheric. He paints the professors’ basement—a setting central to the story—with such detail that you can almost smell the dampness and feel the oppressive weight of their secrets. Listening to this while hiking through the dense, moss-covered forests of Oregon, I found myself glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting the Harris duo to emerge from the shadows.

That said, *Holly* isn’t without its flaws. Some listeners might find the pacing uneven, particularly in the middle sections where King delves deeply into Holly’s introspection. While I appreciated these moments as a travel writer who often finds meaning in quiet reflection, others might crave a quicker tempo. Additionally, the story’s darker elements might be too intense for some, bordering on the grotesque at times.

For fans of King’s other works, *Holly* offers a fascinating evolution of a beloved character. It also stands apart as a testament to King’s ability to blend horror with human drama, much like *The Outsider* or *Misery*. Yet, it feels uniquely timely, addressing contemporary issues like the pandemic with a level of sensitivity and insight that adds depth to the narrative.

If you’re new to audiobooks, this is an excellent entry point. The combination of King’s gripping storytelling and Lupe’s exceptional narration makes for an immersive experience. And for seasoned listeners, it’s a reminder of why we love the format—its ability to transform a story into a living, breathing entity.

So, who should listen to *Holly*? If you’re a fan of character-driven mysteries with a psychological edge, this audiobook is for you. If you appreciate narrators who bring characters to life with nuance and authenticity, Lupe’s performance will captivate you. And if, like me, you’re someone who finds joy in exploring the shadows and complexities of human nature, *Holly* will stay with you long after the final chapter.

As I wrapped up this audiobook during a quiet evening in a remote cabin in the Catskills, I felt a mix of satisfaction and melancholy. Satisfaction from witnessing Holly’s triumph against the odds, and melancholy from saying goodbye to a character who feels like an old friend. But as King himself has said, he could never let Holly go—and perhaps, neither can we.

With gratitude for the stories that bind us,
Marcus Rivera