HOLLY, by Stephen KingA friend of mine has become a scaredy-cat since having a baby. She has been forcing herself to watch horror movies through parted fingers, hoping they will steel her nerves for the frights of everyday life. I thought of my friend’s experiment while reading “Holly,” the new mystery from Stephen King: Here is a thriller scary enough to test its readers’ mettle — and toughen them up. Holly Gibney, a private investigator, is attending her mother’s funeral when a woman calls asking for help finding her missing daughter. Mercedes’ and she just kind of stole the book and stole my heart.” Her presence balances the new novel’s darkness.

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