Stephen King’s Next Horror Novel Titled ‘Never Flinch’ Releasing in May 2025: Synopsis & First Excerpt Revealed

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As a lifelong fan of Stephen King’s gripping tales and haunting narratives, diving into his latest work, “Never Flinch,” was an exhilarating journey for me. The story, with its intricate plotlines and masterful character development, once again showcases King’s unparalleled ability to captivate readers and immerse them in the lives of his characters.

Renowned horror author Stephen King is returning with a new spine-tingling book titled “Never Flinch“, scheduled for publication on May 27, 2025.

As a captivated gamer, I can’t help but immerse myself in the intricate narrative of “Never Flinch.” This thrilling tale intertwines two heart-pounding narratives – one following a relentless seeker of vengeance on a chilling mission, and another chronicling a watchful guardian pursuing a prominent feminist orator. The book not only reintroduces beloved characters such as Holly Gibney and gospel singer Sista Bessie, but also introduces fresh personas, most notably an antagonist driven by a lethal fixation.

The official synopsis

When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a chilling letter from someone promising to murder thirteen innocent people and one guilty person as a form of atonement for an unnecessary death, Detective Izzy Jaynes is left bewildered. Is a massacre of fourteen individuals imminent due to an act of vengeful insanity? As the case progresses, Izzy comes to understand that the letter writer means business, and she seeks assistance from her friend Holly Gibney.

Meanwhile, the outspoken and contentious women’s rights activist, Kate McKay, is embarking on a lecture tour across several states, which sees both supporters and critics filling her venues. However, an individual who strongly opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment has started causing disruptions at her events. Initially, no one gets hurt, but the antagonist becomes increasingly bold. As a result, a bodyguard named Holly is hired to protect Kate – a role that proves difficult due to Kate’s strong-willed nature and the adversary’s unwavering anger and conviction in his own righteousness.

Entertainment Weekly went one step further and even obtained the first excerpt from Never Flinch:

Excerpt from Never Flinch

Trig

1

In March, the weather is dreary. Every weekday from 4 PM to 5 PM, The Straight Circle gathers in the basement of the Buell Street Methodist Church. Although this gathering is officially a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, many alcoholics also attend, making it quite crowded. Despite calendar spring having been around for nearly a week, Buckeye City, often referred to as the Second Mistake on the Lake (with Cleveland being the first), usually welcomes actual spring a bit later. As the meeting concludes, there’s a light mist hanging in the air, which will thicken and turn into sleet by evening.

Approximately two dozen to thirty individuals congregate by the smoking area at the entrance, as their only remaining vices are nicotine and caffeine. After spending an hour inside, some seek relief by partaking in nicotine use, while others, who form the majority, proceed towards The Flame, a coffee shop nearby. It’s coffee that satisfies their other addiction.

At a gathering, an individual encounters Reverend Mike, who frequently attends such meetings and numerous others regularly. Known for his recovery from opioid addiction, the Reverend often announces in these meetings, “I hold God dear, but apart from that, I’m just another addict.” This statement typically garners nods and affirmative murmurs, although some long-time attendees find him a bit repetitive. They affectionately refer to him as ‘Big Book Mike’, due to his tendency to recite lengthy passages verbatim from the Alcoholics Anonymous handbook.

Currently, the Reverend is offering a friendly greeting to Trig, which can be described as a hearty handshake, accompanied by this remark: “It’s not often I see someone like you in this neighborhood, Trig. It seems you reside in the countryside.

Trig abstains from mentioning it, yet it’s clear he doesn’t partake. His decision to attend out-of-town meetings, where acknowledgement is scarce, stems from his own motivations. However, today presented an exceptional situation: either attend the meeting or indulge in a drink, and once that first drink was downed, all options would vanish. This is something he’s learned from his personal history.

Mike puts a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “In your share, Trig, you sounded upset.”

In informal terms, “Trig” is a nickname he’s had since childhood. He typically introduces himself by this name at the beginning of gatherings, and rarely shares much beyond that, even at out-of-town Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. In group discussions where people take turns speaking, he often mentions, “I just want to listen today.” However, this afternoon was an exception as he raised his hand to contribute to the conversation.

“I’m Trig, and I’m an alcoholic.”

Hey, Trig,” the gathering replied. Instead of the church, they were gathered downstairs, yet the atmosphere echoed a revival meeting’s call-and-response. Interestingly enough, Straight Circle is actually known as the Church of the Wrecked and Fired.

I feel quite disturbed today; I don’t have much more to add, but felt compelled to let you know something. That’s all I can convey.

There were murmurs of Thanks, Trig and Hang in there and Keep coming back.

Currently, Trig confides in the Reverend that he’s distraught due to learning about a friend who passed away. The Reverend inquires further, seeking clarification, but all Trig discloses is that the individual he’s grieving perished while in custody.

“I’ll pray for him,” the Rev says.

“Thanks, Mike.”

Initially, Trig departs, not heading towards The Flame; instead, he traverses three city blocks and ascends the stairs to reach the public library. He feels compelled to sit and ponder over the individual who met his end on Saturday. That person was fatally stabbed on Saturday, in a prison shower.

He finds a vacant chair in the Periodicals Room and picks up a copy of the local paper, just to have something to hold. He opens it to a page four story about a lost dog recovered by Jerome Robinson of the Finders Keepers Agency. There’s a picture of a smiling and handsome young Black man with his arm around some kind of big dog, maybe a Labrador Retriever. The headline is one word: FOUND!

Trig stares through it, thinking.

Three years ago, the very same name appeared in a published article, yet no one has linked that individual to the one who regularly attends recovery meetings outside of town. It’s not surprising if there was no picture provided (there wasn’t), as the man then had a slightly graying beard and wore contacts. Contrastingly, this person is clean-shaven, wears glasses, and appears younger due to giving up alcohol. He finds the notion of being someone new appealing, yet it also brings him a certain burden. This duality is something he grapples with daily. Additionally, he often ponders his father more frequently these days.

Let it go, he thinks. Forget it.

That is on March 24th. Forgetting lasts just thirteen days.

2

On the 6th of April, I find myself parked in the Periodicals Room chair, eyes locked onto today’s Sunday paper’s front page. The headline doesn’t whisper, it roars. “BUCKEYE BRANDON: CONVICTED PRISONER MIGHT HAVE BEEN INNOCENT!” Buckeye Brandon, self-styled “rebel of the airwaves,” broke this story, and he’s adamant there was no “might have been.” Is it true? Given the source, I’m convinced.

What you’re thinking of doing is crazy, he tells himself. Which is true.

If you do it, you can never go back, he tells himself. That’s also true.

To him, once begun, one should see it through without pause or retreat – a truth that rings most true. This was his father’s motto: “Persevere until the very end, with unwavering resolve and no room for backing down.

And . . . what would it be like? What would it be like for him to do such things?

He should take some time to mull things over more thoroughly. This isn’t just about gaining a clear understanding of what he intends to do, but also about creating a gap between the information provided by Buckeye Brandon (as well as this article) and any potential actions—the atrocities—he might undertake, so no one can draw a connection.

He finds himself remembering the headline about the young man who recovered the stolen dog. It was simplicity itself: FOUND! All Trig can think about is what he’s lost, what he did, and the amends he must make.

Originating from the pages of NEVER FLINCH by Stephen King, copyright © 2025 by Stephen King. Permission to reprint granted by Scribner, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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2024-11-19 09:14