Private investigator Holly Gibney's friend, Police Detective Izzy Jaynes, is dealing with a case in which 13 innocent people and one guilty person are being targeted for death by a person who considers the murders atonement for an alleged miscarriage of justice. It's not her case, but Holly can't help getting involved in the search for clues to the killer's identity.

Meanwhile, Kate McKay, a controversial women's rights activist, is being stalked by a person whose threats are becoming increasingly more violent. Corrie Anderson, Kate's personal assistant, who has been the target of two of those threats, contacts Holly and wants to hire her as a bodyguard for the rest of their multi-state speaking tour. Holly is a fan and looking forward to McKay's scheduled appearance in Buckeye City. Still, it is with some reluctance that she accepts the assignment.

Adding yet another element to this multi-plot novel, world-famous soul singer Sista Bessie is coming to town and has contacted Holly's young friend Barbara Robinson with an amazing offer. She wants to collaborate in turning a poem from Barbara's recently published book into a song to be premiered in her performance.

Stephen King is widely recognized as the master of horror fiction. But this is a suspense novel, not another horror story. The horror in this novel is the kind humans are perfectly capable of creating without any help from paranormal sources.

Wait for it. King is skilled at turning many threads into a neat skein. Fewer writers can surpass King for ratcheting up nail-biting tension, and this is no exception. He winds everything up with an explosive finish.

I've followed Holly's development since she was introduced as a secondary character in the Bill Hodges series and later took over Bill's Finders Keepers agency after his death. I think this is the best of the series and look forward to more Holly adventures. Those earlier books included elements of the paranormal King is famous for. That's missing and not needed in this novel, though he does throw in a bit of a hint for those who expect it. You'll know when you see it.

A fun read with a gripping collection of well-drawn characters, plot and action.

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