Le corps martyrisé d’un garçon de onze ans est retrouvé dans le parc de Flint City. Témoins et empreintes digitales désignent aussitôt le coupable : Terry Maitland, l’un des habitants les plus respectés de la ville, entraîneur de l’équipe locale de baseball, professeur d’anglais, marié et père de deux fillettes. Et les résultats des analyses ADN ne laissent aucune place au doute. Pourtant, malgré l’évidence, Terry Maitland affirme qu’il est innocent. Et si c’était vrai ?
Holly Gibney Séries
La série suit l’enquêtrice Holly Gibney, qui passe d’une aide discrète à une professionnelle dure, précise et inflexible. Dans des villes américaines ordinaires (comme Flint City), elle met au jour des crimes qui semblent rationnels en surface, mais dont le fond est plus sombre et difficile à expliquer. King fait monter la tension grâce aux détails, aux témoignages et à la capacité de Holly à tenir là où les autres reculent. C’est un mélange de polar et d’horreur sur la facilité avec laquelle le “monde normal” peut se fissurer — et sur le prix à payer pour la vérité.
Ordre de lecture recommandé
News people have a saying: 'If it bleeds, it leads'. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin. Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog - and on her own need to be more assertive - when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realises something is not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins 'If It Bleeds', a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestselling THE OUTSIDER featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case - and also the riveting title story in Stephen King's brilliant new collection. Dancing alongside are three more wonderful long stories from this 'formidably versatile author' (The Sunday Times) - 'Mr Harrigan's Phone', 'The Life of Chuck' and 'Rat'. All four display the richness of King's storytelling with grace, humour, horror and breathtaking suspense. A fascinating Author's Note gives us a wonderful insight into the origin of each story and the writer's unparalleled imagination.
Holly Gibney, a resourceful character from Stephen King's previous works, returns to confront the chilling truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town. Initially a shy recluse, Holly has evolved into a savvy private detective. In this new narrative, she faces a daunting challenge alone when Penny Dahl reaches out to the Finders Keepers detective agency for help in locating her missing daughter. Despite her reluctance—due to her partner's illness, her mother's recent death, and her planned leave—Holly cannot ignore Penny's desperate plea. The investigation leads her to Professors Rodney and Emily Harris, seemingly respectable octogenarians living just blocks from where Bonnie Dahl vanished. However, beneath their polished exterior lies a dark secret hidden in their basement, potentially linked to the disappearance. The professors are cunning, patient, and ruthless, making it nearly impossible for Holly to uncover their sinister activities. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Holly must leverage all her skills to outsmart the twisted professors in this gripping tale, showcasing her determination and resilience in the face of evil.