The novel will feature returning characters, including Holly Gibney and gospel singer Sista Bessie.
“Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution?
“Someone who vehemently opposes Kates message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events.
Stephen King; ‘Never Flinch’ cover.Astrid Stawiarz/Getty; Scribner
Eventually, the twin narratives converge, resulting in a spectacular, chilling climax.
Check out the excerpt below for your first taste ofNever Flinch.
Scribner
Excerpt fromNever Flinch, by Stephen King
Trig
1
March, and the weathers miserable.
‘Never Flinch’ by Stephen King.Scribner
Its technically a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, but plenty of alcoholics also attend; Straight Circle is usually packed.
When the meeting lets out, a fine drizzle is hanging in the air.
By nightfall it will thicken and turn to sleet.
Others, the majority, turn right and head for The Flame, a coffee shop a block down.
Coffee is the other addiction they can still indulge.
This always gets nods and murmurs of approval, although some old timers find him a bit tiresome.
Now the Rev gives the man a soul shake.
Not used to seeing you around these parts, Trig.
You must live upstate.
Trig doesnt but doesnt say so.
He knows this from personal experience.
Mike puts a hand on the other mans shoulder.
In your share, Trig, you sounded upset.
Trig is a childhood nickname.
Its how he introduces himself at the start of meetings.
Even at out-of-town AA and NA, he rarely speaks other than that initial identification.
Im Trig, and Im an alcoholic.
Hi, Trig, the group responded.
They were in the basement instead of the church, but theres still that revival meeting call-and-response.
Straight Circle is, in fact, the Church of the Crashed and Burned.
I just want to say that Im pretty shaken up today.
I dont want to say any more, but I had to share that much.
Thats all Ive got.
There were murmurs ofThanks, TrigandHang in thereandKeep coming back.
Now Trig tells the Rev hes upset because he found out he lost someone he knew.
Ill pray for him, the Rev says.Thanks, Mike.
He needs to sit and think about the man who died on Saturday.
Who was murdered on Saturday.
Was shanked on Saturday, in a prison shower.
The headline is one word:FOUND!
Trig stares through it, thinking.
Why would they, even if there had also been a picture of him (which there wasnt)?
That man had a slightly graying beard and wore contacts.
This version is clean-shaven, wears glasses, and looks younger (quitting the booze will do that).
He likes the idea of being someone new.
It also weighs on him.
That is the paradox he lives with.
That, and thinking about his father, which he does more and more frequently these days.
Let it go, he thinks.Forget it.
That is on March 24th.
Forgetting lasts just thirteen days.
Is the story true?
Trig thinks that, given the source, it must be.
What youre thinking of doing is crazy, he tells himself.
If you do it, you could never go back, he tells himself.
Once you start, you must keep on, he tells himself, and thats truest of all.
His fathers mantra:You have to push through to the bitter end.
No flinching, no turning away.
what would it be like?
What would it be like forhimto do such things?
He needs to consider some more.
He finds himself remembering the headline about the young man who recovered the stolen dog.
Excerpted from NEVER FLINCH by Stephen King Copyright 2025 by Stephen King.
Reprinted with permission of Scribner, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
