Never Flinch Quiz – 20 Questions on Plot, Characters, Themes
Quiz Questions
Plot / Sequence (Questions 1–8)
1. (Multiple Choice) In Chapter 1, what alias does the killer use when he sends a threatening letter to Detective Izzy Jaynes?
- A) Buckeye Brandon
- B) Bill Wilson
- C) Donald Gibson
- D) Russell Grinsted
2. (Short Answer) Where does Trig commit his first murder in the book?
3. (Multiple Choice) What does the stalker Chrissy Stewart use to attack Corrie Anderson in Reno?
- A) A baseball bat
- B) Bleach labeled “ACID”
- C) Anthrax powder
- D) A knife
4. (Short Answer) At the end of Chapter 7, what does Holly Gibney decide to do for Kate McKay?
5. (Multiple Choice) Why does the Mingo Auditorium cancel Kate McKay’s booking in Chapter 4?
- A) The venue was damaged in a storm
- B) Kate’s insurance was revoked
- C) They booked Sista Bessie instead
- D) The city council banned political events
6. (Short Answer) What clue in Reverend Rafferty’s calendar leads Holly to suspect the killer’s identity?
7. (Multiple Choice) During the climax at the Holman Rink, which character first attacks Trig with a gun but misses?
- A) Kate McKay
- B) Jerome Robinson
- C) Christopher Stewart (Chrissy)
- D) Corrie Anderson
8. (Short Answer) What does Trig do to the signboard of the Mingo Auditorium before his final attack?
Character Motivation (Questions 9–13)
9. (Multiple Choice) What is Trig’s stated reason for murdering the jurors and others connected to Alan Duffrey’s trial?
- A) He wants to become famous as a serial killer
- B) He believes they failed to punish the real criminal
- C) He wants to make them feel guilt and atone for Duffrey’s wrongful conviction
- D) He was hired by the real killer
10. (Short Answer) Why does Christopher Stewart adopt the identity of Chrissy?
11. (Multiple Choice) What motivates Kate McKay to continue her tour despite the escalating threats?
- A) She wants to prove she is not afraid
- B) She needs the money from ticket sales
- C) Her assistant Corrie forces her to continue
- D) She is seeking revenge against the stalker
12. (Short Answer) Why does Holly Gibney admit she does not personally like Kate McKay, yet she continues to protect her?
13. (Multiple Choice) What does Trig’s father repeatedly tell him throughout the book?
- A) “Never trust a woman”
- B) “Do not flinch; push through to the bitter end”
- C) “Revenge is a dish best served cold”
- D) “The only way out is through prayer”
Theme / Symbol (Questions 14–17)
14. (Multiple Choice) The “Bill Wilson” alias used by the killer is a direct reference to what real‑world institution?
- A) Alcoholics Anonymous
- B) The FBI
- C) The Mingo Auditorium
- D) The Real Christ Holy Church
15. (Short Answer) What does the Holman Rink symbolize for Trig in the story?
16. (Multiple Choice) Which biblical verse does Chrissy Stewart write in blood to threaten Kate McKay, and what is its thematic significance?
- A) Exodus 22:22‑23 (warning against harming widows and orphans, applied to anti‑abortion sentiment)
- B) Leviticus 19:18 (love your neighbor)
- C) Psalm 23:4 (fear no evil)
- D) Matthew 5:44 (love your enemies)
17. (Short Answer) In the Afterword, what does Stephen King include a memorial list for, and what theme does it reinforce?
Synthesis (Questions 18–20)
18. (Multiple Choice) How do the two antagonist storylines (Trig’s murders and Chrissy’s stalking) converge in the book?
- A) They meet at an AA meeting and plan a joint attack
- B) Chrissy accidentally witnesses Trig’s kidnapping of Corrie at the Holman Rink and then attacks Trig
- C) They are the same person
- D) Chrissy kills Trig before the final confrontation
19. (Short Answer) Explain how Holly Gibney’s method of solving the case combines digital tracking (AirTag) with traditional detective work (interviewing AA members). Give one specific example from the outline.
20. (Multiple Choice) What is the ultimate fate of the Real Christ Holy Church and its leader Deacon Andrew Fallowes?
- A) The church is raided by ATF, but Fallowes walks free
- B) The church is shut down permanently and Fallowes is arrested
- C) Fallowes is killed by Holly Gibney
- D) The church merges with another organization
Answer Key
1. B) Bill Wilson – Izzy receives a letter signed “Bill Wilson,” a reference to the co‑founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The killer uses this alias because he connects his murders to AA‑style atonement.
2. The Buckeye Trail – Trig murders a woman walking her dog on the Buckeye Trail, leaving a name slip on her body.
3. B) Bleach labeled “ACID” – The red‑haired assailant (Chrissy) throws bleach at Corrie, mistaking her for Kate McKay.
4. She accepts the job as Kate’s bodyguard – Holly agrees to protect Kate after the bleach attack and escalating threats.
5. C) They booked Sista Bessie instead – The Mingo venue cancels in favor of Sista Bessie, which triggers Kate’s anger and Corrie’s suggestion to spin it as solidarity.
6. The name “BRIGGS” was altered from “TRIG” – Holly notices the calendar entry “BRIGGS” was originally “TRIG,” helping her identify the killer as “Trig.”
7. C) Christopher Stewart (Chrissy) – Chrissy attacks Trig with a gun but misses; Trig breaks his neck and later shoots him.
8. He programs it to display a confession of his murders – Trig uses the venue’s signboard to broadcast his guilt at 7:17 PM the next day.
9. C) He wants to make them feel guilt and atone for Duffrey’s wrongful conviction – Trig believes the jurors and others failed to prevent injustice, and he murders them to force awareness of their complicity.
10. To comfort his mother after the death of his twin sister Chrissy from Brugada Syndrome, and as a tool of his church – Chris adopted his sister’s persona to maintain his mother’s sanity and later internalized the identity.
11. A) She wants to prove she is not afraid – Kate insists on continuing the tour and even swimming despite danger, driven by defiance.
12. She feels obligated by her professional ethics and personal sense of duty, separate from personal liking.
13. B) “Do not flinch; push through to the bitter end” – Trig recalls his father’s mantra repeatedly, especially before and after murders.
14. A) Alcoholics Anonymous – “Bill Wilson” is a direct AA reference; Trig uses the alias to underline his twisted view of atonement.
15. It represents both his childhood trauma (abuse during hockey practice) and his desire for a final, fiery spectacle – The rink is where he learned “never flinch” and where he plans to end his crusade.
16. A) Exodus 22:22‑23 – The verse is used by Chrissy to threaten Kate with punishment for supporting abortion rights, fitting the anti‑abortion extremism theme.
17. A memorial list of ten people murdered while supporting abortion rights – This reinforces the theme of real‑world violence against those who defend reproductive choice.
18. B) Chrissy accidentally witnesses Trig’s kidnapping of Corrie at the Holman Rink and then attacks Trig – Chrissy, hiding in the rink, sees Trig bring Corrie and later Barbara, then tries to kill Trig but fails.
19. Holly uses an AirTag on Kate’s keys to locate her at Dingley Park, and she interviews AA members through John Ackerly to trace the killer – For example, Holly asks Jerome to show Ackerly a photo of Rafferty’s appointment book.
20. A) The church is raided by ATF, but Fallowes walks free – Izzy reports to Holly that the church’s weapons cache was found, but Fallowes faces no charges.