The Outsider
Ratings277
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings277
Average rating3.9
When an eleven-year-old boy is found murdered in a town park, reliable eyewitnesses undeniably point to the town's popular Little League coach, Terry Maitland, as the culprit. DNA evidence and fingerprints confirm the crime was committed by this well-loved family man. Horrified by the brutal killing, Detective Ralph Anderson, whose own son was once coached by Maitland, orders the suspect to be arrested in a public spectacle. But Maitland has an alibi. And further research confirms he was indeed out of town that day.As Anderson and the District Attorney trace the clues, the investigation expands from Ohio to Texas. And as horrifying answers begin to emerge, so King's propulsive story of almost unbearable suspense kicks into high gear.Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy but there is one rock-hard fact, as unassailable as gravity: a man cannot be in two places at the same time. Can he?
Reviews with the most likes.
I love Holly Gibney! It was so great to spend some more time with her. She's like King's Marple.
This isn't one of King's major-known books, but in my opinion, I think it compares. There's some graphic descriptions/scenes (esp involving the kid's murder), but the mystery and horror aspect is so RAW and DISTURBING and fucking CREEPY (pardon my language but I cannot adequately express how terrifying this novel is.) King consistently writes books that are weird and out there and unsettling, and this one stood to take the place next to his popular books like The Shining, It, Misery, and so on. I don't hear too many people talking about this one, but there's also a TV show mini-series on this I've yet to watch. Now I think I will. Truly a mind-boggling mystery and visceral horror I LOVED reading. The characters are also all well fleshed out - as usual King has a lot of them, yet each plays a part. And the “entity”/Outsider itself...nightmare stuff.
The first 1/2 of the book was a 5 star read, but that last 1/2 was a 2 star. Pretty disappointing.
Featured Series
3 primary booksHolly Gibney is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2018 with contributions by Stephen King. The next book is scheduled for release on 5/27/2025.
