The Outsider: A Novel

I recently purchased a copy of Never Flinch, but hadn't realised it was the fourth book of a series, so I ended up grabbing a copy The Outsider. Like you expect with Stephen King it is quite a stomach churning tale, with assortment of characters. I especially liked, Holly, who I found intriguing. The Outsider itself is truly a fiendish creation that will send a chill up anybody's spine! If you like Stephen King, well worth a read.

How can a man be in two places at once? When a child is raped and murdered, this is a question Detective Ralph Anderson must find an answer to. Terry Maitland is a pillar of the community and is accused. There’s eye witnesses placing him at the scene. His fingerprints and DNA evidence found on the victim’s body. But Terry has a airtight alibi. The Outsider is a perfect investigatory and suspense novel, complete with King’s usual supernatural edge. The plot is full of intrigue and written in a way that fills the readers head with theories and questions. It includes plenty of utterly gripping action scenes. The Outsider is written in third person perspective. But it has some great transcripts of witness interviews and emails spattered throughout the beginning and middle sections of the book. The pacing of The Outsider is quick and builds suspense brilliantly. All of the characters feel completely real; all have different personalities, flaws and have different ways of handling the situations they find themselves in. Characters include: * Ralph Anderson – The tall, logical and realistic Detective. * Jeanette Anderson – Ralph’s wife and confidant. * Terry Maitland – Suspect & English Teacher. * Marcy Maitland – Terry’s wife and mother to two children. * The Peterson Family – Frank is the child raped and murdered. The impact of the tragedy on the family is shown along with the subsequent tragedies that follow. * Yunel Sablo – Lieutenant in the Police Department, he assists in the investigation. * William Samuels – The District Attorney with unruly hair. * Howie Gold – Maitland’s Lawyer. * Alec Pelley – A retired state Police Detective who works for lawyers defending criminal cases. * Holly Gibney – A woman who runs a company called Finders Keepers. Holly mostly does repossessions, retrievals, bail-jumpers and finding of lost pets. But there’s a hidden depths to Holly including her past experience with the seemingly inexplicable. Holly is a character of mystery and one the reader will yearn to learn more about. * Jack Hoskins – A troubled Detective in the Police Department. * Claude Bolton – Claude is a recovered drug addict and former criminal. He works in a strip club as a Bouncer. He’s kept himself clean and out of trouble. But trouble could be finding him. * Lovie Bolton – Claude’s adorable old mum, even more vulnerable due to her COPD and oxygen requirement. The Outsider is totally addictive, I couldn’t put it down and read it in a few sittings. The Outsider is available to buy on Amazon and at all good book shops. Review soon, Antony

I have always been a reader and a collector of books, but I have never read Stephen King; my loss I must admit! I have watched some movies and TV series of his work: Misery & Mr. Mercedes for example come to mind; but I have now righted that wrong and have just finished ‘The Outsider’ and am hooked. The title ‘The Outsider’ caught my attention as its also the title of Colin Wilson’s first book and furthermore the title of Jane Casey’s latest novel; two authors whose work I admire and have read. The Outsider features one of Mr. King’s characters - Holly Gibney - who features extensively in this novel; although she doesn’t appear until about half way in. That said she plays a significant, indeed the most significant, role in solving the case. The case in question - the novel in other words - is about the murder, rape and mutilation of an eleven year old boy - Frank Peterson - and the more or less immediate arrest of the chief, indeed only, suspect - Terry Maitland against whom much evidence has been gathered: eye witnesses; bloodied clothing; etc. etc. The lead detective Ralph Anderson is convinced, and happy that, he has got the culprit; but has he?? Terry Maitland - a local sports coach married with a family - who has lived a relatively blameless life now stands accused of this most heinous crime; and although concerned he is not unduly concerned: he knows he is innocent and can prove that he wasn’t even in town when the dastardly deed occurred. So has it been a case of a ‘Rush To Judgement’ as Mark Lane wrote about the Kennedy assassination all those years ago? Detective Anderson has to acknowledge that in spite of the evidence against the accused it is proven that he- the accused - was in a different jurisdiction and he can’t have been in two places at the same time; can he??? That is the conundrum! The blurb on the cover of my copy reads: ‘A breathtaking novel of suspense’! I can’t imagine a more succinct way of putting it; full marks, 5* to the author of those words. To say that the novel is breathtaking is putting it mildly; it is captivating in every sense and I couldn’t put it down. It is not quite a tome, but is a big/long book nevertheless of just south of five hundred margin to margin verbiage filled pages with hardly a chance to take a break or breath… On starting to read this novel I was in complete ignorance of it and only knew about King’s character Holly Gibney; I was interested in reading books in which she featured. So after a little research I came upon, bought and have now read this, my first reading of a Stephen King novel The Outsider. I am tempted to offer some more info re the novel, but feel that like myself you should read it cold with no expectation or knowledge of what to come. I am confident that you won’t be disappointed. It contains many twists and turns all of which are resolved satisfactorily; in a word: brilliant! Highly recommended; buy read and enjoy… Bill Brady

Stephen King said the premise for his story came from Edgar Allen Poe’s tale, ‘William Wilson’ which depicts a character in a British school who encounters another individual sharing his physical features and even date of birth. Poe’s ending is wrapped up in the metaphysical notion that Wilson’s doppleganger is really just an extension of himself, whereas King’s character takes on mythical proportions, gathering in legends such as that of ‘El cucos’, a shape-shifting demon that masquerades as an innocent party to commit heinous crimes. King has moved very much into the realms of crime suspense with his last four novels and his range of lawyerly and police contacts have no doubt aided him in presenting authentic narratives from which to hang the more typical supernatural elements of his stories. As such, King has, in The Outsider, managed to tread the fine line between suspension of disbelief and gritty realism with his usual master’s touch. As usual, his turns of phrase and characterisation lend an absorbing touch that makes his novels draw you back to extended readings in your favourite armchair - albeit with the threat of a cold hand appearing on your shoulder! There was many a point when I was saying to myself ‘I’ll read just another chapter.’ It was nice to see the return of Holly Gibney (introduced in the Mr Mercedes/Finders Keepers/End of Watch trilogy.) Considering her original appearance was to be that of an incidental character (in King’s own words), she’s turned into one of his most enduring figures. Some of the usual King tropes appear, such as the hapless lackey of the bad guy who we kinda feel sorry for because he’s coerced into being an accomplice. We have the likeable but ornery old grandma/grampa figure and also the patient and stoic wife. But King manages to extract original juice from these types which allow the reader to forgive his excesses. The ending is suitably dramatic, authentic and satisfying. I was struck by a constant theme that appears in many of King’s books including IT, The Shining and Duma Key. Namely, that to confront the unthinkable horror, you first have to admit it exists. The gradual ‘conversion’ of the detective Ralph Anderson is deftly handled and moves the transition from a gripping detective story to one of spellbinding suspense. Many will compare this book with King’s masterpieces such as The Stand, It and The Dark Tower series and find it wanting. I guess it’s impossible for any creative to perpetuate the equivalent of the Sistine Chapel or To Kill a Mocking bird (in fact Harper Lee didn’t really attempt it except semi-posthumously,) but here you have an SK tale written by a man still at the height of his powers after all these decades. No doubt a film will follow in due course.

I've read pretty much all of Stephen King's stuff; starting with all the classics that established him as *the* horror writer and then through to has his style changed to the more thought-provoking. However, he's so prolific in putting out books that a few years ago I had to take a break as I couldn't keep up. So when this was announced I felt it was time to come back and give it a chance. And having spent the last few months reading a variety of books all in the same genre, this was a very welcome change. And the first couple of hundred pages were fantastic - exactly what I wanted. The storyline is engaging and genuinely leaves you desperate to find out more. I felt sure this was going to be an absolute winner. But as I got past halfway I found I was disengaging. For all the build-up and mystery which got me hooked, just seemed to dissipate, and it began to drag. I'm no writer, but this feels like something that he put a ton of effort into to begin with, and then to some extent got a bit bored and just needed to finish it. So ultimately the end was just a bit too predictable, a bit too neat and tidy and whilst bringing in characters from some of the other stories can be a nice effect and start to bind some of these books together and get some continuity, it in places felt too much; almost like it was just a lazy sales technique to get people to go and read the other stories where these characters came from. Can't really blame him, but it just felt a bit dirty. All in all, it's a fine read and pretty standard 'modern Stephen King' but ultimately after a strong and shocking start, it all just sort of went nowhere, which was a shame.

Steven King has done it again! I thought it was going one way but it went an other. I ready most of his horror books as a teenager, now I have started on his Thrillers. I recommend this to anyone who like a mystery

Very good. I read the Bill Hodges trilogy then followed Hollys journey. All good although I did miss this one out in sequence. Annoying, but in a way I’m glad I did. Why would that be? This is the best story of all of them that’s why I’m glad I saved it til last. As much as I enjoyed Bill Hodges I can see how Holly has grown to be become such a “workable” character that Señor King could not ignore! Well worth the read even as a stand alone but so much better read in sequence. If you get the sequence right that is. Like King books? Yes? Read this now. Bill. C

The Outsider is one of Stephen King’s finest works, and the mystery element kept me hooked from start to finish. The story begins as a compelling crime investigation but quickly unravels into something far darker, with supernatural twists I never saw coming. I loved how King skillfully layers suspense, making it nearly impossible to guess the outcome. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another surprise would shift the entire direction of the plot. The blend of eerie, supernatural forces with a seemingly straightforward murder mystery was captivating. King’s exploration of duality—how someone can appear both innocent and guilty—added depth and tension throughout the novel. The twists, turns, and unexpected developments kept me on edge until the very end. For anyone who loves a well-crafted mystery with unpredictable twists and a dark, supernatural edge, The Outsider is a must-read.