'The Outsider' by Stephen King is a gripping mystery thriller that begins with the horrific murder of an eleven-year-old boy in Flint City. All evidence points towards Terry Maitland, a well-respected teacher and coach, who is arrested in a very public manner. However, as the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Terry may have been in two places at once, leading to a supernatural twist in the plot. Detective Ralph Anderson, along with a team of characters, delves deep into the case, uncovering chilling details and facing the possibility of otherworldly elements influencing the events. The story is suspenseful, with vivid attention to detail and well-developed characters that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
King's writing style in 'The Outsider' is described as haunting and suspenseful, keeping readers guessing and invested in the storyline. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, blending elements of crime, detective work, and the supernatural seamlessly. addresses themes of innocence, guilt, human nature, and the dark side of society, while also showcasing King's talent for character development and intricate storytelling.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Outsider include graphic descriptions of child murder and violence, as well as themes of sexual assault.
From The Publisher:
Now an HBO limited series starring Ben Mendelsohn!
Evil has many faces…maybe even yours in this #1 New York Times bestseller from master storyteller Stephen King.
An eleven-year-old boy's violated corpse is discovered in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City's most popular citizens-Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon have DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying details begin to emerge, King's story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.
Ratings (111)
Incredible (20) | |
Loved It (46) | |
Liked It (31) | |
It Was OK (10) | |
Did Not Like (3) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (213):
Read It (115) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (74) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (18) |
4 comment(s)
(watched HBO 10-part series; 4 stars)
I’m not a Stephen King person. I don’t do scary. If I do read scary, I have to sleep with my lights on. Nevertheless, I had to read this for a book club and I became obsessed with it. My poor husband had to hear all kinds of ramblings about this book. And the book is the size of a doorstop, so he heard LOTS of ramblings.
felt a little lazy for king, who has done some great work lately revisiting the world of the shining and with the mr. mercedes killer books
most of this was watching a group of people come to terms with the fact that the supernatural is among us, and the criminal they are hunting is in fact some sort of fairy tale monster
it would have been better to see more of the monster, more of his lair, and less of the logistics of putting a meal together so 8 unlikely people can gang up and figure this darn mystery out
Started this book, couldn’t stop listening to it (audible membership) and told everyone I share book recommendations with to read it. Then I kept listening and the story got weird and the meat of the story couldn’t measure up to the beginning
What can you read after
The Outsider?
About the Author:
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: End of Watch, Finders Keepers, and Mr. Mercedes (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel and a television series streaming on Peacock). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by The New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works The Dark Tower, It, Pet Sematary, and Doctor Sleep are the basis for major motion pictures, with It now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
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