The Outsider
By Stephen King
Scribner Book Company, 9781501180989, May 2018, 576pp.
The Short of It:
Probably King’s best writing in a long, long time.
The Rest of It:
I am a die-hard King fan but even I’ll admit that some books hit it out of the park while others amuse me. The Outsider hit it out of the park and then some.
A young boy is violated and murdered in the worst possible way. Evidence at the scene and statements from eye witnesses lead investigators to a very unlikely suspect, Terry Maitland. Terry is a stand-up guy. He coaches the town’s little league team and teaches English at the high school. No one, including his wife and two children can believe what is happening when he is hauled in for the murder of that young boy.
What makes the case more complicated, is the DNA and fingerprints recovered at the scene point to Terry but Terry was out-of-town with his colleagues when this all went down. How could he be in two places at the same time?
As the story moves along, you quickly realize that something else is at play here, but what? My mind was going all over the place. Was Terry guilty? Did the investigators really have the right guy? That’s when the lead investigator enlists the help of others and I gotta tell you, that is when the story gets really interesting and King fans will cheer when they get to one particular part in the story.
As you can see, I am not saying much about the plot because it’s too easy to give something away but all I can say is that The Outsider was everything I was hoping it would be. It’s almost 600 pages long but I had to pace myself or blow through it in one sitting. It’s the type of book you want to take your time reading only because it’s so good and you don’t want it to end.
I’ve had friends who listened to the audio say it was fabulous as well. I don’t think you can go wrong with this book. It’s really good, really entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure it all out. I love it when Uncle Stevie hits a home run.
Source: Purchased
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Book Chatter 
I think I’d like this one too!
I believe you would!
By the time I get the ebook from the library it will be this time next year!
Possibly but it’s that good. Even you would like it.
One of our mystery group members was reading this one and told a bit about it at our last meeting. He was very enthusiastic and so I got it for my Kindle. Plan to try it later this summer. It’s been a long time since I read a King book. Have you read all the Mr. Mercedes group? I keep thinking I’ll try those too – maybe this fall or winter.
With the Mr. Mercedes series, I think King moved away from horror with that first book in the series but by the end of the series he was back to it. I thought it was pretty good and introduced some much-loved characters. The Outsider is really good story telling though. It’s long but you don’t notice its length at all because you are too immersed in the story.
I’m so glad you liked it! I saw it at the store over the weekend and flipped through it, but I’ve had mixed experiences with his new stuff (hated Doctor Sleep, enjoyed Revival) that I’ve started to wait for reviews to see what the general consensus is beforehand.
Agree on what you said about his newer stuff but this one is great.
I just finished the print version from the library and LOVED the first half more than the rest (read the 1st half almost non stop). I was surprised to see some of the trilogy characters return.
I am not a fan (at all) of horror books so I have only read one Stephen King: Mr Mercedes, which I really liked. Is this one a horror book or should I read it?
I cannot wait to listen to this audio. I’m super excited about it.
Sandy said the audio was fabulous.
My next audio. It might take me the rest of the year to finish it, but who cares?
Gonna have to get this one!
Hi Tina, I usually look at your reviews when choosing books. I bought this one today, June 18, 2020.
Been doing lots of reading these past months. Keeps me sane. Hope you are well.
I love that you are reading so much. You will enjoy The Outsiders. I am reading The Dutch House right now but Ann Patchett. She has written some good ones in the past and this one is also pretty good. I hope you are doing well. I am hanging in there and just glad that I am able to work from home right now.