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

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. When a little boy is murdered, all witnesses and evidence lead to a children’s baseball coach. But the coach has an airtight alibi, even camera footage of him in another part of the country. This is when the story gets really interesting. In true King style, things go from ordinary to downright weird, but always gripping. The Outsider is a great read with an appearance of a familiar character. Loved it! . When a little boy is murdered, all witnesses and evidence lead to a children’s baseball coach. But the coach has an airtight alibi, even camera footage of him in another part of the country. This is when the story gets really interesting. In true King style, things go from ordinary to downright weird, but always gripping. The Outsider is a great read with an appearance of a familiar character. Loved it!

犯人が簡単に特定できてしまう子供を狙った残虐なレイプ殺人事件が、実は人間に変貌することができる怪物によるものだったというホラー・サスペンス。小説を読んでも、すぐ話に引き込まれていってしまうと思うが、オーディオブックがなかなかの迫力である。章立てが数分から十数分と短くて聴きやすく、さあ次はどうなるんだろうと思ってしまう。 18時間と比較的長いが、怪物を洞窟でやっつけて、そこで終わりかとおもいきや、さらに1時間以上物語は続く。現実の世界では事件は怪物によるものでしたでは、片づけられず、無実の人の潔白を裁判記録などに残さなければいけないということで、Stephen King氏はうまくお話をまとめている。最後の2分ほどを、未解決の恐怖を残していくのかと、どきどきしながら聴いていると、ハッピーエンドになっていてホッとする。 手持ちのStephen King作品を聴こうと思って見つけて聴いたのだが、５年ほど前の現役サラリーマン時代に通勤電車のなかでKindleを見ながら聴いて夢中になって乗り換えを忘れそうになったことを思い出した。なかなかのエンターテインメントだと思う。 KindleもAudibleも日本より先に米国で営業を始めていて、どちらもAmazon.comのアカウントで始めた。Kindleはその後、アカウントの統合ができて日本のアカウントで昔買った本も読めるのだが、Audibleのほうは統合はできないみたいで残念だ、とはいえ昔買ったオーディオブックもアカウントを替えれば残っているので最悪ではない。ただコイン制が無くなって、会員割引はあるものの聴きたい本は100%聞き放題対象外という現実はかなりの値上げになっていて残念だ。

Tous les livres de cet auteur, sans exception, bien que j'ai mes préférés. L'imagination ne lui fait jamais défaut, il ne se "répète" pas même après toutes ses années et tous ces romans, on est toujours surpris. Si SK n'existait pas, il aurait vraiment fallu l'inventer.

Love Stephen King books. Holly Gibney rocks. If you like Stephen King, this will not disappoint. I'm glad I read this book.

4.5 Stars!! Terrific! Top-Notch Thriller from Mr. King. That was really fast-paced & fabulous thriller/mystery/horror from Stephen King. I'm glad that I purchased this book from Amazon. First I was confused as whether to buy this or Mr. Mercedes but I'm truly happy that I bought this one. The first 250 pages were truly intense & you may not want to keep the book on shelf but keep flipping the page to read what is coming next even if it takes you whole night to read. The characters, the plot, the writing, everything was superb. Though, I've one complain with Mr. King for spoiling some information from his Mr. Mercedes book concerning Bill Hodges. But nevertheless, I'll also read that after some time. Now, I'm waiting for the movie to watch. I hope it is as good as this book was. P.S On my way to purchase all the other King's book which are highly recommended.