The Outsider by Stephen King review (few spoilers)

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is 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 add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive 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?

Oh Mr. King…..I think he writes fantastic crime novels. Throwing in that hint of paranormal gives it a good twists.

So this book started out strong. Very dark and disturbing. A horrific murder happens, then BOOM! A WTF moment not even halfway into the book. The killing of a main character less than 200 pages in made me a little mad.

I did enjoy the paranormal, out of this world part. I haven’t read many sci-fi books but it sure makes me want to read more (so recommend me some good sci-fi books in the comments).

Another thing that drove me a bit nuts is the spoiler for the Bill Hodges Trilogy he wrote. I know King likes to connect his books in one way or another but….I feel like if this book is suppose to be a stand alone than make it that. I am not one to bitch too much about spoilers. This one didn’t bother me because even though I had not read the last book in the BH trilogy I already knew what happened to Bill at the end. But I know it would have pissed a lot of people off. I’m good with intertwining characters but maybe figure out a way to not include the spoiler since its suppose to be a stand alone.

Ok last complaint…that ending 🤷‍♀️ wtf? Sorry but worst ending to any Stephen King book I have read so far. It was sloppy, boring and was just too easy. I almost felt like he got tired of writing this book and just wanted it to end. Well Mr King if you wouldn’t ramble about nonsense in so many books just to get high page numbers maybe you wouldn’t get so bored. Just saying. That ending just pissed me off to no end.

I know I am probably going to piss a lot of King fans off but oh fucking well. I have been a King fan since I was around the age of 13ish (I am now 36) so I feel like I’ve been around long enough to tell him how it is! 😂 Over the years I have slowly just started loosing interest in reading his books. Makes me sad. I still plan to read them here and there. I still call myself a fan, maybe not as big of a fan as I use to be. I am thinking of reading ‘Salem’s Lot next. Maybe in October for a spooky read.

RATING:

🌟🌟🌟