The Outsider

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Will Patton

Evil has many faces…maybe even yours in this #1 New York Times bestseller from master storyteller Stephen King—also an HBO limited series starring Ben Mendelsohn!

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.

King at his Best!

I was very patiently waiting for this title to be released <yeah right> Now Ive listened to it in a day, so Yes its GREAT! I don't want to give any spoilers, but suffice it to say, King just keeps on delivering as only he can! Well worth the credit!
Now the hard part... waiting for the next King masterpiece.

Please stop this narrator!!!

I am over 2/3 of the way finished with the book, but I feel I could write a review based on what I listened to/read so far.

The murder mystery at the beginning and the ensuing investigation were great. I kept wondering how it was going to fall together. And then it did, and it was very meh. I think I was hoping for something different, so my expectations may have been off. I feel like the story was pretty formulaic and not very original, which saddens me because I am a huge fan. I absolutely love King's writing and how he puts words together. So that is beautiful as always.

The narrator. So many reviews are saying he made it worthwhile, and I just don't get it. For one particular character who King brings back from a former book, the narrator is on my last nerve. It's the most annoying reading ever. It's almost like William Shatner is (pause) reading a book (pause) and every third (pause) word is HIGH pitched (pause) so it's some weird (pause) staccato song. That's mainly the reason I wanted to write this review, because I think it's so bad.

This won't stop me from reading anything King writes, but it may stop me from buying them immediately and waiting on a sale.

Worst female voice

Ugh, I hated this narrators version of a female voice. Holly’s was THE worst, so annoying. That made the story much less enjoyable. Story was ok... not what I had expected from Stephan King

Recycled Stephen King

Lacks the originality of storyline that I like when Stephen King is “refreshed”. I think Stephen realized this part way into this recycled mush and so they brought in Holly from the Mr Mercedes series (which I liked)...maybe this was to allow further stretching of the TV series? I encourage Stephen to have his son hit him with some fresh ideas (Sleeping Beauties also better than this one). Sorry Stephen sometimes those publishers deadlines work against your creative potential.

I wish i was more surprised

storyline a little weak. performance was excellent. I wish his tales twisted a bit more..no surprises.