The Outsider: A Novel

Stephen King

May 2018 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

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 and reviews

I chose 5/5! A great propelling of oscillation. The story roots deeply from the beginning and becomes an ongoing obsession of excitement! And well moved. "The Outsider"— and well paced....a instant taking...will make you salivate for more...tasty and enriched. You'll learn to love it...

I have been a Stephen King fan since 4th grade and have loved the journeys he takes me on. This one was no exception despite his hatred for our President which did seep into the story. It does seem however that Stephen King has not bought into the liberal garbage chimney and still supports the second amendment, that I am thankful for at least the man has been one of my biggest heros for the better part of the last 40 years I would hate for that to end.

*I'LL UPDATE MY REVIEW AFTER I FINISH READING. THIS REVIEW IS REGARDING THE AUDIOBOOK AND THE STORY SO FAR. I think Will Patton is a fine actor, truly, but his voice acting puts me to sleep. How is that possible with Stephen King books? His voice is too soothing. Plus, every woman sounds the same. I've listened to two hours: I'm buying the book. It's SO obvious after 19 Chapters that this story is Stephen King's play on Shakespeare's COMEDY OF ERRORS (twins!)... that twins can't POSSIBLY be the answer!! King is way too smart to let us guess the ending so soon, and too creative to base a story on twins. I can't wait to figure out what's going on--I hope it's not aliens (Tommy Knockers). Good story so far, not his best, but King is always entertaining. (Read my first Stephen King book 35 years ago. I love his characterizations: everyone has a flaw or a bit of quirkiness. So real. I wish Steven Weber did the voice acting for The Outsider. He should have won a Grammy for IT.) Are there awards for reading audio books?

About the author

Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes the short story collection You Like It Darker, Holly (a New York Times Notable Book of 2023), Fairy Tale, 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, Doctor Sleep, and Firestarter 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.