Horror Aficionados discussion

The Outsider was released on May 22nd and I must say, it's been pretty gripping so far, much more so than I found his last release, Sleeping Beauties.

It's classic king at his best, a mix of detective/mystery and the paranormal. I'm half way through it and I'm loving it.

Book Synopsis, taken straight from Amazon:

(view spoiler)[When an eleven-year-old boy is found murdered in a town park, reliable eyewitnesses undeniably point to the town's popular Little League coach, Terry Maitland, as the culprit. DNA evidence and fingerprints confirm the crime was committed by this well-loved family man.

Horrified by the brutal killing, Detective Ralph Anderson, whose own son was once coached by Maitland, orders the suspect to be arrested in a public spectacle. But Maitland has an alibi. And further research confirms he was indeed out of town that day.

As Anderson and the District Attorney trace the clues, the investigation expands from Ohio to Texas. And as horrifying answers begin to emerge, so King's propulsive story of almost unbearable suspense kicks into high gear.

Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy but there is one rock-hard fact, as unassailable as gravity: a man cannot be in two places at the same time. Can he? (hide spoiler)]

UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outsider-Ste...

US:
https://www.amazon.com/Outsider-Novel...

I bought it recently but haven't started it yet. I can't wait to get into it.

Finished reading it a few days ago. I really enjoyed it, SK has certainly still got it!

Reading it now and really enjoying it.

I'm listening to it now and it's 100% gripping. I skipped Sleeping Beauties due to the terrible reviews but I'll try it someday on audio.

Read it and enjoyed it!

I haven't read any new King in ages, but I ended up reading this one and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I just finished this one up and I liked it.

Erin wrote: "I bought it recently but haven't started it yet. I can't wait to get into it."

Ditto. I have it on audiobook, but haven't quite got to it yet.

Halfway through and so far the supernatural element hasn't kicked in. The novel is okay, not King at his best nor at his worst, but an awful lot of detective-style minutia similar to MR. MERCEDES. I think I can see where this is going although I haven't read any spoilers to inform me. Gripping enough with decent character development (although, as is usual for King, so many to keep track of), so I'd recommend it for King's readers. Personally, I think his last 'best' effort was 11/22/63.

Okay, finished it. Last half is also just okay,--- predictable and underwhelming. The 'Outsider' himself, when we finally meet him, seems meh. The 'hole' isn't as frightening as it should be, nowhere nearly as horrific as the tunnel scene in THE STAND, a scene that displays King at his best. (Darkness should be scary, right?) BTW --- I'm a published horror writer, so I read King with a more critical eye than most. He's still my favorite, but his novels are becoming increasing more formulaic, more involved with detective work than genuine scares.

I finished this one and I loved it, but there is a clear divide between the first half of the book and the second half of the book. The first half was absolutely gripping and fascinating. The second half was also fantastic and had the supernatural element in it.

It wasn't my favorite but it wasn't bad either. The ending seemed a little underwhelming but maybe that is just me.

Still a great read!

Another EXCELLENT King novel that they will probably turn into another bad King movie. I will be highly disappointed if they don't cast Frances McDormand as Holly Gibney in the film adaptation.

Joe wrote: "Another EXCELLENT King novel that they will probably turn into another bad King movie. I will be highly disappointed if they don't cast Frances McDormand as Holly Gibney in the film adaptation."

That would be a great choice for Holly.