The Outsider

by Stephen King

[kimbacaffeinate]

Five Reasons to Grab your Headphones and Listen to The Outsider

• The quiet town of Flint City is rocked when a stellar member of their community is arrested for a heinous crime involving the violated and murder of an eleven-year-old boy. Eyewitness accounts and DNA evidence place him at the scene. However, family man, Terry Maitland, a little league coach, and popular English teacher has an alibi. Is he a clever killer or is something else at play? Chilling right?  The Outsider had so many elements that draw me to Stephen King again and again. The man can spin a story and his characters though flawed become real. While I am no longer that little girl reading King by flashlight he still makes me believe in the impossible and hear things go bump in the night.


• Detective Ralph Anderson, orders a quick and very public arrest. As Maitland continues to claim his innocence, Anderson struggles. His got tells him this man who once coached his son is telling the truth. But DNA evidence doesn't lie or does it? Anderson continues to investigate even though the DA says they've got their man. Twists, turns and discoveries held me spellbound.


• King wove a brilliant tapestry of uncertainty, mystery, magic and folklore as the narrative unfolded. His characters are complex, flawed and realistic. He tapped into morality, disbelief and guilt. The public arrest of Maitland sits heavy on Anderson's chest.


• Holly, Holly, Holly! Fans of the Mr. Mercedes series *raises a hand and shouts ME!* will be excited to see Holly Gibney,  Bill Hodges' assistant become involved in the case. Her storyline and how it tangles and joins with Anderson's was superb, creeptastic and all King.


• Will Patton narrates and has done several of King's novels. I admire this narrator. Seriously, he could recite the phone book and I would remain attentive listening. His voices soothes even as he makes the hair on the back of your neck rise delivering the low suspenseful build up King is famous for. He gives each character a unique and identifiable voice and captures their emotions. Through tone he creates an addition layer of suspense and fear.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer