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Cover of The Outsider

The Outsider

Stephen King (2018)

Subgenre
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingHard R
Pages582 (Chunky (400-600))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age18+
Goodreads4.02/5 (388082)

Content levels

ViolenceGraphic
Sexual contentModerate
LanguageStrong

Hero archetypes

Cop / Detective

Protagonist archetypes

Multiple POVs

Synopsis

"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? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can."-- 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: Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson orders a quick and very public arrest. The case seems ironclad, especially when Anderson and the district attorney are able to add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. But Maitland has an alibi, and it turns out his story has incontrovertible evidence of its own. How can two opposing stories be true? -- adapted from publisher info

The Outsider: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

Extremely graphic content including child murder, sexual violence against a child, and disturbing supernatural horror. Strong language throughout. Not appropriate for readers under 18.

What to know going in

This book has graphic violence, moderate sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include sexual assault, child harm, graphic violence, gore, and murder (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Not appropriate for children or teens due to extremely graphic and disturbing content.

Tags

HorrorCrime FictionSupernatural ThrillerMystery