source: purchased
title: The Outsider
author: Stephen King
pages: 561
published: May 22, 2018
genre: crime thriller
first line: It was an unmarked car, just some nondescript American sedan a few years old, but the blackwall tires and the three men inside gave it away for what it was.
rated: 4 out of 5
blurb:
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.
my thoughts:
The Outsider is exactly the reason I love reading Stephen King. This was an exciting, scary thrill ride and I gobbled it up and wanted seconds.
As the novel starts off Coach Terry is at a little league baseball game when he is arrested in front of over one thousand people. He is a well known and well liked coach, he is married with two young daughters. Coach T is being arrested for the recent murder and mutilation of a local 8 year old boy. The call to arrest him that way was made by detective Ralph Anderson who is positive the coach committed this crime and is hell bent on making sure he pays the price for it.