Book Review : The Outsider by Stephen King

I really loved the first half of this book. There was a lot of mystery going on, like how could one man be in two places at the same time.... Intriguing! But then to just discover it was something not human was a bit of a disappointment. Not supernatural stuff again! I felt the book kind of fizzled out in the hand like a damp firework. I even preferred the TV series to the book I think. Anyway, overall not bad. 6/10.

The story begins with the brutal murder of an 11-year-old boy in a small Oklahoma town. All the evidence seems to point towards Terry Maitland, a beloved local teacher, and baseball coach. But as the investigation progresses, it becomes apparent that there may be more to the story than meets the eye.

King's writing style draws the reader into the story with vivid and descriptive dialogue. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of different characters.

One of the best aspects of the book is how King blends the crime and horror genres seamlessly. As the investigation delves deeper, the supernatural elements become more pronounced (oh no!), and the tension and terror get turned up a notch. The horror is not gratuitous, but rather a natural extension of the story's themes and the characters' experiences.

The protagonist, Detective Ralph Anderson, is a sympathetic figure who is struggling to come to terms with his grief and his own role in the investigation. The other characters have their own depth and interesting backstories.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking novel that will keep readers on edge. King's blending of genres make this book perfect for fans of crime fiction, horror, or simply neat storytelling.