Who or What is King's "The Outsider?"

Imagine what would happen if you were accused of a horrible crime that you didn’t commit, but for which much of the evidence pointed directly to you as the perpetrator? That’s the setup of the Stephen King novel The Outsider. Terry Maitland is a well-respected guy in his Oklahoma community. He's a good teacher and a well-liked (and very successful) Little League coach. One night, during an important game, Terry is arrested by police detective Ralph Anderson (in full view of the crowd) for the brutal murder of a child. Anderson (and the police) have gathered an overwhelming amount of evidence (including DNA and eyewitness accounts) that reveals Terry to be the murderer.

Terry maintains his innocence, but his reputation is ruined. He and his family are subject to scorn and harassment by a town that has turned against them. As the DA prepares his case against Terry, several pieces of conflicting evidence come to the surface. It seems Terry has an airtight alibi for the night of the murder. He was out of town with colleagues at a conference, and actually appears on videotape captured during the event. How can he have been in two places at once? Though Detective Anderson is troubled by these out of sync elements of the case, he and the DA push forward with Terry's arraignment for murder. Tragic events ensue, and Terry is killed by a distraught family member of the murder victim.

A guilt-ridden Anderson realizes there is more to the story that meets the eye. He feels that he owes it to Terry's family (and his own piece of mind) to discover the truth. Anderson decides to delve a bit deeper into the case, and enlists a private investigator named Holly Gibney (who will be familiar to fans of King's Mr. Mercedes trilogy) to help him. What they discover is that this isn't the only time a doppelganger like this has committed a murder, or the first time an innocent man was blamed for the crime. There is an evil "outsider" at work, and his true identity may be more terrifying than they could ever have imagined. It will take the combined efforts of Ralph, Holly and some additional allies to confront and defeat this powerful, otherworldly killer.

As usual, Kings gift for sharply drawn characters and naturalistic dialogue is operating at full strength. You care for these people, and the fast-moving story keeps you turning the pages. Holly Gibney, that quirky heroine of the Bill Hodges/Mr. Mercedes novels, is a rich, multi-layered character who really helps anchor the narrative. If King ever spins Holly off into her own series of mystery novels, count me in. The Outsider is an eclectic mix of straight mystery/detective thriller and supernatural horror elements. As usual, there are some creepy sequences and frightening moments in the book. The novel's turn towards the fantastic midway through is not quite as sharp as some reviewers have noted. Throughout the book, there is a sense that something is not quite right about this murder case, and once the villain's supernatural nature is revealed, you're already hooked on the story, and are ready to finish the ride along with King.

The book also makes an insightful (and quite topical) point about how easily people can be swayed by public opinion and the media. Terry is tried and convicted before he ever reaches the inside of a courthouse, and even the police aren’t initially swayed by the conflicting evidence they discover. The creature called "The Outsider" is able to take on the form of others, and commit horrific acts of murder wearing their faces. He's also able to control other people through, fear, intimidation and empty promises, feeding off the negative energy he creates through these manipulations. As is often the case, the greatest monster we face is within ourselves; it's our own weakness and prejudices. The Outsider is a compelling and intriguing tale that's well worth a read for long-time King fans, and I think newcomers will enjoy it as well.