Emily May’s review of The Outsider (Holly Gibney #1) > Likes and Comments

I love your reviews

I have NEVER read a Stephen King novel before and I have this on request at the library but maybe I shouldn't start with this one?

This was my first Stephen King novel (late to the party, I know) and it blew me away. I knew from watching his movie adaptations that he likes to weave his stories between the real and the supernatural so I was kind of expecting that from this book but this didn't affect my enjoyment until the very last page.
Great review! 👍😊

Kirstie wrote: "I have NEVER read a Stephen King novel before and I have this on request at the library but maybe I shouldn't start with this one?"

As Rafael said above, I think it's okay to start with this one if you know what you're getting into with Stevie. Just don't expect a regular mystery/thriller :)

Rafael wrote: "This was my first Stephen King novel (late to the party, I know) and it blew me away. I knew from watching his movie adaptations that he likes to weave his stories between the real and the supernat..."

Thank you! So glad you liked it and I hope you will read more. He's written some seriously great books.

Do you have to read the other three in the series first?

I have NEVER read a King novel and tried to read Mr. Mercedes last year. I couldn't get into it at all and didn't understand why...until I read this review. I was looking for a standard mystery/thriller with Mr. Mercedes and got instead more detail than I ever asked for, and it sounds like this book is similar.

That being said, excellent review! It made me want to pick this up even though I know it'll likely be another struggle for me. It does sound like a good spooky summer read though...

This was the first King novel I ever read. I waited until I was 30 to start reading his stuff so I'd be less likely to shit a brick. This definitely was cracktastic shit! I enjoyed it so much that I'm on a King reading-spree. I read Pet Semetary, now 11/22/63, then the Stand, and then so many more.

Krystal wrote: "Do you have to read the other three in the series first?"

No. I wouldn't even call this book part of the series. One character from the previous trilogy appears in this but the story had nothing to do with the other books.

Autumn wrote: "I have NEVER read a King novel and tried to read Mr. Mercedes last year. I couldn't get into it at all and didn't understand why...until I read this review. I was looking for a standard mystery/thr..."

Thank you! Mr Mercedes is one of very few King books that I just couldn't enjoy at all... so hopefully you will like this more(?)

Emily wrote: "This was the first King novel I ever read. I waited until I was 30 to start reading his stuff so I'd be less likely to shit a brick. This definitely was cracktastic shit! I enjoyed it so much that ..."

I know, right?! I can really understand why some people wouldn't like his style but I'm ADDICTED.

I’ve never read any of his books because the Size intimidates me. What do you recommend for a first-time Stephen reader? Thanks! Great review!

Emily May, thank you for such a great review. It echoes what I have said about Steve for many years. That has not stopped me from reading every one of his books. He is an amazing story teller and takes you to places in your imagination that you never expected to go. Monica Kim is asking where to start: try 11/22/63 (my personal favourite), The Stand, It (my first SK book, scares the heck out of me), The Green Mile. Some of his books are better than others but they all have a special SK quality.

The Stand is my favorite, but as a first time Stephen King reader you might like his short stories or novellas. Different Seasons and Skeleton Crew have several stories grouped together.

Emily May, I have shared this excellent review on my Facebook page crediting you and goodreads.com. Let me know if you are not OK with that and I will take it off.

This is my second book of his I'm reading, after reading Misery last year and really enjoying it. I'm really liking this one so far, but damn, it really is a slow climb! I can tell it's just how he tells compelling stories. It's such a dense book that I can't fly through, but I'm really eager to continue. Awesome review Emily :)

I LOVE this review.

I bought this book before I found out it was part of a series, so I was disappointed that I might have to wait before I read this one. Very happy to learn I won't have to wait!

Yeah, what she said. "I could not put this cracktastic shit down." I litterally stayed up all night reading and I did not even get tired!!!

This is listed as “Finders Keepers #4”. Do you need to have read the other books in the Hodges trilogy???

Brian wrote: "This is listed as “Finders Keepers #4”. Do you need to have read the other books in the Hodges trilogy???"

I didn't and it did not seem to matter.

Thanks Lori! I started The Outsider today and didn’t realize it was connected to other books.

Brian wrote: "Thanks Lori! I started The Outsider today and didn’t realize it was connected to other books."

It is only barely connected. An old character appears in this book, but it's not like you need to know the previous trilogy to understand this story.

Emily May - good to know. Thanks! If I like this one, I may have to go through the Hodges trilogy.

Don’t tease me this way my”. To read “ list is so long right now....damn it!

Lol you have summed up my issue with King. Seems like he needs to spend fewer days writing 25 pages a day and more days editing. But... you’ve made it seem a good thing!?!

I agree entirely!! I read a lot of his stuff, and I always find myself wondering why I needed to know these mundane details, while at the same time craving more and being unable to put it down!

I don’t usually like Stephen King, but willing to give this a try, since you liked it.

Glad you liked it but it felt like a “bag of shake” to me.

Josh wrote: "Glad you liked it but it felt like a “bag of shake” to me."

I have never heard that expression before! But I guess you weren't too impressed? Sorry you didn't enjoy it more, Josh.

This story sucked me in the same way.....as Mr. King has done countless other times. Every chance I got...I was picking it up to read. He has the greatest gift any writer could ask for...the ability to make US feel like we're part of the story, and that it can't continue without us.

Monica wrote: "I’ve never read any of his books because the Size intimidates me. What do you recommend for a first-time Stephen reader? Thanks! Great review!"

Cujo. I don't know if it feels out of date, but it is a normal length book and takes place in one period of time. It's tense!

I could not agree with this more! So perfectly said. I’ve been hooked on King’s work since I decided to read 11/22/63 4-5 years ago. The Outsider did not disappoint. I could not put it down. On to the next King novel! 😀

Great review! Now I really want to know what happens! I have never read a Stephen King book *hangs head in shame* I’ll read crime, suspense, mystery and thriller, but I’ve always been a bit of a wimp when it comes to horror. Can anyone recommend a good book to start with if I want to test the King waters?

J wrote: "Great review! Now I really want to know what happens! I have never read a Stephen King book *hangs head in shame* I’ll read crime, suspense, mystery and thriller, but I’ve always been a bit of a wi..."
I will suggest 11/22/63. Just remember it is a book about time travel. Not much horror in it at all. Hopefully that gets you addicted to SK and you can join our ranks. Enjoy! If you want to delve into really excellent horror, try "It".

@Wanda thank you so much! I will definitely give 11/22/63 a go!

This morning as I finished the last hour of reading this book, I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. I ignored it at first but it persisted and got louder, a noise like someone was trying to pry my window open. The dog made a warning bark so I got off the couch and peaked my head into the kitchen. It was a squirrel scratching at the screen door trying to get in. As soon as it noticed me it ran off. The hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. It was such a trivial event, but Stephen King put me in a frame of mind to be creeped out on a beautiful Sunday morning finishing this book.

Best review ever!

When I first was reading this book, I really liked the whole murder mystery part, but then I realized it was going to have to take some obscure turn, cuz it was Stephen King. He didn't disappoint.

I read SK for the first time a few weeks back and I had mixed feelings about his books (read 3). anyway, I somehow stumbled across your review through reading reviews on other books and glad I came across this. You pretty much sum up how I feel about SK books and didn't realise it was his trademark. But yeah, I think he's original in his ideas, yet frustrating to read (for me) when the story can be told in less, unnecessary detail etc.

This review said everything I’ve been trying to explain to people. Thank you. Can’t wait to finish The Outsider.

J—the other option is to try some of his short stories. Shawshank Redemption is Stephen King, as are The Green Mile, and The Body. They have the advantage of being fairly short, and character-driven rather than horror. My personal favorite is THe Stand, but it’s pretty long. I have mixed feelings about The Outsider— i liked the mystery part and LOVED Holly being back but didn’t like the “reveal”. I tend to prefer psychological thrillers and think King is at his best dealing with human evil rather than the supernatural. Others feel there is enough real horror already so “different strokes” i guess.

I was disappointed. I think SK borrowed or just stole the whole idea of the character of the outsider from Terminator 2. The changeling T 1000. Even down to the emerging faces as it died. SK certainly gets your attention with the premise of the opposing idea of absolute damning evidence and just how is SK going to handle that. 3/5 but was a good summer read.

@Beckimoody that’s a good tip - thank you! I will check those out :)

Great review! I’m not finished with it just yet, but I totally agree. I love King even though he’s the “King” of insane, drawn out, mundane details. I found myself reading this book at like 60-80 pages at a pop at times. All the while pulling on my hair and yelling in my head “get on with it King so I can find out what really happened”!
I can’t wait to see how it ends now! I hope I’m not disappointed!

Bryan, yes he definitely adds lengthy mundane details. At times I wondered if someone else was doing the writing or lending to the story....maybe Tabitha?

This was the worst Stephen King book I have ever read It was boring, lacked suspense and just not effective · I could hardly finish it ·

"But if you're a fan of King's slow, meticulously-detailed climb to the creepy good stuff, lots of characterization that probably wasn't needed, and 200 pages that could have been cut but are compelling anyway - step this way."

Bravo, I have been a Stephen King fan my entire life and I don't think I have ever seen his writing style so perfectly and eloquently stated.

Cracktastic shit!! Love it!!

I think if you’re going to pay for a book it might as well have a lot of pages in it leading up to a rip-roaring end!!