Horror
The Outsider
A boy is found murdered in a small Oklahoma town, and all the evidence points to a well-liked coach. Yet he also has solid proof that he was elsewhere. A detective must figure out how both can be true.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 496
- Format
- Book 1 of 4 in Holly Gibney
Read this if you like King when he blends a police procedural with the supernatural, and enjoy a slow build of dread.
Skip this if you would find a murdered child and graphic descriptions upsetting, as the opening is disturbing.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Outsider
- What is The Outsider about?
- A boy is found murdered in a small Oklahoma town, and all the evidence points to a well-liked coach. Yet he also has solid proof that he was elsewhere. A detective must figure out how both can be true.
- Who should read The Outsider?
- Read it if you like King when he blends a police procedural with the supernatural, and enjoy a slow build of dread. Skip it if you would find a murdered child and graphic descriptions upsetting, as the opening is disturbing.
- How long and how fast is The Outsider?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 496 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does The Outsider have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Child death, Violence, Death, Gore, Grief.
- Can I borrow The Outsider for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Outsider; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Outsider?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Silence of the Lambs, 'Salem's Lot, The Bone Collector.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Outsider
-
The Silence of the Lambs A classic about investigating a monstrous killer, with the same procedural focus.
-
'Salem's Lot Another King story of a small town infiltrated by something evil and the few who see it.
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The Bone Collector
A faster, plot-driven hunt for a killer, with fewer supernatural elements.
Horror