Yep, and pretty good author. Stephen mentioned in the GMA interview that he called up Harlan to get his permission to use him in the novel.
Once you've read The Outsider - here there be SPOILERS
- Thread starter Neil W
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I work in a library, so I'm accustomed to seeing Mr. Coben's books go back and forth across the counter, he's a popular author. And I'm probably not alone in thinking, "Well, sai King thinks highly of this guy, I should try one of his books." Any Coben fans lurking that can make a recommendation?
Just finished this one last night. Really enjoyed this book. Definitely pulled me in.
As GNTLGNT has said I feel this was the best written by Mr King in a while. For the first time in a few books I had to stay up late into the night because I didn't want to stop the ride. The pursuit toward the end was written well. Those are the times when Mr King has me pouring through pages, which is why he is my favorite author of all time. When he gets it right like that, reading is what it is supposed to be, fun and not something just to kill some time while waiting in the doctor's office. Overall an enjoyable, albeit brief, three night ride for me.
Now if Ms Mod has a moment, or even less if she thinks this is trivial, I do have a couple of things that did irritate me just a little.
For a few pages a Chevrolet Tahoe plays an important role in the description of one of the players in the story. It is "tricked out" including, if I remember correctly, an added camper top. The Tahoe badge was used by Chevy in mid 1980s on a few S10s, which are small and don't lend well to tricked out, and mid 1990s and forward vehicles which are simply scaled down Suburbans. Now you could put a camper top on the S10 but it would not be an impressive sight. The recent Tahoe cannot be outfitted with this accessory.
Only other thing that irritated me was the Winchester .300 outfitted with a Leupold VX-1 scope that, according to owner, he was proficient with out to 2000 yards...While the .300 might, in the right hands, reach out that far it is most likely has a 12-1400 yard limit to its capabilities. The VX-1 scope is the entry level of this line, I have a VX-II, and would not be a good choice for long range shooting.
Now in the story this does not come into play so I am putting this down as just another man stretching the truth on measurements.
I truly enjoyed this novel on many levels. Guess the curmudgenly redneck in me has to mention Chevy and rifle points. Would again like to thank Mr King for another $20 amusement ride. The best value on the entertainment market today in my opinion.
Now if Ms Mod has a moment, or even less if she thinks this is trivial, I do have a couple of things that did irritate me just a little.
For a few pages a Chevrolet Tahoe plays an important role in the description of one of the players in the story. It is "tricked out" including, if I remember correctly, an added camper top. The Tahoe badge was used by Chevy in mid 1980s on a few S10s, which are small and don't lend well to tricked out, and mid 1990s and forward vehicles which are simply scaled down Suburbans. Now you could put a camper top on the S10 but it would not be an impressive sight. The recent Tahoe cannot be outfitted with this accessory.
Only other thing that irritated me was the Winchester .300 outfitted with a Leupold VX-1 scope that, according to owner, he was proficient with out to 2000 yards...While the .300 might, in the right hands, reach out that far it is most likely has a 12-1400 yard limit to its capabilities. The VX-1 scope is the entry level of this line, I have a VX-II, and would not be a good choice for long range shooting.
Now in the story this does not come into play so I am putting this down as just another man stretching the truth on measurements.
I truly enjoyed this novel on many levels. Guess the curmudgenly redneck in me has to mention Chevy and rifle points. Would again like to thank Mr King for another $20 amusement ride. The best value on the entertainment market today in my opinion.
Cars and guns have rarely been things that he's been overly careful about.As GNTLGNT has said I feel this was the best written by Mr King in a while. For the first time in a few books I had to stay up late into the night because I didn't want to stop the ride. The pursuit toward the end was written well. Those are the times when Mr King has me pouring through pages, which is why he is my favorite author of all time. When he gets it right like that, reading is what it is supposed to be, fun and not something just to kill some time while waiting in the doctor's office. Overall an enjoyable, albeit brief, three night ride for me.
Now if Ms Mod has a moment, or even less if she thinks this is trivial, I do have a couple of things that did irritate me just a little.
For a few pages a Chevrolet Tahoe plays an important role in the description of one of the players in the story. It is "tricked out" including, if I remember correctly, an added camper top. The Tahoe badge was used by Chevy in mid 1980s on a few S10s, which are small and don't lend well to tricked out, and mid 1990s and forward vehicles which are simply scaled down Suburbans. Now you could put a camper top on the S10 but it would not be an impressive sight. The recent Tahoe cannot be outfitted with this accessory.
Only other thing that irritated me was the Winchester .300 outfitted with a Leupold VX-1 scope that, according to owner, he was proficient with out to 2000 yards...While the .300 might, in the right hands, reach out that far it is most likely has a 12-1400 yard limit to its capabilities. The VX-1 scope is the entry level of this line, I have a VX-II, and would not be a good choice for long range shooting.
Now in the story this does not come into play so I am putting this down as just another man stretching the truth on measurements.
I truly enjoyed this novel on many levels. Guess the curmudgenly redneck in me has to mention Chevy and rifle points. Would again like to thank Mr King for another $20 amusement ride. The best value on the entertainment market today in my opinion.
Well if he ever needs any help...Cars and guns have rarely been things that he's been overly careful about.
You know I am just a click away...
Really you can't go wrong with any of them. I prefer the stand alone novels, but the Myron Bolitars are good, too. He is great at the ripples in the pond effect
In the book King refers to a case that Holly had tracing lost pets, did I forget that part of a past book?
....hi Steve!!..not that I recall, other than a throwaway piece of “set dressing”.....
I would totally read that book or short story, though!
one small detail. the state of Texas has no Texas Highway Patrol. the two state wide units are the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS). the DPS would be the same as other states highway patrol.
I liked it but it didn't do much for me, maybe I would like it more if I had read the Bill Hodges trilogy beforehand. I like its references to El Cuco, especially since I read that picture book once when I was younger.
One thing I didn't really like about it were the tiny little political jabs sprinkled occasionally, they just came off as forced and were kind of cringey.
One thing I didn't really like about it were the tiny little political jabs sprinkled occasionally, they just came off as forced and were kind of cringey.
Also the final battle with Holly and Ralph against The Outsider was kind of dissapointing, the buildup to it was great, but when they finally got there all the monster really did was get pissy over Holly's comments about it and then get hit in the head once before dying.
There was one part in this book that made me realize all over again what an amazing author Mr. King is. It is the part when they are trying to take Terry Maitland into the courthouse. What a chaotic scene. Mr. King was so in depth with the details that I felt like I was there. He is astounding at writing chaos.
I totally agree! I have that scene highlighted and marked-up in my book because it is so well-written. I've heard some people describe the experience of reading as being similar to watching a film in their heads. I've never really had that experience with novels save for the work SK writes. The courthouse scene definitely was one of those mental movie moments. It must be such a fascinating mental exercise to write a scene like that!
Wife and I just finished reading the book together. Very good book. King has not lost his touch; I as an author still say "I want to write like that!" after a ride with him through his stories.
As a gun enthusiast I too pay close attention to his firearms description. I'm not nearly as proficient with a rifle as I am with other firearms, but you'd have to be close to being either a master hunter or a military sniper in order to bag something at 2,000 yards with a .300, even with a scope as good as a Leupold.As GNTLGNT
Only other thing that irritated me was the Winchester .300 outfitted with a Leupold VX-1 scope that, according to owner, he was proficient with out to 2000 yards...While the .300 might, in the right hands, reach out that far it is most likely has a 12-1400 yard limit to its capabilities. The VX-1 scope is the entry level of this line, I have a VX-II, and would not be a good choice for long range shooting.
Now in the story this does not come into play so I am putting this down as just another man stretching the truth on measurements.
I am a big Harlan Coben fan. His books are fantastic. He is very funny which appeals to me,muchly.
I read The Outsider upon it's release and have to say it was a great read. Some real WOW moments along the way...