'If you read only one novel this Summer, make it this one' (Daily Mail). THE OUTSIDER is a compelling and chilling suspense novel, which will delight all readers of King's crime thrillers, including the Hodges trilogy.
Holly Gibney Series
The series follows investigator Holly Gibney, who evolves from an unassuming helper into a tough, meticulous, and unyielding professional. In ordinary American towns (such as Flint City), she uncovers crimes that look rational on the surface but carry a darker, hard-to-explain underside. King builds suspense through small details, witness accounts, and Holly’s ability to endure where others back off. It’s a blend of crime and horror about how easily the “normal” world can fracture—and how costly the truth can be.
Recommended Reading Order
If It Bleeds
- 496 pages
- 18 hours of reading
This is a new collection of four novellas — Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and the title story If It Bleeds — each pulling you into intriguing and frightening places.
Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling characters, returns to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town. Having evolved from a shy recluse to a savvy private detective, Holly now faces a daunting challenge alone. When Penny Dahl reaches out to the Finders Keepers detective agency for help in locating her missing daughter, Holly is hesitant. With her partner Pete sidelined by Covid and her complicated family situation weighing on her, she contemplates taking a leave. However, Penny’s desperate plea compels her to accept the case. Just blocks from where Bonnie Dahl vanished, Professors Rodney and Emily Harris appear to be the epitome of respectable, devoted octogenarians. Yet, beneath their polished exterior lies a dark secret hidden in the basement of their book-lined home, potentially linked to Bonnie’s disappearance. The professors are cunning, patient, and ruthless, making it nearly impossible for Holly to uncover their sinister activities. To confront these twisted adversaries, Holly must harness all her formidable skills in this chilling new masterwork from King.