Why a Booktrail?
2000s: A boy is found murdered in a park, but could DNA point to the wrong man?
The Outsider
What you need to know before your trail
When an eleven-year-old boy is found murdered in a town park, reliable eyewitnesses undeniably point to the town’s popular Little League coach, Terry Maitland, as the culprit. DNA evidence and fingerprints confirm the crime was committed by this well-loved family man.
Horrified by the brutal killing, Detective Ralph Anderson, whose own son was once coached by Maitland, orders the suspect to be arrested in a public spectacle. But Maitland has an alibi. And further research confirms he was indeed out of town that day.
As Anderson and the District Attorney trace the clues, the investigation expands from Ohio to Texas. And as horrifying answers begin to emerge, so King’s propulsive story of almost unbearable suspense kicks into high gear.
Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy but there is one rock-hard fact, as unassailable as gravity: a man cannot be in two places at the same time. Can he?
Travel Guide
Oklahoma and Texas (c) Google
Travel BookTrail style to Stephen King’s Oklahoma
Stephen King in his notes explains that Oklahoma is a wonderful state and that he has met some wonderful people there. He apologizes if he has made any mistakes on the setting as “ you have to be in a place for years before you get the flavor just right”
Flint City and Cap City where most of the story takes place are of course fictional. Just as well really – Figgis Park has a somewhat less savoury name according to local children. However the local baseball pitch Estelle Barga sounds great!
How does a town look upon an outsider?
“Doesn’t look like a monster, does he?”
“They rarely do.”
Could the setting of Flint City be a subtle nod to the Flint, Michigan water crisis? As well as Oklahoma, the novel soon ends up in southern Texas for a dusty, gritty showdown of Texan proportions.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Outsider
Destination : Oklahoma, Texas Author/Guide: Stephen King Departure Time: 2000s
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