The.ReadingNook

3/5 Stars

Nine strangers set out to a remote health and wellness resort searching for a 10-day transformative experience. Some are looking to lose weight, some are seeking relationship help, and others can't quite figure out what they're looking for...

The charismatic and peculiar owner/director of the resort, Masha's approach to healing and wellness is a bit....original to say the least, and leaves guests doubtful. However, Masha has this trance about her that seems to virtually brainwash not only her right and left-hand wingmen, but eventually the guests seem to take to it, too.

I felt as though this story should have left out the “nine” strangers and narrowed it down to the “six” that Moriarty focused on most. We have Frances Welty, romance novelist who arrives at Tranquillum House broken-hearted and a bit skeptical. Ben and Jessica Chandler are seeking marriage counseling after a lottery win sparks a plastic-surgery binge for Jessica, and a love for a new car on Ben's end. Then we have Heather, Napoleon and Zoe Marconi, the seemingly happy family that is still grieving the loss of their son.

As the reader, I had a solid grasp on the above characters' thoughts, backgrounds, and feelings. I felt as though I understood the characters and could successfully do that picturing-in-my-head thing of what the characters are like. The remaining characters, Lars Lee - a divorce attorney, Carmel Schneider - a woman with a major resentment of the new relationship her ex-husband has with a younger woman, and Tony Hogburn - a former professional athlete, seem as though they're supporting characters. I think it irks me that I didn't get to know these three as well simply because the whole basis of the book is surrounding nine strangers embarking on a wellness journey under the watch of Ms. Masha.

Additionally, I felt as though I was waiting for something that just never happened. When I finished the book I thought “that's it?”. I was quite honestly disappointed. I read so many great things about this book and when I saw it was an option for my Book of the Month I hopped at the chance to get this, but I was left wanting more and I hate feeling that way after finishing a book! I will say that one thing I appreciated is that Moriarty gave post-resort updates on all nine characters and I love knowing how life has played out for characters (in any book, TV show, movie, etc.) after-the-fact.

Did I dislike this book? No. Did I love this book? Also no. I would recommend other awesome books before this one.

3.5/5 Stars

I feel as though Stephen King books are either a solid hit or a solid miss. The Outsider, however, was the first Stephen King book I read where my overall thoughts & feelings on the story were just very...neutral. Let me break down what I enjoyed and what I was not so much enjoyed:

Likes:
The idea of the “Outsider” was a really cool, unique idea that really only Stephen King could concoct.

The characters - I like how well-liked men of their communities were the main target, and were the ones that stood trial.

I liked the connection between Heath Holmes and Terry Maitland, one that came deep in the story.

The element of sci-fit that Stephen King can so tastefully intertwine into a thriller. The characters themselves were acknowledging the fact that the supernatural is unbelievable, which made this seem more realistic as opposed to a far-out-there idea.

I always enjoy how Stephen King weaves in characters and little “Easter Eggs” that are a nod to his past work. In this case, Holly Gibney is a character that comes into play about halfway through the book - she is actually a main character in the End of Watch book I reviewed (read that review here!).

Now that I have discussed some positives that really stuck with me throughout, let's pinpoint some dislikes, which ultimately drove the review from a 5-Starrer to the 3.5 mark (which, by the way, is above average!).


Dislikes:
The book started to drag about 3/4 of the way through, as Detective Anderson, Holly and crew worked to find this perpetrator before he gets ahold of victim #3. I felt as though some parts were unnecessary and wordy.

Too many characters. There is a good host of characters in this story, but there's too many to really follow and get to know. I usually enjoy books with less characters and more time/info/mannerisms to get to know them as if he or she is real.

Some unacknowledged “leads”. I swore swore swore that Bill Samuels was going to have something more to do with the murders, because there were notes here & there of his odd mannerisms.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Stephen King, as you folks have a greater love for his lengthy, character-dense stories. However, if this book would be your first Stephen King novel, I would suggest maybe starting off with something smaller. I really loved End of Watch and I heard Elevation is great.

Major cringe. Enough said.

Dedicated a couple of hours to plow through the remaining 200 pages of this book and all I can say is holy cannoli. Such an intense, suspenseful plot with some great character development. I loved how strong the main character, Gwen (formerly Gina), is. Forreal. This woman is a bad asssss. This storyline was exhilarating and I found myself not wanting to put this down. I had my suspicions of who the “bad guy” was - it wasn't too hard to figure out - but it didn't feel as though the book was “ruined” by figuring it out before it's unveiled in the story. Makes me a little weirded out knowing that it was reiterated that serial killers put on a good front...😵‍💫.  However, I give this book 5⭐️! 10/10 would recommend if you're looking for a thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat! Now on to the next 4 in the series...

4.5/5 Stars

This book. Ok, so Stephen King is a genius. But I'm pretty sure most people know that by now, amiright? End of Watch was such a well-crafted, twisty/turny psychological thriller/sci-fi mix of a book. AGAIN, I chose a book that I found out after-the-fact, is part of a series. This one in particular is part of a trilogy. Anyway, this book was a page-turner. Honestly, when I started off reading it I was a bit skeptical and everyone kept telling me how amazing this book was so I powered on despite my skepticism (OK, so I was skeptical only after the first three pages but STILL) and I'm so glad I did. I just started a new job in the city so that means a lot of commuting time on the train back and forth, so I have plenty of time to read (yay!). I finished this book within in four days of commuting! I couldn't put it down.

Brady Hartsfield, donned the “Mercedes Killer” comes out of a vegetative state after a world-renowned doctor starts giving him experimental medication over the course of a few years - years after his mass killing in City Center. Although when Brady emerges from this comatous state, he has special abilities: he has the power of telekinesis and the ability to take control of other peoples' bodies and minds. Sounds crazy, right? I did say that this had some sci-fi to it. Brady Hartsfield is also known as the “Suicide Prince,” which is a bit morbid TBH but that's what he's notoriously obsessed with. I feel like if I even give a bit of info about Zappits - this old-school handheld game console - and his relation to them that I will give away some twists and turns, but know that these Zappits are directly linked to Brady and these mysterious suicides that are a recurring theme throughout the book. Despite efforts from both he and his partner Holly, Detective (Kermit) William Hodges will stop at nothing to take Brady down for good. My boyfriend is a die-hard Stephen King fan and I love me some Stephen King myself, and when I read this synopsis one day at Barnes & Noble I immediately took note of the title, and promised myself that I had to read it! It for sure did not disappoint. Like I said, I read roughly about 100 pages a day, before I finished. I would highly recommend this book. I'm not too much of a sucker for sci-fi or fantasy, but there are a few books that I love that have the element of fantasy weaved in, and this 100% makes the cut. I wish this was a movie, honestly. But I would assume the ongoing theme of suicide would limit this to a book-only story. Just know that Stephen King never disappoints.