Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did the genre blending of horror and crime impact your experience of the story? Did you feel compelled to solve the mystery, despite the speculative elements? Why or why not?

2. This novel marks the return of Holly Gibney, a supporting character from King’s Hodges trilogy, which began with Mr. Mercedes. How did you feel about Holly’s placement into the narrative? If you aren’t familiar with her character, did you get the sense that she was a character whom King had written about before? If you are familiar, how did King build on your prior knowledge of her in this story?

3. Do you feel this novel stylistically fits in with King’s prolific body of work? Consider overlaps or connections beyond the Hodges trilogy by comparing narrative elements (for example, characters such as the titular Outsider and Pennywise the Clown from It).

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How much do you trust the people in your closest circles? What does this novel suggest about the limits of trust, faith, and doubt?