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The Outlier
An audaciously twisty psychological thriller in which finding the killer is only one of two mysteries its anti-heroine, Cate Winter, tries to unravel. The when pushed to extremes, what is she herself capable of? Cate Winter, at 34, is a wildly successful neuroscientist and entrepreneur who has invented a cure for Alzheimer's that will improve the lives of millions. On the verge of selling her biotech company for an obscene sum, she is also about to become very rich. But Cate has a secret that keeps her deeply uneasy about everything she is and she grew up at the Cleckley Institute, a treatment facility for the rehabilitation of psychopathic children. And, as far as she knows, she is the institute's only success. All of her peers have become thwarted, maladjusted or even criminal adults. Then Cate discovers the existence of another ex-patient and outlier who might prove that her success isn't a fluke. He has not only stayed out of jail, but he's made a mark in business and science. Though his identity is confidential, she breaks the rules and drops everything to track him down. And when she finds him, living under an assumed name in Baja California, she is immediately obsessed. Like her, he is driven and brilliant, an innovator willing to do what it takes to perfect a new energy technology that will stop global warming. Here, at last, is her mirror, her ultimate collaborator, the possible answer to the enigma of her nature. But in the wake of a mysterious death, Cate can't avoid suspecting him. If he is involved, do his ends justify his means? Ruthless herself, she's about to find out whether there are any moral lines she won't cross.
344 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2024
46 people are currently reading
8263 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Eaves
3 books92 followersI'm a writer and editor, born in Vancouver and living in New York City. My first book, "Bare," was about stripping, and my second book, "Wanderlust," came out of a lifelong love of travel and trying to figure out why I felt so compelled to keep moving on. My travel writing has also appeared in "Best American Travel Writing 2009," "Best Women's Travel Writing 2010," and Lonely Planet's "A Moveable Feast." One of the things I love about my work is that it's an excuse to talk to anyone about anything. Before finding my way to journalism, I worked as a waitress, a bartender, a deck hand, a landscaper, an office temp, and a peep show girl. To read some of my stories, please visit www.elisabetheaves.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 14, 2024
I am a little stumped about writing this review. There are two completely different stories going on here. One, Cate Winters once was in an institution for troubled kids. She also holds a deep secret.
Then she becomes a neuroscientist / entrepreneur who starts a company that is supposed to help cure Alzheimer’s. We get information on the technical aspects of her research as well.
Then she decides to look for an old classmate who became successful like her. Only he holds a dark secret as well.
I think the writing was good. I do feel the stories were sort of all over the place. Eaves is a great writer and I would still like to read what she comes out with next.
Out now. Thank you to Elisabeth Eaves, Random House Canada and Netgalley for the opportunity.
3.5 ⭐️
Then she becomes a neuroscientist / entrepreneur who starts a company that is supposed to help cure Alzheimer’s. We get information on the technical aspects of her research as well.
Then she decides to look for an old classmate who became successful like her. Only he holds a dark secret as well.
I think the writing was good. I do feel the stories were sort of all over the place. Eaves is a great writer and I would still like to read what she comes out with next.
Out now. Thank you to Elisabeth Eaves, Random House Canada and Netgalley for the opportunity.
3.5 ⭐️
October 8, 2024
The description of this book starts as “An audaciously twisty psychological thriller”.
Well, the only thing I thought was audacious here was a couple of explicit sex scenes.
Honestly, I did not find anything thrilling nor enjoyable. I definitely did not care for any of the characters.
But the concept and writing were not bad, hence my ratings. Unfortunately the execution was not to my expectations.
I tried the audiobook but it wasn’t for me (not because of the narrators, but the sound quality - luckily it was a free download from the public library).
I had the paperback but I switched to e-book format.
e-book (Kobo): 368 pages (default), 89k words
audiobook narrated by Maddalena Valecchi Williams, Ivan Wanis Ruiz, Margarita Valderrama, Richard Clarkin: 10.5 hours (unabridged)
Well, the only thing I thought was audacious here was a couple of explicit sex scenes.
Honestly, I did not find anything thrilling nor enjoyable. I definitely did not care for any of the characters.
But the concept and writing were not bad, hence my ratings. Unfortunately the execution was not to my expectations.
I tried the audiobook but it wasn’t for me (not because of the narrators, but the sound quality - luckily it was a free download from the public library).
I had the paperback but I switched to e-book format.
e-book (Kobo): 368 pages (default), 89k words
audiobook narrated by Maddalena Valecchi Williams, Ivan Wanis Ruiz, Margarita Valderrama, Richard Clarkin: 10.5 hours (unabridged)
February 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy of The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves. All opinions are my own. Unfortunately this one did not hit for me in the way I thought it would. I really enjoyed the first 25% of the book but then it kind of lost me moving forward from there. The characters were not very likeable and I found myself being very confused by the plot line and where the story is going. Just because this was not for me doesn't mean it won't be for you.
August 14, 2024
This thriller was right up my alley. Are we predestined to be bad, crazy? If it's nature, what aspects create it? If it's nurture, what symptoms teach it? I love psychology, especially the darker sides. This novel delves into it.
Great writing. Well developed characters. Intriguing plot. Satisfying ending.
Great writing. Well developed characters. Intriguing plot. Satisfying ending.
June 30, 2024
I didn’t know this was the authors debut novel until I got to the end. But I can’t wait to read more of her work if she keeps it up. I found it a little over the top. For example Cate’s breakthrough of an Alzheimer’s cure. But it didn’t negatively impact anything. What I really enjoyed about the whole book was Cate and Hunters story about the institute. I would love for Elisabeth Eaves to write a prequel about this is more detail. Even tho it’s all summed up in the book. But I found it the most interesting part of the story. It’s like a story inside a story for me. I also enjoyed the other characters in the story. You really got to know them each on an individual level that really made it come alive. I will definitely recommend this book to others.
May 31, 2024
The beginning of the book grabbed my attention, but within the first few chapters, my attention was wandering. I think making the writing so clinical and straightforward made sense given Cate's history, but as a reader, I felt a bit detached from the narrative. This ended up being a DNF for me, but I would absolutely try something else by the author.
September 21, 2024
This is a really unique story, though I found it a little hard to follow at times. It centers on Cate, who is a successful entrepreneur, despite having grown up in a program for psychopathic children. When she finds that there is another potential success story from her childhood, she breaks protocol in order to track him down, and ends up stumbling into a sinister plot.
I thought the concept of the story was really cool, but I got lost a bit when Cate becomes involved in this whole other situation that she came across when on a mission to track down the other outlier. While it did all come together for me by the end, there was just a lot going on that I wasn’t expecting and I wasn’t as invested in the other plotline.
Overall, this was definitely a unique story but went in a different direction than I anticipated. I thought it was a decent read but not entirely up my alley. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the concept of the story was really cool, but I got lost a bit when Cate becomes involved in this whole other situation that she came across when on a mission to track down the other outlier. While it did all come together for me by the end, there was just a lot going on that I wasn’t expecting and I wasn’t as invested in the other plotline.
Overall, this was definitely a unique story but went in a different direction than I anticipated. I thought it was a decent read but not entirely up my alley. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 6, 2024
“The Outlier” is the debut novel by author Elisabeth Eaves. Intelligent, witty and razor sharp, this novel is two mysteries tied into one. With a protagonist who is more of an anti-heroine, “The Outlier” is a relevant story riddled with taut suspense and non-stop action.
Cate Winter is a neuroscientist and an entrepreneur. Alongside her business partner, Cate has developed a cure for Alzheimer’s and is on the cusp of selling her company and becoming a multi-millionaire. However, Cate is keeping a big secret. As a child, Cate grew up in the Cleckley Institute, a psychological institution for children with sociopathic tendencies. Although most of her classmates ended up in the prison system there is one other pupil that is similar to Cate- rich, successful and, as far as Cate knows, has stayed out of legal trouble. Cate is desperate to find her peer, in hopes of making a connection and finding someone else who is like her but her quest uncovers far more than Cate ever wanted to know.
“The Outlier” has an intriguing premise and I was immediately interested, especially in all things Cate and the mysterious Cleckley Institute. That being said, there is an alternate storyline in this novel and, although it does connect to Cate in the end and is, on its own, interesting and exciting, the two storylines were very different and made it seem as if I was reading two different novels, right up until the end. I would’ve loved the focus to remain on Cate, the Cleckley Institute and her peers, but Eaves manages to connect the two in a cohesive way by the time the end comes around.
Cate narrates her portions of the novel in the first-person, but we also hear from other characters that help to introduce the second storyline, which involves dying aquatic life and the generation of an alternate energy source. “The Outlier” can get very scientific in parts, but the language is not dense or too intellectual, so the story is able to flow without the reader getting hung up on tricky theories and dialect.
Eaves absolutely did her research with this novel, and it is very evident right from the first page, and her writing is fluid and creative. Although “The Outlier” is a debut, Eaves writing is such that it is difficult to recognize this as a first-time novel. Thought-provoking and intelligent, “The Outlier” is unlike anything I’ve read before. The Cate storyline fascinated me, and I hope to see more of this from Eaves in the future.
Expected publication date: Aug. 6, 2024
“The Outlier” is the debut novel by author Elisabeth Eaves. Intelligent, witty and razor sharp, this novel is two mysteries tied into one. With a protagonist who is more of an anti-heroine, “The Outlier” is a relevant story riddled with taut suspense and non-stop action.
Cate Winter is a neuroscientist and an entrepreneur. Alongside her business partner, Cate has developed a cure for Alzheimer’s and is on the cusp of selling her company and becoming a multi-millionaire. However, Cate is keeping a big secret. As a child, Cate grew up in the Cleckley Institute, a psychological institution for children with sociopathic tendencies. Although most of her classmates ended up in the prison system there is one other pupil that is similar to Cate- rich, successful and, as far as Cate knows, has stayed out of legal trouble. Cate is desperate to find her peer, in hopes of making a connection and finding someone else who is like her but her quest uncovers far more than Cate ever wanted to know.
“The Outlier” has an intriguing premise and I was immediately interested, especially in all things Cate and the mysterious Cleckley Institute. That being said, there is an alternate storyline in this novel and, although it does connect to Cate in the end and is, on its own, interesting and exciting, the two storylines were very different and made it seem as if I was reading two different novels, right up until the end. I would’ve loved the focus to remain on Cate, the Cleckley Institute and her peers, but Eaves manages to connect the two in a cohesive way by the time the end comes around.
Cate narrates her portions of the novel in the first-person, but we also hear from other characters that help to introduce the second storyline, which involves dying aquatic life and the generation of an alternate energy source. “The Outlier” can get very scientific in parts, but the language is not dense or too intellectual, so the story is able to flow without the reader getting hung up on tricky theories and dialect.
Eaves absolutely did her research with this novel, and it is very evident right from the first page, and her writing is fluid and creative. Although “The Outlier” is a debut, Eaves writing is such that it is difficult to recognize this as a first-time novel. Thought-provoking and intelligent, “The Outlier” is unlike anything I’ve read before. The Cate storyline fascinated me, and I hope to see more of this from Eaves in the future.
August 29, 2024
not a mystery or a thriller. just a reporting of a series of very obvious events. but i read the whole thing so that’s gotta mean something
October 7, 2024
I knew from the first time I saw the cover of The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves on NetGalley that I wanted to read it, and despite having to restart the audiobook, I really enjoyed it! This is one of those books that you have to make sure you're paying attention to in order to fully follow due to the mix of characters and quite a bit of focus on science. The first time I had no idea what was going on and ended up restarting around the 18% mark - oops! I had no issues on the second go though, and actually found the topics discussed in the story fascinating. It is a very unique and clever plotline filled intrigue and suspense.
Paying attention if you listen to the audio is crucial, but it really is a great audiobook, and I would definitely recommend it overall. There is a full cast which was awesome considering all of the various viewpoints and Maddalena Valecchi Williams, Ivan Wanis Ruiz, Margarita Valderrama & Richard Clarkin all did a great job bringing the book to life. It looks like The Outlier is Eaves' third book but first fiction novel, and I am here for it. It doesn't necessarily make me want to go back to her memoirs, but if she writes more fiction, I am definitely in. If you enjoy multiple points-of-view, generally unlikeable characters, and books that have a scientific aspect I would check this out!
Paying attention if you listen to the audio is crucial, but it really is a great audiobook, and I would definitely recommend it overall. There is a full cast which was awesome considering all of the various viewpoints and Maddalena Valecchi Williams, Ivan Wanis Ruiz, Margarita Valderrama & Richard Clarkin all did a great job bringing the book to life. It looks like The Outlier is Eaves' third book but first fiction novel, and I am here for it. It doesn't necessarily make me want to go back to her memoirs, but if she writes more fiction, I am definitely in. If you enjoy multiple points-of-view, generally unlikeable characters, and books that have a scientific aspect I would check this out!
November 5, 2025
DNF. I don’t know… too academic for me? Can’t get into this, I tried.
June 19, 2024
So thrilled to have received this ARC. The first half of the book felt like 2 separate stories since the majority of the characters didn’t know each other at that point. The ending was okay. I liked Cate and thought her character was really well done.
July 28, 2024
4 🌟
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange of an honest review.
The premise of The Outlier was absolutely captivating. It dives into psychopath both in a clinical sense as well as how the disorder affects children & adults alike. This was a fiction story, but I found myself contemplating how many of these institutions and schools exist for children who suffer from similar disorders. Also, how often are we encountering psychopaths? This book really opened up a path for a hunger for learning more which is one of my top components of a “good read”.
Beyond the compelling storyline of psychopaths Is the story of a woman, cate, searching for who she is at the heart of it. She’s so caught up in who the reports, data, Dr. M etc tells her to be that for a moment she forgets she’s in charge of who she is.
I was truly pulling for her and Gabriel to be able to right their ship, but that’s just one of those topics we are left to ponder.
And let’s all hope hunter didn’t make it out of the sea that fateful day.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange of an honest review.
The premise of The Outlier was absolutely captivating. It dives into psychopath both in a clinical sense as well as how the disorder affects children & adults alike. This was a fiction story, but I found myself contemplating how many of these institutions and schools exist for children who suffer from similar disorders. Also, how often are we encountering psychopaths? This book really opened up a path for a hunger for learning more which is one of my top components of a “good read”.
Beyond the compelling storyline of psychopaths Is the story of a woman, cate, searching for who she is at the heart of it. She’s so caught up in who the reports, data, Dr. M etc tells her to be that for a moment she forgets she’s in charge of who she is.
I was truly pulling for her and Gabriel to be able to right their ship, but that’s just one of those topics we are left to ponder.
And let’s all hope hunter didn’t make it out of the sea that fateful day.
August 9, 2024
3.5/5 Stars ⭐️
“The Outlier” by Elisabeth Eaves offers a fascinating and unique premise that immediately draws readers in. The story revolves around Cate, who, as a child, was diagnosed as a psychopath and sent to a special school designed to help children like her integrate into society. Unlike most of her peers, Cate defies expectations, completing her education, starting a business, finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, and becoming a successful member of society. However, when she discovers another former student who has similarly beaten the odds, she embarks on a quest to find him—only to discover that he might not be who she thought he was.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is its multi-point-of-view narrative. At first, it’s disorienting to jump between the perspectives of seemingly unrelated characters, including the individuals in Baja, but Eaves skillfully weaves these disparate threads together into a cohesive story. The way these different narratives intersect adds depth to the plot and keeps readers engaged.
The novel's main strength lies in its exploration of Cate’s character and the psychological implications of her diagnosis. The idea of a psychopath functioning successfully in society is intriguing, and Eaves does a commendable job of depicting Cate’s struggles and triumphs. However, the book sometimes veers away from this psychological focus, particularly when it delves into the mysterious death of fish in Baja. While this subplot eventually ties into the main narrative, it feels somewhat disconnected from the more compelling aspects of Cate’s story.
Overall, “The Outlier” is an engaging read with a strong premise and a satisfying conclusion. However, it could have benefited from a more focused exploration of the psychological themes at its core. Fans of character-driven novels with a touch of mystery will find much to appreciate, though some might be left wishing for a deeper dive into Cate’s psyche. A solid 3.5 stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
“The Outlier” by Elisabeth Eaves offers a fascinating and unique premise that immediately draws readers in. The story revolves around Cate, who, as a child, was diagnosed as a psychopath and sent to a special school designed to help children like her integrate into society. Unlike most of her peers, Cate defies expectations, completing her education, starting a business, finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, and becoming a successful member of society. However, when she discovers another former student who has similarly beaten the odds, she embarks on a quest to find him—only to discover that he might not be who she thought he was.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is its multi-point-of-view narrative. At first, it’s disorienting to jump between the perspectives of seemingly unrelated characters, including the individuals in Baja, but Eaves skillfully weaves these disparate threads together into a cohesive story. The way these different narratives intersect adds depth to the plot and keeps readers engaged.
The novel's main strength lies in its exploration of Cate’s character and the psychological implications of her diagnosis. The idea of a psychopath functioning successfully in society is intriguing, and Eaves does a commendable job of depicting Cate’s struggles and triumphs. However, the book sometimes veers away from this psychological focus, particularly when it delves into the mysterious death of fish in Baja. While this subplot eventually ties into the main narrative, it feels somewhat disconnected from the more compelling aspects of Cate’s story.
Overall, “The Outlier” is an engaging read with a strong premise and a satisfying conclusion. However, it could have benefited from a more focused exploration of the psychological themes at its core. Fans of character-driven novels with a touch of mystery will find much to appreciate, though some might be left wishing for a deeper dive into Cate’s psyche. A solid 3.5 stars.
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
July 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Outlier - 5 stars.
Psychological slow burn thriller meets James Bond. Elisabeth Eaves' debut novel captures all the right notes that you expect in this tale of a statistical anomaly on a path to find out more about herself by searching out the one other anomaly who she is sure can shed some light on who she is. As the tale progresses, we become charmed for our outlier Cate and truly discover that she really is more than a brain scan and a survey result.
I very much enjoyed this debut. It was tense and gripping yet made the outlier Cate truly human. This strong and very unique main character was joined by a well written and emotive range of other characters whom you also rooted for, insofar as their struggles became inextricably connected. As debuts go, this might be my favourite of 2024 to date. The Outlier is an absolute must-read for mystery and thriller fans.
The Outlier - 5 stars.
Psychological slow burn thriller meets James Bond. Elisabeth Eaves' debut novel captures all the right notes that you expect in this tale of a statistical anomaly on a path to find out more about herself by searching out the one other anomaly who she is sure can shed some light on who she is. As the tale progresses, we become charmed for our outlier Cate and truly discover that she really is more than a brain scan and a survey result.
I very much enjoyed this debut. It was tense and gripping yet made the outlier Cate truly human. This strong and very unique main character was joined by a well written and emotive range of other characters whom you also rooted for, insofar as their struggles became inextricably connected. As debuts go, this might be my favourite of 2024 to date. The Outlier is an absolute must-read for mystery and thriller fans.
August 9, 2024
An OUTSTANDING debut by a not to miss new Canadian author. If you enjoy layered, psychological thrillers, this story about two gifted psychopaths is a must read!
The premise of a secluded center that studies young kids diagnosed with psychopathy and the cat and mouse games between two 'outliers' who are able to succeed in life far beyond the others was original and gripping.
Told from multiple POVs, with climate change elements and great insights into the neurodiversity of the human brain. I enjoyed this a lot, especially on audio narrated by a full cast! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is perfect for fans of books like Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent, Never saw me coming by Vera Kurian or Love letters to a serial killer by Tasha Coryell. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read what Elisabeth Eaves writes next!!
The premise of a secluded center that studies young kids diagnosed with psychopathy and the cat and mouse games between two 'outliers' who are able to succeed in life far beyond the others was original and gripping.
Told from multiple POVs, with climate change elements and great insights into the neurodiversity of the human brain. I enjoyed this a lot, especially on audio narrated by a full cast! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is perfect for fans of books like Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent, Never saw me coming by Vera Kurian or Love letters to a serial killer by Tasha Coryell. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read what Elisabeth Eaves writes next!!
October 3, 2024
The Outlier was an interesting audiobook listen that I was really in to up until about 2/3 of the way through, but the last third of the narrative fell flat for me; I wanted more from the characters and more from the plot. I think part of this is related to how the book is being marketed: the cover and plot description led me to expect I’d be reading a generic, murder-y psychological thriller, but The Outlier is more of a slow burning literary thriller. That being said, I enjoyed this author’s style of writing and hope to read more by her in the future!
September 7, 2024
There was simply way too much going on in this book! So many elements had good potential, but because there was so much happening, they all fell flat for me.
I did enjoy how everything came together at the end, but I wasn’t invested throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Canada for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy how everything came together at the end, but I wasn’t invested throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Canada for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2025
The Outlier was not my favorite. I felt there was too much happening in a single novel, making it difficult to follow. The subject matter didn't engage me as much as I had hoped. Fewer characters and fewer twists might have added more suspense to the plot, but the constant shifting detracted from it.
I would like to thank @Netgalley, @RandomHouseCanada and @ElisabethEaves for providing me with the advanced copy of “The Outlier” in exchange for an honest review. #TheOutlier
I would like to thank @Netgalley, @RandomHouseCanada and @ElisabethEaves for providing me with the advanced copy of “The Outlier” in exchange for an honest review. #TheOutlier
September 5, 2024
3.75 stars. This probably wouldn't be the kind of thing I would have picked up if didn't know the author: what a thrill it must be to see your name on the cover of a book you wrote! Fun to see so many people you know in the dedication and acknowledgements. Eye-catching cover design, and interesting choice of first person past tense. While I don't usually read psychological thrillers, I found myself drawn in by the multiple POV and not distracted too much by the extensive research, quickly flipping pages as the action ramped up. Congratulations, Elisabeth!
January 26, 2025
This was a great story with a refreshingly different backstory than most thrillers I have read. Two young adults who knew each other from living at a clinic for psychopathic children ... what could possibly go wrong when they meet up again many years later?
October 19, 2024
Let him love you Cate 😭
August 7, 2024
This was so good. Hard to believe it is a debut novel. Elisabeth weaves the story together so well. We get some pretty crazy reveals along the way. I will be watching for more from Elisabeth Eaves. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC.
Read
July 10, 2024With apology, this was a DNF. While I liked Cate, the plot dragged and I never got to where it felt like anything truly approaching a thriller. It may have been my mood, but I simply wasn't entertained.
July 19, 2024
Smart and Scary
I was #gifted The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves from @penguinrandomca and @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Cate Winter, a successful neuroscientist who has invented the cure for Alzheimer’s and is about to sell her biotech company for a LOT of money. However, Cate isn’t your average neuroscientist. She grew up at the Cleckley Institute, a facility for the rehabilitation of psychopathic children. It’s a secret she doesn’t share with anyone. Even though she seems to be the institute’s only success.
That is, until she learns of another ex-patient who seems to be an outlier like her. Not only has he stayed out of jail, but he too has made his mark in business and science. The fact that his identity is confidential doesn’t stop her from tracking him down in Baja, California and discovers he has invented a new technology to stop global warming. She does everything in her power to get to him, and see if it will help uncover some questions about herself and her success at the institute.
This was a fast-paced read, that kept me wondering what these characters had up their sleeves. And while based in a scientific world, I could follow along on this smart psychological thriller, and all the twists it held. The author really let us into Cate’s head and how she thought, and you found yourself having sympathy and understanding for a woman who appeared to have no moral code, no fear of consequence and is ruthless in her life and business.
There were chapters told from Cate’s POV, and there were chapters dedicated to two other characters that laid out a secondary storyline about dead fish and much more science that I could understand at times, and it sometimes felt hard to follow. And while I’ve never been to Baja California, the descriptions were rich and powerful that I could smell the sea salt and feel the sand on my toes.
I gave this book three and a half stars. It was fast-paced, and left me feeling uneasy about what was next – which I like in a book. The secondary plot came together in the end, and I could see how everything was connected, but there were moments that I wasn’t sure it would. Cate was so well thought-out as a character, and you loved her and loved to hate her.
The book is due on bookshelves August 2, 2024.
#bookreview #elisabetheaves #theoutlier #psychologicalthriller #mystery #thriller #fiction #2024reads #readmorebooks #gifted #womenauthors #debutnovel #bookishcanadians #bookthoughts #bookaddict #bookrecommendations #netgalley #penguinrandomca #randomhouse
I was #gifted The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves from @penguinrandomca and @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Cate Winter, a successful neuroscientist who has invented the cure for Alzheimer’s and is about to sell her biotech company for a LOT of money. However, Cate isn’t your average neuroscientist. She grew up at the Cleckley Institute, a facility for the rehabilitation of psychopathic children. It’s a secret she doesn’t share with anyone. Even though she seems to be the institute’s only success.
That is, until she learns of another ex-patient who seems to be an outlier like her. Not only has he stayed out of jail, but he too has made his mark in business and science. The fact that his identity is confidential doesn’t stop her from tracking him down in Baja, California and discovers he has invented a new technology to stop global warming. She does everything in her power to get to him, and see if it will help uncover some questions about herself and her success at the institute.
This was a fast-paced read, that kept me wondering what these characters had up their sleeves. And while based in a scientific world, I could follow along on this smart psychological thriller, and all the twists it held. The author really let us into Cate’s head and how she thought, and you found yourself having sympathy and understanding for a woman who appeared to have no moral code, no fear of consequence and is ruthless in her life and business.
There were chapters told from Cate’s POV, and there were chapters dedicated to two other characters that laid out a secondary storyline about dead fish and much more science that I could understand at times, and it sometimes felt hard to follow. And while I’ve never been to Baja California, the descriptions were rich and powerful that I could smell the sea salt and feel the sand on my toes.
I gave this book three and a half stars. It was fast-paced, and left me feeling uneasy about what was next – which I like in a book. The secondary plot came together in the end, and I could see how everything was connected, but there were moments that I wasn’t sure it would. Cate was so well thought-out as a character, and you loved her and loved to hate her.
The book is due on bookshelves August 2, 2024.
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September 4, 2025
3.5 stars. The pacing is good, especially at the beginning-- it helps the reader get invested early. The characters are an interesting mix; it's clear that the three characters that the chapters follow will soon overlap.
It did feel a little weird to me that the primary character gets first-person narration, but the two main supporting characters get their own intermixed chapters with more omniscient third-person narration. Getting first-person narration for all three could have given Luciana and Gabriel
Program topics: intro to diving, fish identification, oceans & climate change, sustainable fishing practices.
Discussion prompts:
- Dr. M. shares with Cate a story set before the beginning of the book, in which he leaves some students-- presumably Cate and Hunter-- out of a research study because "[they] were outliers.. too few to be of statistical significance" (p 109). In the next chapter, Gabriel is ambivalent about having a journalist on hand when he arrives to study the fish, as "they [journalists] were so likely to emphasize the dramatic example over the data" (p 114). In science, or in decision-making, where do the dramatic outliers belong?
- Cate's efforts to mask (to pass as neurotypical) are displayed throughout the book-- when she tries to perform in social situations, or tries to display the "right" emotion she doesn't feel. People with other neurodiversities also mask and perform to fit in.
--(sub-q 1) If you are comfortable sharing, when and to what extent do you mask? How does it feel to remove your mask?
-- (sub-q 2) In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown writes "Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are." Cate gets to belong, at least a little bit, with Gabriel (as long as they keep a distance and aren't romantically involved). She gets to fully belong, at the end, with Jia. How might the story be different if any or all of the characters had made sure Cate belonged?
It did feel a little weird to me that the primary character gets first-person narration, but the two main supporting characters get their own intermixed chapters with more omniscient third-person narration. Getting first-person narration for all three could have given Luciana and Gabriel
Program topics: intro to diving, fish identification, oceans & climate change, sustainable fishing practices.
Discussion prompts:
- Dr. M. shares with Cate a story set before the beginning of the book, in which he leaves some students-- presumably Cate and Hunter-- out of a research study because "[they] were outliers.. too few to be of statistical significance" (p 109). In the next chapter, Gabriel is ambivalent about having a journalist on hand when he arrives to study the fish, as "they [journalists] were so likely to emphasize the dramatic example over the data" (p 114). In science, or in decision-making, where do the dramatic outliers belong?
- Cate's efforts to mask (to pass as neurotypical) are displayed throughout the book-- when she tries to perform in social situations, or tries to display the "right" emotion she doesn't feel. People with other neurodiversities also mask and perform to fit in.
--(sub-q 1) If you are comfortable sharing, when and to what extent do you mask? How does it feel to remove your mask?
-- (sub-q 2) In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown writes "Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are." Cate gets to belong, at least a little bit, with Gabriel (as long as they keep a distance and aren't romantically involved). She gets to fully belong, at the end, with Jia. How might the story be different if any or all of the characters had made sure Cate belonged?
July 19, 2024
At a very young age, Cate Winter was deemed to be psychopathic and a danger to herself and others. Thereby, she was sent to a uniquely special school for psychopathic children where she undergoes continual observation, psychiatric interviews and brain scans until the age of 18. The purpose of which is to determine whether psychopaths, if treated as children, can be guided into more normal behaviour as adults. As the story begins, Cate is a woman 34 years of age and a renowned neuroscientist enjoying a very successful life. Her childhood is one of secrecy and she wants it kept that way. Even from her long time friend and business partner, Jia.
Over the years Cate stays in touch with her school's psychiatrist as they meet for an annual 'review' session. Recently, she discusses a compulsion to reacquaint with another former student, Hunter Brandt, who seems to have fallen off the radar. It seems Cate and Hunter are the only two 'successes' of the Cleckly Institute. At last word, Hunter was a highly intelligent scientist and owner of a corporation working on developing a form of 'fusion' energy that does not cause harm to the environment and would be free to everyone.
Eventually, Cate hires someone to do an extensive search to locate Hunter. They are successful, finding him living in the Baja peninsula under a different name. Cate decides to take a 'vacation' to the area.
I experienced the first half of this book as plodded along without holding much of my interest. But, I do have an attraction to the subjects of mental health and the human brain, so I persevered. The prose is not clinical, but it just moved too slowly for me. However, once the locale changed to Cabo, the introduction of new characters and what Hunter was secretly up to, there was a mystery to solve and I love to be an armchair detective.
Author Eves writes well and helps us understand more about the psychopathic brain through an entertaining and fictional manner.
Thank you to the publisher for providing my advanced reading of this novel in exchange for my optional review. It's available to the public in August 2024.
Over the years Cate stays in touch with her school's psychiatrist as they meet for an annual 'review' session. Recently, she discusses a compulsion to reacquaint with another former student, Hunter Brandt, who seems to have fallen off the radar. It seems Cate and Hunter are the only two 'successes' of the Cleckly Institute. At last word, Hunter was a highly intelligent scientist and owner of a corporation working on developing a form of 'fusion' energy that does not cause harm to the environment and would be free to everyone.
Eventually, Cate hires someone to do an extensive search to locate Hunter. They are successful, finding him living in the Baja peninsula under a different name. Cate decides to take a 'vacation' to the area.
I experienced the first half of this book as plodded along without holding much of my interest. But, I do have an attraction to the subjects of mental health and the human brain, so I persevered. The prose is not clinical, but it just moved too slowly for me. However, once the locale changed to Cabo, the introduction of new characters and what Hunter was secretly up to, there was a mystery to solve and I love to be an armchair detective.
Author Eves writes well and helps us understand more about the psychopathic brain through an entertaining and fictional manner.
Thank you to the publisher for providing my advanced reading of this novel in exchange for my optional review. It's available to the public in August 2024.
August 20, 2024
Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.
In this book we are following Cate, Gabriel, and Luciana. Cate is a diagnosed psychopath and creates a drug that helps Altizmers. Cate was part of the Clerkey institute that she ended up at after a fire killed her mother and stepbrother. Dr. M who is in charge of the institute lets her see research involving people who are in the psychopath study like her. While reading the newest research Cate finds an Outlier like herself that thrived after Clerkey and didn’t end up in a live of crime like her friends. Cate asks a discreet employee to run a background research on people that she remembers that could fit the profile and finds Hunter. Instantly Cate wants to find him and talk to him because she believes that he is just like her. But Care sadly finds out that he is not and learns that Hunter killed his wive for her money and a journalist who knew about him killing fish for a fushion reactor that could power the town. Gabriel is a marine biologist who Cate dated until he found out about her being a psychopath and she calls him up about the dead fish since nobody could figure out why and that’s how they meet Luciana who is also a marine scientist and has a big research lab. Gabriel and Luciana team up to find the cause of the fish massacre and discover Hunter’s fusion reactor on his private island that belonged to his wife. Gabriel gets injured and Cate and another scientist that was a prisoner help him and gets him and Luciana and a detective back to the hotel they are all staying at, except Luciana who lives their with her husband. Hunter escapes after trying to kill the other scientist for taking his research. Cate goes back home and tells Dr. M what happened. Dr. M gives Cate a file that proved she couldn’t have set the fire that killed her mother and stepbrother and learning the truth finally sets her free
In this book we are following Cate, Gabriel, and Luciana. Cate is a diagnosed psychopath and creates a drug that helps Altizmers. Cate was part of the Clerkey institute that she ended up at after a fire killed her mother and stepbrother. Dr. M who is in charge of the institute lets her see research involving people who are in the psychopath study like her. While reading the newest research Cate finds an Outlier like herself that thrived after Clerkey and didn’t end up in a live of crime like her friends. Cate asks a discreet employee to run a background research on people that she remembers that could fit the profile and finds Hunter. Instantly Cate wants to find him and talk to him because she believes that he is just like her. But Care sadly finds out that he is not and learns that Hunter killed his wive for her money and a journalist who knew about him killing fish for a fushion reactor that could power the town. Gabriel is a marine biologist who Cate dated until he found out about her being a psychopath and she calls him up about the dead fish since nobody could figure out why and that’s how they meet Luciana who is also a marine scientist and has a big research lab. Gabriel and Luciana team up to find the cause of the fish massacre and discover Hunter’s fusion reactor on his private island that belonged to his wife. Gabriel gets injured and Cate and another scientist that was a prisoner help him and gets him and Luciana and a detective back to the hotel they are all staying at, except Luciana who lives their with her husband. Hunter escapes after trying to kill the other scientist for taking his research. Cate goes back home and tells Dr. M what happened. Dr. M gives Cate a file that proved she couldn’t have set the fire that killed her mother and stepbrother and learning the truth finally sets her free
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
THE OUTLIER is a multilayered thriller dealing with the nature of one’s psyche and whether a psychopath can truly be rehabilitated. Eaves crafts a smartly conceived and brilliantly executed mystery with twists, secrets, and complex characters.
Eaves surprised me with this book. I didn’t expect to invest in Cate, but this anti-hero was superbly developed, and her interactions, as well as her reactions, were candid. There was no sugarcoating or glossing over her lack of empathy or occasional desire to give in to hurting someone. Combined with the others in the story, it is easy for the reader to see how carefully constructed dynamics between everyone are. Then you have an environmental awareness directly tied to the suspense level of the narrative. It is one of the better eco-thrillers I have read in a while. And finally, there is the binge-able darkness of the human condition in which certain people are predisposed to more violence than others. The only thing I would have liked a little more was the background of the past of our psychopathic children. It sounded fascinating and the bit we got in Cate’s flashbacks and Hunter’s documents, pulled me further down the rabbit hole. I wanted more.
THE OUTLIER is a unique thriller with a tense mystery pushing the boundaries of what people are capable of doing not only because of who they are, but what they believe in. I will be looking out for this author’s next book.
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Eaves surprised me with this book. I didn’t expect to invest in Cate, but this anti-hero was superbly developed, and her interactions, as well as her reactions, were candid. There was no sugarcoating or glossing over her lack of empathy or occasional desire to give in to hurting someone. Combined with the others in the story, it is easy for the reader to see how carefully constructed dynamics between everyone are. Then you have an environmental awareness directly tied to the suspense level of the narrative. It is one of the better eco-thrillers I have read in a while. And finally, there is the binge-able darkness of the human condition in which certain people are predisposed to more violence than others. The only thing I would have liked a little more was the background of the past of our psychopathic children. It sounded fascinating and the bit we got in Cate’s flashbacks and Hunter’s documents, pulled me further down the rabbit hole. I wanted more.
THE OUTLIER is a unique thriller with a tense mystery pushing the boundaries of what people are capable of doing not only because of who they are, but what they believe in. I will be looking out for this author’s next book.
Reviewer Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Follow the Art, Books, & Coffee:
Website | Instagram | Facebook Group
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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