The Outlier

by R.J. Stanton

Imagine thisWilton, a small town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Roland Briggs, a brilliant but burned out ex-homicide detective from the south trying to escape the horror of his wifes suicide and his subsequent nervous breakdown, takes the job of chief of police. For two years, its just as hed hoped, quiet and unchallenging. But then, it the fall of 1972, the town is rocked by the grisly murders of two elderly women. A man is caught and convicted. The evidence against him is overwhelming. Everyone is satisfied that the murderer is behind bars. Everyone except Briggs. Armed with only a few inconsistencies and his belief that the convicted man was framed, Briggs begins his search to find the motive for these senseless and seemingly random acts of violence. Slowly, he begins to realize that the reason for these crimes is buried in the old and abandoned, Wilton School for the Feeble-Minded, up on the hill on the outskirts of town.

348 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roland Briggs, sheriff of a small Massachusetts town in the early 1970s, must solve the area's first murders committed in fifteen years. Between personal problems -- an estranged family and a troubled affair with a married woman -- and professional problems -- memories of the job on a big city police force which continue to haunt him -- Roland strives to do his job right despite political pressure and the nagging feeling the wrong perp is being accused. Interspersed with this mystery through flashbacks is the history of the killer, Victor, through which his progress from an abused orphan to cold-hearted adult out for revenge is detailed.

I loved the characterization in this novel: in particular the exhausted, angst-ridden sheriff who tries to find justification in his actions during a torrid, illicit romance while balancing his responsibilities on the job. I liked also the point of view of the killer, and how Stanton portrayed his metamorphosis from scared, abused child sentenced indefinitely to a hellish life in a mental ward to a merciless killer determined to seek vengeance in the name of his mistreated siblings.

The Outlier is an eye-opener as well in its portrayal of the attitudes towards the mentally disabled in the 1950s and earlier. A book like this should make people angry, good as it is. Stanton researched well the history of mental health facilities in the early part of the century, and the vivid nature of the treatment of these people is sometimes unbearable to read. The mention of "eugenics" as it relates to the story is chilling. It's just something you have to read for yourself. If you're interested in stories of serial killings and crime, The Outlier is an engrossing read.

[Maggie Che · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the argument is quite convincing with a lot of data and research done by the writer, I am still reluctant to buy into the idea. It's a different perspective to understand the excellence and to perceive yourself.

[KC Rhoads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I related to this book because it reminded me of my own story: The Corn Stalker. Feeling that there is more to the story is a compelling plot to me.