The Outside Man

The story drug on without a heavy plot. The story leader was in constant argument with his father-in-law, both at home and at the office, because the son-in-law was never good enough for his daughter. And so it went to the end of dad's life and the end of the book.

Originally from Ohio, Adam Shaw married socialite Kris Ann Cade straight out of law school. Seven years later finds himself employed by her father's celebrated law firm in Birmingham, Alabama. When an errand sends him to a client's home, Shaw stumbles onto the body of Lydia Cantwell. Frustrated by police suspicions of Lydia's husband Henry, Adam undertakes his own investigation--and quickly finds himself embroiled in law firm politics, police prejudice, and a host of long-hidden secrets that threaten to errupt in scandal.

Those scandals run the gamut from adulterous affairs to homosexuality to racism (the latter seemingly suggested by the infamous "Scotsboro Boys" trial of the 1930s), and before the tale ends we've been treated to several assaults, a few murders more, and plenty of southern-fried gossip. The result is entertaining enough to keep you turning the pages, but when all is said and done Patterson's plot strains at the joints and the characters are seldom more than names on a page. Enjoyable for what it is, but in the end it isn't a book to which you'll return or that you'll go out of your way to recommend to friends.

GFT, the store Reviewer

I just finished this novel (my wife grabbed it for me at a used book sale), and I was surprised to realize I'd never read the author before. And I found more than enough to like about "The Outside Man" to gladly pursue more of his material. While earlier reviewers are correct when they say Patterson's habit of jumping around can be a bit disconcerting, I wonder how much of that is simply due to other authors in the genre feeding us a steady diet of completely linear plots. Regardless, it's Patterson's gift of descriptive language that inspires me to read more of his material, as opposed to merely the plot itself. It's certainly interesting, and has the requisite twists, but I still had the murderer pegged early on. (I'm not patting myself on the back -- he telegraphs it.) But that didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book. Instead, I took pleasure in his style. The opening passages, in which he describes the "violence of beauty you can find only in the South," are particularly impressive, and there's plenty more inspiring prose throughout the book.

My wife also picked up "No Safe Place" at the same time, which was written 17 years later. I just started it, and it will be interesting to see how he's evolved!

I read "Silent Witness" and really lived it. I saw this book for sale and figured I'd give it a try. Poor move.

The book was hard to follow. There were so many flashbacks I had a hard time figuring out where I was (not the plot - the actual place the characters were). I forced myself to keep reading, hoping that it would improve. It didn't. I put the book down about 20 pages from the end.

I really enjoyed this book because it was so different. I actually read it years ago but still think it was a very interesting story and liked the fact that it wasn't the same old plot line. Maybe I've read too much of the same old stuff. This was a memorable book for me, because it was so different. I felt the main character was developed well and you understand his struggles.

I really enjoyed this book because it was so different. I actually read it years ago but still think it was a very interesting story and liked the fact that it wasn't the same old plot line. Maybe I've read too much of the same old stuff. This was a memorable book for me, because it was so different. I felt the main character was developed well and you understand his struggles.

One of his early books, a bit scattered in character development and missing his usual insightful dialogue. He mixes past and present in the same paragraph/scene and you must re-read parts to figure out where he is in the story line.
Shaw basically spends the entire book in his car chasing the plot twists back & forth! There are so many minor bits & pieces that pop back up, it's a book that needs an index. I've read most of his stuff but this one almost doesn't come together till late. Not his best but he's good enough to make it worthwhile...

EARLY WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR JUMP AROUND TOO MUCH - BUT HE ALWAYS HAS THE BEST TWISTS AND TURNS. IF YOU LIKE PATTERSON AT ALL, CONTINUE TO PICK UP HIS LATEST WORKS. THE INTELLIGENT READER'S JOHN GRISHAM!

Much less sophisticated than other R.N. Patterson books. Not sure if it's just early in career or ghost written. I've read many of his books and this one was very different. The pace was plodding and repetitive. Character development was weak for Patterson.