**4-Star Review for "The Outlier" by Elisabeth Eaves**

In "The Outlier," Elisabeth Eaves weaves a thrilling narrative that expertly blends psychological tension with an exploration of morality, ambition, and the complex nature of success. The story follows Cate Winter, a brilliant neuroscientist on the brink of monumental success after inventing a cure for Alzheimer's. However, her glamorous life is overshadowed by a secret that haunts her: her upbringing at the Cleckley Institute, a facility for the rehabilitation of psychopathic children, where she feels a strong disconnect from her peers.

Eaves crafts an engaging protagonist in Cate, whose relentless drive and intelligence draw the reader in. As she discovers the existence of another ex-patient who mirrors her own journey, the suspense intensifies. The dynamic between Cate and her mysterious counterpart, who is also a brilliant innovator, raises intriguing questions about the nature of their success and what it means to be "normal." The philosophical underpinnings of the story compel readers to ponder the fine line between ambition and ruthlessness.

The pacing is brisk, with Eaves skillfully blending the personal and the ethical dilemmas faced by Cate as she navigates her obsession with the other ex-patient. The tension escalates with a sudden mysterious death that forces Cate to reevaluate her decisions, adding an edge-of-your-seat quality to the narrative.

While "The Outlier" is a captivating read, some plot twists may feel somewhat predictable to seasoned thriller readers, but Eaves' deft character development and nuanced themes help to elevate the story. The moral ambiguity presented throughout challenges the reader to consider their own boundaries regarding ambition and ethics.

Overall, "The Outlier" is a thought-provoking and thrilling tale that keeps you engaged until the very last page. It's highly recommended for fans of psychological dramas and those intrigued by the complexities of human nature and ambition!

Well-developed characters and wonderful writing style, full of twists and turns, will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page, trying to anticipate where this story would go.

The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves is a captivating psychological thriller that delves deep into the mind of a brilliant but morally conflicted neuroscientist, Cate Winter. At 34, Cate is on the verge of selling her groundbreaking Alzheimer's cure and achieving unimaginable wealth, but beneath her professional success lies a deeply unsettling secret about her past. She grew up in a treatment facility for psychopathic children, and as the only successful graduate, she's haunted by the fear that her success is a rare anomaly.

The discovery of another ex-patient—an equally successful outlier—pulls Cate into a web of intrigue and obsession. This man, who has remained under the radar while also making significant strides in science and business, becomes the person Cate believes might help her solve the puzzle of her past. But as their paths cross in a remote part of Baja California, Cate’s suspicions begin to grow. Is he truly the ally she believes him to be, or could his own ruthless ambitions be a mirror to her own?

What sets this book apart is its exploration of ethics, ambition, and moral boundaries. Cate is a character who is easy to admire for her brilliance and drive, yet difficult to fully trust due to the ethical questions surrounding her actions and motivations. The tension between her desire to uncover the truth and the growing realization that she may need to abandon her own moral compass to succeed is what makes this novel so compelling.

The pacing of The Outlier is perfect, with twists that keep you hooked until the final page. The writing is sharp and intelligent, mirroring the complex psychological battles Cate faces. The moral dilemmas Cate grapples with are unsettling and force the reader to question how far someone would go to protect their own interests—and whether the ends can ever justify the means.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that not only entertain but also challenge your perceptions of right and wrong, The Outlier is a must-read. It’s a dark, thought-provoking tale that will keep you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.

This one was a solid three-star read for me. The premise is wildly compelling. Cate is a brilliant neuroscientist who grew up in a facility for psychopathic children. She's trying to figure out if her success means she’s truly different or just better at hiding it. I was hooked by the concept and loved the morally gray questions it raises about ambition, legacy, and whether people like Cate are born or made.

But for all its big ideas, the story didn’t quite stick the landing for me. The pacing dragged in parts, and while the setup promised something sharp and suspenseful, the second half felt a little muddled and uneven. I wanted more depth from some of the twists and a bit more emotional payoff from Cate’s inner unraveling.

That said, it’s definitely thought-provoking, and if you’re into ethically murky characters and biotech-meets-thriller plots, it’s worth checking out—just maybe with slightly tempered expectations.

A school dedicated to psychopaths was what initially drew me in to this book. There are two major storylines that eventually intersect and, although confusing in the beginning with numerous POVs and seemingly similar characters, come together to create a quite interesting read.
I did find parts of this story a little too clinical and very slow however, the ending was fast post and intriguing. I cannot wait to see what else this offer comes out with overall good readwould recommend.

First off I would like to say I started reading this book without any knowledge of the storyline or author.
I went with a let’s find out approach.

It took me a while to get into this book and I almost stopped a few times but there was enough of a pull to keep me reading.

I had no idea where this book was going and there was a lot of characters to follow. However I am glad I stuck it out and finished! It was a very informative book with a lot of educational content, which I wasn’t expecting!

I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character at first but I really learned to appreciate her and understand her as the story went out.

I do wish there was more of a definite ending but that’s how it goes sometimes!

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.

This was a great thriller! Looking forward to seeing what Elisabeth Eaves does next. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the advanced copy!

This book was a bit wild. It was fast paced and I didn’t see the ending coming. I will read another from this author.

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.

Having Cate's chapters written in first-person POV, while the others are all 3rd person is a clever use of narrative to emphasize Cate's “otherness” and lack of empathy. The alternating povs jumping back and forth in time were hard to follow for the first half of the book.
Seemed like Luciana's storyline was separate from the rest of the plot, and didn't feel like one cohesive story. Her ending felt unresolved; do she and Dario still argue about their values?
The murder story took a backseat to Cate's obsession, and the climax was short lived. The ending didn't feel satisfying, and was left open-ended.
Overall I wasn't happy with this read and I'm not sure I could recommend to anyone

Thank you to NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy! I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as I didn't read too much into it beforehand. I was happy to find that it was a fast easy read. It kept my attention in the time I spent with it, and had an interesting storyline following the main character through their past. I would be open to reading more from the author. 3.5 stars

The book's description intrigued me, and I looked forward to reading it. Although it was a detailed and 'heavy' read, I enjoyed the technical details of Cate's research to help cure Alzheimer’s. Cate's past and time spent at an institution for troubled kids hides a deep secret. As an adult, she decides to track down an old classmate who became successful like her. It turns out he holds a dark secret as well. Reflecting on the whole story, I realized that it really made me question nature vs nurture and the consequences of one's actions throughout life. Is our 'destiny' written in our DNA or is it learnt behaviour?

I really really wanted to like this book but just could not get into it. The different stories were confusing.

The Outlier is a deliciously twisty psychological thriller that pits psychopath against psychopath in the race for the truth.

@elisabetheaves weaves a diabolical chase of cat and mouse, with a layer of environmental mystery pulsing just below the surface. Give me all the stories with a psychopath as the lead character, I freaking loved Cate and her beautifully flat and totally rational approach to finding answers and finding the missing outlier from her childhood program. I could read a hundred stories of Cate truth be told.

The moving POV was so well done, and I genuinely had no idea what all the moving parts had to do with one another in the beginning. But the further you go and the more diabolical the motives become, every single thread ultimately all tied together so perfectly.

No spoilers, this book is just pure, satisfying entertainment that lives as one of my favourite reads this fall. Definitely a solid add to your tbr if you want something unique and very intense.

Many thanks to @penguinrandomca for the copy and @elisabetheaves I am so so excited to see what you cook up next.

Multi-mystery story. Cate is a neuroscientist focused in the area of memory care. She has had a breakthrough invention and is on the verge of settling when she becomes worried about her name being so public due to her past. She comes from a dark place and everyone she left behind has not faired well. She is worried about being in the spotlight and a target.

A good story about mental illness, morality, and suspense.

This is great! The story is original and well written. The ending ties up the story perfectly and shocked me. This is one of my favorite thrillers of the year! Special Thank You to Elizabeth Eaves,Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Outlier is a deliciously twisty psychological thriller that pits psychopath against psychopath in the race for the truth.

@elisabetheaves weaves a diabolical chase of cat and mouse, with a layer of environmental mystery pulsing just below the surface. Give me all the stories with a psychopath as the lead character, I freaking loved Cate and her beautifully flat and totally rational approach to finding answers and finding the missing outlier from her childhood program. I could read a hundred stories of Cate truth be told.

The moving POV was so well done, and I genuinely had no idea what all the moving parts had to do with one another in the beginning. But the further you go and the more diabolical the motives become, every single thread ultimately all tied together so perfectly.

No spoilers, this book is just pure, satisfying entertainment that lives as one of my favourite reads this fall. Definitely a solid add to your tbr if you want something unique and very intense.

Many thanks to @penguinrandomca for the copy and @elisabetheaves I am so so excited to see what you cook up next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it. Unique plot And just straight out you wanna finish it as soon as you start it. You can't put it down!

Psychological thriller that was easy to read, perfect for a weekend binge. I did find that some of the writing felt a little dry and matter of fact, finding it hard to completely dive into the story line, but overall a solid thriller.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own.