I wanted to love this book. The premise drew me in immediately, and I related to the setup. As someone who’s constantly analyzing whether I’m a psychopath, a narcissist, or just an impulsive person with a high IQ, this story had a lot of personal appeal. With a background in genetics and neuroscience and a PhD in Biology, I appreciated the science—a good balance of being believable without getting bogged down in excessive detail or unrealistic hand-waving. My interest in the narrative wavered. The lead character, Cate, oscillated between being relatable and insufferable. I wanted more from the story, especially a resolution or payoff that tied everything together. The writing was fine but not particularly captivating—I fell asleep trying to read this on more than one occasion. I wish there had been more depth to the supporting characters, who often seemed more intriguing than the protagonist. The plot was interesting, but it didn’t quite reach my expectations. While I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, I wouldn’t rush out to get a copy either.
As always, I appreciate the advance copy from Net Galley and Random House Canada. Now, back to handling my own outliers.

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

5 stars
I love a mystery thriller with a cool twist, and so I enjoyed this book primarily because of its anti-hero Cate. I cannot recall a book that I've read before where the protagonist is a diagnosed psychopath (albeit rehabilitated). There are plenty of stories out there where the main characters are neurodivergent or even sociopathic, but not one that I know of where they've been clinically diagnosed psychopathic. A thriller where both the protagonist and antagonist are highly intelligent, socially aware yet lack basic empathy, and live by their own moral code? Fascinating.

I also enjoyed the actual plot points and the way they wove together - the specific environmental and scientific issues at hand, a mysterious murder, and attempting to unravel Cate's murky past and her connection to another "outlier". The story is told first-person by Cate, and third-person by each of the other characters.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Elisabeth Eaves, and Penguin Random House Canada, for providing the digital ARC for me to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Cate grew up in the care of a home for children with psychopathic tendencies. But now, as an adult, she can’t believe she is the only one to not fall back on those tendencies. Now she believes she’s found another person who has beat the system and she is determined to find them and prove she isn’t the only outlier and that there is hope for them.

I honestly found it to be long and uninteresting. I didn’t care for Cate and therefore didn’t care about her mission to find the truth about her old classmates. I wish I was more interested in the plot.

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
3.5 ⭐️

Having a fascination with psychopathy and the intricate studies behind the human psyche, The Outlier by Elisabeth Eaves was an immediate draw for me. This psychological thriller isn't just about uncovering a killer—it's a deep dive into the mind of Cate Winter, a character who constantly teeters on the edge of morality.

Cate, a 34-year-old neuroscientist who has achieved groundbreaking success with a cure for Alzheimer's, carries a secret that gnaws at her. She was once a patient at the Cleckley Institute, a facility for rehabilitating psychopathic children. The possibility that her success might be a fluke haunts her, and her discovery of another "outlier" like herself drives her to the brink of obsession.

Eaves masterfully crafts a narrative that feels vivid and cinematic, making it easy to imagine this story playing out on the big screen. The tropical setting, combined with the complex interplay between characters, pulls you into a world where every choice could have dire consequences. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, with a thrilling chase to uncover the truth and prevent further tragedy.

I found myself swiftly turning pages, eager to see how Cate would navigate her moral dilemmas. The tension between her ruthlessness and her quest for answers keeps you guessing right until the end. Even with some questions left unanswered, the conclusion is both satisfying and tantalizing, leaving you hoping for more.

The Outlier is a compelling read that brilliantly explores the dark complexities of the human mind, making it a must-read for anyone intrigued by the mysteries of psychopathy and the blurred lines between right and wrong.

This is one book I was so excited for, but it did not deliver for me. It started off so slow, with some jargon that I just did not vibe with. It was seriously hard to stick through it but the subject of psychopaths is truly interesting to me so I stuck through it. Once you get to the plot it's better but it is still just an okay read for me.

The Outlier sounded like a book I would love! Sociopaths, murder, mystery! All my favorite things to read but man I was disappointed. The writing felt tedious to me. I never fully could immerse myself in the book because the writing never captured me. The book moved extremely slow and it felt like the story was moving too slow for me. It seemed as if this book was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Incredibly compelling storyline of a natural born psychopath girl who turned her life around, and trying to find her soul mate. The characters were well- developed and the plotline was refreshing and unique.

Such an interesting book. One psychopath searching for another of the same ilk.
Both are high functioning, and were enrolled in the same research program as children.
Nicely done

This book was great! I enjoyed the characters and pacing of the book. I also liked the science and psychology parts throughout.

the suspense!! so thick you could cut it with a knife. im not a big thriller reader so i dont have the highest of expectations. all i care about is if the story grips my attention and i dont guess the plot twist. this one did just that! could not put this down

WOW! The Outlier had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. What a refreshing psychological thriller. Cate pulled at my heartstrings and fascinated me in so many ways. I will definitely be on the look out for more Elizabeth Eaves.

Huge fan of the premise of this book. It was interesting. I liked Cate enough. I can't wait to see what we get next.

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!

Cate is a wildly successful neuroscientist& entrepreneur. Her secret? She grew up in a treatment facility for children with psychopathic tendencies.

For as long as she’s ever known, she’s been the facility’s ‘outlier’. All the other children ended up criminal adults. Until

Cate discovers there’s another outlier. Not only had he stayed out of jail, no criminal record, but he was also wildly successful.

She for some reason feels the need to find him and goes against all the rules to do so.
However when she finally finds him, someone mysteriously dies and she can’t help but suspect him. Is he as innocent as Cate thinks?

5 stars from me! So interesting and incredibly gripping right from the start! I love a good ‘who done it’/ thriller/ suspenseful book, and this checked all my boxes!

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The main character was interesting with a fascinating backstory. The setting was awe inspiring. The story became sluggish towards the end. I didn't find the resolution that interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC.

This concept was so intriguing to me. To learn that you think you are the only one who got away from a situation without any lingering issues and to find out you're not, and maybe that you're not so ok after all. But I just ended up feeling like the entire book fell flat.

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 or Love letters to a serial killer by Tasha Coryell. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read what Elisabeth Eaves writes next!!

It was ok. Perhaps I was expecting something different but I found it hard to finish. Did not enjoy it.