62 pages • 2-hour read
Later
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Further Reading & Resources
Further Reading: Fiction (Detective Stories by Stephen King)
The Outsider (2019)
The Outsider tells the story of a shocking child murder and a seemingly easy arrest. This novel is less hard-boiled crime than it is a traditional detective story, but features Holly Gibney, one of the main characters from King’s Mr. Mercedes series.
- The Outsider on SuperSummary
Mr. Mercedes (2015-2016)
The first entry in the series, Mr. Mercedes follows an ex-cop as he tries to track down a mass murderer. Stephen King considers the Mr. Mercedes series his first hard-boiled detective series. A supernatural element is introduced in the third book of the series, End of Watch (2016).
Joyland (2014)
In Joyland, a college student discovers a string of dark secrets while working at the titular amusement park. This novel contains minor supernatural elements, but is mostly a hard-boiled detective story.
The Colorado Kid (2005)
In the face of a mysterious death, two newshounds and a graduate student seek the truth. This novel contains no supernatural elements, but conforms to the hard-boiled genre.
Further Reading: Fiction (Bildungsroman by Stephen King)
It (1986)
It is probably the most popular and well-known of King’s books, in which a group of children attempt to defeat a supernatural monster.
- It on SuperSummary
Christine (1984)
Christine tells the story of a boy whose obsession with a symbol of adulthood (his car, Christine) destroys him.
Firestarter (1980)
Firestarter tells the story of a girl with pyrokinetic powers who must learn to control them to free herself from malicious adults.
Carrie (1974)
In Carrie, the titular protagonist develops telekinetic powers to a tragic end.
- Carrie on SuperSummary
Further Reading: Fiction (Horror and The Hard-Boiled Detective Story)
Hardboiled Horror (2017) by Journalstone Publishing
This anthology of supernatural hard-boiled detective stories is penned by popular modern horror authors.
The Caves of Steel (1954) by Isaac Asimov
The Caves of Steel is the first book in Isaac Asimov’s Robot series featuring human detective Elijah Bailey and robot partner R. Daneel Olivaw. The series employs several elements of the hard-boiled genre, including a bleak urban setting, a cynical detective with a well-hidden heart of gold, and a plethora of suspects and dangerous dames.
Unlock all 62 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs