If It Bleeds

A collection of four uniquely wonderful long stories, including a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestseller THE OUTSIDER. News people have a saying: ''If it bleeds, it leads''. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin. Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog - and on her own need to be more assertive - when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realises there is something not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins ''If It Bleeds'', a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestselling THE OUTSIDER featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case - and also the riveting title story in Stephen King''s brilliant new collection. Dancing alongside are three more wonderful long stories from this ''formidably versatile author'' (The Sunday Times) - ''Mr Harrigan''s Phone'', ''The Life of Chuck'' and ''Rat''. All four display the richness of King''s storytelling with grace, humour, horror and breathtaking suspense. A fascinating Author''s Note gives us a wonderful insight into the origin of each story and the writer''s unparalleled imagination.