Eight stars
Returning to re-read Stephen White's great thriller collection after a number of years, this summer binge should be a great adventure. White keeps things tense in this sixth novel, tapping into Dr. Alan Gregory's keen therapeutic abilities, especially with a young patient. When Dr. Gregory arrives at the hospital to help a teenage girl who's attempted suicide, he soon learns that there are other issues within the family. After bloodied clothes turn up during a search of the teenager's bedroom, questions stymie all involved, including Detective Sam Purdy of the Boulder PD. The discovery of a body in a large house helps put things in focus, though Alan remains blurred as to whether his newest patient could hold a secret that might change her life forever. A chilling tale that has White showing his abilities with every page turn.
When Dr. Alan Gregory receives a call to consult on a recently admitted teenage girl, he discovers that she is refusing to speak to anyone. What could have led her to prefer death and how will he extract what he needs to help her? Things get more problematic when Alan learns that the girl's younger step-sister is in the same hospital, dying of heart disease. The family is torn and has little reprieve from the emotional rollercoaster, but there has to be more to the story that has yet to be revealed.
Young Janie was set to receive an experimental treatment, though the insurance company denied it, citing costs. While Janie is the picture of the struggle between costs and patient care, no one is quite sure what to do next. After the body of the family's HMO director is discovered, pieces begin to fall into place. Bloodied clothes under the teen's bed help point to her guilt, though she is not known for being violent. Dr. Alan Gregory will have to work his ways to coax out the truth from her, while Detective Sam Purdy tries to investigate the murder, using his personal connection to the family as an impetus to getting answers.
With Dr. Gregory working to get the truth, he must also juggle trying to keep in touch with his wife, Lauren, who is away handling a family issue. Alan soon discovers that his patient has quite story to share, though is not ready to alert the authorities. Alan struggles with this, knowing that therapist-patient privilege is sacrosanct. While there is motive, the patient expresses she not guilty of anything. However, it is what she has seen that holds the key to the truth. All this, while a little girl lays dying in the hospital. White delivers a chilling story that has all the elements for success in this series.
I remember discovering this series years ago, devouring many of the books in short order. When I chose to return, I decided that I would try a complete series binge, getting the full Alan Gregory experience. Stephen White uses many of his personal experiences as a clinical psychologist to pull on ideas and character aspects, which becomes apparent in this early novel.
White uses a strong narrative style that is flavoured with some meandering throughout the story. This technique keeps the reader focussed and leaves them to synthesise what is most important. Tensions builds around varied plot lines: the medical situation for a young girl in the ICU and her teenaged step-sister who might have committed murder. The therapeutic approach to the story provides both guidance and analysis of the plot, which complements the narrative as things progress to a climax. Dr. Alan Gregory is central to this piece, utilising the support of strong secondary characters, which has been the key strength of the series to date. Readers also see a more vulnerable Detective Sam Purdy in this story, a refreshing change. I am eager to see how these characters will progress and what awaits them all in the novels to come.
Plot points keep the reader surprised and trying to predict what awaits them. White does well not to reveal too much, but also leaves breadcrumbs for the reader's to follow as the tension mounts. Juggling many storylines, the reader is forced to make connections until all is presented and the truths surface, never caring what damage they may do to theose who are playing central roles. Stephen White knows how to spin a story and keeps the reader at the centre of all the action. I am eager to see what's to come and how Dr. Alan Gregory will serve as guide for all.
Kudos Mr. White, for another gripping story into the world of clinical psychology.
No comments:
Post a Comment