Synopsis
Clinical psychologist Alan Gregory finds his personal and professional life jeopardized when three female patients die mysteriously and confidential disclosures between therapist and patient uncover a psychopathic killer
Reviews
YA-- A psychological thriller that poses an ethical dilemma. According to police reports, one of psychologist Alan Gregory's patients has committed suicide. A few weeks later the local paper prints information from an anonymous source alleging that sexual misconduct occurred in the deceased's therapy sessions. Gregory's patients cancel appointments, unexplained terrorism randomly occurs, and two more of his female patients die--one in a car accident and another from strangulation. Because of ``privileged information,'' Gregory feels he cannot divulge information about these women, and thus clear his reputation. He begins his own quest to unravel the mystery that is destroying him. It doesn't take long to zero in on the probable suspect. The real question is how these deaths and acts of terror are related and why Gregory is the target. --Margie Jones, Herndon Int., Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The manipulations of a psychotic killer test the limits of the therapeutic relationship in this suspenseful first novel by a clinical psychologist. The unexpected suicide of Karen Hart, followed by the violent deaths of two more women patients, brings accusations of sexual misconduct and a lawsuit against Boulder, Colo., therapist Alan Gregory. Although the sinister role of a patient is suggested during a session, it is privileged information Gregory cannot reveal without violating the rules of confidentiality. While seeking aid from colleagues, his lawyer and a female deputy DA whom he romances, Gregory remains convinced that he cannot break the confidentiality code, not even in the face of murder. Forced into sleuthing on his own, he utilizes his training to identify the killer. Despite some overkill on specifics of street routes and Southwest cuisine, White's skill in conveying the laid-back Colorado lifestyle which permeates the novel allows periodic ambushes by moments of real terror. Gregory's automatic, instantaneous character analyses, however, may lead readers to agree with Gregory's therapist partner: "You're lucky you're talking to another shrink. I'm not sure anybody else would let you get away with saying something like that." 35,000 first printing; major ad/promo; BOMC and Mysterious Book Club selections.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A psychologist suspects a patient of murder but can't speak out because of therapy's seal of silence...That's the nut that White, himself a psychologist, gnaws to a pulp in his slow and somber first novel. Boulder therapist Alan Gregory, who narrates with a maximum number of two-dollar words, is enduring a dark year: His wife has left him; and now one of his patients, Karen Hart, has killed herself, leading to an investigation of Alan for possible sexual misconduct and a likely lawsuit by Karen's parents. Then Alan's year turns really black: another patient dies in an auto accident; a third is murdered; his practice thins out; and, to cap it off, his dog is run down by a car. A new love affair with pretty Deputy D.A. Lauren Crowder sparks a little light, but soon Lauren confesses she has MS and in any case doesn't trust men; besides, she's angry that he won't divulge details of his sessions with Karen or the other victims. And Alan is chafing against that ethic as well, especially when a creepy new patient, Michael McClelland, begins to harass him (trailing Alan to Mexico, vandalizing his car) and to appear--mostly from evidence Alan gathers by some clumsy amateur sleuthing--the likely killer of Alan's murdered patient. Which indeed Michael is, with the novel's moderate suspense generated not by whodunit but by how to stop him from doing it again--specifically, to Lauren, whom crazy Michael--acting out a complex scenario of transference that's explained in talky if authoritative detail--has seduced away to an Aspen retreat, where a violent climax, centered around a surprising revelation, unfolds. White's professional expertise shows--but as a storyteller, he's done in by pompous narration, snail pacing, and much predictable plotting. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Psychologist Alan Gregory's troubles begin with the surprising suicide of a woman successfully completing psychotherapy. The situation rapidly deteriorates as the woman's father sues Gregory, alleging that sexual misconduct led to his daughter's death; the State Board begins an investigation; Gregory's patients start to fall away; and then a second woman patient dies in an accident and a third is murdered. The press pillories him and the police call him Dr. Death. Gregory suspects that another patient of his is the missing link but doctor-patient confidentiality prevents his doing anything about it, until it becomes obvious that his new lady love is the next target. The drama is played out against the backdrop of trendy, athletic Boulder, Colorado, where the author is a practicing clinical psychologist. A suspenseful depiction of a modern dilemma, this first novel is recommended. BOMC and Mysterious Book Club selections.
- Patricia Y. Morton, State Lib . of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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