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Summary
Summary
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.
Author Notes
Stephen White attended the University of California campuses at Irvine and Los Angeles before graduating from Berkeley in 1972. Trained as a clinical psychologist, he received a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1979 and became known as an authority on the psychological effects of marital disruption, especially on men. His research has appeared in Psychological Bulletin and other professional journals and books. After receiving his doctorate, he worked in private practice as well as at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and later as a staff psychologist at The Children's Hospital in Denver, focusing on pediatric cancer patients.
He began writing his first novel in 1989 while he was still practicing full time. The book, Privileged Information, was published in 1991 and was the first book in the Dr. Alan Gregory series.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
In her own troubled journal she speaks of her love for him, or for someone. He is her psychologist, and he's pleased with her progress, her tentative dates, and her gradual confronting of an incestuous past. Then she dies. Then two other patients die. And Boulder psychologist Alan Gregory must face the ruin of his practice, and the death of three friends. As Gregory faces scandal (the family of the first victim quickly accuses him of sexual misconduct), his list of patients dwindles, although he gains a new patient in Michael (someone very definitely in need of help). First-novelist White offers a swift, craftily plotted yet slightly unbalanced narrative. Gregory is kind of a priss--but it actually works better that way, as the reader's sympathy for him is lessened by his tribulations. White's depiction of the Rocky Mountain region is rather unusual--beautiful terrain but god-awful inhabitants, including granola heads, free thinkers, and all-purpose weirdos. Book-of-the-Month Club and Mystery Book Club selection. ~--Peter Robertson
Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.