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Alan Gregory #20
Compound Fractures
For more than twenty years, in nearly a score of bestselling crime novels, Stephen White's stories of Boulder psychologist Alan Gregory have captivated millions. Now, Compound Fractures provides a riveting last chapter to the series.
In Line of Fire, Dr. Gregory found himself assailed by danger from every direction as he struggled with circumstances beyond his control. Authorities were closing in on Alan and his friend Sam Purdy for their roles in a woman’s death years earlier. Alan was struggling to deal with the emotional breakdown of his longtime friend Diane after she discovered evidence of her husband’s infidelity. By the end, Alan’s personal life and his career were in danger of complete collapse.
But Line of Fire merely set the stage. In Compound Fractures, Alan is forced to acknowledge that the perils that may bring him to his knees are not the dangers he recognizes, nor are they orchestrated by the nemesis he has long feared. Instead he is confronted by unexpected threats from unanticipated adversaries and by intimate betrayal from those who have been closest to him. He is compelled to reconsider what he has long believed about trust and about love while he is trying to cope with overwhelming loss and grief.
To protect himself, Alan must revisit the cruel ethical dilemma that turned his life upside down as a young psychologist. He has to judge whether the people reentering his life after long absences are friends or foes. He has to make sense of echoes of distant tragedies while he decides if there is anyone he can really trust. And as the clock ticks down, he must solve a deadly mystery in Eldorado Springs that has been brewing for more than a decade.
At times full of pathos, at other times replete with White’s distinctive wry humor, Compound Fractures delivers the entrancing characters, the suspense, the intricately plotted story lines, and the unexpected twists that readers have come to expect.
In Line of Fire, Dr. Gregory found himself assailed by danger from every direction as he struggled with circumstances beyond his control. Authorities were closing in on Alan and his friend Sam Purdy for their roles in a woman’s death years earlier. Alan was struggling to deal with the emotional breakdown of his longtime friend Diane after she discovered evidence of her husband’s infidelity. By the end, Alan’s personal life and his career were in danger of complete collapse.
But Line of Fire merely set the stage. In Compound Fractures, Alan is forced to acknowledge that the perils that may bring him to his knees are not the dangers he recognizes, nor are they orchestrated by the nemesis he has long feared. Instead he is confronted by unexpected threats from unanticipated adversaries and by intimate betrayal from those who have been closest to him. He is compelled to reconsider what he has long believed about trust and about love while he is trying to cope with overwhelming loss and grief.
To protect himself, Alan must revisit the cruel ethical dilemma that turned his life upside down as a young psychologist. He has to judge whether the people reentering his life after long absences are friends or foes. He has to make sense of echoes of distant tragedies while he decides if there is anyone he can really trust. And as the clock ticks down, he must solve a deadly mystery in Eldorado Springs that has been brewing for more than a decade.
At times full of pathos, at other times replete with White’s distinctive wry humor, Compound Fractures delivers the entrancing characters, the suspense, the intricately plotted story lines, and the unexpected twists that readers have come to expect.
8 pages, Audio CD
First published August 6, 2013
136 people are currently reading
979 people want to read
About the author
Stephen White
290 books569 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Stephen White is the author of the New York Times bestselling Alan Gregory novels. In his books, he draws upon over fifteen years of clinical practice as a psychologist to create intriguing plots and complex, believable characters.
Born on Long Island, White grew up in New York, New Jersey, and Southern California and attended the University of California campuses at Irvine (where he lasted three weeks as a creative writing major) and Los Angeles before graduating from Berkeley in 1972. Along the way he learned to fly small planes, worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, cooked and waited tables at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and tended bar at the Red Lion Inn in Boulder. Trained as a clinical psychologist, he received his 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. White's research has appeared in Psychological Bulletin and other professional journals and books. After receiving his doctorate, White not only worked in private practice but also at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and later as a staff psychologist at The Children's Hospital in Denver, where he focused his attention on pediatric cancer patients. During those years he became acquainted with a colleague in Los Angeles, another pediatric psychologist named Jonathan Kellerman. At the time, Kellerman and White were two of only about a dozen psychologists in the country working in pediatric oncology.
Series:
* Alan Gregory
Stephen White is the author of the New York Times bestselling Alan Gregory novels. In his books, he draws upon over fifteen years of clinical practice as a psychologist to create intriguing plots and complex, believable characters.
Born on Long Island, White grew up in New York, New Jersey, and Southern California and attended the University of California campuses at Irvine (where he lasted three weeks as a creative writing major) and Los Angeles before graduating from Berkeley in 1972. Along the way he learned to fly small planes, worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, cooked and waited tables at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and tended bar at the Red Lion Inn in Boulder. Trained as a clinical psychologist, he received his 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. White's research has appeared in Psychological Bulletin and other professional journals and books. After receiving his doctorate, White not only worked in private practice but also at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and later as a staff psychologist at The Children's Hospital in Denver, where he focused his attention on pediatric cancer patients. During those years he became acquainted with a colleague in Los Angeles, another pediatric psychologist named Jonathan Kellerman. At the time, Kellerman and White were two of only about a dozen psychologists in the country working in pediatric oncology.
Series:
* Alan Gregory
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
February 28, 2021
Compound Fractures was the stunning finale to the series featuring Alan Gregory by New York Times best-selling author and psychologist Stephen White. I have long been a fan of this entire series of twenty books over the years, largely because of the setting in Boulder and different locations in Colorado, and always with a lot of local color and history. I have enjoyed the often edgy mysteries and psychological thrillers with Boulder psychotherapist Alan Gregory, his wife Lauren Crowder, a Boulder district attorney, and his friend Boulder Detective Sam Purdy at the heart of each of the stories in this series, each weighing ethical dilemmas that ensued from their different disciplines. This final episode brought a lot of previous storylines and characters to the forefront in this riveting narrative; I literally could not put the book down.
What I found so compelling in this book was the underlying theme of balancing and rebalancing, particularly in the lives of Alan Gregory and Detective Sam Purdy, as they sensed the gravity of past decisions and impending developments because of their actions as many of those different threads in their lives and the consequences of those actions began coming to the surface. Also looming large was the emergence of trust issues between the two men complicating their plight as they each tried to maintain some semblance of balance in their lives.
And pertaining to that theme and metaphor, there were frequent references to funambulist Ivy Baldwin and his record-breaking high wire walk on a cable stretched 565 feet high across Eldorado Springs canyon. Now rock climbers throughout the world are drawn to Eldorado Springs, the Flatirons and Boulder Canyon. There was also mention of Phillippe Petit and his death-defying walk on a wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
Ivy Baldwin/ Image-Museum of Boulder
"The book was 'On the High Wire' by Phillippe Petit. Over my son's shoulder, I read, 'Limits exist only in the souls of those who do not dream.'"
What I found so compelling in this book was the underlying theme of balancing and rebalancing, particularly in the lives of Alan Gregory and Detective Sam Purdy, as they sensed the gravity of past decisions and impending developments because of their actions as many of those different threads in their lives and the consequences of those actions began coming to the surface. Also looming large was the emergence of trust issues between the two men complicating their plight as they each tried to maintain some semblance of balance in their lives.
And pertaining to that theme and metaphor, there were frequent references to funambulist Ivy Baldwin and his record-breaking high wire walk on a cable stretched 565 feet high across Eldorado Springs canyon. Now rock climbers throughout the world are drawn to Eldorado Springs, the Flatirons and Boulder Canyon. There was also mention of Phillippe Petit and his death-defying walk on a wire between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
Ivy Baldwin/ Image-Museum of Boulder
"The book was 'On the High Wire' by Phillippe Petit. Over my son's shoulder, I read, 'Limits exist only in the souls of those who do not dream.'"
September 26, 2013
I have felt like a friend of Alan Gregory's for a long time. love vthe first dozen or so books. but as the series progressed, there has been a deepening sense of doom and a pervasive pessimism with Alan' three most significant relationships - Lauren, Diane and Sam. I really hate that the author chose to tear down all of these characters with so little care and introspection - I expected more from an author who was first a practicing psychologist.
Things particularly wrong with this book?
(1) the mystery woman ending
(2) the lack of resolution with Sam
(3) the out of no where scene with Raoul ~ was Amanada in on it?
(4) the series kept hinting at deep dark secrets in Alan's past yet no reveal even in the end.
White has made it clear that the series is over. The last two books were so dissatisfying that I am glad.
Things particularly wrong with this book?
(1) the mystery woman ending
(2) the lack of resolution with Sam
(3) the out of no where scene with Raoul ~ was Amanada in on it?
(4) the series kept hinting at deep dark secrets in Alan's past yet no reveal even in the end.
White has made it clear that the series is over. The last two books were so dissatisfying that I am glad.
August 22, 2013
Compound Fractures is a disappointing end to a series I've generally enjoyed. White's narrative strained believability, leaving me shaking my head by the book's conclusion. The writing seemed rambling to me, as if the author had no real plan to offer a satisfying conclusion to the series; rather, I felt White was stumbling through a jumble of story lines, looking for one with legs. If White's goal was to annoy readers with peripheral characters and make Alan Gregory so unlikable that I no longer care to read more about him, he succeeded.
June 25, 2024
The series is done! After twenty-five days and twenty novels, I have completed this powerful collection, touching on issues of clinical therapy, human psychology, and even a few mysteries tossed in for good luck. When I chose to return to this series, I was not entirely sure what I would find, as it had been years since last I read the novels. It turned out to be one of the great re-reads I can remember having done. I cannot say enough about these books, though I have posted 20 reviews for the readers to see some sentiments. I kept a lot out of reviews, permitting those choosing to read the series a chance for surprise. I trust many others will enjoy this series when they have the time, though I caution that it is quite a ride and ought to be read in order!
White keeps the reader hooked with another great novel, pushing Dr. Alan Gregory’s personal life and secrets into the spotlight. Alan seeks to process everything that has befallen him, including the loss of a wife, the actions of his therapist partner, and the fallout of the crimes that he had a role in covering up. WIth shards leading to open wounds, Alan Gregory must try to come to terms with it all, while struggling on a daily basis to connect the dots in front of him. Using a therapist of his own, Alan finds himself in a fishbowl of sorts, while also trying to stay one step ahead of the law and his feelings about what has happened. However, new revelations only add to his grief and concerns, forcing Alan to make some rash decisions to save himself, his family, and his life! A stunning series conclusion showing how powerful White’s writing is for those who take the time to enjoy it.
Lauren is dead! There is no other concern for Dr. Alan Gregory, at least for now. In Line of Fire, Alan found himself cornered as he tried to make sense of some complex situations, none entirely in his control. A crime he sought to cover-up, an ADA wife who was ready to strike and bring Alan’s best friend—Boulder PD Detective Sam Purdy—in for questioning, and a family whose love is all that he has as a constant. The emotional breakdown fo his long-time therapist partner, Diane Estavez, only adds to the concerns, as she spirals out of control and waves a gun in the office, shooting Lauren one morning. All that lead-up puts Dr. Alan Gregory in a precarious position and without the woman he loves.
Alan is now forced to handle a great deal of concerns on his own, as Lauren is freshly buried. He has entered therapy himself, partially to synthesis his issues and also to keep himself somewhat level-headed. He wants answers, but he does not want any of his musing to reach the light of day, hence the therapist. The therapist is relatively new to the scene and not keen, pushed to keep secrets, though everything she learns is vague and without clear direction. Alan tries to make sense of the death, the crime he covered up, and the truths that come rushing towards him. Nothing can be left to fall into place, as there are still moments when Alan is sure that he is in major trouble, should what Lauren pieced together reaches her boss, the District Attorney.
As Alan tries to make sense of everything, he learns new things about Lauren and reasons that Diane might have had to shoot Lauren, which still baffles him and leaves so many questions unanswered. Alan’s children are still naive to everything, but that will soon change, when the authorities arrive at his door with a warrant, in hopes of uncovering truths about a homicide. With purpose, they rush to find anything that could help tie up some loose ends, as Alan seeks legal representation. The crime for which he is being investigated baffles him, but things become clear as Alan looks into some of Lauren’s notes from before she died. As things come raging to a climax, Dr. Alan Gregory has his entire professional life come flashing before his eyes, forcing him to make some serious decisions to save himself, his family, and those he loves However, sometimes one must sacrifice others to protect yourself, which is a problem that can no longer be dodged. In Compound Fractures, Stephen White touches on all of it and he concludes this stunning series with the best novel yet!
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 powerful series. That I have come full circle is both surprising to me and truly breathtaking, as White leaves no stone unturned throughout a score of well-paced novels.
White’s writing usually explores his own personal situations as a clinical therapist, but this book sought to connect past issues with their fallout. It is done is such a fast synthesis that the reader has o option but to hold on and prepare for the ride. The narrative does not build, but is rather rushing from the opening sentences, forcing anyone who is willing to read prepared for a ride. The humming along of things cannot be anything but a ploy to keep things fast-paced until the final sentence, in which White delivers an explosive solution to all that has lingered. Filling the pages with many characters from the past who become necessary in the present, White delivers on a full-circle situation that proves genius. I could not have asked for anything better.
Plot points drive the story in ways series fans have come to love. Great surprises emerge in the storytelling and layered secrets from novels past, as characters banter and provide additional surprises, justifying their views. Twists emerge, which help build things in the final novel, where much is not yet clear. While this was the final piece in the collection, White hints at the unresolved. That there has been no resolution for the past eleven years leaves me to fill in the gaps as I see fit.
Kudos Mr. White, for a great series that leaves me hoping others will discover the magic of what I just read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
White keeps the reader hooked with another great novel, pushing Dr. Alan Gregory’s personal life and secrets into the spotlight. Alan seeks to process everything that has befallen him, including the loss of a wife, the actions of his therapist partner, and the fallout of the crimes that he had a role in covering up. WIth shards leading to open wounds, Alan Gregory must try to come to terms with it all, while struggling on a daily basis to connect the dots in front of him. Using a therapist of his own, Alan finds himself in a fishbowl of sorts, while also trying to stay one step ahead of the law and his feelings about what has happened. However, new revelations only add to his grief and concerns, forcing Alan to make some rash decisions to save himself, his family, and his life! A stunning series conclusion showing how powerful White’s writing is for those who take the time to enjoy it.
Lauren is dead! There is no other concern for Dr. Alan Gregory, at least for now. In Line of Fire, Alan found himself cornered as he tried to make sense of some complex situations, none entirely in his control. A crime he sought to cover-up, an ADA wife who was ready to strike and bring Alan’s best friend—Boulder PD Detective Sam Purdy—in for questioning, and a family whose love is all that he has as a constant. The emotional breakdown fo his long-time therapist partner, Diane Estavez, only adds to the concerns, as she spirals out of control and waves a gun in the office, shooting Lauren one morning. All that lead-up puts Dr. Alan Gregory in a precarious position and without the woman he loves.
Alan is now forced to handle a great deal of concerns on his own, as Lauren is freshly buried. He has entered therapy himself, partially to synthesis his issues and also to keep himself somewhat level-headed. He wants answers, but he does not want any of his musing to reach the light of day, hence the therapist. The therapist is relatively new to the scene and not keen, pushed to keep secrets, though everything she learns is vague and without clear direction. Alan tries to make sense of the death, the crime he covered up, and the truths that come rushing towards him. Nothing can be left to fall into place, as there are still moments when Alan is sure that he is in major trouble, should what Lauren pieced together reaches her boss, the District Attorney.
As Alan tries to make sense of everything, he learns new things about Lauren and reasons that Diane might have had to shoot Lauren, which still baffles him and leaves so many questions unanswered. Alan’s children are still naive to everything, but that will soon change, when the authorities arrive at his door with a warrant, in hopes of uncovering truths about a homicide. With purpose, they rush to find anything that could help tie up some loose ends, as Alan seeks legal representation. The crime for which he is being investigated baffles him, but things become clear as Alan looks into some of Lauren’s notes from before she died. As things come raging to a climax, Dr. Alan Gregory has his entire professional life come flashing before his eyes, forcing him to make some serious decisions to save himself, his family, and those he loves However, sometimes one must sacrifice others to protect yourself, which is a problem that can no longer be dodged. In Compound Fractures, Stephen White touches on all of it and he concludes this stunning series with the best novel yet!
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 powerful series. That I have come full circle is both surprising to me and truly breathtaking, as White leaves no stone unturned throughout a score of well-paced novels.
White’s writing usually explores his own personal situations as a clinical therapist, but this book sought to connect past issues with their fallout. It is done is such a fast synthesis that the reader has o option but to hold on and prepare for the ride. The narrative does not build, but is rather rushing from the opening sentences, forcing anyone who is willing to read prepared for a ride. The humming along of things cannot be anything but a ploy to keep things fast-paced until the final sentence, in which White delivers an explosive solution to all that has lingered. Filling the pages with many characters from the past who become necessary in the present, White delivers on a full-circle situation that proves genius. I could not have asked for anything better.
Plot points drive the story in ways series fans have come to love. Great surprises emerge in the storytelling and layered secrets from novels past, as characters banter and provide additional surprises, justifying their views. Twists emerge, which help build things in the final novel, where much is not yet clear. While this was the final piece in the collection, White hints at the unresolved. That there has been no resolution for the past eleven years leaves me to fill in the gaps as I see fit.
Kudos Mr. White, for a great series that leaves me hoping others will discover the magic of what I just read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 27, 2013
After having read through the whole series at least twice before this book, I was very happy to be finally reading this book, but also sad to see the series ending. I was a little let down by the ending. I wanted some resolution about all the major characters, especially Diane. The ending seemed to rather precipitously happen - one moment, we're in the middle of a plot and action, and then it all seems, too easily & abruptly, to just end. Another chapter or two could have provided resolution and a smoother ending. And the Epilogue I found very unsatisfactory, altho' I have read on the author's FB page that there is a tie-in to the early pages of his first book of the series; I'll check that out and see what I think then. But in most other ways, this was another great read.
I should add for newbies: this is a series that is much richer and enjoyable when the books are read in proper sequence, and I usually make a habit of re-reading the prior book before starting any new one of White's - the characters are complex and the action multi-subplot busy!
I should add for newbies: this is a series that is much richer and enjoyable when the books are read in proper sequence, and I usually make a habit of re-reading the prior book before starting any new one of White's - the characters are complex and the action multi-subplot busy!
September 27, 2013
Disappointing ending to a series I have consistently enjoyed. I liked the previous book-- it was a great setup for a smashing finish, building up a head of steam, but then White throws everything but the kitchen sink into the book, and it's kind of a muddle. Many critical characters barely appear. People and plots from previous books cycle in and out with no resolution. And worst of all -- the book is seriously overwritten, with Alan Gregory ruminating on trust and walking on high wires and ethics in therapy and blah, blah, blah when readers just want to know how things turn out.
There were some enjoyable moments-- I love Sam Purdy, the perfect foil-- but the beginning of the book is nearly incoherent for anyone who hasn't read the entire series, and the ending veers between over the top and manipulative. Bummer. But--I hope White keeps writing.
There were some enjoyable moments-- I love Sam Purdy, the perfect foil-- but the beginning of the book is nearly incoherent for anyone who hasn't read the entire series, and the ending veers between over the top and manipulative. Bummer. But--I hope White keeps writing.
October 3, 2013
The author tried to create suspense by being vague? The result was much of the time I didn't fully understand what was going on. I'd read several books in this series but didn't fully recall the histories of all the characters. Names were used without real explanation and the main character seemed to be a totally different person from the one I knew from earlier books. Most striking, I disliked him and most of the other characters. This, coupled with the constant dangling threads, made me almost give up on the book toward the middle. The ending itself leaves a question about the future, which wouldn't be bad if the whole book hadn't been one, long confusion. Apparently, this is the last book in this series. Maybe the author didn't care what happens next. I don't either.
September 3, 2013
Wow, I was all over the board with my feelings on this. It's always a shame to have a good series come to an end, but this was kind of rough. I almost gave up in disgust for the first 150 pages or so, then hit a groove, then was disappointed in the end. Like many other reviewers I had real problems with established characters acting completely OUT of character for large portions of this book. It's a testament to White's writing and my goodwill toward his characters that I stayed with this one and that I ended up finding it worthy of a 2.5/3 star rating.
August 12, 2013
Compound Fractures is the final installment of the Dr. Alan Gregory series. I looked forward to this one, but have to admit I found much of the book so tinged with bitterness that I have to wonder what was going on when White wrote it.
I missed the previous book, Line of Fire, which set up the action in this one; however, the one before that, The Last Lie, didn't please me much either. Since I had enjoyed so many of the books in this series, I hate to have it end on a sour note.
Betrayals. Characters that you previously liked behave badly. Very badly. When a series is as long as this one (twenty books), it comes as an unpleasant surprise to have them change so drastically.
An ARC from Dutton.
Mystery. August 20, 2013. 438 pages.
I missed the previous book, Line of Fire, which set up the action in this one; however, the one before that, The Last Lie, didn't please me much either. Since I had enjoyed so many of the books in this series, I hate to have it end on a sour note.
Betrayals. Characters that you previously liked behave badly. Very badly. When a series is as long as this one (twenty books), it comes as an unpleasant surprise to have them change so drastically.
An ARC from Dutton.
Mystery. August 20, 2013. 438 pages.
August 27, 2013
Some readers seem upset that all loose ends were not tidied up in this final installment of the Alan Gregory series. I actually take some solace in that fact seeing it as an opportunity for White to resume the series if he should choose to do so (like Rankin with Rebus). I mostly enjoyed the book though I thought it overwrought - too much crying, virtually all of the characters from the series appeared at some point, Jonas being too precocious. When it came time to tie up the loose ends, I thought the chosen method was forced, though it probably had to be. When all is said and done, this is one of my favorite mystery series. I always enjoyed the Boulder settings. If this truly is the last book in the series, I will miss it.
May 1, 2017
So my history of rating books on a 1-5 scale is defined by my lack of desire to give books a 1 star rating and my lack of need to give books a 5 star rating. To get a 1 star rating you have to pretty much really piss me off, so much so that I overcome my feeling that just to write and publish a book gets you at least 2 stars. To get a 5 star rating you have to pretty much make me fall in love, amaze me, enthrall me, blow me away.
This book as an individual entry in the series is not 5 stars - I give the 5 stars for the series as a whole. I have very much enjoyed the tales of the psychologist (Alan Gregory) from Boulder Co, who gets caught up in a crazy variety of situations that cause him to have to solve crimes along with his friend, police officer Sam Purdy, and his wife, Deputy D.A Lauren. Alan's psychological insights have always been the core of what the series is about and it has worked.
This particular entry I would rate 4 stars - the ending, as a lot of people, have pointed out is, indeed, ambivalent, but I am ok with that. Most interesting to me is the personal psychological evolution of Alan Gregory. In this last book, due to a number of circumstances that developed in recent entries in the series, Alan is seriously de-compensating. The only thing hold him together is his love for his children. All other areas of his life are imploding.
A characters who, at least in my recollection, has pretty much always used his psychotherapy education and training to assist himself through difficulties, is no longer able to do so. And his attempts to get help are fruitless, and make the situation worse. This disintegration is set within the framework of a cold case that needs solving, and threats to Alan and Sam from both within and outside their friendship.
It would be easy to ask "well why didn't he figure this out" or "who would really do that" etc. But, something about these books has always convinced me to just go with it, and not be overly discerning about how things occur. For me this was a solid ending to a sometimes stellar, but always entertaining and well written series.
This book as an individual entry in the series is not 5 stars - I give the 5 stars for the series as a whole. I have very much enjoyed the tales of the psychologist (Alan Gregory) from Boulder Co, who gets caught up in a crazy variety of situations that cause him to have to solve crimes along with his friend, police officer Sam Purdy, and his wife, Deputy D.A Lauren. Alan's psychological insights have always been the core of what the series is about and it has worked.
This particular entry I would rate 4 stars - the ending, as a lot of people, have pointed out is, indeed, ambivalent, but I am ok with that. Most interesting to me is the personal psychological evolution of Alan Gregory. In this last book, due to a number of circumstances that developed in recent entries in the series, Alan is seriously de-compensating. The only thing hold him together is his love for his children. All other areas of his life are imploding.
A characters who, at least in my recollection, has pretty much always used his psychotherapy education and training to assist himself through difficulties, is no longer able to do so. And his attempts to get help are fruitless, and make the situation worse. This disintegration is set within the framework of a cold case that needs solving, and threats to Alan and Sam from both within and outside their friendship.
It would be easy to ask "well why didn't he figure this out" or "who would really do that" etc. But, something about these books has always convinced me to just go with it, and not be overly discerning about how things occur. For me this was a solid ending to a sometimes stellar, but always entertaining and well written series.
August 26, 2013
The twentieth book of the Alan Gregory series is a multilayered finale for therapist Gregory and his detective friend, Sam Purdy. The challenge of a series is balancing the long-term story arcs with each individual novel’s plot, and for the last book, the reader expects at least some of the series-long arcs to have a sense of closure. “Compound Fractures” takes a different approach.
There are two main plots. A crime Gregory helped cover-up years before seems about to bubble to the surface during the investigation of the shooting of his wife Lauren. At the same time, new evidence has turned up in a cold case that was briefly assigned to Purdy and Lauren. The DA, Elliot Bellhaven, seems to have a personal grudge against them, further complicating Gregory’s legal troubles.
This all makes for a challenging read as a stand alone, and this reviewer, new to the series, had to do some internet research just to follow along. That is not necessarily a strike against the book. By book twenty, the author can’t possibly synopsize every reference for the new reader. On the other hand, as the series has now been running for over twenty years, even fans might appreciate a recap before diving in.
A little plot confusion aside, the characters are what make this book engaging. They are enjoyably real, with complicated motivations, rivalries, and imperfections, and they are still growing and changing as people in this last book. Twists and turns with the relationships among the characters add an emotional layer to the mystery. I’m sure loyal readers of the series will find many answers here they’ve been waiting for, but there are just as many new developments. Although several elements of the mysteries are resolved, or at least explained, new characters are introduced that further complicate some of the long-term plot points. While entertaining, new readers would definitely do better starting at the beginning, and faithful readers should not expect a neat ending that answers all. In fact, if there isn’t a forthcoming reinvented series featuring some of these characters, I would be surprised.
Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: Honor in the Night” and cohost of the Generations Geek podcast, for Suspense Magazine ■
There are two main plots. A crime Gregory helped cover-up years before seems about to bubble to the surface during the investigation of the shooting of his wife Lauren. At the same time, new evidence has turned up in a cold case that was briefly assigned to Purdy and Lauren. The DA, Elliot Bellhaven, seems to have a personal grudge against them, further complicating Gregory’s legal troubles.
This all makes for a challenging read as a stand alone, and this reviewer, new to the series, had to do some internet research just to follow along. That is not necessarily a strike against the book. By book twenty, the author can’t possibly synopsize every reference for the new reader. On the other hand, as the series has now been running for over twenty years, even fans might appreciate a recap before diving in.
A little plot confusion aside, the characters are what make this book engaging. They are enjoyably real, with complicated motivations, rivalries, and imperfections, and they are still growing and changing as people in this last book. Twists and turns with the relationships among the characters add an emotional layer to the mystery. I’m sure loyal readers of the series will find many answers here they’ve been waiting for, but there are just as many new developments. Although several elements of the mysteries are resolved, or at least explained, new characters are introduced that further complicate some of the long-term plot points. While entertaining, new readers would definitely do better starting at the beginning, and faithful readers should not expect a neat ending that answers all. In fact, if there isn’t a forthcoming reinvented series featuring some of these characters, I would be surprised.
Reviewed by Scott Pearson, author of “Star Trek: Honor in the Night” and cohost of the Generations Geek podcast, for Suspense Magazine ■
September 11, 2013
There were so many old plot lines and old characters brought into this novel that I spent much of the time going, "Oh, yeah, I remember that. Was that six books ago, or was it five?" The protagonist, psychologist Alan Gregory, spends time being sad, mad, and horny. We got to revisit lots of women from Alan's past, all of whom still wanted to jump his bones. There were several bad guys, most of whom were defused "off camera" through no action of Alan's. I was disappointed in this book because it rehashed so much from the past, the plot was confusing and not very compelling, and the denouement was, for me, implausible, to say the least.
August 5, 2013
I had read some books earlier in the series, and was looking forward to this book, the last in the series. I did find it hard to remember all the characters, and this story did little to remind me of their shared history with the main character. For example, I did not seem to get an explanation of the children's ages, or how they came to fit into the household.
The main characters seem to have changed; they have done and condoned actions that I did not expect. It was difficult to feel engaged with the. They were not likeable enough to care about, or evil enough to hate. I need to root for a protaganist. Rather than an explosive ending, we get a whimper. It sounded as though the previous book in the series had the volatility I desired.
I would find it hard to recommend this book for readers unfamiliar with this series, but loyal readers will probably want to read this book in the hope that they will get a satisfying ending.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
The main characters seem to have changed; they have done and condoned actions that I did not expect. It was difficult to feel engaged with the. They were not likeable enough to care about, or evil enough to hate. I need to root for a protaganist. Rather than an explosive ending, we get a whimper. It sounded as though the previous book in the series had the volatility I desired.
I would find it hard to recommend this book for readers unfamiliar with this series, but loyal readers will probably want to read this book in the hope that they will get a satisfying ending.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
June 22, 2017
I enjoyed the Alan Gregory series and was sad to see it come to an end. I changed my rating of this one from 3 to 4 stars after I read what Stephen White wrote about it, his final book. There was a movie years ago called "Limbo" that had an unresolved ending. The ending was what the viewer decided, which many people didn't like. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? And many other questions. SPOILER This one felt the same in a way, since it ended with many unanswered questions. AND I WAS OK with that. The book was hard to put down, in a "what will happen next?" way and how the issues would be resolved. It wasn't which is pretty unusual for a book. White has a gift of making his characters human, sometimes I have the "WTF are you doing/thinking??" reaction, but they are always vulnerable and multi-faceted. PS I think it was Kirsten. :)
September 24, 2013
I had been anticipating reading the final volume in the Alan Gregory series which has been one of my favorites over the years. However, I found this one to be disjointed. Over the 20 years of the series, I grew extremely fond of the main characters but in the last few volumes, they started to meet with sad fates. The ones that were left seemed to have devolved and became less interesting, less complex and tinged with bitterness. Without ruining a crucial plot point, all I can say is that I don't believe that something of that nature would have been able to be concealed for that length of time. There never was a hint before. All-in-all I found it to be an unsatisfying finish to a much-enjoyed series.
September 8, 2013
well...it's over :(. the last of my favorite psychological/crime novel series. So pissed during the 1st half as the character's dark sides were revealed & what always was started to change. by the end the brilliance of the ending was more than I ever thought an ending of a beloved series could be. I don't want to throw out spoiler alerts to future readers of this book so I will leave my review vague and just say it was wonderful and totally got me twisted. I thought I had it figured out but what was around the bends with plot & character once agn delightfully proved some of my assumptions wrong. who knows though? the epilogue gives me a tiny hope that perhaps dr. Gregory will resurface one day. fingers crossed.
October 20, 2013
Compound Fractures brought lots of characters back, some of whom we haven't seen or heard from in a long time. It was a really nice conclusion, but it won't rank among my favorites like Dry Ice, Kill Me, Higher Authority and The Siege.
I've enjoyed reading the Alan Gregory books since moving to Boulder. It has been a fun experience to read a mystery/thriller series set in the city I live in. It's been fun to meet the author at Chautauqua. I haven't rad the entire series yet, so luckily I have more great experiences awaiting me as well as re-reads in the future. Alan Gregory might be done but I'm looking forward future works by Stephen White.
I've enjoyed reading the Alan Gregory books since moving to Boulder. It has been a fun experience to read a mystery/thriller series set in the city I live in. It's been fun to meet the author at Chautauqua. I haven't rad the entire series yet, so luckily I have more great experiences awaiting me as well as re-reads in the future. Alan Gregory might be done but I'm looking forward future works by Stephen White.
February 16, 2014
**Spoiler alert** I've read all the Alan Gregory books, and this one was just okay. It seems like he is forcing the issue, making his characters fit where he wants them to go instead of letting their stories end so he can start a new series. The bad guy from the last few books, who has been orchestrating scariness from prison, is suddenly out of the picture because of a stroke?! And suddenly Lauren's big bad work nemesis is playing really dirty? And 9/11 and Osama Bin Laden play a part in the whole craziness that is Boulder?! I did want to find out what happened, but I didn't love the way it played out.
August 29, 2013
A generally satisfying conclusion to the Alan Gregory series. A few too many plot contrivances for my liking and an ending that could have been more, but the story moved along nicely and the developments with Alan's late wife Lauren are rather interesting and unexpected. I will be sad to see the characters go.
November 26, 2018
The 20th, and final, book in the Alan Gregory series by Stephen White. It was time for this series to end, but this last book doesn't wrap up everything all nice and neat. This was an entertaining series with plenty of mystery and suspense.
August 19, 2025
Alas. The end of an iconic era. I started reading Stephen White when Emma and I first started dating back in 2012. The Alan Gregory series is a staple in the Freedman family. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the series, the books follow Psychotherapist Dr. Alan Gregory as he navigates his world through crime and thriller. Stephen White is actually a clinical psychologist himself from Boulder. My family and I often joke that my father in laws pen name is Stephen White due to the similarities both between him and Stephen White and him and Alan Gregory.
I’m feeling all the feels putting this last book down. When Adrienne died earlier in the series, I never felt like I would recover. But now with the death of Lauren, I mean, a piece of me died right there in those pages. I’m also feeling sad to bid farewell to the series that kept me enthralled on camping trips and beach vacations over the years.
I didn’t love the ending here. Felt like the ending of most of his others in the series - a cliff hanger. But this time, we don’t get to pick up another book to see how it ends. I also felt like the last 50ish pages felt rushed. The suspense build up throughout the novel was fantastic and kept me fully engaged. However, all at once things “fell into place” with little fallout. It was what it was and seemed like no matter what, everything would’ve or could’ve ended the same but without the thrill and suspense during the whole book - made me feel meh. I also didn’t love the final character arc for Lauren. Not sure why we needed to end her in such a vindictive, disloyal, negative light, posthumously in the novel.
That said - enjoyed the entire ride and will cherish our signed copies forever. Thanks for the memories and good times Stephen. 🫡
I’m feeling all the feels putting this last book down. When Adrienne died earlier in the series, I never felt like I would recover. But now with the death of Lauren, I mean, a piece of me died right there in those pages. I’m also feeling sad to bid farewell to the series that kept me enthralled on camping trips and beach vacations over the years.
I didn’t love the ending here. Felt like the ending of most of his others in the series - a cliff hanger. But this time, we don’t get to pick up another book to see how it ends. I also felt like the last 50ish pages felt rushed. The suspense build up throughout the novel was fantastic and kept me fully engaged. However, all at once things “fell into place” with little fallout. It was what it was and seemed like no matter what, everything would’ve or could’ve ended the same but without the thrill and suspense during the whole book - made me feel meh. I also didn’t love the final character arc for Lauren. Not sure why we needed to end her in such a vindictive, disloyal, negative light, posthumously in the novel.
That said - enjoyed the entire ride and will cherish our signed copies forever. Thanks for the memories and good times Stephen. 🫡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2017
A somewhat satisfying conclusion to the long psychological/suspense series. There were many great books in the series. I started with Kill Me and totally dug it. Started at the beginning when the books were tightly written and plotted. By the last 3 or 4, the series had really started to wander. And in this book, why bring in aspects of 9/11 for the plot? Go small, not big. Four stars for the whole series, three for the concluding chapter.
January 30, 2024
I’m reluctant to review this book by one of my favourite authors, Steven White.
I understand that the book is fiction but a follower of Alan Gregory’s other book and enjoyed them, but from an ethical point of view, I wasn’t happy with the story line.
I would love to hear from others how they felt about this novel compared to his other book with Dr. Gregory as the main character!
I understand that the book is fiction but a follower of Alan Gregory’s other book and enjoyed them, but from an ethical point of view, I wasn’t happy with the story line.
I would love to hear from others how they felt about this novel compared to his other book with Dr. Gregory as the main character!
May 25, 2014
Dang! These books are keeping me up too late!! I had guessed after reading Line of Fire that Compound Fractures dealt with the fracturing relationships Alan has with his friends. I just didn't take it far enough to include Lauren. Sorry, I haven't liked her from the beginning and her treatment of Alan in the last few books has irritated and actually angered me. MS be damned. Now at this point(P. 307), he is coming to some realizations of what their marriage has been based on. Of course it takes two to tango, and I will have to reread that passage (as I continue tonight to the conclusion) to fully understand what he is saying. And yes, he is ALWAYS, saying something to the reader.
I am having a difficult time reading this book probably because it is paralleling my life in many ways. CHAOS! CHAOS! CHAOS! Swirling! Swirling! No Stability. Nothing to hold on to. Too much happening too fast to the core of his existence. Harassment, being attacked, physically and psychologically. Outside forces he can't control. Only react to. And he DOES explain quite accurately exactly the way the body reacts to fight or flight and what the consequences are of not having time to repair/rejuvenate itself. Everything from not being able to FEEL physical pain, to confused thinking, not being able to focus, not being able to take on anything new or different except mindless routine, to no reaction in the face of danger, to OVERREACTION to the inconsequential things, and disinhibition of anger. It all spells Adrenal Fatigue and PTSD. Dangerous conditions if unaddressed for very long.
It was quite apparent when Izza gave him a false name as Clara Tea, as to why she was seeking to speak with him. But what about him naming the buxom next-door-neighbor, Sam Purdy-girlfriend, Ophelia!!? Anybody else notice that? Yep. I'm thinking it was intentional. Mr. Stephen is very pointed and thorough in what he wants to say and how he wants the reader to do some thinking. I don't think he misses much.
And it seems he is following society percentage norms now, (or just that with the information age, we KNOW more about society actions. Probably they have been happening just as frequently all along in the human race as in the animal kingdom. We just didn't know about them.) of infidelity by just about everybody. Well, except himself. Not to say he hasn't been sorely tempted and I've not finished the book yet, but he's also no longer married. But, Lauren, Sam, Sherry, his wife, Lucy, his partner, Adrienne, Peter, Raoul, Diane. And those are just the people close to him. Who AREN'T in therapy!! As I'm guessing Infidelity, as a participant or a victim, is frequent therapy subject.
This book is chock full of subtexts, side stories (Ivy, Alan's own therapy), admonitions, consequences, and LIFE! As I said it has been agitating to me from the personal standpoint. Aside from that, and I haven't read any other reviews, I believe Stephen is succeeding in giving us the full affect of being Alan. I don't think he will check out, but Stephen has surprised us in the past. I am certainly not looking forward to the end. Thankfully I started the series last Oct and now the final pages, today, Memorial Day. So I've gotten the full effect of 20 years in a condensed period. I'm sure I will be blown away at the conclusion. Thank you Stephen even if I'm not.
Well, the end of him telling the story came, but not the end. You are left with making your OWN ending. And I think that is another message. Every one will finish it differently. Life is dynamic.
With everything being on a downer, I was hoping and wondering how he would end on an upbeat. I think he pulled that off not only with the mystery woman but with Sam misunderstanding "Termination", as in therapy, not of the Carl Luppo variety. And as you recall the therapist phone call came to Elliot just as Alan was entering the being left alone negotiation. So her ethic action will be negated since Alan will not take any action toward Elliot. And isn't that a twist from White's earlier books where ALAN is dealing with his own ethical actions to now be on the possible receiving end! I think Stephen White writes with more depth than people realize.
I was not a big fan of having Elliot figure so predominately in the last few pages. And it did seem a little too far fetched. But maybe we just aren't that close to what REALLY happens in the political and terrorist worlds. We're too busy reading novels!
So now of course, who was the woman. I'm going with Amy, the beguiler. Plenty of reasons why:
1. she is readily available
2. she's been chasing him, so he doesn't have to wonder does she want me
3. she is different from his past experiences which were for reason and future
4. she is temporary in the sense of sex for fun not commitment
5. she will bring him comfort, distraction, and maybe some revenge for having been faithful to Lauren when Lauren was not to him even though he is not married now
And I think that is just what Sam's comment meant. Whoever the women is, is the wrong woman, because it's for the wrong reasons, as Sam is finally coming to learn for himself. The therapy tables are aturin'.
I am having a difficult time reading this book probably because it is paralleling my life in many ways. CHAOS! CHAOS! CHAOS! Swirling! Swirling! No Stability. Nothing to hold on to. Too much happening too fast to the core of his existence. Harassment, being attacked, physically and psychologically. Outside forces he can't control. Only react to. And he DOES explain quite accurately exactly the way the body reacts to fight or flight and what the consequences are of not having time to repair/rejuvenate itself. Everything from not being able to FEEL physical pain, to confused thinking, not being able to focus, not being able to take on anything new or different except mindless routine, to no reaction in the face of danger, to OVERREACTION to the inconsequential things, and disinhibition of anger. It all spells Adrenal Fatigue and PTSD. Dangerous conditions if unaddressed for very long.
It was quite apparent when Izza gave him a false name as Clara Tea, as to why she was seeking to speak with him. But what about him naming the buxom next-door-neighbor, Sam Purdy-girlfriend, Ophelia!!? Anybody else notice that? Yep. I'm thinking it was intentional. Mr. Stephen is very pointed and thorough in what he wants to say and how he wants the reader to do some thinking. I don't think he misses much.
And it seems he is following society percentage norms now, (or just that with the information age, we KNOW more about society actions. Probably they have been happening just as frequently all along in the human race as in the animal kingdom. We just didn't know about them.) of infidelity by just about everybody. Well, except himself. Not to say he hasn't been sorely tempted and I've not finished the book yet, but he's also no longer married. But, Lauren, Sam, Sherry, his wife, Lucy, his partner, Adrienne, Peter, Raoul, Diane. And those are just the people close to him. Who AREN'T in therapy!! As I'm guessing Infidelity, as a participant or a victim, is frequent therapy subject.
This book is chock full of subtexts, side stories (Ivy, Alan's own therapy), admonitions, consequences, and LIFE! As I said it has been agitating to me from the personal standpoint. Aside from that, and I haven't read any other reviews, I believe Stephen is succeeding in giving us the full affect of being Alan. I don't think he will check out, but Stephen has surprised us in the past. I am certainly not looking forward to the end. Thankfully I started the series last Oct and now the final pages, today, Memorial Day. So I've gotten the full effect of 20 years in a condensed period. I'm sure I will be blown away at the conclusion. Thank you Stephen even if I'm not.
Well, the end of him telling the story came, but not the end. You are left with making your OWN ending. And I think that is another message. Every one will finish it differently. Life is dynamic.
With everything being on a downer, I was hoping and wondering how he would end on an upbeat. I think he pulled that off not only with the mystery woman but with Sam misunderstanding "Termination", as in therapy, not of the Carl Luppo variety. And as you recall the therapist phone call came to Elliot just as Alan was entering the being left alone negotiation. So her ethic action will be negated since Alan will not take any action toward Elliot. And isn't that a twist from White's earlier books where ALAN is dealing with his own ethical actions to now be on the possible receiving end! I think Stephen White writes with more depth than people realize.
I was not a big fan of having Elliot figure so predominately in the last few pages. And it did seem a little too far fetched. But maybe we just aren't that close to what REALLY happens in the political and terrorist worlds. We're too busy reading novels!
So now of course, who was the woman. I'm going with Amy, the beguiler. Plenty of reasons why:
1. she is readily available
2. she's been chasing him, so he doesn't have to wonder does she want me
3. she is different from his past experiences which were for reason and future
4. she is temporary in the sense of sex for fun not commitment
5. she will bring him comfort, distraction, and maybe some revenge for having been faithful to Lauren when Lauren was not to him even though he is not married now
And I think that is just what Sam's comment meant. Whoever the women is, is the wrong woman, because it's for the wrong reasons, as Sam is finally coming to learn for himself. The therapy tables are aturin'.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
Disappointing. The only reason I finished this book was to end the 20-volume series and White’s writing acumen. He’s a master of phrasing, dry humor, dialogue and zinger comebacks. But this story resurrected too many past characters and too many storylines with no resolution. And Dr Alan Gregory is a holy mess. Me thinks his next series is Sam Purdy or Doctor Lila (right on, Heather). Ought to be Jonas. He’s a great kid character.
April 13, 2014
It seems appropriate that Stephen White's last novel about Dr. Alan Gregory should be a psychological thriller. The suspense is high but revolves around being in criminal jeopardy rather than physical jeopardy. Dr. Gregory mentions the compound fracture of his heart beginning with the death of his wife Lauren who was shot, as related in the book before this one. Actually, the fracturing in Alan's life involves almost every one of his relationships, other than his children, whom he desperately loves and wants to protect. Alan no longer trusts his detective friend Sam Purdy and he's lost his two best friends: Adrienne to death much earlier, and recently his business partner Diane to a mental breakdown (not to mention her shooting Lauren by accident). For a clinical psychologist, he is having great difficulty deciphering when people are lying, covering up, or telling the truth. He monitors every conversation as if he's on quicksand and second guesses every word. He has very few clients so he can't immerse himself in work, and undergoing some counseling himself seems dangerous instead of healing: he doesn't really trust the relationship or the confidentiality issue. He becomes aware that the DA is considering him as a murder suspect, but is it for the murder in Frederick, where he does have some culpability, or for the death of his own wife, which is just crazy? Characters from previous cases cycle into this last story: Izza and Amanda from Line of Fire, The LA girl from Dead Time, and Kristen Lord and Carl Lupo from The Program. Unhappily, I felt White didn't really end the book well. The last chapter seemed more of a joke about the women from Alan's past than a rounded out conclusion for the whole series. However, the writing is compelling, the characters complex and real, including the children, and the storyline unexpected and twisty. I like these books and the writing very much so I'll probably go back and reread them all again now that the series has concluded.
November 18, 2013
Great book. Quite the finale. Full of suspense, intricately plotted storylines, and the unexpected twists and turns. Love to know who it was at the end........ I think Izza, how about you????
In Line of Fire, the tantalizing prelude to this final book, Dr. Gregory found himself assailed by danger from every direction as he struggled with circumstances beyond his control. Authorities were closing in on Alan and his friend Sam Purdy for their role in a woman’s death years earlier. Alan was struggling to deal with the emotional collapse of his longtime friend Diane after she discovered evidence of her husband’s infidelity.
By the end, Alan’s personal life and his career were in danger of complete collapse.
But Line of Fire merely set the stage. In Compound Fractures, the explosive conclusion to the decades-long saga, Alan is forced to acknowledge that the perils that may bring him to his knees are not the dangers he recognizes, nor are they orchestrated by the nemesis he has long feared. Instead he is confronted by unexpected threats from unanticipated adversaries and by intimate betrayal from those who have been closest to him. He is compelled to reconsider what he has long believed about trust and about love while he is trying to cope with overwhelming loss and grief.
To protect himself he must revisit the cruel ethical dilemma that turned his life upside down as a young psychologist. He has to judge whether the people reentering his life after long absences are friends or foes. He has to make sense of echoes of distant tragedies while he decides if there is anyone he can really trust. Mostly, as the clock ticks down, he must solve a deadly mystery in Eldorado Springs that has been brewing for more than a decade.
In Line of Fire, the tantalizing prelude to this final book, Dr. Gregory found himself assailed by danger from every direction as he struggled with circumstances beyond his control. Authorities were closing in on Alan and his friend Sam Purdy for their role in a woman’s death years earlier. Alan was struggling to deal with the emotional collapse of his longtime friend Diane after she discovered evidence of her husband’s infidelity.
By the end, Alan’s personal life and his career were in danger of complete collapse.
But Line of Fire merely set the stage. In Compound Fractures, the explosive conclusion to the decades-long saga, Alan is forced to acknowledge that the perils that may bring him to his knees are not the dangers he recognizes, nor are they orchestrated by the nemesis he has long feared. Instead he is confronted by unexpected threats from unanticipated adversaries and by intimate betrayal from those who have been closest to him. He is compelled to reconsider what he has long believed about trust and about love while he is trying to cope with overwhelming loss and grief.
To protect himself he must revisit the cruel ethical dilemma that turned his life upside down as a young psychologist. He has to judge whether the people reentering his life after long absences are friends or foes. He has to make sense of echoes of distant tragedies while he decides if there is anyone he can really trust. Mostly, as the clock ticks down, he must solve a deadly mystery in Eldorado Springs that has been brewing for more than a decade.
February 24, 2014
After a couple of decades, this series draws to a conclusion. It picks up from events that took place in the penultimate book in the series, “Line of Fire,” in which Dr. Alan Gregory’s wife, Lauren, was shot by his friend and partner. Floundering in his personal and professional life, Dr. Gregory begins to learn disquieting information which threatens his ability to function and protect his family.
Consequently, Gregory begins to question the people around him, and starts looking at them with mistrust, especially his good friend and sometime partner in various endeavors, detective Sam Purdy. Together, Alan and Sam face a future fraught with danger, the result of the murder in an earlier entry in the series of a woman intent on murdering their children.
The plot really is somewhat disjointed, and seems to be put together haphazardly. It lacks the tightness of previous entries in the series. Gregory comes across in this novel as an insecure person, suffering from a persecution complex. Would you want to be treated by such a psychotherapist? On the other hand, Sam Purdy finally grows up and seems a lot smarter and more capable than in the past.
The basis for a recommendation in this instance is derived from the entire body of work, which this novel brings to an end.
Consequently, Gregory begins to question the people around him, and starts looking at them with mistrust, especially his good friend and sometime partner in various endeavors, detective Sam Purdy. Together, Alan and Sam face a future fraught with danger, the result of the murder in an earlier entry in the series of a woman intent on murdering their children.
The plot really is somewhat disjointed, and seems to be put together haphazardly. It lacks the tightness of previous entries in the series. Gregory comes across in this novel as an insecure person, suffering from a persecution complex. Would you want to be treated by such a psychotherapist? On the other hand, Sam Purdy finally grows up and seems a lot smarter and more capable than in the past.
The basis for a recommendation in this instance is derived from the entire body of work, which this novel brings to an end.
June 21, 2014
I was anxious to read this book, but also somewhat reluctant to start it, knowing it was the last in a series that I have enjoyed so much. And I ended up having very mixed feeling about how the author chose to conclude this saga. After so many struggles to maintain his personal ethical boundaries as a clinical psychologist, and through many interactions with his wife and best friend, Alan Gregory seemed to have lost much of his integrity by the end of the series. I was left with the sense that Stephen White must have been really sick of these characters and their lives by the time he was writing this 20th book. But even that being said, Mr. White's skill at developing the characters and their stories made it another enjoyable read, with the choices the characters made seeming natural outcomes to the current circumstances. I still have to add this series as one of my favorites, and hope that the author will employ his writing talents to bring readers more great stories.
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