Customer Reviews

Critical Conditions (Alan Gregory Series)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I started out reading his book Manner of Death which was a birthday gift from my father. I enjoyed that book so much I went out a bought this book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. It is a page turner and I couldn't put it down. So far the two books that I have read are excellent.

This is my first book by Stephen White, but not the last. The plot is excellent with many twists and turns to keep me interested, not confused. It sees Dr. Gregory trying to help a young girl who may or may not have killed in order for her sister to get critical health care. However, readers shouldn't despair as it is not full of medical language or too much cumbersome details. I give this book a well deserved five star rating.

The problem with writing about kids, particularly teenagers, is that we have gratefully forgotten what a difficult, scary, uncharted journey adolescence was for us. And I'm just talking about acne and skinny arms (or chests)! Imagine what we would feel like if we had terminally ill sibs?

As a result we have pushed to the more distant recesses of our memory what we did or even more significantly, why we did it. So the 15-year old ingenue in White's excellent murder mystery is at times conniving, relentless, obsessed, beautiful, kid-like, confused along with all of the other formed and unformed virtue/vices of kids placed in life and death circumstances. Or what we imagine those to be.

Her infant sister is dying of a rare disease necessitating, if it will work at all, an expensive heart transplant. Each member of the family has made tremendous sacrifices and then Merritt, the 15-year old, is charged with the murder of the CEO of the insurance provider who rejected the application for the transplant. Did she? Didn't she? Who did? And what else went on?

White weaves in the usual suspects, the gruff Sam Purdy, the lovely but also ill wife Lauren, his (not so) "normal" colleagues, a couple of Colorado Avalanche hockey games . . . even the loyal dog Emily makes several appearances.

Hard to believe, I suppose, to paraphrase Churchill, that so much could happen to so few so close to eachother at the same time. Yet, a relentless mystery for Dr. Alan Gregory to solve who despite impressive credentials, remains "everyman" under these painful circumstances.

Larry Scantlebury. 4 stars.

This is the first book I've read out of the Alan Gregory series and I fell in love with it. I have read many many books but not too many mystery/suspense books. After reading this book I plan on reading the rest of his series plus other mystery books. I read this whole book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. Like other reviews READ THE BOOKS IN ORDER. I have now read 2 other books out of this series and reading the series in order will be most enjoyable! READ THIS BOOK. It will blow your mind.

If you get past the first 10 pages you'll finish the book because you'll be hooked.
The plot is well devised although, after many pages of suspense it unravels into the "happy ending" too quickly.
What most impressed me was the writing style and the astute way of introducing the main characters into the plot (never boring).
If I could rate in fractions, I would give it a 4.5/5.0 because about 2/3 of the way through the story stagnates a little bit. But since fractions are not allowed, it rounds off to a 5 star rating.

It's impossible to begin this novel and not devour its entirety in one sitting. It's THAT good. White's hero, psychologist Alan Gregory is beseeched by his urologist friend and colleage, Adrienne, to begin treatment with a recently-admitted 15 year old who attempted suicide. Soon, it becomes clear that the victim is embroiled in the recent murder of a universally-despised physician who chaired a regional health care company. Did she do it? If so, why? It's not the resaon you'll think upon the introduction.

Fast-paced and sparkling with interesting characters and dialogue, this is a thriller not to be missed. So many plot twists, you'll be boggled how they all interconnect, but rest assured White weaves them seemlessly.

I don't know who reviews for Kirkus, but they couldn't be more off base. Stephen White writes a gripping story that keeps you guessing until the very end. I read while on the treadmill at the gym and I had to reset the timer just to get to a point where I could drive home! A great suspense book.

My second Stephen White book (Priviledged Information) and I wasn't disappointed. A great read and would recommend reading it after "Privileged." I really like Dr. Alan Gregory's character. Smart, ethical and compassionate. A wonderful author

One of the best of White's thrillers...
The book gives an insight into the fascinating world of Psychology which Dr. Alan master with great talent. With a very difficult patient who insists on not talking and with time running out for her little sister who is dying, the puzzle started to be solved one step at the time.

I always finish White's books with a feeling for more. Can't wait to read his next one...

Every once in a while I enjoy one of White's books. This one, however, seemed a little convoluted and definitely too drawn out. Also, the book had just too much coincidence and too many contrived situations for my liking.

The story wasn't bad and I really did not figure it out until close to the end...mainly because the 'bad guy" was someone who had really not been a part of the book.

There were a lot of characters, about six suspects, as well as plots and sub-plots in "Critical Conditions". Some characters I would have liked to have known better - White needed to do better character development on some of them, I thought.

The mystery itself - who murdered the CEO of a managed care program? - was secondary to the human dramas being played out in two hospitals by two sisters. Money was the root of all the evil in this book: the money a managed care company refused to shell out for an experimental procedure. I think the author had a bone to pick with managed care and used this book as his vehicle. It would have been better if he had not beaten the idea to death, over and over and over.

Still, "Critical Conditions" was a good read and with a little judicious editing, could have been very good.