Privileged Information [Mass Market Paperback]

Stephen White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2000

Psychologist Alan Gregory has a bright future--until one of his female patients turns up dead. Her diary describes her sexual obsession with Gregory and his willing involvement. Alan is obligated to keep patient records confidential, even from the police. But when more of his patients die, he becomes the prime suspect--and soon discovers the terrible truth. Reissue.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle Books; Reprint edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786013567
• ISBN-13: 978-0786013562
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,569,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen White is a clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of suspense novels, including Dead Time and The Siege. He lives in Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Nice to Meet You Dr. Gregory, March 14, 2000

By 

P. Connors "Colonialpara" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Privileged Information (Mass Market Paperback)

This is Stephen White's first Alan Gregory novel but for me, it was not the first one I read. I suppose you could say that unfortunately for me, it came after having read REMOTE CONTROL, HIGHER AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE PRACTICES. As I write this I am working on HARM's WAY. Let me just say that I have enjoyed all of these books and my main regret is that I did not read them in the order in which Mr. White wrote them. I think that if I had, I would have enjoyed them more.

Reading Privileged Information so out of sequence was somewhat unnerving because I already knew so much about Alan Gregory, Lauren Crowder and Sam Purdy so I did not get to enjoy meeting them for the first time in this book. However, that is a minor issue.

In this first book of the series, Alan Gregory, a Boulder, CO psychologist suspects one of his patients of murder and is almost ruined professionally (and financially) by the death of another, who implicates him in a sordid affair. This patient, who killed herself, had previously fixated on Alan Gregory but his problems are only beginning there.

In the year previously, Alan's wife left him, a patient died in a car wreck and his dog was hit by a car. He gets involved with Lauren Crowder and one of his patients actually follows them on their vacation to New Mexico.

Flash back to the present and Alan has to deal with the fact that he could be a murder suspect and faces a possible lawsuit from the dead girl's parents. He also wonders if he will lose his professional license. As I read all of this I found myself asking, "what did this poor guy ever do to deserve this...?"

I think this is an excellent starter in this series, especially for someone who has NEVER read any of the other books written by Mr. White since. This is the book that lays the foundation and provides the history and personal background for so much of what will happen later. The information provided in this story line is built upon (quite well, I might add) in the books that follow this one. This was an enjoyable read and I know that had I read this one first, instead of somewhere down the pike, I would have become a Stephen White fan right then and there.

One of the things I like about this book (and the rest of the series, too) is that White deals very effectively with some controversial topics. For example, Lauren Crowder has MS and when Alan meets her, she eventually introduces that into the dynamic of their relationship. She also has trouble trusting men because of a failed marriage.

In later books, White takes on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and that's a brave thing to do for a man who lives in a part of the country where they are a power unto themselves. (See Higher Authority). Stephen White writes the kind of book that I like to get into and he uses recurring characters we become familiar with and concerned about. In all of his works (this one included) he includes and builds on a level of tension that keeps the reader turning the pages. I felt that way with each of his books that I have read so far.

IF I can make one recommendation to readers who have NOT discovered this author, it would be this: read PRIVILEGED INFORMATION first. It was White's first novel and the one where he introduces many of the characters he will be using in later installments. Read this and the other White books in the order in which he wrote them and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A super read!!, February 18, 2001

By 

lusty22 "avid reader" (VT United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Privileged Information (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read all of Stephen White's novels and enjoyed them immensely. However, I have to agree with a couple of the other reviewers that reading them in order is best. I failed to do so and one day when I have forgotten the details I will read his whole series from beginning to end. They are that good. In Priviledged Information we are introduced to Alan Gregory who is a very interesting character. This book is a real thriller and very suspenseful. I could not put it down like all of White's books. I find his books every bit as good as Jonathan Kellerman's. Perhaps more so as his relationships with others are explored more deeply than Alex Delaware's.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first in White's Alan Gregory series, July 19, 2002

By 

C W Breaux (Fruita, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Privileged Information (Hardcover)

Stephen White is a psychologist from Denver, Colorado. This is his first novel, published in 1991. He specializes in murder mystery thrillers with significant psychological overtones. He actually got this book picked up by a major publishing house (Viking Penguin) on his own without an agent which is a major feat. Soon thereafter he was picked up by an agent. As of 2002, he has written 10 novels, several of which have been on the New York Times bestseller list.

The recurring protagonist is a Boulder, Colorado psychologist, Alan Gregory, & there are recurring characters such as Alan's fiancee (later wife) Lauren, and his cop buddy Sam. As someone who lives in Colorado, I have enjoyed the series of books, as they are set in Colorado, & I can identify with the locales. It's also been interesting to watch Alan & Lauren's romance blossom despite significant bumps in the road.

Start with this Stephen White book, & try to read the series in order. Each one is better than the previous one, & the author has become a better writer year by year.

Happy reading!