Manner of Death

One of the reasons I like Stephen White's book so much is his continuity of characters, and his development of characters. His books are so much more interesting when read in the order in which they were written, because of how much character development White does along the way. In Manner of Death, our hero, Alan Gregory, finds himself the target of one of his former patients, who has set out to kill the entire team of psychologists who he had contact with many years ago. Alan is one of the last members of the team surviving, and the culprit is hot on his tail. The true identity of the stalker is completely up in the air until the final chapters, when we are shocked to learn who it is, and what the killer's connection is to D.B. Cooper, the only successful airplane hijacker in U.S. history. This is yet another fast-paced fascinating thriller by White, and it was a pleasure to read. My only criticism is that the ending (the last 3-4 chapters) seemed rushed.

Having read all of Stephen White's Alan Gregory novels so far, I always look forward to the latest annual instalment. "Manner of Death", as always, is a well-written book: an exciting story and character developments.Checking in with Alan Gregory and the other returning characters in the series is always a bit like visiting friends. It's amazing how Stephen White has managed to hold up the high standards throughout the years. "Manner of Death" is even better than its two predecessors!

I believe Stephen White is the most under-rated/unknown mystery author in America today. He hits hard, fast and realistic. Alan Gregory is BELIEVABLE. The plots, set up and general story movement is outstanding. This one's a winner -- as are all of White's books.

Denver Post reviewer Carol Kreck stated in her review that "Stephen White's 'Manner of Death' pulls readers along like a steam train. Don't crack this thing unless there's nothing else to do, because once started, nothing else is going to get done." I couldn't agree more, so I set aside a Sunday and read the book in one sitting, which makes it easier to keep track of names. I have read all Stephen White's mysteries and like them very much: Alan Gregory is a likeable, believable hero as is his wife Lauren. I was dismayed to read the Kirkus review above and find that it contains "spoilers": events that don't happen until more than 200 pages into the book. Also, Dr. Arnie Dresser's funeral took place in Evergreen, not Denver. I strongly recommend this book!

Boulder psychiatrist Dr. Alan Gregory is a bit melancholy as he attends the funeral of Dr. Arnold Dresser, who died from a fall while climbing Maroon Peak near Aspen. Alan and Arnold were trained at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and stayed in touch though they were never close friends. After the funeral, Alan returns home to take his spouse, Lauren Crowder, who suffers with multiple sclerosis, out to lunch. At the restaurant, a funeral attendee, Dr. A.J. Simes, intrudes on Alan and Lauren when she provides them with privileged information that someone plans to kill Alan and has murdered Arnold. Alan soon learns that the staff, students, and management who shared Alan's residency are being killed. Apparently, only he and his former lover Dr. Sawyer Sackett are left from the class of `82. No motives and no evidence exists. Alan, Sawyer, and Lauren know they must uncover a serial killer before they end up in harm's way. Harriet Klausner