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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780451212818
ISBN number: 0451212819
Label: Signet
Manufacturer: Signet
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 352
Printing Date: October 05, 2004
Publishing house: Signet
Release Date: October 05, 2004
Sale Popularity Level: 264404
Studio: Signet
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Clinical psychologist Alan Gregory faces disgrace and ruin when several of his attractive female clients die untimely deaths. But professional ethics prevent Gregory from revealing the 'privileged information' that will clear his name and perhaps save his life-since the killer responsible for these deaths may be one of his patients.
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Rated by buyers -
Boulder clinical psychologist Alan Gregory is shocked when his patient Karen Hart commits suicide, especially since she had apparently been making considerable progress in therapy. But even more disturbing are reports in the newspaper from anonymous sources that he was intimately involved with the patient, a clear violation of professional standards. Beyond this scenario, the book serves as an introduction to the lengthy Gregory series and to the Boulder, CO area, where it seems there is a staggering preponderance of professionals.
The allegations hurt his practice, driving away some patients, but worse over the subsequent few months two more patients die: one in an auto accident and one murdered. Other incidents occur and Alan begins to suspect the involvement of a new patient. But investigations are stymied when issues of patient confidentiality prevent Alan from being forthcoming with his attorney, Boulder detective Sam Purdy, and assistant DA Lauren Crowder. There is a certain amount of edification in this situation as Alan is convinced that transference, even psychotic, is at work.
Alan's professional difficulties come at a time when his private life is very unsettled. His television producer wife Meredith now lives in San Francisco with their remaining tie being Cicero, their dog. He is intrigued by Lauren, but her sudden revelation of a debilitating medical condition is perspective shifting, to say the least. The Boulder area is well described including its notoriety for being a bicycling capital, a passion for Alan.
The plot is not the strongest part of the book: some loose ends and not quite believable and consistent. However, overall the book is interesting, especially the characters, and moves at a decent pace and is actually rather suspenseful. The author establishes characters that are sufficiently appealing to encourage reading of the subsequent installment.
Rated by buyers -
Stephen White's "Privileged Information" kicks off his series of thrillers featuring Alan Gregory, a clinical psychologist based in Boulder. Alan is a successful therapist in private practice with one partner. His career is thriving, although he's going through a rough separation from his wife. Alan is hit with what therapists perhaps dread most - a client suicide. The client was an attractive young woman whom Alan had no inkling was suicidal. He begins to doubt his clinical acumen and then things deteriorate even further; specifically, Alan is accused of having a sexual relationship with this client that precipitated her suicide. However, because of therapist-client confidentiality, Alan cannot release information about the client's treatment that would help clear his name. That is, he cannot release this "privileged information" until he is sued. So Alan sits back and watches his clients flee. When more of his clients wind up dead, Alan realizes that it's more than bad luck. Thus, our neurotic therapist is drawn into the world of intrepid crime solvers.
"Privileged Information" is a breezy fun read. Making the main character a clinical psychologist is a fun lark, and puts the book in contrast to the typical thriller. Furthermore, the book depicts the life and career of a psychologist fairly accurately, helped no doubt by the Stephen White's personal experience as a clinical psychologist. However, Alan is clearly of the psychodynamic bent, so some readers may find the descriptions of "psychotic transference" and the therapy processes to be a bit melodramatic. In addition, focusing so much of the plot on client confidentiality gets a bit repetitive after awhile. However, these are rather minor quibbles about a solid thriller. Overall, I enjoyed "Privileged Information" and would definitely consider reading additional entries in the series.
Rated by buyers 
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Like many of the other reviewers, I did not initially realize that Stephen White has an entire series featuring Dr. Alan Gregory. I started off reading Blinded, Manner of Death and then Remote Control before finally discovering this very first book in the Alan Gregory series. I am now completely hooked and am happily working my way through the rest of the series.
Kudos to Stephen White for creating a protaganist who is smart and saavy, but also very human. White does an excellent job with character development, and even secondary characters like Lauren and Sam Purdy are multi-dimensional and surprising at times. White is equally talented at created gripping and complex plots, and I have yet to be disappointed with Alan Gregory's adventures.
Thank you, Stephen White!
Rated by buyers -
I really enjoyed reading this, the very first in the Alan Gregory series. I have read most all the other books and this filled in some blanks in Alan's history. A very good start to a great character.
Rated by buyers -
Author, Stephen White has composed a page-turning story about psychologist, Alan Gregory. The very first of this doctors many ill fates, begins with the false accusation of sexual misconduct against one of his patients who has committed suicide. Of course, his professional, legal, and personal problems don't end there, that is just the beginning.
This was a good read, and one that I would recommend. It is now my privileged to delve into this long running series.
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