The Last Lie

by Stephen White

Overview

New York Times bestselling author Stephen White returns to his beloved Alan Gregory series with a taut, ripped-from-the-headlines crime story.

Thankfully Alan and Lauren Gregory aren't on the guest list when their affluent new neighbors hold a housewarming party—because the next morning, a rape accusation rocks the town of Boulder. And though Alan discovers he has a most unusual perspective into what truly happened after the party, he may not be able to stop crucial witnesses-and people close to him-from being murdered...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451234285
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/02/2011
Series:	Dr. Alan Gregory Series
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 7.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Stephen White is a clinical psychologist and the New York Times bestselling author of the Alan Gregory novels. He lives in Colorado.

Hometown:

Colorado

Date of Birth:

August 20, 1951

Place of Birth:

Long Island, New York

Education:

B.A., UC Berkeley, 1972; M.A., University of Colorado, Boulder, 1975; Ph.D., 1979

Website:

http://www.authorstephenwhite.com

Editorial Reviews

In White's winning 18th Alan Gregory thriller (after The Siege), the Boulder, Colo., psychologist gets off on the wrong foot with his new neighbor, TV-star lawyer Mattin Snow, by walking his dogs on Snow's property. In the wake of Snow's housewarming party, to which Alan wasn't invited, an unnamed female guest claims Snow raped her. Before the case can hit the press, the lawyers for both Snow and the victim close ranks and begin to work out a private financial settlement with the victim agreeing not to testify (a parallel to the real-life Kobe Bryant case a few years back, also in Colorado). Gregory becomes entangled in the case ethically when he learns that the victim is the client of a psychologist-in-training whom he's supervising. Series fans will enjoy catching up with the domestic doings of Alan and his wife, Lauren, who are beginning to patch up their marriage following recent infidelities, and their two children. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

In White's (The Siege, Dead Time) latest thriller featuring psychologist Alan Gregory, a housewarming party ends in a suspected rape. The event takes place at the home of Alan's new neighbors, a celebrated lawyer and his socialite wife. This would be cause for some concern at any time, but Alan's interest is piqued by an incident involving him while walking his dogs in the area on the night in question and that another psychologist he supervises may be treating the alleged victim. Alan spends most of the novel trying to piece together what happened and hampered because his wife Lauren and best cop friend, Sam Purdy, have knowledge that they are unable to share with him. Because events are revealed in fragments and there are so many strands that must meld, White must be on top of his game to hold everything together, a challenge that he is able to meet.Verdict The slow reveal of previous incidents is reminiscent of David Ellis's In the Company of Liars, and White keeps the suspense high as always. Not his best work, but still an enjoyable read for thriller fans.—Craig Shufelt, Fort McMurray P.L., Alta.

Library Journal

Even with the ebullient reading of Dick Hill, the first half of this book is talky and full of psychobabble. Then, midway, thanks to Hill, the story takes on some life. After psychologist Allan Gregory acquires some new neighbors, a seeming "acquaintance rape" occurs during a housewarming, there's an inexplicable accident, and to top it all, an arson. It's the latter that puts Gregory and his son, Jonas, in mortal danger. And it's here, also, that Hill is at his best, keeping you on the edge of your seat. White finally has Gregory put all the pieces together, and you come away satisfied, thanks to perseverance and utter faith in Hill. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2010 - AudioFile