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Title: The Program by Stephen White ISBN: 0-385-49903-5 Publisher: Doubleday Pub. Date: 20 February, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (45 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars - Slow Start then Good Page Turner
Comment: The book started out slowly and couldn't get a handle on itself. The protagonist, a reluctant member of the Witness Protection Program of which she was critical while a New Orleans assistant district attorney, seems like the typical TV female lead, in need of a man to help her (one does get tired of the helpless female character). Newly widowed (probably by a revenge promising convicted felon), she and her 9 year old daughter move to Boulder, CO. Kirsten Lord, sees whales (a plot device I could have easily done without) that bring good and bad memories in various forms so for that and her overall state of mind, seeks therapy, thus linking with Allan Gregory who is in a minor role from previous books in this heretofore excellent series.
Kirsten's character seems uncharacteristically incapable of making good decisions, instead endlessly repeating in her mind the threat made to her in the courtroom by the man who probably killed her husband. For somone experienced in making life and death decisions as a district attorney, it was frustrating to see her unable to be more decisive as well as exposing her and her daughter to unnecessary danger such as calling an old friend and giving away the state in which she lived. Fortunately the man her shallow character needs is another member of the program, a former mob hitman, who is able to be of major assistance as several forces are looking for her to do her harm. The rationale behind the new hitman (not the one in the Program) was somewhat contrived but it added the suspense this novel would have did without.
The reformed hitman, Carl, is fun. I'm sure a lot of readers chuckled when Kirsten's daughter's asks why Carl's neutered miniature poodle doesn't have what she expected a boy dog to have. After a pause, Carl proudly responds "He may not have nuts, but he has balls." I learned more than I wanted when Carl taught me flatulence is a byproduct of torture.
The second half of the book moves better towards an exciting and fairly believable climax. The suspense picks up nicely as Kirsten starts being more responsible.
I preferred the other books in the series. This one had little more than suspense going for it.
I recommend all others in the Allan Gregory series and tepidly recommend this one. I'd suggest starting with the others.
Rating: 4
Summary: Not really an Alan Gregory novel!
Comment: If you buy this book thinking that it is "an Alan Gregory novel" then you are in for a big disappointment. Not only does Alan Gregory play a very minor role in the book but this isn't the Alan Gregory we know from past novels. Not only does Stephen White make Alan's role a minor one but he writes the Gregory character like he doesn't even know him. For instance, Alan receives an emergency phone call from the protagonist who is in the Witness Security Program and his wife asks him if he should call Sam and have a patrol car sent by her apartment. Alan says "he'll think about it" and then just goes to bed. Is this the same man who has with Sam's help solved multiple murders? Until the very end of the book, if you aren't already familiar with Alan Gregory, then you absolutely won't like him. If Stephen White wanted to write a novel that wasn't an Alan Gregory mystery, then he should have done so. Jonathan Kellerman wrote "Billy Straight" that was a wonderful novel without Alex Delaware! All that aside, the story is a great read once you decide that IT IS NOT AN ALAN GREGORY MYSTERY!
Rating: 5
Summary: A CAN'T PUT DOWN MULTI-LAYERED STORY
Comment: A frightening multi-layered story, The Program introduces a new protagonist for Stephen White - New Orleans District Attorney Kirsten Lord.
After Kirsten's husband is murdered by a hired gun, she soon discovers that her own life and that of her nine-year-old daughter's is threatened. Feeling she has no other valid choice she seeks safety for them in Boulder, Colorado under the Witness Protection Program.
However, once in the program she meets another who is being protected, Carl Luppo. He is a lone mob hit man very much, she suspects, like the man who killed her husband. Sensing her danger, Luppo befriends Kirsten; he appoints himself her guardian. But, he is he truly knight errant or persecutor?
Kirsten's chaotic life is in stark contrast to the relative tranquility enjoyed by Alan Gregory, a psychological consultant to the Protection Program and his wife who are preparing for the birth of their first child.
There's both darkness and light in this suspenseful tale as it reveals the internal workings of the Witness Protection Program and the emotional toll it takes on those who have sought safety. It's a taut, finely paced drama for thriller afficionados.
- Gail Cooke
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Title: Warning Signs by Stephen White ISBN: 0440237416 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Manner of Death by Stephen White ISBN: 0451197038 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: January, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Cold Case by Stephen White ISBN: 0451201558 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 06 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Critical Conditions by Stephen White ISBN: 0451191706 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Remote Control by Stephen White ISBN: 0451191692 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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