Dry Ice (Alan Gregory, No. 15)

This is Stephen White/Alan Gregory at their very best. When Stephen White writes about his core group--all of whom are in this clever thriller--he can not be beaten! I have not enjoyed the books about other characters so much, and was thrilled that Alan Gregory and the other Colorado residents are dealt with here in detail. The characters evolve and we a myriad of complex dimensions. Never a dull moment. Every character is a real human, and each one is threatened. You will feel threatened yourself before the book is done. What secrets are you hiding? :) DRY ICE, from beginning to end, is perfect. Well, I actually did not like the Prologue, but I'm not a fan of prologues. Don't let that stop you. Book is perfect! The title is explained, and you will never look at dry ice the same again. THE REAL master of the psychological thriller IS Stephen White!!! I hope he won't stay away from his core group for long again.

After reading some of the early reviews, I was reluctant to purchase this book, despite being a big 'Alan Gregory' fan. To my surprise, I found myself liking White's Gregory even more in this book. The sense of dismay and desperation that Alan expresses as his life spirals out of control, as the things he holds most dear are threatened, is palpable. Granted, the sheer volume of incidents that serve to unsettle Alan's life does stretch credibility a bit, but the sensation of life conspiring to overwhelm you is all too familiar. The complexity of characters and the plot twists make this an engaging read.

Yes, he's back - not Michael McClelland - Stephen White is BACK!!! Dr. Alan Gregory is BACK!!!!! Hooray! What a fabulous read - breath-stealing - sit on the end of your seat - have to read it all at once. Stephen White has a real gift - he is such a smooth writer - I've never stopped to wonder if someone else wrote the book. It's always good Stephen White stuff. He's funny, but can touch your heart in the next sequence. Exciting, page-turning writing. I am sold on Stephen White. While I didn't care much for KILL ME, I loved this one. So nice to have all our old characters back...and a lot of the old ones re-involved. I've waited a year for this and it was certainly worth every minute! Do read it - you will certainly enjoy it!!!

Like other people reading these reviews, I love and look forward to the Alan Gregory novels. For the most part, I really enjoyed this one as well. BUT...it had some jarring moments. Things start to happen and, with what seems to be no reason at all, the police, the DA's office and even Alan's best friend Sam and wife Lauren suspect him of murder. Was Alan found naked in bed with a murdered floozy? No, nothing like it, so it was pretty hard to believe the level of suspicion. All of this is an engine that pushes a good part of the story, and I found it kind of annoying. Also, Alan's marriage seems to be going through a rough patch, but what explanation there was for it seemed to me to be inadequate to explain lauren's apparently high level of hostility. In spite of the above, I read it cover to cover in almost one sitting. It certainly isn't dull! One final note -- I HATE the surprise

I am a big fan of Stephen White. I have had to read many a book and many a script for my director and producer bosses. I still can't believe someone hasn't persuaded Stephen to put Alan on the screen, but, alas someday - just think of the casting fun. Anyway, I couldn't wait for DRY ICE - it didn't disappoint at all. Everybody is back and in wonderful form. The only part I hate about a Stephen White book is that I have to finish it. I start out slow, savoring each page and twist. I try not to read it in only one or two sittings, but alas, this one took only one. I've read them all and I still can't get enough. The characters are so well developed and the story points are so much fun to watch roll out. I can't wait until the next one.

I had forgotten why I had stopped reading Stephen White: this reminded me. No psychologist could know this much violence. Good story lines, but the cops used to call him in to help and now he handles it all.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. And it is in this latest Dr. Alan Gregory novel. Priviledged Information introduced Alan to us, and I can't believe it's been so long ago. Everyone was affected when Gregory, Sam, and crew finally got Michael McClelland captured and sent to a mental facility. So many years later, he escapes, and hasn't forgotten his 'buddies' who put him away. He literally has a plan for the destruction of all our friends in Alan's circle. We see Alan, terribly upset/damaged from his client (in Kill Me) who was shot on national television, and as that weighs on him, secrets, burdens from his past haunt him. McClelland sets a course of events that make our friends' lives chaotic. It gets a little complicated, but White brilliantly makes it work - Everyone it seems has a secret that burdens them in the process of finding McClelland. What I appreciated was when it seems everyone detachs Alan, someone 'protects his back'. And it is gratifying. There are a few shockers in Dry Ice, but this is one of the best books White has ever written. Fans will find that out too.

I loved White's first book, "Privileged Information" and bought the whole Alan Gregory series, much to my disappointment. The subsequent books were average, at best. Finally, along comes "Dry Ice" and I think it's a cut above his other books. Too bad I had to wade through the others to get here. And, although it's better than his other books, it's not MUCH better. All of White's faults are here: Far too much psychological insight and babbling, too many coincidental plot turns, too many unbelieveable happenings, etc. In all honesty, I enjoyed the book. It kept me rapt and was hard to put down -- at least most of the time. White's a good writer -- he just never seems to hit a home run, in my estimation.

Good