Kill Me

Everyone before me has already outlined the plot of this book, so I will just add that it is one of the best books I have ever read! I've enjoyed all of Stephen White's book's, but they were pretty ordinary "who-done-it" type of books. Good, but ordinary. This book was anything but ordinary and almost impossible to put down! It makes you think about so many things, important things. This isn't necessarily one of the really "important things" I am referring to, but now I wonder if there really is an organization out there similar to the Death Angels? If there is, they probably would not go to the extreme that these people did, but the concept of this book is both interesting and thought-provoking!

I noticed that the store pairs this book with Jonathan Kellerman. I found that amusing since I have have always thought that their style of writing and even their characters are almost interchangeable! They are both good writers, but Stephen White outdid both himself and Kellerman with this one!

An unknown wealthy executive decides to make the ultimate decision about his own death. He pays an organization to kill him when his nameless condition became unbearable. You see how it might end at the beginning of the novel and then you work backwards from there. There are so many curveballs and surprises in this narrative; it is hard to stop reading! His love for family does not stop him from taking risks. However, his love for his son Adam is one thing in his life that he has yet to figure out. He has a dedicated staff working for him. He manages to charm Lizzie enough for her to rescue him. But is she on his side? This powerful organization shows it has clout by cunning intelligence and dramatic timing of seemingly random but fatal events. Dr. Alan Gregory gets to play only a supporting role in this narrative. Fast-paced action keeps you riveted. One of the best novels I have read this year!

All good writers require you to suspend disbelief but this book pushes you too far and does not deliver the goods. If you haven't read the book yet don't read this review as it contains spoilers.

For starters I don't have a problem with the idea of ending your life if it becomes a burden to self and others. But his policy kicks in because he is tired and has puked a few times? Yet he can still pilot his car through a horrific traffic accident and run around in his plane all day? How is he impaired? How is his life burdensome? He's barely stubbed his toe and they are going to kill him? Just what WERE his perameters? That part made me angry, at the waste of healthy time he had left, he was nowhere near the end of his usable life. No telling how many days he had left to spend with his family, it was completely unbelievable that he contracted to be taken out that early in the game. How sick can he be when he's running all over the country?

But the worst part was that an organization with the resources of the Death Angels would kill innocent people to take out their client. That wasn't believable at all. It isn't that difficult to kill someone and no way would they need to make the messes they made to fulfill their obligations to their client. He never said for sure that the sniper was their doing but if so, that's just hideous. I don't believe for a minute any organization could do things like that and stay anonymous for long. Way past believable. Leaving out the moral issue, the organization was too classy and inventive for that kind of sloppiness. That more than anything ruined the book for me. Though taking him out when he was still in such good health was a close second. Dumb.

And we won't even go into the melodramatic ending that could never have happened in a million years. Then the last insult to my intelligence? After he has gone to great lengths to make sure his wife never finds out what he's done he leaves instructions to have the shrink explain to his 17 year old son about the Death Angel policy? Is Adam then supposed to carry the burden without ever telling Thea about it? Give me a very large break.

The one good point? At least White never had him cheat on his wife. That was a relief.

I was absolutely sucked in completely by this book. I hadn't expected to be - I picked it up at a convenience store to have something to read during lunch - but the story grabbed me quickly as few stories have ever done. I doubt that this book will make me rush out to read other White novels as I think this book was a unique phenomenon. The characters, the plot, I loved it all and putting it down was simply painful. This is one of those books you just have to experience, I couldn't possibly imagine trying to discuss the prose, the editing, or any other technical aspect of this book. If you don't get lost in the story and forget everything else, than you have missed the point of this book.

This is my favorite Stephen White novel, Ive read it twice and look forward to hitting it again someday. You;ll want a Porsche after reading this :). So no literary commentary here, just enjoyed the premise of the novel and the reveals.

This was the first Stephen White book I read. When I realized it wasn't his first, I went back and started with book one, but this is the book that got me hooked! I absolutely love his vocabulary! Most writers tend to reuse words and phrases that become evident when you read several books by the same author, this is not true, however, with Stephen White. Each book brings on a new and exciting story, as well as a whole new set of vocabulary words to learn.

I love this series. Alan Gregory is a wonderful psychologist who can't seem to stop getting embroiled in mysteries that often threaten his life. I love his relationship with Robin and I also like the dynamics of his relationship with Sam Purdy. He has some really cool friends who are recurring characters too.

Stephen White is one of my favorite authors but this was definitely not one of my favorite books. It started great with a really good premise that would set the reader into a completely new backdrop for a mystery thriller. There was no formula plot-line here! Midway through the book is where it gets murky. The protagonists seem to spend a lot of time talking the main character out of an idea he was absolutely gung-ho about that they themselves had presented as their best service to mankind in the two previous chapters. I understand this was needed in order to carry the plot and a lot was being asked of the reader to suspend one's better judgment, but after two pages I wanted to scream, "Alright already, we get it!" I have to agree with some other critics that the tunnel scenes were pretty loopy as well. Other than that it is a good book. If reading White for the first time, I would recommend one of his earlier books.

Stephen White is one of my favorite authors but this was definitely not one of my favorite books. It started great with a really good premise that would set the reader into a completely new backdrop for a mystery thriller. There was no formula plot-line here! Midway through the book is where it gets murky. The protagonists seem to spend a lot of time talking the main character out of an idea he was absolutely gung-ho about that they themselves had presented as their best service to mankind in the two previous chapters. I understand this was needed in order to carry the plot and a lot was being asked of the reader to suspend one's better judgment, but after two pages I wanted to scream, "Alright already, we get it!" I have to agree with some other critics that the tunnel scenes were pretty loopy as well. Other than that it is a good book. If reading White for the first time, I would recommend one of his earlier books.

Shades of Dr. Kervorkian. Unlike most Dr. Alan Gregory stories this one focuses on a new patient. The patient doesn't want lingering illness to make him a burden to his family, so he hires the Death Angels hit squad to kill him first. As with most judgements made on an emotional level, he is now rethinking this decision........but the Death Angels don't care. Can this situation be resolved? Read the book for the answer.

I have only read one previous Stephen White novel, but I believe this to be a departure for him. This is NOT your typical thriller and is slightly more literary and 'emotional' than your normal thriller. If you are looking for something different, and don't mind reading something that could be an Oprah Book of the month, this could be up your alley.

The story makes you think. Think about what you would do if you were in that situation. Think about the death business. Think about dying. In essence, this book is through provoking, but is that really enough for me to recommend it? Possibly. Possibly not. If you are looking for the typical James Grippando, Michael Connelly or even Stephen White book, this is not it. If you are looking for something that will make you think and has some human interest, this book could be for you.

You decide.

I enjoyed reading this book and the concept was VERY interesting. I would give this book 3.5 stars though, because although it held my interst I did often find myself "skimming" to discover the action. Also more insight into the Death Angels and Adam would have given this book much more substance and hooked me further. If you enjoy this genre this book is a good place to spend some time.

This book is written from Alan Gregory's client's point of view which is an interesting twist. It is a thriller like no other that I've read.

I couldn't put this book down. The plot is thought provoking and I couldn't wait to see how it ended.

Love Stephen White's books....this one is terrific!!

While I'm a proponent of human euthenasia, this book gives a reader an entirely new perspective on it. I felt the book was hard to get into (like the first 40 to 50 pages dragged on and on...) but once it picked up it was a sensational thrill ride. It's an emotional roller coaster, and one I was sad to get off of when I closed the final chapter.

Title and cover text promised more than the book contained. Author expects you to get through boring shrink sessions, where narrator for no reason choses not to reveal anything, not even what you already know from title and cover text. If you manage to get past this point, about 200 pages, it gets quite interesting, and a real page turner, two stars of five for that. To me as a European, it appears to base on lots of unreflected US American stereotype perceptions about ethics, sex and moral codes, which might be what US readers want, but left me somewhat disappointed. For those who seek an alternative, similar action, shrink and chase involved, check out The Analyst by Katzenbach.The Analyst

I have read them all. The prose is exceptional in this one. Some writers take a great story line and write in mediocre prose. Not Stephen White in this novel. It is beautifully written and will get you thinking, but most of all you will enjoy his use of the English language in developing a poignant tale of life, death and devotion to family.

The review for this title encouraged me to read it.
Having never read this author before I was a bit skeptical about the subject: suicide/cowardice/euthanasia

The first 50 pages sets the stage. Then you are grabbed and pulled along like a tumbleweed for a fast, last ride in the life of an "anonymous rich white guy". It isn't until you have finished that you realize that you don't even know the name of the main character! The variety of twists and turns keeps you on edge and makes for an enjoyable read. This would make a great movie!

A person may be mistaken in thinking that the words "Kill Me" on the front cover of this book refer to the title. In fact these are the words (along with "please" and "now") that every reader of this book will be screaming by the time they reach page 300.

The problem here is that we have a writer with a reasonably good (not great) premise for a book. But by the time he finished the first two thirds, he realized he had nowhere to go with it. What happens is that the plot becomes so preposterous that your disbelief not only must be suspended, it must be tied up, gagged and tossed in a closet.

I have read other Steven White books that were pretty good. This is not one of them. Avoid at all costs.

This was a real disappointment...I have really enjoyed previous novels by this author but this one was a waste...a arrogant guy giving us the lessons of life. Yuk. What has happened to White? I bought this book thinking I would have a story of Alan Gregory and ended up reading about a rich guy worrying about death. Give me a break. A silly, completely unrealistic story. I know most mysteries are a little to the side of reality but this one overdid it.

As an avid Stephen White reader, I still find each book better than the last. In Kill Me, Alan Gregory is a minor player in a twisting story of a man literally running for his life. It's a well-woven tale and one I highly recommend to those who are already familiar with White's running characters, and as a stand alone novel that would please any one who loves a great story. Thanks again Mr. White, for a great read.

A very interesting book but I miss Sam and Lauren. The book is missinf something. You learn to hat the Death Angels and you will understand why as the book goes on. The book has a few twist that you don't expect. Overall a good book and one I would recomend.

OH MY GOD!!! without a doubt, Stephen White's best book to date. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I found myself dying to get to the end and then sad when I had finished reading it. Congrats to Stephen White, bring more like this!!!!

Deborah Griffith