Higher Authority (Dr. Alan Gregory Novels)

Rating:
Summary: Interesting as a thriller, if inaccurate as to Mormonism.
Review: As a born and bred Mormon, active and faithful, I read this story because it sounded intriguing. As a story, it lives up to its promise of mystery and excitement. I was dismayed at the Mormon bashing, and only want to tell prospective readers that the author has no real factual knowledge of the LDS Church and what life is really like in Utah. The truth is really simple and there's no mystery to it at all. Utah is far from a theocracy, and Church leaders do not dictate our actions, much less our thoughts. Unfortunately, the plot and premise of this book depends heavily on the possibility that even murder would be considered an option rather than have politically high-placed individuals exposed for practices which are not condoned by the Mormon religion. If you keep that in mind and discount 95% of what the author says about politics and religion in Utah, I do recommend the story.

Rating:
Summary: White is Right
Review: I just read "Higher Authority" and couldn't put it down. Having lived and worked in Utah for 25 years, surrounded by Mormons, I could identify with all the author said. He obviously did his homework. This book might be hard for a lot of people who have never lived in Utah to believe, but I can vouch for all that he had to say about the workings and practices of the Mormon church. His research was meticulous. It is difficult for me to understand how thinking people can subject themselves to this sort of total mind domination where you must accept and believe, and never question anything about "the" church, its teachings, or its heirarchy. I have a number of good friends who are Mormons and feel sorry for them in that there is no way out except by being scorned and ostracised by their family and other Mormons. They truly believe the rest of us are going to hell and that their religion is the only true religion. Of course you are not a good Mormon if you try to explore the history of their true religion. They consider it as not being "faith promoting". It is common knowledge that the church has a highly secured vault in Utah which houses all defamatory records and writings and is never open to scholars or others who may share its contents. These records are purchased or obtained at all costs and immediately hidden. The paranoia for secrecy is well known. The Mormon religion is cleverly packaged to look very wholesome. On the surface it appeals to many looking for a religion and clean way of life for their children. If you are being sold this Madison Avenue facade and are considering becoming a Mormon I would highly recommend this book. It may open your eyes and your mind. This book is true but I am sure it is banned as reading material for the followers.

Rating:
Summary: For the thinking reader
Review: Not only was this a good read from a mystery standpoint, it taught me more about the Mormon religion than my college level Comparative Religion class. The author either has a very personal acquaintance with the Mormon church, or he performed very thorough research. Either way, I always love it when I learn something from a book as well as just enjoy the experience, and this was one of those books. I found this book to be HIGHLY original. In addition to the events in the plot being different from the ordinary fare, this is the first time I have read a mystery author who switches the focus from a series' main character (the psychologist)the secondary main character (Lauren)in a separate book. I read it in less than a week, was sorry when it ended.

Rating:
Summary: AN INFORMATIVE PAGE TURNER
Review: Time and place is the pace of this novel. Mormons, Utah (with a little New Mexico thrown in), and a killer is the main thrust of this story with a few women and a handful of men make up the body of what's happening. The highpoint is the description of the church's politics, the topography, and the relationships of the main characters. Finding out who the killer was took a back seat for me. A good read.