Rating: Summary: speedy, lumpy, and does its job Review: Kirsten Lord's husband was gunned down in front of her outside of a New Orleans eatery, the murder fullfilling a promise made by a druglord whom she helped convict. Or, well, it's part of the fullfilled promise. It's one of those open-ended promises: for every precious thing I lose, you will lose two.
The resulting tale follows Kirsten through the world of the Witness Security Program, around obstacles such as shady US Marshalls, aging mobsters, and people and events in the past that refuse to die...or might die when they shouldn't. It's a story that is complex and compelling enough to be a nicely workable thriller. Literary enough and slick enough so that your bookmark, should you use one, won't stay in one place for too long.
For readers familiar with Mr. White's stories, however, the appearance of his most familiar character, Dr. Alan Gregory, will prove to be little more than an annoying footnote. In any event, White, it seems, has included his recurring character in this case for little other reason than to showcase his natural and lifelong experience with the psychologist's profession. It is mostly to the novel's detriment.
Likewise, although generally the text moves easily and unfettered by pretension or low-brow asthetics, it does clunk in some spots. White's normally consistent prose jars with a few oddly placed metaphors and ill-chosen words (boobs and poop?). And in an attempt to make foray into his central character's heart and soul, he constructed an extended and ultimately annoying whale metaphor that is more awkward and unnecessary than it is illuminating or endearing.
Still, highlights remain, such as the character of Carl Luppo, a retired hit man and one of Kirsten's only true friends, and the few action scenes that don't prove to be false leads or fake scares. And although the plot isn't spread evenly (it lumps in places) the storytelling is competent enough to keep the page numbers advancing.
Rating: Summary: This would make a great movie!! Review: My book club selected this book because the the Witness Protection Program held some interest for most of the members. We were not dissapointed! Only one person out of 10 thought the book was only average, the rest of us gave this book an enthusiastic thumbs up. It was fast moving, with the intrigue of not really knowing who the good guys were verses the bad guys. We expect to see this made into a movie someday. Robert DeNiro would be great as Carlos, the mobster member in the witness program. You actually start to like him, in spite of his killer reputation. This is a good read!!
Rating: Summary: a different twist on the protection program Review: My sister-in-law loaned me a book written by Stephen White and I was hooked. I really like his books and this was no exception. It is a little different in that, instead of a criminal going into the protection program, a DA is placed in it to help protect her and her daughter from the man she placed in prison and who had her husband killed right in front of her eyes. Are the legal authorities really protecting her? She goes to a psychologist to help her get over the shock of her ordeal and unknown to those protecting her, she makes the acquaintance of another person in the program, only he is an enforcer or hit man. The psychologist and his wife, a DA herself, are major players in this book also. It is a book you don't want to put down until you have finished reading it.
Rating: Summary: a different twist on the protection program Review: My sister-in-law loaned me a book written by Stephen White and I was hooked. I really like his books and this was no exception. It is a little different in that, instead of a criminal going into the protection program, a DA is placed in it to help protect her and her daughter from the man she placed in prison and who had her husband killed right in front of her eyes. Are the legal authorities really protecting her? She goes to a psychologist to help her get over the shock of her ordeal and unknown to those protecting her, she makes the acquaintance of another person in the program, only he is an enforcer or hit man. The psychologist and his wife, a DA herself, are major players in this book also. It is a book you don't want to put down until you have finished reading it.
Rating: Summary: A PAGE TURNER Review: New Orleans District Attorney Kirsten Lord prides herself on putting away criminals, but when one of the men she puts away tells her "For every precious thing I lose, you will lose two", her life goes out of control.After her husband is killed in front of her, Kirsten enters the Witness Protection Program, to escape the threat that has been put upon her. Changing her name, and relocating to Boulder, Colorado, Kirsten and her young daughter will live each day in fear. While settling in her new home, Kirsten will make friends with a Program veteran Carl Luppo, a former mob assassin, tortured by his past. Sensing that someone inside the Program has been leaking information on Kirsten's where-abouts, Carl takes on the role of protector, for this may be his last chance at redemption. Not sure what to believe, Kirsten suspects that Carl's warnings of the Program's darkside are true, and the only people she could trust are her daughter, Carl, and her program appointed psychologist Alan Gregory, for the survival of her family depends on it. "The Program" is a heart stopping thriller, that grabs hold on page one, and doesn't let go until the final page has been turned. Dr. Alan Gregory, star of previous Stephen White novels, takes a secondary role in a novel that is as good, if not better, than any other novel Stephen White has written. Stephen White has written eight previous bestselling novels, and I am sure this will rocket up the list's as well. Thriller fans should not miss this one. Nick Gonnella
Rating: Summary: Great Recovery After A Shaky Beginning Review: New Orleans District Attorney Kirsten Lord watches helplessly as her husband is assassinated moments before they are to celebrate their anniversary at a posh New Orleans restaurant. A condemned man's mother is killed in a car accident. He blames Kirsten because if she didn't prosecute him and win, his mother would have never been traveling on that road to visit him in jail. Kirsten suddenly remembers how he threatened her as he was being sent away to jail. "Every precious thing I lose, you will lose two." .The first had been her husband. The second has to be her little girl. Now she and her daughter must enter the Witness Protection Program, the antithesis of everything she believes in...the very program she has publicly assaulted during her years as a prosecutor. "The Program" may now be the only thing that can keep her and her daughter alive. She soon meets and befriends program veteran Carl Luppo, a mob assassin turned good guy, who tells her that someone may be leaking Kirsten's whereabouts to the wrong people. Now the only people she can trust are Carl, and her program-appointed psychologist Alan Gregory. Before this story is over people will die and many lives will be changed. Once I muddled through the very shaky beginning, which included random changes of perspective, lackadaisical plotting and other languid unmentionables, I found this book to be quite a page turner. Stephen White offers a story chock full of spicy dialog, engaging characters, and great little tidbits of information. I enjoyed witnessing the interplay among the characters, and Dr. Gregory's psych sessions were fascinating. A different type of work for this author that is nicely done, albeit the rocky start. Stay with it and enjoy. Cris
Rating: Summary: A Quick Read Review: One of the reasons I enjoy reading Stephen White's books is becasue I like the Colorado setting. The plot always goes from plausible to somewhat ridiculous, but you can count on being entertained and the characters are engaging. Nothing heavy, just a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
Rating: Summary: The Program Review: See story summary above. What started with a promising beginning as a nail biter, sort of waned as I progresssed into the story. During most of the novel, I feel the story line dragged quite a bit. There was a couple of suspenseful parts, mostly at the end and a little at the beginning. I did have a certain liking of the character by the name of Carl Luppo, who struck me as a sort of Joe Pesci type gangster with a sense of humor. An overall enjoyable read but not necessarily one that's hard to put down.
Rating: Summary: A great read though a small departure from his series Review: Sentenced drug dealer Ernesto Castro warns New Orleans Assistant District Attorney Kirstin Lord that for every thing he loses, she will lose twice. A few weeks later, Kirstin goes to meet her spouse Robert at the Galatoire restaurant, but sees the hitman wearing the Saints cap assassinate her husband. Though grieving her loss, Kirstin realizes that Castro said "twice" and worries that her eight-year old daughter Amy will be next. Ironically, Kirstin, a vocal critic of the witness protection program hiding killers from justice, enters the Federal witness security program. She becomes Peyton Francis and Amy becomes Landon, and they relocate to Boulder. Needing psychological help to cope with the upheaval and tragedies of her life she begins to see Dr. Alan Gregory, whose other WITSEC patient is former hitman Carl Luppo, a killer of at least 15-20 people. Carl realizes that something is not right with Peyton's disguise and takes the two females under his personal protection whether it is from Castro or someone more sinister. THE PROGRAM is an exciting thriller that provides an insightful look into the pros and cons of the witness protection program. Kirstin and Carl are intriguing characters hiding for different reasons. The return of Dr. Gregory is always a reason to rejoice, but in all honesty his role is a secondary catalyst to the fast-paced main plot starring Kirstin. Still, he plays a pivotal role and his sessions with his two patients seem very real, making the story line feel genuine. Best-selling author Stephen White may have written his best novel to date with this tremendous taut tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating: Summary: The protected become the hunted... Review: so begins the profile of this book on its jacket. And, throughout his newest novel, Stephen White capitalizes on this theme. The 9th book in his series about Boulder psychologist Alan Gregory, leaves no room for doubt that White can be a masterful storyteller, even with Gregory playing a supporting role. Many of the prior reviewers have captured the essence of the storyline, although I found it difficult to put down throughout the course of the novel. White experiments successfully with different narrarators throughout the book, adding to the experience of the novel, rather than detracting from it, in the hands of a less skilled writer. He also gets yet another opportunity to explore one of his quirky passions, the Witness Protection program, in depth. Past White novels have allowed us to learn and explore more about the sport of cycling, the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the condition of multiple sclerosis, etc., while the mystery plotline evolves around his willingness to share knowledge on a variety of topics. I think that is what makes him a favorite of many devoted readers, and reminds me of the early books of Jonathan Kellerman. In particular, Lauren Crowder, wife of Gregory, remains a compelling yet flawed character, enhanced in this book even though she has only a minor role. The real stars are Kirsten Lord, and Carl Luppo. Luppo is pretty well drawn, but the dialogue in therapy between Gregory and Lord is outstanding, and the time spent evolving the "whales" terminology that Lord uses is just as interesting as the revelation of her status as a totally dependent woman, a surprise to both her and to the reader. Just an outstanding read, and a book to treasure. Can be enjoyed without reading the first 8 novels, but you must go back and explore them as well!
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