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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Stephen White's KILL ME.
Readers: Please note that the comments marked with an * next to our advance reader's name and their name in bold red contain spoilers. We suggest you skip those comments if you prefer to discover the story on your own.
Ann from Polk City, FL
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
I have read all of Stephen White's books. I usually try to purchase them within a week of their publication.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I am a mystery/thriller junkie. I read everything I can get my hands on from light and fluffy Janet Evanovich to the more intense writings of Iles and Coben. My favorites are Patterson, Coben, Iles, Reich, Crais, Baldacci, Deaver, Kellerman and Grafton. I always carry at least one mystery book in my car and one in my purse. The airlines hate to see my luggage as I can't travel without a least a half dozen or so mystery/thrillers with me.
What did you think of KILL ME?
Wow. This book will stay with me for a long time. I have read all of the previous Alan Gregory books by Stephen White. They seem to get better with each one. I was expecting this book to be primarily about Alan and was at first disappointed. A few pages into the book and I was hooked. I literally could not put this book down. Most of us have asked ourselves the question: What if I know I am going to die? Do I want to lay hooked up to machines or worse have no memory of who I am and my family around me? I have a Living Will but would I choose to die before I and my family started to suffer? What if I could choose a band of Death Angels to make this decision for me? Then what if I changed my mind? The hero of this book has that decision to make. Once made he cannot change his mind. How far would you think this decision through? It certainly gives you something to think about. What a fantastic read!
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
As long as he keeps writing them, I'll keep reading them.
Cheryl from Angola, NY
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
I have read other Stephen White books. I am about half way through the Alan Gregory series.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read all the "young guns:" Barry Eisler, Steve Berry, Joseph Finder and many others. Obviously, I will read more of Stephen White.
What did you think of KILL ME?
This was a very good, thought-provoking book. I read more than one book at a time, and this was the one that I found myself picking up because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. I am not a risk taker, so I am not sure I could fully understand the main characters choices, but boy, I was pulling for him all the time. Stephen White has written a book that I rated a 10 and one I am sure will be on my best of 2006 list at the end of the year.
Dusty from Attleboro, MA *
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
Yes --- I have previously read his books HIGHER AUTHORITY and CRITICAL CONDITION.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
David Baldacci, Nevada Barr, Dan Brown, Dale Brown, Michael Connelly, Stephen Coonts, Patricia Cornwell, Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, Linda Fairstein, Vince Flynn, Tess Gerritsen, W.E.B. Griffin, John Grisham, Richard Herman, Tami Hoag, Iris Johansen, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Steve Martini, Brad Meltzer, Perri O'Shaughnessy, Michael Palmer, James Patterson, Richard North Patterson, Joel Rosenberg, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, J. K. Rowling, John Sanford, Lisa Scottoline, Robert K. Tanenbaum, Brad Thor plus many others.
What did you think of KILL ME?
If you were able, would you choose to be killed rather than live with a diminished quality of life? That is the question facing a rich, athletic executive after one of his friends has an accident and suffers brain injury. He believes that this is the best thing for him and contracts with the Death Angels to kill him if he suffers some injury or diminished health threshold he sets. Stephen White molds and twists this theme in a compelling and entertaining thriller that keeps the reader spellbound as the main character interacts with the Death Angels, his family and friends, as well as his therapist during a race with death after he finds out he has a deadly brain condition. He also tries to relate to a long lost son he did not know he had. A very thrilling book that keeps your interest throughout the story.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Yes.
Ernest from Colorado Spring, CO
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
This is actually the first book that I’ve read by Stephen White, although I have heard about his books for years.... Thanks for giving me this opportunity. It was a thrill…
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Suspense novels are mostly what I read. Sue Grafton, Grisham, Koontz, Michael Palmer, Crichton, Iris Johansen, and too many more to name are all authors that I enjoy.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I had the opportunity to see Stephen White at the launch of this book last week at the Tattered Cover in Denver. I must say the story was compelling even before hearing where his inspiration came from. Reading it made me think of the inevitable --- death --- in a whole new way. Furthermore, it challenges societal norms that has persuaded us into thinking that life, whether it’s worth living or not, should run its natural course. KILL ME questions this and a lot more and gives us answers, not definitively, but makes the reader draw their own conclusions about life and death, right versus wrong, while taking us on an intellectual ride.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
I will surely read more books by Mr. White and hope to have the chance to meet him again.
Heather Joy from Easton, PA
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
Yes, I have read all of the books in Stephen White's Alan Gregory series. I've enjoyed them. I think that he tries to keep his stories from becoming too formulaic or unbelievable by sometimes changing the first person narrative perspective, as he did in this book. And, I would certainly plan on reading any further installments in this series.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Other authors of suspense/thriller books I enjoy are Harlan Coben, Joy Fielding, Jonathan Kellerman and Dan Brown.
What did you think of KILL ME?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!
I think that KILL ME is a well-written, fast-paced novel. I think the protagonist of the story is a good, well-developed character that you truly care what happens to. I think the actual storyline certainly makes one think about choices they would make in different scenarios of illness or incapacitated health.
Janet from Foreman AR
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Lisa Scottoline, Jonathan Kellerman and Dan Brown.
What did you think of KILL ME?
Lock the doors, turn off the phone and be sure to set the alarm clock before you open the cover of this book. Immensely readable and enjoyable, it is impossible to turn your thoughts to anything other than "what if?" A very thought-provoking tale that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this author. The book was well-written and extremely thought-provoking. It makes the reader access the importance of life, death and family.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Absolutely, I cannot wait to find other books by this author.
Janice from Leicester, NC
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
[KILL ME] was the first of White's books that I have read, but I would definitely consider more.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have also read David Baldacci, John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I really enjoyed this book even though suspense is not my favorite [genre to read].
John from Sun City, AZ
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
John Lescroart, James Patterson and Jack Higgins.
What did you think of KILL ME?
Excellent read. I enjoyed it very much.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Yes.
Mike from Oklahoma City, OK
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
Yes. I have read all of White's books, after discovering him in 2001.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I enjoy Michael Connelly, Greg Iles and Jonathan Kellerman.
What did you think of KILL ME?
KILL ME is definitely a different kind of book for Stephen White, but one that ranks as one of his best. This book could have easily stood alone and apart from the Alan Gregory series, but the presence of Dr. Gregory, even in a minimal way, keeps a sense of familiarity that will be comfortable for many of White's fans.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Would I? How could I not? Stephen White is a can't miss author for me. This latest book should be a breakout book for him and I look forward to the future work from White.
Laura from Lithonia, GA
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
Thank you so much for the ARC of KILL ME. I have read almost all of Stephen White's books.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Other suspense/thriller authors that I read: Michael Connelly, the Kellermans, Karin Slaughter, Michele Martinez, Greg Iles, Peter Blauner, Peter Robinson, Alice Blanchard, Caroline Graham, Stephen Booth, Reginald Hill and many more.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I really liked KILL ME. It had a very unusual premise but I felt like I could really believe there was an organization called the Death Angels. It definitely hooked me and was very hard to put down. It was very timely --- and made you think about life, death and the quality of life.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
I would definitely read another book by Stephen White.
LaDonna from Dallas, TX
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Dean Koontz, Dan Brown, Jonathan Kellerman, Stephen King, James Patterson and others.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I really enjoyed the book. Very thought-provoking. It is an excellent thriller with many twists and surprises. I especially liked the ending and the fact that something positive resulted from the circumstances.... Thank you for the opportunity to review this great book!
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Absolutely!
Peggy from Long Beach, CA *
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
I am a big fan of Stephen White and I have read all of his previous books.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read Jonathan Kellerman, Michael Connelly, Stuart Woods, James Patterson, Matthew Reilly, Steve Berry and, of course, the newest author in the suspense/thriller line, Raymond Khoury.
What did you think of KILL ME?
A CEO finds himself facing death a bit sooner than expected but he is a man who believes in planning and so he decides that he will decide when he dies. He isn't going to be one of those people who end up in a hospital as a vegetable waiting to die. No, he will find a way to one up death and choose his own way of ending his life.
So he makes a deal, sort of an insurance policy, that will save him from wasting away in a bed. The contract is unbreakable, once signed he cannot back out, ever. Of course, this isn't an ordinary man. This is a businessman who has worked his way up in life. He has all the money he could ever want, a beautiful wife, a great family and friends. He is a risk taker and no sport is too extreme for him. So he signs his contract but does he truly accept that there is no way out of this contract?
This is a thinking person's thriller. Through much of the book you almost forget that this is about death because so much of it seems to be about life. In the end though he must face what he done and perhaps the only thing that will save him is his own belief that no contract is ever unbreakable, even one made with the Death Angels.
This is a great book. I love Stephen White and I love Dr. Alan Gregory so I was a bit surprised when he played such a small role here. In fact, he is only a small part of it but the book grabs you so quickly and you become immersed in this character's life and his decisions. It is a fascinating plotline because choosing to die is a major issue in many states now.
I think I would ask Mr. White what made him decide to do this particular novel. He is a success with what he has written before and it is easy to stay in that nice comfortable niche. His books have always reminded me of Jonathan Kellerman's and I think of Mr. White as the Colorado version. The authors write different stories but there is always the psychological theme. KILL ME is quite a departure and I am so pleased to have had the chance to read it. I can guarantee the author that this tale will keep many awake at night thinking about what they'd do if they knew death was just around the corner. Would they make the same decision or would they just let nature take its course? I think many of us are afraid to end up as invalids and to die slowly day-by-day.
In this book, White takes that issue on but the key I think here is that the narrator never really believes that he can't just change his mind and the thriller part comes in trying to cheat death.
Pat from Milford, PA
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
Yes, I've read every book by Stephen White and I look forward to each new release.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Jonathan Kellerman, Patricia Cornwell and Steve Berry. I enjoy an "'intelligent" suspense/thriller. I do not care for Koontz, King, Lutz and Deaver. The parallels between the format of the Kellerman and White books are quite noticeable.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I was so happy to receive my advance copy. I enjoyed every moment of it.
At first I was disappointed that the author had written this from another [perspective], but I quickly became sucked into the intrigue. It was a great read, although the ending was too abrupt for me. Very thought-provoking in regard to "planned euthanasia."
As with Kellerman, he tends to give too many details about the roads, interstates, intersections in Colorado. I live in Pennsylvania. I enjoy the imagery of the mountains, etc., but I don't care to learn about every exit from the freeway.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Yes, I look forward to his next book and hope he will bring us back to Dr. Gregory and his wife. It's always like picking up with old friends again.
James from San Francisco, CA *
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
KILL ME was the first book by Stephen White's that I have read, but it will most definitely not be the last. Books with titles like this one don't attract me as a rule and I probably would never have read it if I had been asked to review it.
What did you think of KILL ME?
I was really surprised by this book. The plot is one I had encountered before, but what made the book hard to put down was the way it was written. KILL ME is a play on the theme of hiring someone to kill yourself, but avoiding having your family deal with the shame of suicide. The principal character is a very wealthy, young-at-heart businessman who likes to live on the edge. We never do catch his name, so I guess I will call him "our friend." The story is being told by him, and also by a psychologist he starts seeing after things become complicated, so the story is glimpsed in splices of time, going back and forth from present to the past, when crucial decisions are being made.
Our friend likes to take risks --- auto racing, diving, and skiing where no one has skied before, using a helicopter to get him and his fellow adrenaline junkies to the pristine and dangerous snow in the Bugaboos, the Canadian Rockies. These thrill seekers like to film their exploits and show the films at yearly get-togethers with like-minded families that can afford this type of holiday. But the latest ski-film expedition goes bad at the same time he learns that another of the group has had a diving accident in the Caribbean, and, while still alive, his brain had been without oxygen for a little too long. He is being kept alive by machines. A little while after he hears about the diving accident we find him halfway down a really steep slope in the Bugaboos, standing on the edge of a precipice and filming the rest of the crew make trails in the virgin powder. Suddenly he is falling, the ice and snow he was standing on has collapsed, and he is tumbling down the steep slope, totally out of control, with some very large trees in his path.
Fortunately, he manages to avoid a direct hit, but does break a wrist, a few ribs, and is possibly concussed. He has survived, and as his friends congregate around him trying to figure out how to get him out of the mountains without further injury, he is thinking about his buddy who had the diving accident, and how close he just came to occupying the bed next to him. Once he convinces his friends that he is OK, he tells them that if he were to ever end up like their diving buddy, they are to put him out of his misery, so to speak. They stare at him, but no one says anything more. Next day, his buddy Jimmy Lee tells him he knows a guy who can take care of the problem he mentioned on the slope yesterday. If he wants, Jimmy Lee can talk to a guy, who knows a guy...you know.
Now he is in New York, having arranged a meeting with the people he comes to call Death Angels. He meets with them and applies for what they call "end of life services," but the services are only affordable to the very wealthy who are concerned about losing their "quality of life." He decides to take out a policy on himself, and he sets the parameters that invoke the policy so that he will never have to worry about losing his ability to live on the edge. He will come to regret making this choice, as there is no canceling the policy once it is in force. His Death Angels are very good at their work, and they have never failed to deliver what they promised.
The rest of the book, after the policy is set, is what makes KILL ME so hard to put down. Our friend comes to realize that he has badly misjudged what really matters to him in life. His wife and children never figured into his calculations on his quality of life, and therein lies the rub. He has placed his thrill seeking foremost in his life, and used it as his guide in setting the Death Angels policy. When the unexpected happens and he is told that the policy is now in force and his demise is imminent, he realizes that he does not want to die --- not like this --- without a fight, and he is a fighter. The ins and outs of his battle to stay alive, trying to outguess the people he paid a small fortune to kill him, are varied and innovative. He won't give up, not for anything. What would you do?
Berniece from Dayton, OH
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
I have read several books by Stephen White.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Some other super thrillers that I enjoy are by Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, Lisa Gardner, Nevada Barr, Judith Kellman, John Lutz and Scott Turow.
What did you think of KILL ME?
At first I did not enjoy the book as it was so different than his usual books. As I read on, I really became interested and read long past my bedtime. The plot was different from anything I have ever read. There were parts that seemed boring, but I really did enjoy the book. The ending was a surprise! I like that.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
Oh yes --- I will read any book he writes then pass them on to a son.
Sheldon from Englewood, CO
Have you previously read a book by Stephen White?
I have read two other books by Stephen White: THE BEST REVENGE and WARNING SIGNS.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read numerous suspense/thriller novelists: Robert Ludlum, Stephen King, Vince Flynn, Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy.
What did you think of KILL ME?
KILL ME wasn't up to par as far as I was concerned. I found minimal suspense and the story was not as well-plotted as other White novels.... The books held my interest, but just barely.
Would you ever read a future book by Stephen White?
I will read other books by Stephen White.
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