Compound Fracture by Stephen White

Compound Fractures is Stephen White’s final book in a series that has spanned decades. Lead characters, the intellectual, reserved and physically fit psychologist, Dr. Alan Gregory and the overweight, red neck, hockey loving, Boulder police detective, Sam Purdy are unlikely best friends throughout.  In this final work in the saga, that relationship as well as nearly every close relationship in Alan’s life is scrutinized… real or fake, loyal or betrayed?

In White’s previous book, Line of Fire, Alan witnesses his wife, Lauren being murdered by his dear friend and colleague, Dr. Diane Estevez.  In the months that follow Alan’s world unravels.  Now he must grieve the loss of his wife, ponder the complexities of why his colleague did this, and defend himself from the DA’s unwarranted suspicions.  Even though Alan witnessed his colleague shooting his wife, Diane is not arrested.  Alan suspects Diane’s politically powerful husband, Raoul is spending some political capital to avoid her incarceration. Meanwhile, Alan has a patient that is ‘working’ her way through college by acting as mistress to wealthy clients.  He discovers her most regular client is Raoul.  Professional ethics prevent him from sharing this with authorities.

Elliot Bellhaven, the Boulder District Attorney and Lauren’s former colleague has ambitions for higher public office.  Paranoia envelops Alan when he discovers Elliot is investigating him. Is he after Alan for Lauren’s murder or for Alan’s involvement in a murder his friend, Sam committed in another county some years earlier?  Can Sam be trusted?  Is he the one behind Elliot’s inquiry of Alan?  Or is Elliot threatened by an old crime Sam is investigating that may implicate Elliot?

   

In the midst of all this, Alan learns that Lauren had not been totally faithful to him.  Ironically, the extraordinary psychologist is himself in need of the healing he has administered for decades.  He finds himself on the brink of emotional collapse not knowing who he can trust or if anyone is truly trust worthy.

And so we say farewell to Dr. Alan Gregory and Sam Purdy who had become Stephen White’s life-long venture.  I’ve read and enjoyed every one of his books going back to the 1980’s.  Interestingly, one of my blogger buddies, West Coast Don has recently dipped his toe in the water of one of White’s earlier works.  This is truly the best way to experience White’s talent.  Buckle in and enjoy a deeply satisfying ride.