I was anxious to read this book, but also somewhat reluctant to start it, knowing it was the last in a series that I have enjoyed so much. And I ended up having very mixed feeling about how the author chose to conclude this saga. After so many struggles to maintain his personal ethical boundaries as a clinical psychologist, and through many interactions with his wife and best friend, Alan Gregory seemed to have lost much of his integrity by the end of the series. I was left with the sense that Stephen White must have been really sick of these characters and their lives by the time he was writing this 20th book. But even that being said, Mr. White's skill at developing the characters and their stories made it another enjoyable read, with the choices the characters made seeming natural outcomes to the current circumstances. I still have to add this series as one of my favorites, and hope that the author will employ his writing talents to bring readers more great stories. ( )

Most reviews I have read of this book, on this site and others, agree with my own personal assessment. It was just not very good. While there were moments of interest, most of the excessive length of the book was convoluted and boring. Sad to see a once great series end like this. Maybe Stephen White lost his muse. ( )

For a final installment of a very long running series I found this book somewhat of a let down. It felt separated from the others in how the characters didn't seem to flow from the previous books to this one. I found myself with that raised eyebrow wondering "Why?" several times to what the characters did or said. Aside from that the writing is well done, engaging and entertaining. Overall the book is an enjoyable read and well worth the time spent wrapping up all the lose ends. ( )

Mixed feelings about this last book in the series. I have loved this series and it's characters for so long its sad to see it come to an end but I also think it's time. I just wish that it wasn't done with such destruction of every single relationship. This book started off very slow for me. I first I thought I was savoring it as the last and then I realized that it was because it was hard to follow (bringing in so many old storylines which honestly were not still fresh in my mind as the author obviously thought they should be). When I finally felt like I got up to speed on what was going on I was so turned off by all the negative relationships, but I plodded on. I think when Alan and Sam finally sat down and got drunk while eating Oysters (Sam? Oysters??) it finally took a turn for the better for me. However, I think the shining star in this book was Jonas - he was by far my favorite character in the book for his old soul/teacher ways. Sad to see this series and it's, just north of me, Boulder insight and main cycling character whom I've oft wondered if I shared the road. ( )

I've read 20 Stephen White books in the past 22 years. This was a disappointing ending to a very enjoyable series. If it were not the final book, it would make sense; if it is the end, there is no real ending point. ( )