Kill Me: a novel by Stephen White

Intriguing Plot, Sep 3 2006*****


This novel by White is a radical departure in his series involving psychiatrist Alan Gregory. Gregory plays only a minor but important role in this story. The main character is a very wealthy entrepeneur addicted to high risk sports. After he comes close to death in a skiing accident and a friend of his becomes brain-dead after a scuba accident, the narrator opines to a friend that he would not want to live under such conditions. The friend puts him in touch with a shady outfit that the narrator calls the DeathAngels Inc. For a substantial fee they make a pact to kill him should he reach a situation where his quality of life deteriorates below a set of parameters he has established. After a certain trigger point is passed the pact is irrevocable.

The narrator experiences a life-threatening event which puts the pact in play. But he has compelling reasons to postpone the execution. Much of the novel is taken up with his attempt to identify the Death Angels and sever the contract.The ending is poignant.

Highly recommended.