Review: In Session... The Doctor Is Not In
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 1, 2011
MJ Rose's latest offering, "In Session" is a compilation of three short stories depicting encounters between Dr. Morgan Snow and three of the most complicated and controversial lead characters in today's popular serial thrillers...Steve Berry's Cotton Malone, Lee Child's Jack Reacher and Barry Eisler's John Rain. In one there is a contrived encounter to assist a patient with a communication issue between the patient and her lover. In another, a clandestine meeting is arranged by a patient at the Dr.'s request.This has more to do with Morgan's moral dilemma than revealing any insight into the character' erotic behavior. The final story has a crises at the Butterfield Institute allowing Dr. Snow to have a revealing conversation with the third man.In theory the book has an interesting premise - renowned sex therapist analyzing three of the most sexually complicated men in thrillers today. Sad to say it falls short. The individual plot lines are interesting and read well. But the actual knowledge the reader gains about the characters runs short. We do learn a secret in Cotton's past and share a memory of a sexual encounter with Jack. The plot is deeper and more intricate in the Rain encounter, however we learn absolutely nothing new about him.I would have appreciated more shared insight from Dr. Snow. A little more clinical analysis into the deviant and devious sex drives of these men would have made for a more interesting read.(And a lot more fun to know).In all the book reads well, and does take Dr. Snow out of the office and into unique situations. Is more like 'the adventures of Morgan' than deep understanding into Mallone, Rain and Reacher. To her credit, MJ Rose at the end of the book discusses the "Wish You Well Foundation"; an organization that combats illiteracy in the USA.I give it 3 stars, not for what it promised but for what it is... an enjoyable, quick afternoon read.