Review: In Session by M.J. Rose
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2012
I'm not altogether certain what I expected from In Session: Dr. Morgan Snow - but I probably would have gotten more out of it, had I been familiar with all of the characters.Nonetheless, it was an interesting read, or should I say reads?The primary character - Dr. Morgan Snow - is a sex therapist and star of the "Butterfield Institute Series" by M.J. Rose. In this volume, consisting of three short stories, Dr. Snow 'shrinks' characters from three well-known suspense series.Extenuating Circumstances: Steve Berry's' Cotton Malone is a former Justice Department operative who is enjoying his retirement and new life as an antiquarian book seller in Copenhagen. But his girlfriend is Snow's patient and begs for help with their relationship, sending the doctor to Denmark and a little covert therapy.Decisions, Decisions: When Dr. Morgan Snow refuses to turn over a patient's records to her powerful husband, he makes thinly-veiled threats against Morgan's daughter. Terrified for Dulcie, she is forced to turn to Barry Eisler's John Rain, a master of death by "natural causes." And in the process, learns something about herself.Knowing You're Alive: Lee Child's ex-military cop, Jack Reacher, has been following Ted Carlson since sundown. When the subject disappeared into The Butterfield Institute, Reacher waited; for an hour, until an explosion rocked the building. Inside, he finds Dr. Morgan Snow, trapped under debris he cannot move. While they wait for paramedics, he tells her a story.Due to its nature: one fictional individual (rather) covertly providing sex therapy to three others, there isn't a lot of back story or character development here. You aren't going to get to know each person - as it's assumed they are already familiar to readers.Although I did enjoy each story on its own, I'm certain that the impact / import of the conversations and revelations would mean much more to readers and fans of Snow, Malone, Rain, and Reacher. So, for me, it was a little disappointing.But, it did pique my curiosity about these characters. Who knows? I may have found four new authors to explore.And you simply can't go wrong whenAll the proceeds of the audio book and a share of the proceeds of the ebook will be donated to David Baldacci's Wish You Well Foundation, supporting family literacy. (WishYouWellFoundation.org)Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic galley of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com [...] professional readers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.[This review was originally written 10/28/2011.]