Stephen White has made a name for himself in the mystery genre with books like Blinded and The Best Revenge featuring therapist Dr. Alan Gregory. Though Gregory makes brief appearances in White’s new book Kill Me, the book really belongs to the anonymous narrator, a rich thrill-seeker who spends his time skiing on dangerous ground, sky-diving and traveling in his private jet.

The narrator is happy with his family and his edgy life until an accident leaves his friend in a vegetative state. Suddenly worried about ending up in the same position, the narrator is led to a meeting with a group of people he comes to refer to as “the Death Angels.” The Death Angels will lay his fears to rest—for a healthy sum of money. If his quality of life, either due to illness or injury, slips below a certain threshold, the Death Angels will kill him.

Soon after he makes a deal with the group, the narrator meets a teenaged son he never knew he had. Before he gets a chance to develop a relationship with the boy, he discovers he has a life-threatening aneurysm. As his symptoms begin showing themselves, the narrator realizes that he has very little time before the Death Angels carry out their part of the deal. Suddenly, he is not so sure he is ready to die.

Kill Me is a type of thriller that is seen too little of these days. It is not only surprising, entertaining and suspenseful, but it also makes you think. As you read about the narrator’s chilling run from the Death Angels, you begin thinking about your own quality of life and what you would do to get just one more day with the ones you love. Though the narrator isn’t the most sympathetic of characters, you do come to empathize with him by the end of the book and hope that he will be able to get to know his son before his end comes. The secondary characters who make appearances add to the story, especially Lizzie, who works for the Death Angels but also develops sympathy for the narrator. The mysterious and tentative relationship between the two adds a depth and emotion to the story that makes it all the more enjoyable.

Those who enjoy White’s Alan Gregory series should like the new character and storyline introduced in Kill Me. This is also the perfect book for mystery lovers who have not yet discovered White. Satisfying and thought-provoking, Kill Me will occupy your thoughts long after you finish it.