Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written, Author has an agenda
Review: I felt sorry for Mr. White, because he doesn't know much about the Mormons, but is willing to bash the church. I have read several of his other books, and liked them. I was vastly disapointed in this work, and makes me wonder if he knows anymore about M.S. than he does about Mormons. The only thing that seems to come out in this book, is his obsession with drinking. Makes me wonder if he is an alcholic? As a practicing Mormon who went to B.Y.U. in the 60's, I know he hasn't bothered to talk to an educated Mormon, who knows much about the history and theology of the church. If he had, he wouldn't have said most of the stupid things he did. It would be like me saying that people with M.S. deserve to have the disease. I listen to about 60-80 books a year on tape, and find it is the most enjoyable way to pass time while traveling, and tend to read all that an author writes, if I like his work. I will be looking with an jaundiced eye at his next work because of the poor job he did on this one. I wonder who must have hurt him to have such a poor opinion of the Mormon church? I live in Denver, and like the fact that Boulder has several good authors, but don't consider Mr. White as one of them now.
Rating: 
Summary: Everything's a Character
Review: I got this book as a Christmas Present two years ago, but it took me until now to read it! Not only are the characters well crafted but there are other elements that are characters as well. The State of Utah and The Moromon Chuch become antagonists. They all come together to create a tight work that shows also how hard it can be to achieve justice when the wall of spearation between church and state falls.
Rating: 
Summary: White is Right
Review: I just read "Higher Authority" and couldn't put it down. Having lived and worked in Utah for 25 years, surrounded by Mormons, I could identify with all the author said. He obviously did his homework. This book might be hard for a lot of people who have never lived in Utah to believe, but I can vouch for all that he had to say about the workings and practices of the Mormon church. His research was meticulous. It is difficult for me to understand how thinking people can subject themselves to this sort of total mind domination where you must accept and believe, and never question anything about "the" church, its teachings, or its heirarchy. I have a number of good friends who are Mormons and feel sorry for them in that there is no way out except by being scorned and ostracised by their family and other Mormons. They truly believe the rest of us are going to hell and that their religion is the only true religion. Of course you are not a good Mormon if you try to explore the history of their true religion. They consider it as not being "faith promoting". It is common knowledge that the church has a highly secured vault in Utah which houses all defamatory records and writings and is never open to scholars or others who may share its contents. These records are purchased or obtained at all costs and immediately hidden. The paranoia for secrecy is well known. The Mormon religion is cleverly packaged to look very wholesome. On the surface it appeals to many looking for a religion and clean way of life for their children. If you are being sold this Madison Avenue facade and are considering becoming a Mormon I would highly recommend this book. It may open your eyes and your mind. This book is true but I am sure it is banned as reading material for the followers.
Rating:
Summary: White is Right
Review: I just read "Higher Authority" and couldn't put it down. Having lived and worked in Utah for 25 years, surrounded by Mormons, I could identify with all the author said. He obviously did his homework. This book might be hard for a lot of people who have never lived in Utah to believe, but I can vouch for all that he had to say about the workings and practices of the Mormon church. His research was meticulous. It is difficult for me to understand how thinking people can subject themselves to this sort of total mind domination where you must accept and believe, and never question anything about "the" church, its teachings, or its heirarchy. I have a number of good friends who are Mormons and feel sorry for them in that there is no way out except by being scorned and ostracised by their family and other Mormons. They truly believe the rest of us are going to hell and that their religion is the only true religion. Of course you are not a good Mormon if you try to explore the history of their true religion. They consider it as not being "faith promoting". It is common knowledge that the church has a highly secured vault in Utah which houses all defamatory records and writings and is never open to scholars or others who may share its contents. These records are purchased or obtained at all costs and immediately hidden. The paranoia for secrecy is well known. The Mormon religion is cleverly packaged to look very wholesome. On the surface it appeals to many looking for a religion and clean way of life for their children. If you are being sold this Madison Avenue facade and are considering becoming a Mormon I would highly recommend this book. It may open your eyes and your mind. This book is true but I am sure it is banned as reading material for the followers.
Rating:
Summary: Memorable mystery involving Mormonism
Review: I originally read this book about four years ago. While I had forgotten much of the mystery plot (not unusual for me), the insights into Mormonism really stuck with me. I reread the book this week (so I could chat with my husband, a first time reader) and came away even more impressed. Having spent considerable time in Utah, I find the exploration of the LDS church in this book fascinating. I'm a bit of a religious skeptic and probably share some of White's biases. Still, this book strikes me as being carefully researched and jives with what I already knew of the life in Utah. It's a tremendous education about a part of America that is rarely explored in fiction (or elsewhere). The other outstanding feature of this book is that it focuses on Lauren Crowder, Alan Gregory's girlfriend. As I mentioned in an earlier review, this really is a series that should be read in order (if possible). This is the third book in the series. I admire White's courage in backseating Gregory. Lauren is an interesting character and lends a different (more serious) tone to this book. Still, I can see that this is a bit of a curve ball for what some readers may expect. So -- you're forwarned now - enjoy it. Oh, yes, the mystery. There is one and it's ok. Actually, it reminds me a bit of some of the earlier Grisham books. It's probably the weakest part of the book but good enough that you won't want to put the book down towards the end.
Rating:
Summary: For the thinking reader
Review: Not only was this a good read from a mystery standpoint, it taught me more about the Mormon religion than my college level Comparative Religion class. The author either has a very personal acquaintance with the Mormon church, or he performed very thorough research. Either way, I always love it when I learn something from a book as well as just enjoy the experience, and this was one of those books. I found this book to be HIGHLY original. In addition to the events in the plot being different from the ordinary fare, this is the first time I have read a mystery author who switches the focus from a series' main character (the psychologist)the secondary main character (Lauren)in a separate book. I read it in less than a week, was sorry when it ended.
Rating:
Summary: Mormons Beware, You May Not Like What You Read!
Review: Some of the Mormons who wrote reviews here are defending what can't be defended. Stephen White wrote a novel but he did research before he did and what he found was obviously not to the liking of the LDS Church or some of its more devout (and misinformed adherents). What White tried to do with "Higher Authority" (and I think he was very successful) was set a murder mystery against the backdrop of the workings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What Mormon readers of this book need to do is get honest; they also need to read up on their church's history and when they do, the real theology should come through. Alan Gregory is not the main character here, Lauren Crowder is. It is what she investigates and finds that makes for the backdrop of the story. What many non-Mormon readers don't realize is what exactly LDS members believe. White gives us a primer but he doesn't cover it all. If most people knew just exactly what Mormons believe, they would never, ever become adherents. Read this book because it's a good story. After you do, go to a Christian bookstore to the section on "cults" and buy any of the books on MORMONS. Read with an open mind and when you do, you'll find that Mormons aren't Christians at all. They mean well and Stephen White points that out in his novel. But it's the negative exposure that has the Mormons trying to explain away the inconsistencies and outright falsehoods that are part of their false doctrine. Stephen White lives in a part of the country where Mormons are numerous and influential. His riting is all the more courageous because of that. There are documented cases of people making death threats to people who write and say negative things about the LDS Church. I have spoken to non-Mormon friends from Utah and they HAVE told me that UTAH is as close to a theocracy as one gets in the good old USA. Read "Higher Authority" and get an idea why.
Rating: 
Summary: Higher Authority too much about Mormons
Review: Stephen White is a good suspense writer. However, I find in this case White did do his homework, but reading the book I found it to be way too much about Mormons and not enough suspense. I am more interested in the story line and not so much in the background information which is what White did.
Rating:
Summary: This Is FICTION, Not Religious Philosophy
Review: Stephen White's book is well researched. He did the research in order to set a spine-tingling murder against the backdrop of authority. Much of the "history" in "Higher Authority" is true, though I certainly have not heard it talked about among the Mormons I know--even during religous and historical discourses. Still, I believe that if White has an axe to grind (as many reviews on this page have suggested), it is against authority run amok, not specificially against Mormons. White has a story to tell and he has chosen an area in which authority has a real presence in which to place that story. I'll bet if anyone bothered to ask Mr. White, he might have a soft spot in his heart for people in general, Mormons included. If I have any criticism of "Higher Authority" it is that, though the basics are researched, it is soon apparent that Ambrose didn't live in Utah long, if at all. It's not that he gets anything in terms of description or background really wrong, just that it somehow feels incomplete. This is, however, how genre fiction is often written. And this book IS fiction. The author does not claim that this story actually happened. Nor does he suggest it will. He is spinning a tale and he does it well. "Higher Authority" is not a philosophical treatise. It's a novel. A GENRE novel. Read it an enjoy it for what it is. Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place"
Rating:
Summary: This Is FICTION, Not Religious Philosophy
Review: Stephen White's book is well researched. He did the research in order to set a spine-tingling murder against the backdrop of authority. Much of the "history" in "Higher Authority" is true, though I certainly have not heard it talked about among the Mormons I know--even during religous and historical discourses. Still, I believe that if White has an axe to grind (as many reviews on this page have suggested), it is against authority run amok, not specificially against Mormons. White has a story to tell and he has chosen an area in which authority has a real presence in which to place that story. I'll bet if anyone bothered to ask Mr. White, he might have a soft spot in his heart for people in general, Mormons included. If I have any criticism of "Higher Authority" it is that, though the basics are researched, it is soon apparent that Ambrose didn't live in Utah long, if at all. It's not that he gets anything in terms of description or background really wrong, just that it somehow feels incomplete. This is, however, how genre fiction is often written. And this book IS fiction. The author does not claim that this story actually happened. Nor does he suggest it will. He is spinning a tale and he does it well. "Higher Authority" is not a philosophical treatise. It's a novel. A GENRE novel. Read it an enjoy it for what it is. Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place" --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition
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