The Chalk Girl (Kathleen Mallory Series #10) [NOOK Book]

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Overview

The astonishing new Mallory novel from the New York Times- bestselling author.

The little girl appeared in Central Park: red-haired, blue-eyed, smiling, perfect-except for the blood on her shoulder. It fell from the sky, she said, while she was looking for her uncle, who turned into a tree. Poor child, people thought. And then they found the body in the tree.

For Mallory, newly returned to the Special Crimes Unit after three months' lost time, there is something about the girl that she understands. Mallory is damaged, they say, but she can tell a kindred spirit. And this one will ...
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Overview

The astonishing new Mallory novel from the New York Times- bestselling author.

The little girl appeared in Central Park: red-haired, blue-eyed, smiling, perfect-except for the blood on her shoulder. It fell from the sky, she said, while she was looking for her uncle, who turned into a tree. Poor child, people thought. And then they found the body in the tree.

For Mallory, newly returned to the Special Crimes Unit after three months' lost time, there is something about the girl that she understands. Mallory is damaged, they say, but she can tell a kindred spirit. And this one will lead her to a story of extraordinary crimes: murders stretching back fifteen years, blackmail and complicity and a particular cruelty that only someone with Mallory's history could fully recognize. In the next few weeks, she will deal with them all . . . in her own way.


Editorial Reviews

Janet Maslin
The Chalk Girl is an event of sorts—any Mallory book is—and works decently as a stand-alone. But it has a complicated, grisly New York City plot that keeps Mallory in the background and that could not be more Scandinavian if Stieg Larsson had devised it. Like the Dragon Tattoo books it abounds with malicious familial relationships, damaging psychological histories, bizarre acts of cruelty and small talk tinged with sadism. What offsets this nastiness is Ms. O'Connell's elegant wit…
—The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Near the start of bestseller O’Connell outstanding 10th novel featuring New York City cop Kathy Mallory (after 2006’s Find Me), the enigmatic Mallory, despite having been declared mentally unfit to return to duty following an unexplained three month long absence, nonchalantly reclaims her desk in the Special Crimes Unit. Nobody questions “Mallory the Machine,” especially after she connects with a savantlike child found wandering alone in Central Park. Eight-year-old Coco has witnessed a kidnapping and murder, but the girl is incapable of describing the killer. The murder of Coco’s uncle is one of three similar crimes that Mallory begins to suspect are linked to a couple of cold cases as well as to pervasive corruption among the city’s elite. O’Connell’s awesome ability to weave a taut, complex plot works with Mallory’s equally awesome detective skills as she unearths each crystalline facet of crimes both past and present. Author tour. (Jan.)
Library Journal
It has been five years since O'Connell gave us a new novel in her Mallory series, but the action picks up only a few weeks after we last saw Mallory melting down in Find Me. Once again, a child is in jeopardy, one who may be a witness to a series of grisly crimes in New York's Central Park. Coco is an unusual child, but she charms even the antisocial detective Mallory, though her partner, Riker, and friend Charles Butler doubt how deeply she can care for the little girl. But Mallory, who predates both Dexter Morgan and Lisbeth Salander as an unlikely crime-stopping sociopath, does care for Coco—in her own violently protective way. As Mallory and Riker unravel the mystery, older crimes are uncovered, along with the ways adults repeatedly fail the children around them. VERDICT O'Connell offers more than a suspenseful tale; she portrays a complex world of dark and light, corruption and love, in a New York City that retains its grittiness. Another must-read in a compelling and rich crime series. [See Prepub Alert, 7/11/11.]—Devon Thomas, DevIndexing, Chelsea, MI
Kirkus Reviews
A complex, gritty thriller that is at once hard to take and hard to put down. It opens with a woman taking a group of schoolchildren on a visit to Sheep Meadow, part of Manhattan's Central Park. After the children wander off, she collapses and dies from a massive stroke, and a horde of rats gnaw on her corpse. A mysterious 8-year-old waif named Coco appears and displays considerable knowledge of vermin. One of a series of novels featuring NYPD detective Kathy Mallory, this book has a number of surprising and grisly twists. The characters are fascinating, though, including crazy Mallory, who had once been a street urchin herself and now brings a unique perspective to her job. Coco has Williams Syndrome, a condition that manifests itself partly in excessive desire to be loved, even by strangers. Give her a hug and she's cool, but don't get her started talking about rats. Meanwhile, Mallory investigates the murder of a schoolboy named Ernest Nadler--Dead Ernest--who has been systematically tormented by a small group of other children. Who are they, and why did they do it? Has someone put them up to the crime? No doubt children exist who are capable of such evil, although they are hard to imagine. And perhaps such children--speaking of vermin--need no particular motivation to inflict themselves on a classmate. But the ultimate motivation for the crime and the deep, insane intrafamily hatred seem rather hard to believe. Hardly the craziest character in the story, Mallory pursues the case with a certain emotional detachment. She gets in the faces of powerful people even as she strives to protect the strange Coco, who doesn't seem surprised when rats fall from the sky. Readers who dislike tales of torture and murder of children will take a pass on this one, but those who relish justice will be glad they read to the end.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781101565803
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 1/17/2012
  • Sold by: Penguin Group
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 384
  • Sales rank: 6,436
  • Series: Kathleen Mallory Series , #10
  • File size: 1 MB

Meet the Author

Carol O'Connell

Carol O’Connell is the author of eleven previous books, nine featuring Mallory, and the stand-alone novels Judas Child and Bone by Bone. She lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 23 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(13)

4 Star

(9)

3 Star

(1)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 23 Customer Reviews
  • Posted February 5, 2012

    A complex thriller

    If you are a fan of complex thrillers, this is the book for you. This is the first Kathleen Mallory book I've ever read, but it won't be my last. O'Connell weaves a tale that will keep the reader on their toes throughout the book. A little girl is found in the woods of Central Park. She talks to a tree who she says is her uncle. She may know who a murderer is. But Coco has Williams syndrome and has attached herself to Mallory.

    Mallory is bent on protecting Coco and getting her help with the bizarre murder. Coco's temporary guardian, a psychologist familiar with Williams syndrome, is trying to keep Mallory from getting to close to the girl and from overwhelming her with questions about the murderer.

    The characters are well written, each intertwined in the history of others. Maybe it has been this way throughout the whole Mallory series, but it works in this book even if this is the first Mallory book you read. Mallory is a bit psycho. She will do almost anything to reach her end goal. The NYPD is lucky she is on their side. But somehow, it seems Coco touches her cold, cold
    heart.

    This was a very enjoyable book to read. The intricacies of the plot and relationships will keep you guessing about what happens on the next page. But, it wasn't the kind of book I couldn't put down. Even so, I want to go back and read the rest of the series.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 22, 2012

    Wonderful book! O'Connell strikes again

    I have been waiting over four years for another Mallory book. After the very good "Find Me," I thought our adventures with Mallory were over. I was so happy to find "Chalk girl." As always, O'Connell weaves a complex mystery, getting the reader involved in the story. The main mystery involves a little girl named Coco whose 'uncle' is taken up by a tree. The mystery deepens, as other characters, past and present, are introduced. The chapters begin brilliantly with a wonderful insight into the mind of a young boy, making the reader aware of the dear boy's importance. The book is deliciously gory, filled with rats, hanging bodies and brutality, but it also (like Mallory) has a heart. The ending, as usual, gave me much to think about and made move love the characters (Charles, Riker, Mallory, even Heller) that much more. I really can't wait until the next Mallory novel. Our girl Mallory is not for everyone. However, if a reader gives her an opportunity, she will steal the reader's heart. Begin with "Mallory's Oracle," thought, to truly understand the wonder of Mallory.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 18, 2012

    As always, Carol O'Connell has written a "can't put down" story.

    Carol O'Connell is one of my favorite authors, and her character, Mallory, is one of my favorite detectives. Ms O'Connell's books are rivetting with characters so well-defined, the reader can visualize what they look like. Each of her Mallory stories is different from the others---none of the standard formula of cranking out stories that are the same story each book. I would recommend all of her books, but the reader should start with the first book, and follow the series chronologically.

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  • Posted April 13, 2012

    Chalk Girl Is Hard To Erase!

    As a longtime Mallory fan, I think I "get" many of her motivations. I'm amazed that many of the male characters still are having a hard time figuring her out. What makes a really good read is a story that pulls you in immediately and makes you feel -- postively or negatively -- about the characters. This was a riveting story, and while I figured out many of the details before they were revealed, it was no less interesting. A great psychological page turner. No matter what the other characters may have thought, I believe Mallory bonded with the little girl.

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  • Posted April 10, 2012

    Interesting book with a different twist will keep you reading!

    This book didn't bore me like a lot of novels do now days.I read before I go to sleep almost every night. Too many writers out there with little talent. Not in this case. Really enjoyed the book! It was very realistic too. I don't usually read series books as they get too predictable but I might check the rest of this one out! Get it you will enjoy it too!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 28, 2012

    Highly Recommend

    Hadn't read this author before but got hooked from the beginning on the story. Will have to go back and read some of the earlier books to get a better understanding of the troubled and quirky investigator.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2012

    excellant

    great addition to mallory series

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 4, 2012

    The Chalk Girl : Yet another great adventure with Mallory.

    I have always enjoyed the books in this series. This latest one is no exception; tightly plotted and all of the characters very true to themselves.
    Someone is hanging bodies up in Central Park, and it's going to take Mallory and Riker to figure it out.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2012

    Classic Mallory

    OConnell and Mallory are ina class by themselves. The much bally hooed Lisbeth Salander pales in comparison.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 29, 2012

    I love it

    Great book

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  • Posted January 18, 2012

    Highly recommended.

    Standalone read, but I recommend starting with the first book. Mallory is growing a soul book by book.

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