Rating:  Summary: Thoroughly Engrossing Review: This, the fourth in the Mallory series, was a thoroughly engrossing read. Ms. O'Connell's character development is exceptional. The plot is intricate without being overly busy. This book did cause me an embarrassing moment. The scene where Mallory is reunited with her very old dog triggered uncontrollable sobs which proved to be rather disconcerting for the people around me in the dentist's waiting room. There were a few chuckles too. When Detective Sergent Riker meets Sheriff Tom Jessop, it's a match made in heaven. You could probably read and enjoy this book without reading the previous books in this series, but I think you would be missing out on a lot. All of Ms. O'connell's books to date have been very good.
Rating:  Summary: Best of the Mallory series Review: This had a Mallory I liked better. The suspense kept me going from start to finish, without any slow spots.
Rating:  Summary: Absolutely stunning. Review: I loved the first book in this series but was a bit disappointed in the second and third. I was starting to dislike Mallory a bit and hoped the author would be able to at least explain her more. At the same time I didn't want to see Mallory "redeemed" - I enjoy reading about imperfect heroines who don't anguish over their "faults." This book is absolutely perfect - it reveals some of Mallory's past with empathy and respect for her present character, in a realistic and logical manner. It also leaves the reader with more questions about Mallory and whether her experiences in this book will result in any changes to her essential nature. Thanks for Ms. O'Connell for not spoiling Mallory for her faithful fans.
Rating:  Summary: I LOVED THE BOOK Review: I have read the entire Mallory series, and I can't wait for the next book in the series! In Stone Angel, Ms. O'Connell further develops Mallory's character for us, and answers questions she raised in the earlier books. Not only was it a good "whodunnit" with several plausible suspects, the characters were rich and complex. When does the next Mallory book hit the market?
Rating:  Summary: A puzzle completed! Review: I think this might be the book of the year. I am an avid mystery fan and have read hundeds of books and I think this is one of the best ever. I could hardly wait to get to the next page, yet I didn't want this book to end. There were numerous surprises and revelations weaving a most unusual story. Each of the small town characters had a story of their own to tell. Even though the mystery surrounding Mallory has been unveiled, the awe and excitement still exist...This can't be the end. We would all be cheated.
Rating:  Summary: still the best i've read Review: my largest complaint about this book - the only criticism that i have, really - is that o'connell is just too good. not only can you not put the book down, you scan ahead, skipping paragraphs in your rush to devour her words. DO NOT CONSUME HER WORK IN THIS MANNER! i've read Stone Angel six times now, and each time i pick up something i've missed, and every detail is paramount. Mallory (Hopefully we can call her Kathleen after this one)is on her most painful, obsessive mission yet, and Charles has managed to keep both his convictions and his rose-colored image of Mallory. Riker, cynical to the last, threatens to thwart Mallory's plans for avenging her mother's brutal death. The climax is riveting; images of Mallory stepping from one pool of streetlight to the next in her other-era gunslinger clothes is ultimately satisfying. i confess i missed Slope and Rabbi Kaplan, and the interplay among the NY cop shop, but hopefully they'll be back in the next of the series. Carol O'Connell is the true master, and Mallory is my hero - strength personified, but completely vulnerable. we understand why she doesn't want to be human, and yet, in spite of her self, her humanity shines through in her code of honor and her desire to protect the men she cares about. Yes, she cares, and we care. read all four novels back to back on a rainy day, and if you haven't read O'Connell's work yet, you've really missed the boat.
Rating:  Summary: Don't gulp--savor this Review: I started this book at 11 pm and ended it at 4 am. A big mistake, and the way I read O'Connell. My first was Killing Critics, then I ordered the first two and this one, read them seriatum in three nights. I'm exhausted, but now I can go back and savor them in order. Mallory isn't believable, except in the context of being a sociopath, and so placed, she becomes believable. The complexity of the relationships between characters Mallory, Charles, and Riker is never forced, and their interactions with the characters introduced in this book are understandable. A few spots I did say, "No, I don't think so," but they were few. I certainly recommend this book. One note though, a man of 6'4" isn't that shocking to people, not in NYC, so constant references to Charles's inhibitions about his height are a little annoying. I think he'd need another 2-3 inches to be as freakish as he appears in the series. A very minor quibble, I admit!
Rating:  Summary: O'Connell's gift at charcterization. Review: Rather than dwell on the books I wish to share a discovery - why O'connell wrote them in the first place. I believe she had an inspired vision of a character - Mallory - which she wished to reveal to us. No doubt in her " writing room" there is a huge bulletin board. upon this board O'Connell artfully sketched out Mallory's life. Once this was done she then began the task of constructing story formats each of which would slowly reveal more of Mallory. I don't believe for a minute that we know all there is to know. Carol - I await the next step in my journey.
Rating:  Summary: Mallory:a much needed jolt for the mystery genre Review: After years of reading mysterys populated with angst-ridden, upper-crust British detectives or moralizing female forensic scientists, Carol O'Connell's Kathy Mallory comes as a brisk, rousing slap in the face. In the fourth Mallory novel, Stone Angel, O'Connell thrusts us on a dark, twisted journey into NYPD Police Sergeant Kathy Mallory's past. As relentless and ruthless as Mallory herself, O'Connelly drags the reader towards the increasingly horrific truth about the death of Mallory's mother... a truth that begins to explain the howling emptiness that resides within Kathy Mallory. O'Connell has undoubtedly created the finest mystery detective to hit the book shelves in recent memory. The exquisitely detailed Mallory is as sharp and cutting as shards of glass. The fact that we somehow care about this women is evidence of O'Connell's mastery of writing. If there's a mystery reader on your gift list, give them all four of the Mallory novels ...it will be the best present they receive this year.
Rating:  Summary: Publicize Carol O'Connell! Review: There is nothing worse than jumping into a series mid-stream, unless, of course, the series has nothing whatsoever to recommend it. Not the case with the adventures of Kathy," just call me Mallory". During an extended period at home, I had the golden chance to acquaint myself with Mallory and her spell-binding companions in the bayous of Lousiana. STONE ANGEL makes you want each of the three previous novels. Instead of bland dialogue and a retreaded plot, the reader gets bon mots and rip-roaring action. Let's publicize this author so she finds the audience she deserves!!
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