Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat Disappointing
Review: I'm definitely in the minority here in that I found Mallory in the first three books to be a thoroughly despicable character who grew more hateful in each succeeding book. Unlike most of those who agree with me, I've gritted my teeth and continued through the series cringing as the woman mows over other characters with complete lack of human compassion or sense of her impact on those around her. I do agree that Carol O'Connell is a powerful story teller who brings her quirky and often surrealistic characters to life. With this fourth book in the series, I do feel more of a hook which keeps me reading Mallory. This book takes her to her roots and I find myself beginning to understand her a bit better, but I still have trouble liking her. And I have difficulty respecting Charles Butler, rather pitying his obsessive love for this person. But although I felt as if I was plodding through the book, I feel a growing fascination. So in this review, I speak especially to those others who hate Mallory in tentatively recommending the book. You do learn more about her and the revelation as to why she insists on being called Mallory rather than by her given name. You may well find yourself caught up a bit more in this series. I read somewhere that Mallory is definitely, for many of us an acquired taste and my reaction was who in his right mind would want to acquire a taste for her. But as I labelled this review, it is a turning point and if you've gotten this far in the series, it may be worth your while to continue with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Mallory at her Best!
Review: The best, most disturbing Mallory book to date! O'Connell answers many reader's questions from past Mallory novels, yet leaves us waiting in anticipation for the next novel in the series!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful & Scary
Review: Kathy Mallory goes back to the southern town where her mother was murdered to seek revenge. This was one hell of a book and I read it word for word in order not to loose the thread. Deeply affecting. Charles and Riker show up in the book to try and influence Mallory. (Yeah, right!) I now have to read something fluffy in order to get my nerves back in order but I dont regret reading this book for a moment. I got shivers when it was revealed why Mallory insists in being called "Mallory". I hope subsequent books by O'Connell are as good as this one. The first ones were.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting, Powerful, Satisfying- Mallory is irrestible!
Review: ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Definitely a 5 star ***** read!
~ * ~ This book is thrilling, chilling, totally absorbing!!! Definitely the best of the " Mallory books,
~ * ~ I believe this book is really the best read if you have read the other books in the series ("Killing Critics" etc.). However, I did share the book with some people who were new to Mallory and they said they enjoyed it immensely.
~ * ~ Mallory was taken in at age 12 ?? by an NYPD cop, who found her as a tough street kid, apparently a "throwaway", in earlier novels she is eerily without the type of "consicence" we recognize though we can sympathize with her ruthless pursuit of justice, especially in avenging her foster father's death.
~ * ~
Now Mallory has returned to what apparently once was "home" the scene of an inexplicable crime- the murder of her mother, a well liked, caring physician.
~ * ~ Mallory tries to refuse any assitance in her quest for justice and vengeance, but eccentric and loveable allies fall in beside her in an elaborate plot to uncover the truth and strike terror into the hearts of the guilty.
~ * ~
This novel is almost frightening in the way in which the reader becomes a willing participant in the quest for revenge. The author does a wonderful job of first enticing us into the plot and then shifting back to consider whether the quest for vengeance itself is really such a good idea even in the face of the enormity of the crime, as no-one involved can emerge unscathed. Very beautifully done- this one is a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Stone Angel is an incredible read!
Review: After becoming fully gripped in the Kathleen Mallory series, I was blown away by Stone Angel. In this book we learn about Mallory as a child, and the horrific event that (almost) destroyed her soul. But as you will see in the interactions with Ira and Charles, Mallory is much stronger and emotionally developed than previously indicated. This one will deserve a second, and a third, read to fully appreciate the writing efforts.
Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed
Review: I'm lucky enough both to have read all the Mallory books in the order written, and to be a native of South Louisiana. Some have complained that the writing is complicated and difficult to navigate, but that's the mark of a great writer--someone who can think on many different levels while telling a story. O'Connell captures the local idiosyncracies well, and accomplishes perfect timing by revealing in this novel the explanation for Mallory's complexity. It and its preceding novels are a litmus test for who the truly dedicated (and compulsive) mystery readers really are. O'Connell is mystery writing's best kept secret.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart Pounding!
Review: Before reading the Stone Angel you must read the first two books in the Mallory series! This book was slow in places but more than made up for it in the end. We see a small crack in Kathy's hard shell, and a toughening up of Charles. The ending of the book was so well written it had my heart pounding, my pulse racing, and a feeling of looking over my shoulder as I tried to help by pushing them along. A great way to come full circle. I can't wait to see how Mallory develops after this! .
| 
